What are you doing!
"I am the minister! Are you rebelling?!"
Fudge rebuked him, his tone fierce but his voice weak.
He didn't reach for the wand; years after graduating, he felt much closer to the quill pen than the wand.
They simply straightened their chests, as if they thought that making themselves look more confident would make them wary.
He became more lenient with Crouch.
Barty Crouch was a man in his fifties, with a straight back and stiff movements, wearing a spotless, crisp suit and tie.
His short gray hair had an unnaturally straight part in the middle, and his short mustache looked like it had been trimmed with a ruler. His shoes were also polished to a shine.
But Fudge's concern wasn't because of Crouch's Percy- esque attire.
It's not because Crouch is one of the Twenty-Eight Pure-blood Twenty-Eight Sacred Families.
It's not because of Crouch's current position.
The Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation only appears impressive.
They regard Dumbledore's halo as their own, consider themselves the most powerful British Wizarding World, and are unwilling to interact with other 'backward' Wizarding World unless it is for profit (such as the dragon farms in Romania).
Because of his job, dressing purely in Muggle style was considered a disgrace. This is why Fudge liked Muggle suits but also wore an inappropriate wizard's cloak over them.
Fudge was wary of Crouch's former identity—the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
All ministers, except for Fudge who came from a disadvantageous position, have come from this department.
Crouch was once just one step away from becoming Minister for Magic.
Everyone believed that he would definitely get that position.
Crouch was forced to leave the center of power only after everyone discovered that his son, Barty Crouch Jr.., was a Death Eater.
But ever since he took up the position of minister, Fudge has never let his guard down.
His current predicament only proves that his guess was correct.
"Barty, is it because of that child?"
"This is unnecessary, really unnecessary. Even if it's to pave the way for the child, he's still a long way from adulthood."
"How about this, I'll transfer you back to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement first."
"Director, it's definitely not possible because of Bones, but I can promise you that if you want, you can even have a domain just like Arthur has."
Crouch merely sneered at this.
"You still think you have a chance?"
The witch behind him waved her wand, and a document made entirely of Dragon Blood and bearing the seal of the Order of Merlin appeared before Fudge.
Fudge slumped into the soft chair, utterly desperate.
"The Knighting Document!"
The Knighting Document are documents that only appear when the Order of Merlin reaches a consensus and obtains the approval of the Director of the Department of Magical Law.
The seal of the Order of Merlin is a magical script bound by contract, making it impossible to forge.
His name and his sentence in Azkaban —twenty years—were clearly written on it.
Hmm. And his subordinate Umbridge too.
He didn't even need to look; he could already hear Umbridge screaming next door.
"Why? Who is it?" Fudge was utterly dejected.
"In March 1983, your order to cut the research funding for the Department of Mysteries was unsuccessful."
"In April of that year, you turned your attention to the Department of Magical Creatures Management and Control."
"You've added the 'Misinformation Office' to the existing three offices: the 'Beasts Office,' the Other Species Office,' and the 'Ghosts Office.'"
"Let's hear about the job responsibilities of the [Misinformation Office], which deals with the most serious Magical-Muggle Conflict."
"This is clearly the responsibility of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes."
Fudge wiped away his cold sweat. "This is necessary. You need to pay attention to the 'most serious' situation."
"In this situation, the Misinformation Office will contact the Muggle Prime Minister directly to find a reasonable 'explanation' for the incident."
"It was necessary. It saved a situation that had seemed extremely dangerous for a time."
Crouch became even more interested after hearing Fudge's explanation.
He was ready to savor this delicacy more carefully.
"Let me tell you. Its greatest achievement so far is nothing more than convincing Muggle that all visual evidence related to the Loch Ness Monster is fake."
"Yes, it is indeed quite dangerous."
Fudge quickly added, "Isn't it the job of the Obliviate Task Force to ensure that Fantastic Beasts and magical locations in the wizarding world go unnoticed by Muggle? It's because they didn't do it well that the Misinformation Office exists."
"Oh," Crouch stroked his chin, "Then contact the Prime Minister? That's the job of the Muggle Liaison Office."
"They are the ones responsible for contacting the Muggle government and the Muggle authorities."
"Besides, isn't the Muggle Relations Committee, which is responsible for coming up with reasons to explain magical events to Muggle, doing a good job of saying that the video evidence is fake?"
"Furthermore, it is part of the same department as the Muggle Liaison Office, and with the coordination of the same department, this information can be effectively conveyed to those experts and professors."
"Aren't their explanations more professional than those of the [Misinformation Office]?"
Fudge's mind raced, sweat pouring down his face. "Because... because the Muggle Relations Committee handles minor incidents."
"That's the problem!" Crouch's voice suddenly rose. "Who determines what's minor and what's serious?"
"This is clearly a minor Loch Ness Monster issue, which has been handed over to the [Misinformation Office] for handling."
"You've handed over such a serious problem as a fire-breathing dragon breaking into a village and eating people, and then being hunted down, to the Muggle Relations Committee."
"Why? Is it because the head of the [Misinformation Office] shares the same last name as your wife?"
The disgust in the eyes of the Auror behind Crouch grew even more intense.
Crouch paused. "You did more than that."
"In July of that year, the [Werewolf Capture Task Force], [Werewolf Registry], and [Werewolf Support Services] were split into the [Beasts Office] and [Other Species Office], respectively."
"That's strange, Werewolf are clearly humanoid."
"If you discriminate against them, why have the 'Other Species Office,' which is in charge of human beings, nominally provide information and action support, but in reality, it's for capturing them?"
"If you don't discriminate, why register the capture plan, yet assign it to the [Beasts Office], which is in charge of Beast?"
"Didn't you think about the possibility of information not being shared?"
"Do you remember Fenrir Greyback?"
"Because of your unilateral decision, he murdered two Muggle children, but because of his different office, he successfully convinced the Ministry of Magic that he was just a Muggle vagrant, thus escaping punishment."
"After being exposed, your first reaction was to modify the documents, adding 'suspected' before 'murdered two Muggle children'."
"Is being accused of murdering two Muggle children really such a small matter?"
"Ridiculous! Ignorant! Foolish!"
"It's not just the [Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes] and the [Department of Magical Creatures Management and Control] that are affected by you."
"You've also burdened the [Experimental Charms Committee], [Magical Maintenance Department], [Ministry of Magic Public Relations], [Department of Magical Education], [Wizengamot Examination Board], and [Committee of Inquiry] with a lot of unnecessary work."
"Your micromanagement has made the department redundant and the functions unclear."
"Of course, you will have more power. You can decide which department is busier and more likely to offend people, and which department is easier and more likely to achieve results."
"As a result, those who work hard only get more and more tired, and are criticized from time to time."
"A lazy guy who drinks tea and coffee every day and stays in the office writing copy gets promoted step by step and receives flowers and honors."
Fudge lowered his head even further.
The Auror behind Crouch had already turned white at the knuckles as they gripped their wands.
They simply hadn't tried hard enough in the past.
But now that Crouch has reviewed the detailed explanation, they fully understand why.
It's all because of this filthy, greedy, stupid pig in front of me!
Crouch took a deep breath. "But even so, you're still not satisfied."
"The amount of political donations he has received is countless."
"But for greater benefits."
"You've set your sights on some petty gains."
"You have cut many Fawley that lower-level employees in various departments should have."
"The use of the Floo Network,' stricter overtime definitions, the disappearance of medical subsidies, and reduced fieldwork allowances."
"You've done far too much."
"I really regret that you've only lived for twenty years."
"Why isn't that pink toad (Umbridge) smarter and realizes that she's just a scapegoat?"
Crouch waved his hand. "Take him away."
Fudge did not resist; he simply lowered his head and allowed the Binding Charm from the Auror wand to lock his hands and feet.
Before leaving, he suddenly looked up and asked, "Are you the new minister, or Bones?"
Crouch closed his eyes in disappointment. "I was going to ask about Umbridge's fate."
He ignored Fudge's shouts of "Who is it? Who is it?"
Staring blankly at the flames in the fireplace, it was as if she were looking at her former self.
"Rights, oh rights, I finally understand how terrifying they are."
"Was I like that before? Is that why he followed the Dark Lord?"
——
Harry and Ron lay on their sides on the rocks by the sea, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
Smelling the salty, damp sea air, Harry frowned. "Where did Ginny go that day?"
"In the end, everyone focused on how short Charlie's hair would be, betting on Bill would immediately return to Egypt."
Do you know anything?
Ron looked around, then said in a low voice, "Do you remember that Loony?"
Harry nodded. "Of course I remember. She was one of the lucky ones who managed to infiltrate the women's circle around Basil."
"That's good," Ron said, his eyes flashing with fear. "You have no idea how daring she is."
"When we were all at the venue, by the lake, she walked straight toward that big tree."
"You should know that many rare and dangerous Magical Creature gather near the Forbidden Forest."
Harry remained unmoved.
He felt that this girl indeed possessed a sixth sense beyond that of an ordinary wizard.
The safety of the Forbidden Forest was discovered simply by looking at it directly, a rule deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Or perhaps they discovered that Basil was in that tree.
Before he experienced resonance and lost his mind, he vaguely saw Basil nodding at him.
"But what does that have to do with Ginny?"
Ron raised his eyebrows in displeasure, as if to ask, 'Aren't we supposed to be on the same wavelength?'
"You forgot? Ginny is Luna's friend."
She followed behind on her broomstick.
"But her roommates only thought she went to the basketball court, and I only found out yesterday."
"That's strange, how could Luna be Ravenclaw?"
"She's so bold."
"By the way, when can we go to Hagrid's place again?"
"We're already tired of Hogsmeade and the beach."
Harry hesitated for a moment, "Let's wait a few more days."
Ron made a rough gesture. "He's been crying for days, his eyes are all swollen."
"What do you mean by letting Dumbledore down?"
"He neglected his duties when he was needed most. Fortunately, those little cuties in the Forbidden Forest did not rush out."
"In my opinion, it's more because he didn't see those rare Fantastic Beasts."
"Stop talking," Harry stood up. "Hedwig is here."
"Hedwig!"
A snow-white owl emerged from the light, a newspaper tied to its leg.
"I could watch this scene forever, it's so cool, appearing in the light." Ron also stood up.
He leaned closer. "Let me see what's written in the newspaper?"
"I guess it's still here; these days, newspapers all over the world are reporting on this world."
Ron was stunned.
He read out a few titles in a daze.
"[Fudge arrested, who will be the next minister?] "
"[The Vice Minister directly enjoys the Dementor's Kiss - The Mystery of Sin]"
"[Albus Dumbledore = Hogwarts Headmaster + Minister for Magic]"
"This can't be true, can it?"
"Dumbledore serves as Minister for Magic."
"Can this be done on two separate occasions?"
At that moment, a huge redbreasted robin flew across the sky.
In the smoky office filled with exquisite silverware, Dumbledore was yawning.
His recent lack of sleep made him suspect that Gellert might have been secretly using energy-boosting drugs.
Suddenly, his eyes sharpened.
The red-breasted robin was Accio toward his window.
The red-breasted robin is a small bird, about the size of a palm.
It got its name from the fact that its face and chest were all reddish-orange.
The British have a deep affection for the red-breasted robin, especially admiring the male's instinct to patrol and defend its established territory, calling it "God's bird." In 1960, it was chosen as the national bird of the United Kingdom through a referendum.
In the Wizarding World, it was also used as a messenger by the higher-ups of the Ministry of Magic and was highly favored.
It was even specially cultivated to its current size, like a watermelon, using various precious Potions, and imbued with many magical properties.
However, it is rarely used.
I am only responsible for handling important correspondence.
The last time he was used was when he was notified that Fudge had won the election.
"Cornelius, are you finally going down the wrong path?"
Dumbledore sighed.
A glint of silver flashed across the reddish-orange belly of the Red-breasted Robin.
A letter with a beautiful, silver-blue Swedish short-nosed dragon skin envelope appeared in Dumbledore's hands.
Dumbledore's brow began to furrow.
As Archmage, he could sense the magical fluctuations emanating from the Order of Merlin's seal, which was concealed by Dragon Hide.