Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 384, Chapter 378: Dumbledore miscalculated.

The next day, in the Minister of Magic's office, Fudge paced anxiously back and forth like an ant on a hot plate.

On his desk not far away sat a newspaper, the front page headline of the Daily Prophet (which has since been acquired)—

"Shocking! Azkaban prison is completely empty; guards are colluding with prisoners."

The screen displays photos of Azkaban prison today: oppressive, dark weather, empty rooms, and a desolate island.

The prisoners escaped, and even the Dementors who were the jailers disappeared along with them.

This was not a simple prison break, but a premeditated and heinous act.

The entire guard of Azkaban has vanished? Is this a sign of distorted humanity or moral decay?

This is the Daily Prophet, where we uncover deeper secrets for you.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

Fudge was so angry he wanted to tear the newspaper up. No, he had already torn it into a pile of shreds, crumpled it up, and thrown it into the trash can.

Although the article doesn't mention the Ministry of Magic directly, it subtly satirizes its incompetence.

Although this is indeed true, Fudge is unwilling to admit it.

How could the Ministry of Magic, led by the brilliant and capable Minister Fudge, be incompetent?

This was the self-promotion Dudley had asked him to use during the Sirius Black incident, but Fudge seems to have gotten stuck in it.

Not only the Daily Prophet, but even the Contrarian, unusually, didn't contradict the Daily Prophet and instead co-authored this issue with it.

The Poisons and Antidotes Daily Report is somewhat more subtle, but it still covers the same topic.

The mass breakout of Azkaban prisoners had such a huge impact that it couldn't be suppressed by Fudge alone; serious criminals from all over Europe were being held there.

The consequences of escaping from prison would be unimaginable.

"The cause of death of Minister and Liaison Officer Geze Erebük has been determined."

Percy walked in from outside with a serious expression: "Died from the Killing Curse! There's this mark next to him."

He then placed a marked picture in front of Fudge.

Skull and snake.

A very obvious Dark Magic mark.

"Those damned Death Eaters!"

The roar echoed throughout the office.

Based on our past understanding of Fudge, his first reaction upon seeing the Dark Mark should be shock, fear, apprehension, and unease, but not anger.

Perhaps it was fear that turned into anger at its extreme, or perhaps it was anger caused by being pushed too hard during this period and having one's nerves in a state of high tension.

In short, Fudge was like an angry wild dog, barking incessantly in the office.

"Dumbledore! It must have been Dumbledore!"

"He's trying to get me! He bribed those Death Eaters! It was him! It was him! It must be him!"

"He wants to remove me from my position as Minister of Magic!"

"He arranged everything!"

Fudge swept everything in the office onto the floor like a madman, even flipping the desk over.

His eyes were bloodshot, he was breathing heavily, and the veins on his face were bulging and throbbing.

In his logic, at this time, with such a coincidence, and with such targeting of him, the only possible person could be Dumbledore.

"It's over. We're finished. I'm finished."

Fudge slumped to the ground, like a deflated balloon, his face drooping.

"No, Minister. We still have a chance."

Percy looked intently at his boss.

"Is there still a chance?"

Upon hearing this, Fudge's eyes lit up; he truly couldn't think of a way to salvage the current situation.

"If we can catch those Death Eaters, if we can put them back in prison, if we can find evidence of Dumbledore's collusion with the Death Eaters, we can turn the tide and you can continue to hold your position as Minister of Magic."

"Dumbledore has miscalculated, Minister."

"But they were a group of vicious criminals, we..."

One second he was itching to have a life-or-death duel with Dumbledore, the next he was hesitant and indecisive.

That's just Fudge's personality. No matter how angry or violent he appears, he becomes timid and hesitant when it comes to actually doing something.

It's my personality

It's like how many people yell fiercely before a fight, saying they're going to cut the other person to pieces, but when the fight actually starts, they're the ones who absolutely won't charge in.

"Minister, you must believe in our strength; our Aurors are no less powerful than theirs!"

"Furthermore, we can seek support and launch an operation under the pretext of capturing Death Eaters; there will definitely be Aurors in many places responding."

Fudge's eyes widened as if he'd just realized something. "You mean...?"

"That's right. We'll coordinate with the Ministries of Magic in other regions to carry out the capture operation."

"But that would make the English Ministry of Magic appear incompetent."

"How could they be incompetent? Back then, those Death Eaters targeted the whole of Europe, and many regions were affected as a result. With your wise and powerful leadership, you will definitely teach the Death Eaters a lesson they will never forget."

Seeing that Fudge still looked hesitant, Percy could only emphasize.

"Minister, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, our only chance to turn things around. You don't want Dumbledore to become Minister for Magic, do you?"

The phrase "Dumbledore becomes Minister for Magic" deeply offended Fudge, who snarled, "Fine!"

"Your Excellency, please rest assured, I will contact other wizards who are on your side to assist in this matter. For example, Mr. Dursley is willing to provide us with a special potion, a magical potion that can greatly enhance the user's various stats, so that even a minor wizard can fight a seasoned adult wizard with ease."

Hearing Percy's words, Fudge suddenly felt a sense of hope.

"Is it really that amazing?"

"Of course, Your Excellency, you are welcome to try it yourself."

"Our Auror office manager, Rufus Scrimgeour, has tried to purchase this potion more than once, but Mr. Dursley has refused him each time. Now, however, he can provide it to you specifically."

"But he wasn't Dumbledore's student."

"He has high hopes for you."

Percy continued, "He's said more than once that Dumbledore is only fit to be headmaster, while you're fit to be minister."

That really hit Fudge right where it hurts.

"I am the Minister of Magic!"

Fudge looked at Percy sincerely and said, "Thanks to you."

"Minister, all of this is thanks to your wise and insightful teachings."

Flattery never fails, and Fudge immediately burst into smug laughter.

"Hahaha"

However, what Fudge didn't notice was that Percy, who had been standing respectfully behind him, slightly raised his head, pointed his chin at Fudge's back, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes, as if he were looking at an idiot.

(End of this chapter)