Luckily, Umbridge apparently fit the definition of a good dog, as she eagerly searched the cottage.
She went out of her way to rummage through any place that might have left a mark, occasionally tapping her wand against the table and chairs, or sticking her nails into the sheets to see if there were any books underneath. Unfortunately, Ivan had cleaned up so thoroughly that she could never find them…
"You lot, if there's nothing else, get back to the castle," Professor McGonagall said, indicating that they should leave.
Ivan nodded and started to leave, but Umbridge's voice interrupted him.
"Wait…"
'Minister Fudge, these children happen to be in the loop of the report, and I feel they should know something,' said Umbridge.
Professor McGonagall frowned and said, "Umbridge, as I recall, Dumbledore made it quite clear to you that the children didn't know much about what had happened. They just came back to inform me when they found a clue."
'But I think there might be something more to it.' Umbridge stepped forward, her broad, flabby face so close to Ivan and the others that Ron, who was closest to her, could not help but take a few steps back, but Umbridge did not seem to mind and gave him a tired smile.
"As far as we know, a young wizard was seen riding a dragon yesterday."
"That's what Seamus said. Didn't you ask him at school? He's known for being an explosive wizard, and since he can't cast any spell without failing, Seamus might have been trying to make something up to get attention," Ivan said mildly.
'I'll certainly ask,' said Umbridge, her eyes boring into Ivan's face.
However, Umbridge was soon disappointed and Ivan's expression did not change.
"Well, Umbridge, perhaps we should look elsewhere," said Fudge impatiently. He had no interest in wasting time on some young wizard's tale.
In fact, Fudge had little interest in the dragons.
He had come in person to see if Dumbledore was up to something behind his back, and hoped to use it to undermine Dumbledore.
Although he admitted that Dumbledore had helped him with some "minor" work while he was trying to secure the position of Minister for Magic, Fudge did not want to be in the position of the most powerful man in the wizarding community.
This was something he would never tolerate!
When Fudge first became Minister for Magic, he naively believed that Dumbledore was too old and would either go into hiding or die.
However, several years later, Dumbledore was still alive and kicking, in better spirits than Fudge, and Fudge wondered if Dumbledore would still be his Headmaster at Hogwarts when he died of old age.
He was well aware that the greatest white wizard of the century had a close personal relationship with Nicholas Flamel, and had probably been drinking some sort of life-extending potion.
"Then I think we should go to the fourth floor of the castle, where some students have been warned not to go if they don't want to die a horrible death," Umbridge said, quickly coming up with an idea.
"Well, let's go there and see…" Fudge's interest was piqued again.
"Fudge, do you think I would hide a dragon in the corridors of the castle?" Dumbledore, who had been silent all this time, suddenly asked.
"Look, I'm just looking… how can there be a dragon there?" Fudge noticed Dumbledore's eyes under his half-moon spectacles and felt a sudden panic, but he pretended to be calm, not wanting to show his fear.
"I've taken you to the scene of the accident as well. It was just an ordinary attack," Dumbledore said, his voice heavy.
"Hagrid was magically injured, there were signs of a Fire Charm at the site of the Great Fire, and the unicorn's death was due to a Killing Charm… There is no evidence of a dragon at Hogwarts or any breach of Ministry regulations!"
"I know, but this is a routine Ministry investigation!" Fudge said forcefully, feeling his authority being challenged like never before.
Umbridge duly produced a warrant and presented it to Dumbledore…
Dumbledore, however, did not even glance at Fudge.
There seemed to be an invisible pressure in the already crowded cottage, making Harry and the others uncomfortable, Fang curled up in a ball with his tail tucked between his legs, and Umbridge tried to speak but could not.
Ivan, on the other hand, sat quietly in front of the onlookers, having no intention of getting involved, as this was completely Dumbledore's own doing and had nothing to do with him.
He was slightly surprised that the Ministry of Magic did not know about Dumbledore's use of the Philosopher's Stone for fishing, or rather that they knew very little.
However, considering Fudge's attitude towards Voldemort's return in the book, Yvonne could see why Fudge would not want to believe that Voldemort was still alive, let alone use the Philosopher's Stone to set a trap.
Even if Fudge had agreed to do so, the trap would have been set at the Ministry of Magic, with Fudge himself and dozens of Aurors guarding it.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron, on the other hand, did not share Ivan's laid-back mood. What Fudge said worried them, as they knew full well that there was a three-headed dog in the corridor on the fourth floor.
The atmosphere was heavy for a while, but was eventually broken by Dumbledore.
"The Ministry of Magic can investigate, of course. There's nothing there to hide." Dumbledore softened his tone; Fudge was, after all, the Minister for Magic, and did not want to get on the wrong side of the Ministry if he could help it.
"I also assure you this is the last place to search," Fudge said, backing down with equal relief.
Dumbledore left the room without another word, his calm demeanor making Fudge wonder if he had been right to insist.
Fudge soon regained his confidence, however, as Dumbledore's earlier reaction proved that he was hiding something from Umbridge.
Understanding this, Umbridge turned to Ivan and the others with a tired smile.
"You'd better come along. I don't want to find out you're up to anything."