After Lord Voldemort reluctantly retreated with his lackeys, deafening cheers erupted throughout Azkaban Prison.
Few present had truly wanted to fight Lord Voldemort. Even though they had made ample preparations at Azkaban Prison, without Dumbledore there to restrain Lord Voldemort, they still might have suffered devastating losses.
No one wanted to gamble with their own life.
Except for Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic showed no joy at Voldemort's retreat.
"Minister, is something wrong?"
Godwin Robards, Head of the Auror Office, noticed his boss's grim expression. He quickly wiped the smile from his face and asked quietly.
"Sooner or later, we'll have to face Lord Voldemort." Scrimgeour looked at the cheering crowd and let out a heavy sigh. "Perhaps today wasn't the best time, but when will be? I have a feeling we may never get another opportunity as good as tonight's."
As he spoke, he glanced at Gadwin. "It was already difficult enough for us to stop Lord Voldemort from breaking prisoners out. Even if he retreated tonight, he could return tomorrow."
"Th-that can't be possible!"
Gadwin said uncertainly, his mouth slightly agape.
"Who are we dealing with?" Scrimgeour reminded him with a frown. "The most vicious Dark Lord in history, not some insignificant nobody from the black market. Don't indulge in such unrealistic fantasies."
Gadwin froze. Scrimgeour had brutally exposed that cruel reality. Suddenly, the laughter around him sounded unbearably grating, as though a pack of fools were celebrating what they believed was a victory—and moments ago, he had been one of those fools.
"Gadwin, when you have time, work with Piers to screen the prisoners in Azkaban. For those whose crimes are relatively minor, fine them a sum of Galleons and release them. Otherwise, if Lord Voldemort truly breaks Azkaban someday, everyone imprisoned here will be forced to