"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 348: The Purpose of Education
Fudge's face was as dark as storm clouds. He stood rooted to the spot, eyes darting between Sirius and Scrimgeour, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Sirius's casual yet unmistakably provocative attitude made Fudge feel his authority as Minister of Magic was being challenged like never before.
But what truly stung was Scrimgeour's indifference—he stood ramrod straight, as if none of this concerned him at all.
It felt like betrayal. Had Scrimgeour really thrown in his lot with Dumbledore? Was Dumbledore finally fed up with his own neglect, and using this as a warning? The thought gnawed at him, but he didn't dare glance at Dumbledore—he felt as though every move was under that old wizard's scrutiny.
In reality, Dumbledore was far more interested in Sirius's shoes than in the tension between the men. Since he'd decided to step back from day-to-day affairs—unless Douglas came to him directly—he'd stopped meddling. Today, his only goal was to keep the Ministry from losing its head and prevent them from snatching Lupin away.
Fudge drew a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm, but his voice trembled with barely contained anger. "Rufus, what's the meaning of this? What exactly was your assignment today? Who gave you permission to pull a stunt like this without my approval?"
Scrimgeour frowned. In his eyes, the Auror Office wasn't anyone's private army—it existed for the security of the entire wizarding world. He had little patience for Fudge's posturing. His loyalty was to the Ministry itself, not the man who happened to be Minister. As long as the Minister wasn't in danger, he had no intention of playing the lackey.
When Scrimgeour ignored him, Fudge grew even more suspicious. He turned to Sirius, face like thunder. "Mr. Black…"
But Sirius cut him off, a hint of mischief in his eyes, one hand casually in his pocket. "Sorry, Minister, but during working hours, I'd appreciate it if you used my official title. I am currently the Hogwarts Administrative Director—a position approved by the Board of Governors and formally recognized by the Ministry."
Scrimgeour couldn't help but smirk at seeing Fudge so abruptly silenced; after all, he'd just been blindsided himself a moment ago.
But Fudge was nothing if not a seasoned politician. He forced a brittle smile, grinding his teeth. "Yes, Director Black. I'd like to know what you mean by all this…"
Sirius, who'd been listening intently, suddenly noticed Dumbledore's gaze and remembered Douglas's warning: be wary of Dumbledore when there's no immediate danger. Instinctively, he took a step back, trying to shield his shoes from view. No wonder Douglas had made these as insoles, not shoes. If he'd made them into socks, would it be even sneakier…?
He caught himself, realizing his thoughts were wandering, and quickly refocused—unaware of just how much that tiny, defensive movement had wounded Fudge's pride.
But Sirius didn't care. He let a ghost of a smile play at his lips, then looked up, his tone suddenly earnest.
"Minister, it's really quite simple. Director Scrimgeour and I both feel that students know far too little about what it really means to be an Auror—especially since fewer and fewer are choosing the profession these days.
So we wanted to organize this friendly duel. Let students see firsthand the skills Aurors need. Let Aurors spot future talent. And, perhaps most importantly, give students whose values are still being shaped a real shock—to remind them that there's always a powerful force in the wizarding world standing against crime…"
As he spoke, Sirius's expression grew strange—cold, yet tinged with longing.
"If only Aurors had come to Hogwarts every year, showing what they could do… maybe there wouldn't have been so many children, lost and uncertain, who fell under the Death Eaters' sway before they even graduated…"
At those words, both Fudge and Scrimgeour paled.
Fudge hissed, voice low and urgent, "Sirius, that's all in the past! Do you hear me?"
Scrimgeour only grew more thoughtful, recalling the earlier Auror oath. He studied Dumbledore and Sirius, searching their faces for answers.
Meanwhile, Sirius's thoughts drifted to his brother, Regulus Black. Ever since the truth had come out, regret had haunted him. If only he hadn't been so stubborn—if only he'd talked to Regulus more, cared more—maybe things would have been different. Maybe Regulus wouldn't have faced so much fear and danger alone.
These "what ifs" spun endlessly in his mind, tightening around his heart like invisible cords, tormenting him every time he remembered his brother.
That, in the end, was why he'd agreed to become Hogwarts Administrative Director. Maybe Douglas understood him—maybe that's why he'd given him this chance to make a difference.
Defeating the Dark Lord was never the real point. What mattered was guiding generation after generation of confused young witches and wizards—helping them find a better path.
Dumbledore, watching Sirius, let out a soft sigh. He had to admit, his own approach to education had failed. The wizarding world didn't lack for geniuses or great headmasters.
What it lacked were guiding lights—beacons for children lost in doubt. Like the four Founders, who led by example and gave young witches and wizards four pillars of belief.
But even those beliefs, though they'd done good over the centuries, had begun to hinder progress in this new era.
Under Douglas's influence, Dumbledore had come to realize that, compared to the future of the wizarding world, even Voldemort's troubles seemed insignificant.
Hogwarts' mission shouldn't be limited to teaching spells and theory. More important was nurturing people—moving beyond the old laissez-faire approach. These children needed new ideas for a new age.
In Sirius, he saw a kindred spirit—a fellow traveler on this path. And that brought him comfort.
Scrimgeour, still watching the pair, felt that something was definitely up between them. Especially Dumbledore—what was he so pleased about?
Sirius snapped back to the present, shot Fudge a subtle eye-roll, and said, "What I mean, Minister, is that this is all for the long-term good of the wizarding world."
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