57 Chapter 57 Banquet Hall and Headmaster's Office (Part 1)

Inside the magnificent hall, wizards wearing elegant and gorgeous formal robes were enjoying the unexpected banquet.

The invitation to this banquet was just sent out this afternoon, at this time the high-ranking members of the British Ministry of Magic actually had other arrangements for the evening, but no matter who was invited, as long as the wizards received the invitation, they all postponed all the activities prepared in advance and responded to the invitation to attend the banquet.

Simply because this banquet was hosted by that great sir, being able to receive his invitation would only make people feel terrified and honoured, and no one would have the slightest thought of refusing.

The banquet started at 7 o'clock and two hours had passed by now, but the great sir still sitting on the main seat at the front of the banquet hall, a faint smile visible on his handsome and charming face, as he listened to the fawning Minister of Magic beside him - Cornelius Fudge reporting to him about the Ministry's affairs.

From the beginning to the end, he did not announce the reason for this banquet being held, nor did he have any intention of ending it.

All of the British magical world has to serve the will of this gentleman, even if this meaningless banquet has to keep going on like this for three days and nights, as long as this gentleman did not say it is over, then both male and female wizards who are here with incomparably noble status have to smile and raise the goblet in their hands to maintain the elegance and extravagance of this moment forever.

But at that moment, the door of the banquet hall was suddenly pushed open by the attendant outside the door.

The light laughter among the wizards gradually stopped, and all eyes looked at the male wizard who seemed to have arrived late.

With long greasy hair, a pale face that looks as if it has never been exposed to sunlight, and empty and seemingly emotionless eyes, there is no one else in the entire magical world who has such distinctive characteristics.

Severus Snape, that gentleman's most favoured subordinate, the current deputy headmaster of Hogwarts, pureblood house head, professor of potion class, and at the same time the deputy director of the Death Eaters General Defence Force.

In the current British magical world, where bloodline hierarchies are incomparably strict, a half-blood person has an identity and status that far exceeds that of most pureblood wizards.

In the middle of the banquet hall, some people looked at Snape who walked in and couldn't help but frown.

Even if he is highly valued by Sir, he cannot be arrogant on this occasion, he only came when two hours of the banquet had already started.

However, just when some people were ready to stand up and voice their rebuke against this Professor Snape, someone finally noticed the figure that came in with him and let out a gasp.

"House Head!"

Slughorn still had the same harmless smile, he had changed into a brand-new emerald green robe and nodded slightly towards the witch who had opened her mouth and called out to him as Head, as a response.

The large banquet hall instantly became silent.

Everyone in the hall knew exactly what Slughorn's status is now, although the Ministry of Magic has never included him in the list of wanted criminals, he is still on the same side as Dumbledore the wizard sinner.

And tonight, he was brought here by Snape, what does it mean?

A wizard with a sharp mind turned his attention to the man sitting in the main seat.

That greatest of all gentlemen had stood up from the main seat as soon as Slughorn walked into the banquet hall.

He took a step down the dais, a hint of enthusiasm evident in the faint smile on his face, and he opened his arms as he arrived in front of Slughorn.

Slughorn's face also carried what looked like a flush from excitement, and he too opened his arms and embraced his once most favoured student in front of him.

"Welcome back, Professor."

The next moment, the banquet hall rang out with the most enthusiastic applause, no one knows why Slughorn, who has been hanging out with Dumbledore for the past two years, has appeared here.

But these are not important, what is important is the attitude of the great sir towards their former head, sir's attitude is the attitude of the noble pureblood wizards.

...

"Professor, I don't understand, why would the Dark Lord want the philosopher's stone so badly? Also, would he really believe that teacher has betrayed us?"

Inside the Headmaster's office, Jon voiced his doubts.

Dumbledore's face showed an inexplicable smile, he opened his mouth to give Jon an answer to his doubts.

"The philosopher's stone is indeed basically not that attractive to him, the entire British magical world is his, even if that stone can create more wealth, can it be more than that? As for the elixir of life, he has always been disdainful of such means that rely on foreign objects to obtain immortality, he will never place his trust about life in other things, even if it is a dead thing. The only thing that is somewhat attractive to him is the alchemical significance of the philosopher's stone itself, but this is certainly not attractive enough for him to go to such lengths to get it."

"The philosopher's stone is not what matters to him, whether the stone is in my hands or not is the point."

Jon said thoughtfully.

"He does not want Hogwarts to rely on this stone to continue to survive in the wizarding world?"

Dumbledore shook his head, a smile with a hint of sarcasm tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"He just didn't want me to drink the elixir of life."

Jon's face froze, and his mind clicked with a sudden realization.

It is true that Voldemort now has full control over the British magical world, but Dumbledore is still alive!

Hogwarts in exile has been able to survive only because Dumbledore is still alive.

The students and professors on the wagon and the resisting wizards in the Order of the Phoenix, Voldemort have never put them in his eyes, only Dumbledore, only he alone will make the dark lord who has succeeded in taking control of power so serious.

And if Dumbledore has the philosopher's stone, it means he has the capital to live without limits!

"But he obviously underestimated me." Dumbledore said softly, "When even he didn't regard that false immortality highly, how will I bother to use it?"

"As for, how can I be sure that he would believe that Horace really betrayed me to join him, it really doesn't matter at all."

"He has never given his trust to anyone, for him, it does not matter whether the people who pledged their allegiance to him are loyal or not, what matters is whether the people under him can create the value for him as they should, of course, there are times when absolute loyalty is also a value. And until it is certain that Horace really has absolute loyalty to him, the matter of Horace's betrayal itself is already a very valuable thing."

Jon was not sure what to say.

"To help him gather the hearts of people?"

Dumbledore flashed a praising smile.

"We have been wanted for seven years, during which time he has barely gained any significant results against us, even if his absolute authority in the magical community has not wavered in the slightest, but after all, there are numerous people under him, and he needs to give those who are wavering some confidence to rely on."

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