Chapter 108: Quarrel in the Office
"Dumbledore, where is Phineas Black?"
A voice of suppressed anger came from the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, leaving Professor McGonagall stunned as she was about to knock on the door.
What did Mr. Black do to make people so angry?
She was very confused, but she still knocked on the office door.
"Come in."
Dumbledore's voice came from inside.
Professor McGonagall opened the door and walked in. She saw Fudge, the Minister of Magic, and several men she didn't know standing in front of Dumbledore's desk, his face flushed as he argued with Dumbledore.
"Ah, Minerva, what do you need?"
Dumbledore didn't care at all about the arguing wizards, as if he didn't hear them, and asked Professor McGonagall.
McGonagall hesitated. Looking at the scene before her, she understood Dumbledore wanted to use her as an excuse to leave.
However, she didn't think it wise to let him escape this situation. If Dumbledore left, these people might come looking for him later.
So she told the truth:
"Today, many professors have reported that the atmosphere in the school is very tense, especially between Gryffindor and Slytherin. If Severus hadn't arrived in time, they would have started fighting. Albus, we can't ignore this any longer."
"Ah, they are still young, aren't they? At least they can still enjoy the excitement of competition."
Dumbledore said mildly, clearly annoyed by Fudge and the other wizards' noise.
When McGonagall heard this, her face became stern, her eyes fixed on Dumbledore.
Under her stare, Dumbledore coughed slightly and said:
"They should be disciplined, but I think you and Severus have already punished them, haven't you? Since the punishment has been given, I see no need for further action."
McGonagall grew angry.
"Albus Dumbledore!"
By using his full name, she showed how furious she was.
"This is truly serious! If Severus and I hadn't happened to meet them, by the time we learned what was happening, most of those students would have been sent to St. Mungo's!"
If she hadn't gone to Snape to ask about Phineas earlier, and if they hadn't encountered that group of students on their way...
They had already begun fighting. And it wasn't just younger students - many older students were involved too. If a full fight had broken out, it would have been miraculous if the younger students escaped with only minor injuries.
The sixth and seventh years knew dangerous combat spells. Could Hogwarts have handled the aftermath if they'd actually dueled?
Dumbledore's apparent indifference angered McGonagall, though she knew he had many other important matters to handle.
Still, in her view, educating students was equally important. Her frustration grew when Dumbledore neglected his duties as Headmaster, leaving everything to her as Deputy Headmistress.
Dumbledore sighed.
"Ah, then this is indeed serious. Minerva, please wait a moment. I'll come with you to address this."
He turned to Fudge and the others.
"Fudge, as you've heard, there are urgent matters at the school requiring my attention. So unless there's anything else...?"
Before Fudge could respond, a wizard behind him spoke.
"Albus Dumbledore, we don't care about your school's problems. You will hand over Phineas Black today. His actions against the Flint family violated wizarding law. We're taking him into custody, and no one can stop us - not even you."
This wizard hadn't spoken before. He was with Fudge's group, demanding information about Phineas's whereabouts.
Now, seeing Dumbledore trying to leave without answering, he spoke bluntly, disregarding Dumbledore's status.
His family, originally from Germany, had supported Grindelwald during the first war. Dumbledore's defeat of Grindelwald had ruined many of their plans.
He disliked Dumbledore, believing the old wizard no longer possessed the power that had defeated Grindelwald decades ago.
Dumbledore fixed the wizard with a sharp look.
"Let's not discuss whether Mr. Black broke any laws. This isn't a matter for a German wizard to interfere with. Do you consider the British Ministry a mere puppet? Or do you no longer respect my authority?"
As he spoke, a terrifying magical pressure filled the room.
The wizard fell silent under this display of power.
He glared at Dumbledore angrily.
"Albus Dumbledore! What will you do? Attack me? I represent the Wizengamot's Elder Council! Phineas Black has broken the law - and even if he hasn't, I declare that he has! That makes it so!"
Hearing this, Dumbledore's aura faded, his expression turning from fierce to pitying.
Was this wizard a fool? The Black family had just as much influence with the Elder Council. To claim he could arbitrarily declare laws showed he didn't understand the Council's true nature.
As a legendary wizard, Dumbledore knew who truly held power in the Elder Council - ancient wizards who had lived for centuries.
Unlike Nicolas Flamel, these wizards used perfected Philosopher's Stones to maintain their immortality without weakening their magic.
They cared only for maintaining balance in the wizarding world. Unless their existence was threatened, they wouldn't interfere - which explained why they hadn't acted against Voldemort or Grindelwald.