Chapter 1209 Sense of Crisis
Since the International Confederation of Wizards dispatched an Auror team into the British wizarding world, the chaos originally caused by dark wizards has quickly eased, but the British Ministry of Magic employees still cannot avoid the fate of working overtime from 9 to 5 all day long, even on Christmas Festival day is no exception.
Minister Scrimgeour believes that the enemy will not give you a holiday to rest, especially after the situation has eased. Their ministers have become more cautious and worried about what big conspiracy the enemy is brewing.
The door to the minister's office was opened from the inside, and Kingsley and Arthur came out of the office together, whispering about the reason why Scrimgeour came to them. Minister Scrimgeour hopes to conduct an interview with Harry and use Harry to keep everyone on their toes.
With the help of the International Federation of Wizards, the British wizarding world has regained its previous peace. However, the short-term peace seems to have made the tired people forget the cruel fact that Voldemort is still alive. The Dark Lord still threatens the peace of the entire magical world all the time, but this matter has been deliberately forgotten by everyone.
"Scrimgeour is worried that the mysterious man is brewing some big conspiracy." Kingsley feels that Minister Scrimgeour is right to worry. Voldemort will not give up no matter what. If the Ministry of Magic relaxes its vigilance, what will happen next is likely to happen. It was the heaviest fatal blow, but it was not possible to keep everyone's nerves tense.
“How is the conservation plan going?”
Arthur suddenly asked about the news he had heard recently. It was said that the Ministry was quietly building a secret apartment to provide temporary residence for Ministry of Magic employees to prevent their families from being disturbed and threatened by dark wizards, which would put their lives at risk.
As long as the employees within the Ministry of Magic are stabilized and the top management is not controlled by the Imperius Curse, the British wizarding world will not be easily infiltrated by Death Eaters and collapse, and the life safety of Scrimgeour as the minister can be guaranteed.
“It’s not finished yet, I guess I’ll have to wait for a while before I can move in.”
Kingsley did not dare to reveal too much information here to avoid the plan being targeted by dark wizards. Moreover, this apartment cannot accommodate too many families, and the people allowed to stay obviously need to be screened.
"It seems that the minister is not optimistic about the current situation." Arthur took out his pocket watch, looked at the time on it, and asked Kingsley, "Is it because of Mr. Anderson's prediction?"
"It's very possible." Kingsley also felt that Scrimgeour would be so wary of Albert's warning. Scrimgeour trusted Albert very much. Recently, he had been trying to get help from the other party to maintain security after the Aurors entered the UK. When there is order, it is undoubtedly the best time to eliminate the Death Eaters.
Unfortunately, the effect is not great.
The smarter Death Eaters have all gone into hiding, and no longer appear in public, and they don't dare to behave as arrogantly as before.
As for the fools who did not listen to advice, they are probably dead.
It is a good thing for Scrimgeour that both parties are in peace. According to Albert's prediction, the longer the time goes on, the worse the situation will be.
“Are you coming over for the party at noon?” Arthur changed the topic, “Fred and George will also come over, and you can also take the opportunity to...”
"I will. I just happened to talk to Harry about being interviewed." Kingsley did not forget the task assigned to him by Minister Scrimgeour. "Do you think Harry will be willing to be interviewed?"
"I don't know, I'll leave it to that time." Arthur shook his head, "I support his decision."
The two went to No. 12 Grimmauld Place together, where they saw Harry who was helping to peel potatoes. He looked a little tired, as if he had not slept well last night.
Kingsley spoke directly to Harry about the interview.
"If you don't want to be interviewed by the Daily Prophet, we will help you refuse?" Kingsley directly gave the choice to Harry.
Harry fell into a brief silence after listening. He was still a little disgusted by the interview with the Daily Prophet. Harry had never forgotten how the Daily Prophet had blackmailed him in the first place. That kind of thing might happen in the future. It will continue to happen.
“What do you think Scrimgeour’s purpose is?”
Harry did not refuse directly, but asked Arthur and Kingsley.
"Scrimgeour thinks everyone should be vigilant. After all, Voldemort is just hiding himself, rather than being completely eliminated by us. This false peace will not last long." Kingsley helped Harry analyze, "We think Voldemort is brewing something. conspiracy."
“Scrimgeour wants to take advantage of your reputation.” Arthur glanced at Kingsley, and it was not difficult to see from the other person’s words that he still hoped that Harry could accept the interview.
“He wants everyone to believe that you agree with his policies so that his policies can be implemented better.”
In fact, it is not difficult for them to guess Scrimgeour's purpose, which is nothing more than to use Harry's reputation to strengthen himself.
"It seems that my so-called savior is quite popular." Harry laughed at himself.
"Yes, Scrimgeour does want to take advantage of you, as do politicians." Mr. Weasley looked at Harry and said seriously, "Of course, we all agree that it is not the time to relax yet, but many people... Tired. Harry, we support your choice."
"Actually, I think it would be more effective for Scrimgeour to go to Albert to support him." Harry didn't pay attention to Mr. Weasley's words, but changed the subject.
"Mr. Anderson has always been helping. Scrimgeour's current achievements are mostly due to Albert." Kingsley said with a slightly strange expression, "His attitude towards Albert also changed because of this. Changes, but Albert has obviously seen through Scrimgeour’s true nature and has always ignored him, and Scrimgeour has nothing to do about it.”
"It's really like what Albert would do." Harry chuckled, "Okay. I agree to be interviewed, but I want to see the content of the interview in advance. You know newspapers always like to exaggerate."
"Great, I think Scrimgeour will be very happy." Kingsley couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief. Their mission was completed.
“Isn’t it despicable!”
George stood outside the door holding a glass of warm butterbeer. He raised the glass to Harry with a smile and said, "All adults are like this. In fact, you can refuse. I think Kingsley's expression must be wonderful."
"Yes, they are despicable and dirty, but I am no longer a child. I have my own judgment and will not do those boring things." Harry knew what he was doing.
"Actually, I think it's useless even if you stand up." Fred handed the butterbeer to Harry and explained with a smile: "Albert often said, never try to convince others, when people don't want to believe it. Sometimes, even if you tell them the truth loudly in his ears, he will pretend not to hear."
Harry took a sip of butterbeer and asked curiously: "What should we do in this situation?"
“Do your own thing and ignore him.” George shrugged.
"Harry, I've got the mead you asked me to buy for you. It's the best oak-aged mead." Sirius put the small oak barrel in front of Harry and asked, "Do you want it?" What does mead do?”
“Need any help?” Lupine asked.
"No, this is enough. Slughorn likes to collect things for him. I plan to wait for his birthday before giving him this barrel of mead." Harry actually didn't have much confidence in this plan, but his Confidence comes from the Elixir of Fortune and his backup plan.
Sirius saw that Harry was very confident about this, so he didn't say anything more. Of course he knew where Harry had the elixir, and if he was lucky enough, he would definitely succeed, so Sirius was not worried that Harry's plan would fail.
Originally, the big meal should be held in the evening, but everyone has something to do tonight, so the sumptuous meal can only be moved forward.
While enjoying the food, Kingsley told Arthur about Scrimgeour's protection plan?
"I know about it. It's said that Albert will be the secret keeper of that building." Fred put down the turkey leg and interjected.
“Why not Dumbledore?”
Mrs. Weasley was a little confused. The secret keeper at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters was Dumbledore. There was no doubt that no one was more suitable to be the secret keeper than the headmaster of Hogwarts. After all, even Voldemort was afraid of him.
If he is not willing, who can get the secret from his mouth?
"We suspect that the mysterious man may be secretly carrying out a conspiracy against Dumbledore and Scrimgeour." Mad-Eye Moody said without hesitation, "So they chose Albert. That guy is also very powerful, and no one knows Where is he hiding?"
"This sounds ridiculous," Ginny muttered. "The Death Eaters actually dared to target Dumbledore. Have they collectively lost their minds?"
"Don't forget what happened a while ago. Voldemort tried to kill Albert through Hermione, and the other two points in time obviously corresponded to Dumbledore and Scrimgeour." Harry felt that others had probably guessed Dumbledore's identity. Bad situation.
If unfortunately he dies, the so-called secret plan will really be over.
"Actually, if we build a few more buildings and everyone hides, the mysterious man and the Death Eaters will probably just stare at each other." George changed the topic to avoid it getting into something unpleasant.
"Voldemort's reign of terror stemmed more from the threat he posed to other wizarding families. Once he was unable to threaten them, everyone would no longer be so afraid of him, at least not worried that their family members would be threatened by this." Tonks also agreed with Scrimgeour's protection plan, at least they didn't have to worry about their family.
"It sounds like Albert's idea, and only he would do such a thing." Harry muttered. When he heard any weird stuff now, he would subconsciously think that it was Albert. As far as he knew, The National Defense Association has established many so-called "safe houses".
"This is indeed what Albert hinted at Scrimgeour." Fred nodded and explained, "This can help prevent the Ministry of Magic from being completely controlled by the mysterious man and the Death Eaters, and allow more people to dare to resist the mysterious man. .”
“Everything really has to do with him.” Harry couldn’t help complaining.
If possible, he actually hopes that Albert can help him destroy Voldemort, but this is just a good wish.
It was up to him to solve Voldemort after all.
“Harry…”
Hermione kicked Harry lightly under the chair.
“Oh, who kicked me just now?”
Ron suddenly raised his head and looked around, trying to find the culprit who kicked him.
"Oh, by the way, I hope to learn Apparition during the Christmas holidays. I mean I hope someone can teach us in advance." Harry turned his head and said to Kingsley.
"I remember you should be able to sign up for Apparition training in sixth grade." Kingsley raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Harry in confusion and asked, "After the Christmas vacation, you should start practicing Apparition."
"I know, but I still hope that this semester, Hermione, Ron, and I can make sure we master Apparition." Harry said seriously, "This is very important."
“Harry, you can definitely...”
"Sorry Mrs. Weasley." Harry shook his head and interrupted, "This is not just to be cool. This matter is very important. We must be prepared in advance to deal with future changes in the situation."
Everyone looked at each other, understanding what Harry meant, and finally Kingsley nodded in agreement.
"Remus, let you teach Harry, Hermione and Ron!" Kingsley looked at Lupine and asked: "You have teaching experience, and Sirius. By the way, Moody, I remember the last few days I've got nothing to do, so I'll teach Harry some defense against the dark arts skills and get some Auror training."
"You..." Molly was a little angry.
"Molly, Harry will have to face it sooner or later," Arthur interrupted, putting his hand on his wife's shoulders and shaking his head.
“But Harry is just a child.” Molly looked at her husband dissatisfied.
"Not soon." Sirius said calmly, "Harry is a man. We all know what Harry will face in the future. He needs to grow up. You will only hurt him."
"Sirius." Lupine frowned, feeling that Sirius' words were too strong.
"Sorry Mrs. Weasley, I don't want to spend my whole life running away and hiding." Harry said calmly, "Besides, sometimes there is no point in escaping. After all, the opponent is Voldemort, and he will definitely try his best to kill me. .”
"Ahem, there are many benefits to being able to master Apparition in advance. At least you don't have to worry about not being able to learn it later." George quickly changed the topic to avoid making the atmosphere too tense: "We also had Albert's help at the beginning. If you are familiar with the Apparition location in advance, your progress will be much faster than other students."
"Albert took you to Apparate?" Kingsley raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "It seems that man never took the laws of the Ministry of Magic seriously."
“As long as you don’t know, it’s not illegal.” George said with a smile.
For some reason, Mr. Weasley suddenly became a little embarrassed, because these words reminded him of the flying Ford car from before.
“Is this really the case?” Hermione asked curiously.
“There are always loopholes in the law,” Kingsley explained awkwardly.
(End of this chapter)