https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1583-A-War-Without-Victors-Thirty-Three-/12529301/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1585-A-War-Without-Victors-Thirty-Five-/12529303/
Chapter 1584: A War Without Victors (Thirty-Four)
Chapter 1584: A War Without Victors (Thirty-Four)
The Weasley family had moved back into their humble home after the Second Wizarding War. Despite the extensive cleaning required, it was worth the effort to be back in the comfort of their own home.
The only concern was the potential safety hazard. The Weasleys, who had played a prominent role in the recent conflict, could be prime targets for retaliation by Dark Wizards. Although the likelihood was low, it was a risk that couldn't be ignored, especially after the temporary Minister Kingsley's home had been reduced to ashes by Death Eaters not long ago.
That was the home of the Minister of Magic, and such an act was undoubtedly a provocation to the entire Ministry. Was there anything those lawless Dark Wizards wouldn't dare do?
Hearing the crackling sound of Apparition outside, Ginny, who was undergoing "wife training" from Mrs. Weasley, instinctively reached for her wand on the side table. After a quick exchange of glances with Mrs. Weasley, she cautiously stood up from the sofa and called out to the person approaching the house. "Who's there?"
"It's me!"
"We're back!"
Hearing Harry and Ron's voices outside, the two women inside relaxed but still kept their wands at the ready. Only after checking the peephole and seeing Harry and Ron enter did they truly set their minds at ease.
"Harry!"
Ginny put away her wand and rushed to give Harry a warm hug.
Seeing this, Ron beside them rolled his eyes and turned to his mother. "Dad's not back yet?"
"No, he'll probably have to work late tonight. He might not be back until very late." Mrs. Weasley shifted her gaze from Harry and Ginny to her surrogate son and asked, "How did your first mission go?"
"It went well. Things turned out smoother than expected," Ron said as he took off his Auror robe. "But I have to say, the Aurors at the Ministry aren't as reliable as I thought. No wonder Kingsley is so eager to recruit new blood."
"They are competent in many ways, but they lack the specialized training we received," Harry recalled. "Dealing with those Inferi would have been a headache for them. I suppose we complement each other in that regard!"
"They are what they are!"
"Well, I—no, we—don't like their holier-than-thou attitudes. I wonder what makes those idiots feel so superior," Ron added, expressing his dislike for the Aurors' condescension and disdain for their indecisiveness.
"Are you considering giving up on becoming an Auror?"
Mrs. Weasley hoped that Harry and Ron would quit their dangerous jobs. While Aurors earned a high salary, they also faced significant risks, especially with the recent war and the remaining Dark Wizards in Britain.
"Not at the moment," Ron quickly replied. "I'm still waiting for Harry to become the Head of the Auror Office, aren't I?"
"Don't be silly, Ron," said Percy, who had just emerged from the fireplace, brushing off the soot from his clothes. "Even if Harry does become the Head, it won't be for at least a decade." He gave his mother a quick hug and greeted her, "Good evening, Mum."
"What brings you here?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Work, of course," Ron muttered. "Otherwise, someone like him who lives for his job wouldn't be here."
"What's the matter?"
"It's about Nelson Tobin," Percy stated directly.
"Do you suspect him of being the mastermind?" Harry asked, furrowing his brow.
"We have to," Percy explained. "Out of everyone, he's the most radical, and you know the terrible impact those two incidents had."
"If Kingsley had sentenced Umbridge to death, we might not be having this problem," Ron agreed, believing that Kingsley had made a foolish decision. They knew that the Minister could influence the outcome of the trial.
"I wouldn't advise you to do that," Harry suddenly said.
"Do you also think Umbridge deserves to die?"
"Nelson was with us on the day Kingsley's house was burned to the ground." Harry looked at Percy and said softly, "If he had something to do with it, then I'm afraid a lot of people would be lying, and you should know what that implies."
He, too, had considered this question, but in the end, he concluded that it was best not to dig deeper, even if Nelson Tobin was indeed involved. Too many people wanted Umbridge dead because of the number of people she had directly and indirectly killed, and the amount of hatred she had brought upon herself.
Moreover, from Fudge's modification of the Ministry's laws, it was clear that so-called laws were sometimes worthless. The Ministry's attempt to stall them with legal excuses was futile.
So, Harry wondered, what was Kingsley's intention in sending Percy to him?
"Spit it out, no need to beat around the bush."
"I'm just here to confirm this matter." Percy shook his head. "We owe everyone an explanation."
"An explanation? I think people would rather have Kingsley give them one." Harry asked directly, "Didn't Albert remind him?"
Percy hesitated and glanced at Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. After the two women left, he lowered his voice and said, "Some things aren't suitable for Kingsley to handle himself. If he wants to become the Minister of Magic, he must be cautious in certain matters."
"So, he sentenced Umbridge to life imprisonment?" Harry immediately guessed Percy's intention. They must have anticipated those two incidents.
Did Kingsley want Nelson Tobin to take the fall for him?
"So, you want to strike a deal with Nelson Tobin?" Ron found the whole situation absurd.
"No, not a deal, but an understanding." Percy explained to the two of them, "There's no need to make things worse. Everyone wants a better future, but this mess we're in isn't easy to clean up."
After speaking with Harry, Percy hurriedly left, just as he had come.
"No wonder Albert dislikes politicians." Harry's expression was complicated.
"I think he's talking to the wrong person." Ron said, looking at the rising flames in the fireplace.
"No, he's not. They need someone to relay their message, so they came to me." Harry saw things more clearly than Ron, but sometimes, it was indeed helpless; no one wanted to be the sacrificial lamb.
"So, what are you going to do?" Ron asked curiously.
"I'll have to find time to chat with Nelson." Harry felt that both sides might reach some sort of understanding, but not in the way Kingsley imagined.
"I thought you would refuse."
"What about Percy?"
Mrs. Weasley knocked on the door and brought in freshly baked meat pies from the kitchen.
"He just left."
"What were you guys talking about?" Ginny asked curiously.
"The two incidents from the other day." Harry didn't intend to hide it. "The Ministry believes that some wizards who resent Umbridge are responsible, and Kingsley hopes to ease this conflict through certain means."
"He really wants to have his cake and eat it too, doesn't he?"
"Ahem, Ginny, can you do me a favor and ask Albert about Hermione's situation? She's been missing for a long time, and Harry and I are a bit worried about her safety." Ron changed the subject while also bringing Harry into the conversation.
"Hermione is probably still with her family." Ginny gave Ron a strange look. "Her family plans to settle in Australia, so it's not surprising that she would want to spend extra time with them since it'll be difficult to meet in the future. Isn't that normal?"
After saying this, Ginny ignored Ron and handed a meat pie to Harry. "I made this myself. Try it and tell me what you think."
Harry took a bite and almost broke his teeth.
"This reminds me of Hagrid's rock cakes." Ron put down the pie, which now had a tooth mark in it, and gave Harry a sympathetic look.
(End of Chapter)
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