Hogwarts doesn't need a savior

Chapter 125 Slughorn

Cocktail parties and banquets are often the best places for cooperation or transactions to be initiated.

This time is no exception.

Under the catalysis of alcohol and music, words that were difficult to say in the past finally found their place.

Especially among those pure-blood families who consider themselves "aristocratic".

In order to avoid eating up all the money and depleting the family's wealth, which had already been severely damaged during Millicent Barnold's time, they also needed some way to generate income.

Fudge's cocktail party is the most appropriate occasion to discuss these issues.

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The banquet hall was bustling with activity, but this bustle had little to do with Lin En.

More than half of the people in this room have some grudge against him.

Lynn and Euphemia didn't care about it. Their goal of attending the cocktail party today had been achieved and even exceeded expectations.

Not only did it disturb the minds of many people, it also won the first off-campus honor in the lives of the young wizards who were receiving the Special Contribution Award at the Hogwarts dinner - even the three people who fought in the Forbidden Forest were included, so it can be said that everyone benefited.

The two of them, enjoying their leisure time, held their wine glasses, found a seat on the outskirts, and chatted quietly.

And around them, a large area became almost no-man's land.

The pure-blood wizards in the distance cast different looks at him from time to time.

There is doubt and disgust, but more of it is fear.

Relatives are relatives, and as long as they are pure-blood families with a long history, no one dares to say that no one in the family has died at the hands of Lin En and his friends.

The largest number of them are Snape's friends in school. Most of them are no longer in existence, and the rest are in Azkaban as food reserves for the Dementors.

In the six months after graduating from Hogwarts, even if Voldemort himself was hunting him, Lynn could still accurately find these sewer rats and give them an equal death.

And these people are precisely the "hope" and "future" of many pure-blood families.

Their deaths in the war meant that the family's bloodline branch was ruthlessly severed - this was the greatest pain for a pure-blood family with few offspring.

Lynn was not a moderate conservative like Dumbledore. He would never show the same tolerance and compassion to the Death Eaters as he did to Garcia.

It is precisely because of this that his ruthless methods are still deeply engraved in the minds of many people to this day.

But amidst the hatred and fear, there are also some knowledgeable people who begin to observe.

Their eyes wandered between the quiet Lynn and the enthusiastic Fudge, wondering about the intention of Fudge's almost flattering words and actions today.

A large part of the credit for the pure-blood families being able to recover from the oppression during the Barnold era should be attributed to Fudge. His greed and weakness gave too many people opportunities to take advantage of them.

The shiny Galleons became status in wizarding society, laws, and positions in the Ministry of Magic.

Seeing Fudge, who was supposed to be "one of them", being so flattering to Lynn, a faint sense of crisis began to spread in the hearts of some people.

They were guessing what Fudge's purpose was - was it to criticize them, or did he really want to win over this promising wizard? Or was it both?

For a moment, although the huge auditorium was crowded with people, it was filled with a strange atmosphere.

Until a bald old man who was as fat as a walrus walked out of the crowd, came to Lynn and Euphemia with a box of candied fruit, and sat down with a smile.

There is no one who doesn't know him.

The master of Potions, one of the most influential wizards present, and the teacher of almost all wizards under the age of fifty.

Horace Slughorn.

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"Lynn, Euphemia, my smart children, do you mind having a drink with the teacher? And having some preserves by the way?"

The fat old man said cheerfully, and before waiting for a reply, the sweet preserves were already placed on the table.

Although Lynn and Euphemia had many conflicts with the Slytherin group he led at school, this did not affect the old man, who was as picky as a lady, from liking them.

Just like his preference for Lily Evans, he always favored students with outstanding talents who might bring him fame and fortune in the future, regardless of their background.

"Of course, Professor Slughorn, we all love your Christmas present and it's great to see you here." Lynn smiled and raised his glass, Euphemia joining him.

"Ha! Those two bottles of Felixir are what I'm most proud of in recent years. They must be better than what Taylor made, right?" Slughorn shook his short and thick fingers, looking very proud.

He picked up a piece of candied fruit and stuffed it into his mouth happily. "Come to think of it, you two haven't gotten married yet? I've been looking forward to your wedding."

"Eh? Professor...Professor..."

Euphemia couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise, her face suddenly flushed, and she stood there in a daze, at a loss as to what to do.

"I see..." The old and wise Slughorn understood instantly and looked at Lin En meaningfully, "It seems that you still need to work harder. Miss White Fox is one of my favorite students. You are not allowed to bully her."

"Ahem!" Lynn cleared his throat, took Euphemia's hand inconspicuously under the table, and said softly, "This is not the place to talk about this, Professor."

He looked at the pure-blood wizards gathered in the distance. Most of them were chatting, but their eyes drifted towards this side intentionally or unintentionally.

Many of them knew that Slughorn and Eric had a good relationship, but they had never imagined they were this close. Even if they couldn't hear what they were saying, they could tell from their expressions.

"Oh?" Slughorn looked amused. "It seems that perhaps we could find a time to go to Hogwarts - or your house - to have a deeper discussion?"

"I think so, Professor. I will prepare the best candied pineapple for you, using the funds that Headmaster Dumbledore gave to the kitchen - there will always be some extra." Lynn smiled and nodded, protecting Euphemia whose pretty face was blushing.

"I knew you were much more generous than that boy Barnabas." The old man twisted his big butt and tried to sit more comfortably. "If it weren't for him just now, I would have come earlier. I haven't seen you for a long time. I really missed you."

Picking up the wine glass and drinking Fudge's favorite red currant wine, the old professor, whose seniority at Hogwarts was almost equal to that of Dumbledore, seemed very happy.

Although he prefers the sweeter taste of mead.

But he could be sure that today's trip was worth it.

With candied fruit and sweet wine, the old man leaned back in his chair with ease, chatting and laughing about all sorts of things, which made people around him talk about it.

As the long-time Head of Slytherin and the teacher of most of the people present, Slughorn's enthusiasm for Lynn and Euphemia embarrassed them.

The old man didn't care at all.

In addition to the disappeared Voldemort and the deceased Lily, the student connections that he once took pride in were nothing more than ordinary things in front of the two of them.

As Dumbledore repeatedly stressed, he had an extraordinary ability in this area.

Lynn and Euphemia were the most precious pair in his "collection" - although their connection with him was not very close, far less than that with others, but this occasion was just right for bringing them closer.

However, there is not much time left for the elderly.

Because just when he hadn't finished chatting and was about to take out another box of pineapple preserves, Fudge, who had dealt with the other guests, had quietly appeared beside him.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your pleasant conversation." He said briskly, "Horace, maybe I'm going to steal someone's love. Lynn, I hope to find a quiet place to talk to you."

He pointed to a corner of the hall where there was a small door.

Chapter 126 Everyone Has a Price

After walking around in Fudge's luxurious villa, the two sat opposite each other in the study.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves were lined up along the wall, neatly stacked with books, yet they looked brand new.

It is obvious that this "good-natured minister" is not a book lover.

There were two cups on the coffee table, one containing Saint-Chinian wine and the other containing water.

In this situation, even if Fudge loves red currant liqueur, he must not drink a drop of alcohol to ensure absolute rationality.

But he knew Lynn's preferences very well and was good at catering to her needs.

In a way, Fudge and Slughorn are alike in that they are always quite likable as long as there is no conflict of interest.

As the saying goes, don't hit a smiling person, Fudge's attitude made Lynn unable to say anything.

After all, this is his estate, his cocktail party.

Lin En silently picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good wine, thank you for the hospitality, Minister."

"As long as you like it, Lynn." Fudge was relieved. "Are you satisfied today?"

"Of course I'm satisfied, and I think you should be too, but some people may not be satisfied," Lynn said meaningfully.

He didn't intend to play Tai Chi or beat around the bush with this old fox, but instead got straight to the point.

Fudge was not used to this approach. He laughed dryly and said, "You are still so straightforward. I should thank you for your support today."

"We each got what we needed." Lin En raised his glass again. "I gained fame for the children, and you took the opportunity to punish your disobedient collaborators. Everyone is happy."

"You'd be a good professor, Lynn," said Fudge.

Lin En did not comment: "Thank you for your good words."

There was nothing much to talk about between the two of them, and this was even more so after Lin En made the pros and cons clear.

The study fell into an awkward silence, which was obviously not what Fudge wanted to see.

After just a moment, seeing that Lin En seemed to want to get up and leave, Fudge gritted his teeth and spoke first: "Maybe we can talk about some more important topics today."

“Oh?” Lin En raised his eyebrows and sat down again, “For example?”

"For example... I think we need to sign a vow of secrecy first, what do you think?" Fudge was very cautious, even when there was no one else around.

"You make sense, Minister. Who will initiate it?"

"This isn't some complicated magic, I can do it."

"As you wish."

Lynn nodded and pulled out his wand, touching it with Fudge's.

"I promise to keep this conversation confidential and not disclose it to anyone in any way."

The two said in unison, and a faintly visible silver chain connected the intertwined wands.

This is not an unbreakable oath, but a common agreement among wizards. The price is not life, but a strange curse.

This is the most suitable option for two people who are wary of each other.

Lynn smiled, put away his wand, and asked nonchalantly, "Can you tell me now? If possible, I hope to finish it as soon as possible. Euphemia is still waiting for me."

"Of course, of course." Fudge's forehead was sweating. He took off his hat and put it on the table. "Then I'll be frank, Lynn. How can you support me instead of Millicent?"

"This is such a tricky topic. I didn't support Millicent, did I?" Lynn leaned back on the sofa with a look of surprise, crossing her legs. "Why did the Minister say that?"

"There's no need to beat around the bush, Lynn." Fudge said impatiently, "It's no secret that you've been helping Millicent and Amelia."

Lin En said seriously: "This is just your speculation. I don't accept doubts without evidence."

"Well, let's not dwell on that. I'm the Minister of Magic, so you name a price."

"You make it sound like you're shopping in Diagon Alley."

"Everything has a price, and people are no exception, the price varies."

"I have no objection to that, but my price may be higher."

"But it doesn't matter. You will see my sincerity."

Fudge looked at Lynn steadily, trying to find some information on his face.

But all he could see was the same unchanging smile.

This made him anxious - after all, the person sitting in front of him was none other than the second-most active wizard in Britain, second only to Dumbledore.

His identity as the Minister of Magic allowed him to know many secrets, such as the origin of Lynn's First Class Order of Merlin, which was hidden from the files.

Lin En was not in a hurry: "If you want to find a powerful helper, Dumbledore might be more suitable. After all, back then...right?"

"Because you are not as good as him now." Fudge said bluntly, "Maybe you will be greater than him in the future, but it will not happen during my term. So we have no conflict, and we can each get what we need, just like today."

"You are very frank, Minister." Lin En said, "I don't deny the rationality of your statement, but... you may not be able to offer the price I hope for."

"What about Barnold? What conditions can she offer you?" The moment of showdown had come, and Fudge did not hide his eagerness and urgency.

"You mean the pure-blood families? I can also help you suppress them."

He stood up suddenly, his short and strong body swaying back and forth in a state of great emotion.