Hagrid and the Chamber of Secrets Reopened Once More (5)

The movement was slow, as though it truly took that long to wipe the mist from his lenses.

Lucius saw it clearly from the side. He knew Dumbledore's silence was not hesitation, but an opportunity for Fudge to rethink his words. If Fudge were smart enough, he should have shut up now.

But Fudge was clearly not the sort to take a hint.

"Dumbledore, I know you have done a great deal for Hogwarts. But this is not the first time. You owe the Ministry of Magic an explanation for Hagrid's matter. It is not just me; the entire Wizengamot thinks—you are too protective of your own people. You always think only you can protect those children, only you can decide who is right and who is wrong. But you are not a god, Dumbledore. You can be wrong too."

Dumbledore put his glasses back on, and those blue eyes reappeared behind the lenses.

"Cornelius, I have never believed myself to be a god. Even after defeating Grindelwald and Voldemort, I never thought so. But your approach is wrong—locking Hagrid in Azkaban and handing Hogwarts over to the Ministry of Magic will solve nothing."

"Then what do you suggest?" Fudge's voice was already tinged with fatigue and impatience. "Stay here and do nothing? Wait for the next student to be petrified? Wait for the Daily Prophet's headline to read, 'Dumbledore Unable to Protect Students, Ministry of Magic Stands By'? Do you know what those parents will think? Do you know how the Board of Governors will react?"

He pointed at Lucius. "I assume Mr. Malfoy is not here merely to watch the show. He is a member of the Board of Governors, and he has every right to question the school's safety measures."

Lucius did not look at Hagrid again.