News of You-Know-Who's return sent shockwaves through Hogwarts.
Although Ivan had given the majority of the crowd a heads-up about the return of the Dark Lord, this time it was official.
Not to mention the fact that the Mysteries had just attacked the Ministry of Magic, killing dozens of wizards, including the Minister for Magic.
For a time, the students in the castle were tense, their usual relaxed attitude gone, and discussions about the attack abound, with some even worried that You-Know-Who would bring Death Eaters to Hogwarts.
Harry and Ron were shocked the next morning when they received the Daily Prophet.
"Merlin's beard, how is this possible? Malfoy's father was an undercover agent that Minister Pearce assigned to Lord Voldemort?" Ron couldn't believe it, but the Daily Prophet did have pictures of Lucius, Goyle, and the others on the cover.
Because of the information they provided, as well as their defection before the battle, the Daily Prophet did not hesitate to label them heroes of the war against the Dark.
This was difficult for Harry and Ron, who had strong opinions about Lucius and the others.
"Why not? Maybe he suddenly figured it out," Ivan replied with a shrug and a yawn.
This honour was not for nothing, of course. Lucius and the others were now enemies of Lord Voldemort, and if they were caught alone by the Dark Lord, they would suffer greatly.
Lucius, however, apparently understood this, and on the night of his interview with the Daily Prophet, he burst into tears and begged Lucius to let him and Narcissa into the safe house in Knockturn Alley…
For the sake of the one million Galleons, he readily agreed…
"Ivan, you do know something, don't you?" Hermione asked curiously, seeing that Ivan wasn't surprised to see the paper.
Harry and Ron looked over as well.
They all remembered the day before yesterday, on the Feast of All Saints, when Ivan mysteriously disappeared for a day without a trace, Umbridge was so furious that she threatened to tie Ivan's hands and hang him from the roof of the castle and flog him…
They worried about it all day.
"Didn't I tell you? I had to go back to the house because of an emergency, so I didn't have time to tell you," Ivan explained, looking at Harry apologetically.
The battle two days ago was so important that they had to prepare for it for over a year. Ivan didn't dare mention it to anyone in case it leaked out.
After all, Harry's Occlumency was a complete amateur, and if Voldemort searched his memory, he would be finished.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were dubious about Ivan's claim. If they were right, the day Ivan disappeared was around the same time the You-Know-Who attacked the Ministry of Magic, so they all agreed that there had to be a connection.
Seeing that Harry and the others wanted to get to the bottom of this, Ivan sighed helplessly and had no choice but to speak.
"Well, to tell you the truth, it was supposed to be kept a secret. In fact, Minister Pearce invited quite a few wizards from Knockturn Alley to help him in his attempt to thwart the You-Know-Who's plot to capture the Ministry of Magic, including my mother, Alicia…and I was no exception!"
"So you saved the Ministry that day with Minister Pearce?" Harry was amazed.
Hermione and Ron also asked questions excitedly.
Ivan had to blather on about how he had defeated several Death Eaters that day, and how he had exchanged blows with Lord Voldemort, but the Ministry was so preoccupied with promoting Piers, who was about to take over as Minister, and Lucius and Macnair, who had switched sides at the last minute, that they completely ignored his achievements.
Harry and the others were fired up, knowing that Ivan had what it took to fight Lord Voldemort, and had no doubts, except to join the fray and fight the Death Eaters.
The commotion in the common room quickly attracted the attention of the students, and the fact that Harry and Ron did not even try to keep their voices down when they spoke made Ivan's participation in the Battle of the Walls well-known.
Ivan rolled his eyes, speechless. He had been planning to keep a low profile for a while after what he had done behind the scenes to avoid suspicion, but now he was the centre of attention.
However, having the reputation of being a war hero was not a big deal. As long as he gave a unified testimony at Knockturn Alley, no one would be able to expose him, and he could also explain his sudden disappearance that day.
Just as Ivan and the others were about to head to the Great Hall for lunch, another piece of shocking news arrived!
Umbridge, the High Inquisitor for the Ministry of Magic and Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, was arrested on suspicion of witchcraft, and the Aurors who came to arrest her had entered Hogwarts.
Upon receiving the news, hundreds of young wizards and witches gathered in the Great Hall in excitement.
Umbridge's haughty demeanour had changed, her toad-like, round face was full of fear, and her bright red robe was torn.
However, despite her dire situation, Umbridge did not give in to her fate and shouted, "Let me go! I am the Minister for Magic's own High Inquisitor, and you have no right to arrest me!"
'Ms Umbridge, the truth is that you are no longer the High Inquisitor, and the order to arrest you was signed by the Minister himself…' Dawlish adopted a business-like manner, with a faint sneer on her face. 'Oh, by the way, the acting Minister is Mr Pierce.'
Umbridge's face froze. She had read the Daily Prophet this morning and knew that Fudge had been killed by You-Know-Who's Death-Warrant during the Battle of the Ministry.
However, she was unable to accept the fact that she had lost power overnight and was falsely accused of being part of You-Know-Who.
By contrast, Umbridge was more inclined to believe that the Daily Prophet had fabricated the news, that Minister Fudge was safe and well and waiting for her to debrief him at the Ministry of Magic, and that the two Aurors had been bribed by Dumbledore to take her by force…