Dumbledore and Moody talked a lot, about the attack and about the Ministry of Magic.
Of these topics, Moody was most interested in Vincent.
"That Christmas he was just a freshman in school. I never imagined that in just a few years he would grow to the point where he could fight against Death Eaters."
Moody smiled, a rare sight, but the countless scars on his face gave him an eerie look.
Dumbledore; in fact, he seemed somewhat surprised. "Alastor, I had almost forgotten that you were a person who could laugh."
Moody's smile vanished. "Albus Dumbledore, are you like everyone else outside? Do you all think I have some kind of delusional disorder?"
Dumbledore. "Of course I know what you're wary of. I'm just surprised that you admire Vincent."
Moody's lips curled up slightly again. "This young man is quite good, very good indeed."
He has the courage to face the Death Eaters and the ability to defeat them alone.
Not to mention peers, even adult wizards rarely have this ability.
Dumbledore's gaze toward his horrified smile turned strange.
"Alastor, you wouldn't be thinking of taking him on as an apprentice, would you?"
Moody lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then shook his head firmly. "My style is not suitable for him. Nicolas Flamel has taught him very well."
Dumbledore glanced at the Elder Wand he had placed on the table. "Yes, my old friend has really taught him very well; we don't need to worry about him at all."
Moody was unaware that the old friend he referred to was actually someone else.
"Until I found out exactly what happened that night, I always thought that Alchemists were just more unpredictable than wizards."
Unlike flying brooms, which require a free hand to control, Flying Boots are even more difficult to defend against, as are metal baseball bats that can envelop magic and nullify it.
And then there was a series of explosions at the end, the cause of which remains a mystery.
This wide-range saturation attack had no trace of Dark Magic left behind; it must have been created using Alchemy.
The combination of incredibly fast Flying Boots and alchemical weapons capable of continuous explosions is so powerful that even the most powerful wizards who can't fly are helpless against it.
Moody couldn't help but sigh, "If these things had appeared ten years earlier, those persistent Death Eaters would all be in hell."
Dumbledore agreed, "This boy's inventions are always so imaginative, they always manage to redefine my understanding."
This time it was Moody's turn to be surprised. "Albus Dumbledore, are there things in this world that you don't understand?"
Yes, there are many.
In everyone's mind, Dumbledore is omniscient and omnipotent.
Wizards revered him, worshipped him, and eventually deified him.
Only those who know him well know that he is no different from other wizards, except that he is more quick-witted and has more powerful magic.
"Alastor, interested in watching the game together tonight?"
Moody was not surprised by Dumbledore's sudden invitation.
In order to regain the trust of the outside world, the Ministry of Magic will definitely invite the most powerful wizard of the time to endorse it.
"Okay." Moody agreed without hesitation. "I can also see Tonks. It's been almost half a year, and she hasn't come to visit her teacher."
Dumbledore glanced at the room filled with countless magical traps. "Alastor, actually you... never mind, I'd better not tell you."
Being cautious is never wrong, but being overly cautious can easily develop into neurosis, which is caused by intense mental anxiety leading to physiological and psychological pathologies or abnormalities.
The atmosphere at Hogwarts is so great, it would be a perfect fit for Moody.
Shortly after Dumbledore left, Scrimgeour walked alone on a country road outside.
After a specific spell is cast at a specific location, a three-story building made of red bricks appears.
Scrimgeour frowned and raised his wand to forcibly disarm the surrounding traps.
Moody inside the room kept staring intently at him with his magic eye.
There is an old saying in the distant East: "One does not visit the Three Treasures Hall without a reason."
Although Moody didn't know what the "Three Treasures Hall" was, he knew that Scrimgeour outside, like Dumbledore, had come to him for help.
However, this time he did not get up immediately. Instead, he sat in his chair with a sullen face and observed Scrimgeour's every move.
The conventional magical traps set up around the small building were just an appetizer; the real danger was lurking in front of the doormat.
According to normal human thinking, after discovering that there are many traps around, one will definitely be wary of the rug placed at the door. Therefore, setting up traps in front of the rug can be very effective.
Sure enough, Scrimgeour didn't dare step on the carpet. The moment his shoes touched the ground, two long chains suddenly shot down from the eaves above.
He reacted quickly, raising his hand and using a spell to shatter the chains into pieces.
But the next second, the rug placed at the door stood up strangely, revealing a dense array of steel needles coated with venom.
"Shield Charm!"
As the Head of the Auror Office, Scrimgeour would naturally know the Shield Charm properly.
All the steel nails were blocked, and his face turned ugly.
The commotion from forcibly disarming the trap was so great that the legendary Auror inside must already know about it.
Even if you use your magic eye to confirm repeatedly, they should show themselves by now.
Scrimgeour raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.
Once, twice, three times...
Moody knocked seven times, but still couldn't open the door.
Is he not home?
Just as Scrimgeour was wondering if he had misunderstood Moody, the door clicked open.
Half a wand emerged from inside, pointing sharply at his head.
Well, it turns out it's always been there.
Scrimgeour's face darkened. "Alastor, what are you doing?"
The door slowly opened from the inside, revealing half of Moody's body.
"Rufus, you have just ruined my carefully prepared trap."
Scrimgeour's face darkened further. "Alastor, have you been overly nervous lately? If it were anyone else, they would have already fallen into your trap."
Moody's eyes remained calm, his wand still pointing at him. "Dumbledore left not long ago, and he left unharmed."
Scrimgeour was utterly speechless.
This legendary Auror didn't give me much face before he retired, but I never expected him to dare to undermine me after retirement.
After all, you're asking for help, so having a bigger temper just shows how capable you are.
His tone softened. "Alastor, won't you invite me in for a bit?"
Moody's magic eye swept over the traps he had destroyed. "No, let's say it here."
"Okay." Scrimgeour took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down as much as possible.
"Alastor, I am here today on behalf of the Ministry of Magic to invite you to serve as a special advisor to the Auror Office."
His tone carried a hint of unyielding firmness. "Your primary responsibility is to track down the Death Eaters, help us find clues as soon as possible, and then successfully arrest them."
Moody said coldly, "Rufus, are you done?"
"That's all."
He pointed his wand outwards, "Goodbye, Rufus."
The door slammed shut.
Scrimgeour was bewildered.
He stared blankly at the tightly closed door.
Is this a rejection?
How could I refuse?
What gives you the right to refuse!