Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 328, Section 326: Voldemort's Good News

Inside an old house in the suburbs of Newport, Wales.

Voldemort's current mood can only be described as absolutely terrible.

The planned resurrection ritual was disrupted. Potter, who intended to be executed as a sacrifice in front of all the Death Eaters, not only failed but also ambushed them.

The Death Eaters suffered heavy losses.

The heavy losses mentioned here do not refer to casualties.

The Death Eaters he summoned that night were all high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic, and were previously in management positions within the Death Eaters.

Regardless of their combat abilities, these individuals undoubtedly wield the greatest influence.

Unexpectedly, they were all captured by the Aurors.

If they were all imprisoned in Azkaban, that would be the worst-case scenario, as he is currently incapable of controlling Azkaban.

Dementors wouldn't mind imprisoning you as a food (or pleasure) reserve if you don't have the power to suppress them, just like the Death Eaters currently imprisoned in Azkaban.

Fortunately, he still has a body and can exert some power. If he were to revert to his original state of water and steam, which was even less than a wandering soul, and could only survive by possessing small animals, that would be the most despairing thing.

"My master, your loyal servant has returned."

A humble voice sounded from outside the door. Avery, one of the Death Eaters he had rescued in the chaos that night, hurried in and the first thing he did upon seeing Voldemort was to prostrate himself at his feet.

Voldemort had always appreciated the Death Eaters' attitude, seeing it as a sign of loyalty. Now that his body had shrunk and he was in the form of a goblin, he naturally liked it even more.

"Everyone else was captured by the Aurors. With Moody and Scrimgeour there, plus Dumbledore, no one else escaped except us."

Upon hearing Avery's words, Voldemort's expression turned even more grim.

It can be said that the entire army was wiped out.

If this elite group of Death Eaters is captured, then all that will be left is a rabble.

"Master, so many days have passed, and Wisengam has shown no intention of sentencing them."

Avery, who was lying on the ground, raised his head slightly and looked at Voldemort's face carefully, afraid that he might say something wrong and offend him.

He had a bad temper before, and now it goes without saying that he's even worse.

"Hmm?" Voldemort's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "Such an obvious situation, and they haven't been punished?"

"It seems they escaped punishment through other means."

"Or rather, the Ministry of Magic is not currently united."

The fact that so many officials have problems at the same time is a very troublesome thing. If the Minister of Magic is decisive and efficient, it will be fine. But if he is incompetent and lacks the skills, then there will be an opportunity to take advantage of him.

The Aurors shouldn't have behaved like that that night. Dumbledore himself was leading the team.

Who is the Minister of Magic now?

"It's Cornelius Fudge, Master."

"Connelly? Fudge? Never heard of them."

Voldemort thought back for a moment, but couldn't find any information about this person in his mind.

Tell me about this person.

Upon hearing Voldemort's question, Avery quickly told him everything he knew about Fudge.

Before becoming Minister for Magic, Fudge was the head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters. He was mediocre in talent and ability, with little to show for his efforts, and he delegated most of the work to his subordinates. Voldemort wouldn't have paid any attention to such a person before, and naturally, he was unaware of him.

The reason he was able to take the position of Minister of Magic was simply because the officials of that Ministry of Magic were generally incompetent. Barty Crouch, who was the most promising candidate for Minister of Magic, was completely eliminated because of his son's situation, and Dumbledore, another of the most prestigious wizards, was unwilling to take the position.

Then he got a great deal.

For Fudge, it was like waking up one morning to find himself inexplicably the Minister of Magic.

"What a complete waste of space."

Voldemort gave this assessment after hearing it.

Timid, indecisive, and power-hungry.

Voldemort made a very accurate summary of Fudge.

After all these years, he still hasn't secured his position as Minister of Magic, yet he still gets howls from ordinary wizards, and they even fill his entire office? What else could he be but a complete waste of space?

No, Iron Waste may be a terrible fighter, but at least he looks imposing and powerful. What about Fudge?

He was sitting in the most powerful position in all of England.

Voldemort laughed after making his assessment.

This is truly the best news I've heard in the past few days.

If nothing unexpected happens, these Aurors are doing a futile task, and so is Dumbledore.

Seeing that the gloom on Voldemort's face had eased somewhat and a hint of joy had appeared, Avery dared to reveal the information he knew.

"I heard that Fudge was informed the very day Scrimgeour arrested your loyal servants."

"But Fudge seemed unwilling to believe it, let alone take charge of the matter, and gave him a severe scolding. The two of them had a big argument in the minister's office, which was heard by the wizards outside."

"In the end, it was Dumbledore, as the First Wizard of Wizengamor, who mediated and calmed things down."

"The handling of this matter has been handed over to Wisengamo."

Avery's words undoubtedly confirmed Voldemort's suspicions.

"Don't worry, my servants will be out soon, though they might have to pay a tiny price."

"Don't worry. As long as the person is okay, everything else is a minor issue."

"I'll make it up to them when I'm fully back."

"Voldemort said confidently."

Wizengamo? He knew Wizengamo too well. What else could those wizards do besides fight for power and profit?

Many of his men were themselves members of Wisengamo.

Let them judge their own crimes?

Isn't this just a variation of "Who dares to accuse this official?"

A light called hope shone from the fairy's small, distinctive eyes.

He might be somewhat wary of a united Ministry of Magic, but he wouldn't fear any number of disorganized ones like this.

"Avery, my loyal servant. You must keep a close eye on this matter, and once the others are acquitted, you must find them immediately and bring them to me."

"Also, give me these potion ingredients."

He was going to brew another potion of magic potion; he was going to reshape his body.

This is why Voldemort specifically took Avery with him when he left. He was the oldest and one of the most powerful Death Eaters, and with him, gathering materials would be much faster than with a single Wormtail.

He had already decided that once he recovered, the first thing he would do was go to Azkaban, subdue the Dementors, and release his most loyal followers.

Then there were the giants, the werewolves, and his former supporters.

Finally, he would find an opportunity to get rid of Dumbledore, the only wizard who posed a real challenge to him.

According to the official setting, Fudge was promoted to Minister of Magic a year before Harry enrolled, after Minister of Magic Millicent resigned. However, most fan fiction seems to have abandoned this setting, and the movie version did not mention the specific time.

(End of this chapter)