How should I put it? Actually, Ian isn't too sure if it has anything to do with the Ministry of Magic's confidentiality. After all, the Prophet Daily, which has been republished, has had quite a few subtle differences from before.
The revamp doesn't really change much, though.
It's mainly about the direction of their reporting and the layout of those authoritative journalists' columns. Anyone with keen eyes can see the changes. Who knows what actions Grindelwald's Saints might have taken.
"Don't forget what my family does for a living." William's expression instantly became proud when faced with Ian's inquiry, but his voice was noticeably lower than before.
"Most things happening in the Ministry of Magic, my family can get the news first. My grandfather had quite a few collectibles, all placed by my father in various corners of the Ministry of Magic."
What a chilling sentence.
Michael's eyes had widened.
Ian's imagination was like a runaway horse.
"Could it be that the wizards in the Ministry of Magic have no awareness at all?" Ian didn't believe that the people in the Ministry of Magic were truly just bunglers and wouldn't apply various security measures to their offices.
"It's been like this for so many years, those tricks... they're all avoidable. The great Grindelwald himself wrote a handbook for dealing with these issues."
Oh, boy.
William's words left Ian in awe. Turns out Grindelwald wasn't just recently enamored with writing, and choosing the identity of Gilderoy Lockhart might have something to do with a personal quirk.
Only this Old Deng loved to write things; even when young, his writings were quite unorthodox. Ian felt weary just thinking about the book Aurora showed him, "Human Weakness: Prince's Secret."
"Your family is truly... filled with talent."
Ian sincerely gave William a thumbs up. If their reserves were all such loyal, outstanding spy talents, it's no wonder Grindelwald's team back then had so many remarkable wizards.
"I will definitely be more impressive than my father and grandfather. I've even dreamt of you taking me to wreak havoc. In my dream, I became your capable assistant."
William proudly puffed out his chest.
He seemed to be just expressing his wishful thinking from a dream.
However.
Perhaps only Ian understood that William's ability to assist was indeed commendable.
"..."
Ian didn't know how to respond to William's words because William's dream was something that had happened in the loop, and evidently, this roommate was one of those affected by the mysterious forces.
"Why am I not in your dream? What about me?" Michael looked distressed, feeling as though himself, and others hadn't received any information related to the time loop.
Ian had already conducted some detailed investigations and understood that not all little wizards could dream of segments from the time loop, nor did they know if this was related to the wizard's bloodline.
"Of course you were there, it's just that you were off capturing Rebecca and her little boyfriend, too busy to follow us to achieve great things!" William accidentally spilled some truth.
He thought it was a dream.
And so did Michael.
"No way! Absolutely no way! Rebecca's future boyfriend will only be me! She often smiles at me! The average number of times she smiles at me is seven times more than at others!" Michael steadfastly refuted William's dream, even producing statistical evidence.
Ian patted him on the shoulder.
Said nothing.
And walked towards the washroom.
While urinating in the toilet, he heard the conversation between William and Michael outside. It was apparent that William was probably more perceptive than Ian on certain aspects.
"Being open is friendship; being careful is love, my friend, you will come to understand this." William intentionally pinched his voice while speaking heartfelt words.
He was mimicking the tone he had used after using the Aging Potion.
Children will always be children.
...
Time flows like water.
The more you care, the faster it slips away.
The time after the start of the school year becomes fuller for little wizards who love learning; however, the increasingly tight schedule still left quite a few little wizards feeling a little out of place.
Especially the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class.
Only a minority of students could stand steadily without trembling through to the end of the class and remain mentally sound. Grindelwald always seemed to find ways to torment little wizards in various innovative ways.
Not much physical harm.
But a colossal mental shock.
Ian believed.
If Grindelwald could complete the seven-year Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum, the batch of Hogwarts students graduating in the future would certainly become graduates unfazed by significant events.
"In some respects, Grindelwald's teaching methods indeed cultivate excellent talent." Ian could understand Grindelwald's teaching style.
He was just puzzled why Albus Dumbledore was so indulgent towards Grindelwald.
Not only parents of students but even several professors had complained to him about Grindelwald's extreme teaching, yet Albus Dumbledore merely placated those individuals' emotions.
He made no corrections to Grindelwald's teaching methods. Ian once sensed a hint of emotion from Albus Dumbledore during a dinner.
It's hard to describe.
It's a rather complex feeling. There's worry, fatigue, self-blame, but most of all, a sense of decisiveness... it's hard to speculate why this old headmaster would have such an emotional outburst.