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0682 The Ministry's Attitude
🕑 Added 2025-04-11 09:26:16 +0000 UTC"This is completely and utterly slanderous, Watson!" Umbridge shrieked with indignation, "Inspecting private packages mailed by innocent magical residents? Oh, is that your outrageous suggestion, Watson? It's beyond ridiculous! The Ministry has absolutely no legal right of any kind to do that!"
"Then perhaps the Legislative Department should immediately pass a law granting that right!" Bryan shouted coldly, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he took a step forward.
"Have you ever considered that if someone with malicious intent deliberately uses the public post office to mail dangerous contraband and potentially lethal Dark Magic items to innocent victims, you'll just blindly accept them without question, essentially helping criminals complete their crimes with the Ministry's ignorant blessing?"
Umbridge visibly choked on her breath, her bloated face turning a shade of purple as she struggled to regain her composure. For several tense moments, she clearly didn't know how to answer.
This was indeed an irrefutable oversight in the Ministry's security protocols that could not be easily dismissed or explained away. Not to mention the increasingly uncomfortable Fudge, even Amelia frowned thoughtfully for a moment as her mind was already calculating the implications.
She said thoughtfully, "You're absolutely right, Bryan. Perhaps we really should introduce relevant laws to properly monitor the magical mailing process and ensure package safety for all citizens—"
"Since Voldemort's downfall," Bryan said with emphasis on the name, causing Fudge and Umbridge to flinch, "the Ministry has grown increasingly complacent and lax, thinking that the magical world is completely peaceful and completely lacking of any other threats—"
Bryan raised a skeptical eyebrow at Amelia and spoke sharply. "But in reality, Voldemort isn't and never was the only Dark wizard threatening our society. The Ministry needs to be proactively responsible for safeguarding all aspects of people's daily lives. You must take this extremely seriously and allocate substantially more trained manpower and magical resources to all critical areas directly related to public safety."
Amelia's heart stirred with recognition at the truth in his words, and she deliberately turned to look meaningfully at Fudge, silently urging him to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
"Oh, we are indeed actively planning to implement precisely that, Bryan!"
Faced with such an intensely confrontational environment, Fudge stood there awkwardly, constantly wiping his sweating temples with handkerchief, looking helpless and cornered.
He had been desperately racking his brain for the past several minutes, trying to figure out how to diplomatically dispel the intense strong dissatisfaction radiating from both Bryan Watson and Albus Dumbledore without losing political capital.
Amelia's gaze suddenly made him see a potential path forward like a ray of light breaking through storm clouds.
"We are already vigorously discussing this critical matter at the highest levels!" Fudge said with manufactured excitement, seizing the opportunity. "We've been seriously considering recruiting and training additional specialized Hit-wizard teams specifically dedicated to protecting the magical public's safety throughout Britain.
In my opinion, this matter now needs to be dramatically accelerated in light of recent events. Amelia, we must push this important resolution through as soon as possible and fully organize the teams well before the Easter holidays!"
"But, Minister—" Umbridge was visibly stunned for several seconds before she finally came to her senses, "This particular proposal is currently still under—"
"I wholeheartedly support Amelia's proposal, Dolores—" Fudge immediately gave Umbridge a sharp warning look, signaling her to shut up immediately.
It had to be honestly acknowledged that Bryan Watson was indeed an expert at strategically seizing political opportunities when they presented themselves. The controversial proposal to increase the number of specialized Hit-wizard teams had sparked considerable debate and fierce opposition in various corners of the Ministry because it would inevitably divert funds from multiple planned projects.
After numerous quarrelsome discussions over several months, the initiative had annoyingly come to nothing. Unexpectedly, Bryan had used this terrifying incident to effortlessly push the resolution through.
Amelia discreetly glanced sideways at Bryan, who showed absolutely no change in his expression. If she didn't know him and Dumbledore well, she would have almost suspected that the attack on Granger was something he had actively orchestrated to achieve precisely this political outcome.
Knock, knock—
The office door was firmly knocked on twice, and seconds later, Severus walked in, carrying a crystal goblet of golden potion.
When he had left earlier, only Dumbledore and Bryan had been present in the office. Now, to his surprise, several high-ranking officials from the Ministry had unexpectedly arrived during his absence. Without much effort, Severus immediately noticed the tense atmosphere in the office. However, he didn't pay any attention and directly brought the potion to Hermione's bedside.
Fudge had initially intended to warmly greet Severus, recognizing the political value of maintaining good relations with Hogwarts staff, but seeing that he was focused on administering the potion to the young witch, and didn't even look in their direction, he could only cough awkwardly a few times and pretend to be deeply concerned about Hermione's pale complexion.
"This potion has a strong suppressive effect on curses, Bryan—" Severus said softly after administering the potion to Hermione. "But unfortunately, it cannot completely rid her system of the magical weakness she's experiencing. You'd better solve the underlying curse that Granger is currently suffering from within half a month—"
"When will Miss Granger be able to regain consciousness, Severus?" Dumbledore finally walked out from behind his desk.
"It's difficult to say with certainty, Headmaster Dumbledore," Severus solemnly shook his head. "But she overextended her magic before. I guess Miss Granger will probably remain unconscious for a day or two."
"Dumbledore, Bryan—" Amelia said worriedly. "You see, would it not be much more prudent to transfer Miss Hermione Granger to St Mungo's Hospital?
After all, it's more professionally equipped and experienced in treating complex magical injuries and has sufficient specialized healer manpower to monitor her condition. You don't need to worry about her safety during transport or treatment. Throughout her entire hospitalization period, I can arrange Aurors to protect her—"
"Oh, that's an absolutely splendid idea!" Fudge looked at Amelia with appreciation and said happily, seizing another opportunity to appear magnanimous, "Moreover, the Ministry can cover all her treatment costs!"
Bryan carefully observed the situation inside Hermione's unconscious body. As the effects of Severus' potion began to take effect, strands of golden magic quickly seeped into Hermione's curse-ridden arm and methodically constructed an impressively tight magical defense around the afflicted area.
After he withdrew his magic that had been temporarily suppressing the curse, that dark cloud within her tissues tried to touch and corrupt other parts of her body but immediately shrank back as if encountering a powerful natural enemy, seemingly burned by the protective golden barrier.
At the same time, the potent nourishing magical ingredients in the potion were already helping Hermione gradually recover some of her depleted vitality, and her shallow breathing had noticeably become a little more relaxed and regular.
If Bryan had originally planned to stay at Hogwarts and let the Ministry handle this investigating matter, he would have definitely insisted on keeping Hermione safely by his side under his personal protection. But since he was already mentally preparing to thoroughly investigate the attack personally, perhaps letting Hermione temporarily stay away from her potentially curious or worried classmates at Hogwarts could be considered a good thing in the circumstances.
After several moments of deep contemplation, Bryan looked questioningly at Dumbledore, silently seeking his opinion on the matter.
"I am in complete agreement with you on this point, Bryan—" Dumbledore breathed heavily as he chose not to raise any objections to the proposed course of action.
Now, with that matter settled to everyone's reluctant satisfaction, it was finally time to discuss the more troubling primary reason behind the attack on Hermione Granger.
On Hermione's bedside table were scattered the numerous fan letters she had received along with the suspicious package. Amelia walked over, picked up a few colorful envelopes at random, and flipped through them with a solemn expression.
"They seem to be ordinary letters, all from various wizards and witches who genuinely admire Miss Granger's abilities—"
After a careful examination, Amelia shifted her gaze from the letters. "I know for a fact that even within the Ministry, many people highly praise Miss Granger's performance in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament.
Correspondingly, Bryan, Dumbledore, regarding the attack on Miss Granger... I personally think it's extremely unlikely for a talented Muggle-born student of her relatively limited public profile to somehow provoke a powerful Dark wizard without knowing it. In your opinion, could it possibly be one of the other three champions... some extreme, obsessive fan..."
Bryan knew that what Amelia really wanted to carefully suggest was that the other three Triwizard champions currently had obvious conflicts of interest with Hermione, and whether the attack on Hermione was potentially related to them or their supporters. It was a reasonable line of inquiry from an investigative standpoint.
Regarding Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour, Bryan believed they wouldn't do such a thing. As for Viktor Krum, at the very least, no one in their right mind dared to personally vouch for the character of Igor Karkaroff supporting him from the shadows, given his past as a Death Eater.
"This matter requires thorough investigation to definitively find out the truth, Amelia. Blind speculative guesses at this early stage are meaningless—"
Bryan candidly said, not wanting to pretend he had all the answers when he clearly didn't. This troubling incident was indeed the most unexpected and unsettling one since he had returned to Hogwarts in the past year or two. Even now, after considerable thought, he had no reliable guess about who might be responsible.
The three representatives from the Ministry finally prepared to leave as their business at Hogwarts was temporarily settled.
Cornelius Fudge was in a visibly disheveled state when he hastily left through the flames of the fireplace. He even seemed embarrassingly eager to leave Hogwarts as quickly as possible. Perhaps initially he would be relieved that Bryan Watson didn't persistently pester him, but when he came to his political senses later, he would recognize that this had been a shameful diplomatic visit that had cost him significant political capital.
As for the thoroughly defeated Dolores Umbridge, just before she reluctantly stepped into the crackling green flames of the fireplace, she discreetly glared at Bryan with undisguised malicious intent burning in her bulging eyes. For her, this trip turned into an unexpected confrontation was a devastatingly heavy political and personal loss.
Forced by the uncomfortable situation and the Minister's abandonment, she had no realistic choice but to figuratively cut off her own arm to save face. However, she silently but firmly remembered this matter. As long as there was the slightest future opportunity for revenge, she would absolutely make Watson pay a heavy price for this!
The project to increase the specialized Hit-wizard teams would undoubtedly squeeze out the considerable budgetary benefits and opportunities that originally belonged exclusively to her.
Bryan had confirmed that Hermione Granger was attacked through official channels, and the Department of Magical Transportation, which she was directly in charge of, would also inevitably have to bear considerable responsibility for the security lapse.
To give Hogwarts a satisfactory explanation and deflect further criticism, she could only quickly volunteer to strip the lucrative authority of the Transportation Department from herself before it was forcibly taken.
"I completely understand and sympathize with your anger, Dumbledore, Bryan—"
When only the more reasonable Amelia remained in the office, she spoke in a genuinely friendly and conciliatory manner. "But we all know that we will undoubtedly face potentially greater threats in the future, so—"
Amelia tactfully didn't continue her thought aloud, but the meaning she clearly wanted to express was already clear to both wizards. She diplomatically didn't want this particularly sensitive matter to unnecessarily escalate into a larger political conflict between Hogwarts and the Ministry at such a precarious time.
Dumbledore solemnly used his phoenix to safely escort the unconscious Hermione to St Mungo's Hospital in a flash of golden flames and the Headmaster's office, which had been bustling with people anxiously coming and going all morning, now only contained Bryan and Severus, standing in thoughtful silence.
At noon, the winter sun was high in the crystal-clear blue sky.
Standing thoughtfully by the tall glass window that provided a panoramic view of the castle grounds, Bryan observed Madame Maxime leading her students towards the castle. At almost precisely the same moment, Karkaroff, also walked briskly down from the Durmstrang ship anchored by the edge of the frozen Black Lake.
This was unlikely to be a coincidence. They had probably received reports about the attack at roughly the same time.
Bryan watched the two groups of people with hurried steps and his face was completely expressionless.
"You must calm yourself, Bryan—" Severus frowned and spoke softly, as he knew Bryan too well. He knew that although Bryan appeared perfectly calm and composed, his heart was actually seething with anger at the attack on his student.
"I am perfectly calm, Professor—" Bryan slowly turned his face, his tone perfectly matching his faint smile.
In the silence that followed, a chilling murderous intent that made Severus' heart tremble was unmistakably revealed in his cold eyes.
"I'm just genuinely puzzled by one question... Did the person who orchestrated this attack not consider the consequences of their actions, or do they have absolutely no fear of Hogwarts' retaliation?"
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