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Chapter 392: Fudge
Chapter 392: Fudge
Braving the wind and snow, Kyle and Connor made their way to the Three Broomsticks pub.
Unlike the quiet atmosphere of Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, the pub was bustling and crowded. Steaming mugs of butterbeer filled the air with a warm, smoky haze.
The bar owner, a strikingly beautiful woman with graceful curves, was busy attending to a group of rowdy wizards at the counter.
"I'll get the drinks. You find us a spot," Kyle said. "I hope we're not too late; seating is always hard to come by here."
Connor made her way to the back of the bar and managed to find a small, vacant table nestled between a window and a Christmas tree, beside the fireplace.
Soon after, Kyle joined her, carrying a large tray laden with drinks and snacks.
Two mugs of butterbeer, two plates of meat pies, and a dish of freshly baked pine nut cookies filled the table.
Connor took a hearty bite of her pie, washed it down with a gulp of butterbeer, and wore an expression of pure satisfaction.
"I really do love this..." she mumbled through her mouthful.
"Me too," Kyle agreed, popping a pine nut cookie into his mouth. He raised his mug. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!" Connor echoed, clinking her mug against his.
Kyle took a long swig, feeling the warmth spread through his body. Now, this hit the spot. Though he wouldn't have minded something a little stronger.
Earlier, he had wanted to order a glass of Ogden's Old Firewhisky, the pub's specialty, but Madam Rosmerta had informed him that it contained whisky and couldn't be served to underage wizards, so he had to settle for butterbeer.
Perhaps it was because the pub was busier than usual; on regular days, Madam Rosmerta wasn't this strict with her rules. After all, Fred and George had managed to buy the same whisky-laced mead from here.
Setting down his mug, Kyle surveyed the room and spotted several familiar faces.
Hidden behind the Christmas tree, he noticed Harry, Hermione, and Ron huddled together.
The tree provided an effective barrier, and it was only because Hermione had waved that he spotted them. It seemed Fred and George had already given Harry the map.
As if on cue, a gust of cold wind swept through the room as the door to the Three Broomsticks opened.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick strode in, bringing with them a flurry of snow and wind, followed by Hagrid and the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
There was a scuffling noise from behind the Christmas tree, and it seemed that Ron and Hermione had pushed Harry under the table.
All the tables in the pub were occupied, and some witches and wizards offered their seats to Fudge upon recognizing him. However, he politely declined with a smile, insisting that he was there as an ordinary customer and that they should feel free to enjoy their evening.
Just then, not far from where Kyle was sitting, two wizards hastily finished their drinks, stood up, and left the pub, conveniently leaving two vacant seats at their table.
"What luck! I thought I'd have to stand while drinking," Fudge said cheerfully as he made his way over, greeting people along the path.
To Kyle's surprise, the Minister even recognized him.
"Delighted to see you here, young Kyle," he said warmly. "The youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin, no less! A remarkable achievement—I still remember that day as if it were yesterday."
"It's a memory I hold dear as well, Minister," Kyle replied.
"A shame I couldn't present the award to you myself.
This excuse-making reminded Professor McGonagall of a certain Defense Against the Dark Arts professor...
Once they were all seated, Madam Rosmerta approached their table from behind the bar, skillfully reciting each of their preferred drinks.
'So, it's Violet Water for you, Professor McGonagall, four pints of mead for Hagrid, and soda with syrup for Professor Flitwick...'
'And for you, Minister, it's the usual—a glass of mulled cherry rum.'
'Thank you, Rosmerta,' Fudge said happily. 'It's always a pleasure to see you. Join us for a drink, won't you? On the house, of course...'
Madam Rosmerta readily agreed and fetched their drinks from the bar.
Kyle had wanted to listen in on their conversation, but the pub was too noisy, and the distance between the tables made it difficult to hear clearly. He could only catch snippets here and there... Sirius Black... Dementors... despicable, treacherous traitor...
This was all thanks to Hagrid's loud voice. When he got angry, he couldn't control his volume, and half the pub could hear what he was saying.
And the topic of their conversation always seemed to anger Hagrid.
Especially after he'd had a few drinks; he lost his temper more easily.
'Are they talking about Sirius Black?' Connor whispered, having also apparently heard Hagrid's outburst.
'Obviously,' Kyle said, taking a sip of his butterbeer. 'The only person who could get Fudge to come all this way to Hogsmeade before Christmas is Black.'
'But why...' Connor asked, confused, 'Aren't there already Dementors here? Why does the Minister need to come in person?'
'That's the part we don't know,' Kyle shrugged. 'I think he probably came to see Professor Dumbledore, to get permission for the Dementors to search the castle...
Today is Hogsmeade Visiting Day, so there aren't many people in the castle. As long as the remaining students are gathered and protected, the Dementors can search the castle without hindrance.'
'I'm sure the headmaster didn't agree to it,' Connor said without hesitation.
'Of course not,' Kyle agreed. 'Otherwise, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick wouldn't be keeping our Minister company here at the Three Broomsticks.'
Kyle spread his hands, 'But this is just my guess. It's also possible that Fudge came here just to check if the Dementors are slacking off.'
'Is the Minister so concerned about Sirius Black?' Connor asked, surprised. 'I've heard a lot of people say that this Minister prefers attending various banquets.'
'He doesn't have a choice,' Kyle said, munching on a cookie.
'No one has ever escaped from Azkaban so blatantly before; Sirius Black is the first.
The negative impact of this incident is huge. If it's not resolved quickly, people will think it's due to his incompetence as a Minister.'
...
'I saw him after Lily and James died. The boy was pale and shaking all over...'
At that moment, Hagrid's roar sounded again, not far away.
'Do you know what I did? I comforted that traitor! I comforted him!'
...
(End of Chapter)
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