Past (Part Two)

But later, they met again.

Less than a year later, a flustered Fudge suddenly Apparated in the Cabinet Room and told the Prime Minister that there had been trouble at the Quidditch World Cup—at least, that was what it sounded like—and that several Muggles had been "caught up" in it. But the Prime Minister need not worry; although the Dark Lord's mark had appeared again, it did not mean anything.

Fudge believed it was merely an isolated incident, and even as they spoke, the Muggle Liaison Office was busy modifying memories.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Fudge added. "For the Triwizard Tournament, we need to import three dragons and a sphinx from abroad. It's customary, but the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures told me that, under the regulations, we have to notify you whenever we bring particularly dangerous animals into the country."

"I—what—dragons?" the Prime Minister stammered.

"Yes, three," Fudge said. "And a sphinx.

"Well then, all the best."

The Prime Minister had foolishly hoped that nothing more terrifying than dragons and a sphinx would appear, but he was wrong.

Less than two years later, Fudge emerged from the fire again, this time bearing news of a mass breakout from Azkaban.

"A mass breakout?" the Prime Minister repeated hoarsely.

"Don't worry, don't worry!"

Fudge shouted, already stepping into the flames. "We'll round them all up soon enough—I just thought you ought to know!"

Before the Prime Minister could cry, "Hey, wait!" Fudge had vanished in a burst of green sparks.

Whatever the media and opposition parties said, the Prime Minister was not a foolish man.

He had noticed that although Fudge had confidently assured him at their first meeting, they now met frequently, and Fudge seemed more distracted each time.

The Prime Minister did not like thinking