If Artel hadn't lent a hand to Dumbledore in recovering the Philosopher's Stone the previous night, Rita's article today would have spelled trouble aplenty for both Dumbledore and Minister Fudge.
Dumbledore had managed to thwart Voldemort's schemes before they could fully consume his attention, allowing him to give Gandalf his undivided focus.
"One could argue they're not exactly living the dream," Artel remarked with a wry smile, catching Hermione's attention with his cryptic tone. Sensing there was more to his expression, she leaned in and quietly inquired, "Artel, do you believe any of this?"
"It seems probable, doesn't it? Didn't Harry mention before that the Philosopher's Stone from the Chamber of Secrets went missing? He suspected Snape had a hand in it... Perhaps he was partially right. The Stone was indeed stolen, but Snape's involvement might be a red herring."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat at Artel's revelation. "So, you're saying what's in the papers might be true? That you know who had stole the Stone?"
Having delved into countless books detailing the exploits of modern wizards, Hermione couldn't shake the image of the enigmatic figure and Voldemort. Stories painted Voldemort as the most malevolent and dreaded dark wizard of the century, responsible for unspeakable atrocities and plunging the wizarding world into its darkest hour with the Wizarding War.
"If he is truly back, as the papers claim..."
A shiver ran down Hermione's spine as she recalled the ominous descriptions and illustrations in her readings—the sinister Death Eaters, the ominous Dark Mark...
Artel sought to reassure her. "That's not our concern. Even if Voldemort returns, he wouldn't dare set foot in Hogwarts. He fears Dumbledore... So, rest assured. And there's no guarantee he can return anyway. I trust Dumbledore won't let it come to that."
"We have to have faith in Dumbledore, in Hogwarts!"
In that moment, Artel emerged as Dumbledore's staunchest advocate, his words catching the attention of Professor McGonagall, who happened to be passing by. A proud smile crept onto her face as she overheard his impassioned defense.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore was currently tied up in meetings with the trustees in his office, unaware of the storm brewing outside.
Lucius, having meticulously orchestrated his next move, wasted no time rallying other influential figures to pressure Dumbledore into resignation, their collective presence looming over Hogwarts like a dark cloud.
Unfortunately, their arrival was a step too late, and Lucius found himself compelled to resign as chairman of the school board due to his reckless and aggressive behavior.
Later that afternoon, Xenophilius Lovegood, the eccentric editor-in-chief of The Quibbler, made a special visit to Hogwarts for an exclusive interview with Dumbledore.
This visit was made possible by Fudge's arrangements, who had already learned of Dumbledore's successful retrieval of the Philosopher's Stone. This revelation breathed new life into Fudge, who had been struggling, prompting him to swiftly organize this strategic move. To secure "The Quibbler's" interview with Dumbledore, Fudge even promised Lovegood an opportunity to film Ent and the Hobbit at the Ministry of Magic.
By early the following morning, the latest edition of "The Quibbler" hit the shelves.
Fudge's counterattack proved effective. Although "The Quibbler" was not considered mainstream, its popularity within the magical community far surpassed that of the Daily Prophet. The news of the Philosopher's Stone theft and the return of the mysterious individual was swiftly debunked as mere rumor.
As for Rita, the journalist behind the slanderous piece "Dumbledore, Sinner of the Wizarding World!", she faced consequences for her malicious fearmongering. The Ministry of Magic's Law Enforcement Division swiftly arrested her for spreading dangerous propaganda.
Rumor has it that scores of furious wizards even besieged the Daily Prophet's headquarters, venting their anger on the editor-in-chief responsible for that day's publication.
But amid the chaos, one thing remained clear: Voldemort was not a subject for jest in the British wizarding world.
Fudge took a firm stance on the matter and, through discreet inquiries, uncovered the identity of Rita's puppeteer.
In the aftermath, Rita found herself sentenced to Azkaban, and any goodwill Fudge may have harbored for the reporter vanished.
The fallout extended to the Daily Prophet, with the editor-in-chief resigning and a new editor taking the helm—a figure reportedly in close ties with Fudge.
Following the Oolong incident, a new article in the Daily Prophet once again captivated the wizarding world's attention.
This time, it was a missing person report.
The name Gandalf resonated with many wizards, believed to be the mastermind behind the Aria of Light spell. Ever since Dumbledore generously donated the spell to magical hospitals worldwide, it had saved countless lives, earning Gandalf widespread recognition and respect.
So, the gratitude toward Gandalf and Dumbledore overflowed among everyone.
Beneath this revelation, two striking images caught the eye: a portrait of Gandalf left by Artel, and the inaugural parchment crafted by Artel, chronicling Dumbledore's encounter with the magical Aria of Light.
Dumbledore, feeling compelled to seek out Gandalf as well, retrieved the parchment. With Voldemort's immediate threat subdued and Quirrell's departure from the school, Dumbledore reluctantly shelved his plans concerning Harry for the time being.
Observing Saruman's actions, Dumbledore recognized the impending urgency surrounding Gandalf and Sauron's affairs. He devised a strategy to gradually unveil the truth to the magical world.
Initially met with skepticism, the parchment's authenticity was questioned by many. Trolls, Balrogs, and even Gandalf himself were mere legends to most, with only the enigmatic Aria of Light serving as evidence.
However, when the esteemed magical zoologist Newt Scamander presented evidence of a troll corpse and accounts of Balrog sightings in subsequent interviews, the wizarding world erupted with fervor.
Suddenly, it all rang true!
The contents of the parchment, which even Gandalf couldn't resist destroying, became a tantalizing mystery. Who was this malevolent force that Gandalf feared, threatening world destruction?
This rediscovered history, believed to be lost to time, captivated numerous experts and scholars. Some even journeyed to Hogwarts in droves to inspect the parchment firsthand.
Yet, for many wizards, historical intrigue paled in comparison to the allure of Gandalf's rumored treasure...
Thus began a frenzy that swept through the international wizarding community. In a remarkably short span, Gandalf's name became a household one, significantly boosting his recognition within Artel's system.
However, despite this newfound awareness, Gandalf's identity remained shrouded in ambiguity for most. While many recognized him as the creator of the Aria of Light and the seeker of a mysterious treasure, his moral standing remained a mystery.
Addressing this knowledge gap fell to Artel.
As April 24th approached, anticipation mounted. This night marked the update of Artel's system. Also a dormant War Mumak is awaiting within his system space.
.....
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