Director of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Illicit Items and Counterfeit Defensive Charms

As Fudge roared out his orders, in the Department of Mysteries only three corners away, Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix members silently watched it all, Vincent's words echoing in their ears:

"Look at what he's done over the past year. After the Triwizard Tournament, he ignored your warnings and turned the Ministry of Magic into his personal fiefdom. He would rather smear me as a Dark Lord colluding with Dementors than face Voldemort's return...

Why? Because admitting Voldemort's return meant admitting the failure of his past policies. It meant the foundations of his power would be shaken. For someone like him, preserving his power mattered far more than right and wrong, or the truth..."

Not a single person stepped forward.

Dumbledore let out a sigh, filled with sorrow and acknowledgment of how accurate Vincent's prediction had been.

He cast one last look toward the corridor where Fudge was, then turned to Arthur. The familiar spark of wisdom was gone from his eyes, leaving only bottomless exhaustion. "Arthur, I'll leave everything here to you."

There were no instructions, no explanations, but Arthur instantly understood the weight behind those words.

The Order of the Phoenix had never appeared tonight, and Vincent...

"I..." Arthur opened his mouth, his throat dry.

He remembered Vincent's calm departing figure and all that boy might have to bear, his heart filled with struggle and resentment.

This was too unfair.

Dumbledore gently pressed a hand to his shoulder. That slight pressure silenced the words Arthur could not bring himself to say.

A flash of fire passed through the hall of the Department of Mysteries, leaving behind only wreckage, captured Death Eaters, unconscious Silencers, and Arthur standing amid the ruins.

The chaotic footsteps and Fudge's shrill voice drew closer and closer. Arthur had little time left.

He