Hogwarts, Hog's Head Pub
"Make wizards great again! That sounds pretty good, and I was a little excited when I first heard it."
"But is the meditation method really so magical? I heard that it seems to be only useful for Squibs, but it won't be of much help to us."
At a table on the right, a middle-aged wizard took a sip of wine, waved the Prophet newspaper in his hand, and said to his friend opposite.
"Who knows? What's said in the newspaper is quite impressive. However, my child is a wizard and does not need the so-called meditation method," the wizard opposite echoed loudly, and when he mentioned his child, his tone was mixed with a trace of pride.
"However, it is an opportunity for the Squibs," the middle-aged wizard said with some regret. "Unfortunately, 80% of the chores will still have to be done by wizards in the future."
"..."
Not far from these wizards, in the corner on the other side of the bar, an old man with white hair and a handsome blond man sat together.
It was Dumbledore and Lockhart.
"Lockhart, it seems that ordinary wizards don't have much reaction to your research." Dumbledore raised the butterbeer on the table and joked with Lockhart.
"Haha, that's normal, Headmaster," Lockhart replied with a smile. "No matter when or where, most people will only pay close attention to their own interests."
"My research is currently very helpful to Squibs. It's okay for young wizards, but for most ordinary wizards, the current meditation method can't help them much."
"But in the future, we will definitely study meditation methods that can also be effective for adult wizards."
Hearing this, Dumbledore nodded.
Lockhart, on the other hand, raised the butterbeer in front of him and took a curious sip.
He prefers to drink tea because tea can keep one's mind clear and their brain alert.
However, when he really needs to drink, he won't refuse.
After all, many times, alcohol plays the role of a catalyst.
However, after Lockhart finished drinking the butterbeer in front of him, he felt it was different from the beer he imagined. The alcoholic feeling was very light, not overpowering, and it felt more like a soft drink.
No wonder many students like to drink butterbeer.
Well, this is good. He can bring it to Vientiane Book Café as a specialty in the future.
While Lockhart was thinking, suddenly
"Lockhart, I heard Minerva mention that you wanted to provide a certain amount of donation to Hogwarts every year in the future."
"Are you aiming for the chance to become a member of Hogwarts' Honorary Board?"
Dumbledore's question came to his ears. Lockhart nodded and asked expectantly: "Headmaster, is that possible?"
"Of course." Dumbledore nodded slowly. "The future development of Hogwarts requires more funds."
"Especially if Squibs are recruited as students in the future, the amount of funding needed will be even greater."
"But..."
Hearing Dumbledore's 'but,' Lockhart, who was originally cheerful, felt his heart sink.
"I don't know if Minerva has mentioned to you that the members of the school board have been doing a lot against you recently."
"I know this." Lockhart nodded slightly. "This is why I want to be a member of the school board. In this case, they will not be able to find excuses to interfere with my research later."
At this point, Lockhart's tone was full of frustration, as if he was confiding in Dumbledore.
"What if this group of pure-blood families gets the meditation method that I have worked so hard to study? I can imagine that they will definitely try their best to hide the meditation method in the future and only spread it among their own families. It is absolutely impossible for ordinary Squibs to get the meditation method without signing a strict contract."
"Right, Headmaster?"
After hearing what Lockhart said, Dumbledore remained silent and made no clear reply.
He knew what pure-blood families were like.
It was precisely because of this understanding that he was worried about the conflict between Lockhart and the pure-blood families intensifying. What consequences could there be?
He felt a headache just thinking about it.
The pure-blood families have deep roots, and there are many old wizards behind them.
And Lockhart is not bad either. His talent can be said to be top-notch, coupled with his firm, even stubborn character, and idealistic goals.
What trouble will arise in the end?
He witnessed with his own eyes how two extremely talented wizards embarked on the path of the Dark Lord step by step.
If he saw his student becoming the third Dark Lord, his blood pressure would probably rise immediately.
Fortunately, the student in front of him showed no signs of being a dark wizard and still retained his enthusiasm for knowledge and research.
If he really became a dark wizard and embarked on the path of the Dark Lord, Dumbledore didn't know whether he should be the first to act—to completely eliminate hidden dangers for the British wizarding world.
After all, the current wizarding world cannot withstand repeated turmoil.
He was already old, and now he just wanted to resolve Tom's matter and keep the wizarding world in peace and order.
At this moment, Lockhart was a little disappointed to see Dumbledore's silence.
If Dumbledore had promised to stand by his side and resist the pure-blood families, then the pressure on his plan would have been reduced by at least half.
Immediately afterward,
"Lockhart, can you talk about your future goals? What do you want to do in the future?" Dumbledore's abrupt question stunned Lockhart for a moment.
He has a lot of plans for the future. If he really revealed them, Dumbledore might just end his life.
However, this was also an opportunity. With his thoughts turning, Lockhart said as if joking: "Headmaster, my goal… It's a bit idealistic."
"I like reading books. Whether they are books from the wizarding world or the Muggle world, I have read them all and learned a lot of knowledge from them."
"Headmaster, you may not know this, but the Muggle world is developing faster and faster. If you understand it deeply, you will be surprised by the advancements Muggles have made."
"In comparison, our wizarding world is still a bit rigid, and in some places, it is even more backward than the Muggles."
"Oh?" After Dumbledore heard this, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, as if what Lockhart said was somewhat beyond his expectation.
What does this have to do with Muggles?
However, he continued to listen patiently.
Lockhart, on the other hand, continued to explain: "Headmaster, I once experienced a Muggle war during an adventure."
"You may not imagine that in the Muggle world there are machines called machine guns and rocket launchers, which are very powerful."
"Only a Muggle with simple training, holding these weapons, can easily kill an adult wizard as long as they choose the appropriate method."
"At that time, I was thinking that the wizarding world should make progress. At the very least, it cannot lag behind the Muggles."
After hearing what Lockhart said, Dumbledore nodded slightly.
He agreed with this point. If you fall behind, you will be vulnerable. He understood this truth.
After Lockhart saw Dumbledore nodding, he said excitedly: "I think meditation is the key to progress in the wizarding world. Headmaster, you and I have studied it together before."
"You should know the potential of meditation. It can completely promote the further development of the magic system in the wizarding world. Let the entire wizarding world usher in new changes."
"Headmaster, let's join forces. I believe that we can definitely make wizarding civilization more prosperous."
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