days at Hogwarts

Even the famous Dumbledore was not an employee of the Ministry of Magic after all. He had an unknown connection with Grindelwald decades ago, not to mention that he suddenly went to Nurmengard to release the prisoner a year ago. Although the Austrian Ministry of Magic did not explicitly express its opposition, it was rumored that he was taking a tough stance.

For the British Ministry of Magic, the most powerful wizard today is always shrouded in a veil of mystery and weirdness. He has declined the position of Minister of Magic many times and has long been dormant in the principal's office of Hogwarts. However, his powerful influence has consistently seeped out through that narrow window, hovering over the entire wizarding world.

He was the first to announce that Voldemort had resurrected, he was the one who had fought Voldemort head-on many times, and he was the one who could protect the safety of the students...

During this special period, wizards are even more willing to trust a school rather than the magical government.

There are members of the Order of the Phoenix in the Ministry of Magic, there are members of the Order of the Phoenix in the Wizengamot, and there are members of the Order of the Phoenix in the International Confederation of Wizards. Based on the information found out so far, Dumbledore holds the biggest secret of Voldemort's resurrection, which means that even the Death Eaters have members of the Order of the Phoenix.

If we continue investigating along this line of thought, there are too many suspicious points.

Why did Dumbledore always believe that Voldemort was still alive when everyone was celebrating the fall of Voldemort?

Why did he insist on defending Severus Snape?

Why did you start investigating the incident so early?

Why did he know the secrets of the Crouch father and son and Voldemort's plan?

During the last Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he wasn't surprised to see Voldemort escape?

For the newly appointed Minister Scrimgeour, the unpredictable Dumbledore could not let him down his guard. He knew that he should trust Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix, but the vague deterrent influence of the Order of the Phoenix disturbed his nerves. He could not help but wonder if there were any members of the Order of the Phoenix around him, what their identities were, and what their goals were...

Fortunately, he was not a fool like Fudge. His clear mind and rationality made him understand who his biggest enemy was now. So before the Halloween operation, he invited Dumbledore to talk in person. Some of his long-standing doubts were answered, but it was not enough for the Ministry of Magic to let down its guard against the Order of the Phoenix.

The result was not satisfactory and even a little unpleasant.

The mystery of Voldemort's resurrection still remains unsolved, the whereabouts of the former Death Eater and Potions Professor are unknown, and the Order of the Phoenix remains mysterious, with unknown personnel, whereabouts and purpose.

The most crucial thing is that Dumbledore did not approve of the Halloween crackdown operation, believing that the information obtained by the Ministry of Magic was problematic and that this operation was another trap.

The two sides eventually parted on bad terms, but Scrimgeour still listened to some of Dumbledore's opinions and decided to leave some combat forces to guard the Ministry of Magic, transfer and hide the imprisoned Death Eaters, and only let a few senior officials know the place of detention.

"Rufus is a competent minister..."

Dumbledore looked at the drifting steam, his deep blue eyes hidden behind the lenses. "But I cannot tell him about the Horcruxes. If he knows, it means that other people in the Ministry of Magic will also know. The human heart is like the abyss under the Black Lake, and the Horcrux is a buried Pandora's Box."

Hermione asked with some concern: "Will the Aurors of the Ministry of Magic suffer heavy casualties in this conflict?"

"In fact, they will win..."

Dumbledore stroked the teacup in his hand and said slowly, "Even with werewolves and Dementors supporting them, those dark wizards are far inferior to real Death Eaters. Some of them are controlled by the Imperius Curse, while others are gathered together out of fear and greed for Galleons... Rufus has made full preparations for this battle. As long as Voldemort does not show up, the Aurors will not be defeated."

Hermione was a little confused: "But professor, didn't you say this was a trap?"

"It is a trap set for the Ministry of Magic. It is also a trap for dark wizards. Voldemort's goal is to rescue his old servant."

Loren raised his eyebrows: "Can he succeed?"

Dumbledore did not answer, but picked up the teacup and took a sip: "I don't know Voldemort's specific plan. Maybe he has already found a new place to imprison the Death Eaters..."

Hermione stopped talking, lowered her head and sipped the pumpkin juice in small sips, thinking about the various changes that might happen.

Loren opened his mouth and was about to say something when he saw Dumbledore lower his head, open the drawer, and take out an exquisite crown. The silver metal was molded into the shape of an eagle with its wings spread and its eyes sideways. Blue gems dotted the wing feathers, making it look elegant and luxurious.

"These are not things you should worry about..."

Dumbledore placed the crown on the table, making a crisp knocking sound. The headmasters' portraits on the wall behind him paused for a moment, as if the crown had touched their hearts. "I am interrupting you from watching this wonderful Quidditch match in order to destroy this crown, or rather, to destroy the soul fragments attached to it."

Hermione was stunned for a moment, her eyes subconsciously fell on the crown, and the things Loren mentioned a few years ago emerged in her mind.

Ravenclaw's diadem, the Grey Ladies, Nagini and... Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Hermione looked at the white-bearded headmaster strangely, and her voice was unconsciously filled with doubt: "Destroying the Horcruxes...shouldn't Harry be allowed to watch?"

Dumbledore pushed the crown in front of her and smiled gently. "It is indeed Harry's duty to face Voldemort and defeat him. But he must rely on reliable friends like you to accomplish such a difficult task. So I hope you can also come into contact with the Horcruxes... If possible, I hope you can destroy such Horcruxes."

Loren's eyes widened, confusion clearly written on his face: Shouldn't it be me?

"I?"

Hermione was stunned for a moment, and asked subconsciously, "What should I do?"

Dumbledore expected that the little witch would need some time to digest this matter, but he did not expect Hermione to be a little surprised but not panicked. She did not shirk but sought a solution. He smiled somewhat unexpectedly: "Didn't you destroy a Horcrux last time?"

"Slytherin's locket..." Hermione looked at the blue and silver crown, recalling the situation at that time, "I haven't mastered the Fiendfyre Curse yet, so that's the basilisk fang, and the sword of Gryffindor."

Dumbledore stretched out his hand and the Sorting Hat on the shelf immediately flew over. When he handed it to Hermione, the ruby-inlaid hilt was already revealed.

As if it sensed the approaching danger from the outside world, the moment Hermione drew out the sword, the crown trembled slightly, as if something was trying to break free.

The cold light of the sword blade flashed past.

The crown trembled even more violently.