Azkaban's defenses include Dementors, but the guards are human too, and they too experience pain and despair.
Even with increased security due to Sirius Black's escape, the prison doesn't have many guards. They are only responsible for daily patrols and regular monitoring of the prisoners' every move.
Once the Dementors leave Azkaban, the prison's internal security system will instantly collapse.
Without the Dementors' restraint, no one can predict what the prisoners inside might do.
If those Death Eaters at the top tier riot...
Fudge couldn't bear to imagine any further. In a panic, he grabbed Scrimgeour's collar and whispered in his ear, "Rufus, you take the lead immediately—no, don't make a sound for now."
Scrimgeour looked utterly bewildered. "Mr. Minister, we must act immediately. If we let Voldemort—"
"He's dead." Fudge gripped his collar tightly. "Everything must be done to keep the news under wraps. We must not let the outside world associate him with anything."
The hearings have gone in the direction he least wanted, but even if they fail, they will still have some effect. If news breaks now that the Dementors have collectively left Azkaban, those who initially doubted Dumbledore Vincent will once again stand firmly on their side.
Scrimgeour clenched his fist. "Mr. Minister, the Dementors have already broken the agreement, and we cannot guarantee that they will not harm the public."
"Then let's find an excuse." Fudge's tone was particularly flustered. "We can claim that the Dementors are on vacation, Azkaban is far from land, and there are Anti-Apparition Jinx set up around it, so even if some prisoners escape, they won't go far."
Scrimgeour pressed down on his trembling hand clutching his clothes. "Have you forgotten how Sirius Black Black escaped? Those Death Eaters are all complete lunatics. If even one of them manages to swim ashore, it will cause incalculable destruction to the Wizarding World."
Fudge loosened his grip, but quickly tightened it again. "Rufus, I know, of course I know, but you need to give me some time to think of a solution."
"The problem is we don't have time." Scrimgeour patted his arm. "Mr. Minister, I alone cannot effectively control those prisoners."
Scrimgeour turned to Dumbledore Vincent behind him. "Let's take this opportunity to be honest with the people."
Confessing means admitting mistakes, but the hearings have already started with voting, and confessing now would kill many people.
"No!" Fudge quickly lowered his voice. "Rufus, I will tell you everything, but now is not the time."
Scrimgeour's face was filled with pain and confusion; it was the first time he had ever seen Fudge so panicked.
It's another cover-up of the truth. If only he had refused Fudge's offer to stay.
Fudge looked at Scrimgeour with pleading eyes. "Rufus, I promise I will find a suitable time to tell the people everything."
Scrimgeour was extremely conflicted. He lowered his head, unable to meet Fudge's pleading eyes.
"Isn't now a perfect time?"
Scrimgeour was stunned. Why was his inner voice ringing in his ears?
He turned around abruptly and looked at Vincent in disbelief.
Did this born master of Occlumency learn Legilimency?
Unlike the puzzled Scrimgeour, Fudge's eyes, which had been full of pleading, instantly became bloodshot, and his pupils contracted violently to the size of pinpoints.
He pointed a trembling finger at Vincent, his face filled with both anger and deep fear. "Wayne, you... you dared to eavesdrop!"
Vincent looked directly into those bloodshot eyes. "Mr. Minister, you don't actually want to tell us everything, do you?"
Fudge shuddered violently, Scrimgeour immediately realized that his true intention was to stall for time.
"I... I don't understand what you're saying."
Vincent's deep blue eyes seemed to see right through Fudge's heart. "A hypocrite is always more terrifying than a true villain, Mr. Minister. The false peace you've created is already on its last legs."
Fudge's index finger tapped frantically on the table, the rhythm so fast it was like he was under a convulsive spell.
He forced a very stiff smile. "What countdown? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
Vincent coldly rejected his goodwill. "Azkaban, this time you're planning to use the Dementors' vacation as an excuse, am I right?"
The Courtroom Ten immediately erupted in discussion.
Ever since Scrimgeour came in, Fudge has shown obvious panic, which was followed by intense fear, as if something terrible had happened.
Azkaban, Dementors, vacation adjustment, excuses...
Numerous speculations reached Fudge's ears with crystal clarity; the goodwill he had shown towards Vincent had vanished, and his stiff smile gradually became distorted.
"Nonsense!" Fudge slammed his hand on the table, and the Courtroom Ten fell silent again.
He suddenly slammed the documents in front of him to the ground. "Wayne, is this some kind of trick you pulled to get yourself acquitted?"
Dumbledore astonished. "Cornelius, you—"
"Shut up!" Fudge's eyes revealed a kind of madness, a madness that Dumbledore knew all too well.
"Cornelius, you know perfectly well the outcome of the hearing. Vincent didn't need to—"
"I said shut up!" Fudge tugged at the front of his crimson robe. "Dumbledore, the vote to dismiss the charges hasn't even begun!"
Vincent shook his head Dumbledore. "Professor, he's lost his mind. Leave this to me. You should still be able to get to Azkaban in time."
Dumbledore slowly stood up. "Are you sure you can handle things here?"
Vincent also stood up, saying, "It's easier than the things you have to deal with."
The two men's actions drove Fudge even crazier. He pushed Scrimgeour aside and reached into the suit pocket beneath his crimson robe with his other hand.
"See? I saw through their trick. They're trying to escape!"
Amidst the uproar, Fudge suddenly drew his wand and pointed it at Dumbledore.
Vincent stepped in front of him. "Professor, it seems our celebration party will have to be postponed."
Dumbledore smiled and raised his hands, letting the crimson flames pour down.
"Stop them! Don't let them get away!"
Upon receiving the order, Delores rushed over immediately, and the Auror surrounding the defendant's dock, except for Tonks and Wales, also quickly drew their wands.
Vincent glanced behind him and saw that Dumbledore was completely engulfed in Fawkes' flames.
He raised the index finger of his left hand, which was adorned with the Flamel Ring, and in the next instant, he was engulfed by a dazzling spell.