Chapter 326: Routine Divination
Chapter 326: Routine Divination
"I actually don't quite understand. Does Fudge really not see the current situation? Even now, does he still believe that Crouch, you, and I are all lying?"
Faced with Sherlock's question, Dumbledore looked weary.
"He doesn't fail to understand, but he can't see through it. The desire for power and the fear of Voldemort have completely clouded his judgment."
"To be honest, he wasn't always like this. Initially, he and Barty were both candidates for the position of Minister of Magic. At the time, no one thought he would be elected, not even himself. He always saw himself as a mere placeholder in that election."
"Until it was revealed that Barty Jr. was a Death Eater, this man who never thought he could become Minister became the only choice."
"In the early days of his term, he wasn't very confident in his abilities. Everyone, including himself, knew that Crouch was much more capable and had only reached his current position due to sheer luck."
"During that time, he frequently came to me. He would consult me on almost every major event in the Wizarding World. I rarely gave him advice, as he was an elected Minister, not a puppet of anyone."
"Over the years, his ambition and desires grew, and he became more confident."
"He rarely came to me for advice anymore and instead befriended a group of people who matched his status."
When Dumbledore said this, Sherlock couldn't help but think of someone.
"Lucius Malfoy?"
"Exactly. In the Wizarding World, there are only a certain group of people with status. Fudge himself comes from a Wizarding family, but his family isn't prominent. The so-called pure-blooded ancient families looked down on Wizards of his background, considering them only slightly better than Muggles and half-bloods."
"But once he became Minister of Magic, these people's attitudes changed, and Fudge naturally became friends with them."
"These friends would whisper things in his ear that made him suspicious, especially about me."
Dumbledore's gaze was calm, clearly indicating that he was not unaware of certain matters.
"Fudge's mentality has changed significantly. He isn't inherently bad, but as I said before, his abilities are not strong. To put it bluntly, he can be considered foolish. He began to believe that I would threaten his position as Minister, and that this incident was a joint effort with Barty to overthrow his government."
"He also lived through the period when Voldemort imposed white terror on the Wizarding World. His fear of Voldemort makes him instinctively avoid the reality that Voldemort, who has been silent for over a decade, might return."
"Because of this, he vehemently denies this fact. In his mind, if he acknowledges it, the title of Minister Fudge will cease to exist."
Sherlock couldn't help but frown.
"Utterly foolish."
Dumbledore continued to stare into the fireplace, his gaze profound as he said one last thing.
"Some people change so easily just because they find themselves in different positions and meet different people. Others, however, never change, even if they die and come back to life."
Sherlock didn't come here to discuss such matters. He got straight to the point.
"How about the thing I mentioned earlier? Whether you agree or not, I need to start preparing early."
Dumbledore gently tapped his left thumb against his right.
"If you really want to do it, then go ahead and prepare."
In the end, he conceded to Sherlock, though his gaze was intensely serious.
"However, you need to understand one thing, Sherlock. I'm an old man now, and Harry and the others still need time to truly grow. There are few who can take on the heavy responsibilities in the meantime."
Sherlock smiled at him.
"Don't make it sound like a farewell. I don't like that kind of atmosphere, Professor. Besides, the era we are in might come to an end, but people like us will never disappear. The greatest White Wizard of the twentieth century was Dumbledore, and the twenty-first century will also see another great figure. This is a legacy and an inevitability. What we need to do now is to complete the tasks that are ours to bear."
With that, he turned his back to Dumbledore and waved.
"Saying all this makes me feel like I'm getting goosebumps. I'm clearly not the type to spout grandiose rhetoric. See you, Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but smile. He shook his head and waved back.
"See you, the best Professor of Hogwarts, Sherlock Forest."
When Sherlock returned to his office, Silke was standing expressionless at the door, holding what looked like a crystal ball used for divination. Inside, a substance resembling a nebula floated mysteriously.
"Ah, so you've come to agree to go with me to Diagon Alley this weekend? I've been telling you that you should get a new set of robes from Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Wearing the same thing all the time, while it looks good, can get a bit monotonous."
Since the Christmas Ball, Sherlock and Silke's interactions had noticeably changed. Silke, of course, had noticed this. She didn't know what had happened, but it was clearly a good thing. At least, Sherlock was no longer deliberately avoiding or evading her on certain issues.
But this time, she had come for something more important.
"I performed a simple divination on you today", she said, trying to keep her voice calm.
Sherlock's eyes widened with confusion.
"Wait, what do you mean by 'routine'?"
"That's not important." Her eyes, hidden behind the black ribbon, fixed on Sherlock, clearly not joking, "What's important is whether you are planning to do something."
Sherlock's expression turned serious, and he looked back at Silke.
"I just came back from Dumbledore's office. We talked about some things."
"Don't do it!"
(End of Chapter)
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