"Extendable Ears 2.0. George and the others modified them. They can pick up sounds from far away through walls and floors. If you need to use them, put the earpiece in your ear and press the other end against a wall or the floor. Fudge isn't stupid. He won't leave you alone with Hagrid for too long. When he isn't around, this can help you."
Harry pushed the thing deeper into his pocket and patted it, making sure it would not fall out.
At five to ten, Harry stood before the red telephone booth at the Ministry of Magic's main entrance. Fudge had arrived before him. He wore a dark green traveling cloak, the unmistakable dark green bowler hat perched on his head, and carried a silver umbrella in one hand—there was no rain today, yet he held it like a scepter symbolizing power.
His face was much rosier than the last time Harry had seen him at Hogwarts, and a smile he could not suppress hung at the corners of his mouth. It showed not only that he was in an excellent mood, but also the pride of someone who had held something in for a long time and could finally let it out.
"Mr. Potter!" Fudge extended his hand and shook Harry's. His palm was damp, and his grip was firm, as though he feared Harry might suddenly pull away.
"You're here. Good, good. I've been keeping an eye on your recent—er—situation." He released Harry's hand and pointed at the telephone booth. "Let's go. The Ministry is closed today. Only the staff on duty are here, so no one will disturb us."
The two stepped into the telephone booth. Fudge dialed the number, and the booth first sank underground. After a while, an elevator car rose up. "This