Chapter 180: Gossip
Chapter 180: Gossip
As soon as Albert left the office, the portraits that had been feigning sleep sprang to life, eager to discuss the intriguing incident that had just taken place.
"That boy seems rather... clever," remarked a bald wizard in the portrait to the right of the desk. "His demeanor and speech are unlike those of a typical twelve-year-old. Even adult wizards wouldn't handle such a situation with as much composure as he did."
"Mr. Anderson is indeed clever and... unique," Dumbledore replied softly, his glasses glinting with an unusual light. "And confident, I might add."
Indeed, Albert was confident.
"I believe he anticipated this outcome," spoke up a curly-haired witch, in the portrait next to the bald wizard. "He clearly understands the value of the gold membership card and knew that Hoktak wouldn't let it go easily. It's too important for an apothecary to pass up."
"Obviously," Dumbledore agreed.
Albert was well aware of the card's worth and Hoktak's reluctance to part with it. It was an invaluable asset for any aspiring potion maker.
"I don't particularly like him," a goat-bearded wizard in silver and green pajamas stated without hesitation.
"Now, Phineas, what is it that you don't like about the boy?" questioned a shrewd-looking witch, brandishing a thick wand made of birch. "Is it his Muggle-born status or the last thing he said?"
"What did I just say?" Phineas covered a yawn, pretending he had just woken up and couldn't remember his previous statement.
This line of conversation was not in his favor.
"The boy has strong magical talent and is quite gifted. He doesn't seem like a Muggle-born wizard," commented a frail old wizard.
"He is Muggle-born, Armando," Dumbledore said calmly. "However, if you trace his lineage back far enough, you'll find a connection to the Smith family."
"The famous Smith family?" The former headmaster was a bit surprised, as he had some knowledge of the enigmatic clan.
"Yes, I believe so," Dumbledore replied. "I looked into his background last term, and it appears that Anderson's grandfather was a Squib, his father a Muggle, but Anderson himself is an exceptional magical talent, a rare occurrence indeed."
"It's not like you to use the term 'talent' so freely," the curly-haired witch noted.
"Are you implying, Dumbledore, that the boy will become another you?" Phineas' tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "A wise and courageous griffin?"
"Mr. Anderson surpasses me in many ways," Dumbledore offered his praise without hesitation.
"Well, that's certainly the funniest thing I've heard this century." Phineas covered his belly and laughed exaggeratedly.
However, he was the only one laughing in the room, which made the former headmaster feel quite bored, and his laughter soon subsided.
"Mr. Anderson has already outdone many in the field of ancient magical research," Dumbledore recalled Broad's assessment of Albert:
"Albert is a genius, especially when it comes to ancient magical research. He has an almost innate talent, effortlessly grasping knowledge that eludes many others throughout their entire lives."
Dumbledore was also aware of Albert's book-hunting expeditions in the library and his assistance to McDougall in revising his new book.
To be honest, even McDougall hadn't fully understood his own book.
Ever since Albert ventured deep into the Forbidden Forest and rescued Fred and George a few months ago, Dumbledore's opinion of him had risen even higher, and he couldn't help but admire Broad's discernment.
It took extraordinary courage, wisdom, and strength to venture into the depths of the forest and return unscathed.
While the outskirts of the forest might be safe, its depths harbored untold dangers.
"It's not surprising for the Smith family to produce a few geniuses now and then," Phineas scoffed.
Although Black was reluctant to admit it, the history of the Smith family was indeed more ancient than that of the Black family, shrouded in mystery.
And what made the Smith family so enigmatic?
Even the members of the family themselves didn't know the full extent of their clan's secrets.
Very few outside the family were privy to this knowledge.
Only those witches and wizards who had lived long enough and possessed keen insight might uncover a hint of their mysteries over the course of their long lives.
Rumors whispered of a secret passed down within the Smith family, but the identity of the keeper of this secret remained unknown.
The family itself had no idea who held this knowledge.
It was simply a rumor that had persisted through the ages.
However, it was this peculiar method of inheritance that ensured the preservation of the Smith family's secrets.
But what exactly were they hiding?
If you asked the direct heirs of the Smith family, they could only respond with a helpless, "I have no idea!"
"That family has indeed produced some outstanding witches and wizards," Dumbledore nodded in agreement with Phineas' point, recalling Rowena, a direct descendant of the Smiths. "I recall... Broad and Rowena had a close relationship."
Hoktak's claim that Broad moved in wide circles was not an exaggeration.
Many well-known witches and wizards in Britain and even Europe were acquainted with them and maintained friendly relations.
However, this was a rather loose collective, with most members typically maintaining a neutral stance. The criteria for entry into this circle involved demonstrating remarkable talent in some aspect, catching their eye, and maintaining contact through letters.
As for how Dumbledore knew about this?
It was because he, too, was a part of this circle.
Before graduating from Hogwarts, Dumbledore had befriended several famous witches and wizards, receiving their assistance and maintaining amicable correspondence over the years.
It wasn't until he entered the Wizengamot that he began to glimpse the terrifying influence of this loose yet vast circle.
If they so desired, these individuals could collectively sway the verdict of the highest court in the Wizengamot or even force an incompetent Minister of Magic to step down.
Although they had never exercised this power, perhaps it was precisely because they had refrained from doing so that no one had ever discovered this potential problem.
But Dumbledore had.
Because he maintained good relations with a large portion of the Wizengamot members.
The conversation among the headmasters' portraits shifted back to the boy in question.
"He doesn't seem to hold the Ministry in high regard."
"This incident is indeed the Ministry's fault, Eupraxia. I would be angry too if I were in his shoes."
"I thought you were the most even-tempered among us, Delores."
"Being even-tempered doesn't mean being weak," Delores replied. "I support his actions. I suspect that particular director has some issues as well."
"But he seems to be planning to have the Director of the Office of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts removed from office," Eupraxia stated her disapproval.
"No, he's merely asking Hoktak to speak the truth," Dumbledore smiled. "She will agree to apologize, just as Anderson suggested. It's the cheapest solution."
(End of Chapter)
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