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Chapter 1060: This Situation
🕑 Added 2024-03-22 04:36:27 +0000 UTC“No one would disregard the Ministry of Magic. All magical creatures are under the control of the Ministry," Fudge shouted dissatisfied, his blood pressure rose, and his face turned red. "I've told you many times, Dumbledore, everyone, every institution, must obey the orders of the Ministry of Magic, including Hogwarts."
"Obviously, that's the case. Everyone at Hogwarts follows the management of the Ministry of Magic," said Dumbledore humbly.
"But these kids have not. They have violated too many school rules and Ministry decrees," Fudge turned around, forcefully gesturing towards Evan, Harry, Hermione, and Elaine with his right hand. "For the past few months, I have been listening to Dolores..."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Minister, please allow me to interrupt," said Evan, not interested in listening to Fudge continue to reprimand. "I'm not quite clear on what specific incidents you're referring to as breaking school rules and Ministry of Magic decrees?"
"Humph, think about how you lost your position as Head Boy!"
“Oh, that was just an accident, I didn't control my magic. Professor Umbridge has already punished me. Besides being relieved of my position as Head Boy, she also confiscated my wand," Evan explained.
"Yes, Mason has been punished," said Professor McGonagall fairly. "We cannot always dwell on one person's small mistake forever. Everyone makes mistakes, and that incident was just an accident."
"Accident?!" said Fudge in a sarcastic tone. "He did more than that."
"Cornelius, I need to remind you that we have discussed what Harry and Evan did before many times," said Dumbledore. "I don't see the need to bring it up again."
“I'm not talking about those things, Dumbledore, not those things. These children set up an illegal fighting organization," said Fudge angrily. "I heard Dolores specifically report on this. She has been investigating the matter for the past few months."
"What we need now is evidence, Minister," Professor McGonagall reminded. "Otherwise it's just a waste of time."
"Evidence?!"
“Of course, are there any testimonial accusations from members of this team?" said Professor McGonagall impatiently. "Or other evidence that there is such an organization, anything but vague rumors and gossip."
Fudge was stuck, Umbridge had always been in charge of this matter, and he really couldn't produce any evidence now.
"Minister, we have testimony from Willy Widdershins here. They first had a meeting at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade, and he happened to be there," said Percy, finding a piece of parchment and handing it to Fudge. "There are detailed records on it."
"Well done, Weasley, this is the evidence you need!" Fudge shook the parchment in his hand proudly.
Next to Evan, Hermione looked at Percy in disbelief, not believing that he would do this, and Harry was even more filled with anger.
Although it had been said many times before, Percy's betrayal was truly thorough.
His current appearance was that of a lapdog, Fudge's lackey.
“Oh, so that’s why he wasn’t prosecuted for setting up all those regurgitating toilets!” said Professor McGonagall, raising her eyebrows. “What an interesting insight into our justice system!"
“Blatant corruption!” roared the portrait of the corpulent, red-nosed wizard on the wall behind Dumbledore’s desk. “The Ministry did not cut deals with petty criminals in my day, no sir, they did not!"
“Thank you, Fortescue, that will do,” said Dumbledore softly.
"But the evidence is completely valid, proving that they did establish such an organization," said Fudge with a slight embarrassment.
“I think you’ll find you’re wrong there, Cornelius," said Dumbledore softly, peering at Fudge over the half-moon spectacles perched halfway down his crooked nose.
“Oho!” said Fudge, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet again. “Yes, do let’s hear the latest cock-and-bull story designed to pull Mason and Potter out of trouble! Go on, then, Dumbledore, go on — Willy Widdershins was lying, was he? Or was it Mason’s and Potter’s identical twins in the Hog’s Head that day? Or is there the usual simple explanation involving a reversal of time, a dead man coming back to life, and a couple of invisible Dementors?"
“Oh, very good, Minister, very good!" Percy Weasley let out a hearty laugh, playing the sycophant role perfectly.
“Cornelius, I do not deny — and nor, I am sure, do Evan and Harry — that they were in the Hog’s Head that day, nor that they were trying to recruit students to a Defense Against the Dark Arts group. I am merely pointing out that your evidence is quite wrong to suggest that such a group was, at that time, illegal. If you remember, the Ministry decree banning all student societies was not put into effect until after their Hogsmeade meeting, so they were not breaking any rules in the Hog’s Head at all."
Percy looked as though he had been struck in the face by something very heavy. Fudge remained motionless in mid-bounce, his mouth hanging open.
"Yes, just two hours ago, I explained this matter to Professor Umbridge specifically," Evan continued. "I agree with Professor Dumbledore's viewpoint. I told her everything. At the beginning of this term, to cope with the current situation, we did intend to establish this organization, but it was not illegal at that time. Later, the Ministry of Magic issued the Educational Decree, and we ceased our activities. Professor Umbridge believed my explanation. Well, it seems she used Veritaserum in my tea, because I said a lot of things I didn't originally intend to say..."
“Nonsense!" Fudge muttered angrily. He refused to believe such words, or, more accurately, chose to selectively ignore them, not willing to get involved in such matters. All he needed was the outcome.
"Dirty, obscene!" Fortescue yelled again. "The corruption of the Ministry of Magic, only Dark wizards would do this!"
This time, even the portraits of other former headmasters echoed, stating that using Veritaserum on students was an illegal act.
Fudge's face became increasingly ugly. Evan felt like he had seen this scene before somewhere.
This was very similar to the scene during Harry's trial. Fudge was being led by Dumbledore, and without other favorable evidence, he was in trouble this time.
To be honest, Evan didn’t want this outcome, he wanted to leave Hogwarts.
If Fudge failed, they would have to stay, and Dumbledore would likely bring Umbridge back...
