https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-479-A-Night-at-the-Ministry-of-Magic/13461299/
Chapter 480: Safe Return
Chapter 480: Safe Return
Scrimgeour stood not far from the Fountain of Magical Brethren, his yellow eyes fixed on the empty fireplace.
The entire hall was eerily quiet. Whenever a new Ministry of Magic staff member appeared from the fireplace, they would find themselves under the intense gaze of hundreds of people. Arthur Weasley was startled when he arrived. He looked around, and the Ministry of Magic seemed to have just experienced a large-scale battle. The floor was in disarray, and the head of the Auror Office looked like a lion ready to pounce at any moment.
He cautiously stepped away from the fireplace and approached a nearby wizard, whispering, “What’s going on, Arnold?”
The wizard wiped his sweat, “It’s terrifying, Arthur. If you had arrived two minutes earlier, you might have run into that person…”
“You mean there was only one enemy, and he got away?” Mr. Weasley asked, surprised.
“Yes, I’m telling you…”
A sharp, clattering sound interrupted them. Mr. Weasley looked up as the elevator gates slid open with a loud clang, and a large group of people rushed out.
Amelia Bones led the group, wand raised, striding forward. She surveyed the area, her eyebrows furrowed tightly, and shouted, “Healers, take the injured to the infirmary for treatment.”
“Reconnaissance team! Assist the Aurors in investigating the scene.”
The Aurors and several members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's reconnaissance team murmured their assent.
“Kingsley Shacklebolt, Dawlish!”
The two Aurors behind her straightened their postures.
“Take your teams to track the target,” she paused, “focus on reconnaissance, and don’t engage unless absolutely necessary.”
“Understood!”
“Accidental Magic Reversal Squad! And all members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement!”
Half the hall stood at attention, awaiting orders.
“—Clean up the debris and rubble. Those with information, come forward and register your leads. Everyone else, resume your duties.” As the crowd began to move, she turned to Scrimgeour, “Rufus, have you found anything?”
Scrimgeour’s eyes darted around, and he spoke in a low, grave voice, “I saw his face.”
Bones looked surprised, “Who is it?”
“He was disguised, and I’m not certain. There’s no evidence yet—” Scrimgeour hesitated.
Bones gave him a stern look, “Follow me, Rufus.”
…
“I need to go help. Goodbye, Arnold.” Mr. Weasley hurried away; he was also a member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
“Goodbye, Arthur,” the wizard muttered. “What a day! I thought a war had broken out!”
“Watch your words, Pius Thicknesse,” a cold voice said from behind. Arnold Pius Thicknesse turned around in surprise, “Yaxley?”
“It’s me,” Yaxley said, “From the tone of your voice, it sounds like you’re looking forward to a war.”
The wizard’s face turned red, and he retorted loudly, “Nonsense!”
Yaxley chuckled coldly, “I hope you remain as resolute when the time comes.” He turned and walked toward the fireplace embedded in the wall.
“Wait, where are you going?” the wizard called out.
“Ordered to guard Hogwarts,” he replied without looking back, “I came this morning to pick up some things and didn’t expect to witness such a spectacle.”
…
Bones and Scrimgeour approached the circular pool of the Fountain of Magical Brethren. The sound of the water splashing around them masked their conversation. She asked quietly, “You engaged with him and should have your own assessment, right?”
Scrimgeour didn’t say the name directly. He leaned on his cane, staring at the statue in the center of the pool. It was a group of golden statues, larger than life. The tallest was a distinguished wizard, raising his wand. Surrounding him were a beautiful witch, a Centaur, a Goblin, and a House-elf.
The Centaur, Goblin, and House-elf looked up at the two wizards with infinite admiration.
“That person not only disguised his face but also his strength,” Scrimgeour said, his gaze fixed on the House-elf statue, from whose ears water gushed. “At first, his power was on par with Alastor before he retired. I could tell he was battle-hardened and had excellent judgment. He might have been trying to avoid revealing his identity, so he used only standard magic…”
He continued, “But his final blow was astonishing. I couldn’t recognize the spell.”
Bones listened quietly, lost in thought. She stared at the fountain and slowly said, “A single strike shattered thousands of pieces of glass… Do you think this is his normal strength, or was it an extraordinary display?”
Scrimgeour hesitated for a moment, "I believe it's the former. He's very skilled at disguising himself."
Amelia Bones looked at him seriously, "Based on your description, the number of people who fit the criteria is quite limited. I only know of two, no... perhaps three. There can't be many abroad who meet the conditions, and they wouldn't likely infiltrate the British Ministry of Magic without any warning... I need evidence!"
At that moment, a burly Auror approached with a guard.
"Madam Bones, Mr. Scrimgeour, Eric has important information to report!"
Both turned to look at Eric Munch, who trembled, "I, uh, I'm not sure if it's right..."
"Don't worry, we'll make the right judgment", Madam Bones reassured him.
"Here's the thing, last night when I was on duty—I saw someone, and it seemed strange, but I didn't think much of it at the time—"
"Who did you see?" Scrimgeour asked in a low voice.
"It was... it was..." Eric stammered, his eyes widening as he saw a short, stout man approaching angrily from behind them. "Minister Fudge!"
...
"The destination, sir", the driver said courteously.
"Thank you", Felix said, looking exhausted. He paid the fare and got out of the taxi. He took a ring from his pocket and put it on. With a flash of light, a black wand and a brown amulet appeared in his hand.
He put away the spare wand and sat down on a bench under a sycamore tree. A young mother was pushing a baby carriage, enjoying a leisurely morning. The baby, with chubby hands, looked around curiously and then stared at Felix.
Felix winked at the baby and took out a bottle of potion, drinking it down.
He stood up and walked toward a house, putting on the amulet and pressing it twice. His body gradually faded in color. Felix steeled himself, "Just one more step, you can do it, Felix... just transfer the energy, it won't take long."
...
"Really, such a thing?" Voldemort asked softly, a cold laugh escaping his lips. "The Ministry of Magic has really lost face this time."
"Master, should I spread the word?" Yaxley bowed his head, kneeling on the ground. His elaborate, flowing robes, adorned with gold thread, dragged behind him.
"Not yet", Voldemort said lazily. "You only need to subtly guide Fudge to cast suspicion on our young friend..."
"Why?" Yaxley asked, trembling the next second. "I'm sorry, Master, I'm not questioning you—"
Voldemort paced in front of him, and Yaxley lowered his head even further, seeing only a pair of pale feet. Finally, the feet stopped in front of him. "M-Master?"
"I can answer your question", Voldemort said softly. "Despite the fact that you never came to me these past years, Yaxley... you fled to the enemy's side when I fell from power, pretending to be innocent and continuing to enjoy your wealth and status... but when you saw me, you immediately returned to my side. So, I am willing to forgive you."
"M-Master..."
"I have a plan", Voldemort said softly. "That young boy left a deep impression on me. Just when I was beginning to make a comeback, he suddenly burst in, nearly ruining everything. At that moment, I realized I couldn't let him grow stronger..."
"Master, with your power, killing him would be easy."
"Is that so? If you truly believed that, why did you serve the enemy for so many years without a second thought?"
Yaxley fell silent.
"I've done nothing these past months, not called upon the Death Eaters, not rallied my old followers. Before you, I had only one loyal servant. Think about it, why would the great Dark Lord hide like a rat?"
"I told that young boy that even if he stands with Dumbledore, any slight defiance of Dumbledore's will would break their bond... I look forward to that moment. Of course, if the opportunity arises, I wouldn't mind killing him as well."
"Yaxley, my friend", Voldemort leaned down to stare at Yaxley, "do your part, and I will await the guest's arrival..."
...
"Someone is impersonating me?" In the Ministry of Magic's hall, Fudge exclaimed in disbelief. He quickly scanned the room and lowered his voice, "This is impossible! I've never given my hair to anyone else!"
"It could be advanced human transfiguration techniques", Madam Bones suggested.
"Of course, that must be it", Fudge agreed immediately, rubbing the buttons on his stomach irritably. His gaze shifted between Madam Bones, Scrimgeour, the Aurors, and the guards. "Until we uncover the truth, keep this quiet. Understood?"
“Well…” He extended his stubby fingers, gesturing wildly in the air, “Can anyone tell me what that person’s purpose was in breaking into the Ministry of Magic?”
“It’s unclear for now,” Scrimgeour said.
“Unclear?” Fudge repeated, his eyes wide as he glared at Scrimgeour. “What have you been doing all this time?”
“Waiting for updates, Minister,” Scrimgeour replied stiffly. “We have two Auror teams outside. They are the best and are currently investigating the criminal’s whereabouts.” He pointed around the room. “Others are examining the scene.”
“Are there any witnesses?” Fudge asked again.
Madam Bones, Scrimgeour, and the Auror all looked at Eric Munch, the guard on duty that night. Fudge, irritated, said, “I want witnesses other than him! He can’t prove anything.”
“Not yet, Fudge. We need more time to gather evidence,” Madam Bones said calmly.
“Time, time. If the reporters find out, they’ll swarm us like flies,” Fudge muttered, his face twisted in disgust. His eyes gleamed strangely as he whispered to himself, “No witnesses?”
He hurried away, adding before he left, “I’ll be at Hogwarts this afternoon as a judge. I hope you have some good news by then.”
…
Grimmauld Place.
“The young man, you look terrible. You should see a doctor,” a kind old woman said, her eyes full of concern as she looked at Felix.
“Thank you, I’m fine,” Felix mumbled.
“Oh, your face is paler than my hair,” the old woman said, studying him closely. “To be honest, I’ve only seen that abnormal ashen color on the dead… Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s all right, ma’am,” Felix said patiently. “I’ve just been staying up too late. A good night’s sleep will do me good.”
After politely dismissing the elderly woman, Felix walked to the empty space between number 11 and number 13. His mind was foggy, but he still felt that the person from earlier looked familiar. Had he given her a charmed card at some point?
He shook his head to clear it and keep himself from falling asleep. He had just refilled the energy of the converter on Hermione, at the cost of some of the hourglass fragments from the Ministry of Magic turning to dust.
As for himself, he was nearly unable to cast any magic. With his remaining wits, he guessed the Aurors were searching all of London for him. Diagon Alley was definitely out of the question, so he chose to come here using Muggle means.
Felix struggled to squeeze through a thin magical barrier, and his figure disappeared from the real world.
“Still using the same defensive magic, Sirius?” Felix whispered. The next second, number 12 Grimmauld Place appeared before him.
“Bang!”
An ugly, old House-elf suddenly appeared at the door. Kreacher croaked, “Welcome, friend of the master, the powerful Mr. Felix Hepworth. The master is not at home…”
“I know,” Felix said. “I just need to use his fireplace.”
Kreacher bowed deeply. “The master said to try to satisfy your requests, and…” His voice became more emotional. “I read Regulus’s biography. It was written so well… His name has not been tarnished…”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
…
Felix successfully returned to his office, and a dark shadow lunged at him. He instinctively dodged, but it was too late. Valen clung tightly to his clothes.
“Chirp!”
Valen looked at him disapprovingly.
“Oh, Valen, give me a moment to breathe…” Felix clutched his chest. Valen jumped down from his lap, hands on his hips, and began to scold him.
“You worried me,” Felix said with a grin. “But I need your help. Can you bring Severus here? Just be discreet.”
Valen looked at him skeptically.
“Please.”
After a while—
“What have you done this time?” Snape asked, his face full of disdain.
“I played the part of a thief, got caught by the owner, and barely escaped,” Felix said, slumping onto the sofa lazily. He was dressed in a bizarre manner, wearing pajamas with a top hat on his head.
Snape stared at him with a strange expression, momentarily speechless. After a while, he slowly taunted, “I’d love to hear more. I can’t imagine who the owner could be to put you in such a state.”
“A wealthy family,” Felix said casually, changing the subject. “Severus, do you have any potions that can enhance potential?”
(End of Chapter)
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