"Professor Dumbledore, what exactly do you mean? Why have you gathered us here? Today, I am supposed to preside over the opening ceremony." A very tall witch dressed in noble attire stood up and looked at the elderly man standing in the middle of the room, his opal jewelry shimmering in the light.
Dumbledore stood on an elevated platform in the center of a circular assembly, surrounded by a circle of circular steps, filled with people dressed in various ways, among them fifty wizards wearing fuchsia robes with an elaborate silver "W" embroidered on the left chest - they were all members of the Wizengamot.
"Madame Maxime, as the President of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I have the authority to convene this International Conference of Wizards." Dumbledore, standing in the most prominent position, said gently but firmly. "The reason for inviting the Heads, Ministers, and members of the Wizengamot here is that a new storm is brewing, and the wizarding world is facing an unprecedented crisis."
Dumbledore's series of titles and his own achievements had made him highly respected in the international wizarding community. He was the only one who could gather the most prestigious and important wizards in the world to sit down and discuss important matters. Of course, he had never held a meeting of this scale before. Because he wasn't that important when Grindelwald wreaked havoc, and when he became important enough, the threat hadn't been significant enough to warrant such a gathering.
As Dumbledore glanced at the wizards on the stage, he saw several familiar faces: the leaders of the magical sections of Britain, France, and America, all Wizengamot members, and the previous generation of celebrities headed by Newt, although Newt was his student, he was already over eighty years old, in fact, he was a respected elder in the wizarding world, and the heads of nine long-established and prestigious magical schools.
Dumbledore had invited the most prestigious people in the wizarding world today to a meeting of unprecedented proportions, which would stake Dumbledore's reputation for the rest of his life.
"A new storm is brewing: an ancient organization has recently expanded at an alarming rate, The Trackers!" Dumbledore became serious, and his voice resonated throughout the auditorium. When the word "Trackers" came out of Dumbledore's mouth, all eyes turned to a middle-aged man sitting in the front row, dressed in a fine suit, his hair and beard immaculately groomed.
This man was the President of the Magical Congress of the United States, the equivalent of the British Minister for Magic. Feeling the numerous gazes on his face, he remained expressionless, nodding to show that Dumbledore was telling the truth.
Suddenly, the nerves of the wizards in the room tensed. Although ordinary wizards did not know the name of the Trackers, they were aware of the notorious organization as leaders in the region. The name "Trackers" was as infamous among wizards as "NAZI" was among Muggles.
The rapid expansion of the Trackers struck a sensitive nerve among the present wizards.
"Why? I thought they said in America that the Trackers no longer existed." A robust wizard with tanned skin and a jaguar helmet slammed the table. "Is this a joke?"
Dumbledore stopped the irritable South American wizard, gesturing for him to calm down. "The Trackers are rapidly growing with unknown powers, and I understand that there have been cases related to magic in one way or another around the world during this time. The Nantes arson in France, the attack on Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the missing train in New York, the fire dragon rampage in Australia, the rabbit plague in England..."
Dumbledore casually mentioned some cases that have caused headaches for the local Ministry of Magic.
"All these things, in one way or another, have the influence of the Trackers, disasters are happening worldwide, and with increasing frequency, the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy is being challenged like never before, so I ask all of you to come here today, to join forces, to eradicate the Trackers, to put an end to the magical cases occurring worldwide..."
Dumbledore presented his proposal to the wizards of the world.
"The demons of the Japan region will be under my personal care, without external interference," after Dumbledore finished speaking, a wizard dressed like a warrior stood up. "And today, I have great news for all of you. The previous Shogun has returned to Hirasaka, and the new Shogun has succeeded him as of the first of this month. Starting from the first day of this month, the magical world of Japan will be isolated."
With these words, and Dumbledore's previous proposal, the audience became restless. The Minister of Magic of the Japan region, known as the "Shogun," had always been the most powerful wizard in Japan, and the last Shogun had held the position since the Taisho era, respected by local wizards as a "demigod," but he had passed away without saying anything!
"It's normal, the sun also sets." A Korean wizard in lantern pants laughed twice and said regretfully. The samurai ignored him, made a hand gesture in front of him, and disappeared.
The wizards in the meeting room were discussing...
At that moment, the Great Hall of Hogwarts was also in chaos. Young wizards were talking incessantly about the whereabouts of Professor Dumbledore. Headmaster Dumbledore had not missed an opening ceremony since their parents' time. But today was an exception.
"Something important must have happened; otherwise, Professor Dumbledore would have been here. Tom, what do you think?" Hermione whispered in Tom's ear, tilting her head.
Tom shook his head; he couldn't guess, something like a Dementor stopping the Hogwarts Express wouldn't be enough for him to miss the opening ceremony. Could it be...?
Suddenly, he had a suspicion, but it hadn't been confirmed yet.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall stood up from the staff table, tapping the glass in front of her with the spoon in her hand.
"Welcome, everyone, to Hogwarts for the new school year." Professor McGonagall was a bit nervous, so her face became even more serious, as if it had been coated with frost.
[Dumbledore's Test (I): Mission accomplished]
[Auto Task: Dumbledore's Test (2): After the ceremony, await Dumbledore's summons.]
When Professor McGonagall said this, a message appeared in Tom's system indicating that the mission he had received was complete.
"Our Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, has some matters to attend to today and is temporarily unable to come, so I will preside over today's opening ceremony for now." With that, she twirled her wand, and a four-legged stool with the Sorting Hat firmly placed on top appeared in front of her.
The Sorting ceremony was about to begin.