Fudge's Worries

Over the next half hour, their top-floor VIP box gradually filled up with people.

Mr. Weasley kept shaking hands with people who were clearly high-ranking wizards, Percy kept standing up hastily, as if a row of Porcupine Quills had suddenly sprouted from his chair.

The last to enter was Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge. Everyone else stood up to greet him, but Fudge did something unexpected.

He strode towards the front row as if he were seeing an old friend, and stretched out his hand from a distance.

Percy was ecstatic.

The adults are all on the other side; there are only a few children here.

Bill and Charlie are abroad, everyone else is still studying at Hogwarts, and he is the only one working at the Ministry of Magic.

Could it be...?

Percy's heart began to pound wildly, and he instinctively bowed and extended his hand.

Because he bent over so low, his glasses fell to the ground.

However, the next second, Fudge walked past him as if no one else was there, as if he were an inconspicuous sculpture or a phone booth on the roadside, without even glancing at him.

"Oh, Kyle, it's so nice to see you here."

Fudge casually put his hand on Kyle's shoulder and patted him hard, his attitude much warmer than when he was with others.

"How was your holiday?" he asked kindly.

"Great." Kyle nodded, realizing what was happening. "The Quidditch World Cup is something to look forward to."

"Yes, I even saved a ticket for you, but Arthur beat me to it." He glanced at Mr. Weasley with a teasing look.

Mr. Weasley didn't know what to say, and could only manage a stiff, forced smile.

He mentioned Kyle's name when he went to Ludo Bagman to ask for tickets, but Ludobagman never mentioned it.

"But then again..."

Fudge continued, "I waited for Albus's owl during my vacation, but you didn't write me a single letter."

Do you know what he's been busy with lately? And that potion... I think you know what I'm talking about, it can turn that mouse back, right?"

Medicine?

Kyle quickly realized that Fudge was talking about must be the Mandrake Restorative Draught that could restore Peter Pettigrew to his Animagus Transformation.

No wonder he was so enthusiastic.

Crouch's international reputation has soared significantly thanks to this Quidditch World Cup, which must have made him feel threatened.

"Don't worry, Minister." After figuring this out, Kyle immediately said with a smile, "As far as I know, the Mandrake Restorative Draught was brewed a month ago. There's a whole pot of it, and it was all used on that rat. I guarantee there won't be any problems."

"Then I'm relieved. Albus has never messed up before," Fudge said, then his face hardened. "You should have contacted me. I think I've said before that I, on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, will do everything in my power to help you in this matter."

"Perhaps Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to cause you any trouble," Kyle said. "Organizing a tournament with 100,000 wizards is no easy task."

"Albus really something," Fudge said, feigning displeasure. "Although I've been quite busy lately, I've been making time for him. I even turned down several important meetings to wait for his owl."

"A meeting? It should be a banquet," Kyle thought to himself, but outwardly remained calm, joining Fudge in condemning Dumbledore's aloof behavior.

This made Fudge look even happier.

He then introduced Kyle to the Bulgaria Minister for Magic, who was dressed in a magnificent velvet robe with gold trim, but seemed to understand nothing Fudge was saying.

Fudge's words and gestures failed to make him understand the meaning of "the youngest member of the Order of Merlin."

However, as he looked over, his gaze inadvertently fell on Harry's forehead.

He immediately pointed excitedly at the scar and mumbled a string of words.

"Oh, yes, Harry Potter ..." Fudge walked over and took Harry's hand like a loving father. "You surely know him, he's the boy who escaped death from the clutches of the You-Know-Who."

The Bulgaria Minister for Magic said something again.

No one present could understand what he was saying, and Harry was completely bewildered; he didn't even know how he had been dragged there.

"I'm not very good with languages," Fudge whispered to Harry and Kyle. "Usually, you need Barty Crouch for these kinds of things. Ah, but he's not here right now, though I saw his House-elf save him a seat. How thoughtful... Ah, Lucius's here."

Three more people entered the box: Lucius Malfoy, Draco, and a woman.

"Ah, Minister Fudge." Lucius walked over and extended his hand. "Hello, this is my wife Narcissa, and our son Draco."

"Hello, hello." Fudge smiled and nodded to Mrs. Malfoy, and then introduced them to the Bulgaria Minister for Magic.

However, due to the language barrier, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

But at that moment, Malfoy suddenly noticed Mr. Weasley standing to the side.

"My God, Arthur." He said softly, as if he had seen something unbelievable, "What did you sell to get this penthouse seat? Your possessions certainly aren't worth this much money, right?"

"I almost forgot you two are old acquaintances," Fudge said with a smile. "Lucius recently donated a large sum of money to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Arthur is my guest of honor."

"Oh...that's great." Mr. Weasley managed a weak smile.

Lucius's gaze swept over Hermione again, and he whispered something to the woman beside him.

Narcissa Malfoy immediately showed a look of disgust, as if she had smelled something unpleasant.

She had the same thought when she saw Winky before, as if she viewed Hermione, Muggle-born, as having the same status as House-elf.

However, under the watchful eye of the Minister for Magic, they dared not say anything out of line and silently walked to their seats.

Draco wanted to come over and greet Kyle, but Narcissa stopped him. Lucius, watching from the side, did not stop him.

"Damn it," Ron muttered, as he, Harry, Hermione turned their attention back to the stadium, using their newly purchased Omnioculars to look at the crowd on the other side.

Then, Ludo Bagman rushed into the box.

"Is everyone ready?" he said, his round face Winky like a giant spherical cheese. "Minister... may we begin?"

"Let's begin, Ludo," Fudge said kindly. "I can't wait to see a great match."

"I definitely won't let you down."

Ludo drew his wand, pointed to his throat, and said, "Sonorus." Then his words thundered throughout the packed stadium.

In an instant, only his voice remained in the surroundings.

"Ladies and gentlemen... welcome!"