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Chapter 777: The Forgotten Weasley
Chapter 777: The Forgotten Weasley
Upon hearing that Cedric was fine, Fred immediately broke into a smile, but he quickly realized that they were in the Ministry of Magic, with people bustling around them, and it might be inappropriate, so he closed his mouth again.
However, Mr. Diggory, unaware of their thoughts, asked curiously, "By the way, boys, I thought you two had resigned. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, we heard that this place was under attack, so we came to help," George replied.
"Yes," Fred nodded in agreement.
For some reason, they didn't mention Cedric and simply said they were there to lend a hand.
"I see. You are indeed a group of considerate youngsters," Mr. Diggory smiled and nodded, "But I must say, you two are very lucky."
"Yes, indeed," Fred said with a laugh, "If we hadn't resigned, we might have ended up being sent to St. Mungo's by now."
"Not might, definitely... or worse," Mr. Diggory shook his head, his expression turning solemn, "I heard that after the Death Eaters left the Minister's office, they specifically paid a visit to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department.
"I suspect it's because Arthur has gone against them time and again, and they wanted their revenge."
"Yeah, Dad has always been against the Death Eaters," Fred said with a playful smile, appearing unconcerned.
As members of the Order of the Phoenix, it was only natural that the Death Eaters would target them. There was no need to be surprised, otherwise, their entire family wouldn't have moved from their humble home to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.
"How's Perkins doing?"
"Not good," Mr. Diggory shook his head gravely, "As far as I know, he encountered the Death Eaters in the elevator and was tortured with the Cruciatus Curse. Fortunately, he managed to survive."
"Yeah," George sighed, "I remember he always wanted to retire early... I guess he'll get his wish now."
The group continued upwards.
Now that they knew Cedric was fine, they slowed down and began to help the injured on different floors, while also trying to piece together what had happened.
According to the accounts of the people, after killing Fudge, the Death Eaters didn't leave immediately. Instead, they took advantage of their numbers to search for those who opposed them.
Later, Amelia Bones, Scrimgeour, and others arrived with the Aurors and Hit Wizards, and a battle ensued.
As for the outcome of the battle... although the Aurors succeeded in driving out the Death Eaters, the Ministry had lost from the very beginning, and the loss was devastating.
There were still quite a few Ministry employees on the upper floors who had been affected. Most of them were elderly staff members who worked in desk jobs and hadn't engaged in combat for a long time. When faced with such a sudden situation, they were completely overwhelmed.
Some of them didn't even have time to draw their wands before they were struck down by the Death Eaters.
As Kyle turned a corner, he spotted a wizard lying unconscious amidst the rubble.
He recognized the man who had been inspecting visitors' wands in the atrium earlier, but he couldn't recall why he was here. Perhaps he had some business, or maybe he had fled here in the chaos.
Kyle waved his wand, transforming a damaged door into a stretcher, and then turned several stones into little men with legs.
The stone men roughly lifted the man onto the stretcher and carried him downstairs.
"Hey, that's a neat trick," Fred commented from the side, and proceeded to imitate Kyle to assist other injured people.
However, as they worked, Fred felt as though he had forgotten something, and George seemed to feel the same.
Their subconscious told them that they should be somewhere else, doing something, but they couldn't quite place where they needed to be.
Nevertheless, they didn't pay it much mind and continued with the rescue efforts.
If they couldn't remember, it probably wasn't important.
During their efforts, they also encountered Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, who was efficiently directing a team of Hit Wizards in the aftermath.
She also expressed her gratitude to Fred and George, who had resigned but still volunteered to help.
"Madeye, take a few people to the third floor. The Muggle Artefacts Room is almost completely destroyed."
"Also, the sixth floor. Bagman is injured, and he won't be able to restart the Floo Network by dawn on his own."
"Scrimgeour, please have the Aurors guard the entrances to prevent the Death Eaters from returning."
She issued orders swiftly and efficiently, and each command was promptly executed without a single objection. Even Scrimgeour left with the Aurors without a word.
"Looks like she'll be the next Minister of Magic," Fred commented after Amelia Bones had left.
"I recall Dad mentioning that the Head of the Auror Office can't be commanded by just any Head of Department," Fred whispered, "I think he's right."
Kyle nodded in agreement.
During her tenure as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones had always been known for her fairness, rigor, and impeccable track record. Almost everyone held her in high regard.
So Kyle has always had a good impression of her.
More importantly, Amelia Bones has consistently opposed Voldemort and has never wavered, even when she was almost killed by Death Eaters.
With capability, responsibility, and a firm stance... such a person is indeed the most suitable candidate for the new Minister of Magic.
"What a pity," George suddenly sighed. "I thought you'd become the Minister of Magic."
"Who, me?" Kyle pointed to himself.
"Who else?" Fred said with a laugh. "Of course, I wouldn't mind, but I'm afraid others might disagree."
"Rest assured, I'd be the first to object," George said.
"What are you guys thinking?" Kyle scoffed. "Let me tell you, unless everyone's gone mad, they wouldn't put a wizard who just graduated from Hogwarts in charge during a time of war.
"If anyone even suggested it, even Dumbledore would be suspected of being under the Imperius Curse."
"That's why I said it's a pity." George whispered, "An eighteen-year-old Minister of Magic, if you succeeded, you'd become a legend."
"Or a joke," Kyle glanced at him. "And I've just graduated. I don't want to be trapped in another bigger, busier 'castle' so soon."
"Is that why you haven't been to work?" Fred couldn't help but laugh. "I must remind you that Ms. Bones just said she'd dock your pay for half a month."
"It's fine, it's reasonable." Kyle also laughed.
Ever since he entered his seventh year, he hadn't been to the Ministry of Magic, but he hadn't missed a single Knut of his monthly salary. In a sense, he had done nothing and yet earned one thousand eight hundred Galleons.
As a result, when they met Amelia Bones earlier, Fred and George received her thanks, while he was reprimanded for long-term absenteeism and had half a month's salary deducted.
However, Kyle felt that Amelia Bones probably meant to remind him to return to work at the Ministry soon.
After being absent for more than a year, he was only docked seventy-five Galleons. Such a punishment didn't seem serious at all, but rather like a gentle reminder.
However, Kyle hadn't decided whether to return to work here yet... mainly because there were too many restrictions on working at the Ministry, and he felt more comfortable with the Order of the Phoenix. Either way, they were fighting Death Eaters, so what was the difference? None at all.
...
After some more time, the aftermath at the Ministry was basically coming to an end, and Cedric finally returned. He was dirty and looked a little disheveled, but he was full of energy.
"I heard all about it from Mr. Diggory," George hugged him. "You're quite lucky."
"Yeah, I think so too." Cedric said, "But why are you guys still here?"
"Are you trying to hurt me?" Fred glared at him. "We've been worried about you all this time."
"Of course," George echoed. "We rushed over to check on you when we heard the Ministry was attacked. How could you think we'd want to chase us away?"
"No, that's not what I meant." Cedric quickly shook his head. "I just met Mr. Weasley at St. Mungo's, so I thought you would have gone there too."
"Dad? What happened to him?" Fred was startled and immediately asked.
"Mr. Weasley is fine." Cedric said, "I'm talking about Percy. He was controlled by the Imperius Curse cast by Death Eaters, and then he was hit by a Piercing Spell during the battle. He was one of the first to be sent to St. Mungo's.
"So compared to me, I think you should want to visit your brother more, right?"
Fred and George immediately fell silent, their mouths agape as they looked at each other.
They finally remembered what they had forgotten... they had forgotten that Percy also worked at the Ministry, and his workplace was on the same floor as the Minister's office.
"Well... Fred." George turned stiffly, "Do you think Mom might forgive us if we say we're helping out at the Ministry?"
"I think... she might show mercy and leave us each with one ear." Fred swallowed, his voice strained.
"Then what are we waiting for!"
"Damn it!"
Then, without caring about their deep friendship, they pushed Cedric out of the way and ran outside as fast as they could.
It wasn't just Fred and George; even he had momentarily forgotten about Percy.
It wasn't a big deal, though. Ever since Percy graduated, his presence in the Weasley family had become increasingly faint, and sometimes Kyle would subconsciously forget that there was one more Weasley sibling.
However, the crucial issue now was that Percy was injured, and from Cedric's tone, it seemed to be quite serious.
No wonder they hadn't seen Sirius, Tonks, or Kingsley earlier, and only Mr. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie were missing. Undoubtedly, they must have rushed to check on Percy's condition and then headed to St. Mungo's.
Unfortunately, Fred and George hadn't realized this at all.
If Mrs. Weasley found out that they had abandoned their own brother, she would be furious, and it wouldn't be surprising if she added a couple of extra beds in St. Mungo's for them as well.
“Bless them… I hope he's alright,” Kyle said sincerely.
Cedric nodded gravely, sharing the same sentiment.
They had been worried about their own safety just moments ago, and now it was only right to send their blessings in return.
Hopefully, Mrs. Weasley would show some mercy and let them live to see each other again... well, one could only wish.
“Where are you headed next?” Cedric asked.
“I suppose I'll be making a trip to St. Mungo's,” Kyle said.
Although his relationship with Percy wasn't particularly close, it was still decent, and given the Weasley family connection, it was only right to pay a visit.
“What about you? Are you staying here to help?”
“No, I might be heading to another place,” Cedric said.
“Where?”
“I think it's some sort of square, but I can't quite remember,” Cedric said as he pulled out a piece of paper. “Oh, right, Grimmauld Place, number twelve.”
Kyle looked at him curiously, as well as the piece of paper in his hand.
“Who gave this to you?”
“Professor Dumbledore,” Cedric replied casually. “Didn't you see him?”
“No,” Kyle shook his head. “Where did you run into him?”
“Right at the entrance of the Ministry. We chatted for a bit, and then he gave me this, asking me to drop by if I had the time…” As he spoke, Cedric suddenly reached out, “Look, isn't he right over there?”
Kyle looked up and followed Cedric's gaze. Indeed, he spotted Dumbledore standing solemnly with Amelia Bones.
However, the headmaster didn't look well. His face was haggard, and his right hand seemed injured, hanging limply by his side.
Kyle furrowed his brows. It seemed that Voldemort's appearance in Austria wasn't merely to lure Dumbledore away; he had actually been there.
Aside from Voldemort, Kyle couldn't think of anyone else capable of injuring Dumbledore.
Well, there was one other possibility—the person imprisoned in Nurmengard.
As if sensing Kyle's gaze, Dumbledore looked back at him, but instead of saying anything, he turned and walked away with Amelia Bones.
Kyle didn't dwell on it further, assuming they had important matters to attend to... The fact that Dumbledore had written down the address of Grimmauld Place on a piece of paper was enough proof that he wasn't an imposter.
“Wait, the words on the paper are gone!”
Suddenly, Cedric exclaimed, and the paper that had been inscribed with writing was now blank.
“Don't worry about it; just remember the location,” Kyle said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder.
“It seems like you know something about this,” Cedric said, looking at Kyle with a puzzled expression. “So, what is that place?”
“I can't tell you too much,” Kyle thought for a moment, “Do you remember the DA that was formed at Hogwarts?”
“Of course,” Cedric nodded. “What does that have to do with this?”
He had dedicated a lot of his free time to teaching other students, and aside from Quidditch matches, it was one of the most memorable experiences he had at Hogwarts, so there was no way he could forget.
“Simply put, that place is like a more formal version of the DA, but it has another name—the Order of the Phoenix.”
“Order of the Phoenix?”
“Keep your voice down,” Kyle whispered. “Anyway, for now, let's head to St. Mungo's together, and someone will take you to that place later.”
“But I just came back from St. Mungo's,” Cedric hesitated. He felt that the Ministry needed more hands, which was why he had rushed back.
“There are plenty of people here; they won't miss one of you,” Kyle pushed him gently, “Also, if you want to go to the place on the paper, you'll have to come with me. Almost everyone from there is at St. Mungo's right now.”
“Alright then…” Cedric sighed in resignation.
(End of Chapter)
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