As soon as Albert left the Headmaster's Office, the portraits, which had been feigning sleep, became active, discussing what had just happened.
"That boy seems very... intelligent," the bald Male Wizard in the portrait above the right side of the desk suddenly spoke. "His words and actions are not like those of a twelve-year-old boy. Even adult Wizards are not as calm as he is when facing such situations."
"Mr. Anderson is very intelligent, and very... special," Dumbledore said softly, a strange light glinting in his spectacles. "Of course, also very confident."
Yes, Albert was very confident.
"I also think he had already anticipated this outcome," the curly-haired Witch next to the bald Old Male Wizard's portrait said. "He clearly understood the value of the Gold Membership Card and knew that Hertokwould not easily give it up."
"Evidently," Dumbledore said.
Albert naturally knew the value of that Gold Membership Card, and he knew Hertok wouldn't give it up; that item was simply too important for a potion maker.
An Old Male Wizard with a goatee, wearing silver and green pajamas, said without hesitation, "I don't like him very much."
"That truly surprises me, Phineas. What makes you dislike that boy?" a very shrewd-looking Witch asked, raising a thick wand made of birch. "Is it his status as a Muggle-born Wizard, or his final words?"
"What did I just say?" Phineas covered a yawn, pretending he had just woken up and forgotten what he had just said.
If this topic continued, it would be very disadvantageous for him.
"That boy has strong magic talent and is exceptionally gifted; he doesn't seem much like a Muggle-born Wizard," a physically weak Old Wizard said.
"He is a Muggle-born Wizard, Armando," Dumbledoresaid calmly. "However, if you trace back a few generations, he should be a collateral relative of the Smith Family."
"You mean the famous Smith Family?" The former Principal was a little surprised; he knew a bit about the mysterious Smith Family.
"Hmm, I think so," Dumbledore said. "Last semester, I specifically looked up his information. Anderson's grandfather was a Squib, his father was a Muggle, but Anderson himself is indeed a rare Magic Genius."
"I rarely hear you use the word 'Genius' to describe someone," the curly-haired Old Witch said.
"Dumbledore wants to say that boy will become the next him?" Phineas's tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "A Hippogriff full of wisdom and courage?"
"Mr. Anderson is even more outstanding than I am," Dumbledore said, not stinting on his praise.
"This is definitely the most amusing joke I've heard this century," Phineas covered his stomach and laughed exaggeratedly.
However, he was the only one laughing in the Headmaster's Office, which made the former Principalfeel very bored, and his laughter gradually subsided.
"Mr. Anderson has already surpassed too many people in the study of Ancient Runes," Dumbledore recalled Bard's evaluation of Albert during a casual chat:
Albert, he is a Genius.
Especially in the study of Ancient Runes, he has an almost natural instinct, mastering knowledge that many spend a lifetime trying to grasp, effortlessly.
Later, Albert looked for books in the Library and even helped MacDougall revise his new book; Dumbledorenaturally knew about these things.
To be honest, he himself hadn't fully understood MacDougall's book.
Since Albert ventured deep into the Forbidden Forest a few months ago and rescued Fred and George, Dumbledore's evaluation of Albert has become even higher, and he also greatly admired Bard's insight.
Without extraordinary courage, wisdom, and strength, it is highly likely that one would not return after venturing deep into the Forbidden Forest.
The outer reaches of the Forbidden Forest are not dangerous, but its depths are very dangerous!
"The Smith Family always produces some Geniuses, there's nothing strange about it," Phineas said with a curl of his lip.
Although Black was unwilling to admit it, the history of the Smith Family was indeed older than that of the Black Family; it was a very mysterious Family.
As for why the Smith Family is said to be mysterious?
Even the people of the Smith Family don't know the mystery of the Smith Family.
Even fewer outsiders know about these things.
Only those Wizards who live long enough and are wise enough might discover some clues over the long years.
Rumor has it that someone in the Smith Family inherits a so-called secret.
As for who this person is?
No one ever knew.
Anyway, there was such a saying.
However, it is precisely by using this strange method of Legacy that the secrets of the Smith Family have been preserved.
It's just that no one ever knew what secrets the Smith Family was hiding.
If you ask the direct heir of Smith?
He can only helplessly say, I don't know either!
"That Family has indeed produced many excellent Wizards," Dumbledore nodded, agreeing with Phineas's point; Rowena was a direct descendant of Smith. "I remember... Bard and Rowena had a good relationship."
Hertok saying that Bard's circle was wide was actually not wrong.
Most of the well-known Wizards in Britain, and even Europe's Wizarding World, knew them and maintained friendly relations.
It was just a relatively loose group; most people usually remained neutral. The rule for entering this circle was to show astonishing talent in certain areas, be noticed by them, and maintain contact through correspondence.
As for why Dumbledore knew?
That's because he was also a member of this circle.
Before Dumbledore graduated from Hogwarts, he met many very famous Wizards, received help from them, and maintained friendly correspondence.
It wasn't until Dumbledore entered the Wizengamotthat he vaguely saw the terrifying influence of this loose and vast circle.
If they wished, these people combined could directly decide a verdict of the Wizengamot's highest court, or force a very incompetent Minister of Magic to step down and leave.
Although they had never done so, perhaps precisely because they had never done so, no one had ever discovered this problem.
But Dumbledore did.
Because he maintained good relations with most of the Wizengamot members.
The topic of the portraits of the Principals was brought back again.
"That boy seems to dislike the Ministry of Magic very much."
"This matter is indeed the Ministry of Magic's problem, Everard. If it were me, I would also be angry."
"I thought you were the most good-tempered among us, Dilys."
"Being good-tempered doesn't mean weakness," Dilys said. "I strongly support his approach. I suspect the director himself also has problems."
"But he seems to be preparing to have the director of the Improper Use of Magic Office step down directly." This was what Everard disliked.
"No, he just wants Hertok to tell the truth," Dumbledoresmiled. "She will agree to apologize, just as Andersonsaid, it's the cheapest solution."