Umbridge's face flushed crimson, like a skinned toad.
Fudge's expression also lost its earlier smug satisfaction and turned rather vacant.
Clearly, Dumbledore's reaction and words had taken them completely by surprise.
At last, Fudge seemed to think of something and turned to Rufus Scrimgeour beside him. His brow furrowed, Scrimgeour looked from Fudge to Dumbledore, hesitated, then spoke:
"Minister, if that is your order, I will carry it out. But I must say, arresting Dumbledore against his will seems rather impossible."
As he spoke, he looked at Dumbledore again. "Dumbledore, I hope you understand what you're doing. If you really do this, you truly will be making an enemy of the Ministry of Magic."
"Thank you, Rufus. But Cornelius already believes that, doesn't he?" Dumbledore said, still smiling.
Harry could not move his body; only his eyes could move. Fortunately, he was facing straight ahead and could clearly see Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and all the Ministry of Magic staff.
He was rather bewildered, unsure how things had come to this.
How had it suddenly turned into Dumbledore facing everyone from the Ministry of Magic head-on?
There were nearly twenty Ministry employees here. And with both Scrimgeour and Kingsley here, those behind them were undoubtedly members of the Auror Office, the Ministry's finest.
Dumbledore, facing more than a dozen elite wizards alone? Even if he was Dumbledore, wasn't that a little too much to ask?
Before Harry could finish that thought, he saw the burly, white-haired soul master standing beside Kingsley behind Scrimgeour seemingly take a quiet step back.
Harry saw it clearly: the man was using Scrimgeour's body in front of him to conceal himself from Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Then he quietly reached toward his pocket.
He's going for his wand!
Harry was frantic, but he could not speak.