Hogwarts' Golden Glory

Harry opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't make a sound.

Rita's question pierced his heart like a dull knife—the Godfather? Did he still have family in this world?

The word "living relatives" holds a special place in his heart.

"I..." His voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

But Rita had already turned her head, her quill dancing wildly across the parchment:

[Exclusive] The Savior is shocked! He learns of the existence of the mysterious Godfather for the first time!

Fudge's round face flushed bright red: "Skeet! I'm warning you—"

He never imagined that his authority would be worthless in front of the other party.

"Oh, dear minister!"

Rita's sweet voice drowned out Fudge's protest, "Don't readers have the right to know the truth?"

Three more quill pens flew out of her crocodile-skin handbag, simultaneously recording:

[Breaking News] The Ministry of Magic covered up a 12-year-old miscarriage of justice! A grave dereliction of duty by the Ministry of Magic!

A wisp of dangerous white smoke rose from the tip of Fudge's wand: "You're twisting things—"

"Minister." Kane Malfoy suddenly stepped forward, his silver-gray school robe gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"Let me remind you that the Daily Prophet published your commitment to judicial reform last March."

"'The Ministry of Magic must have the courage to admit past mistakes and ensure that every judgment stands the test of time.' This was your core motto when you were elected, Minister."

His fingers tapped lightly on the roll of parchment: "And now, you have the opportunity to correct a... mistake made by the previous government."

Fudge's small eyes suddenly lit up. His chubby fingers unconsciously rubbed the Order of Merlin on his chest: "The previous government...you mean..."

"The time when Barty Crouch was the Director of the Legal Enforcement Division," Kane's voice was as smooth as silk, "has nothing to do with the current leadership."

This political innuendo lit up Fudge's face like a switch.

He suddenly straightened his back, his voice booming: "Of course! As the current Minister of Magic, I have a responsibility to correct historical mistakes!"

Rita's quill suddenly stopped in mid-air.

She squinted at Kane, who was calmly fiddling with a silver cufflink.

She felt that the pattern above the other person's cuffs looked somewhat familiar.

"Ms. Skeeter," Fudge suddenly put on a politician's standard smile.

"How about we discuss how to report this exoneration in a positive light? The Ministry of Magic could consider increasing the annual subscription subsidy for the Daily Prophet..."

Harry stared blankly at the deal.

Ron whispered in his ear, "They just... forgot about Blake?"

Hermione's lips pressed into a thin line: "Typical bureaucratic behavior. Using a crisis to shift blame and then gain political capital. If I were Minister for Magic, I would definitely..."

Fudge had already put his arm around Rita's shoulder enthusiastically, deliberately raising his voice: "We will set up a special investigation team! We will thoroughly review the procedures followed back then! Mr. Blake will receive full compensation!"

His gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on Dumbledore!

"Of course, this is all thanks to the Hogwarts teachers and students'...accidental discovery."

Rita was about to push Fudge's shoulder away, but she now had a new idea.

But then she saw Kane point the cufflink at her.

The exquisitely carved beetle on the silver surface gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

His movements were as elegant as if he were adjusting a dress, but Rita Skeeter's face instantly drained of color.

"The Daily Prophet's headline could be something like this—"

Kane's voice was so gentle it was almost dangerous: "Minister Fudge has set things right and cleared the wizarding world of its injustices."

His grey-blue eyes locked onto Rita. "Of course, Ms. Skeeter must have more...professional insights?"

Rita blinked violently twice, her eyes, heavily coated with mascara.

The three quill pens that were writing automatically fell to the ground with a "thud".

"Oh, my dear Malfoy!"

Her voice suddenly rose, becoming so sweet it could drip honey.

Her fingers gripped her jewel-encrusted glasses chain tightly. "As journalists, of course we should strive for the most positive reporting angles."

Her spare quill flew out of her handbag and began frantically rewriting on the parchment:

[Breaking News] Minister Fauci Makes History! Justice May Be Delayed, But It Will Come!

Kane's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

He leaned slightly forward and whispered in a voice only Rita could hear, "I believe many people will be interested in your ability to transform into a beetle."

Rita's fake smile froze on her face; she didn't know how the other person knew about this!

But the next second, she beamed a radiant smile, her voice echoing throughout the hall: "This is a milestone in the Ministry of Magic's judicial reform! Minister Fudge's boldness is truly admirable!"

Her quill pen suddenly became coated with gold powder, and the letters it wrote became extravagant and ornate:

[Exclusive] A Dawn of a New Era! Minister Fudge Brings True Justice to the Wizarding World!

Kane noticed, of course, that Rita's hand, adorned with the emerald ring, was trembling almost imperceptibly.

With her other hand, she patted Fudge's shoulder warmly, as if they were old friends.

The other party's reaction was acceptable.

Professor Old's gold-rimmed glasses reflected a cold light: "Truly... highly effective crisis management."

Dumbledore's deep blue eyes looked at Harry, silently asking if he was alright.

Harry nodded mechanically, the unfamiliar title still echoing in his mind—Godfather.

A relative who should have raised him was imprisoned in Azkaban for twelve years...

"Form a special task force immediately!"

Fudge announced loudly, conjuring a Ministry of Magic flag with his wand, "I will personally lead the expedition to Azkaban to free Black!"

His small eyes swept over Rita's shorthand notebook, and he whispered to her, "Remember to emphasize that this is a major achievement of this administration!"

Rita then looked at Kane, who nodded.

"Don't worry, Mr. Fudge. What about the subscription subsidy?"

Although she had no choice, she had not forgotten the benefits Fudge had given her.

"We can discuss this properly later."

Harry looked at Fudge's suddenly radiant face and felt a ridiculous dizziness.

The Godfather's twelve years of wrongful imprisonment and the tragic deaths of his parents seemed to have turned into a political performance.

"Let's go." Hermione gently tugged at his sleeve. "We should go find Hagrid. Norbert is still waiting for him."

Ron glanced back at Peter, who was surrounded by reporters and politicians, and spat in disgust: "At least this bastard is finally going to Azkaban."

As they walked toward Hagrid's hut, Harry looked back one last time.

Kane Malfoy stood at the edge of the crowd, the other person looking at him thoughtfully.

The sunlight cast a golden rim on her platinum blonde short hair.

It made him look like a fine piece of silverware—cold, mysterious, and calculating.