Parting on Bad Terms

Why was Severus Snape here?

Simple.

He was here to back up a student.

Of course, he would never admit that himself.

"Klein's talent is beyond doubt."

Snape walked into the room, paying no mind to whether the round-faced old man across from him was the Minister of Magic or not. He spoke expressionlessly, as if stating the simplest fact.

"Professor Severus Snape, I believe there is no need for you to be here."

With a cold snort, Cornelius Fudge's tone was quite hostile.

After all, he was a figure of high authority; aside from Dumbledore, he didn't have to show anyone a pleasant face.

"Heh."

Snape lifted his chin slightly, revealing his sallow face beneath the greasy hair.

His meaning was clear as day.

I'm already here. What can you do about it?

"Damn it!"

Seeing Snape's sneering, world-weary face, Cornelius Fudge couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Were they all mad?

One finishes laughing, and another starts.

Didn't he, the dignified Minister of Magic, deserve respect?

"Ahem, Minister, let's get down to business first."

The accompanying secretary sensed the Minister's inner fury and had to interject to change the subject and ease the heavy atmosphere.

There was no choice.

On someone else's turf, even if the Ministry of Magic represented the official authority, they had to tread carefully.

One was the "Greatest Wizard," Dumbledore; the other was the "Potions Master," Severus Snape.

Neither was a simple character.

If things came to a head...

The young secretary couldn't help but shiver.

"Ahem, back to the matter at hand. After a unanimous decision by the Ministry of Magic, due to the inventor of the 'Improved Healing Spell,' namely Klein Grindelwald himself—"

As he spoke, Cornelius Fudge glanced toward Klein.

"—being unable to provide clear evidence proving he is the spell's improver, the awarding of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, is temporarily postponed."

Ridiculous!

That was Klein's first reaction.

The so-called "unanimous decision by the Ministry of Magic" probably referred to Cornelius Fudge himself.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a bit helpless.

This blame, Dumbledore would have to take~

"Hehe."

The old man still smiled, not a trace of anger on him.

"Whether a medal is awarded or not should have nothing to do with the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry's duty is to test and promote spells, not to make decisions."

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall spoke up in a deep voice.

The Order of Merlin was the only internationally recognized group of outstanding wizards not under the Ministry's jurisdiction yet acknowledged by the Magical World.

In fact, Cornelius Fudge himself had no authority to interfere in the Order's internal affairs.

"But the Ministry of Magic has the right to supervise and protect underage wizards."

Unable to control it through proper channels, Cornelius Fudge took a hardline stance.

Even though he knew he was being unreasonable, his desire for control, fueled by imagined conspiracies, had grown boundless. Whatever Dumbledore wanted to push forward, he would inevitably block.

Opposing for the sake of opposition!

"This goes against the rules. The Ministry cannot do this."

Professor McGonagall still refused to back down.

"Absurd."

Snape also let out a cold snort, his expression turning hostile as he looked at the Ministry of Magic officials.

But just then, Dumbledore, who had remained silent all along, suddenly spoke.

"Enough, Minerva, Severus."

He shook his head, glanced at Klein, who remained silent and was doing his best to play the obedient child, and finally fixed his gaze on Cornelius Fudge across from him.

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to personally deliver this news, Cornelius. Well then, I wish you a pleasant day."

When he did speak, it was to see them out. Dumbledore deliberately stressed the word "pleasant."

Though he was smiling, everyone in the room could feel the anger hidden behind those words.

"I will."

Cornelius Fudge shot back, unwilling to show weakness. His lips pressed into a thin line as he adjusted his bowler hat and strode out of the room first. The other Ministry of Magic officials naturally didn't dare to linger and followed their Minister out of the Headmaster's office.

Incidentally, no one saw them off.

"Headmaster, this isn't fair."

Once those nuisances had left, Professor McGonagall spoke again, her eyes filled with both dissatisfaction toward the Ministry and sympathy for Klein.

In all the schemes and power plays, children were always innocent.

"Yes."

Dumbledore nodded, the deliberately feigned anger vanishing without a trace.

He picked up his teacup, took a satisfied sip, and didn't forget to gesture for Professor McGonagall and Snape to sit down, his expression utterly relaxed.

"Headmaster!"

Professor McGonagall raised her voice. She was in no mood to savor the cloyingly sweet Honey Tea at the moment.

Snape, however, didn't refuse and silently sat down on the sofa.

"Professor McGonagall, thank you for defending me, but the Ministry's harassment isn't really a problem—actually, it's not even a problem at all."

Seeing that Dumbledore was sitting steady as a rock and unwilling to explain further, Klein sighed and had to speak up to placate the upright and stern Professor McGonagall.

Cornelius Fudge thought that by occupying the high ground of official authority, he could put the screws to him—oh, no, to Dumbledore?

Clearly, the round-faced "power addict" had forgotten the most important point.

"Minerva, as you said, the Ministry has no authority to decide on the awarding of the Order of Merlin. They talk a big game, but in reality, all they can do is refuse to promote Klein's 'Improved Healing Spell.'

Cornelius Fudge, my old friend, clearly takes the power in his hands far too seriously."

Dumbledore smiled, his bushy white beard trembling.

"I am a member of the Order of Merlin and am qualified to recommend Klein for membership.

That said, the reason I went through the Ministry's channels in the first place was merely to obtain official endorsement, making Klein's honor more legitimate."

"You mean—"

Professor McGonagall was momentarily stunned, then began to catch on.

"I can directly write to invite other Order of Merlin members to Hogwarts for an assessment. According to regulations, as long as more than five members affirm Klein's contributions to the Magical World, the Order of Merlin can be awarded directly."

Meeting Professor McGonagall's gaze, Dumbledore nodded affirmatively.

Going through the Ministry to apply for the Order of Merlin was only ever meant to secure a stamp of approval for promoting the spell.

Cornelius Fudge pulling this stunt out of personal spite was nothing short of absurd, and Dumbledore found it more amusing than anything.

Someone had already fallen into the mire of desire and couldn't climb out.

Guess who would take the blame when Klein's "Improved Healing Spell" was promoted not through the Ministry, but through a joint endorsement by the Order of Merlin?

Either way, it wouldn't be him.

"Then, I'll take my leave."

Having seen the matter resolved perfectly, Snape, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa, took the initiative to leave.

Before departing, he glanced at Klein, paused, and deliberately lowered his voice to offer a warning.

"Remember, Grindelwald, don't get so lost in honors that you can't find your way out. You should know that failing to complete your homework will have dire consequences."