Volume 1 Chapter 57 Banquet Hall and Principal's Office (Part 1)
Inside the magnificent hall, wizards dressed in elegant and gorgeous robes were enjoying this sudden banquet.
The invitations to the dinner were not sent out until the afternoon. At that time, the upper-class wizards of the British Ministry of Magic had already made other arrangements for tonight. But no matter who they were, as long as they received the invitation, they all turned down all the activities prepared in advance and attended this gathering.
Just because this dinner was initiated by that great gentleman, receiving his invitation would only make people feel humbled and honored, and no one would have the slightest thought of refusing.
The dinner started at 7 o'clock, and two hours have passed, but the great gentleman is still sitting in the main seat at the front of the banquet hall. A faint smile appeared on his handsome and charming face. He listened absent-mindedly to the fawning Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, who was reporting to him about the work of the ministry.
From beginning to end, he never announced the reason for holding this dinner, nor did he have any intention of ending the party.
Everything in the British magical world must serve the will of this gentleman. Even if this meaningless dinner continues for three days and three nights, as long as this gentleman does not say it is over, the wizards and witches of extremely noble status here must smile and hold up their goblets to maintain the elegance and luxury of this moment forever.
But at this moment, the door of the banquet hall was suddenly pushed open by the waiter outside.
The whispers and laughter between the wizards gradually died down, and all eyes turned to the wizard who seemed to be late.
Greasy long hair, a face as pale as if it had never been exposed to the sun , and eyes that were empty and seemed emotionless. There was no one else in the entire wizarding world with such obvious physical features.
Severus Snape, the gentleman's most trusted subordinate, is currently the deputy headmaster of Hogwarts, the dean of the Pure-Blood College, the professor of Potions, and also the deputy captain of the Death Eaters' chief guard.
In today's wizarding world where bloodlines and classes are extremely strict, a mixed-blood wizard has a status and position far exceeding that of most pure-blood wizards.
In the banquet hall, someone couldn't help but frown when he saw Snape walking in.
Even though he was highly valued by his master, he could not take advantage of the favor in such an occasion. He came two hours after the dinner had already started.
However, just when some people were about to stand up and accuse Professor Snape, someone finally noticed the figure that walked in behind him and exclaimed.
"Dean, Dean!"
Slughorn still had that harmless smile on his face. He had changed into a brand new emerald green robe and nodded slightly to the witch who had called him the dean, as a response.
The huge banquet hall suddenly became silent.
Everyone present knew very well who Slughorn was now. Although the Ministry of Magic had never included him in the wanted criminal list, he still stood on the same side as Dumbledore, the wizard criminal.
So what did it mean that he was brought here by Snape tonight?
The quick-witted wizard turned his gaze to the man sitting in the main seat.
The Greatest Gentleman had already stood up from his seat of honor when Slughorn entered the banquet hall.
He walked down the steps step by step, with a faint smile on his face that showed a hint of enthusiasm. When he came in front of Slughorn, he opened his arms.
Slughorn's face also flushed with excitement. He opened his arms and hugged his once most promising student.
"Welcome back, teacher."
The next moment, the warmest applause broke out in the banquet hall. No one knew why Slughorn, who had been hanging out with Dumbledore for the past two years, would appear here.
But none of this is important. What is important is the great gentleman's attitude towards their former dean. The gentleman's attitude is the attitude of these noble pure-bloods.
…
"Professor, I don't understand why the Dark Lord wants the Philosopher's Stone so badly? Also, does he really believe that the teacher has betrayed us?"
In the old principal's office, Jon expressed his doubts.
Dumbledore showed an inexplicable smile on his face, and he began to answer John's questions.
"The Philosopher's Stone really has little appeal to him. The entire British wizarding world belongs to him. Even if the stone can create a lot of wealth, what does it matter? As for the elixir of life, he has always disdained such means of relying on external objects to gain longevity. He will never trust others with his life, even if it is a dead object. The only thing that has some appeal to him is the alchemical value of the Philosopher's Stone itself, but this attraction is certainly not enough for him to go to such great lengths to get it."
"The Philosopher's Stone is not the key to him. The key point is whether I have the stone or not."
Jon said thoughtfully.
"He doesn't want Hogwarts to continue to survive in the wizarding world by relying on this stone?"
Dumbledore shook his head, with a hint of sarcasm in his smile.
"He doesn't want me to drink the elixir of life."
Jon's face was stunned, and suddenly his mind became clear.
Now Voldemort has completely controlled the wizarding world, but Dumbledore is still alive!
The reason why Hogwarts can continue to survive in exile is only because Dumbledore is still there.
Voldemort never took these students and professors on the carriage and the rebellious wizards in the Order of the Phoenix seriously. Only Dumbledore, only he, could make this dark lord who had successfully seized power take things so seriously.
And if Dumbledore possesses the Philosopher's Stone, it means he has the capital to live indefinitely!
"But he obviously underestimated me," Dumbledore said softly. "If even he despised the false immortality, how could I use it?"
"As for how I can be sure that he will believe that Horace really betrayed me and join him, there is actually no need to be sure."
"He has never given trust to anyone. For him, the loyalty of those who serve him is not important. What is important is whether his people can create the value they deserve for him. Of course, absolute loyalty is also a kind of value sometimes. Before it is confirmed that Horace is really absolutely loyal to him, the fact that Horace rebelled is already a very valuable thing in itself."
Jon wasn't sure.
"Help him rally the people?"
Dumbledore smiled approvingly.
"He has been wanted by us for seven years, and during this period he has hardly made any major gains. Even though his absolute authority in the wizarding world has not been shaken in the slightest, he has many subordinates after all, and he needs to give those wavering people some confidence that they can rely on."
