Chapter 938
What did you say to him?
Chapter 938 What did you say to him?
"Yes...it's all because of my stupidity."
Hawthorne said only that one sentence before falling silent.
Ever since he became Speaker of Congress… no, ever since long ago, he has always been mindful of his image, striving to appear wise, powerful, and reliable.
Even in front of Ezra, Hawthorne forced himself to remain composed, not letting himself show the slightest helplessness or pain.
But at this moment, in front of Serafina—a "senior" who far surpassed him in age, seniority, and achievements—Hawthorne finally revealed some of his true emotions.
The firelight from the fireplace danced in Serafina's eyes as she stared at Hawthorne without saying a word for a long time.
The fire crackled and popped, bringing ample warmth to the room, but Serafina felt only a chill in her heart.
Finally, she raised her eyes and looked calmly at Hawthorne. Her voice, though slightly low due to her age, was exceptionally clear:
“Nicholson, for so many years, I’ve always thought that you had a problem with me… that you were trying to hinder my influence and even secretly supporting actions that undermined my reputation.”
She gave a bitter smile, her face full of self-mockery.
“I’ve been angry about it and thought about retaliating, but… Leila, and many of my old buddies, think that although you’re a bit stingy, you’re an impeccable leader when it comes to official duties.”
“I have many unjust suspicions about you, but for the sake of the American wizarding community… I believe it is for the peace of the American wizarding community… I have decided to remain silent and endure.”
"But I'm sorry, in private... it's hard for me to tell others that I support your actions."
Those complaints and grumbles in secret were just venting of helplessness at the time. Who knew that they would plant the seeds of opposition to the Speaker of Congress in the hearts of some people?
Hawthorne listened quietly, his face showing no surprise, only a deep weariness and understanding.
He slowly began, “When I was the director of the Department of Law Enforcement, I once worked with Hughes on a smuggling case and accidentally discovered that there was a mysterious force that had always existed in the American magical community.”
"That force secretly manipulates all sorts of illegal transactions and even collaborates with certain forces among Muggles, yet it remains unscathed in the shadows under the protection of Congress."
"After becoming President of Congress, I was finally able to mobilize sufficient resources to conduct an investigation... I've always suspected, Mrs. Picqueli, that you are the one hiding behind the scenes—"
He said with a somber expression, “The rise of the purgers, the wavering of certain factions within Congress, and even the crackdown on some moderate members of Congress... the clues always seem to point to you unexpectedly, but they can never be truly verified.”
“I thought… you never truly relinquished power, but were simply controlling everything in another way, even trampling the laws of the Magic Congress under your feet!”
So... although he knew that some Aurors were secretly monitoring Serafina's manor, he tacitly approved of this behavior.
For this reason, he even placed great trust in the person who secretly arranged his surveillance—Laila, Serafina's own niece, believing her to be a person with true justice and integrity.
At the same time, the fact that Leila orchestrated this matter also created a buffer zone between the two sides in the absence of clear evidence, so as to avoid escalating the conflict and causing a direct and intense clash between him and the former chairman's forces.
Hawthorne believes that many people maintain a good relationship with Serafina simply because of past feelings. Even if they are dissatisfied with him as chairman, they are still dutiful colleagues at work, and it is wrong to condemn them all.
Once they have concrete evidence that Serafina is the mastermind, those honest officials will naturally distance themselves from this former "hero".
The two stared at each other, a belated and chilling realization filling the air.
Serafina slowly shook her head, her fingers unconsciously tracing the warm rim of the teacup.
"It's Lyra—all the information, all the reports, all the messages and documents passed between us... all go through her hands."
"She selectively tells us what she wants us to know, or even fabricates seemingly plausible clues to subtly guide our judgment and make us suspicious and wary of each other."
“She took advantage of our sense of responsibility, our concerns about the Magical Congress, and even our individual pride and principles…” Hawthorne’s voice carried a hint of suppressed pain, “making us pawns on her chessboard, mutually restraining and attacking each other.”
Serafina took a deep breath, straightened her back slightly, and her eyes flashed with the fighting spirit she once had against Grindelwald:
"So, Nicolo, don't compromise, don't give in to her, not even a little bit!"
"Giving in would certainly be easier, but it would send the American wizarding world into an even darker future!" "Lyra...cough cough cough..."
Serafina was somewhat agitated. She couldn't help but cough a few times, and when she spoke again, her voice was hoarse and sorrowful:
"Lyra... she is no longer the bright, confident, and proud girl I remember."
"Power has changed her, or rather, it has unleashed something deep within her that I have never wanted to confront... She has gone astray!"
"And at the end of that road will never be a bright future for the Magic Congress."
She stared at Hawthorne, her words like a prophecy:
"If we don't stop her now... and them, the price we'll have to pay in the future will be far beyond our imagination!"
Hawthorne remained silent for a long time, the firelight from the fireplace casting flickering shadows on his face. He slowly picked up the long-cooled black tea, but didn't drink it; instead, he ran his fingertips along the warm, smooth surface of the cup.
"I understand……"
After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice firm, and a spark seemed to rekindle in his eyes:
"I will not—and cannot—give up the position of Speaker of Congress and the responsibilities associated with it so easily."
He raised his eyes and his gaze met Serafina's.
“But I need help, madam. To be honest, I’m afraid I can’t turn things around on my own. Leila’s network is more intricate than I thought, and she clearly isn’t going to give me much time.”
His gaze shifted slightly to the window, as if he could see through the manor walls and into the distance.
“I know you have a close relationship with Albus Dumbledore. I also know that it was you who pushed Kingsley Shackles, Alastor Moody… to send these British Aurors to investigate.”
Lady Serafina paused slightly, a complex expression flashing across her aged face.
She sighed softly: "Since you knew, why didn't you stop it? Haven't you been suspicious of me all along?"
Hawthorne shook his head, a faint, almost bitter smile on his face.
“I didn’t stop him because I thought… I could trust Dumbledore.”
He paused, then said sincerely, "I may have misunderstood you, madam, but I have no doubt about Albus Dumbledore's character and judgment—"
"If he were a greedy person, Cornelius Fudge wouldn't have been able to hold the position of Minister of Magic for those years."
"So... if he is willing to send people across the Atlantic to come here, it must be because he believes there is something worth paying attention to and helping here, and he believes that the person who extended the invitation is acting in the public interest."
Hawthorne stared intently at Serafina and said:
"So, now, I'd like to know one thing, madam—"
He leaned forward slightly, his voice low:
"What exactly did you tell Dumbledore back then? What made him think that we shouldn't contact the Magical Congress, but instead send people to intervene in these affairs?"
"Crack!"
The firewood in the fireplace suddenly crackled as it burned, the flames flickered violently, and the figures on the wall swayed as if struggling to break free from the two people's feet.
Serafina and Hawthorne stared at each other, searching for what they hoped to see in each other's eyes.
(End of this chapter)