"Mr. Fudge," Old Flint said considerately as he brought Fudge a slice of lemon pie, "have a little."
"Oh? Oh, oh!" Fudge hurriedly pulled his hand back into his suit sleeve, then reached out again to accept the lemon pie. He cast Old Flint a grateful look. "You are? Mr. Old Flint! It seems you've recently had some business conflicts with Lucius... Oh, sorry! Did I say something wrong? Oh, Merlin..."
Lockhart had clearly thrown Fudge into such a daze that he bluntly exposed the conflict between Old Flint and Lucius. A large group of pure-bloods stared at him with unfriendly expressions!
Old Marcus calmly stated, "Whatever disagreements may exist between us, the Flint family will always support you!"
"Do you truly mean that?" Fudge could scarcely believe his ears. His hands trembled with excitement, making the plate and spoon holding the lemon pie clink loudly.
Old Flint resembled a kindly elder. "Of course I do. The Flint family never lies!"
Then his expression turned solemn. "Lockhart is merely a novelist. What right does he have to participate in the election? It is time for the pure-bloods to step forward! The Flint family now makes a public declaration: we firmly support Mr. Fudge in his bid for Minister for Magic!"
The pure-bloods' expressions shifted slightly as they began whispering among themselves. Old Flint had barely spoken since arriving at the banquet, so this sudden declaration of his position was both abrupt and shocking.
After speaking, Old Flint returned to his seat. Throughout it all, he did not exchange a single word with Moriarty.
Old Fli slowly rose to his feet. "Old Flint just said that Mr. Lockhart is merely a novelist? I cannot agree! I have worked closely with both Mr. Lockhart and Mr. Moriarty."
Old Fli smiled and winked