"New York Morning Post" February 12, 1992
[Sudden ground tremors in London, experts call it a "local shallow earthquake"]
Yesterday afternoon, residents in many parts of London reported feeling violent tremors. Although the tremors were short, they were strong and caused a brief panic in the city center and surrounding areas.
According to information released by the British Geological Survey (BGS), the tremor was preliminarily determined to be a "local shallow earthquake" with an epicenter located about 3 kilometers underground in London and a magnitude of 4.8.
"We are analyzing the data and currently believe that this is an atypical but natural crustal movement," said BGS seismologist Dr. Martin Slater at a press conference. "Although London is not an earthquake-prone area, occasional local fault activity is not uncommon. "
The Daily Prophet"
[A large-scale magical shock suddenly occurred in the underground of London. The Ministry of Magic has confirmed that the incident was not caused by the natural flow of magic, but an energy resonance caused by an extremely high-level spell.
The intensity of the magical fluctuations is rare in England in the past thirty years. It caused the surface of the entire Muggle city of London to tremble for up to five minutes, causing widespread panic.
According to preliminary measurements by the Ministry of Magic's Underground Detection Agency, the magic power of this incident spread over nine miles, and the magic wave was as high as a level seven reaction. In just ten seconds, the frequency of magic bursts reached the known record limit, far exceeding the possibility of conventional spellcasting.
The caster behind the scenes is still unknown, or it may be caused by a high-level magical conflict.
In any case, this was a premeditated riot of an extremely bad nature!
Someone is trying to break the hard-earned peace of the wizarding world!
No matter who he is! The Ministry of Magic will find him! Bring him to justice!]
"Fudge looks very angry. Is he going to arrest me? "
In Dumbledore's office.
Damon finished reading two newspapers and threw them on the table casually, as if the thing that broke the magic world yesterday was not done by him.
Dumbledore's expression was serious.
He took out an envelope from his arms and handed it to Damon - it was from the Ministry of Magic.
Dear Mr. Mortos:
We have definite information proving that you wantonly used large-scale destructive spells in the Muggle residential area at 4:32 yesterday afternoon. This behavior has seriously violated the Statute of Secrecy! As an Auror, it is a complete dereliction of duty!
In view of your past achievements, we have decided not to issue a warrant for you for the time being - please remember this tolerance and don't do things that are unworthy of our trust.
Please go to the Ministry of Magic for trial at 9:00 am on February 13.
Don't be late!
Cornelius Fudge.
Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ministry of Magic.
"Are you asking me to go for trial?" Damon looked at Dumbledore after reading the letter, "but why did you hand it to me?"
"They can't find your whereabouts. Dumbledore's tone was subtly calm. "The Ministry of Magic has investigated Mortos's information and discovered he's a complete mystery. The only certainty is his inextricable connection to Amelia Burns, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Dumbledore
stared at Damon, a complex expression in his eyes.
"Because of Caliban Mortos's transgressions, Burns has been in considerable trouble—she refused to reveal the identity of the Mortos she recommended—"
Dumbledore looked up at Damon and saw the young man's handsome brows raise slightly, as if completely unconcerned with what he had done. He had destroyed an underground black market he had never discovered in one fell swoop, uncovering the shocking crimes hidden within.
His actions had shaken the entire wizarding world, yet he remained unfazed.
That day had finally arrived
. "Well, I'm sure Burns will handle everything,"
Damon said, dismissing Dumbledore's words. Amelia's letter had arrived long before.
You did the right thing, but you did cause some trouble. Everything's fine on my end, just be careful.
The Ministry of Magic will summon you soon. Don't worry, I'll help you.
So, he had nothing to worry about regarding any potential problems—since Amelia said it was okay, he could trust her for now.
After all, the other party was the Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, second only to Minister of Magic Fudge in power. This indirect mess shouldn't affect him much—Damon raised his head, turning his attention away from the letter, and looked at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore's words just now seemed alarmist—why?
"So, what do you decide?" Dumbledore's eyes met Damon's.
"You're my teacher. What do you want me to do?" Damon looked him straight in the face.
"Me? That's your business. I have no right to make your decision—and besides, there should only be one decision on this matter."
Damon didn't say anything, simply leaning back—the originally straight back of the chair silently transformed into a reclining chair, supporting Damon's body as he moved back.
The distance between him and Dumbledore widened.
He continued to look at Dumbledore, but this time, the smile was gone.
Dumbledore thought for a moment, then decided not to test him. He continued,
"I hope you will stand trial—I believe they will give you a fair verdict."
Damon nodded. "I had no intention of refusing the summons."
"However, if the Ministry of Magic were truly fair, this trial wouldn't have happened."
As he'd said, he'd busted a massive black market and rescued a vast number of poached magical creatures—Newt Scamander was ready to take over the operation and had thanked him via the Ministry's long-distance magical telegraph.
The abducted Muggles were currently receiving treatment at St. Mungo's Hospital and would likely return to their lives in due course. Yet,
the Ministry, citing his influence as a threat, completely erased his achievements and acted as if they were punishing him.
This was completely contrary to the fairness Dumbledore spoke of .
Of course, it was Mortos's fault—who had he targeted only Dark wizards, ignoring those idle maggots?
"Damon, we live in the bonds between people." Dumbledore lowered his eyes. "No matter how powerful a person is, they cannot survive without the collective.
People are different, and naturally they will have different opinions on the same things. I believe we must learn to accept this, so as not to let our own ideas completely dominate others."
"At least in this matter, I think I am absolutely right."
Damon stood up and prepared to leave.
He already understood Dumbledore's intentions—the other party was not prepared to break the rules to help him, and there was not even a word of comfort—even Amelia, known for her fairness, had promised to help him.
But Dumbledore simply let him accept the result indifferently.
That was all.
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(End of this chapter)