Unexpected Cooperation

After hearing the knocking, the three quickly hid. After confirming the invisibility cloak was functioning correctly, Hagrid turned and opened the door.

Dumbledore entered with a stout man. "That's my dad's boss," Ron panted, "Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic."

Upon seeing Fudge, Hagrid's face instantly turned pale. "This is terrible, Hagrid," Fudge said in a crisp, rapid tone. "There have already been four attacks, the Ministry must take action."

"I didn't do it!"

"I hope you understand, Cornelius, I completely trust Hagrid." Dumbledore's eyes flashed with anger. At this moment, Harry seemed to understand how Bing Huan's nickname for Dumbledore, the White Demon King, came about.

Facing Dumbledore, who had transformed from a kindly old man into an enraged White Demon King, Fudge's forehead also broke out in a cold sweat. "I don't want to either, but we in the Ministry must do something. After all, he's the only one at Hogwarts with a prior record. If it turns out not to be Hagrid, we will return him to you completely intact."

"Where are you taking me?" Hagrid's voice trembled slightly, as if recalling something unpleasant.

"Don't worry, it'll be brief," Fudge said, not daring to meet Dumbledore's gaze any longer. He turned to Hagrid. "This isn't to punish you, just a precautionary measure. If we catch the real culprit, we'll release you immediately and offer a sincere apology."

"If apologies were useful, what would we need the Ministry for?" Bing Huan kicked the door open. The young man was like a powder keg at this moment, and Fudge's arrival couldn't have been more ill-timed. "Precautionary measures, isn't that just Azkaban! You can embezzle so much money every year, but you don't have money to build ordinary detention centers, right? Since there's no evidence, Hagrid is innocent. Even if you suspect him, you have no right to lock him up in Azkaban. If you don't know how to treat people, Hagrid will be taken care of by us."

"This isn't the Daoist Sect's territory, this is the Western Wizarding World!" Fudge was surprised by Bing Huan's appearance, but Bing Huan's words ignited his anger.

Bing Huan walked forward fearlessly, meeting Fudge's gaze. "It doesn't have to be, depending on your performance."

Fudge took a few steps back, pointing at Bing Huan. "Fi... fine! People from your Daoist Sect coming here, you're clearly harboring ill intentions."

Bing Huan unceremoniously pushed Fudge onto the sofa. "Give me a break, with this dump of a place, do you really think anyone cares? Nothing to eat, nowhere to go, and you can't even stretch your legs when you sleep. Also, I'm not discussing this with you, I'm informing you."

He looked up at Hagrid and tilted his head. "Go ahead, Hagrid. My people are waiting for you at the main entrance. You can stay at the Daoist Sect's waystation during this time. If anyone dares to take you away, just fight them. If you can't win, call for backup. I've already made arrangements."

"Dumbledore, is this your intention as well? Are you going to do nothing?"

"Cornelius, I am the Headmaster."

"Dumbledore, you will regret this."

BANG!

Fudge left angrily, slamming the door. Hagrid also packed his things and went to wait at the entrance. Before leaving, he specifically shouted in the room to keep an eye on the spiders' movements.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The knocking sounded again, and Lucius Malfoy walked in.

"Why is the Malfoy patriarch here?"

Lucius greeted the two and produced a roll of parchment. "My apologies for disturbing you, but we may be in some trouble."

Lucius handed the parchment to Dumbledore. "It seems Voldemort's residual influence is deeper than we imagined. This time, 11 Board Members have jointly initiated your suspension. To avoid exposing myself, I had no choice but to sign it. Their reason is that you did not prevent the recent attacks, and we cannot say much more. Furthermore, my people have reported that your properties near Hogwarts are being monitored by their people. If necessary, you can temporarily rest at a Malfoy family estate; no one will be watching there."

"If the Board wishes me to leave, I will naturally step down. Thank you for your help. However, if they don't see me leave Hogwarts, they likely won't rest. I'll need you to keep a closer eye on the Board Members."

"Understood, then let's go." Lucius bowed and left with Dumbledore. Bing Huan glanced towards a corner. "Alright, stop hiding."

"We've been discovered?" Harry asked, taking off his invisibility cloak, confused.

"Everyone except you, Ron, and Fudge has been discovered."

With the immediate crisis resolved, the group began to ponder the meaning of Hagrid's words. Ron noticed a line of small spiders heading in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

Harry made a decisive move, taking Fang's leash. "Come on, Fang, let's go for a walk." Following the spiders, they gradually strayed from the path Hagrid had warned them not to leave.

Soon, they arrived deep in the Forbidden Forest. The trees grew denser, and the stars overhead were no longer visible. The only light came from the faint glow of their wands. Suddenly, Fang let out a loud bark. In the darkness not far away, a massive figure stretched its body.

They had felt like they were going downhill since they arrived. Now, looking around, they seemed to have entered a cave formed by towering trees.

"Is it Hagrid?" the largest spider asked.

"We are Hagrid's friends."

"Hagrid never sends anyone to me."

"He's in trouble now, related to something from 50 years ago." Bing Huan got straight to the point, wanting to understand the past events quickly.

"Oh, that troublesome matter?"

"Yes, we know you and Hagrid were framed, but we need information about the real culprit, at least information about the Chamber of Secrets."

Aragog pondered for a moment, then said angrily, "The administrators back then were a bunch of idiots. However, I truly don't know who was responsible, nor am I clear about the Chamber of Secrets. I only know that fellow was a nemesis to us spiders, but I cannot say his name."

"Then what do you know?"

"I only know that the girl who was murdered was found in a restroom."

"It seems there's no useful information, let's go back," Bing Huan said, turning to Harry and the others.

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Aragog's voice came from behind them, and the sound of countless spiders crawling echoed from all around.

"I remember you promised Hagrid you wouldn't hurt anyone," Bing Huan said, drawing Crimson Trail from its sheath.

"I did promise Hagrid, and I told my offspring not to harm him. But fresh human flesh has delivered itself to our doorstep, and I cannot stop them from enjoying themselves. Goodbye."

The four stood back-to-back, surrounded by countless spiders forming a solid, towering wall. In the darkness, numerous pairs of red eyes gleamed.

"Protego Diabolica!"

A blue-grey ring of fire suddenly erupted around them. All the spiders that touched the fire ring turned to ash. Grindelwald, dressed in a suit, slowly emerged from the flames. "Aragog, was it? Your race has survived this long with difficulty, hasn't it? If you don't want your entire clan wiped out, get lost!"

If Aragog could, he would have swallowed. With a spell of this level, barring any surprises, the person before him must be one of the two most powerful old men Hagrid had spoken of from that time.

"Of course, of course. Since they are your people, feel free to take them."