The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 469: Uncertain Future
As the gavel in Fudge's hand fell, Harry's trial was officially over, and Ada breathed a sigh of relief. Carrying others on your back is really tiring!
Harry sat in the middle chair without moving, looking a little dazed, and didn't even notice Ada approaching. This was normal, although he had experienced a lot, he was still a 15-year-old boy after all, and he would be afraid and panic.

"Hey!" Ada said, "Why are you still sitting here? Do you really want to go to Azkaban to get gilded?"

"No, not at all." Harry shook his head. "Ada, it seems that what I owe you is getting more and more, and it's too much to pay back." Harry lowered his head and looked at the iron chains wrapped around the chair.

If it were in the past, Ada would probably take advantage of the situation to extort some money from Harry, and the matter would require at least 18,000 gold Galleons, but her mood was different now.

The most important thing is that she is not short of money...

Ada messed up Harry's hair that he had combed with great difficulty. She said, "This is usury, and the interest is compounded. If you want to pay it back, you have to wait until your next life!"

Then, Ada straightened Harry's collar with disdain, just like an older sister taking care of her sloppy younger brother.

She said: "After returning home, take a good bath to get rid of the bad luck."

Harry stood up. He was already much taller than Ada without realizing it. Harry said, "Mrs. Weasley is preparing meatballs tonight. Will you go?"

"Of course, but I still have something to take care of." Ada said, "Go, Mr. Weasley should be waiting for you outside!"

Harry nodded vigorously, then ran towards the heavy door like a bird running to freedom.

Ada did not leave. She turned around and looked at Fudge again, and at the Wizengamot on both sides. Some members of the Wizengamot had already left in a hurry, and the rest were talking while sorting out documents.

Minister of Magic Fudge sat there, his eyes never leaving Ada, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Ida walked up to the minister and whispered, "Mr. Minister, the professor asked me to bring you a message. He said: I am still willing to support your career as long as you face reality."

"I don't quite understand what this sentence means, but I think Mr. Minister must understand, right?"

Hearing Ada's message and Ada's question, Fudge's face became even uglier. The red liver was not enough to describe it, it should be replaced by rotten liver.

Fudge was breathing heavily, his eyes almost popping out of his sockets.

"I don't need him to support my career!" Fudge gritted his teeth and said this with great effort. As soon as he finished speaking, Fudge collapsed on the bench, as if all the strength in his body had been drained.

"That's a pity, Mr. Minister." Ada took a step back. Her voice was still light, without any ups and downs due to Fudge's exasperation.

Ada continued: "There are many Ministers of Magic, but there is only one Albus Dumbledore. This is what I said, and I think Mr. Minister can understand what I mean."

For humans, the biggest barrier lies in the brain.

Fudge is obsessed with power. Doesn't he believe that Voldemort has returned?

No, I'm afraid the Minister has already believed it 70 or 80 percent. He just holds on to that 20 or 30 percent hope, hoping that Voldemort will not come back and that all this is Dumbledore's doing.

If you tell a lie enough times, it will become true. Fudge was completely deceived by the lies he had woven.

Hopeless, maybe Dumbledore would still be merciful and believe Fudge, and wait for him to turn back. But Ada would not, in her heart, Fudge had been sentenced to death, starting from the first whitewashing newspaper.

Ada doesn't want a teammate who can't see the situation clearly, because that will only be a burden. Victory will be delayed because of such a person. A late victory means a prolonged war, which means that the people she cares about will face more danger.

At this time, Ms. Bones had packed her belongings and was walking towards the door, accompanied by three or two close friends.

"Ms. Bones!" Ada did not delay any further and walked quickly towards Amelia Bones.

The first time I met Ms. Bones was at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. At that time, Ida's impression of her was that she was capable and resolute. The second time I met her was at Hogsmeade. She was a conscientious and flexible official.

Today was the third time they met in the courtroom, and this time, Ms. Bones impressed Ada even more. Before, neither Dumbledore nor Ada had consulted with Ms. Bones, but today, regarding Harry's trial and Fudge's difficulties, Ms. Bones and Ada cooperated very well.

It was as if the two of them chatted for a long time last night and then slept together.

After the trial began, Ms. Bones first helped Ada, so that Ada would not be collectively ignored by the Wizengamot because of her young age; then she helped Harry, letting the people of the Wizengamot know that Harry Potter was not only the "boy who survived", but also very talented; after the trial reached a deadlock, she directed the blame at Fudge by guiding Mrs. Figg to give her testimony, forcing the minister into desperate situations time and time again.

The best part is that Ms. Bones's innuendos are always just right, and her actions and words only make her look fair and impartial, rather than favoring anyone.

If it weren't for Fudge's shamelessness and Umbridge's interference, the trial would have ended long ago! This is the change brought about by a great teammate.

Even though Fudge knew that Ms. Bones was targeting him, the Minister could do nothing about the Director of the Law Enforcement Department.

Fudge couldn't just suppress this powerful person. If he was too aggressive, he might even suffer a backlash.

Hearing Ada calling her, Amelia Bones slowed down her pace, and the people around her all dispersed to give the two of them space to talk.

In this respect alone, Ms. Bones was much better than Fudge. None of the people under her needed her orders, unlike Fudge, who had to chase them away personally every time.

Ada rushed to Ms. Bones' side, and she played a trick, deliberately lagging half a body length behind Bones. This was a bit dirty.

Ada is a student, and Bones' social status is far from that of a student. There is nothing wrong with lagging half a body length behind to show her humility and respect for Bones. Some people may even think that lagging half a body length behind is not enough.

The dirty thing about this practice is that Ada is more than just a student.

First of all, Ada's magical attainments are not second to none, but at least among the top few. Her own strength is her biggest advantage, and is no worse than Bones' identity and status.

Furthermore, this time when defending Harry, Ada appeared on behalf of Dumbledore. She was the professor's spokesperson, and her every word and action could represent Dumbledore's will.

In this case, how many people can still walk in front of Ada with a smug look on their faces?
The answer is almost none.

Arrogant fools can't see this kind of behavior. They won't think it's a problem and won't worry about whether they can bear it. Only smart people can see it, and it may cause smart people to be annoyed.

Ms. Bones was a smart person, she naturally saw through Ada's behavior and realized that it was a bold test. She did not find Ada's behavior annoying, but instead had a little more appreciation for this wild girl.

"Excellent defense. I wasn't able to stay calm like this when I was your age," Amelia Bones said, adjusting her pace and rhythm to keep pace with Ada instead of walking one behind the other.

"Thank you for the compliment, but I haven't done enough." Ada said modestly, and she no longer deliberately controlled her pace.

"Did the talks break down?" Ms. Bones asked, getting straight to the point without any beating around the bush.

Ada nodded and said, "We never reached an agreement. After graduation, I plan to open a cake shop in Diagon Alley, selling only cupcakes. I have already thought of the name of the shop, it's Fudge."

"Remember to tell me when the time comes, and I will bring Susan with me," said Ms. Bones with a smile.

"Professor Dumbledore asked me to convey his greetings to you, ma'am." Ada suddenly changed the subject.

Amelia Bones stopped and asked, "Is this greeting really from Professor Dumbledore? Or is this your own greeting?"

"Is there any difference?" Ada asked knowingly.

"Of course they are different." Ms. Bones said without any impatience, "Dumbledore is the present, and you are the future. The 'present' is here, visible and tangible. The 'future' is uncertain."

"The future," Ida said confidently, "the future will come as expected."

(End of this chapter)