Ever since Lee Jordan and Kingsley announced via the Wizard Lookout Station Broadcast that the International Wizarding Federation's aid to Britain was gone, the entire British magical community had been shrouded in a suffocating, despairing gloom.
With Kingsley's help, people had learned from newspapers around the world that the renowned International Wizarding Federation had most likely fallen under Voldemort's control.
"To be honest, we've never understood why you had to undermine everyone's confidence."
During one of Albert's visits to check on the still-bedridden members of Dumbledore's Army, Neville and Hannah came to speak with him about the Wizard Lookout Station Broadcast.
Because of the broadcast, the atmosphere throughout the Shelter had become oppressively bleak.
"It's important to face reality."
Albert knew what they wanted to say, but he replied bluntly anyway. "If everyone believed that foreign friends would help us defeat Lord Voldemort, would they still be able to muster the courage to rise up and resist?"
Neville and Hannah exchanged glances and fell silent. They did not know the answer, but they had their own guesses.
"When people endure their suffering in silence but wait in vain for the International Wizarding Federation's Auror assistance, what do you think they'll think? They'll only feel that the Wizard Lookout Station has toyed with their feelings. They'll think we're liars and direct all their resentment at us, because they no longer have the courage to face Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters."
Albert spoke bluntly because Neville and Hannah were helping manage the Shelter. More than anyone else here, they needed to understand the truth rather than lose themselves in unrealistic fantasies.
"I think you've noticed it too. The atmosphere here is very depressing. Everyone feels as though they can't see any hope," Hannah said helplessly. "The matter of the International Wizarding