Mysterious Journey
Chapter 885 Work, Dobby, Work!
Or rather, with the proactive initiation of this newly appointed "junior member of the school board," nearly all the wizards present tacitly began to support him. Dumbledore found himself somewhat bewildered by this sudden collective will.
However, the old wizard quickly deciphered the subtext from the expressions of those around him.
"I see. This is a private agreement between the Ministry of Magic and the school board..."
Dumbledore stood on the platform in the center of the Great Hall, taking in the expressions and actions of the wizards around him.
Hogwarts was changing too much, too mysteriously. The Ministry of Magic and various pure-blood families wanted to plant spies in the castle.
Evidently, these cunning pure-blood wizarding families wouldn't take the initiative. They were more accustomed to having minor characters test the waters first, like scouts in ancient warfare. Malfoy, recently added to the school board, was undoubtedly fulfilling that role. In that light, the letter... likely represented more than just Lucius Malfoy's personal intentions.
"The Ministry of Magic, the pure-blood families, they suspect something after all... I'll have to warn that girl to be more discreet and low-key."
Dumbledore pondered for a moment, rapidly thinking in his mind, his tone becoming serious.
"I reiterate, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, my primary concern is to ensure the well-being of our students. The school welcomes house-elves from all over the world, but on the condition that their management is transferred during their time here—unconditionally following our directives."
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, are you implying..."
Umbridge narrowed her eyes, speaking softly with a saccharine tone, "That during this period, Hogwarts will supersede the original wizarding families, even to the extent of ordering them to reveal secrets or betray their original masters in theory?"
"Hogwarts has no intention of prying into the secrets of your homes," Dumbledore said plainly. "But considering the overall situation, this is the bottom line for negotiation. The school has its own rules; otherwise, everything would fall into chaos."
"...Then, I have a question."
Mr. Greengrass of the school board stroked his cane, speaking softly.
"If the original families wish to understand the training situation, or occasionally show concern for the lives of their servants, that is always reasonable, isn't it? As everyone knows, we have always valued reputation... Hogwarts may be too lenient in this regard."
"Of course, whether by sending letters or asking directly, these are not a problem."
Dumbledore nodded politely, speaking softly.
"Hogwarts is not a prison, nor a haven for Dark Arts. Any visits are welcome—as long as they do not interfere with the school's normal educational program. At least, personally, I am very much in favor of Mr. Malfoy's proposal."
"Well, since that's the case... Minister, why not let Lucius try first?"
Greengrass nodded noncommittally, smiling at the person beside him.
He had long heard of the close relationship between the Malfoy family and the Ministry of Magic, and now it seemed to be true.
Unsurprisingly, this proactive challenge mostly stemmed from instructions from the Ministry of Magic. In terms of planting spies, the Ministry of Magic had been becoming increasingly blatant in recent years. This was already within Greengrass's expectations.
Although he didn't know how much the Ministry of Magic was aiming for, Greengrass didn't mind seizing the opportunity to do them a favor.
Unless the Malfoy family betrayed the honor of their pure-blood wizarding family, he would never stand in opposition to the Hogwarts school board. Greengrass was well aware of the middle-aged wizard's acumen in terms of alliances and stances.
Politics and power were ultimately fleeting; bloodlines were the most enduring bond.
Lucius Malfoy?
Sure enough, these old fellows couldn't hold back any longer?
Cornelius Fudge raised his eyebrows slightly, thoughtfully glancing at Greengrass.
Since he had managed to get Umbridge into Hogwarts this year, these Hogwarts school board members had clearly felt threatened. To maintain their control over the school, this was not surprising.
Perhaps this was also the reason they had suddenly absorbed the Malfoy family into the board.
"If Mr. Malfoy himself has no objections, the Ministry of Magic will of course fully support it."
Cornelius Fudge said with a smile, giving Greengrass a look, and the two smiled at each other.
As a "young Minister of Magic" who had only been in office for two years, Cornelius Fudge was eager to gain the support of these long-standing magical families. In this situation, only a fool wouldn't seize the opportunity to do a favor.
Moreover, compared to Umbridge, house-elves would naturally be able to uncover more secrets.
"It seems everyone has discussed it thoroughly, so I have no objections..."
Dumbledore smiled slightly, speaking softly thoughtfully.
One was the current British Minister of Magic, and the other was the spokesperson for the old pure-blood wizarding families. Their eye contact was too obvious. Since the matter had been discussed to this point, forcibly refusing would only make them suspicious.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, what are your thoughts?"
Dumbledore turned his head, looking at the middle-aged wizard sitting in the last seat.
"If there are no problems, we can begin the 'dispatch for learning' tomorrow. Hogwarts' owlery is always open to your house-elves. Of course, you can also come to Hogwarts Castle on weekends to understand the 'training' progress."
"...Of course, I will be watching closely."
Lucius Malfoy took a deep breath, his pale hands clenching into fists, then relaxing.
In the man's palm was a short note like a memo.
[Sorry, students have their own lives; we can only try to guide them.]
He should have known that as the most powerful wizard of the present day, Dumbledore wouldn't care about the request of a former Death Eater.
Even if he lost his only house-elf, it would at most be a slight inconvenience in his daily life, but if he lost Draco, Lucius couldn't imagine what the Malfoy family would become. He had to find a way to protect that disobedient, foolish son.
Fortunately, compared to the Dark Lord, at least Dumbledore was a relatively upright person.
…………
Watching the Hogwarts school board members leave, Dumbledore frowned.
Things were more troublesome than he had imagined.
This roughly meant that eyes from outside the school had begun to focus on Elena Kaslana ahead of schedule, and not on the content they had planned to reveal, but rather on who exactly was the mastermind behind the overall plan.
The only thing that confused Dumbledore was why Lucius Malfoy would willingly go to the front lines.
However, these matters and reasons were not so important for the time being.
As for the house-elf issue, he could just pass it on to that white-haired fluffball to handle.
Wasn't that white-haired fluffball wanting to try training on house-elves? He might as well use the elf sent over by the Malfoy family. With the double restrictions of Hogwarts and the original wizarding family, even if Elena had any bewitching rhetoric, it shouldn't overturn the racial habits that house-elves had developed over thousands of years... It shouldn't, should it?
Compared to those house-elves at Hogwarts who were accustomed to being scattered and free, those from pure-blood wizarding families would be difficult to have their minds twisted no matter how you looked at it. Over the years, Dumbledore had visited many magical families.
But for some reason, Dumbledore suddenly felt a pang in his heart.
After experiencing too many similar incidents, he was now starting to suffer from "Elena Kaslana Syndrome."
"...Professor? Professor Dumbledore?"
Not far away, Cornelius Fudge stopped, looking at Dumbledore with some concern.
"You look a bit unwell. Are you too tired..."
"Oh, it's alright, it's just my old problem acting up—"
Dumbledore came back to his senses, waving his hand wearily, revealing a helpless and gentle smile.
"I'm getting old, and my energy can't compare to you young people. Don't worry about me, just continue what you were saying."
"Oh, then I'll continue..."
Cornelius Fudge cleared his throat, lowered his head, and looked at the manuscript in his hand, continuing to read.
"In addition to the schedule for the Quidditch World Cup, the 'Golden Cauldron' competition, which is expected to be held in the middle and late part of next year, should also be started. The coordination work with the International Confederation of Wizards must also be synchronized... Besides that, well, Undersecretary Umbridge submitted a 'Draft on Restricting the Scope of Work for Dangerous Species' last month..."
"Restricting... dangerous species?"
Dumbledore looked through the meeting outline at hand, asking calmly.
"That's right, Professor Dumbledore," a plump pink toad said with a smile. "According to the emergency handling situations submitted by the Auror Office last year, we believe it is necessary to restrict the activities of 'non-human' species in the wizarding world. They may not be hunted or exterminated, but for safety reasons, they are clearly not suitable for some public occupations."
"Regarding this point, I should have expressed my views."
Dumbledore sat up straight, his long fingers interlaced on the table.
"Restricting and exploiting the normal lifestyles and spaces of those 'special groups' will only force them to take risks or drive them to the dark side of the wizarding world. The wizarding world should be more tolerant and actively try to get used to harmonious coexistence."
"But roughly two months ago, Fenrir Greyback... well, perhaps it was his subordinates, but anyway, another werewolf attacked a Muggle. Although that unfortunate person survived, I would say it's probably not a good thing for him—"
Cornelius Fudge slowly shook his head, saying with a solemn expression.
"Perhaps there really are some harmless, kind werewolves and vampires in this world... but we don't have the energy or ability to distinguish them one by one... Not signing an all-out extermination order is already a compromise. Scrimgeour is leading a team to capture Fenrir. If this operation is successful, then we can slowly negotiate later..."
"Fenrir Greyback, is it him again this time? Alright, I understand."
Dumbledore frowned, sighing.
Fenrir Greyback was perhaps the most cruel werewolf in the wizarding world.
He even made it his life's goal to bite and infect as many people as possible.
For decades, Fenrir Greyback had been trying to create enough werewolves to conquer wizards, so he specialized in biting children, raising them far away from their parents, growing up with hatred for normal wizards, and becoming members of his werewolf army. During the dark period of Voldemort's reign, this was Voldemort's weapon to threaten those who didn't obey.
At the same time, he was also one of the few in the wizarding world who Azkaban escapees that Aurors had the right to kill on the spot without approval.
Dumbledore had tried to intervene, but Fenrir Greyback, like a wild beast in the mountains, disappeared into the forests before he could even get close. The Ministry of Magic's successive encirclements and suppressions were also unsuccessful.
"It's just that in terms of handling, wouldn't this force the 'postnatal werewolves' who originally lived in the wizarding world to be even more..."
"Professor Dumbledore, the Ministry of Magic has a dedicated werewolf registry."
Cornelius Fudge politely reminded him, clearly not planning to compromise on that draft.
"Yes, the werewolf registry, a subordinate department of the Beast Office, in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures of the Ministry of Magic. I don't think many people would want to be treated as beasts—alright... I reserve my opinion."
Dumbledore looked at the wizards around him, shrugging helplessly.
Even if he had become the most powerful wizard recognized in the wizarding world today, he was actually powerless in many things.
Just like Grindelwald, as Elena said, changing the world didn't just require power. Traditional thinking was like a stubborn disease, and even if the corresponding antidote was found, it had to be cured little by little over time.
This was just like the house-elf who was about to arrive at Hogwarts.
Perhaps Elena could instigate goblins, gather saints, and even capture ghosts, but when she faced a house-elf from a pure-blood family who had been receiving enslaved education for generations, she would understand the terror of habit and imprinting.
…………
Malfoy Manor.
Lucius Malfoy was explaining to his wife what had happened at the board meeting today.
However, to Lucius's surprise, the speech he had prepared didn't come into play. Narcissa's acceptance was faster than he had expected. This Black family witch, who had always been somewhat assertive, didn't show too much protest.
Narcissa crossed her arms, looking thoughtfully at her husband.
"So, Dobby will be going to work at Hogwarts Castle?"
"That's right, for about a year, because..."
"And during this time, Dobby is still considered a house-elf of the Malfoy family, is that right?"
"Yes, but Hogwarts will have more command authority..."
"Then what about Draco? Besides the headmaster, compared to other students at Hogwarts, Draco can obviously command Dobby a little bit, can't he? I understand correctly? Taking care of his own young master is originally Dobby's job."
"Uh, that's right..."
"Then that's no problem. You can handle the rest yourself."
Mrs. Malfoy stood up, walking out of the living room cleanly.
Only the hesitant Lucius and the cowering house-elf were left in the living room.
Having been a married couple for decades, Narcissa was very clear about her husband's personality and character. Although she didn't fully understand what had happened recently, a woman's intuition still gave her many guesses. Draco might be in trouble.
Perhaps it wasn't entirely Draco's fault, but judging from her husband's recent irritable mood, there must be some connection between the two.
"..."
Lucius Malfoy silently looked at his wife's back, shaking his head with a wry smile.
When things were over, perhaps he should choose to confess on his own initiative.
Then, Mr. Malfoy's face gradually turned cold, and he looked down at the house-elf in front of him.
"You have to go to Hogwarts tomorrow," he said softly. "Dobby, I think you should know—you know why I must send you there, right? After arriving at Hogwarts, what are you going to do?"
"Yes, Master, I will serve Young Master well—"
"Find that dangerous notebook! You must find a way to figure out where that thing that Draco stole from home went before things get out of control! If there is any news, tell me immediately, don't do it yourself... especially, especially don't let Draco, or any other house-elves, Dumbledore discover the problem, otherwise... you know what could happen..."
Lucius Malfoy lowered his voice, saying sternly and coldly.
"I will come to Hogwarts Castle once a week. I don't want to have no news at all by then..."
After a slight pause, Lucius added solemnly.
"Also, you must take good care of Draco—understand? If anything dangerous happens at Hogwarts—you know what I mean—take him away from school at the first opportunity, or find a place to hide."
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Hooray!