After Umbridge left, Lucius Malfoy turned to look at Dumbledore and the others.

"There are some things we need to discuss," he said. "Headmaster... if we're not mistaken, there seem to be quite a few problems with your professor selection. You must have seen the news in the latest edition of *The Daily Prophet*, haven't you?"

"About Professor Lockhart? Of course."

Dumbledore said, looking somewhat weary, as if he had aged several years, but his expression was quite calm.

"I know what kind of child Gilderoy Lockhart was. Perhaps he was a little vain and made some mistakes after graduation. But it was precisely because of his experience teaching at Hogwarts that he didn't stray too far down the wrong path. He wrote to me a few days ago to explain the reasons and has taken a long leave of absence. I personally believe that facing the shadows of one's past is something commendable and worthy of encouragement."

"Well, I understand your point of view, which is fine from the perspective of the Headmaster of Hogwarts."

Cornelius Fudge shrugged, twirling his bowler hat in his hands again, carefully choosing his words.

"However, from the perspective of the Ministry of Magic's decrees, Gilderoy Lockhart may still face imprisonment—that's how the law works; a person who commits a crime must be punished, and they can't escape responsibility because of their repentance. We will issue a formal warrant this time."

The encounter in the Hogwarts entrance hall a few months ago undoubtedly left the Ministry of Magic with a rather deep impression.

If Paracelsus, who hadn't fought anyone in hundreds of years, could easily handle more than five highly skilled adult wizards,

then the strength of Albus Dumbledore, recognized as the most powerful white wizard in the magical world today, naturally soared by more than one level in the Ministry of Magic's "hypothetical enemy" deduction: according to the latest conversion rules, Aurors would have to send at least ten people to defeat "Paracelsus." Then, by analogy, if the Ministry of Magic wanted to defeat Albus Dumbledore head-on, wouldn't they need at least fifteen people?

Therefore, in the minds of Cornelius Fudge and others, it was best to avoid the terrible situation of Dumbledore coming to their door.

"As a member of the Wizengamot, my personal suggestion is to send an owl to notify Mr. Lockhart to stand trial—as for Hogwarts, I think we can temporarily suspend Mr. Lockhart and decide on the outcome after further investigation. What do you think, Madam Bones?"

"No problem, this is fully compliant with our current laws and regulations—"

Amelia Bones nodded, a glint reflecting off her monocle.

"However, how should we inform the students that a Hogwarts professor is facing trial?"

"I don't think it's a problem," Dumbledore said. "Don't exaggerate, and don't hide anything. Just tell everyone what's happening. But this is just my personal opinion. If the Board of Governors has other thoughts and considerations in this regard—"

"No problem, we have the same view. Temporary suspension pending trial."

Mr. Greengrass patted Lucius Malfoy on the shoulder and took over the topic.

After a few seconds of pause, he turned his head to look at Professor McGonagall, stroking his cane as he spoke.

"However... perhaps Ms. Umbridge was a little impatient in her execution, but I think the Hogwarts teacher background check still needs to continue. I hope that as the Deputy Headmistress, you can set a good example. Subsequent background checks will be based on your information template—you can compile a personal resume later—if you don't mind, you can give it directly to the Board of Governors through Professor Dumbledore."

Greengrass spread his hands and said sincerely, "We don't force personal privacy, but we hope you can provide a standard template."

Professor McGonagall nodded without saying a word, her expression not as tense as before.

"Cornelius," Dumbledore looked thoughtfully at the Minister for Magic, "if I understand correctly, the first part of this background check should be the campus resume and work experience after graduation. I don't think there are too many differences between us on these two points. The main contradictions and ambiguities are still in the collection of personal information. Do you really think that family background and kinship are indispensable?"

"Um, well—of, of course. These are very important."

Cornelius Fudge was obviously a little hesitant, but in the end, he nodded with a serious expression.

"In my opinion, as a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an educator who spends a long time with students, family background and kinship are all factors that need to be considered. For example, if there has been a serious criminal record, or if there are dangerous elements in the immediate family..."

As he spoke, he subconsciously tilted his head towards the door, the meaning in his words obvious.

"Of course, for example, Miss Kaslana is clearly not suitable to serve as Headmistress of Hogwarts—"

Beside the sofa against the wall in the teacher's office, Grindelwald folded his arms, grinned, and said with great approval.

"Minister, you don't have to be so careful with your hints. Everyone has signed a confidentiality agreement, and none of us here are outsiders. There's no need to beat around the bush. In fact, if it weren't for Dumbledore's repeated guarantees, I wouldn't even want that little witch to appear at Hogwarts."

Under Dumbledore's extremely strange gaze, "Paracelsus" shook his head, perfectly showing a touch of helpless vicissitude.

"From Salzburg to Scotland, I couldn't escape that dark wizard who almost unified Europe, alas..."

"There's nothing we can do. Compared to Hogwarts and the British wizarding world, there will only be more disputes elsewhere."

"Oh, that's for sure—Pa, uh, Professor Apocalypses, you can just rest assured and live in seclusion in England."

Cornelius Fudge smiled, puffing out his slightly bulging belly, and pointed proudly around.

It must be said that the experience of hearing the same words from different people is completely different—if someone else had said this, perhaps Cornelius Fudge wouldn't have been so happy, but if it was said by a great alchemist who had lived for hundreds of years, it would be different.

That was one of the only two top wizards in the magical world who possessed the Philosopher's Stone, and a master who laid the foundation for the healer industry.

And Professor Apocalypses's earlier statement that "none of us here are outsiders" scratched Cornelius's itch.

The most important point was that from Professor Apocalypses's words, Fudge keenly heard a hint of hidden dissatisfaction from the old wizard.

Undoubtedly, this great alchemist who had lived for hundreds of years was not a "Dumbledore faction" like Minerva McGonagall—this was not surprising, as Dumbledore had no reason to command such an immortal—at least Cornelius was certain that Paracelsus was clearly not satisfied with Dumbledore's arrangement for Elena Kaslana, and Hogwarts was not that important to him.

Cornelius Fudge looked thoughtfully at the old wizard.

Perhaps, from the beginning, they had missed the easiest way to restrain Albus Dumbledore.

If Paracelsus was only seeking a quiet place to live in seclusion, then as the Minister for Magic of the British Ministry of Magic, he could provide help that was clearly more direct than Dumbledore. In a sense, the interests of both parties were highly aligned.

The only thing that troubled Cornelius Fudge was what more sincere gifts the Ministry of Magic could give besides this.

"Ahem, but I have a question... Professor Dumbledore."

Just then, a deep female voice interrupted the vague equilibrium plan in Cornelius Fudge's mind.

Amelia Bones pushed up her monocle, her eyes shining as she looked at Dumbledore, her eyebrows raised high.

"I still don't understand why you would allow Grindelwald's descendant to enroll, and even make an Unbreakable Vow with that notorious dark wizard. In the past few decades, Grindelwald and his followers haven't shown much threat..."

"Oh, my dear young people, the key issue is precisely time."

Grindelwald shook his head, chuckling in an old-fashioned manner, "Let me explain it. Grindelwald isn't young anymore, and perhaps in less than ten years, his life will come to an end. Do you think that a dark wizard who once dominated the European continent will quietly die in a castle in his last moments? Perhaps there is such a possibility, but there is also another terrible situation, isn't there? To be honest, I've seen too much of it."

"...Before dying, frantically imprinting his mark on the magical world?"

Amelia Bones swallowed hard. Among the malicious cases recorded in the Ministry of Magic, the most were old wizards nearing death.

Unlike Muggles in the non-magical world, even if the body is old and weak, as long as a wizard can still raise a wand to cast spells, their madness, if well-prepared, is enough to exceed everyone's imagination—especially those who are confused and emotionally unstable, are even more dangerous.

"It's not surprising, is it. A dark wizard with no ties, about to reach the end of his life, it seems you've realized it..."

Grindelwald explained worriedly, paused meaningfully for half a second, and sighed deeply.

"And the worse thing is that those followers who followed Gellert Grindelwald back then are not young either—if they have any dissatisfaction with reality, they may not launch a revolution like they did decades ago—if, in the worst-case scenario, these dying bigots are more likely to follow in Grindelwald's footsteps, directly dragging those things they hate to hell."

"Things they hate?" Lucius Malfoy raised his eyebrows.

"Well, maybe officials who issue laws they don't approve of, maybe teachers who deviate from tradition, or maybe something else..."

Grindelwald ticked off his fingers, counting seriously, his eyes scanning around, shivering a little uneasily.

"However, the only thing that can be certain is that if it really comes to that, they will never be satisfied with attacking ordinary people—according to the most insane logic of those who advocate wizard supremacy and blood power, they will definitely choose more valuable prey, um, like us."

Along with Grindelwald's voice, a chilling coldness unconsciously permeated the air.

Apart from Albus Dumbledore, most of the wizards present were not old enough to consider the end of their lives.

Of course, this did not prevent them from following Grindelwald's description to think, and youth could even give them more room for imagination.

Especially Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Cornelius Fudge, who had served as the Head of the Magical Accidents and Catastrophes Department, they had seen too many of these end-of-life crazes in their decades-long Ministry of Magic careers.

Even elderly Aurors were unstable explosive barrels, let alone elderly dark wizards...

"Cough, ahem!"

Dumbledore suddenly cleared his throat loudly.

The solidified atmosphere that had originally surrounded the office was instantly broken.

Everyone subconsciously turned back to look at the old wizard sitting behind the desk.

However, Dumbledore didn't seem to want to speak, but looked seriously at the elderly movie star who was spreading panic.

"Oh, of course—fortunately, we don't have to worry about such things happening for the time being."

Grindelwald shrugged easily, his voice returning to the previous vicissitudes, rather than the somewhat suppressed whisper.

"All those assumptions were based on the premise that Gellert Grindelwald had no ties, but the reality is clearly not the case—there is still a descendant of the Grindelwald family alive, Miss Kaslana is growing up healthy and dazzlingly, and his self-imposed seal will not be lifted. That child has just turned twelve this year, and by the time she comes of age, I think Grindelwald and his followers should have completely retired from history..."

"As for Miss Kaslana, you wouldn't think that a little girl can command those unruly old wizards, would you?"

"Time, this is the most powerful magic in the world—"

"Phew—yes, well, that's good."

Cornelius Fudge breathed a sigh of relief, his fat face suddenly relaxing, as if someone had let the air out of it.

And the other wizards in the office also breathed a sigh of relief.

After a while, Cornelius Fudge perked up again and took out a document from his arms.

"Oh, right. Professor Dumbledore, apart from the background check, the Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic, after discussion, hope to divide up the 'application' products of your previously mentioned Hogwarts academic innovation and take on more—"

Knock knock knock.

Just then, there was a rhythmic knock on the door.

Cornelius Fudge immediately closed his mouth and looked cautiously towards the door.

"Minister, Headmaster—"

Kingsley Shacklebolt's deep voice sounded outside the door.

"The Hogwarts house-elves have brought some plates and cutlery. They said the Head Chef instructed them to come and provide dinner—"

Dinner? Head Chef?

Cornelius Fudge recalled that the little girl seemed to vaguely mention this when she left.

"Let them in, oh, right—Kingsley, Dawlish, you two come in together for now—there are some things we need to briefly explain to you as well. Wait, come in one at a time, leaving one person outside to continue guarding."

Fudge suddenly remembered that the two Aurors had been keeping guard at the door while they were talking in the office.

Perhaps they didn't overhear anything,

but out of caution, it would be better to have them all sign that magical contract.