54 Chapter 54: Temporary Suppression, News of the Coming Darkness
Dumbledore's eyes scanned the scene, the gray eyes beneath his spectacles seeming to peer into people's souls. What unfolded today was not what Dumbledore had anticipated.
Dumbledore was eager to uncover who was involved in this scheme.
Confronted with the penetrating gaze of the venerable headmaster, Cole was careful not to betray any hint of his involvement.
Like the noble wizards surrounding him, Cole's expression brimmed with indignation, as if he too were a victim.
In addition to Cole's confidence in his acting abilities, he also possessed advanced Occlumency skills. His proficiency had only deepened over the years.
Of course, Dumbledore wouldn't resort to using Legilimency to pry into everyone's minds on such an occasion.
Cole knew that the esteemed headmaster always exercised restraint. Without this belief, he wouldn't have engaged in a duel with his former lover at the behest of the International Ministry of Magic.
Dumbledore was undoubtedly the foremost master of Legilimency.
But were any of the wizards present simpletons? Not all pure-blood nobles were mere parasites.
Dumbledore spoke slowly, "Everyone, now that an incident has occurred, we must find a resolution."
"As the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I will petition the International Ministry of Magic tomorrow to compel Gringotts Headquarters to compensate you for your losses."
After Dumbledore finished speaking, the heads of the various families present voiced no objections.
They exchanged glances before falling into silence.
The tense atmosphere between the wizards and the goblins from earlier gradually dissipated.
Cole mused to himself, "As expected of Dumbledore, has the old headmaster skillfully wielded his reputation? A single sentence seems to have temporarily quelled the conflict between pure-blood nobles and goblins."
Of course, if the goblins of Gringotts agreed to compensate the wizards for their losses, half the battle would be won.
But even so, the goblins had irrevocably lost the trust of the wizards. No wizarding family would securely deposit Galleons in the compromised Gringotts.
If the family vaults weren't secure, their purpose would be nullified.
Yet what startled Cole was the absence of any rebuttal from the goblins to Dumbledore's proposition.
One must understand the difficulty in wresting Galleons from the grasp of these covetous creatures.
It was akin to wresting a treasure from a dragon's hoard.
The vast sum of gold Galleons lost by various families still remained in Cole's possession. He understood the enormity of the amount, but for the time being, he had no intention of accessing it.
He had no desire to expose himself and jeopardize the Black family.
Consequently, the goblins would have to relinquish their own gold Galleons as compensation.
However, Cole also recognized that for centuries, goblins had controlled the economic lifeline of the wizarding world. Though the wizarding world didn't operate on loans, goblins weren't averse to accumulating wealth.
Their primary function was to safeguard the properties of wizards, albeit for a nominal fee charged annually, ensuring goblins weren't without wealth.
In a fleeting moment of contemplation, Cole remarked, "Since the headmaster has spoken, we can rest assured."
"Principal Dumbledore, you'd do well to inspect the vaults. The thieves have been audacious, leaving the family coffers completely empty. Not a single gold Galleon remains."
"What a blasted audacious thief, Merlin preserve us! I've never seen a thief so brazen," Cole exclaimed, his frustration evident.
Upon Cole's conclusion, Dumbledore nodded and followed the goblin down into the depths of the cavern.
Dumbledore was intrigued. Logically, Voldemort couldn't have orchestrated this with his diminished power. Could he have had assistance?
Indeed, Dumbledore was aware of Voldemort's possession of Quirrell, hence his appointment as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year.
Although Quirrell wasn't a Gryffindor alumnus, Dumbledore held him in high regard.
Ravenclaw students consistently excelled academically and were known for their humility and amiability.
Upon his return, Quirrell's demeanor had changed drastically. He claimed to have been cursed while exploring ruins.
Not only had he become timid, but he also stuttered when speaking.
While others remained oblivious, Dumbledore discerned the truth.
Nevertheless, Dumbledore didn't intend to intervene personally. Knowing Tom's nature, Dumbledore realized that any action taken now would merely postpone his resurrection temporarily.
Over a decade ago, Dumbledore had meticulously planned for this eventuality. Aside from himself, no one could predict with certainty the Dark Lord's impending resurgence and the subsequent upheaval it would bring.
Though the Black family had flourished and expanded rapidly in recent years, all other aspects unfolded according to Dumbledore's expectations.
Dumbledore glanced toward Cole; their eyes met briefly, devoid of any hostility.
For Dumbledore, Voldemort was the destabilizing factor.
Dumbledore turned away.
Observing Dumbledore's departure, Cole ruminated, "Principal, don't fault me for being presumptuous."
After Dumbledore left, Fudge lingered obediently in the corner, wary of drawing attention to himself lest he incur the wrath of the noble wizards.
Lucius and others convened to discuss their next steps with Cole.
Listening to Lucius and his cohorts' plans, Cole couldn't help but marvel at the extensive network of connections enjoyed by noble wizards.
Even within the International Ministry of Magic, their influence extended, and the intricate web of relationships among pure-blood nobility posed a headache for Fudge and his colleagues at the Ministry of Magic.
After hearing Lucius and the others' strategies, Cole remarked, "None of these divisions are fools."
When shared interests aligned, the unity among pure-blood nobles was formidable.
Cole had devised a series of maneuvers beforehand, but now, upon hearing Lucius and the others' proposals, he felt no need for further action.
Merely causing Fudge a headache was sufficient, potentially throwing the Ministry of Magic into disarray.
Events would naturally unfold favorably for the Black family. Having weathered more turbulent times in the past, the current state of stability was imperative for the Black family's continued prosperity.
Naturally, Cole had already envisioned the repercussions of such a significant upheaval.
Cole's involvement had been discreet, ensuring minimal attention would be drawn to him.
However, Principal Dumbledore, a seasoned chess player in his own right, would undoubtedly detect that something was amiss.
An external force had been introduced into the game board.
Dumbledore was shrewd and wouldn't allow events to spiral beyond his control. Cole would need to tread cautiously.
As for what lay ahead, Cole harbored no apprehensions.
Shortly thereafter, Dumbledore ascended from the cavern below.
What struck Cole was the absence of any trace of anger or agitation on Dumbledore's countenance.
It was as though the theft of the family vaults were but a trifling matter to Dumbledore.
As one of the preeminent wizards in the British wizarding world, acquiring wealth would pose no challenge if Dumbledore were so inclined.
Dumbledore's apparent equanimity prompted Cole to exercise even greater caution.
Even if circumstances didn't unfold as planned, Dumbledore's demeanor remained unaffected.
Cole mused to himself, "Indeed, the renowned White Wizard."
Not only did he manipulate others, but he was also an integral part of the grand design.
"Everyone, that concludes our proceedings for today. The wizarding world requires stability, and I implore all families to maintain calmness. I must caution you, however, that a new darkness is steadily emerging."
Dumbledore's words carried a weighty significance, discernible only to those present, who were no ordinary individuals. Among pure-blood wizards, sources of information were more abundant than ordinary wizards imagined.
Over the years, rumors had circulated within the British wizarding community foretelling the Dark Lord's imminent resurrection.
While many wizards dismissed such rumors as mere jests, those hailing from pure-blood families understood the gravity of the situation.
The Dark Lord's sudden demise years ago had been too abrupt. The infamous Dark Lord fell at the hands of a mere child.
The collapse of the Death Eaters, who had once terrorized the British wizarding world, was swift, owing to their loss of Voldemort's leadership.
After all, pure-blood nobles had aligned themselves with Voldemort out of fear and for the preservation of pure-blood interests.
In the crowd, Lucius' countenance abruptly changed as he tightened his grip on his cane.
How could he remain oblivious when others remained unaware? In his heyday, Lucius had been considered a rare talent among the Death Eaters, the most loyal servant of the Dark Lord.
Despite using his family connections to evade trial under the pretext of being under the Imperius Curse, the Dark Lord's mark branded on his arm served as a constant reminder to Lucius that the matter was far from resolved.
Lucius felt a creeping sense of dread. In this moment, his concerns were no longer focused on the family vaults.
The darkness alluded to by Dumbledore seemed to engulf Lucius.
Numerous noble wizards behind him began to wear grim expressions, yet on this occasion, none dared to voice their doubts.
