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Hogwarts, Staff Common Room.
Cadwallader found himself here once again, arriving in the exact same manner.
The difference this time was that the ones left stunned were his colleagues, not him.
The Hogwarts professors had already experienced Jack's version of Apparition. While they still found it incredible, their shock had diminished compared to the first time.
But for the rest of the Ministry delegation, this was their first taste. Their jaws were practically on the floor.
They had known about this ability from the surveillance footage, but experiencing it firsthand made them acutely aware of their own vulnerability.
A group of high-ranking Ministry officials had been Apparated to another location without their knowledge or consent, completely defenseless.
Cold sweat instantly beaded on their foreheads. What kind of damnable magic was this?!
Since when was Apparition this overpowering?!
If someone with ill intentions mastered this, they could come and go from the Ministry at will, even bring an entire squad with them!
And wait—wasn't Hogwarts supposed to be protected by Anti-Apparition charms? Why didn't they work?!
Could it be... that the Anti-Apparition charms had no effect on Professor Jack's method?
Merlin's beard! If someone could just waltz into Azkaban and extract prisoners, the entire wizarding world would descend into chaos!
Bartemius Crouch, as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was the first to grasp this terrifying implication.
He considered warning Minister Fudge, but one thought of Jack's power made him hold his tongue.
A single look from Jack had made him feel like he was suffocating on death itself—a sensation he'd never experienced from anyone else.
Not even in the presence of Voldemort had he felt so utterly powerless!
Crouch was now convinced that even if Voldemort himself were to appear, he wouldn't be able to make a ripple against Jack.
With power like this, Jack could do whatever he wanted. No one in the magical world could stop him. Not even Dumbledore!
Fudge wiped the cold sweat from his brow, forcing a jovial tone. "Professor Jack, that was a truly remarkable display of magic! Might I ask, is this also a form of Combat Magic?"
All the ambitious thoughts he'd entertained earlier were now completely discarded. His demeanor couldn't be more respectful.
He finally saw things clearly. Jack's power was, without a doubt, on par with Dumbledore's. Moreover, most of Jack's magic was unlike anything they knew, with no established counter-spells.
When faced with an unfathomably powerful individual like this, the only sane course was to build a good relationship.
As for his pre-arrival boasts about Jack being "fortunate to be considered by the Ministry"—those words were long forgotten.
Noting the stiff, uncomfortable postures of the Ministry officials, Jack gestured for them to sit.
"Take a seat. That was merely a modified version of Apparition, not a Combat Magic. To what do I owe the visit from the Ministry delegation?"
Once everyone was seated, Fudge carefully chose his words.
"Professor Jack, the Ministry is here today because, following Auror Office Director Cadwallader's previous visit, we noted you had not yet obtained an Apparition license. We've taken the liberty of bringing it to you."
He produced a license from his pocket and handed it over.
Jack now understood that in the wizarding world, Apparition required Ministry approval and a license. Using it without one violated Ministry decree, much like driving without a license in the Muggle world.
Jack took the license and set it aside, his gaze returning to Fudge.
"And the other matter? This... registration and approval you mentioned?"
It was just a simple question, spoken calmly, yet Fudge felt the atmosphere in the room grow heavy instantly.
The sweat he'd just wiped away began to trickle again. He felt his robes growing damp.
Damn it, what's happening? Why do I feel like he's the Minister and I'm just some junior wizard? Where is this oppressive pressure coming from?!
Just as the silence was becoming unbearable, Dumbledore decided it was time to intervene.
"Haha, it seems Professor Jack has the Ministry's full attention!" Dumbledore chimed in cheerfully. "For the Minister himself to come to Hogwarts with the heads of various departments is a great honor for the school."
"I knew Professor Jack's magic would cause a stir in our world, and indeed it has!"
"Minister, if I may remind you, Hogwarts is a school recognized by the International Confederation of Wizards and holds autonomous educational rights. Therefore, Professor Jack is perfectly within his rights to teach his Combat Magic here at Hogwarts, so long as it does not constitute Dark Magic."
Fudge shot Dumbledore a grateful look, slapping his forehead as if he'd just remembered. "Of course! How forgetful of me! Thank you for the reminder, Headmaster Dumbledore!"
"In that case, the Ministry simply needs to record this for our files. Our visit has already been most enlightening, getting to witness Professor Jack's Combat Magic firsthand! We shall take our leave now. The Ministry, as always, has a great deal requiring our attention."
The other Ministry officials were baffled. They were leaving? Just like that? They hadn't accomplished anything!
Iden, standing to the side, grew anxious. He still wanted to recruit Jack for the Department of Mysteries! They hadn't even broached the subject, and now the Minister was leaving!
"Minister," Iden started urgently, "I still have matters I wish to discuss with our young friend here. With his talents, he really should join the Department of Mysteries—"
Before he could finish, Fudge physically maneuvered him towards the door, pushing him out of the common room.
Have you lost your mind? Fudge thought, aghast. We can't possibly contain a deity like Jack within the Ministry, and you think your department can recruit him? What are you thinking?!
A deeply confused Iden followed the others back to the Ministry, utterly failing to comprehend what had just happened.
Weren't they supposed to try and recruit Jack? Why had no one even mentioned it?
Once the Ministry party reached the main gates of Hogwarts, Fudge paused and looked back at the towering castle.
"Barty," he asked quietly, "did you... see something earlier?"
Bartemius Crouch thought of the colossal, ten-tailed monstrosity he'd glimpsed and shuddered. "Minister... I believe I saw a monster with ten tails, so vast it seemed to touch the sky and the earth! Did... did you see it too?"
Fudge didn't answer. He simply took one last, deep look at Hogwarts Castle.
Hogwarts already had one Dumbledore. Now, it had produced a Jack. He didn't know if this was a blessing or a curse for the future.
With a heavy sigh, Minister Fudge turned and led his people away from Hogwarts.
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