The Mightiest Badger at Hogwarts

Facing Slughorn's loud shout, Dumbledore just smiled softly and did not respond.

It was as if Slughorn had just played a joke on him.

Link, on the other hand, speculated maliciously that Dumbledore simply didn't want to give Slughorn a salary increase.

After all, as long as he doesn't respond, he can treat it as if he didn't hear it.

Dumbledore seemed to have noticed Link's strange gaze, and asked while walking with Link on the country road:

"How do you feel Slughorn?"

After hearing this, Link remembered the other party's previous appearance of being arrogant and respectful, and couldn't help but laugh:

"He's quite an interesting person."

"You want to say that he is both vain and shameless, right?" Dumbledore said. "After all, as soon as he heard that you were Link Foley and was willing to admit that he was your teacher, his whole attitude immediately changed. changed."

Link raised his eyebrows noncommittally.

Dumbledore saw this and continued:

"I must say that your first impression of him is correct. Horace does like material comforts, and besides that he likes to associate with famous, successful, powerful people. He enjoys that. There is a feeling that everything is at the mercy of him, but he never wants to take charge, preferring to take a secondary position. He always says that he will be freer and more at ease because he takes less risks.

When he was still at Hogwarts, he would always select some students he liked for special training.

And if you want to get his 'like', you need to be outstanding in some aspects.

Sometimes it was because of their ambition or intelligence, sometimes because of their charm or talent, and he had an unusual knack for selecting people who would go on to excel in all walks of life.

Horace built a club with himself as the core, composed of his best students.He allowed them to get to know each other and establish useful connections, and in the end they always got some kind of benefit, such as getting a box of his favorite pineapple preserves for free, or having the opportunity to recommend a clerk to the Goblin Liaison Office. "

Link didn't show much surprise at Dumbledore's description.

Because as Dumbledore told it, the memory of Slughorn was slowly awakening in his head.

It was also because he had seen too many people like Slughorn.

Regardless of the past life, the current Yu country, or any model currently in the world, in fact, it cannot escape the shadow of human society.

And Slug is the ultimate representative of this kind of human society.

He was like a big spider spinning a thread here and there, spinning a web around his body and attracting big, juicy flies to him.

"I tell you this," Dumbledore continued, "not to make you feel disgusted with Horace, but to show you his truest side. To fully understand the new professor, this is Your powers as a member of the Hogwarts Quad Council.

Of course, he will definitely attack you later.

After all, you are what he calls "the most gifted and talented wizard in thousands of years." I think he will definitely win you over.

In this way, he has an important collection worth bragging about in his collection cabinet for a lifetime.

However, I don’t think I should worry about any of this. You can definitely handle it, right? "

Dumbledore has full confidence in Link in this regard.

With Link's intelligence and cunning, he felt that if Slughorn's social skills were really strong enough, he could bring Link into his network.

Then there was no need for Slughorn to move around.

In front of him, the mere Voldemort and Death Eaters were probably just third-rate forces.

It was precisely because of this confidence that he didn't look at Link's expression at all when he spoke.

He knew that Link must have the same idea as him.

There was just one thing that kept attracting his attention.

That is the Foley family crest brooch that Link wears on his chest.

As far as Dumbledore knew, this was the core brooch made by the Foley family by absorbing the cutting-edge technology of the Auror force.

It had so many functions that even Dumbledore couldn't even guess.

When he was at Beauxbatons, Link relied on the spatial positioning ability of this brooch to summon the hunter regiment and Auror troops stationed in the country.

At this moment, it was flashing a faint blue light regularly.

"This is someone sending me a message," Link explained as he took off the brooch and started to look at it. "I was embarrassed to interrupt you because I wanted to see what you were saying. Now that you have finished speaking, then I At once……"

Link's words stopped abruptly, the smile that originally hung on his face disappeared, his brows furrowed slightly, and his whole body suddenly became serious.

Dumbledore said:

"What happened?"

"It's from the French Ministry of Magic," Link put down the brooch and said expressionlessly, "The revenge has arrived."

……

10 minute later.

A secret room in the Ministry of Magic of the Republic of China.

Link and Dumbledore slowly emerged from the flames.

Seeing this, Newland, Percy and others in the secret room all came closer to say hello.

Dumbledore responded with a smile, while Link nodded expressionlessly, and then focused his attention on the blond woman sitting on a tied chair in the center of the secret room.

Link already knew the details from the message Newland sent him.

Therefore, he also recognized that this was the blonde OL woman who had previously visited Newland's home.

However, compared with before, this woman now has completely lost the calmness and calmness of the past. Although her overall clothes are still intact and she does not seem to have much trauma, her expression is not only dull, but also spreads a sense of despair. The breath seemed to have been spoiled.

"Cough cough..."

Percy coughed a few times and explained with some embarrassment, "This is because we used the Veritaserum and Legilimency spell too hard. But it doesn't matter, we have already given her preliminary treatment, and she will be fine after that. He will be a little forgetful and will not become a fool."

Link nodded and said:

"So, did she tell you anything useful?"

Hearing this, Percy's expression became even more embarrassed.

The whole person hesitated for a long time, and then said:

"Unfortunately, Mr. Foley, someone has placed a restriction in her brain. Although we used appropriate veritaserum and Legilimency to bypass this restriction, the information we can obtain is only All that’s left is that she’s from France.”

"In other words, you didn't actually get any useful information?"

Hearing what Link said, Percy, Newland and others felt sad, and the atmosphere in the entire secret room became dull.

"Newland, you are a hero, you don't have to be like this."

Link looked at Newland and spoke in a slower voice.

Hearing this, Newland breathed a sigh of relief.

After the initial excitement passed, he had calmed down.

Catching such a French spy was actually not a completely good thing for him.

Especially under the premise that the other party cannot provide much useful information at all.

This would most likely make Link suspicious of him as well.

After all, flies don't bite flawless eggs. If those French people were able to focus on him, it meant that he had a flaw.

If Link really thinks so, then let alone promotion and salary increase, it would be great if Link doesn't give him any shoes to wear.

Judging from the current situation, Link doesn't seem to have such thoughts, at least not on the surface.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Foley."

Newlan bent down to salute and spoke respectfully.

Seeing this, Link waved his hand and said:

"I said, it doesn't have to be like this. If you have made a meritorious service, your internship in the Auror Office will end early and you will become a full-time employee. In addition, I will personally give you a bonus of 500 gold galleons."

"really?"

Newland asked excitedly, then realized his impoliteness, quickly covered his mouth, and just kept thanking Link.

But the smile at the corner of his mouth couldn't be concealed.

You know, he originally had no hope for the so-called reward.

But Link still gave them all to him.

Not to mention the 500 gold galleons bonus.

The money was indeed large, enough for him to prepare several more potions to replenish his mother's health.

But the most important thing is to become a regular member in advance.

After being promoted in this way, he was the second among this batch of new employees of the Ministry of Magic to become a regular employee.

Second only to Cedric in the rankings, he can even throw Si Gefen away!

After that, he can openly and openly mock Si Gefen as a senior!

This is what makes him feel most refreshed!

Even now, he could feel that someone had already cast envious and resentful eyes on him.

This must be Si Gefen!

Only this guy would be so cautious!

Thinking of this, Newland felt so happy that she could hardly breathe.

There was nothing that could make Si Gefen unhappy and make him more happy.

However, when he raised his head slightly and turned to look at the resentful eyes with his face full of red light, what he saw was Percy's slightly distorted face.

amount.

Newland was slightly startled.

He really didn't expect that the person who was full of resentment towards him would be Percy.

It doesn't make sense!

Newland was puzzled and could only suppress his smile and tilt his head slightly to avoid looking directly at Percy.

For now, he couldn't afford to offend a 'big boss' like Percy.

But in the next moment, he understood the reason.

Because Link's voice has sounded again.

"As for you, Percy, continue to intensify the investigation and find all those rats from France." Link's tone was completely different from when he spoke to Newland before, deep and full of majesty, "In addition, I told you before How is the mission of clearing out the remaining Death Eater power for you completed?"

"Sorry, Mr. Foley, we have tried our best." Percy leaned down and said, "In the past month or so, we have conducted intense interrogations on Lucius Malfoy, and have also conducted intense interrogations on the entire country. I turned it over, but still didn't gain much. I thought... there shouldn't be any so-called remaining Death Eaters."

"What do you think? When will it be your turn to think so? Don't forget, Peter Pettigrew hasn't been captured yet!"

Link suddenly emphasized his tone, "Intensify efforts to continue the search, and at the same time expand the scope of the search to the entire Europe. I suspect that the group of Death Eaters has left the country!"

As soon as he said this, Percy's eyes almost bulged out.

He looked at Link with wide eyes and an incredulous look.

You must know that searching across national borders without authorization is a violation of the international wizarding agreement.

Just looking at Link's stern gaze, Percy finally closed his mouth and lowered his head to express his submission.

"Link, what about this female spy? How do you plan to deal with it?" Perhaps because he felt that the atmosphere in the secret room was too tense, Cedric softened and said, "Otherwise, just hand her back. The International Federation of Wizards, by the way, we can also issue a wave of condemnation, which can be regarded as a counterattack against the French Ministry of Magic."

Link heard this and turned to look at Cedric.

I have to say, this is indeed a good idea.

In other words, it is waste utilization.

Anyway, this female spy has no intelligence value anymore.

The restrictions in her mind had already blocked almost all roads.

Even masters like Link and Dumbledore can't do this kind of 'deletion' level ban.

In this case, it would be better to throw her out so that the Ministry of Magic of the United States can regain the moral high ground and relieve the pressure of international condemnation.

However, Link had other ideas.

The corners of his mouth raised slightly and he said:

"No, let's keep her for a while. I always feel that if we keep her, we can catch more big fish!"

"You mean...she is not the only spy who came to the country this time?"

Cedric's expression suddenly turned serious.

Link smiled and nodded, turned his head and said as he walked:

"Anyway, everyone should tighten up their relaxed nerves. Next, I'm afraid we are going to have a fierce battle!"

Hearing this, Percy and the others all bowed and said goodbye.

Dumbledore looked at Link calmly.

Although he also followed tonight, he never said a word and acted as an observer.

And he, the observer, did observe something different.

For example, Link has indeed grown from a student to an outstanding leader.

For another example, although Link's team is young, it also has unity and vitality that the original Ministry of Magic did not have!

This is a brand-new combination full of hope, and Dumbledore also firmly believes that such a combination will surely lead the Ministry of Magic of the Republic of China, and even the entire magical world of the Republic of China, to overcome the next difficulties.

So much so that it becomes great again!

After thinking about it, Link slowly came to his side.

Dumbledore smiled tenderly at Link, and then the phoenix flames wrapped their bodies again.

……

Spider Alley.

There is a small living room in a dilapidated red brick house.

Although it is a living room, it feels like a soft-walled cell in a mental hospital or a detention center that is specially designed to prevent prisoners from harming themselves.

The walls here are covered with books, most of which are old black or brown leather covers; a candle-lit lamp hangs from the ceiling, casting a dim halo of light in which books are crowded together. A worn and linted sofa, an old armchair and a rickety table.

It was already late at night, and even the magic flame that exuded a cold breath in the fireplace was almost extinguished, leaving only a few sparks that were still struggling to provide coolness to this small living room.

Snape, on the other hand, was sitting on the almost rotten sofa, staring blankly at the fireplace in front of him.

He looked extremely haggard.

His face was as white as a drowned person, but there were two thick black circles under his eyes.

"crunch-"

The candle light hanging from the ceiling suddenly started to shake for no apparent reason.

The movement woke Snape out of his sluggish state.

Because this is an early warning that the warning curse has been triggered!

His eyes became sharp and deep again, and at this moment, the gloomy and mean Snape of the past seemed to have returned.

The wand instantly appeared in Snape's hand. He quietly stood up and walked to the door. He leaned sideways and carefully opened the bolt.

The door was pulled open and then held on its hinges, leaving only a thin crack.

Standing outside the door were two people covered in black robes.

They seemed to be about to knock on the door, but were startled by the sudden movement, and all took a step back.

The leading man in black robe also protected the other one behind him.

But after seeing clearly the deep and cold eyes behind the crack in the door, the man in black robe breathed a sigh of relief.

She lifted her hood back, revealing long golden hair and a gaunt but beautiful face.

"Narcissa!"

As Snape spoke, he untied the hinges and opened the door crack wider, allowing the indoor light to shine on the person behind her again, "And Draco? It's really surprising and exciting!" "

"Severus," Narcissa whispered nervously, "Can I talk to you? This is an emergency."

"of course."

Snape stepped back and let them inside.

They looked extremely nervous, and their bodies wrapped in robes were sweating so much that Draco's entire face was as hot and red as if it had been steamed.

Seeing this, Snape pointed his wand gently at the fireplace.

The magic flame in the furnace that was about to go out suddenly started burning again.

A strong coolness emanated as the flames burned, causing the temperature in the entire living room to drop a lot.

After doing all this, Snape turned his head, looked at Draco and Narcissa who were obviously relieved and said:

"So, what can I do for you?"

"Here...is there no one else here?"

Narcissa asked softly, looking extremely apprehensive.

"Oh, of course not." Snape rummaged in the cupboard, "Would you like something to drink? You're in a panic now. You might need some wine."

Narcissa nodded, took the wine from Snape and drank it in one gulp:

"Lucius, you should drink some too and go to sleep after a while. Your face looks terrible now, as if you haven't slept for a long time."

Snape glanced at the wine bottle in his hand, shook his head and said:

"No, I don't want to drink, and I can't sleep."

This answer was obviously beyond Narcissa's expectations.

But then, as if she thought of something, she asked worriedly:

"Are you having nightmares again?"

"Nightmare?"

Draco raised his head in confusion and said.

But when his mother heard this, she shook her head and signaled him not to ask any more questions.

Snape's sleep had never been very good.

Because every once in a while, he would have nightmares continuously.

And the content of that dream was that unbearable student time.

And, the scene where Lily died.

This was a secret that only a very few people close to Snape could know, and Narcissa had no intention of revealing it to her son.

Listening to Narcissa's inquiry, Snape seemed to have returned to his original sluggish appearance.

He said slowly in a voice that was almost sleepy:

"This nightmare is completely different from before. It was a completely dark dream, but in the sky, a huge face appeared. There was a smile on that face, and I couldn't see him clearly or, It was her face, but the other person felt very familiar to me, even... very warm. I felt that I should know her. She was just in the air, constantly saying to me, I love you, I love you You, I love you..."

Narcissa frowned slightly.

She felt that Snape's mental state had probably reached a critical point close to collapse.

The pain caused by Lily's death was too great.

Even though Snape was a master of Occlumency, it seemed that the pain was driving him crazy.

Narcissa's mouth opened slightly, wanting to say something to comfort her.

But at this moment, Snape suddenly looked at her and said:

"Strictly speaking, it wasn't really a nightmare at all. Because that dream gave me such a good feeling, it was like returning to the best time in my life. It was so beautiful that I couldn't forget to leave. But It is precisely because of this that I find it scary. This beauty is so abnormal! I am worried that if I fall asleep again, I will never want to wake up again."

Narcissa was speechless and could only smile awkwardly.

After saying all this, Snape's eyesight had completely returned to clarity.

He slowly took out a new wine glass, and then said lightly:

"Well, now that the pleasantries are over, I think it's time to get down to business. After all, you guys are here just to care about my health, right?"

As soon as he said this, Draco pursed his lips nervously.

Narcissa, on the other hand, kept rubbing her hands, and finally took a deep breath and said:

"Severus, I'm so sorry to disturb you like this, but I have to come to see you. I think you are the only one who can help me!"

"So, what is going on?"

Snape nodded, then pulled Draco to sit on the soft chair next to him, and poured him a glass of wine at the same time.

He could tell that Draco was even more nervous than his mother, and was now shaking all over.

But Draco didn't down the drink like his mother did.

He grabbed Snape's arm with his backhand and begged with a trembling voice:

"Professor, my father... my father... please save my father!"