Chapter 264 Lobbying
Suddenly a person appears, maybe even a dead person...
Della coaxed Draco into the room to wait for her (a year had passed, and she was still adept at controlling Draco), and she cleaned up a temporary meeting room and waited for Zhou Yushi to come. She sat on the sofa, tapping her fingers on the armrests rhythmically, thinking about the possibilities behind the puppet's open appearance.
Although the efficiency of the Ministry of Magic is not very high, it should not miss a person with silver hair who is quite eye-catching in a certain sense, especially since this person is very likely to suddenly appear from a crowded place like Hogwarts or Hogsmeade...
It should have been very conspicuous, but apart from the report that Sirius was still on the run, she didn't see any other abnormal reports.
It doesn't make sense, but there is Dumbledore in Hogwarts. She is deceiving the respectable headmaster, and the headmaster can also deceive her.
'Find me a member of the Ministry of Magic of Country Y, preferably someone in the Department of Law Enforcement who has access to the files, and have him wait for me in the vacant guest room on the second floor.'
After thinking for a while, Della gave an order to Dag Rochel, then she closed her eyes and tilted her head back in annoyance, extremely anxious about the person who shouldn't be there.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door. Della sat up straight. She looked at Zhou Yushi, who pushed open the door, thanked Quasi politely, then smiled and nodded at her and walked in.
"Long time no see, Riddle." Zhou Yushi's image in Beauxbatons was not serious. He was a warm-hearted person. People who were close to him knew that he loved to joke. However, when facing Della, his smile was always distant, and it was the same today. "The Slytherin lady has been settled by your house-elf."
"It's been such a mess tonight. You really helped me a lot, Zhou." Della's eagerness was hidden under her impeccable polite smile. "And you took a photo of me. To be honest, I really don't know what it is, but I lost some design manuscripts about transplantable skin before I left Hogwarts last year."
"Artificial leather? What a great project, Riddle." Zhou Yushi knew that the project was definitely more than that, but he tactfully took over the conversation, "What a pity that it was directly stolen. Fortunately, you marked it. Are you going to collect information to protect your rights now?"
"Yes, I plan to find out who used that thing first." Della frowned slightly, looking distressed, but the smile on her lips deepened at the same time. "She is an impressive beauty, but I have never seen her in Country Y, which is actually not right."
"Indeed, she is a very beautiful girl, with outstanding silver hair and green eyes." Zhou Yushi took the wand and pointed it at his temple, pulling out the thoughts that had Cynthia's appearance, and revealed her illusory image to Della. "I don't know her last name, but her guardian calls her Cynthia."
Remus Lupin's poor, neat and tired appearance was also revealed.
"This is the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who was just protested against at Hogwarts. He ran onto the playground in the form of a werewolf on a full-moon night." Because the incident was quite a commotion, Della had read the report about him. "I remember his name was Remus Lupin."
"Yes, Cynthia calls him Mr. Lupin," Zhou Yushi nodded, "and this Mr. Lupin cares a lot about Cynthia."
"You could even say that he cares too much about her," Zhou Yushi said, waving his wand and stopping Remus Lupin's endless care and instructions to Cynthia. "It's like caring for a child who's out playing for the first time."
"...I see. Thank you, Zhou, you really helped me a lot." Della stared at Cynthia's face and green eyes. She still felt very familiar with them, but she couldn't grasp any clues. She planned to check the list of deaths during Voldemort's time more than a decade ago. "Also, thank you very much for bringing back Sadolin. I was very worried about her safety."
It was actually not normal for Sadolin to be outside, because everyone in Durmstrang was paying close attention to her. The riot tonight would not have any impact on her, but she was in danger and was rescued by Zhou Yushi, an acquaintance.
It was too much of a coincidence to say it was a coincidence. Della knew there was something fishy going on, but Zhou Yushi had given her quite useful information today. His attitude and way of speaking were also very appropriate. She was willing to listen to what Zhou Yushi had to say, so she brought up the topic again.
"Speaking of which, it was also thanks to the red flag in the sky," Zhou Yushi took out the prepared speech and introduced the Witches and Hemp Unity Alliance, a group that is currently a nominal student of Kodosdoriz. "The movement of the red flag replacing the skeleton slowed down the thugs' attack by half a beat, and I took this opportunity to save Miss Slytherin who was unharmed."
"Thank God," Della made a thankful expression, mentally linking Zhou Yushi's arrival with her previous speculation that E. Ross had taken some action. She took the opportunity to ask a question, "In fact, I'm quite surprised to see that organization here. They survive in Durmstrang almost entirely on donations, and it's not cheap to come here to watch the game."
"They should be here at public expense under another identity," Zhou Yushi suddenly lowered his voice and leaned towards Della. "I heard a little rumor that someone in E Ross wants to restart Kodos Dorez, and those from the Wu Ma United Alliance are the first batch of volunteer students."
"Kodostoriz?" Della had read the tragic story of this magic school, but she was more concerned about Zhou Yushi's mention of another magic school in Continent O when the Triwizard Tournament was about to be announced. She probably knew what Zhou Yushi wanted her to do. "The school that was destroyed by the leaked bomb?"
"Yes, it's a pity that no one has taken the lead in reopening that school," Zhou Yushi nodded and spoke in a regretful tone, "Anyway, it's very troublesome to live without a school. Some children don't have the conditions to go to schools in other places, and some children choose unsafe and cost-saving methods to go there. I heard that accidents happen every year."
If I must say, it is actually quite convenient for wizard Eros to travel to Durmstrang because of the magical waterways built in the past, but more wizards are turned away because of their bloodline, and can only go to Beauxbatons and Hogwarts, which is a very long journey, and reliable transportation is not cheap.
"Yes, it's a very regrettable thing," Della agreed, "So is the restart you mentioned this time led by the Ministry of Magic?"
"It's just the personal behavior of a businessman from Ross. However, if the fourth magic school in Continent O can reappear, it will also be a matter of concern to the entire wizarding community," Zhou Yushi watched Della lower her eyes after hearing this, and he continued, "Especially since Kodosdoriz has such a past, if it can really be dramatically restarted, the media will be happy to write about it, and wizards will also like to watch this excitement-"
Before Zhou Yushi finished speaking, Della interrupted him, "You are well-informed and what you said is correct, but I think the wizards have had enough fun this year. There is the World Cup here, and I think you should also know that there will be the Triwizard Tournament next."
"Yes, the Triwizard Tournament," Zhou Yushi was not at all anxious because of Della's implicit disapproval. He said slowly, "When it starts in Hogwarts, you will definitely be very happy, Riddle. After all, these are the schools you have attended. I think you will applaud no matter which side wins this competitive game."
"..." Della understood what Zhou Yushi meant. These three schools all showed obvious appreciation for her. Regardless of the positions of these three schools themselves, people would easily associate the top three with her and think that it was a personal show of Riddle's forces. In this case, the attention to the Triwizard Championship had actually been reduced.
It has to be said that Zhou Yushi is well aware of the key to lobbying. The success of lobbying has never depended on how lofty the morality or how solid the basis is. The first priority is to make the lobbyists moved.
Letting Kodostoriz join the Triwizard Tournament is not something that must be done, but if this is combined with Della's purpose of participating in the Triwizard Tournament - to gain attention, joining a dramatically restarted school that can attract the attention of most wizards is indeed something worth considering.
Moreover, the position of this school and the current students is opposite to Della's natural position, which makes the drama even stronger.
"I also heard that Kodosdoriz has submitted an application to the organizer of this year's Triwizard Tournament," Zhou Yushi observed Della's reaction, stepped up at the right time and added the final information, "It seems to be stuck at the approval step."
"Is that so?" Della looked up at Zhou Yu and laughed, "This is normal. The attitude of the Ministry of Magic of Country Y to solve problems is always 'the problem is being solved', even if the problem has already been solved by itself."
Zhou Yushi smiled when he heard this and said nothing more.
"Okay, okay, I get it," Della said with a smile on her face. Her eyes drooped, revealing a bit of fatigue. "Zhou, I've gained a lot from chatting with you. I haven't had such a pleasant chat in a long time."
"My pleasure," Zhou Yushi smiled and nodded. He straightened his clothes, stood up, and tactfully said goodbye. "It's getting late, and you're still growing. Riddle, go to bed early. I'll take my leave now."
"You too, Zhou," Della also stood up and nodded politely, "Go back and rest early."