Chapter 284: Old Gellert's Push
Grindelwald had always been efficient. The very day after their discussion, The Quibbler magazine unexpectedly published a highly intriguing story.
It was titled: "The Magical Fairy Tale Journey of Muggle Jacob."
The content described a Muggle accidentally stumbling into the British Ministry of Magic, causing some chaos, and then with the help of a kind-hearted goblin using a Portkey to escape the Aurors and arrive at Diagon Alley, where he caused further amusing incidents.
The story itself wasn't groundbreaking. The issue was that the subject matter was highly sensitive, touching a raw nerve in countless people.
When Lockhart first received the magazine and saw the title on the cover, he briefly thought it was about the Muggle married to Newt Scamander's sister-in-law. Flipping it open, he realized it was a different story or rather, a report.
Because the editor, Mr. Lovegood (Luna's father, editor of The Quibbler), insisted it was a true event.
Everyone knew it was a fabricated tale, as The Quibbler was notorious for attracting attention with all sorts of outlandish claims. But naming the protagonist Jacob was a clear nod from Old Gellert to Dumbledore.
The Muggle Jacob Kowalski was a protégé of Dumbledore's, and Jacob's witch wife was associated with Grindelwald's followers. This history was quite curious. Even during the years when the two Magical Masters were most opposed, when everyone believed they were complete enemies, they actually shared the same political view on promoting the legalization of Wizard-Muggle marriage.
The meaning, Lockhart surmised, was: Hey, Albus, even though we disagree on many things, our direction is aligned on several core issues.
"I'm just puzzled. Why would Mr. Lovegood suddenly align himself with Grindelwald's camp?" he wondered, chatting idly with Snape while looking at the magazine.
"It looks like a third-rate magazine, and most of the content is that of a third-rate magazine," Snape said casually, stirring the potion in his cauldron with his wand. "Yet, in reality, every Ministry of Magic official fears this magazine more than the Daily Prophet."
Lockhart blinked. "Because it reports on officials' scandalous affairs?"
Snape shook his wand, put it aside, and turned around. "The answer lies in the magazine's name, The Quibbler. Its positioning has always been against the Ministries of Magic, upholding the philosophy of 'revealing the hidden truth.'"
Is it really that high-minded?
Lockhart skeptically opened the magazine, immediately spotting an absurd story about a wizard riding a broomstick to the moon. Flipping through, he found a seemingly serious conspiracy theory claiming that Hogwarts Charms Professor Filius Flitwick was attempting to incite another Goblin Rebellion.
Good heavens!
Are Ravenclaws really this bold? Mr. Lovegood had not only been Professor Flitwick's student but his precious daughter was currently enrolled at the school.
Lockhart leaned back slightly. "I'm not entirely convinced by your view."
Snape let out a soft laugh, glanced at the cauldron, grabbed a white rat from a silver box nearby, cast a spell to remove its eyes, and tossed it into the cauldron.
He then seemed to sink into memory, murmuring, "I told Voldemort the same thing back then. Voldemort also greatly scorned the magazine. But in fact, it meticulously documented the conspiracy theory that Durmstrang Headmaster Igor Karkaroff was a Death Eater, and the story of Sirius Black being a rock star."
"Wait!"
Lockhart was intrigued. "A rock star?"
Snape shrugged. "The rebellious youth was kicked out of his home, spent a few months as a rock star in the Muggle world, realized he could easily earn a living and live a dashing life, and completely lost any attachment to his family."
There was actually such a past! Lockhart was amused. "Doesn't that count as violating the Statute of Secrecy? Well, no one can determine the full impact of him becoming a Muggle public figure, so it should be hard to define. Since you knew about it back then, why didn't you report him?"
He knew Snape's nature well; that's exactly what he would have done.
Snape was silent for a long time, his gaze distant. "Peter Pettigrew came to beg me. He was so humble he practically knelt. That weak-willed creature, that was all he had left to beg people with."
Past events are like the wind, scattered and messy, stirring up sorrow.
He shook his head, unwilling to fall into such meaningless emotions again. He gestured to the magazine in Lockhart's hand. "We can call Mr. Lovegood irresponsible, but we absolutely cannot call him unintelligent. To maintain a reasonably influential magazine all by himself, this Ravenclaw is certainly not the clown some people make him out to be."
Indeed. Lockhart looked down at the magazine, musing, "The Quibbler has encountered Grindelwald. It's probably experiencing its best chance for development. It might even become the largest newspaper in the future."
Leading the charge against the Ministry of Magic, Old Gellert must genuinely love this magazine.
Linking the story in the magazine to Grindelwald's maneuvering was a strange feeling, a sort of spiritual intuition. Many spiritually sensitive wizards have this innate gift, like Harry Potter, who is often successful relying on his gut feelings.
Lockhart's guess was correct.
Soon, major newspapers and magazines began to fiercely criticize The Quibbler for fabricating stories and stirring up public opinion.
But this couldn't stop the resulting discussion.
The conversation about the goblin helping the Muggle in the story began to shift from the rational to the emotional. Furthermore, the conspiracy theory about Professor Flitwick, the part-goblin wizard, started to proliferate in various absurdly vague but seemingly earnest versions, creating a deafening clamor.
Dumbledore, as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, absolutely would not allow such outrageous discourse to continue spreading.
Soon, British Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge publicly stepped forward, denouncing The Quibbler's practice of publishing stories as reports. He also ordered Aurors to investigate whether the groundless accusations against Professor Flitwick had been influenced by any mysterious forces.
The overt suppression of public opinion quickly led to even more ferocious private discussions. Though the topic wasn't appearing in the papers or being discussed by public figures, it was relentlessly debated in every casual conversation.
"Wizards are in danger, and the goblins are plotting another rebellion!"
As such rhetoric grew, under the backstage influence of Grindelwald, it rapidly escalated, turning its focus directly on half-blood wizards mixed with other species.
Even the most famous newspaper in the American wizarding society was affected, creatively coining the term "Anima-Wizards" to distinguish them from half-bloods mixed with Muggles.
This newspaper even listed a long list of famous "Anima-Wizards." The top-ranked name on the list was none other than Olympe Maxime, Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, whose lineage was meticulously labeled as "Giant half-blood."
"This is absolutely outrageous! How has the wizarding world become like this!"
The newly appointed Headmaster of Durmstrang Institute, Gellert Grindelwald, accepted an interview, vehemently denouncing this practice of internal wizarding attacks.
Then, his followers, the Acolytes, who were still active in various sectors of the wizarding world, took action.
In just over half a month, the American newspaper that had grown alongside the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) and witnessed the development of North American wizarding society was declared bankrupt, completely disappearing into the dust of history.
All the Acolytes cheered this victory.
They had been suppressed for too long. In the current "Dumbledore Era," even the return of the Great Lord Grindelwald had not allowed for public celebration. Following this victory, they fell into a state of revelry.
But they were quickly slapped down.
Not just them; even Grindelwald was dealt a blow.
A report appeared on the front page of the Witch Weekly, detailing the struggle between the two major factions within Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
Everyone knew about the thousand-year disputes within prestigious schools, but no one could have imagined Headmistress Madame Maxime acted so ruthlessly!
The Giant half-blood Headmistress had arranged for large numbers of Giants to guard all important figures in the opposing faction, calling it security!
How is that any different from guarding prisoners!
Shameless! Absolutely shameless!
Rita Skeeter was nearly in tears.
She brought the newspaper to Hogwarts, found Lockhart, and wailed, "I couldn't participate in this entire, spectacular wave of public opinion even once!"
While crying, she secretly watched Lockhart's expression, trying to glean some information.
After all, Lockhart had instructed her not to get involved.
Such a loss! Such a great loss!
Lockhart chuckled soothingly. "My people are not suited to get involved in this matter."
My people?
Ha! My people!
Rita instantly stopped crying, barely suppressing a delighted smile, and said very seriously, "Of course, we will always stand by your side, Lord Lockhart, to be your strongest support!"
Bringing that up, she started to curse The Quibbler's editor, Xenophilius Lovegood, again. "He's a member of the Ravenclaw Alumni Association, and he acted on his own initiative!"
Lockhart was unfazed. "He has never sworn fealty to me, so he is only to be treated as an ordinary member of the alumni association."
Moreover, Mr. Lovegood simply didn't have the standing to refuse Grindelwald's request. He chose to comply.
Grindelwald was extremely judicious in his actions. The best person for this kind of inflammatory, public-opinion-driven work should have been Rita, yet Old Gellert never once sought her out.
"What is the current situation?" Lockhart was curious how this would end.
Rita shook her head. "Grindelwald stepped out to champion Madame Maxime, was utterly humiliated, and now everyone has meekly quieted down. It's all very peaceful."
"Everything seems to have submerged back beneath the surface "
Tapping the desk with a long finger, she carefully thought, hoping to provide Lord Lockhart with the most accurate assessment. "But the problem is, these issues have been aired publicly. Now everyone knows what lies beneath the surface."
Saying this, she gestured to the Witch Weekly she brought. "Based on my keen intuition and extensive experience, the report that Madame Maxime dispatched Giants to monitor the anti-faction leaders at the school is likely untrue!"
"The issue is, she may not have a chance to refute it. No one wants to touch this topic now."
This was indeed an interesting state of affairs. Lockhart was actually very curious. Madame Maxime's Giant half-blood status alone might have been enough to force her resignation from the school; why did Grindelwald complicate matters so much? What did he truly want?
He didn't understand.
"Keep an eye on Beauxbatons Academy of Magic for me."
Rita quickly nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, I've already found a few contacts who can help me scout for inside information at the school. I'll report anything that happens at that school to you immediately."
Speaking of reporting information, she actually had a piece of news this time.
"The Ministry of Magic is plotting a conspiracy!" Rita said in the tone of street gossip. "Someone is planning to overthrow Fudge!"
Grindelwald?
Lockhart immediately thought of Old Gellert, but quickly dismissed the idea. Old Gellert had just spoken about respecting the greatest and strongest wizards of the contemporary era.
"Conspiracy?" His expression grew strange. "Everyone knows Fudge is Dumbledore's man."
If it wasn't Old Gellert, who else would have the audacity?
"The secret intelligence is "
Rita glanced left and right, confirming no one else was around the Forbidden Forest, then leaned closer and whispered, "Apparently, it's the Aurors. The one leading the charge is Kingsley Shacklebolt. Some believe he's acting on Scrimgeour's orders, but others say he's doing it on his own."
Lockhart raised an eyebrow. Kingsley?
Was Kingsley getting impatient? Did he feel that in the current situation, Fudge might remain in office indefinitely, leaving him with no opportunity?
Was that possible?
He didn't know.
But he could sense the changes in the world.
After Rita left, Lockhart shook his head, no longer dwelling on the information, and began organizing his magical notes from the past period.
First were Dumbledore's voluminous Transfiguration papers published in various journals. He had many ideas, all recorded. Then, the supplementary concepts for his Magical Fairy Tale Theory "Sociality" and "Vitality" it was time to properly organize them.
Following that were magical explorations spanning various fields: Blood Magic, Mirror Worlds, Occultism involving research into various magical bloodlines and Dark Magic creatures, Ghost Ships, Elevator Monsters, Hagamis, Parseltongue, Werewolf-tongue
There were too many.
And all of this would ultimately converge into the second major phase of his Magical Fairy Tale Theory exploration: Dark Magic Creature Cultivation.
He knew all too well which area he was most adept at.
Lockhart had a very unique premonition that his future lay in this direction.
All the precious fruits he had picked during his travels this year would eventually be thrown into this cauldron to brew.
However, the inspiration was there, but looking at the scattered documents on his desk, he struggled to find a clear thread.
"They should be connected by a single line "
He mumbled, his gaze finally resting on "Beauxbatons School History: Magic and Etiquette."
Is this the starting point for the birth of a fairy tale?