https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-247-Are-Wizards-the-Backward-Ones-/12937677/
Chapter 248: Time is the Most Dangerous Power
Chapter 248: Time is the Most Dangerous Power
"Haha... No way!" Michael let out a dry laugh. "Muggles can't even find us, let alone know that wizards exist."
Leon observed him silently.
Michael's smile faded.
"Your grandmother, your mother, Vold's parents, Harry's aunt and uncle, and Hermione's parents are all Muggles," Leon stated calmly and incisively. "Do Muggles really not know about the existence of wizards?"
After a while, Hermione murmured, "Now I understand why there's the Secrecy Act..."
"And Dumbledore," Harry added softly.
No one responded this time.
They couldn't help but wonder, if it were Dumbledore, would he be able to withstand those terrifying weapons? Or, even if it were Dumbledore, when Muggles launched an attack, would he have no choice but to flee and hide?
"Vold, do you think... if Hogwarts is discovered, can we defend against a Muggle attack?"
For some reason, Theo's confidence in Vold even surpassed that of the numerous professors at the school, second only to Dumbledore.
After a few seconds, Vold slowly replied, "There is a way... but it's extremely difficult."
For instance, using the Imperius Curse and Legilimens, combined with Transfiguration or Polyjuice Potion, to control or replace Muggle leaders, inciting wars between Muggle nations while protecting the wizarding world from discovery.
However, interacting with Muggles isn't as simple as saying 'good morning.' Even a subtle eyebrow raise among acquaintances can reveal whether someone is who they claim to be.
Moreover, high-ranking officials are constantly under surveillance, appearing on camera almost daily. Any slight abnormality is magnified infinitely.
Therefore, a wizard capable of carrying out such a mission must possess unwavering will and belief, requiring long periods of infiltration and observation, as well as extreme resilience and patience, to have a chance at successful replacement.
For some reason, Vold suddenly recalled the popular 'Lizard People' legend from his past life on the internet.
What if someone else had the same idea and actually spent a decade or even several decades putting it into practice...
Could it be that some Muggle leaders have already been replaced?
Or... was he overthinking it? In the original story, after everything ended, nineteen years passed, and Harry's children went to school.
At least until then, the world remained peaceful.
...
Knock, knock, knock!
The knocking sound echoed urgently, and Dumbledore put on his glasses. With a lift of his finger, the oak door swung open.
"Albus!"
Professor McGonagall rushed in, slowing down slightly only after seeing Dumbledore.
"Do you... do you know what Professor Abigail told the students today?"
"Of course," Dumbledore said calmly. "Professor Abigail discussed it with me before preparing for her class."
"Then... have Muggle weapons... really reached this level?" Professor McGonagall asked incredulously.
"I'm afraid so," Dumbledore said. "You know, I have a few Muggle friends, like dear Jacob, who participated in World War I with the American Expeditionary Force..."
"Albus!"
Professor McGonagall had met that Muggle named Jacob, but that wasn't what she wanted to hear about now.
"Alright," Dumbledore said indulgently. "I understand your concern, Minerva. But don't worry, for now, the Secrecy Act is still functioning as intended."
"So..."
"Yes, there's no need to worry about Muggle bombs appearing above our heads. Even if someone launches a missile towards what they believe to be 'Hogwarts,' it will only explode elsewhere."
Professor McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief.
"You've thought about this before?"
Oh—of course—you must have thought of these questions long ago! You always see the crisis earlier than us."
"I'm not a seer, Minerva. I just... I've seen the power of those things firsthand."
Dumbledore said.
After sending away the Deputy Headmistress, who felt embarrassed for her "overreaction," Dumbledore's relaxed expression also vanished. He stirred the meditation bowl, and silver mist started to swirl.
A surreal scene appeared in the air—
Explosions, death, and war.
There were more dead bodies than crows in the sky, and the landscape had changed after the bombings.
A figure slowly rotated, shouting to an unseen person, "Who is protected by the Secrecy Act? Us or them?"
"Who forces us into hiding? Who is the executioner in this war?"
"Face the facts, Dumbledore! Running away won't solve anything!"
"We yearn for freedom, truth, and above all, love!"
The silver figure disappeared.
Dumbledore sat in his chair, wearily pinching the space between his eyebrows.
...
For most teenagers, worries and troubles about the future wouldn't linger in their minds for long.
Whether Muggles would attack wizards existed only in imagination, perhaps in a distant future, but the end-of-term exams were less than a month away.
Moreover, the highly anticipated Maze Challenge was just around the corner.
Or even more immediate concerns—being late for class, unfinished essays, being pranked by Peeves on the way, or having a confession rejected...
These were far more pressing than the development of Muggle weapons.
Thus, the discussion about this class quickly faded from the hot topics, and the most direct impact was that many Muggle-born students had their chins raised a little higher.
They were keen on talking about the weapons Professor Abigail demonstrated and some half-true stories they had heard from their parents.
Students from other grades also attended this introductory class.
When Professor Abigail taught her second class, almost all the professors came to observe, and even Professor Moretti canceled a banquet to attend.
Vold, who was helping with supervision, stood behind him, watching the first-year students with their youthful expressions as they experienced several simple-to-operate weapons under Professor Abigail's guidance.
"It seems Dumbledore has found you a good professor this time."
Amidst the intermittent gunshots, Professor Moretti said, "I've always thought that the children should learn more about Muggle advancements. Many people's understanding of them is still stuck in the Middle Ages."
"Professor Abigail has indeed taught us a lot," said Vold. "Her knowledge in this area should surpass most Muggles."
Professor Moretti glanced at him, "I heard you enrolled in Muggle Studies?"
"Yes," Vold replied, "In fact, I enrolled in all the classes."
"Professor Caridad Bubba is a good person, but her Muggle Studies class... you might as well skip it," Professor Moretti bluntly commented, "Her understanding of Muggles is no better than my radio!"
"I just think... studying Muggles from a wizard's perspective is also quite interesting," Vold said.
"Is it?" Professor Moretti muttered skeptically, "I always feel like you heard some news... that's why you deliberately enrolled in all the classes, even though you don't really need them."
"What?"
Vold turned his head to look at him, his eyes as innocent as a little bird preening its feathers on a tree.
Professor Moretti: "..."
He paused, then advised, "Don't abuse it, and don't try to uncover its secrets. Time is the most terrifying and dangerous power in this world."
Vold remained silent for a moment, no longer feigning ignorance, and whispered, "...I understand, Professor."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
