In the temporary lounge on the second floor of Hogwarts Castle late at night, several Aurors assigned to remain at the school were quietly discussing the absurd events of the day.
Kidnapping family members to threaten students?
Only Death Eaters shameless enough to throw away all dignity could do something like that!
Yet the most absurd part was that they Aurors, whose duty was to capture Dark Wizards, had actually become accomplices to the Death Eaters committing these atrocities.
"Perhaps we were wrong from the very beginning," a middle-aged Auror suddenly said.
"We weren't wrong." Gawain impatiently cut him off. "We were merely carrying out the Ministry of Magic's orders. Even if there was a mistake, it was the Ministry's mistake."
"That's right. We are loyal to the Ministry of Magic, not The Dark Lord," Delacour agreed. This was, in fact, the main reason many Aurors had continued to remain at the Ministry.
At the very least, that excuse allowed them to stay at the Ministry with a clear conscience. As for whether The Dark Lord or the Death Eaters were truly giving them orders, that did not matter.
"You should all know that you're merely deceiving yourselves."
"Calm down, Prout."
"Calm down? Look at the wonderful things we've done—kidnapping family members to threaten students?" The Auror named Prout roared at his colleagues. "Since when had Aurors fallen so low that we became dogs at the Death Eaters' feet?"
The Aurors who had intended to say something all suddenly fell silent.
Prout's words had deeply wounded everyone present, shattering their defenses on the spot.
That was right. Aurors now resembled dogs raised by the Death Eaters, able only to humbly obey their commands and wag their tails. That was undoubtedly unbearable for many Aurors who considered themselves righteous.
"What do