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Chapter 1294: Muggle-born Wizards' Sanctuary
Chapter 1294: Muggle-born Wizards' Sanctuary
"What is that?"
Hermione, who had been intently watching Harry and Ron's joint training session against Sirius, was startled by the sudden appearance of a silvery ball of light.
Her scream startled the trio, who had been deeply focused on their practice.
Ron, who had just become distracted, was hit by a Stunning Spell and fell to the ground with a thud.
"What is it, Hermione?"
Harry and Sirius stopped their training and frowned, looking in the direction Hermione was pointing. They saw a silvery ball of light fall to the floor and transform into a silver cat.
"We need to contact Albert with the two-way mirror," Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly rang out.
"Is that Professor McGonagall's patronus?"
Ron walked over, rubbing his sore bottom from the fall. He watched as the patronus disappeared without a trace.
"Does Professor McGonagall want to contact Albert?"
Harry turned to Sirius, knowing that he must have a way to reach Albert.
"There must be something important. Looks like I'll have to make a trip to Hogwarts," Sirius said, heading towards the door.
"Could it be related to Snape? I recall that old bat wanting to become the Headmaster of Hogwarts," Ron speculated.
"I don't think so," Harry shook his head.
"No one would want the murderer of Dumbledore to become the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Perhaps Professor McGonagall wants to join forces with Albert to drive Snape out of Hogwarts, or..." Ron made a slashing gesture across his throat, implying that making Snape disappear wouldn't be a difficult task if they truly wanted to avenge Dumbledore.
"Definitely not," Hermione interjected, giving Ron a sideways glance, unable to comprehend how he had reached such a conclusion. "Don't forget about the Muggle-born Registration Commission. Those employees of the Ministry of Magic who were Muggle-born themselves were rounded up and sent straight to Azkaban. I don't believe the Death Eaters will easily let the students of Hogwarts off the hook. Moreover, the mysterious figure has always wanted to drive the 'Mudbloods' out of Hogwarts. Now that he has complete control over the school, no one can stop him from expelling Muggle-born students, not even Professor McGonagall."
"I hope those students can get some help," Harry said, well aware of the predicament they would face.
After being inexplicably expelled from school, the Ministry of Magic could show up at their doorsteps at any moment to confiscate their wands and find an excuse to throw them into Azkaban.
Even escaping would be difficult. With trace amounts of magic on their bodies, they wouldn't be able to use magic without immediately drawing the attention of the Ministry.
What a desperate situation.
"I'm sure Albert will have a plan," Hermione said comfortingly.
"Anderson isn't omnipotent. You can't rely on him for everything," Ron said, unable to understand Hermione's unwavering faith in Albert.
"Albert isn't omnipotent, but he probably knew about this situation long ago. Remember the Self-Defense Guide? He must have made preparations. This is most likely the main reason Professor McGonagall wants to discuss this matter with him," Harry said, having some understanding of Albert's cautious nature. He suspected that Albert had made numerous backup plans, and sometimes he wondered how Albert could be a Gryffindor student.
After receiving Professor McGonagall's message via her patronus, Sirius set off for Hogwarts with the two-way mirror in hand.
At this moment, Hogwarts was still surrounded by strong protective magic. As Sirius contemplated entering through the tunnel near the Whomping Willow, he saw Hagrid striding towards him to let him in.
"Did you bring the mirror?" Hagrid asked, breathless.
"I did," Sirius replied, pulling out a mirror from his robe pocket.
"Let me tell you, Professor McGonagall just received news that Snape, that scum, has been appointed as the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. Perhaps we should take this opportunity to finish him off and avenge Dumbledore," Hagrid said, his voice filled with resentment.
Listening to Hagrid's non-stop grumbling along the way, Sirius furrowed his brow and asked, "I completely agree that we should take this chance to get rid of Snape, but I don't think that's why Professor McGonagall wants to contact Albert."
"Professor McGonagall wants to protect those Muggle-born students who might be expelled," Hagrid added, having only a vague idea himself.
"That won't be easy," Sirius said, guessing what Professor McGonagall had in mind and frowning.
"Aside from whether the students would even agree, the Unbreakable Vow is indeed a good option, but it also brings a lot of complications. We can't just lock those kids in a safe cage and leave them be."
Sirius wasn't opposed to Professor McGonagall's plan, but he knew that implementing it would be challenging, and solving the various problems wouldn't be straightforward.
However, he felt that Professor McGonagall was making the right move by seeking Albert's advice and help. Perhaps Albert could provide a reliable solution.
After successfully connecting through the two-way mirror, not just Professor McGonagall but all the heads of houses breathed a sigh of relief.
"Professor?" Albert's voice, tinged with surprise, came through the mirror.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"The mysterious figure has extended his reach to Hogwarts, just as you predicted. Severus Snape is now the new Headmaster," Professor McGonagall said, glancing at the others in the room. "I believe you've also heard about the Muggle-born Registration Commission."
"Are you concerned about Muggle-born students at Hogwarts being expelled by Snape?" Albert instantly guessed the reason behind Professor McGonagall's contact.
"Yes. After the Ministry of Magic announced the formation of the Muggle-born Registration Commission, they sent all Muggle-born employees in the Ministry to Azkaban," Professor McGonagall voiced her worry. "I fear those people will do the same to the Muggle-born students at Hogwarts."
"Your worries are justified. The mysterious figure and Death Eaters will indeed do so, now that they control the Ministry and Hogwarts. There's no one to stop them," Albert agreed.
"Do you have any means to provide those children with some help?" Professor McGonagall asked, hopeful.
"Unfortunately, I've already done my best to warn them about this day. However, the effect wasn't very good. Most people prefer to trust their own judgment, and they won't easily believe others' words until they encounter those situations themselves," Albert shook his head.
Regarding the result with the Weasley family, Albert didn't feel particularly emotional; perhaps he had known it would turn out this way from the start.
"Of course, I think the professor must have her own ideas." His tone was assertive.
"We plan to create a safe house similar to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix and use the Unbreakable Vow to protect those children," Professor McGonagall briefly explained her plan.
"That's a good idea, but it will cause quite a bit of trouble," Albert said, as if guessing what the professor would say. "People are not animals; they probably won't tolerate being locked in a cage."
Professor McGonagall's mouth hung open, evidently not expecting to hear such words.
"I suggest you explain the situation to them directly and offer protection on a voluntary basis. Not everyone will appreciate your gesture, so it's best to let them decide for themselves whether to stay or leave," Albert advised.
"It seems you've already figured it out," Sirius wasn't surprised, feeling that Albert had probably thought of this approach a long time ago.
"Tell us your plan," Flitwick urged with a smile.
"First, occupy a building with sufficient area and use the Unbreakable Vow to turn it into a safe zone," Albert outlined his strategy. "Hmm, it's basically creating a refugee camp; I recall Scrimgeour doing something similar in the past. It doesn't have to be perfect, though."
"If they have nowhere else to turn, they can come here for limited shelter. If they feel they don't need protection, they can leave whenever they want," he added.
"As long as the safe zone is protected by the Unbreakable Vow, it will be secure."
Professor McGonagall glanced at the other heads of houses, and they quickly exchanged looks, all agreeing that this idea was excellent.
At the very least, it aligned with their original protection plan, and Albert had clearly thought further ahead, even considering potential issues that might arise.
"But can we really... I mean, providing shelter for the students..." Sprout began, but she was interrupted.
"They must understand that they are refugees, so don't treat them too gently. Some people are just like that, and the more you force them, the more they resist..." Albert's words left them stunned, not because they couldn't think of it themselves, but because they hadn't considered that perspective.
"In fact, you've been ignoring a significant problem."
"What big problem?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Where will the food and supplies come from? And the Galleons to rescue them? Do you expect someone to shamelessly donate a large sum of money?" Albert scoffed. "I don't mind donating some flour and potatoes, but without house-elves' help, many students will struggle even to cook for themselves."
The professors fell silent again, as they hadn't considered this issue from start to finish. During their tenure at Hogwarts, they never had to worry about food.
"The Order of the Phoenix may not be able to provide much help," Sirius noted, noticing Professor McGonagall's gaze. "However, I can donate a hundred Galleons for them to buy flour and potatoes."
The professors present may have had some savings, but they were certainly not wealthy.
Their Galleons couldn't fill this bottomless pit, but if they followed Albert's suggestion and only aimed to maintain a minimal standard of living, it might not be too difficult.
"Now, the biggest problem is, will they really be willing to stay in such a place?" Slughorn frowned and asked.
"They probably won't have a choice," Albert suddenly said. "As far as I know, the Ministry will soon establish the so-called 'Search Team'."
"What's that?"
"It's a search squad composed of Dark Wizards, tasked with hunting down Muggle-born wizards. For every person they capture, they receive a substantial reward from the Ministry," Albert explained.
"It looks like we have to act quickly," Professor McGonagall nodded to the other professors.
"Hagrid can go over there to help take care of them. After all, someone needs to maintain order," Albert's voice came through the two-way mirror. "It's not a good idea to keep him at Hogwarts."
(End of Chapter)
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