Chapter 603: Go Be a Minister, Professor
Chapter 603: Go Be a Minister, Professor
The meeting lasted a long time, and it was well into the evening when everyone finally dragged their feet out of the Hog's Head Inn.
The sky had gradually turned a dark indigo, and only Kyle and Dumbledore remained in the pub.
The innkeeper, who had been silently polishing glasses behind the counter, finally spoke up for the first time that day, "I think it's time for you to leave too, Dumbledore."
"Abelforth, would you let me stay a little longer, considering the large sum of Galleons I've spent here?" Dumbledore asked, a hint of fatigue in his voice.
Abelforth frowned and wore an expression of disgust, but he didn't insist on kicking them out.
"You might find this strange," Dumbledore said to Kyle, "Yes, you heard right, Abelforth. He is my..."
"Dumbledore!" A cold voice interrupted, "If you continue, you will never set foot in my inn again."
Dumbledore wisely closed his mouth and changed the subject, "Kyle, do you know why I asked you to come today?"
Kyle glanced at Dumbledore and then at the sullen innkeeper beside him.
Of course, he knew their relationship.
...Abelforth Dumbledore, the most well-connected innkeeper in Hogsmeade.
However, since they didn't want to discuss it, he pretended ignorance and followed Dumbledore's lead, "To tell them the truth about Voldemort's resurrection?"
"That's only part of it," Dumbledore said calmly, his face expressionless, "Today, we also had members of the Order of the Phoenix present, all trustworthy individuals who will stand firmly by our side when the war breaks out.
"I believe you should know who they are."
Kyle furrowed his brows, feeling that there was something off about Dumbledore today.
To be honest, Kyle didn't think this was necessary. After all, it was Dumbledore's job to maintain connections with these individuals.
Additionally, it was a bit odd that he suddenly brought up Abelforth's name, as if intentionally revealing their relationship.
Abelforth, who was standing not far away, noticed this as well. He set down the glass he was holding and asked in a tone that still carried a hint of disgust, "What are you planning now?"
"No, I don't have any plans at the moment," Dumbledore denied, "In fact, I don't have any plans at all right now."
"Oh really?" Abelforth scoffed, clearly not believing him, "I thought you had everything under control, ha, the great Dumbledore."
"You don't understand," Dumbledore's tone turned slightly defensive, "In fact, I'm not as perfect as you think. I've only recently discovered that sometimes, this boy's insights surpass my own."
"So I thought it was necessary for him to know about them, that's all."
Abelforth glanced at Kyle instinctively. This was the first time he had heard Dumbledore speak so highly of someone.
However, he didn't say anything.
It didn't concern him anyway. He was just providing a venue, and a paid one at that.
"Alright then, let's tally up the bill," Abelforth said in a businesslike manner, "Your group had twelve bottles of cherry soda, eighteen bottles of pumpkin juice, nine pints of butterbeer, and various other things. Let's call it five hundred Galleons. Pay up."
Kyle's mouth twitched.
Five hundred Galleons? How did he come up with that amount? If they had been at the Three Broomsticks, the drinks they ordered would have totaled to fifty Galleons at most.
How did it become ten times that amount here? This was extortion! Fred and George would be proud.
The most they charged Ron was double the price.
"Oh, that's a bargain," Dumbledore said without hesitation, placing a bag of coins on the counter.
Abelforth took the money, and his expression finally softened a bit. He reverted to the silent innkeeper, ignoring Dumbledore's incessant chatter.
Kyle observed them, especially Dumbledore, who seemed to have transformed into a chatterbox. He felt that the old wizard wasn't being entirely truthful.
Then, a thought occurred to him.
The Time-Turner... Was Nicodemus almost done creating the Sorcerer's Stone, or had he already finished it?
The thought caused Kyle to frown... There was no denying that the Time-Turner held a strong allure for Dumbledore, but it was also extremely dangerous for the user.
"Oh, it's nothing," Kyle quickly shook his head, making up an excuse. "I just felt that during the meeting, everyone seemed to overlook a very important issue."
"What is it? Tell me," Dumbledore stopped and asked.
Although this was a plan he had prepared for over a month, he still valued Kyle's opinion.
"The Ministry of Magic," Kyle said. "It seems like everyone has ignored this."
"The Ministry of Magic?" Dumbledore repeated softly.
"Yes," Kyle said. "We have completely fallen out with Fudge, and he's been relentlessly slandering anyone who believes in Voldemort's return, especially you, Professor..."
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore nodded, acknowledging the situation. "I did have a big argument with him."
"That's precisely the problem," Kyle continued. "If we leave things as they are, the Ministry of Magic is likely to hinder our efforts. We can't be fighting Voldemort on one front and dealing with their obstructions and incitements from the other. That's just wasting our time."
After a moment of silence, Dumbledore said, "I'll handle this. I'll talk to Connelly."
"With all due respect, Professor," Kyle said bluntly, "Fudge's initial behavior was driven by his fear of someone threatening his position, which is why he kept running to Hogwarts twice a day. That was the only way he could gain more support.
"But things are different now, especially after Barty Crouch was reassigned to the insignificant Department of Magical Transport. No one can challenge his position anymore.
"So, if you're thinking of dealing with Fudge the same way as before, you might be disappointed."
"Ha..." Abelforth scoffed derisively from a short distance away, "The great Dumbledore needs a child to remind him of such a simple matter."
But Dumbledore ignored him and looked intently at Kyle, "What are your thoughts?"
"It's simple," Kyle shrugged. "Fudge's attitude is the key. It would be best if he's willing to listen, even if he just refrains from causing trouble. If he's unwilling... I think it wouldn't hurt to consider a change in minister."
"No..." Dumbledore immediately objected, "Suddenly replacing the Minister of Magic will cause unnecessary panic, which is exactly what Voldemort wants. We can't do that."
"But it's still better than having him constantly causing trouble from behind," Kyle argued. "While we're preparing to face the Death Eaters, the Ministry, which should be our support, is constantly undermining us and inciting more people to slander us. That's what Voldemort truly wants to see."
"No, it's still not an option," Dumbledore insisted. "I know your thoughts are influenced by the recent events, but Fudge is still the Minister of Magic, and we can't let anything happen to him.
"If we were to do that, getting rid of Fudge for our own convenience, we would be no better than Voldemort's Death Eaters."
"You stubborn, foolish old man," Abelforth sneered again, his scorn more evident, "You truly are getting old. Your mind isn't as sharp as this young man's."
Dumbledore still didn't pay him any mind and looked intently at Kyle.
"Promise me you won't have such thoughts again."
"Alright, fine," Kyle said nonchalantly. "Actually, it's not a bad idea to not replace the Minister of Magic. I have another idea that might change Fudge's attitude."
"How?" Dumbledore asked, intrigued.
"Before that, I must say that this method might slightly affect your reputation, Professor," Kyle said. "I still recommend changing the Minister of Magic."
"No, it's fine," Dumbledore assured him. "Go on, as long as you don't think of getting rid of Fudge, I will fully cooperate with you."
"In that case," Kyle looked up at him and said slowly, "Go be a minister, Professor."
"What?" Dumbledore was taken aback.
"Of course, I don't mean actually becoming the Minister of Magic," Kyle clarified. "Just make it seem that way and leak a little information to that effect."
(End of Chapter)
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