https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-687-If-We-Can-t-Stop-Him-in-Time-It-s-All-Over-/13453084/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-689-If-You-Had-Been-More-Cooperative-Back-Then-Would-We-Be-in-This-Mess-Now-/13453086/
Chapter 688: Obstinate Fudge
Chapter 688: Obstinate Fudge
Harry’s words were like a deep water bomb dropped into the calm Black Lake, stirring up the entire atmosphere in the Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore frowned and stared at Harry without saying a word.
Fudge’s face was nearly contorted with anger, and he angrily interrupted Harry. “Nonsense! You couldn’t possibly have seen him; you must be lying!”
“I’m not, Headmaster…” Harry tried to explain urgently, but before he could get a few words out, Umbridge cut him off.
“You just said you know the Dark Lord’s plans, Potter?” Umbridge questioned sharply.
Harry nodded blankly.
“That’s the biggest lie of all! If the Dark Lord were truly alive and plotting a secret plan, how did you come by this information?” Umbridge’s tone was harsh, and her eyes, like those of a venomous snake, stared directly at Harry.
“It was Voldemort who told me himself!” Harry responded loudly. “I had a dream where I turned into a snake and sneaked into a cottage. Voldemort was there, talking to Peter Pettigrew…”
Before he could finish, Umbridge laughed mockingly. “A dream?”
“Ah, it seems clear enough…” A sardonic smile curled on Fudge’s lips. He turned to the Aurors and said, “Did you all hear that? Mr. Potter is telling us he’s had a few nightmares about the Dark Lord wanting to kill him. He must be scared stiff, so much so that he had to sneak into the Headmaster's Office in the middle of the night to seek comfort…”
The Aurors burst into laughter, and the heavy atmosphere in the Headmaster's Office dissipated.
“This isn’t the first time, Minister of Magic! I had a dream before where he sent people to capture me, and Barty Crouch Jr. put my name into the Triwizard Cup!” Harry stammered, trying to defend himself.
Fudge paid no attention to Harry’s words and snapped impatiently, “Listen, boy! This isn’t a place for games, and I don’t have the time to listen to your absurd dreams. The Ministry of Magic has more important matters to attend to…”
“Furthermore… Albus, I think you might need some rest. Your mind seems to be getting a bit unclear. I can’t believe you’re taking a child’s nightmares seriously!” Fudge looked at Dumbledore, his dissatisfaction evident.
“Sometimes dreams can bring premonitions… Cornelius!” Dumbledore’s expression remained calm, but his gaze held a powerful presence that made every word he spoke resonate deeply in everyone’s mind.
“Otherwise, how do you explain the Dark Mark that appeared at the Quidditch Cup this year? Peter Pettigrew’s escape is also a clear sign! The truth is that Voldemort, with Peter Pettigrew’s help, has grown stronger and is plotting to become even more powerful!”
“Enough, don’t talk to me about this!” Fudge interrupted Dumbledore sharply, his face turning purple with anger. A surge of rage boiled up from within him.
“Are you going to tell me this boy has the gift of prophecy? And Peter Pettigrew is dead; the Dementor killed him right in front of me. I know this better than anyone! The Dark Mark that night was just an accident. The Aurors have received some leads, and they’ll catch the troublemakers eventually!”
Fudge countered Dumbledore with the sharpest words, rebutting every single one of his statements.
He simply couldn't understand why Dumbledore was so intent on stirring up panic among the people. The Wizarding World was at peace, and the Dark Lord's reign of terror had been over for more than a decade. The extreme Death Eaters had all been locked away in Azkaban.
Over the years, as the Minister of Magic, Fudge had painstakingly maintained this peaceful facade, dedicating countless efforts to it!
Fudge even suspected that Dumbledore was deliberately trying to create a crisis. After all, everyone knew he was the only person the Dark Lord feared. If that were the case, Dumbledore could use this opportunity to gain more influence and push him, the Minister of Magic, out of power.
The atmosphere in the Headmaster's Office remained tense, and no matter what Dumbledore said, he couldn't shake Fudge's convictions.
Ivan, who was observing, silently shook his head. He knew that unless Voldemort resurrected right before their eyes, Fudge would never accept the reality. Instead, he would stubbornly believe that this was all a political maneuver by Dumbledore, aimed at seizing power.
After a fruitless discussion, Fudge angrily stormed out, but just then, footsteps were heard from outside the door.
"It must be Barty!" Dumbledore turned to look at the door and guessed.
Fudge's steps halted.
As Dumbledore had predicted, Crouch soon entered the room, followed by Mad-Eye Moody, who was leaning on his wand.
Once inside, Mad-Eye Moody's blue magical eye scanned the Headmaster's Office, noting the expressions on Fudge and Dumbledore's faces. He then smirked and said, "Looks like your talk didn't go so well?"
"Cornelius doesn't agree with my views..." Dumbledore replied with a raised eyebrow.
"How do you expect me to believe you, Albus?" Fudge said angrily. "The Ministry of Magic is a place that demands evidence. You can't expect me to tell the Aurors that the Wizarding World's Savior, Harry Potter, had a dream, and they need to waste time and effort looking for a Dark Lord who's been dead for over a decade!"
"It's not just that, Cornelius! The evidence has been right in front of you, but you refuse to believe it!" Dumbledore said sternly.
"Evidence? Where? I don't see any!" Fudge sneered, then his gaze fell to the ground.
"Or are you referring to this unrecognizable charred corpse? No one can prove it's Barty Crouch Jr.!"
"I can prove it!" Crouch, who had been silent, stepped forward. He too looked at the body covered in a white cloth, his expression complex.
"Cornelius! This is my son, I can't be mistaken, and I have no reason to lie to you... Additionally, I think you should listen to Albus's advice. If you have any questions, I'm willing to answer them for you..."
"No, I don't think that's necessary! You are under arrest, Barty!" Fudge said coldly, and he waved his hand. Umbridge immediately led a group to surround Crouch.
(End of Chapter)
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