"Utter nonsense!"
Sirius practically jumped in fury, his face turning livid, the corner of his eye twitching.
"You know nothing! The Ministry has been negotiating with the families behind the workshops you serve all this time, and how did you repay that? By kidnapping an innocent child and using him as a bargaining chip!"
"Sirius!"
Minister Bones barked an order for him to shut up.
"Sir—"
Amelia looked sincerely at the man kneeling on the ground.
"That is indeed the truth. The Ministry has been making every effort to restore the British wizarding world to its former order, but... I hope you can understand that the difficulties involved are immense.
"Of course, I fully understand your helplessness and anger as well.
"I think I need to explain a few things—the Ministry did not anticipate this conflict, so the Hit Wizards were not given detailed instructions on how to handle such a situation. I should not shirk responsibility. I truly did not foresee this happening."
Amelia took two breaths, looking concernedly at the kneeling man.
"Sir, may I ask who that is in your arms? Your friend, or your brother?"
"Andrew is my older brother!"
The man shouted in grief and fury.
"Like all those people lying on the ground, he was injured by the Hit Wizards!"
"Then, sir—"
Amelia raised her voice.
"Let us first send these civilians injured in this misunderstanding to St Mungo's, and then we can talk, all right? I can assure all of you that I will remain here until you are satisfied, all right!"
Most of the marchers lacked minds of their own. One moment they looked at John, who was holding Harry Potter hostage, and the next at Hott, waiting for them to make a decision.
Harry jabbed Luna in the ribs, signaling for