Just now, Basil had actually been ready to teleport away at any moment.
But thinking that Harry was there, he figured they should be fine (due to plot armor), so he held back.
Besides, he had the [Fenrir Wolf] Echo, which gave him Health points a hundred times that of a normal person.
However, even with that, and having thoroughly examined the Cerberus from head to toe via his mental Hogwarts map beforehand...
When faced with this dangerous magical beast in reality, he still couldn't help but ignite the [Red Dragon Blood].
After the state faded, his body felt much sturdier.
He really didn't want to turn into a muscle-bound hulk.
A "Dragon Ao Tian" protagonist who looks delicate but has the back of a tiger and waist of a bear? Get lost!
As for the instigator of this event, there was no need to guess.
For anything that happens at Hogwarts, just blame Dumbledore!
So, while Harry and the others calmed down and discussed the three-headed dog, the trapdoor they glimpsed, and Basil's spell and wand...
Basil zoomed in on the Headmaster's Office in his mind.
He watched everything that was happening inside.
Seeing the fervent look Dumbledore gave his image...
Basil felt a deep chill run down his spine.
And the voice suspected to be Nicolas Flamel expressed his shock at the right moment. "How is that possible? An 11-year-old boy! Voldemort is understandable; after all, he destroyed his own body, sliced his soul, and forcibly manifested magic—which exists only as a concept between body and soul—into reality. But this boy? He merely has the blood of a dull Dragon Beast! Given his age, he must have inherited it from an ancestor. Just like you inherited the power of the Phoenix from yours. But even Phoenix power only brings you closer to being a Grand Wizard than others; that final step was entirely the fruit of your own blossoming in the field of magic. But this boy?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "This is definitely not a simple Dragon Beast. It's closer to the power of a sentient dragon like Smaug in Tolkien's novels. But leaning towards righteousness. You weren't there, unlike me who could feel everything through the mist-condenser as if I were present. That power was filled with majesty, openness, and a heat as vast as the sun. Perhaps it comes from some lost era of our history. Stories Muggles recorded as myths. His last name is Granger, and he has a natural power to control plants. Plants, the Sun. Could it be Baldur? The god whom all things swore not to harm, the God of Spring and Joy, Light and Mercy. Does the Granger family's dominion over plants come from the power of Spring?"
"No! What about the dragon aspect? By your logic, you might as well say Apollo. He also has the title of God of Medicine. Medicine is often related to plants."
"True, where does the dragon fit in? Perhaps this feeling of awe-inspiring intimacy doesn't come from 'all things swearing not to harm'? A Red Dragon? No, dragons are symbols of demons; even the incantation for Fiendfyre contains traces of dragons."
"Are you going senile? When you mention a Red Dragon, who else could it be? Have you forgotten what country you're from?"
"Britain... Hiss! Pulling the Sword from the Stone, the Red Dragon that rules Britain? It fits. That wand looks more like a knight's sword than a piece of wood. But the plants?"
"Have you forgotten Merlin? Although legends say he had incubus blood, there are poems describing him as a Druid living in symbiosis with nature."
"Oh? That would make sense."
As Dumbledore finished speaking, a knock came from the door.
He waved his hand. The silver mirror flew into the cabinet. The silver mist humidifier-like device sucked the mist and the image back in.
"Come in."
---
"I look like Grindelwald?"
"That person was Nicolas Flamel?"
"Why did it end right there?"
"Talking about myths... and they actually guessed somewhat correctly!"
"What exactly are the characteristics of a Grand Wizard? Why didn't they say!"
"Do I count as a Grand Wizard?" Basil felt the 'Magic' flowing within him, filled with majesty and heat, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
That old geezer Dumbledore was sharp.
Actually, the reason Basil hadn't created new Echoes yet was that he was holding out for a Dumbledore Echo and a Voldemort Echo.
Compared to them, even Harry's Echo paled in comparison.
On Thursday night, he had planned to spend 5000 Gems to create Echoes for Harry, Hagrid, Ron, Draco, and Neville.
But...
[Maximum active Echo slots: 3. Create Echo: Savior Star?]
"Can I expand the slots?"
[Yes. Spend 1000 Gems to increase maximum active Echo slots to 4?]
"No."
That was the context.
For the Voldemort Echo, he planned to get it by killing or soul-snatching.
Hogwarts was his body.
He could easily detect the location of powerful magical items like Ravenclaw's Diadem (Horcrux Version).
The reason he hadn't acted yet was that the only known things that could destroy a Horcrux were Basilisk venom and Fiendfyre.
The Basilisk was still alive, and crafting it into a Summon Card cost 13,000 Gems. (3000 more than Fawkes).
As for Fiendfyre, although the knowledge was in the Restricted Section and he could summon books out of thin air, there were too many books, and he didn't know which one contained the spell.
Plus, he was hesitating on whether to turn the Horcrux into a card before destroying it.
For the Dumbledore Echo, he planned to get it via friendship.
But Basil hadn't formally asked Dumbledore anything like "Are we friends?" yet.
Also, it was common knowledge that Dumbledore was gay.
Especially now that Basil knew he looked like Grindelwald.
A more handsome version.
So, the issue of the third Echo dragged on into October without resolution.
But these days weren't without gain for Basil.
The effects of his actions were gradually surfacing.
Percy, who had written to Mr. Weasley with a bunch of suggestions, received a reply.
In the letter, only Basil's "Money-Saving Tips" received praise and surprise from Mr. Weasley.
According to him, living that way would save enough spare money to buy Ron a new wand next month.
However, regarding the other content of the letter—decisions to open licensing to increase departmental and personal income...
It was completely rejected and reprimanded.
Arthur Weasley wrote that he had long noticed the huge profits in the Muggle world.
In fact, initially, the Malfoy family amassed vast wealth this way.
Only later, with the implementation of the Statute of Secrecy and their desire to integrate into the upper circles of the Ministry, did they reluctantly cut it off.
They then presented a face of irreconcilable hatred towards Muggles.
When Arthur's department was established, many pure-bloods who realized this potential—especially the Malfoys—wanted to join and get a slice of the pie.
If Arthur hadn't stuck to his post in this department, refusing multiple temptations of promotion...
Under the influx of capital, the conservative and feudal wizarding market would likely have collapsed, mutated, and ceased to exist.
Only the pure-bloods would profit, while the lower and middle classes would become sacrifices.
The era where having a wand meant self-sufficiency might vanish.
Integration takes time; preparations must be made.
Part of the research in the Department of Mysteries, such as in the Space Chamber, was related to this.
Honestly, hearing Percy recount his father's words with a mix of heaviness and pride...
Basil was truly shocked.
Put this way, wasn't Arthur Weasley the Swordholder (Gatekeeper) between the British Wizarding World and the Muggle World? The bridgehead?
This is truly Ridiculous's mom opening the door for Ridiculous—Ridiculous has arrived home.
---