Chapter 1266: Schemer in the Making
Chapter 1266: Schemer in the Making
No one wanted to make sacrifices, everyone hoping that someone else would step up and face the dangers first. But where were such good deals in this world?
Albert was well aware of these weaknesses in human nature, so he never mocked them. He just felt a sense of relief that he didn't have to be a part of their group.
He never believed that the case of Karedi Bubaji would raise the alarm among other Muggle-born wizards in the magical world, nor did he think that the twins' radio station would keep everyone on their toes. Usually, it took the imminence of death to instill a sense of crisis and for them to truly see the truth.
Even he himself was no exception; people always liked to hold on to that last bit of wishful thinking, and there was nothing that could be done about it.
However, Albert trusted that Kingsley would be able to resolve the issues after they occurred.
As long as the members of the Order of the Phoenix weren't too stubborn, and once the Ministry of Magic completely collapsed and fell under Voldemort's control, they would come to their senses and realize what they needed to do.
At the very least, Sirius would remind everyone that they should align themselves with Albert.
Perhaps it was due to successfully overcoming a life-threatening situation, but Sirius Black had indeed changed a lot. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for Fred and George to manage on their own, letting the Order of the Phoenix stumble blindly, leading to their inevitable demise.
Because of Albert's involvement, the magical world had become even more treacherous.
"The due date should be in the next few days, right?"
Katrina reached for the copy of the Prophet that Albert had put down and asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yes, the due date is in five days."
Albert looked at Isabelle gently, took her pale hand and placed it on his face, soothing her softly, "Don't worry, everything is ready. I've also communicated in advance with the healer, and she will specially make time for you in the next few days."
"What about my sister?" Katrina asked without looking up.
"Mom has already told me the things to note, and we've prepared everything that we need and double-checked them several times." Isabelle wasn't nervous. They had already learned about everything through Albert's prophecy.
"Don't you find it boring to know everything through prophecies?" Katrina asked casually as she flipped through the newspaper that had been sent from Britain.
"I think it's fine. Especially at critical moments, it's more important to have peace of mind." Albert didn't feel anything about it. Ever since he mastered crystal ball divination, he knew it would be like this. Moreover, how they lived their future lives was entirely up to them.
"Mom has always been very worried about your safety." Katrina suddenly changed the subject. "Is the British Ministry of Magic going to collapse? Why are there so many chaotic and disastrous accidents everywhere?"
"It's indeed more relaxing here, without so many worries." Albert glanced at Katrina. He didn't like discussing these matters in front of Isabelle, lest it affect her mood.
"After the baby is born, we can decide whether to continue staying here or return to living on the ship. We don't have to rush back to Britain. The environment there is very depressing."
"What about you?"
Isabelle didn't mind such things. Although she didn't really want to go back to Britain, as long as Albert was with her, it was enough.
"Then let's continue living on the ship. It's safer on the sea, and we can also travel to other countries by boat." Albert replied without hesitation.
"Sail around the world?"
Katrina shifted her gaze from the newspaper article about the explosion.
"Sailing around the world may not be feasible in the near future. I still need to keep an eye on things in Britain, after all, many of our friends are still there." Albert lifted his head from Isabelle's belly, "But sailing around the world is a good idea. After the war is over, we can give it a try. It probably won't take that long."
Isabelle gently leaned her head on Albert's shoulder, took his hand and placed it on her belly, whispering softly, "Don't worry, we have plenty of time in the future."
"Are you tired?" Albert asked.
"Yes, a little."
Isabelle actually didn't like this lazy lifestyle. She felt that her brain wasn't as sharp as it used to be.
"I'll help you back to rest."
Katrina helped Isabelle back to her room and whispered softly, "Just a few more days. After Alice is born, everything will get better."
Albert watched the sisters walk away, then picked up the newspaper again and continued reading the article he hadn't finished earlier.
Then he took out his notebook and started modifying the plan written in it.
The Wizarding War, which was briefly mentioned in the novel, turned out to be more tragic than expected.
The fact that Britain's major cities were shrouded in thick, cold fog was now a minor issue.
Explosions, plane crashes, and train derailments were all caused by Death Eaters.
Moreover, Death Eaters were slaughtering innocent people indiscriminately, and terrible incidents of massacres in remote villages were occurring all over Britain.
In fact, they were not only slaughtering Muggles but also using dark magic to turn a large number of corpses into inferi, causing trouble for the Ministry of Magic.
In fact, for some accidents that were not particularly important, the Ministry of Magic no longer bothered to hide them and became very rough in handling certain matters. Anyone who wasn't a fool could see the problems, and people angrily discovered that the British government was indifferent to what was happening under their noses.
As the magical world was on the brink of exposure to Muggles, the Ministries of Magic in other European countries had no intention of sending Aurors to Britain to help.
With Dumbledore dead, anyone with a brain knew that sending Aurors over would likely result in a bloody battle with the Death Eaters.
No magical government was that generous, nor was anyone willing to play the role of a fool.
Despite the condemnation from the American magical government, the European countries remained indifferent.
If they truly worried about the exposure of the magical world, they would have sent Aurors to help a long time ago instead of bickering with other countries.
As for the exposure, well, they would deal with it when it happened.
"Mom agreed."
Katrina sat back down on the sofa across from Albert. Looking at him reading the Paris Daily Prophet, she suddenly said, "But she said to wait until after the war."
"Oh, you actually convinced her." Albert looked up at Katrina, his voice filled with uncontrollable surprise.
"When will this war end?" Katrina poured herself a cup of tea and asked, "I remember you said the Second Wizarding War wouldn't last too long."
"Yes, it should end within the next year or two." Albert looked at Katrina and couldn't help but ask, "I'm curious, how did you convince her?"
Katrina didn't respond to that and instead lowered her gaze to ask, "I heard that the First Wizarding War lasted a long time."
"Because back then, Dumbledore was still alive. Now that he's dead, there are only two possible outcomes: win or lose. The mysterious man will no longer tolerate this situation." Albert closed his notebook and said, "Once he has complete control over the Ministry of Magic, he will commit even more atrocious acts."
"Is the mysterious man stupid? By acting so recklessly, isn't he worried about provoking public outrage?" Katrina picked up another newspaper and said, "The Muggles are already on high alert, and the International Confederation of Wizards will definitely not allow the magical world to be fully exposed to them."
"You're thinking too much. There's no benefit to it, and who would want to bring trouble upon themselves?" Albert found Katrina to be a bit naive, unlike Isabelle, who would never easily believe such things.
"That does sound like something you would say."
"The International Confederation of Wizards is merely a tool used by certain interest groups to solidify their power and benefits. Perhaps it can be of some use in minor matters, but when it comes to major issues, don't expect the Confederation to be of any help." Albert was all too familiar with the true nature of the International Confederation of Wizards.
After all, there had been a precedent in his previous life.
"It's like how the laws of the Ministry of Magic only apply to ordinary wizards and not Dark wizards because the mysterious man only respects strength, not the law."
When it came to dealing with a ruthless enemy like the mysterious man, the Ministry of Magic was utterly powerless. They were directly beaten and forced to grovel at the mysterious man's feet, licking his robes to beg for their lives, just like the Death Eaters.
As for the laws of the Ministry, they were a complete joke; they could be manipulated however the mysterious man wanted.
Unless they were more ruthless than the mysterious man, like Scrimgeour had tried to be. But without Dumbledore to back him up, even his disregard for morals was useless. Voldemort would no longer hold back, and he would undoubtedly find a way to kill him.
"What about you?" Katrina glanced at the notebook on the table. She had seen its contents and knew what Albert was planning to do next.
"Me? I'm just doing my best to provide some insignificant help to others," Albert said humbly.
"That's something you would say to fool your followers."
Katrina felt that Albert must have some ulterior motive, although she couldn't quite figure out what it was.
Was it for fame?
Obviously not, as Albert was already quite famous.
Was it for status?
As a prophecy master, Albert already held a high social status and had numerous titles, including being a member of the Wizengamot.
Or was it for wealth?
If Albert wanted to make money, with his clever mind, he surely had many ways to do so. Fred and George's shop was a perfect example, and moreover, all signs indicated that he didn't lack galleons.
So, she could never quite understand what Albert was aiming for, but she was certain that he had his reasons, as he always acted with a strong sense of purpose.
"What are you trying to do?" Katrina looked at Albert suspiciously.
"I just want to live my own quiet life. I've never wanted to do anything grand, as I already have everything I need," Albert said nonchalantly.
"Do you think I'll believe that?" Katrina rolled her eyes and pointed to the notebook, unable to hold back her skepticism. "Sometimes I even suspect that you're the one causing the chaos in the British magical world."
"I'm resisting the mysterious man only because he wants to kill me. Should I just accept my fate and let him take my life?" Albert wouldn't accept such accusations. The real culprit behind the chaos in the Ministry of Magic was clearly Voldemort, and he wouldn't tolerate being blamed for it.
"Then why did you form the Defense Association?"
"Someone needs to stand up against him."
"So you took it upon yourself to do so?"
"Someone needs to take the lead and show others the way. Those people are my friends and those who are willing to believe in me. I need to do my best to lead them through this Wizarding War and keep them alive." Albert explained, "It requires careful maneuvering, which is why you think I'm a schemer."
"I remember you saying that you didn't want to be a good person," Katrina added, as she had never considered Albert to be a good person.
"Good people tend to have shorter lifespans." Albert nodded, "And being a good person means being constrained and not being able to live as you please. I just need to make sure that I don't become a bad person."
"Fine, I can't argue with you." Katrina didn't want to continue the debate, but she was curious, so she asked, "In the vast magical world, is there really no one else standing up against the mysterious man?"
"There are, but very few. Most people don't have the courage," Albert said softly.
"Because they're afraid of becoming the next missing person or afraid that their children will be the next ones attacked?" Katrina understood the reason well. The reign of terror imposed by Voldemort and the Death Eaters was highly effective, leaving wizards in the magical world trembling in fear. It was rare to find someone as fearless as Scrimgeour.
No wonder Albert was willing to work with him.
"Exactly. Everyone is waiting for someone else to be the hero and save them. They need a savior." Albert's tone was indifferent, clearly showing his disdain for such people. "Scrimgeour was doing a good job before, but now there are quite a few complaints about him."
"Then why don't you help him?"
"I already have. Otherwise, how do you think the Ministry of Magic achieved those results earlier?" Albert bent down to pick up Tom, scratching his chin and saying, "But Scrimgeour is restricted now, and his own strength isn't enough. Without protection, he won't last long."
"Are you just going to watch him die?"
"That's Scrimgeour's choice. He could have survived, but he chose death." Albert spoke about this matter calmly, "To be honest, the British magical world doesn't deserve someone like Scrimgeour, who dedicates himself to their well-being, just like they didn't deserve Dumbledore."
Katrina sensed the strong contempt in Albert's tone, and she couldn't quite understand why he held such disdain for the British magical community.
"What about you?"
"I'm just doing my best to help others and guide them to stand up against the mysterious man."
"What if they're not willing to?"
"Then let them continue cowering until the war is over. If they can tolerate the Death Eaters and other Dark wizards trampling over them and lording their power, then so be it."
"You seem to enjoy watching them suffer." Katrina raised an eyebrow.
"Enjoy? No, I'm just stating facts. Some things are beyond my control, and whether they change or not depends entirely on them."
Happy New Year! (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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