Terrorists Teaching Counterterrorism Techniques Made Perfect Sense

Lucius Malfoy: Slander! This was slander! They were slandering him!

But thinking about what was in his memories, Lucius was genuinely afraid. If Dumbledore obtained that intelligence from his mind, Voldemort would probably reward him with a few Cruciatus Curses while urgently relocating his base.

Thus, Lucius found himself torn between leaving now and disgracing the Malfoy family in public, or staying and suffering Voldemort’s Cruciatus Curse afterward.

In any case, since everyone had ostensibly agreed, the headmaster agreed to make an appearance so they could better discuss the children’s future studies and school life.

Several governors whose own hearts truly could not stand the light, and whose children were not currently school-age, smiled and applauded to welcome the headmaster while viciously cursing Lucius Malfoy in their hearts.

Who had they provoked?

As for why they were only cursing Lucius Malfoy, it was not that the governors were not angry enough. It was just that, given the ties between their families, going back a few generations would implicate their own households, so they could only curse him.

The flames atop the headmaster’s seat burned ever brighter, finally gathering into the figure of an old man dressed in immaculate white save for his skin. What left the deepest impression on everyone was his eyes.

What kind of eyes were those?

Deep, bright, and full of wisdom, they made one feel that their soul and memories held no secrets before him, yet somehow did not make one feel violated.

Because those eyes, which saw everything, were filled with tolerance and kindness, as though everything good and bad about a person could be understood and forgiven.

"My God, he should be the Pope in the Vatican!"

A Muggle priest from a remote town gasped softly.

"Sorry, I’m not interested in those children."

Adam smiled at him.

The priest immediately sucked in a sharp breath, hurriedly casting aside the thoughts spawned by the word Pope, and made the sign of the cross over his chest.

Originally, he had not believed in any of this. To him, being a priest was merely a profession—until his daughter received a letter from Hogwarts at the age of eleven…

At first, he had been so angry he laughed. Scammers had actually come to scam a priest? What was that if not showing off before an expert?

In the end, Professor McGonagall’s visit made him realize that the world really was that magical, so perhaps Jesus and the like were worth believing in after all?

Without continuing to pay attention to the priest trying to use memories of the past to conceal his current thoughts, Adam smiled and looked around. Almost every parent avoided meeting Adam’s gaze, but Bernard’s mother was one of the few who could still look him in the eye.

As expected of a top lawyer. Her mental fortitude was no joke.

"We have met now, Mr. Malfoy."

Adam nodded at Lucius. Lucius stared at the tips of his shoes and slowly sat back down.

As long as he did not make eye contact, it should be…

"Rest assured, Mr. Malfoy. I have no interest in the struggle between Dumbledore and Voldemort. I only care about the children still in this school… They are still young. They have not even properly experienced the beauty of this world. No war should involve them. Don’t you agree?"

The first half of Adam’s words made Lucius feel as though he were sitting on pins and needles, but the latter half… he loved his son too, and he also knew Voldemort’s temperament well.

Betting on the other side was suicide, but Lucius did not feel secure betting on Voldemort either. So… if Hogwarts truly had the ability to remain neutral, that would not be a bad thing for him.

By the time Draco graduated, Voldemort and Dumbledore should have decided the victor one way or another.

Lucius raised his head.

"Of course, Headmaster."

At that moment, Lucius genuinely hoped the old man before him was not Dumbledore in disguise.

Adam gave Lucius a gentle smile, then turned to face forward.

"To continue my introduction, I am Hogwarts’ new headmaster, Olorin Gandalf."

"Given the current situation in the Wizarding World, Dumbledore feared that Hogwarts would be caught up in the conflict between himself and Voldemort. I believe no one wishes to see that. No matter which side they are on, no one wants their child placed in danger."

"Therefore, as I said earlier, I have taken over as headmaster from Dumbledore for Hogwarts’ safety—I promise that during my tenure, Hogwarts will not be affected by any war. Please trust in my abilities."

Adam still maintained the demeanor of a kind old man, but no one doubted his strength.

Either he was another identity of Dumbledore himself, or he was a helper Dumbledore had found. The former’s strength needed no questioning, while if Dumbledore trusted the latter to protect Hogwarts, his strength was equally beyond dispute.

"At the same time, I hope that no one will force matters unrelated to learning outside the school onto the children."

Adam’s gaze passed evenly over every parent, though it lingered briefly on the parents from both sides of the war.

"I know that perhaps there will be times when you have no choice. When that time comes, Hogwarts can offer you assistance. Under the current reforms, Hogwarts is recruiting more staff."

Adam’s mention of assistance did not draw much attention. After all, nothing had happened yet, which was normal. The reforms mentioned afterward, however, interested the parents more.

"Speaking of reforms, one of the fundamental reasons you parents came here should be Hogwarts’ current Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

Looking at the wizarding parents sitting up straight below, as well as the Muggle parents who were still somewhat unclear about the situation, Adam began introducing Professor Grindelwald’s credentials.

A Durmstrang dropout, a revolutionary, a Dark wizard, someone who had once launched a worldwide wizarding war…

Grindelwald: The first title was really unnecessary…

"So… one of my child’s professors is a terrorist?"

A Muggle parent could not help asking after interpreting it according to his own worldview.

"Yes, precisely. And one of the world’s most notorious terrorists at that. If the previous headmaster had not defeated him, the world order would probably look very different now."

Adam nodded at him, then added,

"But likewise, you can understand this course as counterterrorism techniques. Therefore, Professor Grindelwald’s capabilities in this area are also among the best in the world. Given the current external environment, I believe hiring Professor Grindelwald is very suitable for the children."

The parent fell silent. Terrorists teaching counterterrorism techniques made perfect sense.

According to Professor Gandalf, Britain appeared peaceful now, but was actually already in a state of war. It was not something they could avoid simply by not attending school, unless they emigrated outright.

Not everyone had the means or qualifications to emigrate. Otherwise, war would not be so terrifying.

"Then, Professor Gandalf, can you guarantee the students’ safety while Professor Grindelwald is employed here?"

It was still Bernard’s mother who spoke. After several remarks, she was a Muggle, yet she had already vaguely taken on the bearing of a parent representative.

"Of course, Mrs. Lancelot…"

Adam looked at Bernard’s mother, his expression unreadable.

"In fact, Professor Grindelwald is now one of the students’ most popular professors. Your son in particular has an excellent relationship with Professor Grindelwald, and his learning progress has been incredibly fast…"

Bernard had already learned the Fire Shield Charm, and he was even researching the White Phosphorus Incantation with Grindelwald now. In Adam’s estimation, they would probably produce a prototype before Christmas break.

So, Mrs. Lancelot, when you gave birth to Bernard, just what strange areas did you put all his talent points into?