It must be said, Minister Bones truly understood how to press an advantage and deliver the killing blow.
After a debate where neither could convince the other—
Poor Dumbledore suffered yet another critical hit from the child, his health bar apparently depleted.
Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, he chose tactical retreat, biding his time for future battles.
So the conversation returned to relocating the laboratory.
"This happened so suddenly—I can't immediately select a suitable location," Minister Bones shook her head. "I considered clearing out my house for renovation... but according to Auror observations, there have been suspicious lurkers for several days running, meaning my address is compromised—they're probably there to assassinate me."
"I have a property in Godric's Hollow," Dumbledore said, "but as you know, Godric's Hollow was attacked by Voldemort—it's hardly a safe location."
Jane listened to their back-and-forth, realizing neither suggestion met her needs.
"Perhaps we should think differently—not choosing the laboratory in conspicuous wizarding communities?" she suggested. "I think a Muggle world location would be more suitable, preferably in sparsely populated suburbs where neither Muggles nor wizards frequently pass."
As she spoke, a familiar place she'd once lived floated into her mind.
The environment there was absolutely filthy: foul-smelling rivers... rampant weeds... mountains of garbage... broken streetlights... lifeless abandoned houses...
—That was Spinner's End!
But setting aside the terrible environment, it was indeed suitable as a laboratory location:
Spinner's End sat in Cokeworth, an industrial town that had become wasteland through wave after wave of economic change.
Apart from Professor Snape, no wizards visited here, and even among the Muggles themselves, anyone with money had already moved away from this alley.
Therefore, there were many abandoned factories that could be organized and reinforced with spells for essentially zero cost.
Not only could she recruit a Potions Master to fill the research team's pharmaceutical development gap... she could also fully utilize several vacant properties she'd previously purchased, protecting them with the Fidelius Charm for use as staff dormitories.
Located in the Muggle world, accessing shops, bookstores, hospitals, schools, and other establishments for Muggle supplies would be more convenient for researchers attempting to combine Muggle technology with wizarding magic.
If the laboratory and factories could drive development, gradually transforming that area into a strategic supply hub... covering upstream, midstream, and downstream industrial chains...
Perhaps it could incubate an industrial park... a production base... or at minimum, a commercial district.
"I own several properties on Spinner's End in Cokeworth," Jane directed her gaze toward the two. "Muggle location, rarely visited, industrial wasteland... What do you think about renovating it?"
Unfamiliar with the Muggle world, Minister Bones looked inquiringly at Dumbledore, hoping for his advice.
Dumbledore paused, lowering his head to carefully consider the implications behind this proposal—
He understood this location's sensitivity...
Spinner's End was where Snape had lived from childhood, where he'd cared for Jane during summer holidays.
Though Snape's true identity as a double agent was known only to heaven, earth, himself, and Snape...
He knew that with Jane's perceptiveness... combined with her deep teacher-student bond with Snape at Slytherin...
After years of interaction, she must have some suspicions about his true allegiance...
Choosing the laboratory location here both signaled her complete trust in Snape—
And subtly asked him: Did he trust Snape? Was he certain Snape would stand with them?
Jane watched Dumbledore lower his head, his spectacles concealing his gaze.
She couldn't discern his thoughts, and only after what felt like an eternity did he finally look up and speak:
"That's a very interesting proposal, Yu."
"However... perhaps we should chat with Severus first."
He said nothing more, calmly turning to Minister Bones:
"Amelia, would you be willing to entrust the laboratory construction and security arrangements to me?"
Minister Bones paused, then cheerfully agreed to this suggestion.
...
Jane had expected Dumbledore to take her first to visit Professor Snape, who was vacationing at Spinner's End, but he wasn't in any hurry.
Inside a dilapidated factory at Spinner's End, Dumbledore waved his wand, casting a series of protective spells.
Having apparently given this thorough consideration, he turned to Jane with gravity:
"Yu, I hope our upcoming discussion won't be known by a third person."
Seeing his serious expression, Jane couldn't help growing tense, nodding in agreement.
But she hadn't anticipated Dumbledore launching into heartfelt counsel.
"I know you see through appearances to essence," he said solemnly. "Compared to other children, regarding those who've experienced much, you can better penetrate their surface disguises to see their hearts... This is good, this is perceptive, and it gratifies me greatly."
Wait, why was her guardian speaking in riddles again?
Jane felt her face crumpling into a bitter melon expression.
"But Yu, I want to tell you something... trust is a weighty topic... I know you want to ask me about Severus Snape."
Jane opened her mouth in bewilderment, feeling her bitter melon face gain a capital "O."
Wait, when had she asked him about this?
"He is indeed a Death Eater," Dumbledore continued. "But people can change—he now stands with us, gathering intelligence... and that's sufficient."
"I know you want to ask how deeply I trust him." He paused slightly. "Severus and I don't align in conduct or ideological concepts, but regarding Voldemort, I trust him—perhaps I trust not him personally, but rather his retained capacity for love and remorse, and my own judgment. I hope this is the answer you sought."
After this heart-to-heart revelation, Dumbledore cast an inquiring gaze toward Jane, only to see her expression filled with a peculiar... admiration?
Jane often regretted her excessively good hearing and comprehension.
When she realized what she'd heard, this enormous revelation had been completely force-fed into her mouth by Dumbledore.
"Incredible..." she murmured. "One person working two—no, three—jobs... serving both a moody noseless old man and providing you intelligence while constantly cleaning up everyone's messes. Neither the Order of the Phoenix nor Death Eaters pay salaries or benefits—he's probably losing money on potion ingredients... No wonder he's always frowning and radiating dark energy... It's all overworked employee resentment... The Head of House is still too good-natured..."
After hearing Dumbledore's words, she almost felt guilty about giving this hardworking employee a fourth job as researcher.
Dumbledore suspected his ears were malfunctioning.
Otherwise, how could he be hearing Jane making sympathetic "tsk tsk" sounds?
Regardless, he chose to selectively ignore the child's strange reaction and got straight to work:
"Let's begin. The night is perfect, the Muggle-Repelling Charm is active... I'll repair the factory, Yu, you arrange the alchemy tables and equipment. Once this is built, we'll fix and clean your houses... apply the Fidelius Charm... tomorrow we'll visit Severus..."
Inside, work proceeded energetically with clattering sounds echoing continuously.
But someone was tossing and turning, unable to sleep through the night.
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