—— Stop using soul-sucking monsters and build a wizard prison elsewhere instead?!
Amelia looked puzzled at Amostha, not knowing if the serious Amostha was kidding her!
There is no doubt that the Azkaban prison guarded by soul-sucking dementors is notorious throughout the magical world.
However, no one would doubt that soul-sucking dementors and the Azkaban prison are a sharp weapon in the hands of the Ministry of Magic, and an essential support for the Ministry to maintain power and dignity.
Even the most rebellious wizards like Sirius Black, upon hearing about Azkaban, can't help but feel a sense of fear!
Now, for Amostha to suggest that the Ministry of Magic disband Azkaban is like cutting off an arm from the Ministry at this crucial time!
"I didn't expect you to suggest such a thing, Amostha--"
The proposal also shocked Dumbledore for a moment, but after coming back to his senses, he was in a comforting mood.
"I have no doubt that this decision will please many people, Amostha--"
Amelia's face was serious, and she shook her head slightly.
"But without Azkaban, how can we deter evil?"
"Except for those beyond the pale, the purpose of punishment is to reform, Amilia--"
Amostha's words surprised both Amilia and Dumbledore. They had not expected such a insightful view from him.
"--And the dementors of Azkaban will only push wizards who might have been led towards the right path even further into extremes."
Amostha looked at Amilia meaningfully.
"Let's not discuss whether using dementors is ethical. Amilia, do you truly believe that the dementors still obey the Ministry's orders?"
Click!
Amostha's straightforward statement startled Amilia, causing her to pale in shock!
"I have indeed considered this possibility--"
Dumbledore was silent for a moment.
"I have been worried about such an event happening ever since the escape incident at Azkaban and the loss of the contract that bound dementors in the hands of Silencers."
"But."
Amilia, of course, was not an imbecile. She quickly understood what Amostha and Dumbledore meant. Amilia furrowed her brow in worry.
"During the trial, you."
"I can command the dementors because of some unique, unrepeatable spells that I possess personally."
Amostha said,
"But you've seen that I can barely command them. I think the one who holds the contract can exert strong control over them, and dementors themselves may be more inclined to obey the commands of Death Eaters."
Seeing that Amilia was still hesitating, Amostha said solemnly,
"Let me put it simply, dementors can no longer be trusted. They may currently be pretending to follow the Ministry's orders, but if I were Voldemort, I would make them appear trustworthy and then strike back at the crucial moment."
Amelia's lips tightened.
Indeed, Amostha was not worrying unnecessarily; it was a very possible scenario.
Noticing that Amostha had something else to say, Dumbledore's eyes sparkled, and he asked in a gentle tone,
"If you have proposed this suggestion, Amostha, I suppose you've also considered the location and security facilities for the new wizard prison?"
Amilia paused in her deliberation and stared straight at Amostha.
"The new prison will be built deep in the Forbidden Forest."
Everyone was pressed for time, and Amostha didn't have the luxury of beating around the bush anymore.
"This matter has been on my mind for some time. Professor Dumbledore, you'll recall, I banished the Acromantulae living in the Forbidden Forest to its deepest reaches."
Dumbledore's eyelids moved slightly, and he indeed remembered. This was not long ago, when Amostha made a commotion in the middle of the night, which he didn't expect to be used for such a purpose!
"Using the Acromantulae to guard prisoners."
Amilia's thoughts were whirling.
Dementors are interested in the soul of a wizard, while Acromantula are interested in the physical body of a wizard.
Of course, Amostha is not planning to feed the prisoners to the Acromantulae.
He merely wants to leverage the reputation of the Acromantulae to deter crime.
"The Acromantulae are only one of the many lines of defense in the new prison."
Amostha spoke in detail.
"The prison will be built in an unknown secret place deep in the Forbidden Forest. It's a very discreet place, where a group of non-British wizards who want to integrate into the British wizarding world are located. These people are generally honest and peaceful."
"I've communicated with them, and they are willing to help us guard the new wizard prison to integrate into the British magical world. They will also be responsible for the spiritual education of the prisoners."
"They are willing?"
Dumbledore's silver eyebrows twitched continuously, looking quite surprised.
"I persuaded them."
Amostha said succinctly, then turned to look at the puzzled Amilia.
"About the identity of this group, we'll discuss it later, Amilia. The Ministry can sign a contract with them for one hundred years, where they will guard wizards' prisoners and the magical world will provide them with protection. Of course, they will also need to be paid. These people will be the second line of defense for the new wizard prison."
Amilia's breathing quickened as she realized she was struggling to keep up with Amostha's pace.
"That means there's a third line?"
Dumbledore, being the experienced wizard he was, immediately understood and asked follow-up questions.
"Oh--"
Amostha smiled slightly, his expression calm. He raised a finger, pointing first at Dumbledore and then at his own chest.
"The third line of defense is us."
This.
Dumbledore's mouth twitched slightly as he shook his head gently.
The suggestion is indeed sound.
With Amostha at Hogwarts, the new wizard prison will not face any issues for at least a century.
Unless, they were to fail outright in the struggle against the dark forces led by Voldemort.
"I cannot make decisions alone, Amostha, Alastor--"
The decision to disband Azkaban and establish a new wizard prison is indeed a significant matter.
Even Amilia, as the acting Minister of Magic, couldn't give an immediate reply.
"I need to communicate with the heads of the various departments in the Ministry and some deputy ministers, seeking their opinions--"
Amilia took a deep breath.
"But I believe they will support it. After all, you are right. Dementors are no longer reliable. It is best to keep them quiet in Azkaban prison."
"If this resolution is passed through discussion, Amilia--"
Dumbledore spoke in a serious tone.
"When transferring the criminals from Azkaban prison, I and Amostha should be present as well."
This is to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, and Amostha had also planned it this way. He nodded in agreement.
"Publicly revealing the resurrection of the mysterious person and disbanding Azkaban--"
Amilia mumbled to herself, and suddenly looked at Amostha.
"This could indeed calm the raging public opinion, but Amostha, it seems to have nothing to do with your previous statement about pursuing the escaped criminals?"
"Then that brings us to my third suggestion."
Amostha smiled and said,
"Amilia, I would like you to announce to the magical world during the next press conference that I hope those escaped prisoners from Azkaban will give up any illusions of getting away with it and come forward to surrender."
"Surrendering willingly?! That's a big ask."
"What is your countermeasure?"
Dumbledore asked with a squint.
Amostha smiled with a faint smile, his eyes deep and mysterious. He slowly revealed the plan he had been planning for a long time.
Dumbledore listened attentively, initially puzzled, then shocked, then enlightened, and finally even developed a touch of admiration. In short, his expression was amazingly complex!
