Chapter 1297: The Sanctuary Plan (Part II)
Chapter 1297: The Sanctuary Plan (Part II)
To be honest, Snape's appointment as the new headmaster of Hogwarts and the subsequent expulsion of dozens of Muggle-born students was shocking enough to make headlines across the British wizarding world.
However, under the Ministry of Magic's tight control, the incident failed to create even a ripple of disturbance within the magical community, as if it had never happened.
The only related news stemmed from the Ministry's announcement that proof of wizarding lineage was now required for admission to Hogwarts.
What that truly meant was something the informed public chose to conveniently ignore and feign ignorance about.
After all, Muggle-borns had no platform to voice their concerns.
And those who couldn't attend Hogwarts weren't exactly in a position to complain.
As for the Muggle-born students who had already been expelled, they were equally helpless in the face of their misfortune. Even if they wanted to protest to the Ministry, they would only be walking into Azkaban.
In essence, Muggle-borns had been abandoned by the entire wizarding world.
Of course, everyone would pretend to be oblivious to this fact to avoid appearing heartless.
But one couldn't really blame them.
In the current situation, British wizards had no energy to spare for Muggle-born concerns, nor did they have any extra empathy to offer, as most of them were struggling to ensure their own survival.
However, there were always dissenting voices.
The Wizarding Wireless Network broadcast the truth about the incident, revealing to the vast wizarding population of Britain the cruel reality behind the Ministry's new admission requirements: seventy to eighty Muggle-born students had been abruptly expelled overnight.
While many of the network's reports were things people were reluctant to believe or accept, they also knew where to turn for the truth they sought.
Even if the truth was often cruel, piercing, and shattering to their illusions, it was still the truth.
Unless they chose to deny it, unless... you couldn't expect the Wizarding Wireless Network to wake those pretending to sleep.
There were also quite a few who, because of the harsh truths revealed on the broadcast, chose to report the network to the Ministry, hoping to silence the incessant announcer.
However, the Ministry was powerless in this matter. They couldn't break through the Fidelius Charm's protection to locate the hidden broadcast station, nor could they stop people from listening.
Most wizards understood that the Ministry was no longer trustworthy. They craved the truth and refused to be lulled into oblivion by ridiculous deceptions and lies.
Regarding his own placement on the Ministry's blacklist, Lee Jordan couldn't care less. Instead, he became even more enthusiastic about sharing the truth with his listeners every day.
In his words, people needed the truth and shouldn't be deceived by the Death Eaters' hypocritical lies.
Yes, Even if the truth was cruel, it shouldn't be buried.
Of course, the rescue operation for Muggle-born students had already been quietly set in motion, but Lee Jordan didn't mention this on the air.
After all, there might be Death Eaters or Ministry spies listening in the shadows, or some fool might report it to the Ministry, which would only create more obstacles for their future efforts.
"It's unbelievable that the heads of Hogwarts would be willing to come here and help!"
Watching as the hotel was visibly restored, Lee Jordan couldn't help but exclaim, "I'm curious how Albert convinced them."
"I heard it was Professor McGonagall who reached out to Albert first," Shana said. She knew a bit about how the professors at Hogwarts also wanted to help their Muggle-born students but often felt powerless to do so. Their position at Hogwarts limited what they could achieve, but Albert's arrival had given them hope.
"But speaking of which, this place has indeed become the headquarters of the Defense Association."
Cedric expressed his amazement, recalling how Albert had told them that this was the Defense Association's headquarters and that he had even revealed its location to the group of Dark Wizards who had captured him.
"So Albert wasn't lying from the start, or perhaps, he had anticipated this and planned for it,"
"That guy rarely lies," Truman said with a smile as he patted Cedric's shoulder. "I've never caught him lying since I met him."
"I bet a lot of Dark Wizards will come to spy on this place from now on," Kenneth predicted, guessing Albert's intentions in doing so.
To effectively divert the Death Eaters' attention.
After all, the Death Eaters had been trying to locate the headquarters of the Defense Association.
Now, with this place as a decoy, the village would be much safer.
"But is this level of restoration really enough?" Autumn Zhang asked, puzzled as she surveyed the hotel, which still looked shabby. "It doesn't look habitable at the moment."
Compared to where they had settled, this place looked like a refugee camp.
"That's right, this is a refugee camp."
"They're here to take refuge, what did you expect? At least they have a relatively safe place to stay for now." Kenneth found Cedric's girlfriend's naivety adorable. He turned to Albert and asked, "By the way, why didn't you choose this place as the headquarters in the first place? With some minor renovations, it would be more comfortable and safer than where we are now."
Their current location was not entirely secure, as the Fidelius Charm couldn't encompass the entire village.
"Ultimately, we needed a headquarters to attract attention, and this place is undoubtedly the best choice, so I chose it at the beginning." Albert lied without batting an eye, "Also, this place has more space and freedom, with enough floors to accommodate them. So this is our headquarters, and that village is our temporary base."
"Reverse thinking?" Shana suddenly realized.
"No, because the other village is more secluded, and no one would think to look there." Albert shook his head, "Being unknown is safer."
"Most of the holes have been patched up, and this place will be ready soon." The Weasley twins descended the stairs with several professors.
"Tomorrow, we'll start contacting the expelled students and bring over those who are willing to come." Professor McGonagall was impressed by Albert's ability to execute a simple shelter in just a few days.
"Once we start moving the students, this place will likely be targeted by the Ministry of Magic and the Death Eaters." Cedric reminded, "Don't forget, most of the students have Trace spells on them, and their location will be exposed if they use Disapparition."
"That's to be expected." Albert reminded, "Professor, it's best to complete the transfer before the Ministry realizes what's happening."
"We will." Professor Flitwick nodded, "Then they're in your hands."
"I'll have Lupin come over to teach them when he's free, at least to instruct them in Dark Arts defense. Moody will also come by and find them something to do." Albert left the access cards to the shelter with Professor McGonagall, as he couldn't stay there all the time to guide them.
"Whether they choose to stay or not is up to them, don't force them."
"As long as they have a sense of crisis, they should stick together."
Professor Slughorn wasn't worried. He felt that Albert saw the situation very clearly.
If some students weren't willing to accept help, then let them fend for themselves.
"Has the food arrived?" Professor Sprout asked.
"The first batch of food will be here soon, but it will only fill their stomachs. Later, we can secretly bring over a few house-elves from Hogwarts' kitchen and have them teach the others how to cook." Albert had already made plans, and whether they followed through was up to them.
"That's good. I've set up the basement as you requested, and we can grow some edible mushrooms there. We can also plant vegetables on the roof." Professor Sprout didn't have a better solution.
"So, from the beginning, you intended to turn this place into a public shelter and let them fend for themselves?" Professor Flitwick suddenly asked, "So they wouldn't rely too much on us?"
"That's the best option, isn't it?" Albert shrugged, "Whether they choose to stay or not is up to them, and we can't blame anyone."
"That's fine, we can only do so much." Professor Flitwick nodded, "We can't take care of everyone and make all the students happy."
It was pointless to try to help everyone and still endure complaints; after all, they were only human.
Even though the professors didn't expect any reward, no one wanted such unpleasant experiences, so they all agreed to follow Albert's arrangements.
"Anyway, neither the Death Eaters nor the Mystery Man will be able to get in, the biggest problem is preventing Imperiused wizards from infiltrating, but we can solve that with detectors." Albert suddenly said, "If Hagrid is willing to help, that would be even better. Having a familiar face would make them feel safer."
"Hagrid still intends to stay at Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall was helpless about this, she had already mentioned this matter to Hagrid, but he still didn't plan to temporarily leave his half-brother to help.
"That's something we can't help with, it's Hagrid's choice." Albert didn't say more.
Everyone had their choices, and coercion was meaningless.
"Won't we just leave them after that?" Professor McGonagall still felt uneasy.
"We can have people from both sides come over every day." Albert said without hesitation, "We can bring them newspapers or teach them Dark Arts defense. I think it's necessary to teach them some self-protection skills."
(End of Chapter)
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