As Fudge waited expectantly, a dark cloud swiftly drifted across the moonlit, sparsely starred sky and stopped directly above Hogsmeade, immediately blotting out the moonlight and casting a vast shadow.
The visitors on the streets below noticed nothing.
Fudge perked up, straightened his brownish-green hat, and turned to tell the people behind him to line up and clear the platform in front, ready to welcome the Muggles.
But after a while, the enormous Floating Island failed to reveal itself and astonish every wizard in Hogsmeade as he had imagined. Nor did a large party teleport onto the platform.
Only Barty Crouch Sr. appeared.
Fudge froze for a moment, then hurried over to ask him.
"Where are the others? Why hasn't Asgard revealed itself?"
Seeing Fudge's eagerness and enthusiasm, and the welcome he had arranged on a grander scale than expected, Barty Crouch Sr. guessed that the man had finally caught on.
But with some things, falling even one step behind meant losing the opportunity altogether.
The man before him had not even figured out the purpose behind Shawn's plans. All he knew how to do was put on an empty show. He had absolutely no chance of being reelected Minister.
Barty Crouch Sr. revealed nothing of what had happened on the Floating Island and merely said indifferently,
"His lordship said it was too late tonight, so the guests will rest on the Floating Island and begin touring Hogsmeade tomorrow morning. All right, everyone can go."
With that, Barty paid Fudge no further attention. He smiled politely at Hermione, who was also waiting, and headed downstairs.
Fudge stood there dumbfounded, his face slowly reddening. Feeling utterly humiliated in front of so many of his employees and subordinates, he grew visibly flustered and angry.
"What are you still standing around for? Get