Chapter 328
Harry stood there blankly, holding the chocolate frog card in his hand, feeling a huge wave in his heart.
He felt that his shock could no longer be described in words.
He wasn't sure whether he was surprised to see Dumbledore in such a small card, or whether it was more incredible that the card could make sounds, show images, and even talk to him.
Even stranger, the Dumbledore in the card looked much younger than Harry remembered.
Although his beard was still dazzlingly white, it was shorter and there were fewer wrinkles on his face.
He was also dressed very casually. A floral shirt made him look less like a principal and more like a laid-back retired wizard.
"Principal, why do you...I...this..."
Harry stammered, his words a jumbled mess.
There were so many things he wanted to ask that his mind couldn't turn around at all.
However, Dumbledore in the card seems to have already understood his thoughts.
He smiled gently and raised his hand to calm Harry down.
"Harry, I know you have a lot of questions on your mind,"
Dumbledore's voice was as calm as ever, with a reassuring power.
"Including why I appear here, why I didn't tell Professor McGonagall directly about my stay at Hogwarts, and even why I met you through a chocolate frog card. But believe me, these questions are not important now. ”
He leaned forward slightly and his tone became more solemn.
"The most important thing right now is to help you get out of the current predicament."
Harry was startled and swallowed the questions that had accumulated in his throat.
He pursed his lips and nodded. Although he was still full of confusion, he understood that Dumbledore's words made sense - now was not the time to get to the bottom of it.
And in this case, when he met Dumbledore, he didn't know why his previous doubts about the principal disappeared instantly.
Dumbledore's eyes flashed with relief, as if he was very satisfied with Harry's reaction.
He nodded slightly and continued.
"Very well, Harry. I need you to focus, everything coming next is crucial."
Harry held his breath and fixed his eyes firmly on the card, as if worried about missing any word.
"The situation in Diagon Alley is very complicated right now,"
Dumbledore's tone became more serious.
"I need you to follow these steps. First-"
——
"Oh! I really don't understand why Charing Cross Road is blocked today? Can't people go out for fun during the Halloween holiday?!"
A man in dark casual clothes gave an angry middle finger to the direction blocked by the roadblock, then turned around and left with a car full of family members and a group of tourists.
His voice was full of anger and confusion.
The convoy swerved down the street, leaving behind a trail of dust and a cacophony of traffic.
Meanwhile, at the other end of Charles Cross Road, the scene was completely different.
Countless wizards are working nervously and orderly.
There was an anxious atmosphere in the air. Some wizards were busy expelling Muggles, while some were quickly casting magic to erase their memories.
Some wizards were anxiously sending the surviving Muggles to a nearby clinic for treatment. At the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, there was a powerful barrier that could not be broken through. Several wizards stood in front of the barrier, frowning. Locks, apparently in trouble.
Amid the chaos, a calm question broke through the din.
"So, why are you in a safe place? As required, shouldn't the Director of the Auror Office be present at this event?"
The voice was steady and powerful, coming from an old man in a robe.
His eyes were sharp, locked in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron opposite, as if he had an insight into everything.
"Or should I call you Mr. Interim Minister now?"
The man standing next to him, Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office, had no emotion on his face.
His eyes were cold, as if he didn't care about any doubts.
"oh?"
Scrimgeour chuckled, his tone cold.
"So shouldn't you see the Dark Lord in Germany now? Albus, why are you here again?"
There was no wave in his voice, as if this scene was just a part of his daily routine.
The old man named Albus gently raised his hand, adjusted the half-moon-shaped glasses on his face, and still stared intently in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron.
His blue pupils were as deep as the deep sea, as if he could see through everything.
“Wherever I need to be, I’ll be there.”
——
Daily Prophet:
At noon today, an unknown magical barrier broke out in Diagon Alley, causing the entire area to be blocked.
Since the current Pharmacists International Exchange Conference is being held in Diagon Alley, a large number of local residents and foreign tourists who came to participate in the exhibition were trapped.
Currently, the Ministry of Magic has urgently dispatched Aurors and professionals to the scene for investigation and rescue.
The Ministry of Magic has not yet responded to whether Minister Fudge and Barty Crouch, the Department of International Magical Cooperation, are also trapped within the Diagon Alley barrier.
According to eyewitnesses, the barrier appeared without warning and covered the main street of Diagon Alley and surrounding areas.
Some wizards tried to use apparation to leave, only to find that the barrier blocked all space movement magic, and even floo powder and door keys were completely ineffective.
.......
Ministry of Magic officials appealed to residents to remain calm and issued an emergency notice reminding the public to avoid the area around Diagon Alley.
Mr. Yusef Flint, head of the Department of Magical Disaster Management, said: "We are currently fully investigating the cause of the enchantment and prioritizing the safety of those trapped. We call on all wizards to follow the guidance and avoid approaching the enchantment unless necessary. Corner Alley to avoid adding to the chaos.”
What is worrying is that not only are traffic and communications disrupted within the barrier, but witnesses have also reported "abnormal magical phenomena."
An anonymous wizard told this reporter: "I saw golden raindrops falling from the sky and turning into gold coins after landing. This phenomenon is completely inconsistent with any known magical laws."
At present, the Ministry of Magic has not officially responded to these anomalies, but emphasized that it is coordinating experts from various departments to urgently analyze the characteristics of the enchantment and study safe cracking solutions.
Gringotts representatives emphasized that they retain recourse to the Diagon Alley property.
.......
The Daily Prophet will continue to follow up on the latest developments of the incident and bring first-hand news to readers.
Prior to this, all residents and visitors are reminded not to attempt to enter Diagon Alley through any channels unless necessary, and to pay attention to the Ministry of Magic's safety announcements at all times.
——
Ministry of Magic Headquarters
Second floor, Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The air here is filled with tension and busyness.
The corridor echoed with the sound of hurried footsteps, and the hands of the magic clock on the wall kept turning, as if urging everyone to speed up.
Folders and parchments were piled on every table, and several quills were suspended in the air, writing on official documents quickly, making a rustling sound.
"Hurley! Hurry and find those guys in charge of dragons on the fourth floor!"
A middle-aged wizard was sweating on his forehead, his voice almost drowning out the noise in the entire office.
He waved the scroll in his hand, obviously overwhelmed by the countless tasks.
Then he added.
"No, it's not a dragon coming! It's a dragon-related material trade! Those orders are all out of order, hurry up and re-do it!"
Not far away, a young witch was hurriedly rummaging through documents, waving her wand in the air with her other hand to suck the parchment scattered on the ground back into her hand.
"The goblin representative will be here soon. Should I inform the director?"
She looked up and asked, with a hint of uncertainty in her tone, but more of an urgency.
"Of course you will be notified!"
A bearded wizard nearby roared in response, his voice almost drowning out her.
"Do you want the goblins to wait? Last time they waited five more minutes in the lobby, and they complained directly to the minister! Let alone this situation!"
"The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang personnel will be here soon!"
A voice came from the other side, this time it was a tall wizard, holding a letter that had just been delivered, speaking quickly.
"Yes, let them go through the expedited transit process! Don't let them be delayed at the border crossing!"
The whole room was like a magic boiler about to explode, and everyone was busy at their posts.
...
At the back of the crowded hall, the office of the Director of the Division of Legal Enforcement stands in sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.
The heavy oak door was closed tightly, cutting off the noise from the outside world, but the atmosphere inside was equally tense and suffocating.
"Umbridge! I don't understand. We communicated with the Minister half an hour ago, and we have to confirm his death so soon?!"
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