The International Confederation of Wizards, British Branch's meeting didn't last too long.

Apart from a brief dispute over the "Draft on Limiting the Scope of Work for Dangerous Species," the subsequent items were almost all passed in one go. After declining Cornelius' lunch invitation, Dumbledore returned to the castle before lunch ended.

"Where do you think they started to suspect?"

Eileen asked softly on the way to Dumbledore's office.

"The scope is too broad. We are currently in the initial stages of many projects, and we cannot afford to shut down everything."

Dumbledore successfully caught the fluffy white ball and the old Dark Lord who were about to leave in the Great Hall.

Given the information he received this morning, he had to warn these two Dark Lords as soon as possible – the Ministry of Magic and pure-blood wizarding families were beginning to suspect something. The eyes and ears from the pure-blood families would arrive tonight, and subsequent actions had to be more discreet.

"It's not clear yet. Perhaps a complete halt and observation would be wise –"

"The research on the Academy City side must not be stopped! We are racing against the world for time!"

Eileen retorted decisively, her tone particularly firm.

It was already the end of 1992, and the internet wave was not far off. If they couldn't develop and deploy a magical network before then, and find the magic energy era's "on" switch, then the wizarding world could start considering how to bow out gracefully.

"Alright, then the off-campus – I mean outside Hogwarts, a temporary break," Dumbledore said.

As they spoke, the three entered the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore handed Eileen a detailed meeting minutes, a draft appendix, and a few simple schedules. Then, he strode across the office's antechamber to Fawkes the phoenix's perch and began to clean out his phoenix's food trough.

Eileen and Grindelwald exchanged a look, sat on the sofa in the office, and began to read.

Most of the agenda was content that had been planned beforehand; there wasn't much new stuff.

"《Restricting Dangerous Species Employment》, the Golden Cauldron International Competition, House-Elf Training Base..."

Reading this, Eileen paused with interest and looked at it a few more times.

Since seeing the "pure-blood family faction's" chosen candidate for the eyes and ears after agreeing with the Ministry of Magic, her worries along the way instantly vanished, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up – a Malfoy family elf? She was very familiar with that.

As for the bill that Dumbledore resisted the most, she didn't feel much about it.

The persecution of non-human and semi-human groups in the wizarding world had never stopped. Umbridge's clumsy moves were actually helping, and the werewolf group she chose as the primary point of attack belonged to the chaotic evil alignment itself… Professor Lupin's situation was an extremely rare example. The vast majority of werewolves' hatred for wizards and Muggles had not been eliminated.

In any case, the threat of werewolves to normal humans was still too great.

Before developing a reliable reversal potion, Eileen wouldn't be so saintly as to defend any "werewolf rights."

"Finished reading. I don't think there's any big problem."

After a moment, Eileen gently put down the documents in her hand, looking relaxed.

"I will arrange the house-elf matters properly. Hogwarts has nothing to hide. There are no new action plans for matters inside and outside the school for the time being. Entering a period of dormancy to digest and consolidate the results is necessary."

"Riddle's diary..." Dumbledore frowned, reminding her.

"Seal it up," Eileen said quickly, "The technical barrier to the magical sanitary napkin has been solved. The next problem is mainly industrialization. As for the big snake in the Chamber of Secrets, let it sleep a little longer."

Dumbledore and Grindelwald's expressions suddenly became subtle.

At first, they thought Eileen was insulting and taunting the personality of the "Second Generation Dark Lord," but when she started to seriously make some DIY samples, and even began discussing industrialization processes, the two old wizards realized that Eileen wasn't so narrow-minded. She simply wanted to extract value, which was even more terrifying than deliberate insult.

Women, regardless of age, were indeed almost like devils.

"Okay, before clarifying the extent and source of the leak, Miss 【Fool】 will temporarily disconnect."

Eileen stood up, walked to the phoenix's perch, and stroked the warm, fluffy bird with great familiarity, saying softly.

"And as Miss 【Fool】, before disconnecting, I will issue one last task: I suggest activating Tianming wiB and Gringotts irs, on the one hand to conduct a purge within the organization, and on the other hand to investigate information in various magical families... We must be fully prepared so that we can launch a defensive saturation attack at the first moment when the situation starts to get out of control..."

"Is it necessary to be so nervous about some vague suspicions?"

Dumbledore looked at the white-haired ball with shining eyes and smiled wryly. That was where his hesitation lay.

In fact, judging from the Ministry of Magic's paper strength, Eileen was fully capable of directly destroying the political and financial market system of the British wizarding world overnight, and could also establish a well-structured transitional regime.

It was just that after that, the Third Wizarding War would inevitably officially begin.

"This is just the worst-case scenario, Albus..."

Grindelwald grinned and patted Dumbledore on the shoulder, comforting him with a smile.

"We've done many simulations before. Even under the worst assumptions, Gellert Grindelwald's escape from prison and re-declaration of war against the world can easily solve ninety-five percent of the accidents and will not lead to what Eileen said –"

"...Thank you, Gellert. We don't need you to come out just yet."

Dumbledore twitched the corner of his mouth, glancing at the old Dark Lord who also had shining eyes.

It seemed that he couldn't be as lazy as before for the next semester. He still had to take on some of the identities and responsibilities of the Hogwarts Headmaster and Honorary Chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards, to prevent the world from completely changing one day when he woke up.

"By the way, I'll greet the Malfoy family elf tonight."

Dumbledore thought for a while, and tried to squeeze out a warm smile, saying softly and gently.

"Eileen, you have classes tomorrow, so it's not suitable to stay up late. And Gellert, you are also responsible for the Ghost Patrol Team, and the task is not light."

Judging from this situation, he was very worried that if these two Dark Lords were to welcome them, Lucius Malfoy and his house-elf might not be facing any questions, but organized "Destiny Negotiation Experts" and "Gringotts Contract Experts."

…………

Late at night, the curfew bell echoed throughout Hogwarts.

Lucius Malfoy stood on the bridge in front of the castle, looking up at the ancient castle in the darkness.

For so many years, this magical castle became ferocious and dangerous in his eyes for the first time, just like a hideous beast lurking in the night, and the flashing tower lights were like the beast's eyes, coldly watching the prey below.

Dobby stood tremblingly behind him, looking at Hogwarts Castle, with a trace of tiny hope hidden in his eyes.

"Good evening, Lucius." Dumbledore's figure appeared at the door, saying kindly.

Lucius Malfoy came back to his senses and strode forward.

Dobby followed him in a panic, bending over and looking at the seams on the back of his master's robe, with despairing and helpless fear on his face. He knew what his master was going to do; he wanted to question the greatest wizard in the world.

"Dumbledore... Professor."

Lucius Malfoy's icy eyes stared at Dumbledore, his voice squeezed out between his teeth.

"As a renowned wizard and the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, don't you think it's despicable to use students to achieve your ideals? I didn't expect you to be so concerned about the world outside the school –"

"Oh, it's like this, Lucius," Dumbledore said, smiling calmly, "I don't understand what you're talking about, but I never think I'm using students or anything... To be honest, as the headmaster, I've been helping students realize their ideals for so many years. As for outside the school, well, after all, I'm also the President of the International Confederation of Wizards. However, I personally think that the work of the Hogwarts Board of Governors is important, but you still have to learn to consider yourself."

"The house-elf matter, that's enough. Let's stop here, Lucius – this is for your own good."

Dumbledore's bright blue eyes fell on Lucius's face, and he said with great sincerity.

Compared to him, the other two Dark Lords in the castle did not have so much patience. The young wizard who had just joined the Hogwarts Board of Governors did not understand what he was investigating... Eileen's true identity was a secret that was enough to set off a world war. In the eyes of the Dark Lords, the Malfoy family was too small.

"Is this... your advice? I understand."

Lucius Malfoy's face was paler than usual, but his eyes seemed to be spitting fire.

Just as he had guessed, Dumbledore did not intend to let go of his son. In the eyes of this cold-blooded old wizard, Draco was obviously a very useful chess piece – and that just now was a warning.

"Then – have you ever thought that those forces that do not belong to you may get out of control?"

Lucius said coldly, his tone full of sarcasm, "Can even the most powerful wizard really control everything?"

"That's why we will be extra cautious," Dumbledore replied with a smile.

A trace of solemnity flashed in the depths of the old man's eyes. Lucius Malfoy might know more than they thought.

For so long, Hogwarts had been separated from the forces outside the school, and the research content in the Academy City should also be top secret, and... Lucius seemed to have guessed that he was not the direct owner of the power.

If Grindelwald were in this place, he might have already started casting spells, right?

"Oh?" Mr. Malfoy narrowed his eyes and said coldly, gritting his teeth, "You should know who he is –"

"You're thinking too much, Lucius. He won't come back."

The expression on Dumbledore's face became more and more serious, staring at Lucius's eyes, his voice sinking slightly.

"But even if he comes back, I am still here to protect Hogwarts and the wizarding world. Some problems will break out sooner or later. Delaying them will not make the tragedy disappear. I hope that while I still have the energy, I can clear the obstacles for those who come later as much as possible. Let's stop here, Lucius. You are more sensitive than I thought, so you should understand how complicated this matter is..."

The old wizard took a deep breath, and fatigue appeared on his wrinkled face.

That little girl was right. He always underestimated others and was used to solidifying others with the past.

Just as Dumbledore never expected that the first wizard to discover the clues and dare to stand up to accuse and question them was actually the contemporary head of the Malfoy family, whom he once looked down upon as a fence-sitter.

"So this is what the guardian of the wizarding world thinks..." Mr. Malfoy said slowly to Dumbledore.

Lucius looked at Dumbledore blankly, his heart ice-cold.

For so many years, this was the first time he had confronted Dumbledore head-on. He finally understood why the Dark Lord thought Dumbledore was the most troublesome opponent – this old man was also a Dark Lord in a sense.

"This is my responsibility, or more accurately, my obligation."

Dumbledore said in a calm tone, his eyes still staring at Mr. Malfoy's eyes, extremely frankly.

"A few months ago, someone told me a truth – well, for so many years, similar truths have been recited in my ears – but the one I remember most clearly at the moment is this sentence."

Dumbledore paused, and said softly with some emotion.

"You see, if you have outstanding abilities but do nothing, then the bad things that happen later are your responsibility – I can't knowingly see that there will inevitably be big problems in the future, but continue to enjoy my leisurely life..."

Malfoy was silent, his face suddenly covered with a mask.

"In fact, I have made such mistakes before, more than once."

Dumbledore sighed, a look of pain flashed in his eyes, and continued.

"Even though so many tragedies later proved that people will not attribute the responsibility to me because of this... but people do not live by the evaluation of others. Once you have such a terrible idea, it will keep questioning you somewhere. The extremely fortunate thing is that, compared to before, we have ample time to prepare this time, without hurting anyone..."

Lucius Malfoy forced himself to speak.

"Perhaps, you are indeed a very great wizard..."

He said unnaturally, taking a deep look at Dumbledore.

The attitude of the Headmaster of Hogwarts was already very clear and firm. Lucius did not expect that he could change the beliefs of this hundred-year-old man. All he could rely on was himself, and that elf he once scorned and disliked.

"In short, I will leave Dobby at Hogwarts. He will completely obey your instructions – Dobby, I, as the male master of the Malfoy family, order you: from now on, serve Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before the school transfers back its authority, Professor Albus Dumbledore's orders have priority over the Malfoy family."

Lucius Malfoy turned around and, for the first time in history, squatted down and looked into the house-elf's eyes.

"From now on, you are Hogwarts's elf, remember..."

In the direction that Dumbledore could not see, Lucius moved his lips silently, leaving the last word in Dobby's eyes.

"...Draco."

————

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Yay!