On a day meant for family celebrations, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge didn't have the slightest smile on his face. Seeing him like that, his wife, seated across from him, frowned. She didn't even feel like tasting the freshly baked apple pie.
"Honestly, can't you be a little happier? Who are you trying to impress with that expression?"
Mrs. Fudge, deep wrinkles etched at the corners of her eyes, put on a stern face. She was clearly very unhappy with her husband.
Usually, she didn't complain when Fudge was busy rushing around the Ministry of Magic all day. But couldn't he let her enjoy herself on the one day of the year that was Christmas?
How was anyone supposed to live like this?
"Forget it. You wouldn't understand."
Catching sight of his wife's expression, Fudge had meant to explain, but the words died on his lips.
What good would telling a woman do? It would only make her worry for nothing.
"If you don't tell me, how do you know I won't understand?"
Although Mrs. Fudge was a full-time housewife, that didn't mean she was ignorant. In fact, she'd helped Fudge come up with many of the decisions he'd made since becoming Minister of Magic.
"Sigh."
Hearing that, Fudge sighed and could only give her a perfunctory answer.
"Things have been chaotic lately. Every department is under a lot of pressure."
"Chaotic?"
Mrs. Fudge raised her voice in confusion.
It wasn't as if she never went out. She hadn't noticed anything chaotic.
"You know those people in Knockturn Alley are never any good. Lately, they've been making quite a commotion."
At the mention of "Knockturn Alley," Fudge ground his teeth in anger.
Those stinking sewer rats were getting out of hand!
The Ministry of Magic had always turned a blind