Some people don't show up when you need them the most, and then, when you've solved all the problems on your own, they finally appear, strolling in to claim the spoils.
In the wizarding world, these people have a name: the Ministry of Magic.
Even the strongest fortresses are often taken from within, and that holds true in the wizarding world as well.
When Allen engineered a plan to seriously injure the powerful vampire, the massive BOOM of the explosion tore the laboratory's previously flawless defenses apart.
Although this sudden upheaval made those waiting outside uneasy, they nonetheless began cautiously dismantling the defensive enchantments.
With the protective wards broken, the wizards who had been merely there to guide were instantly elevated to a new profession: adventurer.
Their participation directly confirmed the failure of the graduating students' expeditionary mission, even though it was destined to fail from the start.
Because of the vampire's interference, three students were killed, they had refused the vampires' recruitment and had resisted fiercely.
Among the remaining wizards, some were placed under control, while others hid throughout the castle, the vampires' relentless pursuit of Allen bought them precious time to conceal themselves.
When the Ministry finally arrived, all surviving young wizards were rescued, while the vampires were annihilated, except for a few who managed to escape, the rest were struck down on the spot.
This was the entire story of how the Ministry barged in, stole the glory, and ultimately claimed the MVP.
Of course, the public narrative was not quite like this. At least, according to the newspapers, the story went something like this:
"...According to our sources, young wizards from Hogwarts and Ilvermorny, who had been enjoying friendly exchanges, were ambushed and kidnapped by shameful vampires during a cooperative expedition. These despicable vampires cruelly murdered three hostages to force them to undergo the Initiation of Embrace, but our brave young wizards refused to yield, their spirit..."
"...Fortunately, our valiant Aurors arrived just in time, and with the assistance of professors from both schools, successfully breached the defenses of these vile creatures. All hostages were rescued, and the vampires' main forces were defeated. Our esteemed Minister of Magic..."
Allen casually used the newspaper to pad his seat, stone tables and chairs were great in winter, except that they were freezing cold.
From the overall atmosphere, everyone seemed in relatively good spirits, even if one Slytherin had died.
Upon learning of the student's death, the family had come in person. Yet the deceased's uncle showed no trace of grief, his expression, no matter how you looked at it, seemed to be a smile.
The deceased was none other than Norris, the one who had made a deal with Allen. Perhaps his family truly felt sorrow, but clearly, any sadness was overshadowed by the Ministry's compensation, Allen knew exactly how much private loot the laboratory contained. If he hadn't been intent on taking down that vampire, he would never have left so much behind.
As the group of wizards who charged in first, the Ministry received abundant spoils, so much so that they even handed Allen a token of appreciation, though a mere hundred Galleons, it was still generous for the notoriously stingy Ministry!
Allen, of course, would never reveal the rare books and important experiment logs he had acquired, the latter had simply slipped into his pocket while gathering materials. Meanwhile, the Ministry seemed very satisfied with their results, and the wizards they had hired had zero expectation of profit anyway.
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Upon returning, Allen and his group were greeted with a grand welcome banquet, having just sent off the American Ministry, they now faced the British Ministry.
There's an Eastern saying: "Those destined shall inhabit places of natural treasure." The West may not have such a phrase, but the principle roughly holds.
Of course, we must clarify what "destined" means here, it's simple: whoever is strongest gets their way.
So, after the American Ministry cheerfully returned home with their spoils, Ilvermorny and the British Ministry teamed up to assert dominance, hey, buddy, we're a little jealous, mind sharing some dumplings?
According to the unbreakable principle that "within wand range lies the truth," the two factions quickly confirmed that what was theirs was theirs, and what was mine remained mine.
In other words, while Allen and the group were en route back, the American Ministry went through a rollercoaster of surprise and disappointment, but Allen had no intention of refunding anything.
Allen and Annie, thanks to their outstanding performance, were granted exemptions from two exams and secured the highest N.E.W.T. grade, Outstanding, earning envy from other students. Allen, however, couldn't exactly tell them the secret to their success, it was fought for on the battlefield, after all.
Returning to school felt like paradise compared to the exchange program, except for one missing professor.
Yes, yet another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher had been dismissed.
The reason was simple: this professor had participated in a fight.
Fighting itself isn't a problem, even professors can get fired up. A mere scuffle doesn't warrant dismissal.
The issue? This professor's fighting style was somewhat… unconventional.
He ganged up on students, or more precisely, he, alone, beat an entire group of wizards.
Just like at Ilvermorny, Hogwarts' exchange atmosphere wasn't ideal. Even if Hogwarts students didn't want trouble, the visiting students were all troublemakers.
One day, as both groups arranged a duel, a slightly tipsy professor passing by saw the scene. With one slap, he took control of all the students.
Hogwarts fared decently, but the opposing school sent a biased professor to intervene. Miscommunication ensued, and the drunken professor was attacked.
And then… there was nothing left. According to students bound by magic during the duel, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor fought methodically, one-on-one, two-on-two, until no support remained.
An entire exchange group was flattened by a single drunken professor. This was why even Dumbledore couldn't protect them.
Self-defense was acceptable, but taking down everyone? Excessive, especially an entire exchange group!
Thus, Dumbledore again found himself in the endless cycle of finding a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Amid such calm, the school year drew to a close, the House Cup, after decades, went to Hufflepuff for the first and possibly last time. The team's score was simply unbeatable.
On the train home, Allen bid farewell to Annie and everyone he knew, on the surface, all seemed calm.
Yet beneath the surface, undercurrents stirred.
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