It has to be admitted that the Foundation is perhaps the most bizarre organization in the world.
At least in Rita Skeeter's impression, apart from mission times, most of the higher-ups here don't seem like superiors at all.
Whether it's "The Hanged Man" Gilderoy Lockhart, "The Hermit" Xenophilius Lovegood, or even the Chief Financial Officer (Grade A) goblin Douglas from Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and the Chief Instructor of the Destiny Group's field operations (Grade A) Kurt Mael...
They don't put on airs at all in their daily interactions, but rather seem... surprisingly friendly?
"What would you like to eat? Miss Skeeter."
Xenophilius turned his head, wiping his right hand on his apron as he asked.
"Porridge? Pancakes? Smoked fish? Ham and eggs? Bread?"
"J-Just a pancake, please, Mr. Lovegood."
Rita Skeeter said with a hint of restraint.
Such scenes are not uncommon in the wizarding town of Queber, but Rita, being a journalist, still felt somewhat unaccustomed.
Even leaving aside his identity as "The Hermit," being the editor-in-chief of *The Quibbler* magazine is still an incredibly dazzling title.
But Xenophilius Lovegood, apart from his occasional obscure illusions, doesn't possess any of the shrewdness or aura that a newspaper owner should have.
Whenever he appears in everyone's house, he seems more willing to help prepare tea, snacks, and simple meals than to sit in the center of the crowd and pontificate like Barnabas of *The Daily Prophet*—he seems more like an ordinary househusband.
However, Rita Skeeter would never underestimate this seemingly unremarkable "ordinary wizard."
His political metaphors about "Blurspingers" and "Nargles" have led various newspapers and magazines into a new era.
Absurd, profound, catchy, yet without any handle to grab, these vicious metaphors satirizing government affairs are simply too powerful.
Compared to him, her magical quill's automatic embellishment ability is too immature and laughable; she deeply understands what it means to be a frog at the bottom of a well.
Rita not only specially collected those issues about Mr. Lovegood's citations, but even carries a small notebook with her, recording the profound metaphors Xenophilius inadvertently utters in his daily life—such as what Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, what Rainbow Bubblefish—even if she doesn't quite understand them, Rita believes that as her knowledge increases, she will eventually comprehend the wonderful artistic conception contained in the words of this once-in-a-century genius media person.
On the other side, Gilderoy Lockhart glanced at Rita and continued to turn his head to look at Kurt Mael.
"You were just saying that Aurors have some extra procedures for cross-border trials and pursuits?"
"Oh... right, it's like this, you will trigger the avoidance principle because you are also an honorary advisor to the ***f..."
The two did not ask Rita to join the conversation, which relieved her slightly.
Facing two Major Arcana at the same time, even just sitting at the table, she felt a sense of trepidation.
Xenophilius Lovegood placed the baked pancakes and marmalade in front of her, and Rita ate them absentmindedly, hardly paying much attention to the Major Arcana's culinary skills—Mr. Lovegood sat down on the other side of her and began to seriously discuss legends with Tonks, and novel words kept drilling into Rita Skeeter's ears. She really wished she could hand her notebook to Tonks to help her copy them down.
Mr. Lovegood doesn't seem to like talking to her, perhaps due to the stigma of her "passive co-option."
"...Do I have to go to work today? I might want to take a half-day off. I'm too—too—too tired."
Tonks said, and yawned again.
Rita sometimes really doesn't know how careless this young witch is.
The person she's talking to is one of the highest levels of the organization, one of the supreme beings in the shadows of the magical world.
At this time, she not only yawns, but also talks about her own... If it weren't for knowing Miss Tonks' family background in advance, Rita would even suspect that she was a relative of the Destiny Group, with a big backer to be so casual.
"That won't do, at least you have to hold on until this afternoon..."
Kurt Mael shrugged and said seriously, "Perhaps, I can help you get some stimulants. The kind that doesn't smoke."
As the Chief Instructor of the Destiny Group's field operations, Old Mael is very optimistic about the potential of these two "new stars."
Whether it's Tonks' Metamorphmagus ability or Rita's beetle Animagus, these are talents unique to them.
Having experienced the brutal wizarding war, Kurt is very clear about the importance of these talents. These magical gifts that cannot be obtained through hard work can be said to be the most precious wealth of every force, but the more this is the case, the greater the expectations and pressures these children carry.
Although he doesn't know what the attitude of that young lady is, Kurt Mael knows very well what the "Saints" used to do.
If Nymphadora Tonks and Rita Skeeter fail to demonstrate satisfactory strength, or even defect, what awaits them may be something more cruel than death—magical abilities are attached to the bloodline of parents. In times of extreme war, witches and wizards with special talents are a kind of resource. This is also the game and competition between the magical departments of various countries and Grindelwald decades ago.
"Don't worry, I'll be with you all the way today, until the door."
Kurt Mael paused, grinned, and said, pointing to himself.
Tonks then noticed that Mr. Mael was not wearing wizard robes today, but a pair of pinstripe trousers and an old short jacket.
However, before she could ask, Kurt turned his gaze from her to Rita.
"How are you feeling now?"
Rita shrugged, her expression obviously not good.
"Don't be too nervous."
Kurt Mael comforted the newcomer.
"It's just delivering some information, I heard you were very good at this before."
Rita said nothing.
"The meeting place is on the second basement level of the Ministry of Magic, seventy-five meters from the elevator, Rufus Scrimgeour's office."
Kurt Mael continued, as an Austrian wizard, he was more familiar with the structure of the Ministry of Magic than the Ministry of Magic officials.
"Scrimgeour is the head of the Auror Office, and Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge and a group of officials will be there to listen. I can't enter the British Ministry of Magic, but our team members will be waiting for you at the exit—if anything unexpected happens, we will rescue you."
"Rufus Scrimgeour is pretty good, Rita."
Tonks said sincerely, "He looks a little fierce, but he's very fair, a real old-school Auror."
Rita nodded, still unable to think of a word to say.
"You can improvise," Lockhart said suddenly, "It's best to exaggerate a little, don't be too pragmatic and restrained, let go."
Rita nodded again.
"Gringotts Wizarding Bank will take care of the cleanup work abroad, but you..."
Douglas said softly, tapping his long fingers on the table, twitching the corners of his mouth with some pain.
"Everything you know can be said. Gringotts' galleons are enough to buy all the story authorizations, and pay for all the compensation that can be measured by currency. The only instruction from the Major Arcana Council is to make the Ministry of Magic believe that they have everything under control as much as possible—"
A cold chill surged from Rita's heart.
She heard other meanings from Douglas' mouth.
This action is not a single decision, or the decision of a few Major Arcana, but the result of a meeting of all the Major Arcana.
Just like what she feared in her nightmares, this is a trap aimed at the current magical government.
No matter what the future direction of this war will be, as a golden informant, she will not return to the relatively safe rear in a short time—her greatest possibility is to serve as a spy, constantly providing filtered information until the dust settles.
This is a journey with no retreat once started.
"Do you have any questions or suggestions?" Gilderoy Lockhart asked one last time.
Rita shook her head blankly.
If it were a few years ago, her quill might explode with excitement when she heard about Lockhart's dark history.
But if these become a planned part, step by step to calculate the Ministry of Magic, becoming the fuse to overthrow the credibility of a magical government for hundreds of years, the pleasure and excitement of those revelations will disappear in an instant, replaced by the bitterness and hesitation in her heart.
Kurt looked at his watch, stood up, and looked at the two witches.
"I think we should go now," he said, "It's a little early, but I think we might as well get going to the Ministry of Magic now instead of hanging around here—try to blend in with the crowds going to work, so it won't be too conspicuous."
"Okay." Rita said without thinking, and stood up.
"I'll be waiting next to the office, Rita." Tonks said, patting her arm.
"Don't worry," Douglas breathed a sigh of relief, grinned, and said softly, "If you are arrested during the mission, we will do everything to rescue you or retaliate excessively—Destiny Group and Gringotts are always the backing of justice, don't have too much psychological burden."
Rita forced a smile. The unease in her heart increased a bit.
"Well, I'll have the house-elf prepare lunch."
Xenophilius Lovegood said, looking at the ingredients prepared in the kitchen with some regret.
Compared to that witch, these young people are a little too impatient, rushing out without eating a full breakfast.
"I guess you may not have a good appetite now, but you will definitely crave delicious and rich dishes when you come back."
"Okay," Rita said, "Then... see you later."
She stood up, followed Kurt and Tonks through the kitchen, and came to the fireplace in the hall.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank opened the fireplace permissions, and they directly arrived at Diagon Alley through the Floo Network.
............
Dawn was just breaking in London.
The sky was gray and cold.
"Wait, Tonks, won't you arouse the suspicion of the Ministry of Magic if you go to work like this?"
They pushed open the door of the Leaky Cauldron and came to Charing Cross Road, and Rita suddenly thought of a problem.
"Well, obviously, most people would prefer Apparition—"
Tonks shrugged and said, observing the office workers on the street with great interest, "But I'm not most people, I prefer to use a more traditional way, so I can flexibly control my working hours... After all, if it's Apparition, then there's no other reason for oversleeping..."
"...You are the most outstanding Auror of the new generation in the Ministry of Magic."
Rita raised her eyebrows and said with a strange expression.
"Well, that's the wisdom of the Auror. Working in the Ministry of Magic is like this—"
Tonks said indifferently, then shook her head proudly, her golden curls made her look in a good mood.
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"Of course, today is different. Because today I have work... You contacted me, claiming to expose a shocking dark wizard to the Auror Office and the Ministry of Magic, we better go through the formal visitor process, so that there are traceable records in all aspects."
Not far behind the two, Kurt trailed behind them slowly, like a lonely old man strolling out in the morning.
Kurt had one hand in his jacket pocket while walking, and Rita knew there must be a wand in that hand.
They soon arrived in central London, where the crowds were surging, and countless well-dressed men and women carrying briefcases shuttled through the streets.
On both sides of the street were majestic and magnificent buildings, and the street was already bustling with traffic in the early morning—Rita had to admit that, compared to the lazy life of the magical world, these Muggles could indeed pull a large gap in terms of pace and efficiency.
As a pure-blood wizard, Rita Skeeter had never seriously examined a Muggle city.
"Ah, okay, you can see enough later... This way, Rita."
Before Rita Skeeter could continue to observe the crowds, Tonks turned and led her into a side street.
They walked forward, and the buildings on both sides of the street gradually became less majestic and magnificent than before.
Finally, they came to a desolate little street, with only a few dilapidated-looking offices, a small pub, and a skip that was almost overflowing.
Rita Skeeter had never been here before, she thought the Ministry of Magic's welcome entrance would be in a much grander place.
"Here we are." Tonks said happily, pointing to a dilapidated red telephone booth.
Several pieces of glass were missing from the top, and behind it was a wall that was smeared in a mess.
However, as a newly promoted slacking Auror, she really loves this place, after all, every time she is late for work or slacks off, she can use the crowded entrance or facilities problems to prevaricate and explain, which is a secret that only a few old-timers know.
"Let's go in together, Rita—it might be a little crowded..."
She said, quickly opening the door of the telephone booth.
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