The Return to Hogwarts

Percy's clenched fists dug his nails into his flesh.

"The Minister—I learned by chance that they hoped Ms. Dolores Umbridge would take a position at Hogwarts, so it was because you persuaded Professor Dumbledore to decline the Minister's offer—I mean, the Minister's friendly suggestion."

The Ministry of Magic—The Minister for Magic wants to appoint Dolores Umbridge to a position at Hogwarts?!

Wow!

Hermione jumped to her feet, glaring angrily at Percy. It was an almost instinctive action, but a few seconds later, she finally understood why she felt so angry and surprised.

Hermione's sudden awkwardness startled Ron, who stared at her in astonishment, wondering what had gotten into her.

Harry was equally surprised by Hermione's actions, but then he keenly realized that Hermione must have seen through Fudge's motives for letting that disgusting fat witch into Hogwarts. However, in this situation, he couldn't ask, and could only stare blankly at Professor Blaine—

"Sit down, Hermione—"

Professor Blaine said calmly.

Hermione's expression was still filled with undisguised anger, but when she met Professor Blaine's unfathomable gaze, she bit her lip, took a deep breath, and slowly sat down.

"You just said..."

Amosta didn't seem particularly angry, but he was slightly disappointed in the Weasley son.

Having ambition and the desire to climb the social ladder can be a virtue, but being blinded by the lust for power, losing one's clear-headed rationality, or even abandoning one's principles is a very foolish thing to do.

"You found out about this by chance, and then volunteered?"

Amosta's expression was devoid of joy or anger, but his eyes had become somewhat deep.

"Oh--"

Percy lowered his head in shame. He knew that this clumsy lie would not fool Professor Blaine; he was just trying his luck.

"Actually—well, the truth is, you know I was punished by the department because of Mr. Crouch's death, and I couldn't stand going to the centaur's office, so—so I begged my father to help me go to the minister and say a word for justice."

Percy recounted the events in a breathless voice.

"What do you think, Percy?"

After Percy recounted his journey to Hogwarts, a silence fell over the office.

Hermione looked even angrier, while Harry and Ron, though still not quite understanding the crux of the matter, thought it was simply that Fudge wanted to find a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for Hogwarts, but Professors Dumbledore and Blaine were dissatisfied with the candidate and therefore refused. However, judging from the expressions of Hermione, Percy, and Professor Blaine, it seemed that the matter was not as simple as it appeared.

"Myself"

Percy stared blankly at Professor Blaine, but the moment his gaze met that penetrating gaze, his mental defenses crumbled.

"I think this is actually a good solution--"

"Percy said in a low voice, breathing heavily. After a moment, he suddenly looked up at Harry, mustering his courage."

"I know there are some misunderstandings between the department and Hogwarts—"

Chapter 993 The Swaying Red Shadow

2024-06-24

A misunderstanding? Harry was a little confused.

Harry was well aware that the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, especially Professor Dumbledore, were now practically at odds. Fudge had even used his power to remove Professor Dumbledore from his position as Head Wizard of Wizengamot.

But what's the misunderstanding?

Why was Percy looking at him like that? Harry blinked, vaguely understanding something but not quite.

"As you know, the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts have maintained a harmonious relationship for many years, Professor Blaine—"

Percy said sincerely,

"Minister Fudge fully respects the rights of Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore, and you, but the Ministry cannot stand idly by and watch the wizarding world descend into chaos and the public fall into panic because of one thing."

Percy's eyes flickered.

"Because of an unverified message."

Unverified information caused panic in the magical world?

If Harry still didn't understand what Ron's brother was implying at this moment, then he would be incredibly stupid!

Clang!

Harry knocked over the chair he was sitting on and stood up even more dramatically than Hermione, while Ron stared at Percy in disbelief, clearly having understood what he was saying.

You think I'm lying!

Harry's face turned ashen; any lingering goodwill he had towards Ron's older brother vanished completely. He said sharply,

"You think I'm making up lies, don't you, Percy, that Voldemort never came back to life?"

"Oh, don't be angry, Harry--"

The tense atmosphere in the office made Percy restless. He stood up hesitantly, feeling somewhat ashamed in the face of Harry, the other two's angry glares, but he still spoke.

“I’m not saying you’re lying, it’s just that there’s no evidence, right? Of course, I know you were under a lot of pressure at the time, and you had Hermione and Ron with you. You were all under the lake, so you must have been nervous. That’s why you didn’t see through that evil witch’s plot. I’m talking about Vitia Creona, that wicked woman. It all stemmed from her schemes and ambitions.”

"What nonsense!"

Harry roared,

“We saw the Dark Lord resurrected with our own eyes, and Vitia Creona was just following his orders. If you can’t even understand this, then it’s truly pathetic!”

“I can attest that Harry is absolutely right!”

Ron also glared angrily at his brother.

"You sneaked into Hogwarts, didn't you? Your father would never allow you to come here spouting nonsense!"

Hermione didn't say anything more, but just glared coldly at Percy, even though she used to be the one closest to Percy.

"No evidence!"

Harry and Ron's rudeness and disrespect also angered Percy, who raised his voice to emphasize,

"Only you yourselves say so, and no one else can prove it, but the department has obtained Vitia Kriona's confession. If you had read the Daily Prophet a few months ago, you would know that the black witch has confessed that she was behind all of this!"

"That woman is lying."

Hermione said in a cold, hard voice,

"She is covering for the Dark Lord, buying him time to gather his evil forces."

"That's right, Hermione!"

Harry loudly agreed.

"Evidence? That's ridiculous, Percy. Have you forgotten Barty Crouch and Karkaroff? One was driven to his death by Voldemort, and the other was killed by the Death Eaters Voldemort summoned!"

"Evidence, Harry!"

Percy was stubborn and opinionated.

"It's ridiculous that you yourselves claim to have seen these things. If you knew anything about Mr. Barty Crouch, you would know that he personally sent his good-for-nothing Death Eater son to prison fourteen years ago, and his son eventually died in Azkaban. Many Dementors saw it, and the Ministry of Magic has a record of it."

This is your biggest flaw. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Barty Crouch Jr. are all dead. Perhaps you overheard snippets about him from somewhere and, in your shock, mistook Crouch's disciples for the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters!

An unimaginable rage surged from the depths of his heart, instantly overwhelming his consciousness. Harry instinctively flicked his sleeve, wanting to draw his wand and deliver a vicious blow to Percy, but before he could—

"Harry!"

Professor Blaine's shout drew Harry's attention, but the moment his gaze met Professor Blaine's pale purple eyes, a more intense rage surged through him. Why was Professor Blaine silent? He was right there at the scene of Voldemort's resurrection!

Professor Blaine clearly had the ability to make everyone see Voldemort's resurrection through that strange surveillance lens, but he simply didn't!

Rage filled Harry with terrifying thoughts; he even considered throwing a few spells at the sofa, or better yet, rushing up and biting Professor Blaine in the neck!

Amosta's expression suddenly turned fierce, his sharp gaze fixed on Harry's fleeting crimson light in his emerald eyes like a dagger. His heavy, abyssal aura made the young people in the office feel suffocated.

"Harry."

Hermione noticed the terrible expression on Harry's face. She moved her lips blankly and said with difficulty...

"what are you doing?"

"what?"

The sound that reached his ears snapped Harry back to reality. He took a step back and almost tripped over the chair that had fallen behind him if Ron hadn't caught him in time.

Harry stared wide-eyed, his face filled with bewilderment and fear!

"What happened to you just now?" Hermione asked Harry with a worried look on her face.

just

Harry was breathing heavily, as if he had just finished a strenuous workout. He remembered the terrible thoughts that had just crossed his mind: he wanted to attack Percy, and because of his incoherent ramblings, he also wanted to kill Professor Blaine!

"I—I just—"

Under the watchful eyes of many, Harry could not explain, nor dared to explain.

Harry, whose face had turned pale, said...

"I was so angry I lost my mind."

Ron blinked in confusion; he hadn't seen Harry's ghostly expression just now.

Amosta's eyes flickered, and he stood up from the sofa, looking calmly at Percy. Percy, who had just engaged in a sophistical debate with Harry and the others, was speechless under his gaze.