Chapter 67: The Show Begins
「Dear Professor Levent:
We have received intelligence that since the Christmas Holiday, you have unauthorizedly produced and sold contraband items, Memory Projection Mirrors, with the amount involved reaching hundreds of thousands of Galleons.
This behavior seriously violates the 《International Wizarding Secrecy Law》《Muggle Items Modification Management Regulations》《Magical Products Business Standards》, causing a bad influence. The Office for the Misuse of Magic has filed a lawsuit with the Wizengamot. We regret to inform you that you must appear at the Ministry of Magic for trial on February 2 at 10 a.m.
Failure to appear without just cause will result in trial in absentia according to law.
Your faithful Dolores Umbridge
Ministry of Magic Office for the Misuse of Magic」
“February 2nd, that’s today…”
Melvin carefully looked at the name at the bottom, finding it somewhat amusing. He finally understood why Scrimgeour had wished him good luck when they met yesterday. The Auror’s Office and the Office for the Misuse of Magic both belong to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. That Auror Director had known then that he had been targeted by Umbridge.
Melvin was somewhat surprised but not panicked.
When on Broadway, he often dealt with the American Ministry of Magic, and he had experienced similar trials several times.
During the Christmas Holiday selling Projection Mirrors and discussing cooperation details with tavern owners across the country, Wright and Borgin had already reminded Melvin that Projection Mirrors were similar to Wizarding Radio and might be targeted by Umbridge, using unconventional means to bring them under Ministry of Magic control.
The situation could be worse. Wizarding Radio had tens of thousands of witches sending Howlers to protest and condemn, while Projection Mirrors were a new thing without a solid mass foundation yet, very likely to be completely banned by Umbridge.
“I thought I’d be prosecuted as soon as Christmas ended, even this letter came later than expected…”
The preparations done by the Magic Mirror Club could finally be put to use.
Melvin turned to look at the other seats at the high table. Quirrell and Snape were absent as usual. The other deans had gotten up early, finished breakfast and left. Dumbledore had also left the table a few minutes ago, leaving only Professor Kettleburn, who ate with one hand, still dawdling.
Handing the blueberry jam to Professor Kettleburn, who had limited mobility, Melvin wiped his hands with a napkin and left the Great Hall to ask the Headmaster for leave.
His professor was going to fight a lawsuit.
……
Great Hall entrance.
Melvin thought the Headmaster was in his office and was about to go upstairs when he saw the Headmaster standing in the courtyard blowing cold wind. It seemed like a post-meal stroll for digestion. The old man had a bad stomach, which was understandable.
Walking along the corridor, he saw a cluster of branches hanging right over Dumbledore’s head. In winter, the trees had branches but no leaves, white snow clinging to them. The snow on the larch branches was white. The old Headmaster’s beard and hair were also pure white.
Dumbledore heard the footsteps and turned, looking in good spirits: “Good morning, Melvin.”
Melvin glanced at the branches over his head and looked away: “I received a prosecution letter from the Ministry of Magic.”
“Regarding the Projection Mirror, right? I received one too.” Dumbledore said with a chuckle. “I was just talking about this with Minerva earlier. The school’s professors and teams are all involved with the Projection Mirror. That Director Umbridge thinks the Headmaster bears responsibility too, and sent me a summons as well.”
“…”
Melvin narrowed his eyes, staring at the similarly summoned Headmaster, gradually realizing and quickly grasping the key point: “Where did you and Professor McGonagall talk?”
“She happened to need to check the Hospital Wing’s accounts that morning, so we just chatted briefly in the corridor outside the ward.”
“Let me guess, was Professor Quirrell conveniently in the Hospital Wing and conveniently overheard your conversation?”
“Well…” Dumbledore showed a thoughtful expression.
“So this is the excuse you’re using to trick Quirrell into leaving school?” Melvin looked at his clumsy performance and asked calmly. “Did you plan this in advance?”
“I just wanted a reason to leave the castle. It happened to coincide with Umbridge investigating the Projection Mirror, so I conveniently added myself in.” Dumbledore looked down at the snow and asked softly, “Will the Projection Mirror matter cause trouble?”
Melvin shook his head: “I’ve been in contact with Madam Marchbanks. Many in the Department of Magical Examinations are Wizengamot Members. They know about the Projection Mirror matter, and I also have some connections with tavern owners everywhere. That notorious Director Umbridge shouldn’t be able to pin charges on me.”
“The situation may be more complicated than you think.” Dumbledore explained patiently. “My friend, Minister Cornelius Fudge values this subordinate highly. He hopes to use her to deal with other tricky officials in the Ministry, wants her promoted quickly, and the Projection Mirror can just be Umbridge’s medal of honor.”
In the years after Voldemort’s downfall, the Wizarding World was relatively peaceful. Former Minister Millicent Bagnold retired smoothly. The most qualified Crouch was implicated by his Death Eater son and voluntarily gave up the election. Dumbledore recommended Cornelius Fudge to take over as Minister, thinking that though his abilities were mediocre, his character was diligent and steady, able to continue the peace.
Many staff in the Ministry looked down on Fudge, seeing him as just Dumbledore’s mouthpiece. Mid- and high-level officials didn’t care about Fudge’s opinions when acting, with inevitably tough attitudes. Like yesterday’s Auror Director Scrimgeour, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Madam Bones, Mr. Crouch of the Department of International Magical Cooperation…
At first, Fudge could face these rumors with a smile, letting slander slide off, always consulting Dumbledore proactively on matters.
But now, after two years in office, with the Minister position barely secured, ambition nurtured by power, Fudge found those officials’ voices too grating and began promoting witches from his own faction. Umbridge was his desired Senior Deputy Minister.
“With so many in the Ministry at odds with Umbridge, I have even more confidence.” Melvin said with a light laugh. “Even if they won’t help a new professor, they’ll oppose Umbridge for the Headmaster’s sake.”
“You might be disappointed. Many high-level Ministry officials don’t like Cornelius but are happy to see my old bones’ influence weakened.”
“Is that why you met Scrimgeour yesterday?”
“I think Scrimgeour is an upright and reliable Auror. He firmly stands against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. If he prepares in advance, it will help us a lot…” Dumbledore paused slightly, then changed the subject. “Professor Quirrell is in position. Need an assistant teacher to remind Harry they still have tutoring this weekend.”
“Tch…”
Clearly an elective professor, always inexplicably working overtime.
Melvin felt a bit indignant. As he turned toward the Great Hall, he reached out and brushed the branches. The accumulated snow immediately fell, drenching the old Headmaster.
Dumbledore looked at the snow on his shoulder and couldn’t help but be speechless.
……
February’s weather had warmed slightly. The frozen Black Lake was starting to melt. Strolling along the shore, you could occasionally hear the ice cracking. There was still snow on the grounds and courtyard, but the sky had stopped snowing. Spring was coming.
Hermione carried a heavy satchel, walking alone to the library.
There was another Gryffindor Quidditch match this month. Harry and Ron spent all day discussing Quidditch tactics, not caring about the Philosopher’s Stone or Hagrid hatching a fire dragon. Only she worried Hagrid might be fired and expelled, so she came to the library on the weekend to look up fire dragon materials.
Those books were quite interesting.
Hermione shook her head, shook off the inappropriate thought, and sighed in annoyance: “Oh my god! Hagrid’s going to be expelled…”
“Who’s going to be expelled?” A mild voice sounded.
Hermione looked up: “Professor Levent?”
“You just said Hagrid’s going to be expelled. Why?”
“No… nothing!”
“I thought Hagrid had gotten into trouble drunk again.” Melvin ruffled her hair and said casually, “Last time he dragged me drinking, got drunk and insisted on telling me about the three-headed dog. Said it likes chewing beef knee bones, hates fleas, falls asleep hearing music… all sorts of nonsense.”
Hermione froze for a moment, her mind buzzing as many things came to mind!
Fluffy falls unconscious hearing music. Hagrid drunk reveals Fluffy’s weakness!
She clearly remembered Hagrid won his dragon egg at the tavern from a mysterious wizard, an identity-unknown mysterious wizard.
“Professor… I have something to tell you.” She hurriedly pulled at the professor’s sleeve.
“Tell me when I get back. I have to go to the Ministry of Magic with Headmaster Dumbledore to handle some matters.” Melvin stuffed a handful of candy into her hand, quickened his pace, and hurried away.
Hermione stared blankly as the professor disappeared around the corridor corner, footsteps fading, his earlier words still echoing in her ears. Her face paled: “Hagrid leaked Fluffy’s weakness, and the Headmaster is going out today… How is it such a coincidence?”
