Before Dana stood a revolutionary who had nearly overturned the wizarding world, a renowned dark witch, the former right hand of Gellert Grindelwald, and a key figure in the Wizengamot Party—
Vinda Rosier.
"Dentis? You, someone who doesn't speak French, yet you carry a French surname—
Let me guess, you borrowed the name Edmond Dentis from Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo, didn't you?
So, you're an avenger?"
—Indeed, the Black Rose of France, Grindelwald's right hand.
Dana didn't bother to refute her assumption and simply admitted, "That's right. I am an avenger."
"I'm sorry, young man, but I'm not interested in your revenge. Although I don't know how you found me, I'm afraid I can't help you."
How did he find this place? Mr. Borgin had bought the information from the British Rosier family.
"Madam, although my purpose is revenge, I believe the things I want to accomplish may interest you."
Vinda Rosier glanced at Dana again, maintaining her composed posture.
"Tell me, then."
"I want to subvert the British Ministry of Magic."
Vinda laughed softly. "Young people are so full of energy. But I have no interest in toppling a country's Ministry of Magic. Besides, what could an old woman like me, who is on the verge of death, do to help you?"
Dana had anticipated Rosier's refusal. He remained calm as he asked, "Madam, why do you think Mr. Grindelwald failed?"
Vinda had not expected this question.
Why had Gellert Grindelwald failed?
Newt Scamander? Albus Dumbledore? Nicolas Flamel?
No, those weren't the reasons.
Vinda placed the book in her hand on the table and asked in return, "Tell me your thoughts."
Dana smiled. He knew Vinda Rosier was intrigued now.
"It was class. Gellert Grindelwald sought to overthrow the Statute of Secrecy, but he overlooked class struggle."
"Class struggle?"
"The Statute of Secrecy divides the wizarding world from the Muggle world. So, let me ask you, Madam—who are the ones who most desire for the Statute of Secrecy to remain, and who are the ones who wish for it to be abolished?"
Vinda Rosier pondered for a moment and shook her head.
Dana continued, "Ever since the establishment of the Statute of Secrecy, the wizarding world has had its own internal hierarchy. The greatest beneficiaries of this structure are the pure-blood families who sit at the top of the wizarding society—forgive my bluntness, but that includes your own family, Madam.
"If the Statute of Secrecy were abolished, the wizarding world would inevitably be impacted by the Muggle world. Pure-blood families would no longer hold absolute dominance—because right now, they can exploit the lower-class wizards, including Muggle-borns, half-bloods, and immigrant wizards.
"But if the Statute of Secrecy disappeared, these lower-class wizards could blend into the Muggle world, using magic to thrive in ways they were previously denied. At that point, who would still work for the pure-blood families?"
Dana allowed a moment for the old woman to digest this before continuing.
"Grindelwald wanted to eliminate the Statute of Secrecy, but who were his followers? I wasn't there during that era, so I can't claim he never tried to win over Muggle-borns and half-bloods—but Madam Rosier, you should know best. Weren't all of Grindelwald's core supporters from pure-blood families?
"Now, let's consider—perhaps you and others like you sincerely followed Mr. Grindelwald. But can you ensure your families would have followed you as well?
"A revolution led by those who stand to lose the most?
"Even without Dumbledore, even without Newt Scamander, you would have still failed! Without them, perhaps it would have been your own relatives who stopped you!
"Only by establishing a Ministry of Magic system where the lower-class wizards hold power can Grindelwald's dream of overturning the Statute of Secrecy be realized!
"Whether we coexist peacefully with Muggles or seek to rule them can be decided later. But before that, dismantling the foundation of wizarding society is the highest priority."
Vinda's gaze toward Dana had completely changed now.
"So, Mr. Dentis, you intend to gather the strength of Britain's lower-class wizards to overthrow its Ministry of Magic?"
"That's right. If I succeed, I can attempt the same in other parts of Europe. If that happens, Mr. Grindelwald will no longer need to imprison himself in Nurmengard—
"I have always believed that a revolutionary pioneer such as himself should not waste away in isolation."
Self-imprisonment.
Vinda noted that word.
She hadn't expected this young man to understand Grindelwald so well.
"Tell me, Mr. Dentis—what do you need from me?"
"I require the identity of a French wizard of Chinese descent. If possible, I'd prefer an ancient noble title."
Vinda stood up. Her aged face rapidly rejuvenated, gray hair turning into flowing black silk. She lifted her chin slightly, red lips parting just enough to speak:
"As you wish. For the Greater Good."
She turned to walk toward the house, then suddenly glanced back with a mischievous smile.
"But Mr. Dentis, if you intend to impersonate a French wizard, it would be wise to learn some French."
In the final days of the Christmas holidays, Harry found himself seeing Dana more frequently than before.
The only difference was that Dana always had a copy of Elementary French in his hands.
Amazing! Dana wasn't just studying spells, alchemy, herbology, potions, astronomy, and ancient runes—he was even learning French!
Harry suddenly felt that Hermione was much easier to be around. At least she didn't put this kind of pressure on him. Watching Dana like this, Harry felt like he was committing a crime by slacking off every day!
Thankfully, the holidays finally ended, and the other students returned to Hogwarts, easing Harry's anxiety. But with the return of friends, annoying people came back as well.
Draco Malfoy was speaking loudly at dinner, his voice carrying across the entire Great Hall.
"Do you know? A major figure from the East has arrived in the British wizarding world!"
"This gentleman's wealth is immeasurable! The moment he arrived in England, he started acquiring vast amounts of property!"
"How do I know? Because he's working with my father to purchase nearly thirty million Galleons' worth of assets! Our family alone has profited at least five million from it!"
"Incredible, isn't it? Unlike certain pure-blood families that don't even have one hundred Galleons to their name!"
"This gentleman was born in China but is of French descent. Apparently, he has inherited his ancestors' noble title in France—either a Count or a Viscount, I think it's a Count. The old fief was in Bordeaux, though it's long been taken back by Muggles. Still, the title remains prestigious!"
"What does he want to do in Britain? What a dumb question! Obviously, our wizarding world is superior! Maybe he's even looking for a wife here!"
"His name? Remember this! The esteemed Count is called Darke de Dentis! A great friend of the Malfoy family!"
"You'll all know about this distinguished figure soon enough!"
Dana listened to Draco Malfoy's self-important rambling, scratching his chin. His gaze drifted toward Draco with an amused expression.
Unfortunately, little Malfoy completely misinterpreted this look and snapped back,
"What are you staring at? A grand figure like that isn't someone a nobody from Azkaban like you could ever meet!"
End of the Chapter.
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