The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 352 Do You Want to Rebel?

Regarding Sirius, Dumbledore and Fudge had different starting points, so naturally their ideas would not be consistent.

Dumbledore's starting point was to overturn the case and clear Sirius' name. He couldn't let an innocent person live as a murderer, wanted by the Ministry of Magic and hunted by Dementors for his whole life.

To put it in a more conspiratorial way, Dumbledore needed to borrow Sirius to win people's hearts. Sirius had put his head on the belt and followed you, Dumbledore, to fight against Voldemort. You can't let him bleed and cry, right?

Some of them are like buying a horse's bones for a huge sum of money. Dumbledore helped Sirius so much, so the others were more loyal. Of course, this is just speculation. No one can see through Dumbledore unless he wants you to understand.

Fudge's starting point was himself first, and the Ministry of Magic second. As for whether Sirius Black was really innocent, it had nothing to do with the Minister. Fudge was thinking about what kind of trouble the Ministry of Magic would be in after the verdict was overturned, and whether it would affect his position.

For politician Fudge, the gains and losses are what he needs to consider. What will he gain and what will he lose by doing this? This is what Fudge values. However, at present, all Fudge sees are troubles and losses. Compared with the losses, the gains are insignificant.

If Dumbledore had not been so well prepared, Fudge would not have continued the conversation with Dumbledore.

Even if Dumbledore talked a lot, Fudge would not agree with Dumbledore's statement. Sirius Black was the one who betrayed the Potters and was the murderer.

In order to prevent future troubles, Fudge would not give Black any more chances. The first thing he did when he found Black was to shut up this Azkaban fugitive forever and let Black and his innocence rest in peace underground.

Many times, people cannot be distinguished by good and evil. People in different positions have different ideas and practices. Fudge just chose the approach he thought was the most correct and the most beneficial to himself.

"Cornelly, now that you have discovered the mistakes of the Ministry of Magic, as the Minister, why don't you try to make up for it? Why don't you try to correct it? Why do you have to evade it blindly?" Dumbledore said, "The Cornelius I know is not a person who only knows how to evade."

Fudge suddenly laughed, and it gave Ada goose bumps.

Fudge said, "Make up for it? Correct it? The Ministry of Magic cannot afford such a mistake. It will cause a chain reaction. When you return to Hogwarts, all the blame and criticism will be borne by me and the Ministry of Magic!"

"More than that, have you ever thought about what terrible things will happen if the Ministry of Magic loses its credibility?" Fudge continued, "The Ministry of Magic will no longer play a leading role, the wizarding world will fall into chaos, and ambitious people will take advantage of the situation to rise. Do you want to see the wizarding world return to what it was a dozen years ago?"

Now Fudge didn't just want to escape. If possible, he wanted to persuade Dumbledore to give up Sirius and consider the overall interests of the Ministry of Magic instead of caring about Sirius' personal gains and losses.

Dumbledore did not respond, he just looked at Fudge quietly. The headmaster knew what was wrong with Fudge and why he thought so, because Dumbledore himself had gone through this stage and valued power more than anything else.

In the final analysis, Fudge seemed to be considering the stability of the wizarding world, but what he really cared about was himself. Whether he could continue to serve as Minister of Magic and whether he could continue to lead the wizards of this country was of vital importance to Fudge.

"Or do you plan to regroup your old subordinates, Albus, or do you want to take the position of minister now?" Fudge said lightly. His words were without any tone, but they were heavier than anything he had said before, and they were heart-piercing.

Fudge's tenure as minister over the years was not in vain, and his continued friendship with pure-blood families like the Malfoys was not completely useless. Amelia Bones was firmly suppressed in the Department of Law Enforcement and posed no threat to Fudge's hold on the position of minister.

But there is one person whom Fudge could not suppress no matter what. Even Fudge was able to become Minister because of this person, and that person is Dumbledore. If Dumbledore had not clearly stated that he refused to serve as Minister of Magic, this position would not have been Cornelius Fudge's turn.

At first, Fudge, who had just become Minister, was very respectful to Dumbledore and often asked for advice. However, as he served as Minister for a longer time, Fudge gradually regarded Dumbledore as a threat, and the biggest threat to himself.

Blinded by greed and power, Fudge is no longer the Fudge he once was, but Dumbledore is still the same Dumbledore. Fudge's words made the office quiet, and one could even hear Fudge's rapid breathing. Dumbledore was silent, and he was very disappointed with Fudge's performance.

The pink toad did not jump out in a hurry to annoy people on behalf of her master. She just stared at Dumbledore, as if she wanted to kill Dumbledore with her eyes.

Ada suddenly understood. She thought Fudge was more or less public-spirited and was considering the stability of the Ministry of Magic and the magical community, but it turned out that the Minister was full of selfish motives.

Although it would be a lot of trouble to overturn Sirius's verdict, it would not be completely without benefits for Fudge. Ada did not believe that Fudge could not see it.

But Fudge turned a blind eye to it. He gave up this benefit because he didn't want Dumbledore to benefit as well and to expand his influence again.

No matter what, Fudge was still afraid of losing his position as minister and that Dumbledore would rebel against him.

In this very serious occasion, Ada laughed inappropriately, and even laughed out loud. Ada really couldn't help it, she thought Fudge was too funny, if Dumbledore wanted to rebel, would he need to expand his influence?

As long as Dumbledore raised his arm and called out, he would be able to recruit a large number of top experts, if not many people would respond. Moreover, he could fight his way in and out of the Ministry of Magic by himself, so why would he need to recruit his subordinates? It was really funny.

Fudge thinks too highly of himself and the Ministry of Magic. Who gave him this illusion?

"What are you laughing at!" Umbridge shouted, "The Minister is speaking, is it your turn to laugh?"

Ada just looked at Umbridge with disgust, she didn't lose her temper with the pink toad. If she also got angry, she would not be able to end it today without beating her brains out.

The reason why Dumbledore came to Fudge privately was to deal with Fudge, to tempt Fudge with the political achievement of overturning Sirius's case, and to promote the process of re-examination of the case.

But Fudge didn't fall for it, because he was afraid that Dumbledore would become too powerful, so he would rather perish together with Dumbledore. Dumbledore's sugar-coated bullet came out, but Fudge ate the bullet directly and returned the sugar coating to Dumbledore.

Now that Dumbledore was being framed by Fudge, whatever he said had a completely different meaning and flavor. Fudge could have asked back: Are you teaching the minister how to do things? Are you going to be a minister next?

Fortunately, Dumbledore brought Ada with him. Ada was just a student, and she could ease the awkward atmosphere. Ada didn't teach Umbridge a lesson just because she was looking for a reason, but Ada didn't find a way to do it.

"How about this, Albus? Let's both take a step back." Fudge regained his lost rationality. "Hand over Black so that I can give an explanation to the Ministry of Magic and the public. Then I will return Black to you and give Black freedom, but he must not appear in Britain again."

This was a compromise plan that Fudge came up with, which not only restored Black's freedom but also gave an explanation to the public. Most importantly, Dumbledore's influence would not expand to an unacceptable level.

But the question is, why should an innocent person leave his homeland and move away from Britain? Why should Blake be made a victim of the struggle?
Obviously Dumbledore did not agree with Fudge's method, and he looked at Ada.

Ada also understood what he meant. At this time, don't think about any entry point. Just go straight for it. Otherwise, Ada was afraid that she would not be able to resist smashing Fudge's head.

"Minister, I don't know whether I should say something or not?" Ada said.

(End of this chapter)