A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Intelligence is undoubtedly one of the most critical assets.

Without reliable information, even the most powerful individuals can stumble blindly. Often, two evenly matched sides face off, and one suffers a crushing defeat simply due to an information gap.

Dumbledore had a network of exceptional informants. Even the portraits of former headmasters at Hogwarts served as his "little birds."

These portraits, strategically placed in various important locations, could roam freely, gathering vital intelligence from their surroundings and quietly reporting back to Dumbledore. 

He would then sift through this intelligence, categorizing and integrating the useful pieces.

Meanwhile, Rufus Scrimgeour, head of the Auror Office, was desperate to gain access to Dumbledore's intelligence network and uncover the force behind Quirrell. 

Yet, no one seemed pay him any attention.

Does William Need Intelligence?

Absolutely.

Take Umbridge, for example. She clearly bore a grudge against him and had no shortage of methods to make his life difficult.

For instance, the rule prohibiting underage wizards from using magic outside school was a potential trap. If she were clever enough, she could leverage this to frame William, setting him up for expulsion.

With Dumbledore's protection, expulsion was unlikely, but the process would be a frustrating enough.

However, with accurate intelligence, William could anticipate Umbridge's moves, perhaps even uncover her weaknesses and turn the tables.

Take, for instance, the potential scandal of a relationship between Fudge and Umbridge. If proven, such a revelation could easily topple Fudge's administration.

Currently, William only had Bertha Jorkins as an informant within the Ministry. And that was far from sufficient.

He turned his gaze toward Tonks.

Negotiations Begin

Tonks noticed his look and raised an eyebrow. "What's with that look?"

William knew Dumbledore well enough to understand that a recently graduated witch like Tonks wasn't one of his elite operatives. 

She was, at best, a glorified errand runner, filling in the gaps where needed.

Still, Tonks was trustworthy, and she had potential as an Auror.

"Tonks," William began, his voice dripping with charm. "Could you share any useful intelligence you pick up while working for Dumbledore? Just a little heads-up?"

Tonks narrowed her eyes disdainfully, "Why, you want me to be a spy for you?"

"Don't make it sound so ugly," William replied with a grin. "I'm considering becoming an Auror after graduation and thought I'd get a feel for the job. Help me out, sis!"

To sweeten the deal, he added, "I'll pay you one Galleon a month."

"It's not about the money!"

"Five Galleons."

"I'm an Auror, William!" Tonks shot back, indignantly. "Don't insult my profession, or I'll throw you into Azkaban!"

"Fifteen Galleons," William offered, leaning in. "And you can test out the newest items from Akali's Mystery Shop for free."

Tonks hesitated but remained defiant.

William shrugged and played his final card. "No worries. I'll just ask Robert, the perfect who joined the Ministry recently. He'll probably give me a good rate."

"Deal!" Tonks said, her demeanor shifting instantly. She threw an arm around William's shoulder and grinned. "Why not? I'm just a trainee Auror, not even a full-fledged one yet.

"But let's be clear: once I'm fully certified, the price goes up!"

William sighed, marveling at how effortlessly Dumbledore enlisted informants for free, while he had to jump through hoops just to secure two reluctant operatives.

Would he ever Dumbledore's power?

Tonks pocketed the fifteen Galleons happily and added, "Since it's my first day, let me share a tip for free."

"What is it?" William asked.

"Rita Skeeter's got her sights set on you," Tonks said with a smirk, "She's tried multiple times to join the investigation as a reporter, but Scrimgeour blocked her."

"Rita?" William frowned, "Isn't she busy feuding with Newt Scamander in the papers?"

"Scamander's old news," Tonks replied with a chuckle. "No one cares about his alleged affair with the former MACUSA president. Most think he's just riding Skeeter's coattails for relevance."

William raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

Tonks continued gleefully, "Now that the Scamander story's dried up, she's set her sights on you. Rumor has it she's planning an 'in-depth conversation about life.'"

William didn't flinch, but his mind raced. If he could somehow recruit Rita as an informant, she'd make an excellent addition to his network.

Well, it wouldn't be easy.

…

As the Ministry wrapped up its investigation, The Daily Prophet quickly published the story.

The incident caused a sensation.

Media influence was evident in the headlines:

"Dumbledore Captures Gringotts Attacker."

Had it been framed as: "Hogwarts Professor Arrested Again," the public reaction would have been entirely different.

While the first headline enhanced Dumbledore's reputation, the second would have sparked fears about Hogwarts' safety.

For Dumbledore, this was a minor boost to his already sterling reputation. For William, however, it was a massive leap forward.

William, the sole witness to the Gringotts attack, had identified Quirrell as the culprit. The Auror Office revealed that this brave young wizard had defended Gringotts from disaster.

Quirrell, once seen as a victim of overwork, was now branded a criminal mastermind.

The wind was changing directions fast.

Quirell however was a gost, he floated around all day, and didn't speak. No could meet him as he would spit when anyone got close.

After a white of novelty, no one paid any attention to him.

Worst of all, of the little wizards at hogwarts, Quirrell's demise left them without a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for another term.

Rumor had it that Snape had volunteered to fill the position temporarily but was flatly refused by Dumbledore.

As the Quirrell affair faded, Hagrid's secret was discovered, he had a dragon egg.

"Discovered" might not be the right word, as Hagrid himself confessed to William and his friends, lamenting that he'd been tricked.

…

In Hagrid's hut, the fireplace roared with heat.

"I was chatting with Sherry about unicorns," Hagrid began. "She was interested, so I offered to make her a unicorn hair sweater. She seemed real excited… even said she'd show me—"

"Wait, Hagrid," William interrupted. "Who's Sherry?"

"You've met her!" Hagrid exclaimed. "The girl who drinks sherry at the Leaky Cauldron."

William racked his memory. The only sherry drinkers he recalled from the Leaky Cauldron were elderly ladies…

Girl?

"Anyway," Hagrid continued, oblivious, "we ran into her friend—a hooded fellow. He invited us to play cards. You know me; I never win at cards. But that night, I couldn't lose!"

Hagrid gestured to the dragon egg on his bed. "The bloke ran out of money and used this as collateral."

"Are you sure it was Quirrell?" asked Cho, warming herself by the fire.

Hagrid looked uneasy. "Who carries a dragon egg around? That's illegal!

"I was weired out at that time, but I told myself he was just trying to get rid of it…"

Hagrid trailed off, staring at the floor.

"But it doesn't have to be Quirrell," Cho said again.

"But he asked about Fluffy!" Hagrid exclaimed. "I remember being drunk at the time, and I told him the dog only sleeps when I sing. I even sang for him…"

Hagrid's face fell into his hands.

"Ever since Quirrell died, I've felt worse and worse. I let slip one of Dumbledore's secrets!"

William resisted the urge to point out that Dumbledore likely never expected Hagrid to keep a secret.

"It's fine," he said. "Quirrell was a dark wizard and he's gone now." 

"Then what about the dragon egg? I can't keep it!" Hagrid cried. "If anyone finds out, I'll be sent to Azkaban as Quirrell's companion for sure!"

Hagrid was quite afraid of ending up in Azkaban.

"Let's send it away," Cho suggested.

"Yeah," Cedric agreed. "Charlie works with dragons in Romania. He'll take it."

"No, let's give it to Newt," William interjected. "Judging from the patteres on the egg, this is a Norwegian Ridgeback. It needs to be sent to Norway. Romania isn't suitable for its habitat."

Hagrid hesitated, but eventually nodded. Thankfully, the egg hadn't been incubated yet, avoiding further complications.

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