"All of this was expected."
Douglas's voice broke the silence.
"Prejudice won't disappear because of a single potion."
"It will only take another form, arm itself anew, and become even more hypocritical and wary."
He interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them, calculation glinting in his eyes.
"So our plan must move into its next stage as well."
Sirius roared almost immediately:
"Then expand faster! Use the Galleons we've earned to buy off more Ministry of Magic officials and grease every wheel before that Pink Toad Umbridge can rally them together! Use more powerful magical devices to keep them from making any rash moves!"
"No!" Lupin objected immediately.
"Moving too fast will only provoke a stronger backlash! Our foundations aren't secure yet, Sirius! The slightest disturbance could send those companions who've only just dared to trust us plunging into the abyss again!"
Douglas raised a hand, stopping their argument.
"Moony is right."
His voice was quiet, yet it silenced everyone.
"We aren't waging a war right now. We're building a fortress."
He looked at his companions' varied expressions through the camera and spoke with deliberate emphasis.
"Until that fortress is strong enough to withstand any bombardment, what we need most is time and patience, not more enemies."
"At our core are neither Galleons nor magical devices."
"It's those werewolves who've only just glimpsed hope."
"It took us so much effort to bring them together. We absolutely cannot let them fall back into panic and turmoil."
His voice became resolute.
"So Silvermane Academy must begin classes immediately."
"The first stage of product testing and market preparation is complete."
"Now we begin stage two: order and discipline."
"While the flame of hope in their hearts burns brightest, we must build a fireplace sturdy enough to contain it."
"What we teach