As the second stage of the Council of Wizarding Sages drew to a close, Kingsley Shacklebolt returned to the hall with several Aurors, bringing Fudge with them.
Vaughn had not seen Fudge for some time, and he could not help feeling a little surprised when he got a clear look at the former Minister for Magic.
If Fudge had once been a plump, greasy middle-aged wizard, he now looked like a completely different man. His emaciated figure made one wonder whether someone had cast a Transfiguration Spell on him.
His sunken eyes and haggard face made it clear that this dramatic weight loss had nothing to do with self-discipline.
Fudge looked grim and seemed angry, but showed no sign of panic.
"Madam Amelia, I believe I have the right to refuse to attend any meeting. Sending a group of Aurors barging into my home is an abuse of your authority!"
Ignoring the Aurors behind him, Fudge marched straight up to the Jury Box and fixed his eyes on Amelia and Vaughn at the Presiding Judge's Bench. "Once this meeting is over, I will bring charges against you!"
As his words rang out, the atmosphere in the hall turned rather strange. Many people looked at him as though he were an idiot.
Amelia looked at Kingsley, who shrugged. Clearly, he had not told Fudge what was going on.
That was perfectly normal. A compulsory summons was little different from an arrest and could easily provoke resistance, so before Fudge appeared in
court, Kingsley and the Aurors had no obligation to explain anything to him.
"Cornelius Fudge, if you have any objections to me, the Wizengamot, or even the Ministry of Magic, you may lodge an appeal after this meeting."
Amelia's expression was utterly formal. "But before that, you must take your