Chapter 1060: Harry's Fearless
Chapter 1060: Harry's Fearless
Harry took a deep breath and climbed the stone stairs leading to the Headmaster's office. He eventually stopped in front of the sphinx door knocker, knocked thrice, and without waiting for a response, pushed the door open and entered.
Ignoring the gazes of the others in the room, Harry's eyes swept across the already crowded office until they landed on Dumbledore. The elderly wizard sat calmly behind his desk, his long fingers steepled together, and he offered Harry a smile as if everything that was happening was well within his expectations. In contrast, Professor McGonagall standing beside Dumbledore looked tense.
Also present was the detestable Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, standing by the fireplace. His expression turned excited at the sight of Harry, probably thinking that he now had the upper hand and could finally expel him.
Harry found this utterly ridiculous, and he truly couldn't fathom what was going on in Fudge's mind. Was it filled with dung? How could a minister be so incredibly foolish?
Standing next to Fudge was Kingsley Shacklebolt, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, whom Harry pretended not to recognize. He didn't know the other Aurors in the room, and the last person was Percy Weasley, Ron's brother, who was holding a quill and parchment, ready to record everything that transpired.
What surprised Harry was that he didn't see the "traitor" among them.
"Well, well, well," Cornelius Fudge sneered at Harry.
"Well? I don't feel so well, especially after hearing that you let all the prisoners out of Azkaban," Harry said, his heart racing but his mind remarkably calm and clear. He interrupted Fudge's building momentum, cutting him off and shifting the topic slightly.
"What?" Fudge was clearly taken aback by Harry's statement, not expecting this sudden accusation.
"I heard that you deliberately released the prisoners from Azkaban," Harry continued, his voice cold as he spoke over Fudge. Looking at the man before him, whose face was turning red, he added, "Don't get angry; I'm not slandering you. Before the Death Eaters escaped, the Ministry of Magic had already received information about their impending breakout, and yet you turned a blind eye."
"Nonsense! Utter nonsense!" Fudge's face turned crimson, and his angry roar echoed through the office.
Not only Professor McGonagall but even the portraits in the office stared in shock at the unfolding scene, feeling that the enraged Fudge looked more like a comical clown.
"But ten Death Eaters escaped, and many people knew about the impending breakout. So your shouting is pointless," Harry said, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Fudge, whose face was reddening like that of Uncle Vernon. "I'm just curious—with all the time you've spent interfering at Hogwarts, why didn't you use that precious time to catch the Death Eaters? Or do you believe that there are many descendants of Death Eaters at Hogwarts, and it's worth the Ministry's attention to monitor whether they will become Death Eaters themselves?"
"It seems that you lack even the most basic manners..." Fudge began.
"Do I owe you respect?" Harry interrupted. "Go to the Great Hall of Hogwarts and see for yourself if you, as the Minister, are worthy of respect. See if the students welcome you or throw Dungbombs at you."
"You dare? No, you don't dare. You're afraid that after all the trouble you've caused at Hogwarts in the past six months, a group of students will use Dungbombs to drive you out of Hogwarts," Harry said with a cold smile.
To be honest, even the Aurors were shocked by Harry's bold words. But when they thought about the group of students outside, they realized that such a thing was indeed possible. Fudge had performed abysmally in the past six months.
Before anyone could react, Harry continued his barrage of ridicule: "Haven't you realized that the credibility of the Ministry of Magic has become lower than a piece of toilet paper? If I'm not mistaken, after you dodged paying the bounty for Sirius Black and refused to reward the capture of Peter Pettigrew, no one has been willing to provide information to the Ministry anymore."
Everyone in the room stared at Harry in astonishment. They had never expected the young savior to be so tough. From his tone and demeanor, it was clear that he didn't put Fudge in his eyes at all.
"Enough, enough! I didn't come here today to banter with you," Fudge shouted, having completely lost his composure.
"Calm down, Minister," Kingsley said in a low, slow voice.
"Don't change the subject, Potter," Fudge said, glancing at Kingsley. He took a deep breath and continued, "We have received information that you are secretly organizing an illegal group and teaching students Dark Magic."
"Oh? Who said that? Where's the evidence? Are you sure they're not talking about your own people?" Harry's rapid-fire questions caused Fudge's anger to rise further. "Or have you specially amended the laws of the Ministry of Magic for me again? I'm truly flattered."
"But since you want to frame me, you should at least have some evidence," Harry said calmly. "Without evidence, don't think that just because you're the Minister of Magic, you can slander me as you please."
"Of course, we have evidence," Umbridge said. She stepped into the green flames in the fireplace and soon reappeared with a girl.
Harry had no impression of the young lady before him, and he certainly wouldn't have recognized her even if she were a member of the DA. After all, with their substantial numbers, it was challenging to keep track of everyone.
"Miss Edgecombe told us everything," Umbridge said, her face contorting into a nauseating smile.
"Did you use a Veritaserum on her?" Harry suddenly asked.
"What?"
The question seemed to catch Umbridge off guard.
"I'm asking if you forced the poor Miss Edgecombe to drink a Veritaserum?" Harry glanced at Dumbledore, adding, "I'm sure you noticed, Professor."
"Of course not," Umbridge replied dryly.
"Then how can you be sure that what she said is the truth? Just because of a few words, you dare to slander me?" Harry turned to Umbridge, a cold smile on his lips. "As far as I know, Professor Umbridge, it is you who has been forming a group called the Toad League here at Hogwarts, intending to overthrow Minister Fudge. Don't hurry to deny it; I have a stack of evidence."
"Members of the Toad League all wear toad badges as a symbol, and every student in the school knows about it." Harry addressed Fudge, "If you don't believe me, send someone outside to ask a few students. You'll find out if I'm lying or not."
Not only was Fudge taken aback, but even the Aurors present were stunned. What was this about a Toad League, and how could Harry Potter be so certain that the students of Hogwarts were aware of it?
"How dare you insult me in such a way," Umbridge said, her fake smile finally faltering.
"Insult you? I wouldn't dare," Harry retorted with a cold smile. "Most of the students at Hogwarts know about this. If you don't believe me, feel free to ask other students. Compared to your baseless slander, I can bring forth a bunch of witnesses to prove my words."
"I also have evidence of your activities."
Umbridge took a deep breath, suppressing her anger as she pulled out several parchments from her pocket. "You formed an organization called the DA last October. Don't rush to deny it; I have detailed activity sheets here, and your learning material, a so-called 'Guide to Self-Defense.'"
"DA?"
Fudge took the parchments and perused them carefully. "Dumbledore's Army?"
"Are you sure that wasn't fabricated by your people?" Harry couldn't help but mock. "To be honest, I could make up a bunch of these on the spot. And are you certain there's actually a book called the 'Guide to Self-Defense'? If so, show it to me."
"Of course, the book is right here." Umbridge produced a copy of the "Guide to Self-Defense" from somewhere and handed it to Fudge.
"Are you sure this isn't something you had printed up recently? As far as I know, no shop sells this nonsense," Harry said, not bothering to glance at Fudge or Umbridge as he walked up to the young witch. "Now, assuming you did force that poor Miss Edgecombe to drink a Veritaserum, let me ask a simple question. Miss Edgecombe, did you join the so-called DA organization?"
"No," Marietta said.
"See, this poor young lady didn't join that supposed DA, so how can you trust her words?" Harry turned to Fudge, who was flipping through the book.
He didn't know where Umbridge had gotten the "Guide to Self-Defense," but he wasn't worried about it being used as evidence. Aside from the fact that the book hadn't been published and very few people had seen it, he knew Anderson wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"Of course, we have other evidence," Umbridge said, a triumphant smile spreading across her face, which gave Harry a bad feeling.
"Mr. Colin Creevey confessed to us the entire process of you forming the DA, and he also provided the initial list of members."
"You used a Veritaserum on an innocent student? I thought that was a prohibited item!" Harry feigned surprise as he looked at Dumbledore. "Didn't realize the Ministry had such privileges."
"We only gave him two drops of Veritaserum, don't worry, it won't have any adverse effects on Mr. Creevey..." Umbridge was forced into a corner and wouldn't have revealed this to Fudge if she had a choice.
Of course, she believed that as long as they could confirm Dumbledore's crimes or expel Potter, Fudge would pretend this incident never happened.
"Dolores..."
"As far as I know, Umbridge has been using Veritaserum to interrogate students here with your tacit approval, Minister," Harry said sarcastically.
"Minister, in these special times, we need to employ special methods," Umbridge said in a low voice. "As long as we control the dosage of Veritaserum, asking a few simple questions won't harm the students. Harry Potter, if you are innocent, why don't you take a small amount of Veritaserum in front of Dumbledore and answer a few questions? If you are indeed innocent, I will apologize to you and resign from all my positions at Hogwarts."
"It's truly an eye-opener," Harry said, his disdain and sarcasm unconcealed. "The Deputy Minister of Magic brazenly breaks the laws of the Ministry. Have you also been secretly using Cruciatus Curse to torture other students?" he added, regretting that he hadn't brought the antidote for Veritaserum, which would have exposed Fudge and Umbridge as laughingstocks in the magical world.
"Since you don't dare, I still have other evidence." Umbridge once again disappeared into the fireplace and soon reappeared, this time with a student in hand, both of them looking rather worse for wear, much like Miss Edgecombe had.
"Dolores, how dare you treat my students this way!" Dumbledore, seeing Ginny and Colin, displayed anger for the first time, his eyes narrowing as he realized Umbridge had forced them to drink excessive amounts of Veritaserum without giving them a chance to answer. With a swift motion, he pointed his wand at Colin Creevey and Ginny Weasley, rendering them unconscious.
"It seems the evidence is conclusive," Fudge said, elated, completely forgetting about Umbridge's use of Veritaserum.
"Don't you know that using excessive amounts of Veritaserum can cause irreversible damage to the brain?" Dumbledore ignored the excited Fudge and glared at Umbridge, his eyes flashing with anger, causing her to take a step back.
"Stop him!" Umbridge shrieked.
"Seize him!"
The Aurors exchanged glances, opting not to confront Dumbledore directly. Instead, they positioned themselves in front of Fudge and Umbridge, protecting their safety.
"Millicent, take Mr. Creevey, Miss Weasley, and Miss Edgecombe to the hospital wing and have Poppy examine them," Dumbledore instructed, then turned to Fudge and said calmly, "I know what you're trying to do, and I've known for a long time that this day would come. But let me remind you, Cornelius, you've made a mistake. Even if you take me down, how will that change the fact that Voldemort has returned? His comeback was inevitable, and your answer to it is destined to disappoint."
"Believe me, not everyone is as easy to talk to as I am. You will soon regret it, and when that happens, no one will forgive you. Mark my words, no one," Dumbledore said coldly, his voice sending shivers down their spines.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Fudge stammered.
"Very well, if that's what you wish, I confess—it's Dumbledore's Army. I recruited these students to see if they would be willing to work with me to oust you from your position as Minister of Magic, just as I spread the word that you would fall from power this summer." Dumbledore chuckled softly. "It seems you are quite a failure, as almost half of the students were willing to join and watch your downfall."
"You're conspiring against me!" Fudge exclaimed excitedly.
"Indeed, and I'm glad you've figured it out," Dumbledore said comfortingly. "Even if I hadn't done so, the outcome was already sealed."
"Weasley, are you writing this down? He's trying to build an army against the Ministry, he wants to overthrow me!" Fudge exclaimed, his face glowing with excitement.
"Yes, sir, I'm writing it all down," Percy scribbled quickly, his eyes flicking to Ginny, his expression darkening.
"Send a copy to the Daily Prophet right away. Maybe we can still make it for tomorrow's edition," Fudge babbled excitedly.
"I'm afraid you're facing a bit of a dilemma," Dumbledore said softly.
"Dilemma? I don't see any dilemma here," Fudge scoffed.
"To be honest, I don't intend to sit here and wait for my arrest, nor do I plan to end up in Azkaban. Of course, I could escape—but that would be a waste of time, and frankly, I have a lot of other things to do. I'd rather get on with them than waste time here with you," Dumbledore said.
Fudge stared at Dumbledore, his mind going blank as if he had just been stunned. He simply couldn't believe what was happening.
"You won't get away with it," Umbridge warned, "A large number of Aurors have already arrived at Hogwarts, you can't escape."
"Don't be foolish, the few of you can't handle me," Dumbledore said with a smile as he drew his wand, "Unless you're stupid enough to force me to... oh well, if that's the case..."
To be honest, Harry was completely bewildered by Dumbledore's actions and couldn't understand why he was admitting to these things.
By the time he snapped out of his daze, the Headmaster's office had erupted into chaos. Those who had attempted to forcibly capture Dumbledore lay unconscious on the floor, and the Headmaster himself had vanished.
"Where is he? Where did he go?" Fudge struggled to his feet, still dazed.
"He can't have Disapparated within the school grounds!" Umbridge shouted, "Quick, go after him! Notify the other Aurors and have them intercept Dumbledore!"
"The stairs!"
As they rushed to open the door, they collided with the group of students who had been blocking the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"They used Veritaserum on Colin, Ginny, and Edgecombe," Harry's voice rang out from behind them, "And they expelled the Headmaster without any evidence."
For some reason, Fudge's group suddenly felt that things were taking a turn for the worse. The students in front of them raised their wands, their eyes flashing with anger as they pointed them at the group.
Kingsley stood there, mouth agape, unable to believe that Harry and the Weasley brothers had rallied such a large group within the school.
"Don't come any closer! The Aurors are here!" Umbridge stuttered, her voice threatening, "And attacking officials of the Ministry is illegal! You'll be expelled!"
Umbridge couldn't understand where the thirty-four Aurors had disappeared to.
"So, instead of sending the Aurors to deal with the escaped Death Eaters, you use them to suppress innocent students?" George retorted sharply, "Is this the Ministry that's supposed to protect us?"
"Get them!"
(End of Chapter)
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