Chapter 398: Disputes, Fear, and Departure
Chapter 398: Disputes, Fear, and Departure
A group of over a dozen wizards were busy on the small island, levitating collapsed houses and excavating buried items from beneath them.
Piles of documents, machinery, and potions were stacked on the clearing, and to organize all this, half of the administrative staff from the British Ministry of Magic had been dispatched, with additional personnel borrowed from several neighboring countries' ministries.
Due to Dumbledore's intervention, the American Ministry of Magic was excluded, but some small African countries were involved.
There were over a dozen children from Africa in the island's dungeon, and who knows how many more were buried.
Some of the relatively intact buildings on the island had been converted into interrogation rooms, and the use of Veritaserum was specially approved by the Wizengamot.
Under the influence of the potion, the Muggle soldiers had little resistance and revealed everything they knew.
However, the rank-and-file soldiers had very limited knowledge, and there was hardly any valuable intelligence. The leaders who truly held the secrets were all dead.
Cornelius Fudge didn't have the patience to wait on this godforsaken island. He had several major projects to oversee! Especially the construction of the Quidditch World Cup Stadium, which was of utmost importance to Fudge. In his mind, everything else could wait.
The Muggles coveting the wizards' magic were indeed terrifying, but Fudge believed that someone else would handle it—like Dumbledore, or the ministries of other countries.
After all, among the children kidnapped to this island, very few were born in Britain. The vast majority came from the United States, Australia, Southern Europe, Africa, and Western Asia.
For Fudge, this was never his responsibility in the first place. If it weren't for Dumbledore's initial involvement and the fact that the British Ministry of Magic was the first to be contacted, Fudge would have only needed to send a few people as a token gesture.
Future troubles should be left to the future Minister of Magic. Fudge only cared about maintaining peace in the British magical community during his term and leaving behind an impressive record.
Soon after, at Fudge's insistence, although various follow-up tasks were unfinished, most of the Ministry officials prepared to return to Britain, accompanied by several dozen homeless children and the Silent One, Mabel.
To transport these children, the Ministry had arranged for a nearby cruise ship.
The white cruise ship sailed like a giant whale on the vast ocean. In one of its rooms, a heated dispute could be heard, with Fudge's voice particularly high-pitched—
"Dumbledore, you can't always be like this."
Fudge said anxiously, "Let the Silent One go to school? Have you gone mad?"
"The Silent One... Aren't all Tranquilizers the same? Worrying about this is pointless. Truly, you must know what I'm concerned about... We have to think about the students' safety..."
"Oh... Of course... Of course... I know you must have your reasons, Dumbledore... I know you'll do your best to protect the students..."
"But look outside, what about those poor Muggles? What have they become?"
"Oh, whether those Muggles are pitiful or not doesn't matter. I know they've committed crimes. I know they've harmed that young lady, and I've heard you say it three times... But the harm caused by the Silent One is also real!"
"The students at school can't even protect themselves as well as those Muggles! What's the difference between putting the Silent One among them and releasing a hungry wolf into a flock of sheep?"
"I'm not saying I don't trust you, Dumbledore... Sigh, from our perspective, I think keeping such a creature out of the school is the bare minimum... She's pitiful, but that can't be a reason to put other children at risk..."
"And those other children with magical abilities can't be sent home directly... What if one of them is a potential Silent One?"
"I believe it's best to execute that Tranquilizer. I think that's what everyone injured on the island would want..."
"As for the other children and Haley, let's observe them in the dungeon for a while... It's not a bad thing; it's just a safety measure to reassure everyone..."
"How long... How can we be sure? We must ensure there's absolutely no danger. I've heard Tranquilizers don't live long, but three to five years are still necessary..."
...
Mabel tightly hugged Haley, and the two of them huddled on the sofa, surrounded by several expressionless wizards with serious expressions.
The two girls were reminded of the black-cloaked soldiers on the island as they watched the men in their black wizard robes.
Even their gazes were similar—vigilant, disdainful, and fearful...
It was as if the girls were people who should not exist.
These past few days, Mabel had been by Dumbledore's side. When Dumbledore was busy, a plump witch would watch over them.
She introduced herself as Professor Sprout, gentle and kind, always wearing a lovable smile, and took great care of the two girls, giving them a motherly feeling. Mabel and Haley gradually let down their guard and developed an infinite longing for the school she belonged to.
But today, Professor Sprout was forced to leave, and some people who claimed to be Aurors from the Ministry of Magic took over their "care." From then on, the sisters never saw a single smile again.
And this argument brought the two girls back to reality with a jolt.
Fudge's words drifted through the thin wooden door, constantly reaching the girls' ears.
Dumbledore had been fighting for them, saying he would ensure Mabel wouldn't harm others and guarantee the students' safety.
He said it wasn't Mabel's fault, and as adults, they should give the children a chance to grow and a future.
He also said he would vouch for Mabel and take full responsibility.
Dumbledore's words made Mabel's eyes well up with tears, but at the same time, Fudge's attitude made her heart feel like it was immersed in ice water.
The man's tone was meek and submissive, appearing weak, but his stance was exceptionally firm. He insisted on executing Mabel, and the other children should be locked up in the dungeon for three to five years.
If this were to happen, even those who weren't originally Tranquilizers would likely become Tranquilizers.
But every word of that man stood on the interests of the public, on duty and power, making Dumbledore's pity for the sisters seem very willful.
Finally, Fudge said, "How about this, Dumbledore? Let's initiate the Hogwarts Board of Directors. My opinion alone isn't important, but if all twelve directors agree with you, then I have no objections..."
"But I think that if they knew what you wanted to do, the Board would also feel that you should leave the school and be suspended. To prevent the next time, you'll bring werewolves, vampires, and giants into the school..."
Dumbledore paused, gazing deeply at Fudge without speaking.
Fudge knew he had finally found a way to truly counterbalance Dumbledore, and he couldn't help but show a triumphant smile.
This smile was fleeting, and Fudge continued to feign worry and concern for the country and the people, indicating how reckless and willful Dumbledore's actions were and how he shouldn't have done this.
After being suppressed by this old man for so long, he finally had a chance to stand on the moral high ground and gain the upper hand. Fudge couldn't help but feel a bit smug, implying that Dumbledore was becoming senile, and he was the one truly dedicating himself to the future of the wizarding world.
Fudge didn't care if the two young girls in the next room had heard his words—he wasn't a match for the Tranquilizers, but wasn't Dumbledore there with him?
If Dumbledore watched as the Silent One harmed people, then he wasn't Dumbledore anymore.
With the world's strongest protection by his side, Fudge even hoped that Mabel would immediately release the Silent One to attack him, further proving that he was right.
Haley hugged Mabel tightly, trembling with fear, anxious about their unknown fate.
Mabel covered the little girl's ears, but her gaze fell out the window—
On the azure sea, several dolphins were following the ship, occasionally leaping out of the water and drawing beautiful arcs in the air.
Mabel could hear the excited cheers on the deck; they were the accompanying Ministry of Magic clerks, some not much older than Mabel, still with a touch of youthful innocence on their faces.
They held slender wands in their hands, their arms as thin as bamboo poles, but with a wave of their wands, they could make stones that appeared to weigh several tons float.
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Mabel recalled the scene of her and Vold sitting on a broomstick, going to rescue Haley. That boy, who seemed her age, could turn tiny insects into terrifying monsters.
And then?
Those researchers who once made Mabel tremble at the sight of them were easily torn apart by the enlarged insects, without a chance to escape.
She recalled the time she transformed into the Silent One, and how those arrogant Black Cloak Soldiers, those powerful wizards, all shared the same look of terror and helplessness.
The Aurors before them, who treated them as prisoners, would they have the same gaze if they faced "Mabel" instead of the Silent One? Even Cornelius Fudge, who was almost engulfed by the Dark Aura earlier, looked like he was about to wet his pants. But now, he was shouting and clamoring for blood.
Despite her lack of formal education, at this moment, Mabel intuitively understood a truth—
All fear stems from insufficient strength.
When she surrendered like a lamb, leaving her fate in the hands of others, they wouldn't consider her pain or her helplessness. Most people would only consider their own interests, just like Fudge.
Only when she displayed the power to destroy everything could she take control of her destiny, could she... protect Haley, Zach, and the other children, so they wouldn't have to jump from one abyss to another.
But if she did that, Dumbledore's efforts for her would be in vain, and she would never have the chance to enter Hogwarts again...
Haley suddenly felt a chill down her neck. She looked up, surprised to see Mabel silently shedding tears.
"Mabel?!" Haley exclaimed, hurriedly wiping away her tears, "Don't be afraid... My mom said that after people die, they become stars in the sky. We'll be together up there, never apart."
"I'm sorry... Haley..." Mabel choked, hugging her little sister tightly and whispering in her ear, "We have to part ways, but no matter where I am, I'll always protect you..."
Haley's eyes widened, and she struggled in surprise, wanting to see Mabel's face. But Mabel held her too tightly, preventing her from doing so.
Then, Haley was suddenly pushed away, flying into a bald Auror.
"What's going on?"
The Auror caught Haley in surprise, then looked up to see Mabel's eyes had turned pure white, her body violently trembling, and a dark aura was emanating from her.
A piercing alarm sounded instantly, and several spells of light shot towards Mabel, only to hit the sofa and the opposite wall.
The girl had transformed into a rolling black fog, staying for just a moment before crashing through the window and flying away.
In the next second, Dumbledore and Fudge rushed in, only to see a black cloud of aura rushing into the clouds and disappearing instantly.
"She... she... she escaped, Dumbledore!" Fudge exclaimed anxiously, "Why didn't you stop her?"
Dumbledore remained silent for a while, then sighed helplessly, "Yes, she escaped... She was always so well-behaved. Why did she run away now, Cornelius?"
Fudge's face darkened, and he stammered, unable to speak. He then began to blame the Aurors for their lack of dedication.
Several Aurors also felt helpless.
This was their first encounter with the Silent One. They had assumed that with their magical abilities, restraining a young girl who had never learned spells would not be difficult. Who would have thought the Silent One's transformation would be so swift?
Everyone also blamed Fudge in their hearts—even if they wanted to execute the Tranquilizer, couldn't they discuss it somewhere else? Why argue in front of them? But Fudge was their superior, and they were subordinates. Everyone could only bow their heads, tacitly agreeing that Fudge was right and that they were incompetent.
After scolding them, Fudge went to discuss with Scrimgeour how to capture the escaped Silent One.
Professor Sprout stood outside the door, watching Fudge leave, and then entered the room.
"Can you take care of this child?" she asked Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was holding Haley, "She has no magic, just an ordinary person."
Kingsley hesitated, then silently passed Haley to her.
The little girl fell into the familiar, warm embrace and finally burst into tears.
The Aurors in the room all showed embarrassed expressions and left one by one, with Kingsley lingering for a moment before deliberately being the last to leave.
Dumbledore quietly comforted Haley for a while, then instructed Professor Sprout before leaving. As he did, Kingsley stood quietly outside the door.
"Dumbledore," Kingsley asked, "Can I talk to you?"
Seeing the serious and earnest wizard, Dumbledore, exhausted from dealing with Fudge and Mabel, finally showed a hint of a smile. He nodded and said, "Yes."
(End of Chapter)
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