Chapter 266: A Warning for Dumbledore
What the Ministry offered was naturally not just the single condition of becoming a Wizengamot substitute.
It's just that there was no need to go into detail about everything.
Rufus Scrimgeour, as the Head of the Ministry's Auror Office, even if he wasn't handling a hundred matters daily, still had countless things to keep him busy. If not for Dawlish and the others being so utterly stupid, he wouldn't have made this trip to Hogwarts.
You should know that recently the dark wizards in Knockturn Alley were becoming increasingly complicated, with some invisible dark hand stirring things up in Knockturn Alley that Rufus Scrimgeour couldn't see, causing frequent incidents there.
Additionally, Boss Howard, whom Rufus Scrimgeour had been watching for several years, also seemed to be up to something recently. Whenever there was scheming, there would inevitably be exposed weaknesses. He was very clear that someone within the Ministry had secret contact or even cooperation with Boss Howard. Otherwise there couldn't be an Auror hiding his identity and following beside him.
Unfortunately, that Auror following beside Boss Howard was far too cunning. Despite Rufus Scrimgeour's years of secret investigation, he still hadn't found the other party's identity information!
This time, I must catch you!
Leading the team out of Hogwarts and leaving the school grounds, they used Apparition to disappear from near Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office, Dumbledore looked at Sean and was introducing him to relevant information about Rufus Scrimgeour.
"Rufus is a very talented and very upright person. Beyond that, he's also a decisive politician. With him involved, you can trust the Ministry's sincerity. At the same time, as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I very much welcome you becoming a substitute member of the Wizengamot."
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Sean stood up and nodded to him in acknowledgement.
The Dumbledore before him hadn't yet been targeted by the Ministry. The current him was still President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and a world-class wizard who had been nominated multiple times for Minister of Magic.
If one simply treated him as just the headmaster of a magical school, that would be as stupid as Dawlish.
In fact, in Sean's view, the reason Hogwarts was considered a rather special and distinctive magical school worldwide was largely due to Dumbledore's existence.
"Thank you, Professor."
"No need to thank me. After all, you've helped me quite a bit too, haven't you?"
Sean looked at Dumbledore. He knew Dumbledore was referring to the prophecy he had shared.
Actually, Sean had thought about Dumbledore as a person before. Without doubt, Dumbledore stood on the side of good. When dealing with him, one didn't need to worry about sneak attacks, attacks on family, or other such matters. Dumbledore wouldn't do these things.
However, Dumbledore would choose to sacrifice individuals for the greater good. This "individuals" included Dumbledore himself and everyone else. As long as it was for the greater good or for justice, as long as it could eliminate Voldemort and Death Eaters or other evils, Dumbledore would undoubtedly sacrifice whoever needed to be sacrificed.
Later, his plan for Snape to kill him was like this, having Snape continue as a spy beside Voldemort and kill him was like this, and even Harry, whom he had protected for years, was the same.
Although Dumbledore was very certain that when Voldemort killed Harry, the first time would only kill the soul fragment belonging to Voldemort within Harry, if Harry ultimately boarded that train in the dream, he would still die directly.
And Sean had always been wary of and had reservations about Dumbledore precisely because of this.
However, setting these aside, Dumbledore was actually a very good person. This was undoubtedly true.
Thinking this, Sean looked at Dumbledore. Actually, as long as he grasped the proper measure, he could certainly engage in some preliminary cooperation with Dumbledore. And this measure could be well grasped by Sean, who had prophetic foresight, avoiding becoming the person Dumbledore would sacrifice.
You should know that the current Dumbledore had enormous influence in the Wizengamot. In fact, if Dumbledore later hadn't chosen not to bother with Fudge, he could have completely seized control of the Ministry. Sean was absolutely certain of this, because he was Dumbledore. Even without relying on his network of relationships and power, his strength alone could accomplish this.
So, at least before Voldemort's resurrection, Sean could certainly cooperate with Dumbledore to a certain degree. If he really encountered problems, he still had Gavin behind him.
Presumably his infinitely dear grandfather should be able to hold his ground somewhat when facing Dumbledore.
"Actually, this wasn't my first time seeing Mr. Rufus Scrimgeour."
Hearing Sean's words, Dumbledore immediately smiled: "Did you encounter him when you previously went to the Ministry?"
"No, Professor."
Dumbledore was somewhat puzzled. He looked at Sean and was about to ask where he had seen him when suddenly, Dumbledore thought of something, and his expression immediately became serious.
"Sean, did you see Rufus in a spiritual sight state?"
"Yes, Professor."
"How was Rufus at that time?"
"He died under torture by Death Eaters."
Dumbledore fell silent. He looked at Sean and slowly said: "When was this, Sean?"
"It should be about a year after you and Harry go out looking for things."
"So before Rufus's death, the Death Eaters had already made a comeback, correct?"
Dumbledore spoke of Death Eaters making a comeback, but Sean was very clear that what Dumbledore wanted to say was Voldemort. If Voldemort hadn't been resurrected, Death Eaters couldn't possibly make a comeback, let alone be able to torture to death a Head of the Ministry's Auror Office!
Of course, Dumbledore didn't know that by that time, Rufus Scrimgeour had already become Minister of Magic! If he knew, he would certainly take the significance here even more seriously.
Sean looked at Dumbledore. His reason for bringing up this matter through Rufus Scrimgeour wasn't a sudden whim. In fact, after exams ended and his thesis was submitted, Sean had been thinking about how to respond to Voldemort's future resurrection.
Next year would be the year of Voldemort's resurrection.
Although Peter Pettigrew had already had his soul sucked out by the Dementor's Kiss, Sean didn't think Voldemort would be unable to resurrect because of this. Moreover, there was still Barty Crouch Jr.'s existence. Even if Voldemort didn't resurrect next year, he would probably be reborn the year after or the year after that. Sean had been thinking about where he should go from there.
However, no matter what, before Voldemort's resurrection, making Dumbledore vigilant and giving Dumbledore some warnings was still very necessary!