https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-776-The-Death-Eaters-True-Target/13013135/
Chapter 777: The Forgotten Weasley
Chapter 777: The Forgotten Weasley
Upon hearing that Cedric was unharmed, Fred immediately laughed, but quickly realized they were in the Ministry, surrounded by bustling people. Realizing the inappropriateness of his laughter, he closed his mouth.
Mr. Diggory, unaware of their thoughts, asked curiously, "Hey, Weasley boys, didn't you two resign? Why are you here?"
"Oh, we heard about the attack and came to help," George replied.
"That's right," Fred nodded in agreement.
For some reason, they didn't mention Cedric again and simply stated they were there to assist.
"So, you're a group of caring kids," Mr. Diggory smiled and nodded, "But if I may say, you're really lucky."
"Yeah, that's right," Fred said with a smile, "If we hadn't resigned, we might have ended up in St. Mungo's by now."
"Not might, but definitely... It could've been worse," Mr. Diggory shook his head, his expression turning serious, "I heard that after the Death Eaters left the Minister's office, they specifically went to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.
"I guess Arthur repeatedly stood up to the Death Eaters, and they wanted revenge."
"Yeah, Dad has been constantly opposing the Death Eaters," Fred said with a playful smile, appearing unconcerned.
As members of the Order of the Phoenix, it was normal for them to be specifically targeted by Death Eaters, nothing unusual. Otherwise, their entire family wouldn't have moved from the shack on Grimmauld Place No. 12.
"How's Perkins doing?"
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... He should get his wish now."
The group continued walking upstairs.
After learning that Cedric was safe, they didn't feel as rushed. They started helping the injured in different floors, while also inquiring about what had happened.
According to the accounts of the crowd, the Death Eaters didn't leave immediately after killing Fudge. Instead, they took advantage of their numbers and wanted to find and confront those who opposed them.
Later, Amelia Bones, Scrimgeour, and others arrived with Aurors and Hit Wizards just in time. A fierce battle ensued between the two sides.
As for the outcome of this battle... Although the Aurors successfully drove away the Death Eaters, the Ministry had lost from the very beginning, and the loss was absolute.
At this moment, there were still many Ministry employees affected on the upper floors, most of them being long-serving staff in administrative positions. Due to their lack of combat experience, they were caught off guard by this sudden situation.
Some didn't even have time to draw their wands before being struck down by the Death Eaters and left unconscious nearby.
As Kyle turned a corner, he spotted a wizard lying unconscious amidst the rubble.
He recognized this person, who had been inspecting wands in the Entrance Hall earlier. Kyle wondered why he was here, perhaps due to some task or having fled here during the chaos.
Kyle waved his wand, transforming a damaged door into a stretcher and several stones into small, legged creatures.
The stone creatures roughly tossed the wizard onto the stretcher and carried him downstairs.
"Hey, that's a neat trick," Fred commented from the side, imitating the action to help other injured personnel.
However, while they worked, Fred felt like he had forgotten something important, and George felt the same.
Subconsciously, they believed they should go somewhere and do something, but couldn't quite put a finger on it.
Nevertheless, they didn't pay much attention and continued their rescue efforts.
If they couldn't remember, it probably wasn't important.
During this time, they also encountered Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Law Enforcement, who was efficiently leading a team of Hit Wizards in organizing the subsequent work.
She also expressed gratitude to Fred and George, who had resigned but volunteered to help.
"Mad-Eye, take a few people to the third floor. The Muggle-Worthy Artefacts Office is almost completely destroyed."
"Also, the sixth floor. Barty is injured, and he can't restart the Floo Network before dawn on his own."
"Scrimgeour, please have the Aurors guard the Entrance Hall to prevent the Death Eaters from returning."
She issued orders swiftly and efficiently, and each command was promptly executed without any objections. Even Scrimgeour silently led the Aurors to the Entrance Hall.
"Looks like she's the next Minister of Magic," Fred whispered.
After Amelia Bones left, Fred suddenly spoke softly, "I remember Dad saying that the Head of the Auror Office isn't someone a Head of Department can easily command."
"I agree," Kyle nodded.
During her tenure as the Head of the Department of Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones was known for her fairness, meticulousness, and impeccable record, earning high praise from almost everyone.
During Sirius Black's retrial, Amelia Bones was the first to advocate for his innocence.
And when Kyle was interrogated at the Ministry, he also argued with Fudge, and after the results were announced, he proactively offered to help Kyle contact Wizenagamot.
So Kyle has always had a good impression of her.
More importantly, Amelia Bones has consistently stood against Voldemort, even when she was almost killed by Death Eaters. This stance has never wavered.
With capability, responsibility, and a firm stance, such a person is indeed the most suitable candidate to become the new Minister of Magic.
"What a pity," George suddenly sighed, "I thought you would become the Minister of Magic."
"Who, me?" Kyle pointed to himself.
"Of course not," Fred chuckled, "It can't be me, but I'm worried that others might not agree."
"Don't worry, I'll be the first to object," George said.
"What are you guys thinking about?" Kyle shrugged, calmly reassembling a broken window and putting it back in its original position. "To put it bluntly, unless everyone has gone mad, they wouldn't appoint a fresh graduate from Hogwarts as the Minister of Magic during wartime."
"If someone actually proposes this idea, even Dumbledore would be suspected of being under the Imperius Curse of the Death Eaters."
"That's why I said it's a pity," George whispered, "An eighteen-year-old Minister of Magic, if successful, you'll become a legend."
"Or it might just be a joke," Kyle glanced at him, "And I've just graduated. I don't want to enter another larger, busier 'castle' so soon."
"So that's why you haven't been coming to work?" Fred couldn't help but laugh, "I must remind you, Ms. Bones just said she'll deduct half a month's salary."
"It's fine, that's reasonable," Kyle laughed as well.
Ever since entering his seventh year, he hadn't been to the Ministry, but he hadn't missed a single Knut of his monthly salary. In a sense, he hadn't done any work but still received 1800 Galleons.
As a result, when they met Amelia Bones earlier, Fred and George received her gratitude, while Kyle was reprimanded for long-term absenteeism and had half a month's salary deducted.
However, Kyle felt that Amelia Bones' intention was to have him return to work at the Ministry soon.
After over a year of absence, only 75 Galleons were deducted, which didn't seem like a serious punishment but rather a reminder.
Nevertheless, Kyle hadn't decided whether to return to the Ministry... mainly because working at the Ministry felt too restrictive, and he felt more comfortable with the Order of the Phoenix. After all, they were both fighting Death Eaters; what's the difference wherever they were?
...
After some time, the Ministry's clean-up work was nearing its end, and Cedric finally returned. He looked dirty and tired, but his spirit was high.
"I heard it from Mr. Diggory," George hugged him, "You're really lucky."
"Yeah, I feel the same," Cedric said, "But why are you guys still here?"
"That's a bit hurtful," Fred glared at him, "We've been worried about you all this time."
"Exactly," George chimed in, "We rushed here to confirm your safety after hearing about the Ministry attack, and now you're trying to send 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 guys would have gone there too."
"Dad? What about him?" Fred was startled and immediately asked.
"Mr. Weasley is fine," Cedric said, "I'm talking about Percy. He was previously controlled by the Imperius Curse of the Death Eaters, and later suffered the Cruciatus Curse. He was sent to St. Mungo's."
"So compared to me, I think you guys should visit your brother first, 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 the Minister's office.
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"Well... Fred," George turned stiffly, "If we say we're helping at the Ministry, will Mom show mercy and leave us with an ear each?"
"I think... she'll probably show great mercy and leave us with an ear each," Fred swallowed hard and said with difficulty.
"What are we waiting for!"
Without further ado, they pushed Cedric aside and rushed out.
“So... they forgot about Percy, didn't they?” Cedric asked quietly.
“I think so,” Kyle replied.
It wasn't just Fred and George; even he had momentarily forgotten about Percy.
This wasn't unusual. Since Percy's graduation, his presence had gradually faded, and Kyle would occasionally forget that Percy was even a part of the Weasley family.
But now, the critical issue was that Percy was injured, and from Cedric's tone, it seemed rather severe.
No wonder they hadn't seen Sirius, Tonks, or Kingsley earlier. They must have rushed to St. Mungo's to check on Percy and then headed there.
Yet, Fred and George hadn't realized this at all.
If Mrs. Weasley found out that they had neglected their older brother, she would give them a good earful, and it wouldn't be surprising if she added two more beds at St. Mungo's just for them.
“Bless them... I hope they're safe,” Kyle said sincerely.
Cedric, standing beside him, nodded gravely in agreement.
They had just received his blessing, so it was only polite to return the favor.
“Where are you heading next?” Cedric asked.
“I should probably make a trip to St. Mungo's,” Kyle answered.
Although his relationship with Percy wasn't particularly close, it was still amicable, and considering the Weasley family's bond, he felt obligated to visit.
“What about you? Are you staying here to help?”
“No, I might be going to another place,” Cedric said.
“Where?”
“It's some sort of square, but I can't quite remember,” Cedric said, pulling out a piece of paper. “Oh, right, Grimmauld Place, number twelve. Oh, and Professor Dumbledore gave this to me. Didn't you see him?”
Kyle looked at him and the paper in his hand with surprise.
“Who gave it to you?”
“Professor Dumbledore,” Cedric replied casually. “What? Didn't you see him?”
“No,” Kyle shook his head. “Where did you meet him?”
“At the entrance of the Ministry of Magic. We chatted for a bit, and he gave this to me, asking me to go there if I had the time...” As he spoke, Cedric suddenly extended his hand. “Look, isn't he right there?”
Kyle looked up and followed the direction of Cedric's pointing finger. Indeed, he saw Professor Dumbledore standing solemnly with Amelia Bones, deep in conversation.
However... Professor Dumbledore didn't look well. His face was haggard, and his right hand seemed injured, hanging limply by his side.
Kyle frowned. It seemed that Voldemort's appearance in Austria was not a ploy to lure Professor Dumbledore away; he was genuinely there.
Besides Voldemort, Kyle couldn't think of anyone else who could make Professor Dumbledore look so weary.
Oh, there was one more person, the one trapped in Nurmengard Tower, but the likelihood of that was low.
Seemingly aware of Kyle's gaze, Professor Dumbledore also looked over, but instead of saying anything, he left with Amelia Bones.
Kyle didn't think too much of it. The fact that the address of Grimmauld Place, number twelve, was written on the paper was enough proof that Professor Dumbledore couldn't have been an imposter.
“Wait, how did the words on this paper disappear?”
At that moment, Cedric suddenly exclaimed in surprise. The paper, which had the address written on it, had somehow turned into a blank sheet at an unknown time.
“It's fine, don't worry about it. Just remember the location,” Kyle said, patting him on the shoulder with a smile.
“It seems like you know something,” Cedric said, looking at Kyle with a puzzled expression. “So, what exactly is that place?”
“I can't say too much,” Kyle hesitated. “Do you remember the DA you attended at Hogwarts?”
“Of course,” Cedric nodded. “What does that have to do with this?”
It was an unforgettable experience for Cedric, as he had dedicated most of his free time to teaching other students, aside from Quidditch matches.
“In short, that place is like a more formal version of the DA, but it has another name—the Order of the Phoenix.”
“The Order of the Phoenix?”
“Keep your voice down,” Kyle whispered. “In any case, let's go to St. Mungo's together. Someone there will take you to that place later.”
“But I just came back from St. Mungo's,” Cedric hesitated, looking conflicted. He felt the need for more help here, which was why he had rushed back.
“There are so many people here; they don't need you. Come with me to the place on that paper, as most of them are at St. Mungo's,” Kyle pushed him.
“Alright, fine,” Cedric sighed in resignation.
(End of Chapter)
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