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Chapter 444 Germany
Chapter 444 Germany
Unlike the gradually easing atmosphere at Hogwarts, the atmosphere at the German Ministry of Magic was much more serious.
The heads of various departments sat together, discussing the events that had occurred not long ago with complex expressions.
That was Karkarov's death.
Almost a month had passed since Karkarov's death, and Christmas was fast approaching, yet these people still hadn't reached a conclusion.
The reason is actually quite simple: this matter is far more complex than what outsiders need to think about.
Durmstrang is not strictly under the jurisdiction of the German Ministry of Magic. Unlike Hogwarts in England, it is located in a mysterious region of Northern Europe, and most people do not know where it is.
The Nordic Ministry of Magic is rather weak.
Therefore, it was mostly managed jointly by the Ministries of Magic of Germany and the Nordic countries. However, now that something has happened, it would be very difficult for the Nordic Ministries of Magic to investigate.
However, if the German Ministry of Magic were to intervene, it would be met with criticism—for example, from the British Ministry of Magic.
The British disliked the Germans and did not want them to set foot in their country. Therefore, for the past month, the British and German Ministries of Magic have been either engaged in verbal battles or on their way to engage in verbal battles.
The two sides started arguing at an internal meeting and continued their dispute all the way to the International Federation of Wizards.
The British Ministry of Magic wanted to conduct the investigation themselves, and they confidently assured the Germans that they would uncover the truth. However, it was clear that the Germans did not trust these British men.
They've already killed Karkaroff, and the Sirius Black affair has created widespread panic.
However, they were unwilling to make concessions, as allowing an investigation team composed of members of the German Ministry of Magic to set foot in Britain seemed to them a sign of weakness.
As a result, the two sides have not been able to reach a consensus on this matter.
At today's meeting of the German Ministry of Magic, the Minister of Magic has ordered that a feasible solution must be discussed.
"These British guys are really damned," one director couldn't help but curse. Even though he attacked people from other countries like this, the other directors present nodded slightly in agreement.
This month-long war of words has made them extremely disgusted with the British Ministry of Magic.
"Dumbledore's suggestion at the International Wizarding Federation is clearly feasible, but those guys from the British Ministry of Magic just won't agree," another director said. "Is there something wrong with the joint investigation team?"
"They claim they're afraid of extremists like the Death Eater enthusiasts who frequent Quidditch matches getting mixed up in—what does that mean?!"
"Do they mean we're all Death Eaters?"
"Yeah, this is clearly a native British dark wizard!"
"Even if we are dark wizards, we are still members of the witchcraft party!"
"Enough, enough, quiet down!" Seeing the directors arguing, the Minister of Magic of Germany had to interrupt their somewhat dangerous conversation.
"The situation with the British Ministry of Magic is rather complicated—" he said slowly, "not only with them and with us, but there also seems to be internal disputes within their ranks."
"That Cornelius Fudge seems to have his own ideas," he said, pausing for a moment. "And Albus Dumbledore has his own ideas too."
"I always thought they were in cahoots," a department head shrugged. "After all, who doesn't know Fudge is Dumbledore's obedient buddy?"
"That doesn't seem to be the case now, at least not at the recent Wizarding Union meeting," the minister said, shaking his head. "In any case, now is not the time to discuss that."
"The British have already given their terms," he said, coughing. "They've agreed to let us send one staff member to Britain to conduct the investigation."
"One?!" A director slammed his fist on the table. "Do they mean we should send another person over to their death?"
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"Enough! This is a meeting, not a marketplace!" The minister couldn't help but glare at him. "Only one person dares to bang on the table in front of me."
"But he's not here anymore!"
The directors present, who had just become a little agitated, immediately calmed down.
They looked at each other, and after an awkward silence, one of the directors slowly said, "Although the British are very demanding—we have no choice but to accept their proposal now."
"You traitor!" A second later, a director of the Ministry of Magic couldn't help but exclaim, "Are you going to betray your country like you did fifty years ago?"
"I knew all along that you, this East German Bolshevik wizard, had ulterior motives!"
"What nonsense are you spouting, you West German Junker!" The rebuttal immediately drew the ire of some of the other department heads, and German profanity began to circulate throughout the meeting.
"Enough of this!" The Minister of Magic, seemingly unable to tolerate the infighting any longer, slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Everyone, shut up!"
"Except for you—" he said, pointing to the director who had said he had accepted the British proposal.
"Minister—first of all, we must understand that in the current European Wizarding Federation—we are undoubtedly in a weak position." He said slowly, "First of all, the merger of the West German Ministry of Magic and the East German Ministry of Magic is not yet completely finished—"
"Secondly—our power and prestige are far inferior to the British Ministry of Magic—and we don't have enough seats in the Wizarding Union either."
"We don't even have schools that are fully directly administered."
"That's in terms of strength," he said, coughing. "And we're at a disadvantage in terms of time as well."
"Kakalov has been dead for almost a month. If this drags on any longer, we'll lose all our leads."
"And those British, without a doubt—even if they find the killer, they won't say it—they'll just say it was the Death Eaters."
He lowered his voice and said, "Therefore I think—we should seize this opportunity of their infighting."
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"One person is one person—investigations are never easy to succeed just because there are many people involved—especially after so much time has passed."
"As long as we send out enough elite personnel—then all of them are the same."
"You mean—who should we send?" The minister frowned slightly.
"Wilhelm von Steinberger," the director said slowly, "is one of the most elite Aurors in the Auror Office—and has already solved quite a few mysterious murder cases."
"If it's him—he should be able to do it." He pursed his lips as he spoke. "And if he can find out who the murderer is—that would be a huge embarrassment for the British."
"As long as the murderer is British—then we have the upper hand in the Wizarding Union."
"We don't even need to catch the murderer—as long as the British are suspected—even if they are—" He paused, not finishing his sentence, but everyone present understood what he meant.
His words elicited slight nods from the other directors and the minister.
"So when can Steinberg depart?"
"It can happen now—" the director said slowly, "If the British are fast enough, he can arrive in England before Christmas."
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