Chapter 57 57. Banquet Hall and Principal's Office (Part 1)
In the magnificent hall, wizards in elegant and gorgeous gowns are enjoying this unexpected banquet.
The invitation to the dinner party was only sent out in the afternoon. At this time, the upper-class wizards of the British Ministry of Magic had already made other arrangements for tonight, but no matter who it was, as long as the wizards who received the invitation, they all rejected it. All the activities prepared in advance were invited to attend this rally.
Just because this dinner was initiated by that great gentleman, receiving his invitation will only make people feel terrified and honored, and no one will have the slightest thought of refusing it.
The dinner started at 7 o'clock, and it has been two hours now, but the great gentleman is still sitting on the main seat at the front of the banquet hall, with a faint smile on his handsome and charming face, listening absent-mindedly The obsequious Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, reported to him on the work of the Ministry.
From the beginning to the end, he did not announce the reason for the dinner, nor did he have any intention of ending the banquet.
Everything in the British magic world must serve the will of this gentleman, even if this meaningless dinner has to go on like this for three days and three nights, as long as this gentleman does not say it is over, the wizard and witch who are extremely noble here All of you should smile and hold the goblet in your hands to maintain the elegance and luxury of this moment forever.
But at this moment, the door of the banquet hall was suddenly pushed open by the waiter outside the door.
The whispered chatter and laughter among the wizards gradually subsided, and all eyes were on the wizard who seemed to be late.
Greasy long hair, a face as pale as if it had never been exposed to sunlight, and empty eyes that seemed emotionless, no one in the entire wizarding world had such obvious appearance characteristics.
Severus Snape, that gentleman's most trusted subordinate, is currently the vice-principal of Hogwarts, the dean of the Pure Blood College, the professor of Potions, and also the vice-captain of the Death Eaters General Guard.
In the current magical world where bloodlines are extremely strict, although he was born as a mixed blood, he has an identity and status far exceeding that of most pure-blood wizards.
In the banquet hall, someone watched Snape walking in and couldn't help frowning.
Even if he is highly valued by his husband, he can't be proud of being favored on this occasion. He didn't come until the dinner had already started two hours ago.
However, just when some people were about to stand up and criticize this Professor Snape, someone finally noticed the figure walking in behind him, and let out a burst of exclamation.
"House, Dean!"
Slughorn still had that harmless smile on his body. He had already put on a brand new emerald green robe, and nodded slightly towards the witch who called out the dean to him, as a response.
The huge banquet hall instantly became silent.
Everyone present knew exactly who Slughorn was now. Although the Ministry of Magic had never included him in the list of wanted criminals, he still stood on the same side as Dumbledore, the wizard and sinner.
Then what does it mean that he was brought here by Snape tonight?
The active wizard turned his gaze to the person sitting on the main seat.
The Greatest Mister stood up from his seat when Slughorn entered the ballroom.
He walked down the steps step by step, and there was a hint of enthusiasm in the faint smile on his face. When he came to Slughorn, he opened his arms.
Slughorn also had a flush on his face that seemed to be caused by excitement. He also opened his arms and hugged the most promising student in front of him.
The next moment, the most enthusiastic applause erupted in the banquet hall. No one knew why Slughorn, who had been hanging out with Dumbledore for the past two years, appeared here.
But these are not important, what is important is the attitude of the great gentleman towards their former dean, the attitude of the gentleman, is the attitude of these noble purebloods.
…
"Professor, I don't understand why the Dark Lord wants to get the Sorcerer's Stone so much? Also, does he really believe that the teacher betrayed us?"
In the old principal's office, Jon expressed his doubts.
Dumbledore showed an inexplicable smile on his face, and he opened his mouth to answer Jon's doubts.
"The Sorcerer's Stone really doesn't appeal to him at all. The entire British wizarding world belongs to him. Even if that stone can create more wealth, so what? As for the elixir of life, he has always been concerned about this kind of relying on foreign objects to obtain longevity. He will never give his trust in life to others, even if it is a dead thing. The only thing that attracts him is the alchemical value of the Philosopher's Stone itself, but this attraction Certainly not enough for him to work so hard to get it."
"The Sorcerer's Stone is not the key to him. Whether this stone is in my hands is the key point of the problem."
Jon said thoughtfully.
"He doesn't want Hogwarts to rely on this stone to continue to survive in the wizarding world?"
Dumbledore shook his head, with a slightly sarcastic smile on his lips.
"He doesn't want me to drink the elixir of life."
Jon's face froze for a moment, and his mind suddenly became enlightened.
Now Voldemort has completely controlled the wizarding world, but Dumbledore is still alive!
The reason why Hogwarts in exile has been able to survive is only because Dumbledore is still there.
The students and professors on the carriage and those rebellious wizards in the Order of the Phoenix, Voldemort, he has never paid attention to, only Dumbledore, only he can make the Dark Lord who has successfully taken power so solemn. thing.
And if Dumbledore owns the Sorcerer's Stone, it means that he has the capital to live without limit!
"But he obviously underestimated me." Dumbledore said softly, "Even he can't see the false immortality, so how can I use it?"
"As for how I can be sure that he will trust Horace to really betray me and join him, there is no need to be sure at all."
"He has never trusted anyone. For him, it doesn't matter whether the people who are loyal to him are loyal or not. The important thing is whether the people under him can create the value he deserves. Of course, sometimes Absolute loyalty is also a value. Before it is confirmed that Horace really has absolute loyalty to him, Horace's rebellion itself is already a very valuable thing."
Jon wasn't sure what to say.
"Help him unite people?"
Dumbledore smiled approvingly.
"He has been wanted on us for seven years. During this period, he has hardly gained any big gains. Even if his absolute authority in the magic world has not wavered in the slightest, after all, he has many people under his command, and he still needs to give some to those who are vacillating." Confidence to rely on."
(end of this chapter)