The Return to Hogwarts

"What is your opinion, Amosta?" Dumbledore asked solemnly.

“A curse must have a core—” Amostall frowned, his eyes flashing with thought. “That’s for sure. The curse Hermione was afflicted with seems to have a separate seed and a separate curse itself. Only in this way can it be ended. Why did the curse reappear after it was dispelled—”

"This reminds me of the curse that plagued the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructors—"

A hint of weariness flashed across Dumbledore's face.

This is indeed very similar. Amosta also once served as a professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, a position whose curse existed in the form of a contract. When he accepted the position, the curse immediately descended. However, the seed of this powerful curse did not exist in the voodoo doll he used to replace himself.

"You think—"

“I don’t believe this was Voldemort’s doing—” Amostall paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, “From any perspective, he had no reason to harm Hermione at this time.”

Dumbledore understood this without Amosta's reminder, but the problem was that even the two of them couldn't remove the curse on Hermione. How many dark wizards possessed that kind of power?

The person who cast the curse must be found; in a moment of eye contact, Amosta and Dumbledore reached this consensus.

Not only because the curse seed that Hermione was afflicted with is very likely still in the hands of the one who cast the curse, but also because, regardless of who Hermione offended unintentionally, poisoning a junior wizard at Hogwarts in such a cruel way during her school years is undoubtedly a serious provocation against Hogwarts.

If the person behind this isn't brought to justice and made to pay the price, how can the administrators of this school face these young wizards?

Especially for students like Hermione from the Muggle world, whose parents had never heard of Hogwarts before and whose understanding of magic was still limited to mythology, they still sent their child there, and Hogwarts had to give them an explanation.

"They're here--"

Dumbledore, who had been silent, suddenly looked up, and unsurprisingly, the sound of the stone beasts guarding the door shifting could be heard outside.

It was Professor McGonagall, and Harry was with her.

"Albus, Amosta—"

Professor McGonagall was panting heavily, as if she had run all the way back from Hogsmeade. Even her neatly tied bun was now disheveled, and her robes were soaked with mud.

Upon seeing Hermione lying unexpectedly on the hospital bed in the principal's office, her eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she wore a distressed expression.

"Hermione—"

Professor McGonagall's voice was thick with moisture, and her trembling question was filled with fear; she was afraid—afraid of hearing a terrible answer.

"Don't worry, Minerva, Miss Granger's injuries are under control."

How is Ron?

Amosta looked at Professor McGonagall and asked.

He had seen Ron faint in Hogsmeade, but he was too busy to pay attention.

“Alastor examined him—” Professor McGonagall said, sniffling. “He suffered some impact, and Bobby is treating him now—”

Amosta nodded and finally looked at Harry.

"Well then, Mr. Potter, I think you witnessed everything that happened, so please tell us everything you know—"

Chapter 746 The Ministry of Magic's Responsibilities

2024-02-09

The Ministry of Magic clearly had sentries in Hogsmeade; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to receive the information and react so quickly.

These politicians, skilled in political maneuvering, also recognized the sensitivity and seriousness of this matter.

Hogwarts, under the leadership of Albus Dumbledore and Amos Stark Blaine, was essentially another unique political group within the British magical community. Previously, when Dumbledore was the sole figurehead, his 'weak' personality meant the Ministry of Magic wouldn't have needed to react with such alarm, rushing to Hogwarts to handle the situation immediately.

They could stay safely in the Ministry and wait for Hogwarts to request assistance from the Ministry of Magic to investigate the matter, thus gaining the upper hand.

But Amostra is not like Dumbledore at all. If the Ministry of Magic chooses to stay out of this matter and try to shirk responsibility, Amostra Blaine will not stand idly by.

The biggest problem is that the Ministry of Magic doesn't dare to be too tough on Amostrath Blaine. This is not only because Blaine's power makes it impossible for the Ministry to punish him by force, but also because Blaine has had too many dirt on the Ministry in the past two years. If he chooses to make it public, all the senior officials who are currently in charge of the Ministry of Magic will be ousted by the angry public.

Dumbledore returned to his desk, his long fingers interlaced and resting on his chin. His deep blue eyes, behind his half-moon-framed glasses, gazed at the sleeping Hermione, his expression unchanging.

Amosta leaned back on the sofa, also watching Hermione, his raging anger hidden behind his deep gaze.

boom--

The three magicians arrived right on time.

As the minute hand on the wall ticked down four times, the steadily burning fireplace's orange flames turned emerald green without warning. Within the emerald fire tornado, Cornelius Fudge, his most trusted assistant, and Amelia, who had been summoned specifically to quell any potential outburst from Amostella Blaine, appeared simultaneously in Dumbledore's office.

"She survived, didn't she!"

Upon appearing in the office, a breathless Fudge immediately shouted. Without even glancing at Dumbledore or Amos Tower by the bedside, he removed his dark green bowler hat, tugged at his bright red tie, and rushed to the other side of Hermione's bed in a few strides.

"Look, Dolores, I can see she's still breathing!"

Fudge crouched down, scrutinizing Hermione intently. Then, noticing the slight rise and fall of Hermione's chest, he immediately turned with delight to Dolores Umbridge, the Senior Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Magic, whose pale face was straining to force an awkward smile. Dolores had a ridiculous little black velvet bow in her short curls.

“Great! I thought... Oh, I must admit, I was terrified by the news I received. Merlin’s beard! If Hermione Granger gets into trouble, how am I supposed to explain this to the wizarding world? After the first event of the Warring States period, she’s become the darling of the people.”

Fudge straightened up, his face beaming with joy, and finally turned his gaze to Amosta.

Amostella did not respond to his gaze, but stared blankly at the sleeping Hermione.

Fudge's cheeks twitched, and he turned his head toward Dumbledore with a helpless look. However, he did not receive the response he expected from Dumbledore. Although Dumbledore responded to his gaze, he also had a cold expression, and his sharp eyes seemed to pierce through his heart the moment they met.

Fudge's pale face flushed red at a visible speed, and fine beads of sweat fell one after another.

The atmosphere in the office was heavy as lead and mercury. Amosta and Dumbledore seemed like two suns, radiating a power that made Cornelius Fudge feel suffocated.

"Dumbledore."

Fudge spoke with difficulty, his face looking terribly pale.

This was the first time since Dumbledore became Minister for Magic that he had treated him in this way since Voldemort's downfall.

Dolores needs to be more wary of Amosta Blaine.

The Ministry of Magic officials already had a set of tips on how to deal with Dumbledore, but Amostrath Blaine's rise was too rapid, and the Ministry was not yet fully accustomed to the presence of this 'rising star' in the European magical world.

"I've already told you, Minister Fouché, there's no need to worry too much—"

Dolores wore a feigned, joyful smile as she hurried up behind Cornelius. She looked at Hermione with concern, but her eyes were cold, while her peripheral vision darted towards Amostella, clearly showing her apprehension.

“Hogwarts has Dumbledore and Blaine; they will make up for this terrible mistake, and Miss Granger will be safe and sound!”

A terrible mistake?

Amosta's lips curled into a smirk as he finally fixed his gaze on Dolores Umbridge, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

"Amosta--"

Amelia knew perfectly well that Fudge had his own agenda, and only she could ease the tense atmosphere.

With a sigh, Amelia nodded to Dumbledore in greeting, then her gaze lingered briefly on Hermione in Amostella's eyes, a hint of reluctance flashing across her face.

"We've received a report that a young wizard from Hogwarts has been attacked by dark magic at Hogsmeade. The report didn't mention any dark wizards appearing there. What exactly happened?"

Miss Granger received a package at the post office--

Amostella finally spoke, but she addressed Fudge directly.

He and Dumbledore had already given Fudge a hard time. If he didn't give the Minister of Magic face, although Fudge couldn't do anything about them, Amelia's situation in the Ministry would definitely become difficult.

The matter wasn't particularly complicated; Amosta explained it clearly in just two minutes.

None of the three from the Ministry of Magic had anticipated that things would turn out this way. They all assumed that a ruthless dark wizard had infiltrated Hogsmeade unnoticed, and that Hermione Granger was simply unlucky to be chosen as the target. If this was the case, the Ministry of Magic would undoubtedly bear the responsibility for its poor security.

“Oh, according to you, Mr. Blaine, that means—”

Umbridge, that woman, reacted quickly. After a brief moment of surprise, she recovered and said in a tone tinged with joy,

"I mean, perhaps this Miss Granger offended some powerful dark wizard, which led to—"

"Cornell, who is the head of the Department of Magical Transportation?"

Dumbledore abruptly interrupted Umbridge's attempt to shift some of the blame onto Hermione herself, speaking in a cold tone.

Amosta smiled inwardly, rarely seeing Dumbledore so tough.

"Oh, what?"

Fudge hadn't expected Dumbledore's sudden question. He wiped the sweat from his brow and instinctively looked at Umbridge.

"Dolores, the Director of Transport, came up from the position of Director—I mean, after she became Senior Undersecretary, she temporarily oversaw this department. What's wrong, Dumbledore?"

Umbridge's face flushed red, and she glared at Dumbledore with hatred.

"The murderer sent the package to Hogsmeade via the post office, Mr. Minister—"

Amostella stood up expressionlessly, staring coldly at Fudge and Umbridge across Hermione's bed.

"May I ask if the post office is under the jurisdiction of the Magic Transportation Department?"

Fudge was stunned for a moment, while Umbridge's face flushed red and then turned pale, his eyes, which were loosely wrapped around his eyes, revealed his annoyance.

If it were a security issue, then Amelia Burns would be the first to be condemned, which is why she felt safe to come along. Little did she expect that things would turn out this way and get involved with her!

Umbridge glared at the cold-faced Blaine. At this moment, she had to defend herself. It was unrealistic to expect Fudge to speak up for her. However, unfortunately, Blaine did not give her the chance.

"Since this package was sent to Hogsmeade through the post office under the Department of Magical Transportation, and not by a private or school owl, the Department of Transportation bears an undeniable responsibility!"

Amosta's tone was cold.

"Doesn't the post office conduct any pre-shipment checks before mailing packages?!"