dmims Chapter 235 An Unexpected Letter
Chapter 235 An Unexpected Letter
Chapter 235 An Unexpected Letter
A few days later, in the afternoon, Karen sat in the gazebo of the Tranquil Abode's garden, Lucian's experimental journal and several parchment pages filled with runic calculations spread out before him. To his left was a cup of Mrs. Perenel's special herbal tea, exuding a calming aroma. Nico sat opposite him, slowly flipping through a thick ancient tome of magic. Castor stood by the gazebo, looking at the outline of the Forbidden Forest in the distance, seemingly engaged in some kind of meditation.
A familiar snow raven pierced through the manor's protective magic, swooping down like a white lightning bolt. It precisely tossed a thick scroll of letter onto the stone table in front of Karen, then expertly flew to the perch prepared for Phobos and began preening its feathers.
"Phobos? A letter from home?" Cullen was somewhat surprised; he had only recently corresponded with his family. He picked up the scroll and found it bound tightly with magical thread, sealed with a Hogwarts wax seal, and next to the seal was a line of small print: "To be forwarded by Cullen Hawthorne, sent by Philius Flitwick."
"Professor Flitwick?" Cullen was even more puzzled. He untied the silk thread, unfolded the scroll, and sure enough, it contained two letters. One was on Hogwarts' usual pale yellow parchment, with Professor Flitwick's familiar, slightly ornate handwriting. The other was on the Ministry of Magic's official, heavy parchment with a dark blue border, sealed with the emblem of the Department of Physical Education and Sports.
Karen opened Professor Flitwick's letter first.
Dear Karen:
I hope your studies with Master Lemaître go well, and please give him my sincerest greetings!
This letter is primarily to forward a letter from Edgar Burns. He had sent several letters to your home in Plymouth without a reply (I imagine you were busy with your research and your family had kept them safe), and he was getting anxious, so he contacted me. I explained to him that you were likely in France conducting important alchemical research with Master Lemaître, and with his permission, I am forwarding his letter to you as well.
Edgar's mention in his letter is related to the "Quidditch Eye" project, which is exciting news! Best wishes for your research, and I look forward to seeing you at the Spells Club in the new semester!
"You are faithful," Felius Flitwick Cullen suddenly realized, no wonder Edgar's letter had been delivered through Professor Flitwick. He put down Flitwick's letter, a hint of curiosity and anticipation in his eyes, and opened the heavy, dark blue-bordered letter from the Department of Physical Education and Sports of the Ministry of Magic. Unfolding the letter, Edgar Burns's meticulous, neat, and powerful handwriting came into view:
Mr. Karen Hawthorne:
I apologize for disturbing your research in France, but the situation is developing rapidly and is of great significance, and I felt it necessary to inform you, the key inventor, as soon as possible.
Great news! Thanks to the tireless efforts of Director Roland Kelburn and the strong support of Minister Cornelius Fudge, the "Quidditch Eye" system (internally known as the "Hawk-Eye System") has passed the final review by the Joint Technical Review Committee of the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters and the Department of Magical Sports! The review concluded that the system is revolutionary in improving the fairness of matches, the accuracy of judgments, the value of tactical analysis, and the spectator experience!
Based on this, the Ministry of Magic has officially decided:
1. Immediately launch the promotion plan: The "Hawk-Eye System" will be fully piloted in the upcoming 1992-1993 season of the English and Welsh Quidditch professional leagues (including the First and Second Divisions)! All professional teams' home stadiums must install the core recording unit and matching Magic Screen as required.
2. Application in the World Cup Qualifiers: The International Quidditch Federation has preliminarily recognized the value of the "Hawk-Eye System." Our Ministry of Magic is actively lobbying for its inclusion in the European Qualifiers for next year's Quidditch World Cup (in key matches)! This would be a major breakthrough and international showcase for our country's magical sports!
3. Project Ownership and Honors: Director Kelburn specifically emphasized and promised that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the invention team (especially you) will be the permanent named inventors of the "HawkEye System." The Ministry of Magic will pay a substantial patent licensing fee (the specific amount to be negotiated between the Department of Legal Enforcement, the Hogwarts Board of Governors, and your guardian), and plans to award you and Professor Flitwick (representing Hogwarts and the Charms Club) the "Order of Merlin, Third Class" (nomination submitted) and the "Distinguished Contribution to Magical Sports Award" at the opening ceremony of the next season to recognize this groundbreaking invention!
Cullen, this is an incredible achievement! From an innovative experiment within Hogwarts to stepping onto the stage of professional leagues and even the World Cup qualifiers, the speed and scale have far exceeded all our expectations! The entire Department of Sport is thrilled!
Karen's heart skipped a beat upon seeing this. This development was far beyond expectations! The World Cup qualifiers? This was practically the most prestigious Quidditch tournament in the wizarding world!
But then, Cullen's brow furrowed slightly. The Ministry of Magic's efficiency? So fast? This didn't quite match his memory of the bureaucratic, conservative, and sluggish Ministry of Magic. He continued reading, and Edgar's excitement seemed to subside somewhat; the following text was written in slightly messy handwriting, as if Edgar had added it privately:
Karen, as a friend and former comrade-in-arms, there are some behind-the-scenes things I think you need to know.
Director Kelburn's enthusiasm and drive for this project far exceed what is typical. There are two reasons for this:
First and foremost, the change of Director of Sport next year is imminent. Ludo Bagman (former star hitter for the Wimbledon Hornets) has been the frontrunner for succession, thanks to his illustrious Quidditch resume, immense popularity, and close personal relationship with Minister Fudge. Director Kelburn's chances were initially slim. However, the emergence of the "Hawk-Eye system" was like a godsend! It's not just a technological innovation; it's been touted as a landmark achievement for Director Kelburn's reform efforts, promoting the modernization and fairness of Quidditch! This provides him with the most powerful weapon to counter Bagman's "star power." He has staked almost all his political capital on this project.
Secondly, Minister Fouché's full support was both unexpected and crucial. The Minister's office personally issued instructions to all relevant departments to "handle this as a special case and cooperate fully," clearing away all possible administrative obstacles. Rumors suggest that the Minister hoped to use this to cultivate a positive image of "supporting magical innovation" and project a stronger voice. Whatever the reason, the Minister's endorsement was a decisive factor in enabling this project to proceed so rapidly.
In short, Karen, this is a huge success for you and the entire team! While there were complex political factors at play, the value of the "HawkEye System" itself is undeniable. Please reply as soon as possible with your feedback on follow-up technical consultations (we will assign a specialist to liaise with you or Professor Flitwick) and the award ceremony. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely, Edgar Burns, Senior Project Officer, Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Magic (Contact Person for the Quidditch Eyes Project)
Karen read Edgar's letter in one go, getting a brief overview of what had happened. She was naturally delighted; the magical creation she had helped create was about to change the entire landscape of Quidditch, a recognition every inventor dreams of. While Karen wasn't exactly thrilled, she was certainly happy overall.
"When did the Ministry of Magic become so efficient? Especially Fudge, what is he thinking?" Karen couldn't help but mutter to himself, his brows furrowing slightly. In his memory, the Ministry of Magic, under Fudge's leadership, was always known for its inefficiency and rampant bureaucracy, especially when dealing with new things.
"Oh? It seems our young alchemist has received some shocking news?" Nico put down the ancient book in his hand, his gentle gaze turning to Karen with a hint of inquisitive smile. Castor also turned around, his gray eyes calm and unwavering, but he was clearly waiting for more.
Karen handed Edgar's letter to Nico, briefly summarizing its key points: the rapid rollout of the Hawk-Eye system to professional leagues and World Cup qualifiers, Director Kyleburn's use of it to counter Ludo Bagman's campaign, and Minister Fudge's unusually strong support.
Nico took the letter, quickly and carefully glancing through it, a knowing smile playing on his lips. Castor, on the other hand, simply listened to Karen's retelling, his expression remaining unchanged.
"Interesting, very interesting." Nico finished reading the letter, gently placed it on the stone table, and elegantly tapped the letter with his finger. "It seems that no matter which country's Ministry of Magic, once their bureaucratic machine is driven by enough 'lubricant,' the energy it unleashes can sometimes be truly astonishing. However, Karen, your confusion is keen. This speed is far from ordinary."
"Is it because Director Kelburn desperately needs political achievements to counter Bagman?" Karen asked.
"That's the most direct and powerful motivation." Nico took a sip of his tea. "I don't know much about either of them. Roland Kelburn—I remember him—an Auror, competent but lacking in brilliance and connections. Ludo Bagman, a Quidditch star with a huge following. Under normal circumstances, Kelburn had almost no chance. And your 'Hawk-Eye System' appeared precisely when he needed it most, perfectly aligning with the points of 'modernization reform' and 'fairness and justice' that appealed to voters and some high-ranking officials. He saw it as a lifeline, so naturally he would do everything in his power, even using all his accumulated connections and applying pressure to achieve quick results. This explains the extraordinary efficiency within the Department of Sport."
"And what about Minister Fudge?" Karen pressed. "Edgar said he personally ordered 'special handling' and gave his full support."
This seems rather out of character for Fudge, especially when it comes to new things. After all, based on my observations of the magical world, it's always been rather slow to accept new ideas.
Castor let out a very soft, cold laugh, but said nothing.
Nico put down his teacup, a glint of worldly wisdom flashing in his silver-grey eyes. "Cornell Foster's support is probably driven by more complex and intriguing motives than Kelburn's." He paused, organizing his thoughts, "First, the 'HawkEye System' is indeed a remarkable achievement, especially given the International Quidditch Federation's interest. As Minister for Magic, supporting an innovation that enhances the international image and influence of the British wizarding community is, on the surface, perfectly reasonable, even commendable."
"However," Nicole shifted her tone, a subtle hint of sarcasm in her voice, "Edgar's private addition is crucial—Fudge hopes to use this to cultivate an image of 'supporting magical innovation' and to try to 'speak more powerfully.' Considering his recent actions, this likely refers to reducing his over-reliance on Albus's influence, or rather, weakening Dumbledore's authoritative image as a 'pillar of stability' in the public eye, and dispelling the impression that he himself rose to power solely through Dumbledore's influence."
Cullen understood immediately. Fudge's fear of Dumbledore and his desire to escape his "shadow" were vividly portrayed in the original work, only the Basilisk incident may have accelerated this process.
“Fudge needs to prove to the public, especially to those within the Ministry of Magic who are more inclined towards tradition and ‘powerful leaders,’” Nico said slowly, “that he, Cornelius Fudge, can also discover and support powerful new things and lead the wizarding world forward, instead of just relying on Dumbledore to solve problems, at least on the surface. Supporting a tangible and popular innovation like the Hawkeye system is undoubtedly a brilliant move. It’s safe, positive, and can quickly gain prestige, and the core inventor of the project is you, Karen Hawthorne, an up-and-coming Hogwarts student, rather than being directly associated with Dumbledore. This better suits Fudge’s political performance of ‘supporting rising stars and demonstrating enlightenment.’”
"So, behind this is a dual political game of vying for the director's position and consolidating the minister's power?" Karen concluded, feeling that it was somewhat complicated.
“Exactly,” Nico nodded. “Your ‘HawkEye System’ has become exactly the political bargaining chip and image-building tool that both sides desperately needed. Kelburn used it for his campaign, and Fudge used it to build his legacy and shed his image of dependence on Dumbledore. It was precisely because both sides so desperately needed it to succeed quickly that the Ministry of Magic, this aging machine, achieved an unusually high level of efficiency. Of course,” Nico added, “all of this is predicated on the ‘HawkEye System’ itself possessing genuine value and potential. Otherwise, no amount of political impetus would have been enough to propel it onto the stage of professional leagues and World Cup qualifiers. Your creation is the cornerstone of all this.”
After listening to Nico's meticulous analysis, Karen's confusion dissipated considerably, replaced by a complex mix of emotions. It was good that his invention was being recognized and promoted, but being caught up in the high-level political vortex didn't feel so pleasant; after all, he didn't like Fudge either.
“Don’t worry too much, Cullen,” Nico said with a gentle smile, seemingly reading his thoughts. “Politics is everywhere, and the wizarding world is no exception. As long as your invention is good and contributes to the sport, its use as a stepping stone for some is part of its value. Focus on the technology itself and ensure the stability and reliability of the Eagle Eye system during its rollout. That’s your responsibility as the inventor and the best response. As for the medal and prize money,” he winked, “those are your deserved honors and rewards; accept them as they come. I trust Professor Flitwick and Albus will handle the authorization matters with Hogwarts.”
Castor then spoke calmly, his words concise: "Power brings attention, attention brings exploitation. Stay clear-headed and focus on your own path." This was both a summary of the Quidditch Eye incident and a reminder of Cullen's future path.
Karen nodded, took a deep breath, and suppressed the turmoil in his heart. He took out a quill and new parchment and began to reply to Edgar.
Edgar:
I received your letter and thank you so much for informing me of such a significant development in such a timely manner! To see the "Quidditch Eye" (the name "Hawk-Eye System" is very fitting) go from the Hogwarts test range to the professional league and even the World Cup qualifiers in such a short time is truly beyond my expectations and very exciting!
I am deeply grateful for the Ministry of Magic's decision and for the support of Director Kelburn and Minister Fudge. I fully understand and support piloting the system in the professional leagues, which is undoubtedly the best validation of its value. I am also very honored that Hogwarts and our team can be credited as the permanent inventors.
Regarding follow-up matters:
1. Technical Consultation: I am currently in France conducting important alchemical research under Master Nicolas Flamel and may not return to England until before the start of the semester. However, please rest assured that I am very willing to provide the necessary technical support for the promotion of the "HawkEye System." I suggest that the technical specialist dispatched by the Ministry of Magic directly liaise with Professor Flitwick at Hogwarts. Professor Flitwick is not only the host of the Charms Club but also a key participant and mentor in the system's development. He has an extremely profound understanding of the system's technical details and theoretical framework and possesses all the core data and optimization schemes we have accumulated during testing at Hogwarts. He is fully capable of answering and resolving technical problems encountered during its promotion. I will also maintain communication with Professor Flitwick and the specialist via mail or the Two-Way Mirror (contact information provided if convenient) to provide remote assistance.
2. Patent Licensing and Award Ceremony: I respect and accept the arrangements made by the Ministry of Magic and the Hogwarts Board of Governors regarding patent licensing fees. Regarding the award ceremony, given my academic and research schedule, I may not be able to attend in person if the ceremony coincides with the start of the new semester or a critical period in my research. Please inform me of your specific time in advance, and I will do my best to coordinate.
If I am unable to attend, I authorize Professor Flitwick or my parents to accept the honor on my behalf.
Finally, thank you again for your efforts and for informing me! Please convey my gratitude to Director Kelburn. I wish the "Hawk-Eye System" a successful debut in the professional league!
"You are sincere," Karen Hawthorne said. Karen carefully sealed the letter and handed it to Phobos. Snow affectionately rubbed against his fingers, picked up the letter, and flapped its wings to fly into the blue sky.
Watching Phoebus disappear into the horizon, Cullen felt a pang of emotion. The commotion caused by the Eye of Quidditch had temporarily subsided; it had its own path to follow. As for himself, he still had a more arduous and dangerous road to explore.