The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 452 Breakup
The tense situation eased somewhat. The Aurors present might not want to believe that Voldemort had returned, but they did not want to become an enemy of Dumbledore.

In the eyes of the Aurors, Dumbledore's answer had already made his position clear to a certain extent. He was defending the grandparents and grandchildren and justifying their behavior.

Fortunately, Kingsley Shacklebolt stood up and said something sensible on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, which saved the situation and prevented it from getting worse. It also stopped Fudge from declaring war on Dumbledore on behalf of the Ministry of Magic.

"Minister, I think the first thing you need to do now is to notify the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters." Kingsley Shacklebolt continued, "We need the help of the Accidental Magic Reversal Team and the Memory Annuler."

Although the fire did not last long, the flames that shot up into the sky could not have gone unnoticed by Muggles. Kingsley's approach was what the Minister of Magic should do. Fudge was only focused on targeting Dumbledore tonight, and his performance was really unsatisfactory.

Seeing that Fudge remained silent and did not continue to make more intense remarks, Kingsley further said: "Minister, when I came here, I noticed that there is a tavern in the village. You can discuss the matter of Barty the Younger with Dumbledore there."

Kingsley was smart in not mentioning Voldemort at all, but only talking about Barty Crouch Jr. He didn't give Fudge the opportunity to continue to make use of the issue, but forced him to get out of the situation.

Fudge glanced at Kingsley. He said nothing, but his ugly expression improved.

Dumbledore also agreed with Kingsley that maintaining the International Statute of Secrecy was indeed a top priority.

Dumbledore walked towards Vida and said softly, "Mrs. Rosier, I think Ada needs to go back to school and have a good rest. She must be exhausted this night."

"I am disappointed. I am disappointed with everything that happened tonight, Dumbledore." Vida said bluntly, but it was unclear whether he was disappointed with Dumbledore, or with Fudge, or both.

"Of course, you should be disappointed. I am disappointed too." Dumbledore said helplessly, "It shouldn't be like this."

After Vida took Laura and Ada away, Dumbledore looked at Fudge with his deep eyes, then suddenly raised his head and looked at the moon hanging in the night sky.

===Separating line===
In the village of Little Hangleton, the Ministry of Magic staff who were urgently called in were running around. They came here to modify the villagers' memories so that the villagers would collectively forget this terrible night.

Besides Little Hangleton, these clerks were also needed in the neighbouring hamlet, and in the town of Great Hangleton, and their duties were numerous and heavy.

There is a tavern in the village, which is the best place for villagers to hang out. But at this moment, there are only four people in the tavern, Dumbledore, Sirius, Fudge and Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Kingsley and Sirius sat at the bar, each holding a bottle of Muggle beer, the cool beer dispelled their tiredness. Dumbledore and Fudge sat opposite each other at a small table in the corner of the pub, neither of them spoke, and the drinks on the table were untouched.

Just now, Sirius described in detail what happened in the cemetery, and he also repeated some of Voldemort's words. It was these words that caused Dumbledore and Fudge to remain silent.

After a while, Fudge suddenly raised his glass and took a gulp.

Then he said, "I have never heard of a curse scar acting like an alarm. I cannot believe Potter's dreams and his hallucinations. Also, I do not believe what Black saw with his own eyes."

"The Malfoys, a very old family who donate generously to good causes; MacNeill, he was acquitted a long time ago and works for the Ministry; as for Avery, Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle, they were also acquitted, just thirteen years ago."

Dumbledore held the wine glass for a moment, then let it go. He said, "There's nothing wrong with Harry, and there's nothing wrong with what Sirius said. It was the trial back then that went wrong. You should know better than me what happened in those trials."

"There is nothing wrong with the trial!" Fudge raised his voice, "We put the criminals who committed crimes in Azkaban, and we released the innocent good people. There is nothing that can be blamed!"

Sirius, who was sitting at the bar, laughed loudly and mockingly. Kingsley tilted the bottle in his hand, motioning Sirius to clink glasses with him and not to get involved in the conversation between Dumbledore and Fudge.

Sirius's laughter made Fudge feel offended, the third time tonight. The Minister was very angry, and he said loudly: "Potter feels that he is not valued, so he weaves those weird dreams. Black is Potter's godfather, of course he must help Potter and make Potter important again!"

Fudge pointed at Dumbledore and continued, "And you, you saw hope in Potter's lies, the hope of gaining power, so you accepted his lies completely! With the appearance of Barty Crouch Jr., you put Potter's lies into practice and found your best helper, Drizzt!"

"I have no interest in the power you speak of," Dumbledore said. "Voldemort is back, that is an indisputable fact. As the Minister of Magic, you should put aside your prejudices and look at what happened tonight in a correct way."

"I don't need you to teach me how to do things. I am the Minister of Magic!" Fudge stood up. "It seems to me that you are determined to create a panic and destroy everything we have painstakingly built over the past thirteen years!"

"Voldemort is back," Dumbledore said again. "Fudge, if you accept this fact immediately and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most important step is to free Azkaban from the control of the Dementors..."

The little Fudge interrupted Dumbledore angrily and shouted, "No way! Dementors are loyal partners of the Ministry of Magic. With them, we can rest assured!"

Dumbledore ignored Fudge's shouting and continued, "Second, you must send someone to deliver a letter to the giants, extend a hand of friendship to them, and prevent Voldemort from winning them over."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Fudge said in shock, "Giants are cruel and bloodthirsty, and people hate them to the core! I won't let my career be ruined by your ambition!"

Finally, Dumbledore couldn't stand it anymore and lost his patience with Cornelius Fudge.

Dumbledore also stood up. He looked down at Fudge and said coldly, "I am not interested in your official position. If I want it, I can get it easily without any conspiracy!"

Fudge pointed at Dumbledore. His hands and voice were shaking slightly. He said, "Ha! You finally admit it. You finally say what you think!"

"Sit down, you fool!" Dumbledore shouted, his eyes blazing, and Fudge fell into his chair under his gaze.

"Let go of your obsession with bloodline! Go to Azkaban and see how many prisoners are of the bloodline you value. They work for Voldemort and destroy everything we cherish! Barty the Younger, he is the last member of the ancient Crouch family. He killed his own father with his own hands. This is what the pure-bloods you favor would do!"

"This matter is still under investigation..." Fudge said in a low voice. He was intimidated by Dumbledore's aura.

Dumbledore continued, "I am here to tell you that it is not me who is destroying your career. I am protecting your career! As long as you follow my advice and take some measures, Voldemort will not have a second chance to destroy the world we have worked so hard to rebuild!"

"Ridiculous," Fudge whispered, shrinking in his chair. "Madness..."

"If you are still so stubborn and insist on having your own way, Cornelius," Dumbledore said solemnly, "you must remember that those innocent people died because of your inaction and your stubbornness!"

Fudge slumped in his chair like a melting marshmallow, and his voice was filled with pleading, "He won't come back, Dumbledore, he won't come back, it's impossible..."

"From tonight on, I will only act according to my own will. This is my last, Cornelius." Dumbledore said decisively.

Then Dumbledore strode out of the tavern without even glancing at Fudge, who had disappointed him.

Sirius also stood up, glanced at Fudge sideways, and walked out of the tavern. But before leaving, Sirius left a mouthful of thick phlegm at Fudge's feet.

"Impossible, how could it be possible..." Fudge muttered with lifeless eyes, "How could he come back? There is no way..."

(End of this chapter)