"Rufus Scrimgeour." Fudge rose to his feet and blocked Scrimgeour's path. "I've had enough! I've had enough of your unilateral decisions! And your complete disregard for discipline!"
His roar echoed through the meeting room. "I gave you a month, not so you could establish your own independent kingdom within the Ministry of Magic! I want to see progress! I want to see Vincent Wayne arrested! Not see you mysteriously digging through dusty old files every day and treating the Auror Office like your private club!"
The senior officials seated on either side of the conference table all stared at their noses, then at their hearts, as if the patterns on the tabletop had suddenly become immensely fascinating.
Only Amelia Bones and a few others frowned deeply, as though considering how this meeting could possibly end.
At the center of the storm, Scrimgeour did not even raise an eyebrow. He calmly watched the furious Fudge with his sharp eyes.
"Mr. Minister, I believe I made myself clear. I require absolute operational autonomy. I will not accept any idiotic administrative interference, and all Ministry of Magic resources must prioritize my investigation."
He placed particular emphasis on "idiotic administrative interference," which was no different from pouring oil onto the flames.
Fudge was so furious he nearly jumped to the ceiling. "I am the Minister for Magic! I bear ultimate responsibility for the Ministry of Magic's security! I have the right to know the latest progress of the arrest operation!"
Scrimgeour sneered. "That's right. You are the Minister for Magic. You can dismiss me at any time."
He no longer looked at Fudge's face, which had faintly begun to turn purple, and strode calmly out of the meeting room.
He had left, but the meeting room still reeked of gunpowder.
Auror Office
The moment