When Dumbledore arrived at the Shingu Family, it was already past 8 p. m.
He didn't even eat dinner, and he didn't even get a rest.
The mastermind behind making this centenarian travel back and forth is utterly heinous.
Hirakawa is still young.
Kagura, who had followed along, vaguely sensed that Dumbledore's intentions were not simple.
The Ministry of Magic kept the information from the Shingu Family because they didn't want things to escalate.
"Sigh—" He had already foreseen tomorrow's newspaper headlines.
The Shingu Family only has one daughter, Rinne, in this generation. It's possible that the matter could even go to the International Wizarding Court.
After Dumbledore went into the living room, he pulled Hirakawa out of the mansion.
"Commander-in-Chief?"
"Go back and inform Ashiya Department Head immediately that the matter can no longer be kept secret."
Hayahiko was in a good mood, turned pale after hearing the news.
The Ministry of Magic kept it from him precisely because they were afraid of causing trouble.
But is he a person who lacks common sense?
You, Ashiya Takuma!
"Thank you very much for the news." Hayahiko suppressed the anger in his heart.
"You've come all the way from Britain, you must not have had a proper rest."
Dumbledore, his eyes filled with sorrow, shook his head. "Mr. Jingu, the most important thing now is to find the children. I will not overlook any clue."
"For example, sir?"
"For example, what grievances the children have suffered, or what people they have offended."
After a brief moment of confusion, Hayahiko suddenly stared at him with wide eyes.
"Sir, is this not an accident?"
"Of course not," Dumbledore sighed. "I know very well what my students' abilities are."
But they did not use any magic to resist, not even the most basic Disarming Spell.
"Either you can't, or you don't want to?"
"Mr. Jingu, I am more inclined to believe that it is not possible."
Hayahiko thought of the children's targeted training.
Spells, gestures, speed.
Vincent has made the most progress and can even Wandless Magic.
The children went on a trip to cause trouble, and now that they're missing, it's perfect...
"Dumbledore, your guess must have some premise, right?"
"Just like I said before."
The two looked at each other for a moment, then both gave a wry smile.
"Mr. Jingu, the children seem to be quite mischievous." Dumbledore waved the Elder Wand lightly.
Hayahiko's expression was bitter and helpless. "Young people's ideas are imaginative, and they are just at the age where they are active."
The speculation was gradually confirmed.
Vincent was wronged as soon as he got off the plane. He exchanged views with the Shingu Family and was just about to plot against the other two families when he inexplicably went to the Ministry of Magic.
It's fine if it's published in the newspaper, but the problem is that this reporter from who-knows-where is spouting nonsense.
How can we tolerate this?
The first stop was Abe Family, and then the old fox took advantage of me again.
If the other party hadn't realized the situation in time, the little fox might have been so badly hurt that it would never be able to stand up again.
Upon hearing this, Dumbledore tightened his robes. "Mr. Jingu, I can understand why he did this."
If we're talking about the person who schemed the most, it has to be this old principal.
She's so old, she probably won't hold it against him... right?
"Have you caught a chill?"
A little.
Hayahiko pointed his wand at the fireplace, and then continued:
"They left five days ago, and the last letter was written after they left Shōdo Island."
If it was premeditated, he couldn't possibly have been unaware of it.
"Mr. Jingu, it seems that this decision was made on short notice."
Dumbledore, then said, "I've just found them. Do you need anything for your daughter?"
"No need." Hayahiko's expression turned sad.
"Does your willingness to inform me of this mean you have no intention of exposing this farce?"
Dumbledore, without saying a word, once again waved the Elder Wand to dispel the spell.
The child doesn't understand, and it's not a serious matter.
If you try to persuade them properly, I believe the problem can be resolved satisfactorily.
10 minutes ago.
Vincent was taking a stroll on the seabed and casually catching a few fish for a late-night snack, was dumbfounded.
The Phoenix Patronus that stopped in front of him looked very familiar.
Visibility in the sea was quite low; if it weren't for the lenses barely allowing him to discern colors, he would have almost thought the matter had escalated to Nurmengard.
While I was still debating whether to pull out my wand and give it a good wand, this peculiar little thing actually started talking.
"Finally found you, you little rascal—"
Your principal is still your principal.
Before the Phoenix Patronus could react, Vincent had already activated the Magical Circuit of his leg armor.
The people playing cards in the bubble watched him swim further and further away, and thought he had attracted some big fish.
If you put down the cards and wait a few minutes, only a few small pufferfish will pass by, blowing bubbles.
"Who cares?" Kenny took off the helmet he had just put on. "We're going to make friends with the sea tomorrow, let's cherish this last night."
He makes a lot of sense.
All eyes are on the attack site; no matter how much the search area is expanded, it won't reach here.
But tomorrow is hard to say.
Vincent had hidden himself in an underwater cave, had a constant sense of foreboding.
He always felt that it wasn't that he had shaken off the Phoenix Patronus, but rather that he had received a signal and stopped chasing after it.
What was bound to happen, happened.
The one who suddenly patted his right shoulder from behind must be that old Dumbledore.
The seawater in the cave was gradually drained out.
As Vincent planned his escape route, he was patted on the left shoulder again.
He resisted the urge to turn around and quietly placed his right hand on his belt.
"A very beautiful wetsuit."
The moment he turned around after taking out the Golden Scepter, the other person had already disappeared.
Vincent obediently lowered his right hand and took off his helmet. "Professor, I was just joking."
Dumbledore put away the Elder Wand that had been placed on his lower back. "Kid, I was just joking."
"Professor—" Vincent put the scepter back on his belt, facing him and rubbing his small hands together.
"Now that you've found me, you'll cooperate with me, right?"
"That depends on how you plan to clean up the mess."
"The Wizards' Purity Party attempted to kidnap me last year, and this year they've organized a large number of people to try and take me away again?"
Dumbledore's lips curled into a slight smile. "Gellert Grindelwald will be very pleased."
"Ahem—" Vincent said seriously, "Professor, are you trying to pin this blame on Tom?"
No one can predict what the future holds.
After Voldemort returns, Fudge will most likely still choose to bury his head in the sand.
With the power of the Minister for Magic, it would be easy to remove Dumbledore from his position as the Britain representative of the International Confederation of Wizards.
Since they are no longer members of the International Confederation of Wizards, it is equivalent to removing their position as president.
The principal's identity is easier to obtain.
Even if Hogwarts Castle disagrees with the Ministry of Magic's decision, a ban on entering the castle would be enough.
Such a helpless situation may not occur, but it's always better to have a trump card in advance than nothing.