The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 608 Negotiation

"Miss Hamilton—it's a pity to meet under these circumstances."

In the early morning, on the grass outside Hogwarts, one could see the castle in the center of the lake not far away, but Scrimgeour, returning to his alma mater, did not feel nostalgic, but rather a little sad.

As a student of Hogwarts, why did I return here to destroy it?

So, when he saw Loila walking out of Hogwarts, he sighed with a bit of helplessness.

"I'm also very sorry—very sorry to see you under these circumstances," Loila said softly, pursing her lips.

The two former colleagues exchanged an awkward glance, neither knowing how to begin.

Lupin, still standing next to Loila, coughed and said, "Master Scrimgeour—why are you surrounding Hogwarts with Aurors?"

"Even if it's just returning to school, there shouldn't be this much of a fuss, right?"

"—" Scrimgeour sighed again upon hearing this, and then said, "Mr. Lupin—this isn't—"

"Director Scrimgeour, there's no need to waste time talking to these traitors!"

Ok?

The sudden sound interrupted Scrimgeour and made Loira look over curiously.

She then saw Andrew, the very man who had tried to arrest her back at the Ministry of Magic—and instinctively drew his wand upon seeing Loira.

"Calm down, Miss Hamilton!" Seeing this, Scrimgeour quickly stepped between the two of them.

"Hmm—" Looking at Scrimgeour, even though he now represented the Ministry of Magic, Loila really didn't want to wave her wand at him.

After hesitating for a few seconds, she slowly lowered her wand.

"Miss Hamilton—is this how you greet me after so long?" Andrew said slowly as he stepped out from behind Scrimgeour after she put away her wand. "That's quite rude of you."

"...

'

Loila looked at him silently without saying a word, while Lupin raised an eyebrow and said, "For social scum like you, you should use a wand to talk."

"Lupin, you have no right to speak here," Andrew immediately said, turning to him. "You're just a werewolf."

"A human heart in wolf's skin is far better than a wolf's heart in human skin," Lupin scoffed, his words causing Andrew to frown.

"Alright—we're not here to argue," Scrimgeour had to interrupt the two, saying, "we're here to resolve the issue—"

"What else is there to solve?" Andrew said, frowning. "They've already done it, what are they waiting for if they don't infiltrate Hogwarts?"

"Andrew, not everyone is as eager as you to betray their master," Scrimgeour said curtly. "As long as I'm the head of the Auror's office, you'd better shut your mouth—let me speak!"

"————" Andrew's face turned extremely ugly after being scolded by him. He took a few steps back and muttered indignantly.

Ignoring him, Scrimgeour looked at Loila and Lupin.

"Can you represent Hogwarts?" he asked slowly.

"We represent Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix." Lupin's answer earned a slight nod from Scrimgeour.

"Then I will tell you, on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, the conditions for Minister Fudge." Scrimgeour bowed slightly as he spoke: "First, you must release all Ministry of Magic staff, including Deputy Minister Umbridge."

"Then hand over the culprit who rebelled against the Ministry of Magic—that is, Miss Loy Hamilton," Scrimgeour said, glancing at the two silent men.

"After that—we also have to hand over Harry Potter."

"?" Lupin and Loila both frowned immediately.

What does this have to do with a student?

"In addition—all Hogwarts professors must report to the Ministry of Magic in turn." To be honest, Scrimgeour didn't think anyone would agree to such a demand—this wasn't a negotiation at all, just an excuse before the war.

And that was indeed the case—upon hearing these terms, Lupin and Lloyd exchanged a glance.

"I'm sorry, Director Scrinker, we cannot accept any of these terms."

“I understand,” Scrimgeour said, lowering his voice. “Minister Fudge—he’s not the same person anymore, but I am still me—”

"Please believe me—I don't want any conflict with Hogwarts—but—" he said, shaking his head, "this is not something I can decide."

"We understand you, Director Scrimgeour." Lupin understood his predicament, so he nodded slightly and said, "I only hope that you can warn your Aurors not to kill their juniors."

"————" Upon hearing this, Scrimgeour's eyes glazed over slightly, his body trembled slightly, and his tall figure appeared particularly lonely at this moment.

Finally, he nodded slightly and looked at the Aurors behind him—the Ministry of Magic had mobilized almost all of the Aurors, and hundreds of wizards stood around Hogwarts looking at their former alma mater.

Scrimgeour didn't know how to give the order to attack—in the end, his self-sight returned to Roy and Lupin.

Scrimgeour pursed his lips and said slowly, "Then—Miss Hamilton, and Mr. Lupin—you'd better prepare several months' worth of rations."

"Because this will be a protracted battle."

"Um?"

Scrimgeour's words surprised both Lupin and Loira.

This statement is less of a threat and more of a reminder—why did Mr. Scrinker say this?

While Loila and Lupin were stunned, Scrimgeour shook his head helplessly.

"Good luck to you."

"Good luck to you too, Mr. Scrinker."

Negotiations were unlikely to make any progress, or rather, no one believed that the problem could be solved through negotiation—when Royla pulled out her wand, when Umbridge oppressed the students, and when the Ministry of Magic decided to send troops—it was already impossible to solve the problem through negotiation.

Seeing Loila and Lupin walking back from outside the school, Hagrid, standing at the door, quickly asked, "What did they say?"

"Scrimgeour doesn't want to take action—but he's under pressure from Fudge," Lupin said succinctly. "We need to gather supplies immediately—"

"Scringer revealed that this will be a protracted battle."

"A protracted war?" While Hagrid was still in a daze, Royla had already raised her wand.

"I—I'm going to find supplies," she said slowly. "I know where I can get help."

"Okay." Lupin nodded upon seeing this. "I'll go inform the others—"

7

A flash of silver light appeared, and Loila disappeared inside Hogwarts. Outside Hogwarts, more silver lights appeared, as the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic continued to arrive.

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