Chapter 302: Seeking Another Candidate
Not long ago, Lucius Malfoy's appeal against the Ministry of Magic reached its conclusion.
Based on witness testimony and the jury's vote, the court ruled against Lucius Malfoy, rejecting all of his claims.
However, the judgment also stated that, as Headmaster of Hogwarts and organizer of the Triwizard Tournament, Albus Dumbledore had failed to fulfill his responsibilities. His negligence had led to a serious kidnapping incident, and because the victim was a foreign champion, the matter had seriously damaged Britain's reputation. The image of the British Wizarding World had suffered greatly, and even the friendship between the three great magical schools had been affected.
According to the investigation, Albus Dumbledore had also privately established an organization known as the Order of the Phoenix, which had never been officially recognized by the Ministry of Magic.
Everyone knew that Dumbledore's Patronus took the form of a phoenix, and that his familiar was also a phoenix.
Did that mean this organization was effectively his private army?
At the very least, it remained completely independent of the Ministry of Magic, which claimed to know nothing about its membership.
Perhaps the Headmaster of Hogwarts was not as indifferent to fame and power as many people believed.
Even without Rita Skeeter's sensational writing style, The Daily Prophet continued to serve faithfully as the Ministry of Magic's mouthpiece, eagerly stirring up public opinion against Dumbledore.
Meanwhile, Lucius Malfoy accepted responsibility as Draco's father, voluntarily requested a temporary suspension from his duties, and was soon reinstated.
It had to be said that Dolores Umbridge had played an important role in making that happen.
> "He is merely a pitiful father. There is no evidence proving that he or his son planned the incident. Mr. Lucius Malfoy knew nothing of the truth, and his wife has been in tears every day."
That was the rather one-sided report published by The Daily Prophet.
---
Knock, knock.
The heavy oak door of Dumbledore's office echoed with a gentle knock.
The school year was nearly over, and summer vacation was just around the corner. Few students still came to visit the Headmaster at this time.
"Come in. The password is Mountain-Top Steak."
Dumbledore carefully put away the bronze two-way mirror lying on his desk before sliding it into a drawer.
A girl with bushy chestnut curls quietly pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The silver instruments scattered around the office emitted wisps of pale white smoke, partially obscuring her face.
"Hm? Miss Granger."
Dumbledore raised his silver eyebrows slightly before smiling warmly.
"What a coincidence. I was just about to speak with you myself."
"That insufferable wizard..."
One of the portraits hanging on the wall abruptly opened its eyes, grumbling as it woke from its nap.
"Phineas," Dumbledore said calmly, fixing the portrait with a sharp blue gaze, "I think it would benefit all of us if you remained silent."
The portrait immediately shut his mouth.
"He was once Headmaster of Hogwarts," Dumbledore explained to Hermione, "though age has perhaps slowed his thinking a little."
"I know," Hermione replied softly, glancing at the portrait.
"I saw his portrait in Hogwarts: A History."
Phineas shot her a dismissive look but wisely refrained from making another rude remark.
Closing his eyes once more, he appeared to fall asleep again.
"Professor Dumbledore..."
Hermione hesitated before finally gathering the courage to speak.
"I wanted to ask..."
She took a deep breath.
"Is there any news about Fleur Delacour?"
Hope and fear mixed in her eyes.
She desperately wanted the truth.
She was equally afraid of hearing it.
"Hm?"
Dumbledore merely raised an eyebrow.
Instead of answering, he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before picking up a parchment from his desk.
"Miss Granger, before we discuss that... I'd like you to look at this."
"A letter of appointment?"
Hermione accepted the parchment and quietly read its contents.
"So... you won't be staying at Hogwarts next year?"
"The Ministry has offered you an honorary position..."
"Yes."
Dumbledore nodded.
"This is rather different from Minister Fudge's methods. He always feared I would challenge his authority, so he did everything possible to suppress me."
"But things have changed."
"I suspect there are traitors within the Ministry of Magic."
"Or perhaps certain high-ranking officials have already fallen under Lord Voldemort's control."
He paused before shaking his head.
"Never mind. Those matters are not your concern."
Changing the subject, he asked,
"You know Harry suffers from headaches from time to time... or more accurately, from the scar on his forehead?"
"Y-Yes."
Hermione nodded.
Harry had even collapsed from one of those headaches before.
"That scar was left by Lord Voldemort."
"I believe it has created some mysterious connection between Harry's mind and Voldemort's."
"Several incidents have already confirmed my suspicions."
"And unfortunately..."
"That is not good news."
Hermione blinked.
"Professor... those are extremely confidential matters."
"Aren't you worried that I might..."
She trailed off.
"I originally intended for Professor Snape to teach Harry."
Dumbledore sighed softly.
"He is one of the greatest experts I know in the art of Occlumency."
"But Harry's Potions grades are... less than ideal."
"And, from what I understand, the two of them don't exactly get along."
Hermione nodded again.
Harry would probably reject Snape's lessons outright.
"Then..."
She hesitated before asking,
"Why don't you teach him yourself?"
"I considered it."
Dumbledore smiled faintly.
"But as you've seen from this appointment letter, I may not remain at Hogwarts for very long next term."
"More importantly..."
"I cannot show Harry too much attention."
"If Lord Voldemort realizes that my relationship with Harry goes beyond that of an ordinary Headmaster and student, he will undoubtedly exploit Harry to observe my every move."
Hermione looked puzzled.
"So... what do you mean?"
"I'd like you to teach him."
"As his friend."
"B-But..."
Hermione lowered her head.
"I don't know Occlumency either."
"You are the brightest witch I have ever met, Miss Granger."
Dumbledore praised her without hesitation.
Rising from his wicker chair, he walked to a black cabinet, bent down, retrieved an old book, and handed it to her.
The worn yellow cover bore a title written in large golden letters:
Mind Barriers: An Introduction to Occlumency and Its Advanced Applications
"I hope you'll spend the summer learning this."
"Then teach Harry."
"As compensation..."
"I suppose I could reduce some of your holiday homework."
"N-No!"
Hermione hurriedly shook her head.
"That's really not necessary, Professor Dumbledore."
She looked almost frightened that her summer assignments might actually be reduced.
"Oh, there's one more matter."
"I owe you an apology."
"Professor McGonagall originally recommended you as Gryffindor's next Prefect, and I agreed."
"However..."
"For certain reasons, we'll have to postpone that appointment."
"How would sixth year sound?"
Hermione quietly nodded.
"If you encounter anything you don't understand," Dumbledore continued, "you may write to me by owl during these last few days of term."
"I'll help however I can."
With that, he closed his eyes briefly, rubbed his eyelids, and settled back into his chair, looking slightly weary.
"As for the question you asked earlier..."
He smiled gently.
"You weren't truly asking about Miss Delacour's condition."
"Or perhaps..."
"It wasn't the answer you were most anxious to hear."
Hermione's cheeks flushed red at having her thoughts exposed.
The next instant, the color drained from her face.
Part of her desperately wanted to know.
Another part feared the truth.
"Once you've mastered Occlumency..."
Dumbledore looked at her with quiet meaning.
"You may be able to recover the memories you've lost."
"It could prove very helpful."
Only then did Hermione remember.
There really was a gap in her memories.
She had always felt that something important was missing, yet no matter how hard she tried, she could never recover it.
"Will it really work?" she asked uncertainly.
"It's only a possibility."
Dumbledore smiled gently.
His deep blue eyes carried nothing but encouragement, without the slightest hint of pressure.
The school term at Hogwarts was nearly over.
Before long, another long summer holiday would begin.