In the Auror interrogation room, Fudge looked utterly disheveled. Not a trace of his former composure remained.
Fudge's confidante, Dolores Umbridge, had betrayed him.
Seeing which way the wind was blowing, Umbridge provided Rufus Scrimgeour, head of the Auror Office, with evidence that Fudge had contacted and colluded with the rebel goblins.
Fudge protested, "I had nothing to do with the Goblin Rebellion."
He could never admit to conspiring with goblins. The Goblin Rebellion had killed many members of the International Wizarding Conference, and even Dumbledore had been stripped of his position as chairman.
It was an enormous burden to bear. If the charges were confirmed, he would never leave Azkaban for the rest of his life.
Rufus Scrimgeour took out a bottle of potion and said disdainfully, "It doesn't matter if you deny it. Veritaserum will make you talk."
Fudge had already stepped down and was no longer Minister for Magic. He was currently in a power vacuum, holding no position within the Ministry of Magic, so Rufus Scrimgeour did not hesitate to use Veritaserum to pry open his mouth.
Fudge shouted, "I'm a former Minister for Magic! There are many secrets in my head. You can't do this!"
Rufus Scrimgeour said, "Don't worry. We won't ask anything we shouldn't."
"No! No—this isn't legal!" Fudge was terrified as two Aurors forced Veritaserum down his throat.
After a while, Fudge's eyes became vacant.
Rufus Scrimgeour began his questioning:
"You accepted gifts from the goblins?"
"Yes."
"You met privately with the goblin elder Lanlock on multiple occasions?"
"Yes."
"Were the goblins the ones who had you submit the proposal to repeal the Ban on Goblin Use of Wands?"
"Yes."
After a string of leading questions, Rufus Scrimgeour got the answers he wanted.
Fudge slumped limply in his chair, his heart