Chapter 1382: A Memorable Lesson
Chapter 1382: A Memorable Lesson
"Have they all been sent away?"
As Sanna recounted the previous night's rescue operation at Hogwarts, Albert was unsurprised by the outcome but disappointed in the five families.
"You seem disappointed. Is it because they hesitated until the very end?" Sanna guessed the reason for Albert's somber mood. He had hoped that more witches and wizards would bravely stand up against the Death Eaters and join the fight to defeat them once and for all.
"I am a bit disappointed," Albert admitted. "However, I can understand their choice. People tend to avoid danger and seek their own benefit. If I were in their position, I might have done the same. No one wants to be dragged into a war."
Albert noticed the expression on Sanna's face and laughed softly. "People love to watch others shed blood, but they never consider that by staying in Britain, they are inevitably entangled in this wizarding war. No one can remain neutral. After all, you can't exactly tell the Death Eaters or Voldemort that you want to be neutral, can you?"
"I never expected anything from those fence-sitters," Sanna said, still angry about the situation. "They would rather believe the Death Eaters and pin their hopes on their mercy than trust us. I just can't fathom what's going on in their heads."
In the end, the five family members of the Dumbledore's Army were forcibly modified to forget, and according to Albert's plan, they were sent out of the country to live in temporary hiding, waiting for the wizarding war to end.
"It's probably because they're just that pathetic!" Albert laughed. "It's a common flaw in most humans. We've encountered similar cases numerous times."
In truth, Albert understood their reasoning. They knew what the Death Eaters were capable of, but they had no idea what Albert and his allies could do. Moreover, living under Voldemort's oppression for so long had led them to believe that he would ultimately triumph. It was only natural for some to defect now that Dumbledore was gone.
The most important reason for their hesitation was that they had not faced direct persecution and still clung to a faint hope of survival. Most people needed to be faced with imminent death before they truly woke up to reality.
"Those 28 people got what they deserved."
Sanna felt that Albert shouldn't have bothered saving those five families. Letting others witness the consequences of trusting the Death Eaters would have been a powerful lesson.
Sometimes, cruel outcomes were necessary to make people face the harsh reality.
Albert looked deeply into Sanna's eyes and said calmly, "We need to unite the others."
In fact, Albert had also considered using their story as a bloody lesson, but he ultimately abandoned the idea. Uniting the students of Hogwarts was more important, and this incident could still serve as a classic example. He believed that there would always be similar people in the world, and when they met unfortunate ends, their stories could also serve as warnings. By then, it would no longer be his concern.
"What if the Death Eaters use similar tactics and set up even bigger traps to lure us in?" Sanna voiced her worry, knowing that the Death Eaters were capable of such deceit.
Albert walked to the window, gazing at the people below who were discussing the previous night's rescue operation. "As long as the Death Eaters have a functioning brain, they won't do that."
"Is it because the number of members in the Defense Association is growing?" Sanna asked, feeling the strength of their group after the successful operation.
"No, it's because I'm here," Albert shook his head. "Although it may sound arrogant, that's just the way it is."
"When a wizard's power becomes exceptionally strong, they can influence certain things. For example, the Death Eaters were able to control the Ministry of Magic because of Voldemort. And the Order of the Phoenix is willing to follow my lead temporarily because they've lost Dumbledore and desperately need new protection and strength to win this war."
"So, that's how it is?" Sanna thought back to Hogwarts when Dumbledore was still alive—a time when it had been a sanctuary untouched by Voldemort and his followers.
"Yes, it's a supernatural world where magic reigns supreme..." Albert agreed.
"But are people getting too carried away now? I mean, these continuous victories seem to be going to their heads!" Sanna joined Albert at the window, looking down at the people basking in the sunlight, enjoying delicious food and savoring their triumph.
"Perhaps," Albert conceded, "but they still need to build their confidence through these victories. Our enemy is Voldemort and his followers. Many wizards need to muster great courage just to hear his name, let alone face him directly. And the British wizards need this confidence too, don't they?"
"After all, most people prefer to stand on the side of the victor... and we need to give them that chance."
"Is that going to be your new motto?" Sanna teased, playfully winking at him. "After this wizarding war is over, I plan to publish a memoir filled with your quotes. I'm sure it'll make me a fortune."
"That's a great idea. I think it's necessary to write something that reveals the truth about this wizarding war. While the truth can be cruel at times, I believe it's important for people to see the true faces of certain individuals."
"Many will be furious when the truth is exposed."
Sanna was surprised by Albert's intention to brutally unveil the ugly truths. She knew that the state of the British magical community was not solely due to Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
"Yes, there will undoubtedly be many who are angry," Albert acknowledged. "But the case of Nelson Tobin reminded me that there are far more victims of this war, and they deserve closure. It's not enough to simply say that Muggle-born wizards died, and so the matter is closed."
"I don't plan to do anything drastic," Albert continued. "Just writing a memoir to remind future generations to always remember this history and cherish the hard-won peace."
"Do you plan to forever shame certain individuals by etching their actions into history?" Sanna was astounded by Albert's idea. However, she believed that with his abilities, he could ensure that this history would be preserved for future generations. She wondered how people in the future would view this period and those who had compromised with the forces of darkness.
"Don't you find it fascinating?" Albert asked softly. "In ancient Rome, there was a form of punishment called 'recording murder.' I'm simply using it in reverse. As someone once said, those who don't know pain can never understand the value of peace, nor will they cherish it. So, it's best that they remember the brutality of this war and the difficulty in achieving peace."
"Is that going to be your new maxim?" Sanna contemplated the meaning behind his words.
"No," Albert shook his head. "Let's join the feast as well. Otherwise, they'll finish all the good food."
(End of Chapter)
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