Scrimgeour's Attempt to Drive a Wedge

The door opened, and Scrimgeour limped in.

Scrimgeour was the Head of the Auror Office. He looked very robust, bearing battle wounds, quite different from Fudge, who wore a top hat and was pot-bellied.

Nicolas Flamel went out, leaving only the two of them in the room.

"Child, are you feeling better?" Scrimgeour asked with concern.

"I think I'm much better now," William replied, puzzled.

"Oh... are you settling in well here?"

William wanted to say he wasn't used to it—who gets used to staying in a hospital?—but he nodded anyway. It was clear that this Auror wasn't good at small talk.

No wonder Fudge was able to rise to the position; in terms of interpersonal communication alone, he's miles ahead of this director.

In times of war, people would like a tough wizard to be a minister, but in peacetime, he would never be able to rise to a position.

After some more awkward small talk, Scrimgeour finally got straight to the point.

"Child, I want to talk to you about that black-robed wizard."

"That's what I'd like to know too. Has the Ministry of Magic already released its findings?" William asked casually.

"Oh... no, he's cunning and very powerful; even twenty Auror couldn't catch him."

William shrugged, as expected. If Auror were that useful, the world would have been at peace long ago.

Scrimgeour pondered for a moment, then asked, "What did Professor Dumbledore and that... old man say?"

"Auror, I think you should ask them."

Scrimgeour took two steps and said, "I know, I know, but the great Dumbledore always has his own plans, doesn't he?"

Scrimgeour was somewhat excited. "If he were the Minister for Magic, I would do whatever he asked without hesitation, without asking a single question!"

But he wasn't like that; he didn't want to, and only wanted to stay at the school as the principal.

The official body in the United Kingdom is the Ministry of Magic, not Hogwarts, nor the former Order of the Phoenix.

He didn't want to be a minister, but we people still have a responsibility to the United Kingdom, otherwise what would be the point of having me, the Auror?"

Scrimgeour lowered his voice. "Kid, I need something, I need some truth, to be prepared in advance, just like this time."

If I brought fifty men and laid a trap early on, he might not be able to escape, rather than being caught off guard, right?

This is also for the safety of young wizards like you. You don't want your parents and you to be attacked by dark wizards again, do you?

William chuckled to himself; what the other person said did make sense, at least they occupied the moral high ground.

This also reflects one thing: Dumbledore is not the traditional white wizard, nor a saint, nor a fool.

He was arrogant, distrustful of the Ministry of Magic, distrustful of the so-called Auror, and only trusted himself.

And Dumbledore's wisdom was enough to ensure that he would not make a mistake.

William said regretfully, "Auror, I don't know much more than you do. You yourself mentioned 'the great Dumbledore.' Whatever his plans are, he wouldn't tell a little wizard like me."

"A little wizard?" Scrimgeour shook his head. "You're too modest."

He restored William shattered chair to its Reparo and sat down on it.

"The youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin... the rumors are flying!" Scrimgeour said.

Many people think you were just lucky, but the signs of sabotage at the scene are something a junior wizard couldn't have done.

In order to cover up the Gringotts incident, we did not disclose much about the attack, but those of us who were there that day know the details of the battle best.

My child, you are someone Dumbledore cares about; he likes you and values you!

What he said seemed reasonable, but for some reason, William felt something was off.

"So... I suppose Dumbledore must have talked to you about these things... or at least told you the truth?"

Scrimgeour then brought the topic back to itself.

"I'm sorry, he really didn't tell me anything, and I haven't seen him yet."

"Alright, child, let's leave it at that. Have you considered cooperating with the Ministry of Magic?"

"What's the meaning?"

"Oh, what I mean is, would you like to become Auror? I assure you, you'll be coming to the Ministry of Magic after you graduate, and I can give you an early opportunity to fully utilize your talents."

"I know you don't like Umbridge, and I hate that woman too. I've already gotten rid of her."

William chuckled. He knew that Umbridge had been transferred by Fudge, and the two had become acquainted at the Order of Merlin banquet.

This Auror isn't exactly honest either.

"I'm sorry, sir, I'm twelve years old. According to my age, I don't meet the requirements."

"It was just an apprenticeship, not an official one. During the fall of the You-Know-Who, a large number of Hogwarts students, many of whom had just graduated, were specially permitted to join the Auror."

You're a recipient of the Order of Merlin, so I can make an exception... I won't let you participate in the battle; it's just a symbolic gesture, to let you experience the atmosphere first."

"This experience is an honor, and it will be beneficial whether you want to take my position in the future or run for Minister for Magic."

Scrimgeour's words clearly implied a desire to win him over; it seemed he wanted to establish a good relationship first before trying to gather information.

That's a good tactic; after all, William is just a "child."

"If I wanted to become Auror, I would apply after graduation. Of course, I haven't decided yet; I'd rather focus on my studies. What do you think?"

"Oh, of course. Please feel free to contact me if you need anything."

Scrimgeour was about to try to persuade her when the door was pushed open, and Hermione walked in carrying a bottle of Potions.

William was taken aback. What was she doing here?

Hermione hesitated, glancing at Scrimgeour, and said awkwardly, "Auror, Madam Lister instructed that William needs to take his medicine and rest at this time."

Hermione gave the boy a look, and he instantly understood. Like a fish thrown onto the shore, he gasped for breath and said weakly, "Sorry, my chest hurts again."

"Alright, if you need anything, feel free to ask me for help. The doors of the Auror are always open to you," Scrimgeour said regretfully.

"And, child, be careful," Scrimgeour suddenly lowered his voice, "Dumbledore clearly knew the Black Wizards were going to attack Gringotts, otherwise how could Fawkes have arrived faster than the Auror?"

William scoffed, "Clumsy attempt to sow discord."

After Scrimgeour left, Hermione handed him the Potions, which William took and drank.

The disgusting smell inside almost made him vomit.

William strongly suspected that this was Potions concocted by Professor Snape.

However, under Hermione's stern gaze, William could only frown and drink it.

After finishing her drink, Hermione picked up her first-year textbook from beside the bed, sat down in a chair, and began reading, ignoring him completely.

He still seemed angry about leaving her behind that day.

However, with her head hidden by the book, Hermione kept glancing at the boy out of the corner of her eye, or rather, monitoring his every move.

William remained silent.

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