Vid thought that Dumbledore would soon seek him out to discuss Slughorn's memory, Voldemort's horcrux, or further news about that golden teapot, but he did not.
For several consecutive days, he did not see any sign of Dumbledore.
When he once again walked into the great hall and looked toward the teacher's seat, searching for the figure always sitting in the center, a cool voice suddenly came from the side:
"Professor Dumbledore is not at the school."
Vid turned his head and saw the semi-transparent figure of Ms. Grey passing through a few empty chairs, quietly floating beside him.
While speaking, Ms. Grey did not look at him; her melancholy gaze passed over Vid's head, looking toward the empty headmaster's seat.
"Where did he go?" Vid asked in a lowered voice.
Ms. Grey softly replied, "The Ministry of Magic."
"This is bad!" Headless Nick suddenly poked half of his body out from the wall, holding his wobbling head with a tense expression, he said: "I just heard from the Headless Hunter Team, we might be getting a new headmaster!"
Vid looked up sharply: "What do you mean?"
Nick whispered mysteriously: "It is said... that Dumbledore has been nominated twice in succession to be the new Minister of Ministry of Magic!"
"Ridiculous!" Bloody Baron emerged from somewhere with an eerie look, saying sternly: "Albus Dumbledore would never abandon Hogwarts."
The chains on his body clinked, Ms. Grey coldly snorted and passed through the wall, vanishing.
Watching her disappearing back, Bloody Baron suddenly lost interest in speaking as well, his entire ghost sunk down, passing through the floor and disappearing.
"This time it's different!"
Nick made an exaggerated gesture, his head slid off his neck dangerously hanging in front of his chest. He hurriedly pushed it back on, saying:
"It is said that the Ministry of Magic is very insistent... even if Dumbledore refuses, they still jointly nominated him as a candidate, and most seats in the Wizengamot also support Dumbledore..."
The Fat Friar floated over, sighed, a round face full of worry, "Actually... sigh... I heard many people just don't want Scrimgeour as Minister..."
He said with concern: "Dumbledore recommended Scrimgeour, but most people think he's too... too much like a grumpy lion, or a stinky and hard rock... They simply can't accept that person as Minister..."
Vid was speechless, still feeling somewhat wordless in his heart.
Originally, someone like Scrimgeour who advocated "fighting violence with violence" was able to rise to power because Voldemort's resurrection plunged the British Magic World into panic, desperately needing a hardline leader to restore confidence.
And Scrimgeour promised to "protect the public with actions rather than lies," making the public feel safe and trusting, thus winning most people's support.
But now, although Voldemort has openly resurrected, most of the audience believes he is dead again, the "Auror mentality" governance style seems not so urgent.
And Fudge did not have time to make one blunder after another. His character was slick, with flexible skills, and an equally flexible bottom line, often appearing in newspapers and flow mirrors, managing to maintain a very public-friendly image.
Used to this "gentle and approachable" leadership, the stern-faced, sharp-tongued Scrimgeour inevitably feels somewhat unapproachable—
The Pure-Blood Clan worries he will harm their privileges, merchants fear he will raise taxes or strengthen product scrutiny, ordinary people worry he will enact very harsh laws, but do not know how to manage the economy.
It should be known that most wizards actually hover on the edge of illegality all year round, even someone like Arthur Weasley, a recognized good person and official of the Ministry of Magic, secretly modified a Muggle car, and his sons often cause not too big or too small accidents.
So under various considerations, Scrimgeour's "Iron Warrior" temperament became a drawback instead—the public needs a manager who can protect their own interests, not a commander.
"There's another reason."
Nick looked around, then leaned close to Vid, covering his lips with his hand, whispered sneakily:
"A few days ago, Grindelwald announced he would visit the Minister of Ministry of Magic, so... you know? Everyone thinks only Dumbledore can take on such a heavy responsibility... or rather, only he can, in this threat, not worry about his life safety..."
Vid: "..."
After a moment of silence, he suddenly chuckled quietly: "So now the whole Ministry of Magic is pushing Dumbledore to come forward and settle this matter? How ironic!"
"Sigh... the Ministry of Magic is just like that..." The Fat Friar said with a sigh: "And that person is Grindelwald, decades ago, those people simply killed like maniacs. Isn't it normal for everyone to be afraid of him?"
"It's not just decades ago, look at the newspapers, even now the Witch Pure Party often kills people everywhere! It's just that they kill only bad people, so it seems more acceptable."
Nick hurriedly said: "It must be said, compared to those people, the Mysterious Man is not even considered..."
"Shh!" The Fat Friar quickly shushed him: "Don't speak recklessly! That guy, even if he's not around now, but when he wants to deal with you, even us ghosts are not completely spared..."
The two ghosts murmured about the achievements of the two Dark Wizards, despite having died long ago, they still frequently shivered.
Vid did not listen further, he quietly finished his meal, returned to the Room of Requirement, and continued repairing the poppet damaged last time.
While he was halfway through his work, Zoe suddenly popped in.
"Mr. Gray! Zoe knew Mr. Gray would be here!"
The House-Elf excitedly tugged on his sleeve, loudly said: "Dumbledore has returned to the school, just now! Zoe is the first to tell Vid Gray!"
"Thank you, Zoe!"
Vid immediately put down his work, and after confirming no one was around, he transformed into a Peregrine Falcon and flew out the window towards the Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore had just returned to the office, he took off his hat and hung it up, turned and saw a lively-eyed bird standing outside the window, tapping the glass with its beak.
"Oh, your information is really quick, probably surpassing mine now."
Dumbledore said with a smile, reaching to open the window.
The Peregrine Falcon flew in, instantly transforming into Vid's form, he steadied himself, asked: "Professor, how is the election for the Minister of Ministry of Magic?"
"Ah... it has been resolved..." Dumbledore said lightly.
Vid frowned, worriedly asked: "Then you... did you and Mr. Grindelwald... fight again?"