Chapter 334

"We already knew that Hermione had developed escape fantasies. She felt unwelcome in the magical world and wished to leave entirely, severing all ties to her witch identity. This naturally hindered Donald's plans, so he needed to make Hermione believe the magical world truly welcomed her." Zhang Qiu explained. "That's one matter. The other is that, for a long time, Hermione has suppressed her feelings because she felt unworthy of Donald. If Donald wants to ultimately be with Hermione, he must resolve this issue of compatibility."

"This business of worthiness," Harry struggled to understand, "but does Hermione actually have feelings for Donald?"

"That's precisely Donald's brilliance," Zhang Qiu nodded. "It's perfectly normal for a young girl to idolize someone strong. And if that strong person shows even a hint of ambiguity—something open to imagination—it easily stirs her fantasies. That's perfectly natural."

"Think about how popular you are at school. Many girls don't even know you, yet they're eager to ask you to the dance. Imagine if you agreed to go with one of them—even if you had no intention of dating her—she'd still fantasize about being with you." Zhang Qiu gave an example, though her tone sounded odd.

"So you're saying these fantasies are normal?" Harry followed her logic, sorting through his thoughts.

"Exactly. These fantasies are fundamentally about power and prestige, not about the person himself." Zhang Qiu took a breath. "Donald's brilliance lies in letting this fantasy slowly ferment beneath Hermione's repression, until he arranges for her to have an 'accidental' opportunity to speak with her childhood idol as an equal—at that moment, Hermione naturally attributes all her emotions to love."

"That sounds a bit far-fetched…" Harry still didn't fully grasp it.

"Let's use a real example: Ginny." Zhang Qiu snapped her fingers. "When Ginny first entered school in first year, she sent you Valentine's cards, right? She acted as if she'd fallen for you—but in reality, you barely interacted at all."

"Yeah, logically, Ginny couldn't have fallen for someone she didn't know." Harry finally noticed this, "Unless it came from Ron—never mind, unless Ron lied, but back then he clearly hadn't read Rita's articles yet."

"Ginny's knowledge of you came mostly from newspapers. As a child, she couldn't distinguish between idolization and real love, so she mistook her feelings for affection." Zhang Qiu held up one finger. "Ginny isn't an isolated case—but why was she the only one who confessed her feelings to you?"

"Why, indeed?"

"Because she saw you become close friends with her brother. In other words, she felt she was worthy of you." Zhang Qiu leaned forward slowly. "But for most ordinary girls, they'd never believe they're worthy of a savior hero."

"That does make sense." Harry frowned. "So applied to Hermione: Donald has built up a towering, idolized image in her mind, so she mistakes her feelings for love. And if Hermione, like Rosa Parks, unexpectedly gains high status, she might then feel worthy of Donald—and transform those vague idolizing emotions into genuine affection?"

"You're right. That's Donald's plan. And Elena, without doubt, is here to supervise and guide Hermione step by step toward becoming that Rosa."

"But what exactly is the plan?" Harry vaguely felt a spark of insight, a hint of understanding—but his mind was too cluttered to pick out the overlooked detail buried beneath all the Dark Lord memories.

"First, ask whose plan it is." Zhang Qiu smiled. "Actually, this is a Ministry of Magic plan. Donald is just hitching a ride."

Harry suddenly understood. If Snape and McGonagall both disapproved of Donald's plan, how could he assume it would proceed? In other words, neither Snape nor McGonagall would compromise for a private wealthy man. The only person who could force them to reluctantly accept an unchallengeable plan? Only the Ministry of Magic.

"But what does the Ministry want?" Harry reexamined Arnold's actions. "What's their grand strategy? What's their interest in Hogwarts?"

"Hmm, that's a point I hadn't noticed. I assumed the Ministry genuinely wanted to advance Britain's development—but the truth remains unverified." Zhang Qiu recalled a flaw in her logic. "Let's assume that for now. What's most urgent for the current magical world?"

"The conflict between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters," Harry answered without hesitation, then quickly added, "And if we resolve that, we should seriously consider the future of the Statute of Secrecy."

"Yes. The Statute of Secrecy is a severe constraint on magical development. Previously, fate suppressed us—we dared not break it. But now fate no longer exists." Zhang Qiu tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table. "So for the Ministry, slowly testing the boundaries of the Statute—until they cross and shatter it—is exactly what they're doing now, and will continue to do long-term."

"And what Arnold is already doing…" Harry's mind flashed through memories.

"I imagine the script goes like this: First, Elena will lure Hermione into casting magic outside school. Then the Ministry will demand severe punishment." Zhang Qiu spoke directly. "Expulsion, confiscation of her wand, expulsion from the magical world—things like that."

"And this punishment order will be held back by Snape—oh right, now the authority to punish has been transferred to Arnold."

"Wait," Harry interrupted her. "What do you mean 'held back'?"

"I mean—well, the Ministry notifies Hogwarts to expel Hermione. Snape receives the notice, but he neither enforces it nor rejects it. He doesn't even discuss it with anyone. He just pretends he never saw it." Zhang Qiu suddenly remembered something else. "Or perhaps they'll use the new education decree to pass the decision back and forth between Snape and Arnold, deliberately delaying it."

"What's the point?"

"It gives the student body time to ferment discontent." Zhang Qiu glanced toward the school, then lowered her voice. "Don't you think this topic has become suspiciously popular lately?"

The issue of Muggle-borns casting magic outside school was originally sparked by Arnold in his mock trial. For him to have done nothing behind the scenes would be suspicious.

"Arnold is doing this to escalate the situation into mass rebellion." Harry strained to recall his limited historical knowledge. "Like the Black civil rights movement. Ideally, Hermione ends up in court—or even Azkaban—so students become even more outraged."

"Students launch political protests: petition drives, sit-ins, even strikes and marches. Then, the Ministry, 'under pressure,' rescinds Hermione's punishment—it looks perfectly reasonable." Harry deduced. "Then they push further: demand amendments to the Statute of Secrecy. This kind of protest easily resonates. Especially when the victim is Hermione—a smart, diligent, rule-abiding girl who also happens to be attractive. People will naturally sympathize with her."

"The Ministry then smoothly pushes through amendments to the Statute of Secrecy, making it seem as if they were merely forced to test its limits." Harry's voice grew puzzled. "So the Ministry can avoid the backlash from fate?"

"Or just equate fate with Death. Giving Him a personified form makes it easier to understand." Zhang Qiu lowered her voice unconsciously. "Even though the Soviets claimed they severed Death's connection, we don't know if He can return. You see—even Yanayev dares not openly break the Statute. He's testing from another angle."

"So this really could anger Death?" Harry suddenly understood why Snape and McGonagall seemed reluctant. "If Death still has the power to observe and interfere, and if He becomes enraged, He'll blame the students—or even Hermione herself—not the Ministry that planned it? Personally, I suspect Death is gone for good—but you're right, we can't be certain. The Ministry's plan clearly intends to use students as scapegoats. It's too cruel."

"Perhaps the law doesn't punish the many," Zhang Qiu shrugged. "And if this step succeeds, the Statute is amended without incident, then the Ministry will know: as long as the violation isn't worse than amending the Statute, other gray-area actions are entirely feasible."

"When they grow unsatisfied with this, they'll try something even more extreme—and find another group to blame? First students, next—who?" Harry's eyebrows nearly knotted together.

"Precisely: Muggle-born students." Zhang Qiu lifted her eyelids slightly. "But don't worry too much. Think about why Donald dares to place Hermione in this position."

"Sorry—I made another assumption: that the White House knows more than Downing Street. Could it be they've already tested this and confirmed it won't trigger consequences—or even further, confirmed Death won't return?" Zhang Qiu's expression relaxed slightly.

"Maybe. But the Ministry's attitude and methods disgust me." Harry spoke listlessly.