A few minutes later, groups of Aurors stepped into the fireplace. Each held a pinch of emerald-green Floo Powder and tossed it into the flames.
"Hogsmeade!" "Hogsmeade!" "Hogsmeade!"
Kane watched from the side, struggling to contain his questions. He grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, threw it into the fireplace, and vanished with a shout of "Hogsmeade!"
Fudge watched the Aurors file through, his expression grave.
He knew they stood no chance against Dumbledore, but he had no intention of using force.
That would be the stupidest approach.
All he needed was the protection of the Aurors and the support of Mr. Malfoy, a Hogwarts School Governor, to remove Dumbledore as Headmaster.
Fudge had spent some time thinking about it. He still did not believe Voldemort had returned.
He had been frightened during the attack in Romania and had relied on Dumbledore then. But once it was over, and he had gone so long without finding any trace of the Death Eaters, the whole thing had begun to feel wrong.
The timing was too perfect. Dumbledore had no business being there.
It was deeply suspicious. Fudge had spent the intervening weeks finding ways to protect himself. He had even hidden his home under the Fidelius Charm so Dumbledore could not come knocking.
Then, while working with Lucius Malfoy recently, the head of the Malfoy family had suggested a solution: why not enlist the Board of Governors to drive Dumbledore out?
The idea had tempted Fudge ever since.
At last, he had given in and decided to oust Dumbledore in public. Surely Dumbledore would not attack him in front of so many students, professors, and even reporters, especially while he was surrounded by Aurors?
And if Dumbledore dared, so much the better. The whole world would see what sort of man