Chapter 656: Changes and Explanations
Chapter 656: Changes and Explanations
"By the way, Professor Lupin." After discussing his own matters, Liam began to ask an important question. "I heard that you and the Werewolves are taking turns patrolling outside Hogsmeade every night."
"Yes, we do patrol every night", Lupin replied. "As Werewolves, we are naturally more suited to the night. This task fits our abilities well. Besides, as New Werewolves, it's a long process for the public to understand and accept us. I believe it's crucial to demonstrate our value and show that we are different from the old Werewolves."
"So, how is it going? Has everyone accepted you?" Liam asked curiously. Improving the treatment of Werewolves wasn't just about addressing their physical issues; it also involved improving their mental state and making people genuinely accept them. Therefore, Liam was very concerned about the results of Lupin's actions.
"It's been quite effective", Lupin said with a smile. "At first, people didn't accept us, but once we demonstrated our controllable and non-infectious nature, most were willing to give us a chance. After we showed our transformation during a full moon, the townspeople gradually began to accept us."
"Of course, our voluntary patrols around the town were also a key factor in changing people's views. It helped them realize that Werewolves aren't all evil creatures and can be ordinary members of the Wizarding World, just like everyone else."
"That sounds great", Liam nodded. "I think changing the form of Werewolves is a foundation. However, it's equally important to make an effort to integrate into the Wizarding World. After all, Werewolves have been estranged from the mainstream of the Wizarding World for a long time. So, getting people to accept you again is the most important thing for New Werewolves right now."
"Exactly", Lupin said earnestly. "We must thank you for this. Without your help, I believe that with the uncontrollable and infectious nature of the old Werewolves, few would have been willing to interact with us. My wandering life before this is a testament to that."
"It's what I should do", Liam said, scratching his head a bit awkwardly. "Given my abilities, helping you is a normal thing. It's not as complicated as you think."
"But for us Werewolves, it's like being given a new life", Lupin said. "Do you know, now when we walk through Hogsmeade, people will greet us on their own. This never happened before when they knew we were Werewolves."
After that, Lupin, feeling a bit tipsy, talked for a long time about various things related to their group of New Werewolves. It wasn't until late at night that he and the other Werewolves left Weasley's Joke Shop.
"We seem to have done something truly remarkable", Hermione said, linking her arm with Liam's as they watched the Werewolves walk away. "When we started, I never imagined things would turn out so much better than expected."
"Yes, we just happened to save a race, and now they are giving us significant help. Without them, I can't imagine how we would fill the gaps in our ranks", Liam said with a slightly surprised tone. "Our world is always full of surprises and unexpected turns."
That night, Liam and Hermione stayed in the lounge above Weasley's Joke Shop. The next morning, after having breakfast with the Weasley Twins, who had come from home, the two of them headed to Hogwarts Castle.
Upon entering the castle, Liam noticed that the way his classmates looked at him had changed again. If before they had looked at him with admiration as an outstanding senior, now most of the students looked at him with a sense of reverence, almost like how they looked at Professor Dumbledore.
"What's going on?" Hermione also noticed this and, unable to contain her curiosity, asked. "Why are they looking at us like that?"
"Probably what we did yesterday has been found out by them", Liam could roughly guess what the students were thinking. To his classmates, he and Hermione were no different from them before, but now they had suddenly become heroes. Heroes who emerged from among them were far more appealing to the students than those from outside.
After greeting a few acquaintances, Ryan and the others walked into Headmaster Dumbledore's office under the envious and admiring gazes of their classmates. As soon as they entered, they saw the black straw effigy still standing in the center of the office, with two lamps burning as usual. Dumbledore was sitting behind the desk, holding a newspaper.
"Ah, you're here", Dumbledore looked up from his newspaper when he heard the door open, and tapped the carpet in front of him with his wand. Two high-backed chairs appeared on the carpet.
"Take a look at this newspaper", Dumbledore handed the newspaper to Ryan and the others after they sat down. It was the Daily Prophet, controlled by the British Ministry of Magic, with the front page in large letters: "Teenage Murderer, Dumbledore's New Ambition." Below were the official photos of Liam and Hermione.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, a murderer", Liam took the newspaper and read it carefully. The Daily Prophet's reporters were indeed skilled. In the article, they vividly described how Liam and Hermione had been specially trained by Dumbledore from a young age and eventually turned into ruthless killing machines. They even called for everyone to unite to expose Dumbledore's plot and save the young wizards being held captive in Hogwarts Castle.
"The story is quite convincing", Hermione commented after reading the entire article. "If I didn't know it was false, I might have believed it. Let me see who wrote this; there can't be many people in the British magical world with such writing skills—ah, found it, Rita Skeeter. It's her, no wonder the style looked familiar."
"This time, your attack on the British Ministry of Magic was quite significant. According to the insider information I received this morning, you destroyed the Muggle-Born Registration Committee and all its records, the Magic is Might statue, and the Ministry of Magic entrance. Additionally, you killed 12 people", Dumbledore said seriously, looking at Ryan and the others.
"Twelve, huh?" Liam started counting. "First, we ambushed a seven-person task force, then we took out a Death Eater, a Hit Wizard, and the head of the Muggle-Born Registration Committee in the courtroom. Finally, we eliminated a Hit Wizard and the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in London while covering the escape of the Muggle-born wizards. That adds up to only 11 people."
"One Hit Wizard was killed by the magical fire explosion you created when he rushed out of the Ministry of Magic staff entrance", Dumbledore explained. "Of course, whether it's 12 or 11 isn't the key. What I want to tell you is that you can't become obsessed with killing."
"We're not", Liam responded. "For example, that seven-person task force was sent to kill us. In battle, it's either kill or be killed. We were two against seven; you can't expect us to hold back at that moment."
"The same goes for the others", Hermione added. "Whether in the courtroom or in the Ministry of Magic hall, we had to rescue a large group of innocent people who were basically defenseless from a crowd of British Ministry of Magic officials trying to stop us. It's really hard to show mercy in such situations."
(End of Chapter)
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