Argus did want to use recent events to damage Dumbledore's reputation, but he didn't expect things to escalate to this extent!
It was common knowledge that Dumbledore's actions had alienated people.
But to say he was suspended or even removed from his position as principal was far from enough!
Once the position of headmaster was suspended, most people's previous dissatisfaction with Dumbledore would immediately vanish.
They might even feel indignant on Dumbledore's behalf when they recalled his contributions to Hogwarts over the years!
His mistakes would never be mentioned again!
This was extremely detrimental to Argus's subsequent actions!
He glanced at Lucius and sighed softly.
What was done was done; there was no going back.
Instead of complaining here, he should think of ways to salvage the situation.
"Mr. Malfoy, you acted too hastily in this matter."
"Hasty?" Lucius asked, puzzled.
"That's right. Dumbledore can leave the school, but he must leave amidst the scorn of students and parents, not by having the board of trustees forcibly expel him."
"I think you can understand the difference."
"Furthermore, his position cannot be shaken by one or two misdeeds. Your actions will only arouse the sympathy of students and parents for Dumbledore."
"These matters will probably be put on hold for now."
Lucius's expression changed several times.
The Board of Governors had long coveted control over Hogwarts, and he had only thought that Dumbledore's dereliction of duty this time could be used to his advantage in collusion with the Ministry of Magic.
They had taken the opportunity to drag Dumbledore into the mess.
However, they had overlooked the thoughts of other commoner wizards!
Even if Dumbledore made mistakes, he still had defeated two Dark Lords and made great contributions to the wizarding world.
He enjoyed a prestige among commoner wizards that was difficult for ordinary people to attain.
By doing this, he had made things worse.
Seeing Lucius's expression gradually darken, Argus said nothing more.
He reassured him, "Let's drop this matter and I'll handle the rest."
"You guys go through the motions of investigating for the next few days, and then release a statement saying that Dumbledore is coming back."
"That's all we can do."
Lucius was no longer the high-spirited man he had been when he arrived; as he left, his back revealed utter dejection.
...
Argus had finished his morning classes and had been planning to drag Draco to the library.
Now that this had happened, he had lost all desire to go to the library.
Instead, they walked toward the headmaster's office.
He didn't know how long it would take Dumbledore to figure this out, and while Dumbledore might not realize it yet, he might be able to gain some advantage.
He arrived at the headmaster's office on the eighth floor.
He suddenly realized that he didn't seem to know the password for that day.
Left with no other choice, he pulled out a recent inventory list from Twilfitt and Tatting's from his pocket.
He started reading from the beginning, one by one.
"Lemon Drop!"
"Cockroach Clusters!"
"Sherbet Lemon!"
"Toffee finger candies!"
"..."
After reciting the items about a dozen times, the stone gargoyle at the entrance finally opened.
But it was completely empty inside; not a single soul could be seen.
"We're already a step too late?"
"Dumbledore, that old man, moves way too fast!"
Argus made a couple of sarcastic remarks and was about to leave.
Upon seeing a group of portraits of the former headmasters hanging on the wall, he turned and bowed.
He politely inquired, "Good morning, headmasters. May I ask where Headmaster Dumbledore is?"
"Little wizard, you're too late. He's not the headmaster anymore. You should go to your head of house to resolve this!"
An old man with a goatee answered nonchalantly.
"Don't listen to his nonsense, child. Wait here for a moment. He should be back soon."
A kind old lady smiled and gestured for Argus to sit down.
No sooner had she finished speaking than a flame flashed in the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore appeared in front of the headmaster's desk.
Upon seeing Argus, surprise flashed in his eyes.
Clearly, he hadn't expected him to come.
"Mr. Grindelwald? I don't recall giving you the password for today?"
Argus pulled out the Twilfitt and Tatting's order form from his pocket and flicked it.
"Just read them one by one. Anyway, we can't go anywhere else."
Dumbledore didn't mind and smiled as he shook his head. "Looks like I'll have to use a more complicated password next time."
"What is it you need from me?"
"Professor Dumbledore, I heard about what just happened from Mr. Malfoy."
Argus got straight to the point, taking a few pieces of Sherbet Lemon from his pocket and placing them on the table.
Dumbledore frowned slightly, then reached out and put a piece of Sherbet Lemon into his mouth.
His expression gradually relaxed.
"Mr. Grindelwald, your task now is to study hard."
"Don't worry. Even if I weren't the headmaster of Hogwarts, the heads of house would be able to manage the school well."
"But what if I could help you get back the headmaster's position?"
One sentence instantly caught Dumbledore's attention.
He had just visited several old friends, but the answers he had received were all similar.
This kind of thing took time to work out!
No one knew how long it would take!
Maybe a week, maybe a month, maybe half a year!
He could accept a week, but if he had to wait half a year, by the time he came back, it would be too late!
Harry might go completely awry!
Dumbledore's gaze sharpened as he looked at Argus's calm eyes.
He had come to negotiate terms as soon as he was suspended from his post.
Could it be that...
Argus guessed what Dumbledore was thinking and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Does Headmaster Dumbledore think I orchestrated the whole thing?"
"The Ministry of Magic and the Board of Governors are not something a young wizard like me, who is still in school, can mobilize."
That was true!
Dumbledore's expression gradually softened.
He was well aware of the situation with the Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic. If Argus really had the power to mobilize those two departments, the Acolytes would have long been the uncrowned kings of the British wizarding world.
Did they really need to rely on themselves to resist those pure-blood families?
His aged eyes stared directly at Argus.
He spoke slowly. "What do you need me to do?"
"It's very simple: Hogwarts' exclusive supply chain and proof."
"Proof?"
"Proof that the products and raw materials of the Acolytes' Shop came from the Hogwarts Forbidden Forest."
What Argus really wanted was a seat in the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards.
But those two bargaining chips were too heavy for Dumbledore to agree to.
It would also alert him!
It would be better to openly and honestly obtain the products of the Forbidden Forest from Hogwarts.
This saved him from having to worry about Dumbledore forbidding Hagrid from selling.
Seeing Dumbledore hesitate, Argus decided to add fuel to the fire.
"You know, Harry's situation at school isn't very good. If no one is watching him, who knows what he'll become."
"Besides, they've caused such a huge mess this time!"
"Headmaster Dumbledore, you don't want Harry to be expelled from school either, do you?"
This statement completely shattered Dumbledore's defenses.
If he weren't the headmaster, given the mess Harry and Ron had made, expulsion wouldn't have been impossible!
He no longer had any bargaining power in this deal.
He sighed softly and nodded.
"Mr. Grindelwald, I hope you will keep your promise!"
Argus took a few steps back and bowed slightly.
"As you wish!"