However, Sirius seemed unconvinced.
"If you're referring to his use of potions to make some money from Muggles..." Sirius shook his head, "I believe my ancestors have done similar things. Of course, it's illegal and can bring some trouble, but I don't see it as particularly dangerous."
"Murphy is no fool. If he continues to make money from Muggles this way, he can't expose our existence, as that would bring countless competitors."
Dumbledore nodded, "That's why initially, I didn't see Murphy Darkholme as an enemy. I just thought he was trying to make a bit of money."
"But what if money isn't his goal?"
"Not money?" Sirius was confused, "What else could Muggles offer that wizards couldn't give him?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Dumbledore sighed, "That's rationality."
"It's only recently that I've understood Murphy's intentions. Though I still don't know where these ideas come from, he's seeking a power... more powerful than immortality, more than what Voldemort sought. It seems he wants to completely control magic, to control it more profoundly and thoroughly than any wizard before."
"For this, he chose the power of rationality. That is, 'science,' as the Muggles call it. Muggles are more adept at rational thinking than wizards, and Murphy seems to want to use their intellect to achieve his goals."
"To do so, he would have to expose magic to Muggles."
Sirius blinked several times, taking a while to understand the logic.
He found it baffling, even incomprehensible.
To better control magic, he sought help from Muggles?
Not learning more spells, not consulting a leading wizard like Dumbledore, but from Muggles who know nothing of magic?!
What kind of thought process is this?
But since Dumbledore said so, it must be true.
He began to think Murphy might be a bit mad, but if it were just madness, Dumbledore wouldn't take it so seriously.
Yet, there was still something Sirius didn't understand, "Professor, why would breaking the Secrecy Law be so dangerous?"
"Of course, I know about the witch hunts."
"But aren't wizards stronger than non-magical Muggles? Even if our existence is exposed, shouldn't Muggles be the ones in danger, not wizards?"
"And it's not three hundred years ago anymore. Would Muggles still go on a killing spree just because we're wizards?"
This is a common view among wizards.
This is why, in most countries, wizards are somewhat lax about adhering to the Secrecy Law, not seeing the exposure of their existence as something terribly frightening.
"It's not as simple as we think..." Dumbledore sighed, "Muggles are much more powerful than we imagine. And once the Secrecy Law is broken, we won't only be facing Muggles. We'll also have to deal with many things much more troublesome than Muggles."
Sirius sensed something different in his tone, "What do you mean? What kind of situation will we face?"
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then shook his head, "I can't say. But you just need to know, I'm not exaggerating. The Secrecy Law is a matter of life and death for all wizards."
"To stop Darkholme, my own power has already proven insufficient. I need you, Sirius. Will you lend me a hand?"
Sirius remained silent for a long while, eventually shaking his head, "I'm sorry, Professor. I have a child to protect now; I might not be able to join you as I did in the past. And Darkholme... If our enemy was Voldemort, I know we'd all live under his shadow until he's defeated. But Murphy..."
Even though Dumbledore's argument sounded somewhat reasonable, Sirius trusted his instincts more; he genuinely didn't believe Murphy was a bad person.
Seeing Murphy as an enemy just because of a difference in opinion seemed to be putting himself and Harry in unnecessary danger.
Dumbledore left, leaving behind a feather and told Sirius to reconsider, assuring him he could always contact him if he changed his mind.
As Dumbledore walked away, Harry watched from the second floor, feeling as though the once seemingly invincible headmaster appeared much older, like an ordinary elderly man struggling to walk.
...
September arrived, and Hogwarts reopened.
Although the new students were still sorted into the four traditional houses, the relationship between the houses had lost its previously intense rivalry. The house common rooms were connected by fireplaces, allowing for free seating during meals and shared classes, along with mandatory cross-house cooperation groups.
Beyond these changes, Dumbledore, who had served nearly fifty years as headmaster, had left the school, with Professor Severus Snape taking over as the new headmaster.
Murphy had intended for Professor Flitwick to succeed as headmaster and Snape to join his research institute to contribute to the Philosopher's Stone. However, Snape leveraged this opportunity to demand the headmastership for himself, threatening not to assist Murphy otherwise.
To satisfy Snape's ambition, Murphy reluctantly agreed.
Snape wanted to experience being headmaster, and apart from appearing at significant events and delivering inconsequential speeches, his responsibilities were minimal. Most of his time was still devoted to researching the Philosopher's Stone.
With Snape as headmaster, the position of Potions Master became vacant. Murphy convinced Horace Slughorn to take the position with a substantial salary.
The school also hired Remus Lupin as the "Defensive Magic" professor, eliminating the "Defense Against the Dark Arts" subject entirely due to Voldemort's curse on the position.
Even the classroom was repurposed into a detention exercise room for Argus Filch, the caretaker, effectively countering the curse with his constant curses, a case of fighting poison with poison.
Additionally, "Muggle Studies," "Astronomy," "Arithmancy," and "Divination" were made elective subjects.
Murphy also hired four werewolves, transformed from Muggle scientists, to teach "Physics," "Chemistry," "Biology," and "Mathematics" to improve Hogwarts students' scientific literacy.
Furthermore, the school's examination system was revamped from annual exams to quarterly major exams and monthly quizzes, along with the introduction of evening self-study sessions and classes. Murphy even considered implementing morning exercises, military training, and oath-taking ceremonies to ensure learning outcomes, wondering how students could graduate without being able to cast a simple Shield Charm with the Huanggang model in place.
As Hogwarts underwent significant changes under Murphy's direction, the Muggle world was also bustling with activity.
The "National Laboratory Project" in the Soviet Union entered the planning phase, while the construction of various laboratories in Britain was underway.
In this promising moment, Gringotts suddenly announced a startling development.
"Gold exchange has been banned?"
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