Destroying the Diadem

Even the renowned Dumbledore was not, in the end, an employee of the Ministry of Magic. Decades ago, he had maintained an unknown connection with Grindelwald, not to mention how he had suddenly gone to Nurmengard a year earlier and released that prisoner. Though the Austrian Ministry of Magic had not explicitly objected, rumors claimed it was because he had taken a hard-line stance.

To the British Ministry of Magic, the most powerful wizard of the present day had always been shrouded in a veil of mystery and oddity. He had repeatedly declined the position of Minister for Magic and remained secluded in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts for years, yet his formidable influence had steadily seeped out through that narrow window, hovering over the entire wizarding world.

He had been the first to announce Voldemort's return. He had driven Voldemort back in direct confrontations time and again. He had been able to safeguard the students...

In this extraordinary period, the majority of wizards were even more willing to trust a school than a magical government.

The Ministry of Magic had members of the Order of the Phoenix. The Wizengamot had members of the Order of the Phoenix. The International Confederation of Wizards had members of the Order of the Phoenix. Based on the information uncovered so far, Dumbledore held the greatest secret behind Voldemort's return from the dead. That meant there were even members of the Order of the Phoenix within the Death Eaters.

Following that line of thought, there were far too many doubts.

Why had Dumbledore remained convinced Voldemort was alive when everyone else celebrated his downfall?

Why had he insisted on protecting Severus Snape?

Why had he begun investigating the related incidents so long ago?

Why had he known the secrets of the Crouch father and