"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 349: Who? That Notorious Novelist Stirring Up the Wizarding World?
Cornelius Fudge stared at Sirius in disbelief, actually reaching up to rub his ear as if he hadn't heard correctly.
"The long-term development of the wizarding world? Since when is that the business of an Administrative Director? Or the concern of the Head of the Auror Office? Albus, is this your doing?"
Albus Dumbledore took a measured step backward, his head bowed, those ever-smiling eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles.
"Cornelius, I think you've got the wrong end of the stick. I never had much choice before, but now—I'd rather just be a good Headmaster. Yes, you heard that right. I want to be a good Headmaster of Hogwarts, not the 'Dumbledore of the wizarding world.'"
He finished with a helpless shrug, as if to say, "Don't look at me, it's out of my hands."
Rufus Scrimgeour, watching Dumbledore's little performance, flexed his fingers on his cane, his gaze sharp.
Sirius blinked, muttering under his breath, "Merlin, Douglas really is something else. He even predicted Fudge would react like this. If he weren't already a novelist, I'd say he missed his calling… Oh, wait, he is one."
Casting a sidelong glance at Dumbledore, who looked ready to sit back and enjoy the show, Sirius spoke up:
"Minister, that's a bit harsh, don't you think? Hogwarts and the Ministry have always been in this together—both working to protect the magical world.
Sure, I'm the Administrative Director, but caring about students' futures is part of cultivating talent for our world.
And, more to the point, the Aurors' equipment is long overdue for an upgrade. I've got some rather interesting gadgets I'd like Director Scrimgeour to try out. If they're any good, we could produce them on a larger scale.
Just imagine—if our Aurors are better equipped, Britain's got more muscle in the international wizarding community. That reflects well on you, Minister… wouldn't you agree?"
Scrimgeour suddenly remembered his department's funding depended on the Minister's signature. He straightened up, adopting a respectful but firm tone:
"Minister, Director Black's innovations could be a real asset to the Auror force. You know as well as I do—after that incident, other magical governments are looking at us differently...
If these tools are as effective as he claims, it could greatly enhance the Ministry's strength.
And beyond the gear, I think this friendly match is a fantastic opportunity for both current and future Aurors."
At last, Dumbledore stepped in, smiling as he smoothed things over:
"Now, now, Cornelius, there's no need to get so worked up. Sirius and Rufus are just looking out for the wizarding world—their intentions are good.
Besides, this match does sound rather exciting. All these curious magical devices—you might even spot some promising young talent. Didn't you just complain that each year's crop of Hogwarts graduates is worse than the last?"
Fudge managed a strained smile, glancing around at the assembled group. Oh, wonderful. So you're all ganging up on me now, are you?
"Well, it's certainly an interesting idea. The wizarding world needs a few surprises, some fresh thinking, and new approaches. The Administrative Director position was a novel idea, and Sirius is handling it well."
With the Minister's support, everything else fell neatly into place.
What began as a simple product demonstration was now an impromptu Ministry inspection of Britain's magical talent reserves.
As the arrangements continued, the Daily Prophet finally made its move.
The upper-year students, fresh from their exams, and those who hadn't gone to the Quidditch pitch, were settling into the Great Hall for dinner.
Special evening editions of the Daily Prophet fluttered down onto the tables.
Hogwarts' Werewolf Professor Stuns the Wizarding World! New Potion Set to Rewrite Magical Medical History!
[Exclusive Report from Hogwarts]
When Professor Remus Lupin tapped his wand to the crystal ball, and five shimmering bottles of potion hovered in the Quidditch pitch's morning light, it was as if every cauldron in the magical world stopped bubbling. This "adjunct professor" at Hogwarts publicly revealed his werewolf identity for the first time during yesterday's Wizard Psychology Lecture, and introduced a new Wolfsbane Potion—improved by the mysterious author "Banana-Loving Honey Badger," none other than Professor Douglas Holmes—proclaiming, "Werewolves can live in peace with the moonlight."
"I am a werewolf, but above all, I am Hogwarts' night watchman."
Lupin's opening words were like a Riddikulus charm, banishing the tension that hung over the Quidditch pitch. "I once believed my werewolf blood would keep me forever in the shadows of the school's bonfires. But the stone walls of Hogwarts welcome every soul whose hand sweats around a wand..."
The werewolf who had spent countless full moons in the Shrieking Shack showed his bite-scarred arm to the public for the first time. "Every full moon, the traditional Wolfsbane Potion brought not peace, but a deep self-loathing. But Professor Douglas Holmes' new potion made me realize—healing isn't about hating the 'wolf,' but embracing the 'human.'"
...When honey and licorice awaken the mind, the sweetness on the tongue is no longer a mask, but a gentle promise to the body—you deserve to be healed...
Most astonishing of all was the clinical effect he revealed: "After six months of treatment, I can spend full moon nights in the study hall, watching students practice spells, instead of hiding in my office counting the cracks between bricks. The wolf within is no longer a flood, but a stream gently held back by Merlin's beard."
This revelation sent shockwaves not just through Hogwarts, but the entire wizarding world.
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Second Floor, Creature-Induced Injuries Ward.
Trainee Healer Augustus Pye, having just finished his rounds, grabbed the latest edition of the Daily Prophet from the rack as he passed, intending to skim it over dinner.
He flipped it open casually...
But after a quick glance at the front page, his fatigue vanished, replaced by wide-eyed astonishment.
"Merlin's beard, this is unbelievable."
He sprinted into Head Healer Hippocrates Smethwyck's office.
"Professor Smethwyck—sir, you've got to see today's front page! There's a werewolf at Hogwarts who's been cured—the Wolfsbane Potion has been improved!"
Smethwyck, still scribbling medical records, didn't even look up.
"A Hogwarts werewolf? You mean Remus Lupin, yes? I'm aware of his case.
Werewolves can't be cured, not even with Severus's improved Wolfsbane Potion. The Daily Prophet is getting more ridiculous by the day... And don't forget to hand in your patrol report."
"No, no, it's not that... It's Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor Douglas Holmes—he's the one who improved the Wolfsbane Potion..."
Smethwyck finally looked up, adjusting his glasses with a puzzled frown.
"Who did you say? That novelist who's been causing such a stir?"
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