Gentle Tyranny

Dumbledore's connections spanned the globe and were not limited to the Wizarding World.

Having realized this, Fudge suddenly slammed his hand on the desk. "Evidence! Dumbledore, produce evidence! Otherwise, this is slander! It is rhetoric that undermines the authority of the Ministry of Magic! Everyone outside is praising my wise leadership now, and that is what matters most! It has brought stability! Peace!"

Dumbledore shook his head slightly, a trace of sorrow flashing through his eyes. "A peace whitewashed with lies is more dangerous than war itself, Cornelius. It will leave people utterly defenseless when true darkness descends."

Fudge's voice rose even higher. "Speaking of defenses, I happen to have a new measure to implement. To ensure the absolute safety of Hogwarts students and allow them to focus wholeheartedly on their studies, I have decided to sign a Ministerial Order."

As though he had seized an opportunity to strike back, he said, "Beginning next week, Hogwarts will cancel all Quidditch training, club activities, and every non-academic gathering. All students must spend their extracurricular time in their common rooms or the library, under the personal supervision of their Heads of House."

He looked at Dumbledore smugly, as if he had thrown down an unbeatable trump card.

A crack did indeed appear in Dumbledore's ever-calm expression, but it was not anger. It was disappointment and chill so profound they were almost tangible.

"Cornelius, do you intend to take away the last scraps of joy the children have beneath these dark clouds? To take away their freedom to fly, make friends, and discover themselves? All for that pathetic little desire of yours to control everything?"

His voice was not loud, yet Fudge instinctively took half a step back.

"This is for their own good! For order!"

"No, Cornelius." Dumbledore's gentle presence became as imposing as a snow-capped mountain. "This is tyranny. Though it may appear gentle, it is still tyranny."

He no longer looked at Fudge. His blue eyes swept over the room's golden decorations, the ridiculous display shelf of "trophies," and finally settled on the portrait that kept waving.

"You may issue your Ministerial Order, Cornelius," Dumbledore said calmly,

"But if you dare send it into Hogwarts, then I, Albus Percival Wulfrick Brian Dumbledore, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, will regretfully bring an end to the friendly relationship the school and the Ministry of Magic have maintained for many years."

Legally speaking, as the government of the British Wizarding World, the Ministry of Magic had jurisdiction over education.

The Ministry of Magic could establish educational regulations. For instance, the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s examinations were administered by the Ministry, and it could also influence the school's curriculum and teaching standards to a certain extent.

However, Hogwarts was protected by an ancient Charter, a document that granted the school immense autonomy, especially in internal administration, staff appointments, and student affairs.

Fudge's forceful Ministerial Order was effectively a violation of the Charter, and Hogwarts naturally had grounds to end the friendly relationship it had maintained with the Ministry of Magic for years.

The Ministry of Magic also had the authority to order the school closed, but only under extreme circumstances. That was what Umbridge had been racking her brains to accomplish through the various tasks assigned by Mr. Minister.

Dumbledore's words successfully brought Fudge back to his senses.

The Ministry of Magic was not Hogwarts's superior, and its authority over the school was not absolute.

Fudge shrieked furiously, "You... you can't! This is a threat, Dumbledore!"

"No, Mr. Minister. This is a promise."

Dumbledore's calm stood in stark contrast to Fudge's twisted expression.

Fudge, who had seemed to be out of options, suddenly planted both hands on his desk. "In that case, I can only handle this by the book."

An exceptionally sinister smile appeared on his face. "As I understand it, a considerable portion of Hogwarts's operating funds comes from that most-wanted criminal."

Ripples disturbed Dumbledore's calm face.

Fudge was extremely pleased by his reaction. "As Headmaster, not only have you allowed him to continue serving as chairman of the School Board, you have even accepted, without a shred of shame, the illegal funds he has provided again and again!"

He rapped the desk heavily. "You are colluding with dark forces, Dumbledore!"

Dumbledore's gaze turned cold in a way that was rare for him. "How far are you willing to go just to keep hold of the power in your hands?"

Fudge seemed deeply wounded by the words. "I am defending the dignity of the law! I must let the public see that the Ministry of Magic is capable of controlling the situation, capable of protecting them!"

But he had failed. Vincent had not surrendered without resistance; he had chosen to challenge the authority of the Ministry of Magic.

He had been wrong from the beginning, wrong in the middle, and in order to keep his grip on power, he could only continue down the wrong path.

Dumbledore sighed silently. "Power is the most potent poison in the world.

Cornel—Mr. Minister, if you insist on doing this, then I will have no choice but to use every means at my disposal to stop you."

Fudge clenched his fists. "Dumbledore, do you think I wanted this? If you had been willing to cooperate with the Ministry of Magic, then why would I—"

"Words are useless." Dumbledore lightly clapped his hands toward the air before him. "Take care of yourself."

Accompanied by Fawkes's melodious cry, red flames surged up and swallowed Dumbledore's figure.

Fudge was left alone in the office.

He stood where he was, trembling all over, unable to tell whether it was from rage or fear.

He looked around at the office he had painstakingly created, a symbol of "glory." Yet now, the gold seemed painfully dazzling, and the portrait of himself appeared to be mocking him in silence.

"Damn it!" Fudge smashed his fist into the desk with all his strength. "Everything I have done was for the stability and prosperity of the Wizarding World! You... you all... why can't you understand me?!"

Elsewhere, Hogwarts Castle.

The corridor leading to the Headmaster's Office on the eighth floor was utterly silent. The gargoyle at the entrance suddenly seemed to sense something and silently slid aside, not asking for the password as usual.

Red flames appeared, and Dumbledore strode inside, his steps heavier than usual.

The gentle smile he usually wore had vanished, replaced by a deep weariness.

After ascending the spiral staircase, he pushed open the office door. The portraits of past Headmasters hurriedly shut their eyes and pretended to sleep.

Dumbledore walked to the perch and gently placed Fawkes, who had been standing on his shoulder, upon it.

Knock, knock— came a sound from outside.

Dumbledore raised his right hand and turned to look at McGonagall outside the door.

Her hands were tightly clasped before her, her knuckles white from the force, and she had clearly realized something.

"Albus," McGonagall said, her voice carrying a barely perceptible anxiety, "how bad is it?"

Behind his half-moon spectacles, Dumbledore's blue eyes flashed with helplessness. "More... extreme than we anticipated. Cornelius is not only completely intoxicated by the story of victory he invented for himself, but he also intends to extend that 'wisdom' to Hogwarts."

He paused, then clearly stated that terrible decision. "He plans to sign a Ministerial Order that will cancel all Quidditch training, club activities, and every non-academic extracurricular gathering.

He claims it is to ensure the absolute safety of Hogwarts students and allow them to focus wholeheartedly on their studies."