In the early morning, bright sunlight streamed through the windows and fell across the marble floor of the Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore, who had stayed up late the previous night, was already awake. Sitting behind his desk, he sipped the morning tea prepared by the house-elves while reading the latest issue of Today's Transfiguration.
Ever since Albert had stopped contributing to the magazine, Today's Transfiguration had rarely published articles that made one's eyes light up.
The September issue of Today's Transfiguration even contained several filler articles, which left Dumbledore rather disappointed.
Setting down his teacup, Dumbledore picked up the latest newspaper the house-elves had placed in the corner of his desk.
Unfortunately, there was nothing in the paper worth his attention, and the headline in particular completely ruined his good mood so early in the morning.
Yesterday, two more "Dark Wizards" had been sentenced to death by the Wizengamot court.
To be honest, Dumbledore disliked the new Minister's habit of killing at the drop of a hat. Although Scrimgeour was willing to take his advice on certain matters, he had always remained firm and unyielding when it came to sentencing "heinous" Dark Wizards to death.
"The Ministry of Magic has always used Veritaserum to interrogate criminals. We do everything possible to avoid wronging a single innocent person, but we will never let any truly heinous criminal escape."
Dumbledore put down the newspaper, recalling the unpleasant conversation he had had with Scrimgeour the last time they discussed executing criminals.
Scrimgeour's uncompromising attitude on the matter had been quite startling, and he had never concealed the reason behind it.
In fact, even the members of the Wizengamot court and the Ministry of Magic's senior officials understood why.
"Even if the Ministry keeps strengthening Azkaban's defenses, we will never be able to stop the