"Is it possible that the reason they pay so much attention to me is because of my outstanding looks? After all, people often subconsciously appreciate beautiful sights that make them feel refreshed and happy."
This is so embarrassing!
Adelaide's face flushed red with shame, and she cursed her luck inwardly. But she really couldn't think of a more reasonable explanation right now. She couldn't exactly tell them that Lord Voldemort was sending people to kidnap her and that the Professors were secretly protecting her, could she?
Left with no choice, Adelaide had to brace herself, cast aside what little shame she had left, and lie through her teeth.
"If I remember correctly, didn't I top the Freshman Beauty Rankings for the Class of '90? So, perhaps they really just think I'm pretty."
As Adelaide spoke, she secretly observed the expressions of the upperclassmen before her.
The three older girls stared intently at Adelaide, their eyes filled with thought.
After a moment of silence, Penelope finally spoke up, "I have to admit, although you're only eleven this year, Adelaide, your appearance is indeed very pleasing to the eye."
Hearing this, Adelaide breathed a small sigh of relief. However, before she could fully relax, Jessica added:
"But the Grindelwald Family's pale blonde hair, so similar to a Veela's, and your beyond-human beauty are also quite suspicious..."
The upperclassmen glanced at each other, seemingly reaching a silent agreement to set aside the discussion about Adelaide for the time being.
Then, they each pulled a stack of what appeared to be very old documents from their bags and began a new round of questioning and discussion centered around them.
"Then how do you explain Gellert Grindelwald's extraordinary charisma? According to the detailed materials we've gathered, any Wizard who has ever spoken with Gellert Grindelwald—regardless of whether they were pure-bloods, half-bloods, or Muggle-borns; and regardless of whether they were male or female—showed a near-fanatical approval of his ideals and the man himself."
"What's even more unbelievable is that even Wizards whose families were brutally murdered by the Wizengamot were drawn to Gellert Grindelwald and chose to join the Wizengamot. This phenomenon is truly bizarre; it far exceeds the attraction that simple beauty could create!"
I also think it's outrageous... Adelaide took a deep breath, suppressed her urge to complain, and began to explain. "Actually, while this phenomenon seems incredible, if we delve into the historical background of that time, we might find a reasonable answer."
"Think about it. That was during the critical period of the Muggle World's rapid rise through the Industrial Revolution. Their daily technological advancements posed an unprecedented threat to the entire Wizarding World. Gellert Grindelwald simply and skillfully brought this latent threat to the surface. By accurately perceiving the hidden fears within Wizards' hearts and eloquently describing the various tempting benefits war might bring, he successfully persuaded and recruited many Wizards to his side!"
Penelope and the other two girls nodded in agreement with Adelaide's point.
"Yes, I think so too. Those self-important pure-blood families wouldn't be easily swayed by someone's personal charisma alone. There must be deeper reasons. If it stemmed from fear of the Muggle Industrial Revolution, then it all makes sense," Natasha echoed.
Jessica, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up: "In that case, is the rumor that 'Gellert Grindelwald tried to use his beauty to seduce Dumbledore into joining the Wizengamot before his defeat' also nonsense?"
Everyone froze for a moment upon hearing this, then their gazes snapped toward Jessica.
She was seen hurriedly flipping through the parchment in her hands, muttering, "I remember seeing a record of it somewhere here..."
Before she could find what she was looking for, Adelaide was so startled by this shocking statement that she choked on her own saliva, followed by a fit of violent coughing.
"Pfft! Cough, cough, cough!"
By Merlin, what on earth is this?
Since when did the Wizarding World start getting into slash fiction and backdoor deals?
Worse still, faced with such an absurd rumor, Adelaide couldn't directly refute it.
That... probably, maybe, might actually be true... Adelaide shifted her gaze awkwardly and answered evasively, "I... I'm not sure about that. I suggest you ask Dumbledore directly."
Natasha scratched her head in frustration and sighed helplessly. "Sigh, we already tried to confirm that with Headmaster Dumbledore last year."
What?
No way, sisters, you actually dared to bring that up to the man himself?
Adelaide's gossip-loving soul was piqued. Forgetting everything else, she quickly asked, "Then... then how did Headmaster Dumbledore answer?"
Penelope replied with little interest, "He didn't give us a clear answer; he just treated us to a bunch of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Thinking back now, maybe Headmaster Dumbledore thought the question was too ridiculous to bother answering."
...Fine, if you say so.
"We have a general understanding of the situation now. The claim that Grindelwald has Veela blood is purely a rumor... Adelaide, thank you very much for cooperating with our investigation."
Seeing that the three older girls didn't intend to pursue the matter further, Adelaide finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She replied smoothly, "I should be the one thanking you. I hope that if you hear anyone talking about this rumor in the future, you'll say a few words in defense of the Grindelwald Family."
Penelope said with a smile, "That's no problem. Jessica's parents are senior reporters for The Daily Prophet, and Natasha's and my parents are also veterans who have been in the news industry for many years. If you want, when the time is right, we can submit an article to the newspapers and completely clear up this rumor!"
Adelaide raised her eyebrows in surprise. No wonder these girls seemed so composed and capable; it turned out they all came from journalism families!
Three neutral information experts... she had to find a way to get on their good side.
Before Adelaide could recover from these thoughts, Jessica eagerly threw out a second question:
"There's another rumor that you are the descendant of an illegitimate child born to Gellert Grindelwald and Vinda Rosier—after all, Amandine Rosier, the current head of the French branch of the Rosier family, is very concerned about you. Is this true?"
In an instant, Adelaide felt a buzzing in her head, and her whole body felt as if it had been struck by lightning. She stood there dumbstruck, completely at a loss for how to respond.
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