Fudge abruptly stood up and paced back and forth across his office.
You-Know-Who had returned?
How was that possible?
He had personally announced to the entire Wizarding World that You-Know-Who was finished for good.
That promise had won him the support and trust of countless wizards.
If he now told everyone that You-Know-Who was still alive...
Fudge dared not imagine the consequences.
"Minister, we must take action," Quildon said. "If we leave this unchecked, You-Know-Who may regain his strength."
"When that happens..."
"Enough!" Fudge slammed his hand on the desk. "It's just a book! A work of fiction!"
"We can't act on a novel-"
"Minister!" Quildon raised his voice as well. "The experts in the Department of Mysteries have already confirmed that the book's contents closely match reality!"
"If we wait until You-Know-Who truly returns to life, it will be too late to act!"
Fudge opened his mouth but could not get a word out.
A fierce struggle raged within him.
On the one hand, he refused to believe that You-Know-Who had returned.
On the other, he could not ignore the evidence the book provided.
"Summon all the department heads first," Fudge finally said. "Call an emergency meeting immediately."
Quildon nodded, turned, and left the office.
Twenty minutes later, the conference room on the top floor of the Ministry of Magic was packed.
The heads of the various departments and senior officials sat on either side of the long conference table.
Fudge sat at the head of the table, his expression grim.
Quildon stood beside him, holding the book.
"Everyone," Fudge began, his voice somewhat hoarse, "we have just received some important information."
"Regarding that book popular in the Muggle world-Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
A low murmur rose in the conference room.
"The second half of this book contains some... disturbing material," Fudge continued. "It claims that You-Know-Who is not dead."
The conference room fell silent in an instant.
Everyone's expression changed.
"He has possessed a professor at Hogwarts and is attempting to seize the Philosopher's Stone to restore his strength."
The moment Fudge finished speaking, the conference room erupted.
"You-Know-Who is still alive?"
"How is that possible?"
"Can that book be trusted?"
"Quiet!" Fudge rapped on the table. "Department Head Quildon, explain the situation to everyone."
Quildon stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"Everyone, the experts in the Department of Mysteries have conducted a detailed analysis of this book."
"Their conclusion is that the contents of this book closely match reality."
"Many of the events described in the book are identical to events that happened in reality."
"Therefore, we have reason to believe that the material concerning You-Know-Who is very likely accurate as well."
The conference room sank into deathly silence once more.
Just then, Hector Barlow, Head of the Department of Magical Transportation, suddenly spoke:
"I have just received a report."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"The Floo Network is being used frequently, with the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts as the point of origin."
"Judging by the travel records, Dumbledore has been making frequent visits to the homes of members of the Order of the Phoenix, the organization he previously founded."
A chorus of sharp intakes of breath filled the conference room.
"Dumbledore?" There was a trace of disbelief in Fudge's voice. "He..."
"He has clearly learned about the book's contents as well," Hector said. "And he has chosen to act."
Fudge's expression grew even uglier.
Dumbledore.
Dumbledore again.
That old man was always one step ahead of him.
If Dumbledore really captured You-Know-Who, his prestige would reach new heights.
And he, Fudge, the Minister for Magic who had personally announced You-Know-Who's death, would become the laughingstock of the entire Wizarding World.
Fudge felt a surge of shame and anger.
But he could not simply ignore it.
If You-Know-Who truly returned to life, it would be a catastrophe for the entire Wizarding World.
"We must take action," Fudge finally said. "The Auror Office is to mobilize immediately and head to Hogwarts."
"Arrest Professor Quirrell and stop You-Know-Who from seizing the Philosopher's Stone."
Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office, stood up. "Minister, should we contact Dumbledore first-"
"No need," Fudge interrupted him. "Our Ministry of Magic is capable of handling this."
"We must capture You-Know-Who before Dumbledore arrives."
Scrimgeour frowned but said nothing more.
He understood what Fudge was thinking.
The minister wanted to resolve the problem before Dumbledore did, thereby preserving his own authority.
"Act immediately," Fudge said. "Mobilize every available Auror."
"Make certain You-Know-Who is brought to justice tonight."
In the study at Malfoy Manor, Lucius Malfoy stood by the window.
He held a glass of Firewhisky, but his gaze rested on his left arm.
A faint mark lay there, barely visible in the dim light.
It was the Dark Mark.
It was proof that he had once sworn allegiance to You-Know-Who.
Eleven years ago, after You-Know-Who's downfall, the mark had grown dull and faded. As far as he was concerned, he had freed himself from that madman for good.
But now...
He lowered his head to look at the book on his desk.
The book stated quite clearly that You-Know-Who was still alive, and that he was at Hogwarts.
Lucius felt a chill creep up his spine.
If Voldemort truly returned, what would he do?
Would he come looking for those who had once followed him?
Lucius raised his glass and drained it.
No, I can't just sit here and wait for death.
The situation was quite clear now.
Voldemort was merely a remnant of a soul, utterly feeble.
Dumbledore, meanwhile, was still in his prime and controlled the power of the entire Wizarding World.
If he went over to Voldemort now, he would be courting death.
Lucius set down his glass, walked to his desk, and picked up a quill.
He had to make his position clear.
He had to stand on the right side before anyone else had reacted.
He spread out a sheet of parchment and began writing letters to the heads of the other pure-blood families.
He wrote in his letters:
"My dear friend, I imagine you have already heard about the contents of that book."
"I must tell you frankly that we have all made mistakes in the past."
"But now, I have recognized my own foolishness."
"You-Know-Who is a thing of the past. We cannot entertain any illusions about him."
"Dumbledore is right, and we should unite beneath his banner."
"I sincerely invite you to join me in publicly declaring support for Dumbledore."
"Only by doing so can we safeguard our own futures and those of our families."
Lucius finished the last letter and sealed it with wax.
He summoned a house-elf and told it to deliver the letters.
Then he leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.
Outside the window, the moon finally broke completely free of the clouds, spilling silver-white light over the earth.
Lucius gazed at the bright moon, his eyes growing unfathomable.