"This was merely a reminder made in good faith—"
The German Minister for Magic, answering questions from the dais, said angrily.
Hope neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Then, we all know that Oxta Prison's location is top secret, known to only a very few wizards. Yet these rioters found Oxta. What do you make of that, Minister Adenauer?"
Quite a few attendees looked toward Horn, their gazes turning subtle.
"I am deeply dissatisfied with the question you are putting to me, Vice Chairman Draegen!"
Minister Adenauer exploded like a lit firecracker.
"As everyone knows, Oxta Prison holds convicted criminals from countries across Europe. The German Ministry of Magic guards Oxta for Europe's wizarding world, and we have paid an incomparably heavy price for it.
We sincerely regret Oxta's fall, but our consciences are clear!
What the international wizarding world should truly be concerned with is who bears the real responsibility for this incident. Yet here you are, implying that someone within the German Ministry of Magic leaked Oxta's location!"
"Please calm down, Minister Adenauer. Like everyone here, I regret the loss of those who died in service to the German Ministry of Magic."
Hope's tone was equally hard.
"But it is my duty to clarify every questionable point in this terrorist attack. Do you dare guarantee to the international wizarding world that there is no one within the German Ministry of Magic—"
"Slander!"
Adenauer roared.
"This is slander, Draegen! Oh, how ridiculous. The International Confederation of Wizards has lost all fairness and objectivity. From now on, the German Ministry of Magic will not provide the Confederation with even a single gold coin!"
In the oppressively silent chamber, noisy discussion immediately sprang up from every corner.
Everyone concerned with the incident voiced their views and opinions to those around them.
Dumbledore