Chapter 85: Cornelius Fudge
Chapter 85: Cornelius Fudge
A large hole pierced through the flat snake head of the Basilisk, connecting its skull to its upper jaw, and its eyes were nothing more than two dark, hollow sockets.
The crowd occasionally let out gasps of horror and amazement.
These young wizards ranged from first and second years to sixth and seventh years, but even they couldn't help but swallow hard when they faced the massive, dead Basilisk.
One of the young wizards voiced the question on everyone's mind: "Potter and the others fought this behemoth? How did they manage it?"
No one answered his question.
A Slytherin student couldn't resist moving closer, but an invisible barrier repelled him as he reached out.
"Dumbledore said not to touch it, Flint", a sharp voice called out. The crowd parted to make way for Professor Flitwick.
Despite his small stature, the Hogwarts young wizards respected him greatly for his passionate teaching and fair treatment of students from all four houses.
He moved to the front and circled the Basilisk. "A truly rare magical creature. I'm sure Hagrid would love it", he remarked.
...
After the class ended, Felix thought for a moment and decided to head to the courtyard.
Dumbledore had announced at last night's dinner that the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, would be visiting today. Felix intended to observe him up close.
Rumors had it that Fudge was Dumbledore's lapdog, lacking any independent thought. But Felix didn't share this view. A skilled politician, when in a weak position, could be even less principled than the best of sycophants.
He descended the stairs, preparing to cross the Great Hall.
Just then, a commotion approached from a distance, and seven or eight people walked toward him.
"Minister Fudge, this way, please", Professor Mcgonagall led the group.
Behind her was a short, stout middle-aged man, plump and solid, with messy gray hair and a worried expression.
His attire was a peculiar mix: a fine-striped suit, a bright red tie, a black long cloak, and purple pointed boots. He also carried a dark green top hat under his arm.
Felix immediately recognized him as Cornelius Fudge, the current Minister of Magic. Following closely behind was a tall man dressed like an Auror, likely one of Fudge's subordinates.
Next was a middle-aged man with platinum blonde hair, wrapped in a long black traveling cloak. His face bore a cold, distant expression, and he held a wand that looked more like a cane.
Felix recognized the distinctive hair color and had a few guesses. Perhaps it was one of the well-known Pureblood Families—the Malfoys?
Behind the Malfoy man was a woman Felix had dealt with before—Rita Skeeter. Her face was heavily made up, and she was energetically instructing her two assistants, "Capture the moment, the moment! Got it? Take more photos."
The two young men with magical cameras nodded nervously.
Felix couldn't help but smile. It seemed this famous journalist had excellent nerves.
Rita Skeeter carried a handbag and, as she crossed the Great Hall, her eyes cautiously scanned the surroundings.
Her gaze locked onto Felix, and her pupils constricted. Her steps became hesitant and uncertain.
Dumbledore, the tallest among them, followed at a leisurely pace. His deep blue eyes observed everything.
Professor Mcgonagall noticed Felix and paused. "Oh, Felix. Let me introduce you. This is Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic." She then huffed, reluctantly adding, "These are Lucius Malfoy and Rita Skeeter."
Fudge acted with enough enthusiasm, striding forward and extending both hands: "Felix Hep, it's truly an honor. I've heard your name mentioned more than once by the French Minister of Magic."
Felix subtly withdrew his hand, "Just a few books, that's all." Throughout the exchange, he maintained eye contact with Fudge, but he saw little genuine warmth in the man's eyes.
He then turned to Rita Skeeter and softly said, "Rita."
The woman with the exaggerated curls greeted him awkwardly, "Hello, Mr. Hep." She wasn't sure whether to pretend she didn't know him, worried that exposing this person's secret might cause trouble.
But if Felix hadn't been mistaken, he noticed a flicker of change in Fudge's and Malfoy's expressions at that moment.
Such keen observation... He truly lived up to his reputation as a master of the social scene.
Felix nodded at Lucius Malfoy, and the two shared no particular connection.
However, Lucius Malfoy looked at him with his gray eyes for a couple of seconds before pulling a restrained smile and extending his right hand, "Hello, Mr. Hep."
Felix was somewhat surprised but reciprocated the gesture, "Hello, Mr. Malfoy."
After a brief exchange, Professor Mcgonagall continued leading the group, and Felix quietly moved to the back, walking alongside Dumbledore.
The two trailed behind the group, whispering to each other.
"Felix, overusing Legilimency is not a good practice", Dumbledore blinked, "it can rob you of many joys and make you more prone to feeling jaded about the world."
"Is that based on your experience?"
"Everyone was young once", Dumbledore didn't answer directly, but Felix understood the underlying meaning—youth often leads to mistakes.
"So, I'm young now, Headmaster Dumbledore. Besides, I just slightly perceived his true emotions, which helps in understanding the person better, doesn't it?"
Dumbledore didn't push the topic further, instead asking with interest, "What did you perceive?"
"Are you interested in the Minister of Magic's thoughts?" Felix countered.
"No, Felix, I don't need Legilimency to see through him. This is perhaps the only thing I've mastered without actively learning, after living for a century."
Felix was a bit surprised. Dumbledore shouldn't be sharing this with him, should he? When did their relationship become so close?
They fell into a silence after that.
When they reached the courtyard, Professor Mcgonagall had already led Fudge and the others to stand in front of the Basilisk. Neither Felix nor Dumbledore pushed their way to the front, standing at the edge of the crowd.
Hagrid stood awkwardly in the corner. Felix overheard a few comments from the young wizards and quickly understood the situation.
Hagrid had been pleading with Professor Flitwick to remove the magical barriers around the Basilisk, wanting to experience the creature's allure up close...
Do all researchers of magical creatures think this way?
So, when would Professor Kettleburn arrive? Felix thought to himself, somewhat whimsically.
(End of Chapter)
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