https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-721-Professor-Babbling-s-Warning/13012920/
Chapter 722: The Shocked Fudge
Chapter 722: The Shocked Fudge
Kyle had expected to be taken to Number 12, Grimmauld Place, but to his surprise, Fox led him to the second floor of the Ministry of Magic, specifically the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Even before Kyle arrived, the place was already bustling with familiar faces.
Chris, the Weasley twins, Fred and George, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks...
And, of course, Dumbledore.
As Kyle approached, Dumbledore was bent over, casting a warm, yellow light that flickered on the walls on both sides of the hallway.
"Fox is back!" someone exclaimed.
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
"Kyle?" Fred rubbed his eyes, thinking he must be mistaken.
"Isn't she St. Mungo's Healer?"
No one answered his question as they instinctively made way for him, allowing Kyle to see the situation ahead.
On the floor, Amelia Bones lay in a pool of blood, her breath faint and shallow.
Dumbledore held his wand over her, and Kyle noticed the warm, flickering light emanating from its tip.
In an instant, Kyle understood why Fox had brought him here.
"Is she here?" Kyle asked, ignoring the dizzying sensation and focusing on the urgent matter at hand.
"The situation is critical, and she can't be moved yet," Dumbledore replied swiftly. "You need to hurry, Fudge is already on the seventh floor."
"Okay," Kyle nodded and quickly opened the box.
"Wait... wait..." a weak voice called out.
It was Amelia, struggling to open her eyes, and this simple action seemed to exhaust all her strength.
"Death Eaters... attacked... the Ministry..." Amelia spoke in a halting voice, "Tell... Aurors... fight... don't... be alone..."
She seemed to have something important to convey, but her voice faded as Fred and George, understanding Dumbledore's words, nodded and rushed towards the seventh floor.
Kyle's box was already open.
"Turn around!" Chris ordered solemnly.
Out of trust, everyone immediately turned their backs to the wall, including Chris, who waved his wand and created a mirror on the ceiling.
"Oh, Mr. Minister, you're here!"
"It's terrible, you must prepare yourself. I can't bear to look."
From a distance, Fred and George's voices reached them.
"Merlin's beard, what happened here!" Fudge's voice trembled with anxiety.
"I dare not recall, you see for yourself."
"Slow down, Minister, be careful not to slip."
"Move aside, you two, don't block the way." It was Scrimgeour.
He quickened his pace and soon appeared in the hallway, followed by Fudge's stomach.
Fred and George brought up the rear.
At that moment, they were each on one side of Fudge, holding his arms as if afraid he might fall, a gesture that looked too much like a Death Eater.
"Oh!" Fudge exclaimed after seeing the scene in the hallway. He suddenly clutched his chest. "Is that Amelia?"
"I believe so," Scrimgeour said gravely, and quickly walked over.
"She's been petrified."
Scrimgeour pointed his wand at Amelia's pale skin and whispered, "Quickly revive..."
"Finite Incantatem!"
"Revelio!"
He tried several spells in succession, but Amelia Bones showed no signs of recovery.
"Highly advanced Dark Magic," Scrimgeour remarked, glancing at the bloodstains on the floor. "But also fortunate, the petrified state saved her life."
He turned to Kingsley and Tonks in the crowd, his face stern. "Tell me, what exactly happened here?"
"Death Eaters attacked," Kingsley said. "Just ten minutes ago, right here in the Ministry."
"They were heading to the first floor, but in the elevator, Ms. Bones saw through their disguise, so the Death Eaters changed their target on the spot."
Upon hearing that the Death Eaters' target was the first floor, Fudge nearby trembled.
The first floor, wasn't that where the Minister was located? The Death Eaters' target was this Minister!
In an instant, Fudge felt a chill run through his body. If it weren't for Amelia and their shared elevator ride, he might have been the one lying on the floor.
Fudge's legs felt weak, and he leaned against the wall for support.
However, no one around him seemed to notice the Minister's distress.
Upon hearing the explanation from the two Aurors, Scrimgeour erupted in anger.
"What were you doing? Why did such a major incident occur, and not a single Auror was present?"
"I don't want to shirk responsibility," Kingsley replied. "We rushed over as soon as we heard the commotion, but by then, the Death Eaters had already fled."
"But this time, I truly wish she didn't possess such admirable qualities..." Dumbledore sighed, "Your father and the others have been waiting downstairs, but they were disappointed."
"I suppose they must have considered Madam Bones as a formidable opponent as well," Kyle said, "After all, she's the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and a prominent member of the Wizengamot. Her influence is no less than Fudge's."
"You're right, it was my oversight."
At that moment, Mrs. Weasley placed a teapot on the table and also brought a bottle of pumpkin juice for Kyle.
"Amelia, what happened to her?"
"She was attacked by Death Eaters and severely injured," Dumbledore replied.
"Oh Merlin, at the Ministry?" Mrs. Weasley's voice trembled slightly. She had always believed that the Ministry was the safest place, second only to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, and Hogwarts.
Kyle glanced at Mrs. Weasley. This was probably the effect that Death Eaters, or rather, Lord Voldemort, intended to create.
Since his resurgence, there hadn't been any significant actions from him. Even if there were, they had failed one after another, and Voldemort was not one to stay low-key. He relished witnessing others' fear.
This time, he probably wanted to remind everyone of the terror of being under the control of the Dark Mark, just as Dumbledore had said. Killing the Minister of Magic under the protection of the Aurors had a far greater impact than randomly killing an unknown wizard.
"But Professor, won't they pursue her to St. Mungo's?" Kyle whispered, "There's a huge difference between killing and severely injuring someone."
"Don't worry, Sirius and Remus have already gone to St. Mungo's," Dumbledore said calmly, "Remus has the two-way mirror and can contact me anytime."
He took a sip of tea and looked at Kyle, his expression suddenly becoming a bit dazed.
"Professor, are you alright?" Kyle asked.
"It's nothing, just a strange feeling," Dumbledore shook his head, "The Basilisk, once considered a killing weapon by Tom Riddle, has now become a key to saving lives."
"You've mentioned this before."
"Have I?" Dumbledore was taken aback, "Did I say that?"
"At St. Mungo's," Kyle reminded him, "When we first used the Basilisk to petrify the wizard..."
"Yes, but no matter how many times it happens, it's still hard to believe," Dumbledore said, "It's as if the Killing Curse has suddenly transformed into a healing spell."
Dumbledore spoke softly, "By the way, you should remember Sturgot. He's also a member of the Order of the Phoenix."
"Sorry," Kyle spread his hands, he had genuinely forgotten.
"Professor, there's one more thing."
"Go ahead," Dumbledore added three more cubes of sugar to his tea, perhaps finding it too bitter.
"It's about the Department of Magical Transportation..."
"I can't answer that for now, Kyle," Dumbledore interrupted, "I don't have the full details yet, and further investigation is needed."
"But I trust Barty, no matter what. I firmly believe he would never collaborate with the Death Eaters," Dumbledore asserted.
"Yes, I trust him too."
Mrs. Weasley chimed in, "Arthur mentioned that Barty had been a bit down recently, but he quickly regained his spirit and started working on an improved Floo Network system."
"That's just how he is, dedicated to his work no matter where he is."
"Alright then." Seeing that both Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley trusted Barty Crouch, Kyle didn't say anything further, only offering a gentle reminder to Dumbledore.
The Department of Magical Transportation might not be noticeable in everyday life, but during times of war, its importance was no less than that of the Auror Office.
However, Dumbledore likely knew this, having experienced some of the most renowned wars in the wizarding world, and had far more experience than Kyle.
Five minutes later, Dumbledore finished his tea and prepared to leave. He had many tasks to attend to and couldn't afford to linger here.
"Do you need Fawkes to take you back to Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked before leaving.
"No, that's alright," Kyle shook his head repeatedly, "I can Apparate to Hogsmeade and then return to school."
"Very well," Dumbledore said, "Just be careful not to get caught by Filch. The new school rules impose heavy punishments for unauthorized outings, and even as the Headmaster, I can't award points for off-campus activities."
Kyle was a bit taken aback. Wasn't Fawkes supposed to pick him up? How did it become an unauthorized outing?
But before he could say anything, Dumbledore had already left, the door closing behind him, and the room returned to its peaceful state.
"Dear, why don't you stay and have dinner with us before heading back?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I'd love to, but I'm afraid I need to get back before dinner to avoid raising suspicions," Kyle replied, shaking his head.
"Alright then," Mrs. Weasley said, but she still prepared a large bag of homemade fudge and beef pasties for Kyle to take back to school.
(End of Chapter)
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