The meeting lasted for a long time, until evening when everyone finally left the Hog's Head Pub with heavy steps.
The sky gradually turned into a kind of indigo color, and at this moment, only Kael and Dumbledore remained in the pub.
At this point, the owner, who had been wiping glasses behind the bar, finally spoke up. This was also the first time he had spoken today, "It's time for you to leave, Dumbledore."
"For a large sum of Galleons, Abeforth, can you let me stay a little longer?" Dumbledore said, his voice tinged with some fatigue.
Abeforth frowned, showing a look of disgust, but did not hurry him along.
"Does it seem strange?" Dumbledore said to Kael: "Yes, you didn't hear wrong, Abeforth, he's my..."
"Dumbledore!" An icy voice came, "If you continue, don't ever think about stepping into my pub again."
Dumbledore wisely shut his mouth and changed the topic, "Kael, do you know why I asked you to come?"
Kael looked at Dumbledore and then at the sullen-faced shopkeeper beside him.
He naturally knew their relationship.
...Abeforth Dumbledore, the toughest shopkeeper in Hogsmeade.
But since they didn't want to talk about it, he pretended not to know and followed Dumbledore's words, "To tell them the truth about Voldemort's revival?"
"That's only part of it." Dumbledore said calmly, without any expression on his face: "Those present today also included members of the Order of Phoenix, all trustworthy people. When the war breaks out, they will also resolutely stand with us.
"I think you should know who they are."
Kael frowned, sensing something was off about Dumbledore today.
Truth be told, Kael didn't really think this was necessary, since keeping in touch with them was Dumbledore's own responsibility.
Also, Dumbledore suddenly mentioning Abeforth's name felt rather strange, as if he was deliberately revealing their relationship.
And not far away, Abeforth also noticed this point, he couldn't help but put down the glass in his hand and asked in a tone full of disgust:
"What are you planning now."
"No, nothing." Dumbledore denied, "For the time being, I have no plans."
"Really?" Abeforth sneered, clearly unconvinced, "I thought you could control everything, ha, the great Dumbledore."
"You don't understand." Dumbledore's tone slightly rose, "In fact, I'm not as perfect as you think, and I've only recently discovered this. Sometimes, this child has more insightful thoughts than I do."
"So I think it's necessary for him to know, that's all."
Abeforth instinctively glanced at Kael. This was the first time he heard Dumbledore make such high praise of someone.
However, he didn't say anything.
Anyway, none of this concerned him; at most he was just providing a venue, and even that for a fee.
"Well, let's tally up the fees." Abeforth showed an official attitude, "Your people ordered twelve bottles of cherry soda, eighteen bottles of pumpkin juice, nine pints of Butter Beer, and various other things, let's make it five hundred Galleons, pay up."
Kael's mouth twitched.
Good grief, five hundred Galleons? How did he calculate that? If it were at the Three Broomsticks, all those drinks combined would be at most fifty Galleons.
How did it suddenly multiply by ten times here? This is outrageous, even more than Fred and George.
The items they sold to Ron were only marked up to twice the price.
"Oh, very well." Dumbledore didn't even think twice and directly placed a bag of Gold Coins on the counter.
Abeforth took the money, his expression finally improving a bit, returning to being the previously silent shopkeeper, ignoring Dumbledore's nearby chattering.
Kael watched them, especially Dumbledore, who seemed to have become a chatterbox, and felt he wasn't being truthful.
He suddenly thought of something.
The Time Turner... Has Nicolas Flamel completed the Philosopher's Stone, or is it near completion?
Thinking of this, Kael couldn't help but frown... The Time Turner undoubtedly holds great allure for Dumbledore, but it's extremely dangerous for the user.
Could he be planning to use it now?
The more Kael thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, but just then, Dumbledore happened to come over.
"Alright, we should head back." He said, "What are you thinking?"
"Oh, not much." Kael quickly shook his head and casually found an excuse, "I just felt that during the meeting, everyone seemed to overlook a very important point."
"What is it, tell me." Dumbledore stopped and asked.
Although this was his plan, prepared over a month, he still valued Kael's opinion greatly.
"Ministry of Magic." Kael said, "It seems everyone overlooked it."
"The Ministry of Magic?" Dumbledore repeated softly.
"Yes." Kael said, "We and Fudge have torn our faces completely, and he's been crazily slandering anyone who believes in Voldemort's revival, especially you, Professor..."
"Ah, yes." Dumbledore nodded, admitting, "I did have a heated argument with him."
"That's the whole problem." Kael continued, "If left unchecked, the Ministry of Magic could hinder us. We can't battle Voldemort on one front and face difficulties with the Ministry on the other, it's a waste of time."
Dumbledore paused silently for a moment, then said: "I'll handle it. I plan to have a talk with Cornelius."
"With all due respect, Professor." Kael said bluntly:
"Fudge was initially worried about threats to his position, so that's why he constantly visited Hogwarts to muster more support.
"But things aren't the same as they were two years ago. Especially since Barty Crouch was reassigned to the insignificant Magic Transportation Department, no one can threaten his position anymore.
"So, if you still plan to deal with Fudge like before, you might be disappointed."
"Ha..." Not far away, Abeforth let out a mocking laugh, "Such a simple thing, and the great Dumbledore still needs a child to remind him."
But Dumbledore ignored him, just looked at Kael and asked, "Tell me your thoughts."
"It's simple, Fudge's attitude is crucial." Kael shrugged, "If he's willing to listen, great, even if only to not cause us trouble. If not... I think replacing the Minister wouldn't hurt."
"No..." Dumbledore blurted, "Suddenly replacing the Minister might cause unnecessary panic, exactly what Voldemort wants, we can't do that."
"But it's better than having him constantly causing trouble behind us." Kael continued, "We're in front preparing to fight the Death Eaters, while the Ministry should be backing us, but instead they're undermining us and encouraging more people to slander us, that's truly what Voldemort wants."
"No, it's still not feasible." Dumbledore insisted, "I know it was certain recent events that gave you this thought, but no matter how Fudge is, he's still the Minister of Magic; he must remain.
"If we did do it just to convenience ourselves by removing Fudge, then how different are we from Voldemort's Death Eaters."
"Stubborn fool." Abeforth added another mocking remark, sounding even more disdainful, "It seems you're old, your mind isn't even clearer than a child's."
Yet Dumbledore continued to disregard him, only looking at Kael intently.
"Promise me, don't entertain this idea anymore."
"Hmm, alright." Kael said indifferently, "Actually, not replacing the Minister isn't impossible, I have another method that might change Fudge's stance."
"How?" Dumbledore asked with keen interest.
"Before that, I must point out." Kael said, "This approach might mildly affect your reputation, Professor, I still recommend replacing the Minister."
"No, it's alright." Dumbledore insisted, "Go ahead, as long as you're not thinking of removing Fudge, I'll fully support you."
"Alright then." Kael looked up at him, speaking each word clearly, "Compete for the position of Minister, Professor."
"What?" Dumbledore was momentarily confused.
"Of course, not genuinely becoming Minister of Magic." Kael said, "Just pretend, give the outside a little signal."