Chapter 1,146

Harry thought they were getting close to the reason for Scrimgeour's visit.

Scrimgeour wanted to talk to him, which in Harry's eyes was no different from the guy who wanted to help him publish a book when he couldn't remember his name.

They were all disturbing people, especially those who tried so hard to interview him. In Harry's eyes, they were definitely the worst group.

In fact, it is difficult for Harry to have a good impression of the Ministry of Magic. I have to say that this is definitely due to Fudge and Umbridge.

In Hogwarts, the name Pink Toad is no joke. One can only imagine how powerful Umbridge is...

Annoying?

And Fudge, Harry will never forget Fudge's transformation. It's hard to say who could be happy after being suspected for a whole year and then being described as a madman in the newspapers.

And this sentiment has naturally extended to the current Ministry of Magic. In essence, it is just a policy change, but in reality, what is the face of the Ministry of Magic...

"...I think Dumbledore has discussed these matters with you, right?" Scrimgeour asked directly without saying much.

This made Harry feel very complicated. He had to admit that Scrimgeour was a militant, so naturally, he could be divided into their camp. But in fact, Harry did not agree with many of Scrimgeour's methods. Dumbledore, Scrimgeour and Dumbledore had ideological disagreements over the resolution of many things.

It's not just Hogwarts, it's everywhere now, especially with the Order of the Phoenix.

A recognized political power cannot tolerate an uncontrolled and powerful fighting organization. In fact, Harry never thought that the Minister of Magic would not know about the Order of the Phoenix.

Fan Lin told Harry that there can only always be one between the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic. Facing the threat of Voldemort, they may still be able to coexist, but in fact...

Harry weighed carefully whether he should lie or not.

He saw the small footprints left by the gnome around the flower bed and a torn piece of cloth on the ground where Fred had caught the gnome, which was now hanging on the Christmas tree in a tutu.

Finally, he decided to tell the truth...or part of the truth.

"Yes, we discussed it," Harry said hesitantly.

"Talked, talked..." said Scrimgeour. Harry saw Scrimgeour squinting at him out of the corner of his eye, and he pretended to be interested in a goblin holding a bag out from under a frozen rhododendron.

"So what did Dumbledore tell you, Harry?"

"I'm sorry, it's between him and me," Harry said. He tried to make his voice as kind as possible, and Scrimgeour's tone was light and friendly when he spoke again, "Oh, of course, if this involves credibility issues, then you don't have to divulge the secret... No, no... But No matter what, does it really matter whether you are Mr. Right or not?”

In fact, Harry hates this title, what the right person, the chosen one... the savior...

For Harry, this was definitely not recognition. He had heard of the prophecy and also knew that it was Voldemort's choice. In fact, his current situation had nothing to do with him.

Harry thought carefully for a few seconds before answering.

"I don't know what you mean, Minister."

"Well, of course, that will be very important to you," said Scrimgeour, laughing. "But for wizarding society as a whole... it's just a feeling, isn't it? It's people who believe that's important."

Harry said nothing. He thought he had an inkling of the purpose of their conversation, but he was not prepared to help Scrimgeour achieve it.

The gnome under the rhododendron was digging for worms at the base of the flower, and Harry stared at it.

"You know, people believe you're the one," Scrimgeour said.

"They think you must be the hero - and of course Harry, you are a hero whether you are Mr Right or not! How many times have you faced He Who Must Not Be Named so far? Anyway, He continued without waiting for Harry to answer, "The point is, you are a symbol of hope to many people, Harry. People hope that there is someone who can, or is even destined to, destroy the devil who must not even be named." - Well, naturally that can inspire people and I can't help but feel that once you realize that, you see it as, well, almost your obligation to stand with the Ministry and inspire all of them. ”

The goblin just managed to catch a bug. Now I'm trying to drag it out of the frozen ground.

Harry was silent for a long time. He was really not interested in Scrimgeour's words. To be precise, he was even a little disgusted.

What others think?

Sorry, maybe I haven't been this great for a long time.

Now it's just that Voldemort is Harry's enemy, and no one has the power to win this war with one strike. This doesn't matter to other people. To be precise, Harry doesn't want to think about other people at all.

Harry just wanted to survive, but Voldemort kept looking for trouble.

Scrimgeour looked from Harry to the goblin and said, "Interesting little fellow, aren't you? But what was it you were trying to say, Harry?"

"I'm not entirely sure what you want," Harry said slowly. "'Side with the Ministry of Magic'... what does that mean?"

"Well, well, there's no burden at all, I assure you," said Scrimgeour. "For example, if you go in and out of the Ministry of Magic from time to time, you can create a positive impression. Of course, while you are there, you will have ample opportunities to come into contact with my successor, Gawain Robards. He is the current head of the Auror Office. Dolores Umbridge told me that you hope to become an Auror in the future. Well, that can be easily arranged-"

Harry felt anger boiling deep in his stomach: So Umbridge is still at the Ministry, right?

This is definitely not something that can be tolerated. In fact, Umbridge should not have been taken out of the Forbidden Forest by Dumbledore.

"So basically," Harry said, making it sound like he was trying to sort out a few facts, "you want to give people the impression that I work for the Ministry of Magic?"

"Everyone would be delighted if they thought you were more involved in our work, Harry," Scrimgeour sounded relieved to see Harry catch on so quickly.

"'Mr. Right,' you know... it's all about giving people hope, making them feel like something exciting is happening..."

"But if I'm in and out of the Ministry of Magic all the time," Harry said, still trying to keep his tone friendly, "then wouldn't it look like I agree with all the Ministry's decisions?"

This is really unacceptable, especially when working with the Ministry of Magic.

"Well," Scrimgeour frowned, "well, yes, that's part of what we want you to-"

"Perhaps you have found the wrong person." Harry said, "In fact, it is useless for you to come to me. Maybe you can persuade Dumbledore or Fanlin, whichever one can give the Ministry of Magic help." They are all much bigger than me.”

"You think so?" Scrimgeour looked at Harry strangely, "I can understand Dumbledore, but that Fanlin is probably just..."

"A shrewd brat," Harry said. "Maybe Ms. Umbridge still hates him, but in fact, there may be some things you don't know too well, Minister Scrimgeour."

"I'm not sure? What is it?" Scrimgeour asked in confusion. Apart from a brief contact with Fan Lin at the Quidditch World Cup, it can be said that Scrimgeour had no impression of Fan Lin.

All the attention of the Ministry of Magic is now on Harry and Dumbledore. As for Fan Lin, Hermione or Neville, who cares?

"That is, a person who can hurt Voldemort and save me from Death Eaters several times."

"Harm Voldemort?" Scrimgeour said. "Is that true?"

"As you can see, I think that I am able to stand here and talk to you, and I really want to thank my good friend." Harry said, looking at Scrimgeour with burning eyes.

"So, he will agree..."

"His maternal grandparents were also Ministers of Magic. They were in the East. I think that's what you're more interested in, isn't it?"

"So, where is he? I don't see him in there..." Scrimgeour said.

"However, I advise you, Secretary Scrimgeour, I hope you can recognize some facts."

"What facts? Would you or your friends agree..."

"No, I don't think that will work, and I'm sure Fanlin won't agree either. He's a very creative person." Harry said happily. "You see, I don't like some of the things the Ministry of Magic is doing right now. For example, arresting Stan Sompak."

Scrimgeour was silent for a moment, but his expression hardened.

"I don't expect you or anyone else to understand," he could no longer hide the anger in his voice like Harry could. "These are dangerous times and certain measures must be taken. You are only sixteen-"

"Dumbledore is much more than sixteen, and he doesn't think Stan should be in Azkaban," Harry shot back immediately. "You are using Stan as a scapegoat, which is a meaningless thing in itself, just like trying to use me as your mascot!"

They looked at each other long and hard. Finally Scrimgeour stopped pretending to be friendly and said, "I understand. Do you prefer - like your hero Dumbledore - to be separate from the magical part?"

"I don't want to be taken advantage of," Harry said.

"Some would say it's your responsibility to be taken advantage of by the Ministry of Magic!"

"Yeah, but other people would say it's your responsibility to check if people are real Death Eaters before throwing them in jail!" Harry said angrily. "You're going the way of Barty Crouch. You guys have always been a mess, haven't you? When Fudge was around, people were being murdered under his nose, and he still had to whitewash it. , and while you were here, you threw innocent people into prison and pretended that you had someone who was destined to work for you!"

"So you're not Mr. Right?" said Scrimgeour. "I remember you said that it's not important anyway, right?"

Harry smiled bitterly, "It's not important to you, anyway..."

"I shouldn't have said that," Scrimgeour said presently. "Something is wrong-"

"No, that's true," Harry said. "The only true thing you said to me! You don't care about my life or death. What you care about is that I can make people believe that you will win the war with Voldemort. I have not forgotten, Minister..." He raised his right fist, cold The scar Umbridge forced him to carve on the back of his hand was a little white, and it read: I cannot lie.

"I don't remember you running out to defend me last year when I said Voldemort was back. The Ministry of Magic didn't seem so enthusiastic about forming an alliance with me last year." They stood there, as cold as the ground. The goblin had finally pulled out the worm and was leaning on the lowest branch of the rhododendron bush, happily sucking its meal.

"What does Dumbledore want?" Scrimgeour asked abruptly. "Where does he go when he's not in school?"

"Don't know," said Harry.

"You wouldn't tell me even if you knew," said Scrimgeour, "would you?"

"Yes, I won't."

"Okay, then, I want to see if I can't find out through other means."

"You might as well try," Harry said dryly. "But you look smarter than Fudge, and I thought you learned a lesson from Fudge. He tried to interfere with Hogwarts. You may have noticed that he is no longer the minister, but Dumbledore is still the headmaster. If If I were you, I would not interfere with Dumbledore. Moreover, I would like to advise you, this is what my good friends often say to me, recognize the reality, Minister..." Harry paused.

"The Ministry is not safe. In fact, Azkaban has been destroyed, hasn't it?"

There was a long silence.

"Well, it's obvious that he did a great job shaping you," Scrimgeour's eyes behind his metal-rimmed glasses looked cold and stern, "You are Dumbledore's from head to toe, aren't you, Potter?"

"No." Harry thought for a while, "I think I don't need to be anyone. You can say that I am who I am, an independent... wizard?"

"Really?" Scrimgeour asked seriously.

"Of course, I think Dumbledore would answer the same way." Harry said, "In fact, to me, Voldemort is just a bastard who is always looking for trouble, and it just so happens that this bastard is extremely powerful. Even if many people work together, they can't kill him, and for some coincidence... I don't know why, maybe it's luck, but the gap is obvious, so we have to come together, whether it's Dumbledore or... It's the Ministry of Magic."

"Of course, but you..." Scrimgeour opened his mouth, and then thought of the lazy job Fudge gave him. It was obvious that this was definitely a headache for everyone.

The magical world is far from as peaceful as in the Daily Prophet. To capture Death Eaters, the current power of Aurors is simply not enough. Moreover, the long-term decomposition and factional disputes...

Strictly speaking, Scrimgeour is a representative of a faction, just like the boy in front of him, who represents himself?

That's true, but no matter what, in the eyes of others, they are all labeled.

"So you're not going to help the Ministry?"

"Again, Minister, I don't think this is of much use. In fact, I'm still very happy. At least now, we don't have to hide it." Harry said, and then bowed to Scrimgeour. Bowed.

"Although I don't quite agree, I'm still glad to see you here, Mr. Minister. At least we are not enemies. Of course, we are not friends either." (To be continued)