Hogwarts: Voldemort, don't stop me from studying

Chapter 969 Big News 5
Below the platform, among the audience at the edge of the venue, someone couldn't help but sneer and say:
"If she's so arrogant, why not just call her the savior!"

"Shut up, Anderson!" The young Auror beside him yanked his arm and hissed, "Don't be impulsive. Do you want to end up in jail too?"

Suddenly, applause broke out.

The old man's lengthy speech finally came to an end, and it was time for the new chairman to deliver his inaugural address.

Leila Picqueli, dressed in a sleek, deep purple robe, strode confidently onto the platform. Her gaze swept across the entire audience, carrying her usual composure and sense of control.

"Distinguished guests, fellow countrymen!"

Her voice was clear and strong, each word seeming particularly earnest and solemn:
"Today, I stand here not only on my own behalf, but also on the heavy responsibility of leading us forward together in these difficult times. We must first recognize an unshakable cornerstone—the peace and stability of the magical world is the foundation of all our prosperity and progress."

She raised her voice slightly and said with a sharp look in her eyes:

"Therefore, I hereby solemnly declare: My government will have zero tolerance for any crime or dark act that threatens this peace!"

"Whether it's the remnants of the Purge still lurking in the shadows, or any individual or organization attempting to use magic to plunder, harm, or subvert the International Secrecy Act, they will all face the most resolute and thorough crackdown from the Magic Congress..."

Halfway through her speech, a subtle crack appeared in the solemn atmosphere of the courtroom.

Among the crowd below the stage, some wizards began to look through their friends' books, some pressed their ears as if they were talking to someone, and others openly whispered to each other.

Although only a small number of people do this, it's like a few drops of ink mixed into milk—it's extremely unsightly.

Lyra frowned slightly, glancing at the Ministry of Magic officials around her as she delivered her speech. Some of them stood up knowingly and walked toward the source of the commotion.

Leila Picqueli raised her voice, full of ambition and hope, and said:
"But we cannot let fear define our future; we must shape it with ambition!"

"I hereby promise: We will reform the education system so that magic schools can produce wizards better suited to the new era;"

"Improve the quality control of magical artifacts, make the Floo Network safer, make the cauldron cheaper, and make magical healing more widespread!"

"We will establish a more transparent, more responsible, and more people-oriented Magic Congress..."

The officials in charge of suppressing the unrest failed to quell it. More people seemed to have received the news, and when they looked up at Leila, their eyes were no longer filled with listening and respect, but with shock, suspicion, and even anger.

The buzzing of conversation grew louder and louder, until it could no longer be ignored. People looked around, seemingly trying to confirm something with their companions.

Even the reporters pointed their cameras at the audience, as if to let wizards all over the world see this out-of-control scene at her inauguration ceremony.

Lyra's heart sank. The feeling of being out of control made her feel extremely uneasy, but she couldn't stop at this moment.

All the problems can be resolved one by one after she becomes the Speaker of Congress.

The most important thing right now is to get the ceremony done.

Leila quickly skipped the lengthy speech that followed and fast-forwarded to the end:
"The road ahead may still hold challenges, but as long as we stand united, upholding respect for the law, cherishing peace, and sharing a common belief in a better future, I have no doubt that we will together create a stronger, more just, and more prosperous American magical community, one that allows us to..."

"Do you really respect the law, Leila Picqueli?!"

Just then, a loud voice pierced the noise from the crowd below the stage like a sharp blade:

"Then please tell us first, who is the murderer of Salina Goldstein!"

Leila's speech was abruptly interrupted, and she couldn't help but look in the direction from which the sound came with a gloomy gaze.

—It was Anderson, Salina's companion, one of the two who followed her to the very end.

Two Aurors pounced on him like tigers and wolves, seizing the colleague who had publicly questioned the new chairman.

Lyra said calmly, "The murderer is undoubtedly Rex Grimm. He was caught red-handed, the evidence is irrefutable, and he will soon face trial. Rest assured, Anderson, the Magical Congress will urge the court to deliver a fair verdict..."

Anderson struggled to say something, but was forced to be dragged away by the other Aurors.

"We shouldn't listen to these empty words!"

Another middle-aged man suddenly stood up, his face flushed, veins bulging on his forehead, waving a piece of parchment in his hand, and roared:

"I just want to know—is this true? You really did such a terrible thing? You really... sold innocent wizards to Muggles like livestock for experiments?!"

The entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence; even the sound of breathing seemed to be cut off by an invisible force.

All eyes—horrified, bewildered, incredulous, and suddenly enlightened—were focused on the angry man, then abruptly turned to the platform.

The two men holding Anderson instinctively released their grip, staring in astonishment at Lyra. Anderson abruptly broke free from his pursuers, shouting, "You're the murderer! You ordered Salina's death! Because she wanted to expose your crimes!!"

In an instant, the crowd erupted in uproar!

Leila Picqueli's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, and the composure and confidence on her face quickly faded, leaving only a thin shell of forced calm that made her look exceptionally pale.

A fleeting look of surprise and panic crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a more stern and authoritative expression.

Lyra slightly raised her chin, her voice amplified by magic, instantly suppressing all the chaotic noises. Her voice sounded extremely calm, even carrying a chilling undertone of offense:

“Sir, Anderson, please control your emotions and watch your words.”

“I don’t know who has misled you, nor do I know where these sensational accusations came from.”

"However, I must remind you—"

Her cold gaze swept over everyone present:

"To openly slander and defame the President of the Magic Congress and the government he leads in such a solemn occasion is not only disruptive to order, but also the most serious provocation against national authority and magical law! I have the right to demand that the Aurors immediately arrest you two and investigate you on suspicion of endangering national security and inciting panic in the magical community!"

The resounding words silenced the scene for a moment, and the suspicion in people's eyes seemed to fade a little.

Principal Fontana of Ifamoni stood up from the guest seats and raised his hand to press down:

"Please remain silent! This is an important ceremony..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden change occurred!

In the air above different locations in the atrium, dozens of "crystals" that were originally used as decorations suddenly expanded, unfolded, and flew into the sky while spinning, turning into huge mirrors that instantly attracted the attention of everyone present!
Principal Fontana's expression changed drastically. Almost without thinking, he drew his wand, unleashing a powerful Shattering Charm towards the nearest mirror, while simultaneously shouting:

"Shoot them down!"

Leila screamed, "This must be a conspiracy by the remnants of the Purge! Don't think you can fool us again and again with these tricks!"

She also drew her wand with remarkable speed.

The Aurors who were positioned to maintain order around the perimeter took action, and the light of their spells shot rapidly toward the rotating and enlarging mirrors.

"boom!"

Just then, in front of the nearest flow mirror, someone clearly said:
"Iron armor protection!"

The magic transformed into a massive, transparent barrier, blocking the crowd behind it and also blocking Fontana's Shattering Curse.

At the same time, a disarming spell, equally swift and cunning, flew from the side, like a venomous snake striking and biting the wrist, knocking the wand from Fontana's hand with a "bang"!

The wand spun out and was caught steadily by a large hand.

Alastor Moody's demonic eye darted around, fixed on Fontana, and he said gruffly, "What do you want?"

Kingsley, having cast the Ironclad Charm, glanced at Moody who had suddenly appeared, then said seriously:

“I’m sorry, Mr. Fontana. But I cannot allow you to fire offensive spells in the direction of our minister.”

Behind him, Minister Sinknis's face was unusually grim, but he pursed his lips and remained silent.

"Crack!"

"Crash!"

With a crisp sound of shattering glass, most of the mirrors were smashed in mid-air by the spell, but seven or eight were preserved.

Leila's face turned deathly pale.

Amidst the chaotic falling glass shards, she had already discerned that most of the shattered pieces were real mirrors, a smokescreen set up by the mastermind behind the scenes.

The true mirror, it seems, had personnel assigned to guard each side, and all of them have been preserved.

The next moment, Rita Skeeter's extremely excited voice rang out:

"—Breaking News! Rita Skeeter, a special correspondent for The Daily Prophet, is risking her life to expose how Lyra Picqueli, the newly sworn-in president of the Magical Congress of the United States, and her core group have long betrayed the fundamental interests of the magical world, engaging in dirty human trafficking with the Purge and the Muggle Organization!"

(End of this chapter)