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"There has been a development," Dumbledore said quietly. "Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, has been assassinated by Bellatrix Lestrange."
The words hung in the air, sinking in like a cold wave. Harry was shocked, as he stared Dumbledore, half-expecting him to say it was a bad joke. Snape's reaction was equally restrained, though his jaw tightened. No one spoke for several moments, the weight of the news settling heavily on the room.
Dumbledore continued, his voice steady, though the gravity of the situation was clear. "This has already caused significant unrest at the Ministry. Chaos is spreading as we speak. We must prepare for the ramifications."
Harry's mind immediately began processing the implications. Bellatrix's involvement meant this wasn't just a rogue act of violence—it was likely tied to the resurfacing of Voldemort's forces. This would send shockwaves through the wizarding world. The delicate balance they had been trying to maintain was now fractured.
McGonagall cleared her throat, her voice tight with concern. "Headmaster, what are we to do?"
Dumbledore glanced toward Umbridge, who was still weeping quietly, then back at McGonagall. "We must stabilize Hogwarts first. News like this will reach the students soon enough. We cannot let panic take root here."
Harry knew this wasn't just about Hogwarts—it was about the entire wizarding world.
As Dumbledore continued talking, Harry's mind started racing. For weeks, he had been tracking Bellatrix Lestrange, waiting for her to make a move. Avery had assured him that she wouldn't return to Britain until after Christmas. Why had Avery failed to warn him? And why had Bellatrix assassinated Fudge? It didn't add up. If she had returned to Britain ahead of schedule, something important must've driven her.
Harry's thoughts narrowed on the idea that Bellatrix might be protecting the Death Eater patriarchs. The assassination of Fudge could've been a tactical move to keep the Ministry from investigating them further. But then again, it was Bellatrix—impulsive and violent by nature. Maybe her actions were part of some chaotic plot to stir fear, keeping everyone on edge. She thrived on that.
Dumbledore's voice droned on, but Harry's mind continued to work. Bellatrix's move to eliminate Fudge would destabilize the Ministry, but Harry knew it wasn't random. The patriarchs, including Lucius Malfoy, had managed to avoid direct blame for years. Fudge, though weak and incompetent, had always been easily manipulated, making him an asset to them. Killing him seemed counterintuitive unless something bigger was in play.
The implications were vast. With Fudge out of the way, the Ministry would descend into chaos. It would be the perfect cover for Voldemort's supporters to consolidate power or distract from other, more sinister plans but also would send all those Death Eaters filling Fudge's pocket return to the spotlight. The timing was too precise to be coincidental.
Bellatrix Lestrange hated betrayal above all. For her, loyalty to the Dark Lord was unwavering, absolute, and anything less was unforgivable. As Harry considered Dumbledore's words about Fudge's assassination, it became clear that Bellatrix's act was not just another chaotic display of madness. It was revenge.
Lucius Malfoy and his ilk—those who had skated through the fall of Voldemort with excuses, lies, and manipulations—had never faced true consequences. While Bellatrix rotted in Azkaban, they had continued to thrive, protected by wealth, connections, and a Ministry too weak to hold them accountable. Fudge, as a puppet of those same pureblood families, had likely enraged her the most.
Killing Fudge wasn't a mere political maneuver. It was personal, a message to those who had betrayed the Dark Lord by claiming innocence under the Imperius Curse. She had snapped, unable to tolerate the idea that Lucius and the rest had escaped while the true loyalists suffered.
Dumbledore's voice pulled Harry from his thoughts. "This will cause chaos at the Ministry," he said, turning back to the group. "We must be ready for what follows."
Harry nodded but kept silent. His mind was already running through the consequences of Bellatrix's actions. Killing Fudge was chaotic, sure, but it also paved the way for something bigger. The Ministry, weak and incompetent under Fudge, would now have to shift. People wouldn't want another leader like him—too soft, too easily manipulated. No, they'd want someone tougher, someone who could restore order in a world that was becoming increasingly unstable.
"Bellatrix might have done us a favor," Harry thought. She'd create a storm, but in the chaos, the Ministry would have no choice but to get its act together. After all, three dangerous Death Eaters had just broken out of Azkaban, and now one of them had assassinated the Minister. The public would demand a leader who could handle things, someone who wouldn't shy away from harsh decisions. That was what this would all lead to—a government that ruled with an iron fist. The time for weak leaders was over, and that could work in Harry's favor.
The law allowing the use of Veritaserum would add fuel to the fire. The Ministry was going to get messy. There would be trials, interrogations, and people would be exposed. For the Death Eaters still trying to play both sides, the next few months were going to be brutal. Harry almost felt a bit of satisfaction imagining the chaos Lucius Malfoy and others like him would have to navigate. They'd been too comfortable for too long, hiding behind their money and influence. Now, with Fudge gone and the Ministry forced to take action, everything was about to shift.
Focusing back on the room, Harry tuned into the ongoing discussions. Umbridge, still sniffling, requested to leave the castle to "mourn." Harry knew that wasn't the full story. Fudge was dead, and with him, her protective shield was gone. It wouldn't be long before she faced the consequences of her actions. Not long ago, her greatest fear had been exposed to all of Britain, spreading from students to parents and then to the newspapers. She wasn't just mourning; she was planning her escape—somewhere she wouldn't be hunted by the new government or the people she once oppressed. If Bellatrix and her group couldn't overthrow the Ministry, which was impossible, Umbridge had no hope of surviving either.
Dumbledore glanced at her briefly, then nodded, dismissing her as if she were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "Of course," he said simply, already thinking beyond her. In the grand scheme of things, Umbridge was insignificant.
He turned to Snape. "Severus. Please contact Alastor. We are in urgent need of a capable professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post." The word "capable" was emphasized, a final jab at Umbridge. Snape gave a curt nod, his robes billowing as he exited the room to carry out the request.
Harry stood, preparing to leave. "I'll be heading out as well, Headmaster. Thank you for the information, and my condolences, though I'm not sure why I'm here. I'm just a student, after all."
Dumbledore gave him a knowing look, but Harry didn't wait for a response. He turned and walked out, leaving the headmaster to deal with the aftermath. The Ministry would be in chaos now, but that wasn't Harry's problem—not yet. His focus was on what was coming next.
He made his way down the familiar corridors of Hogwarts, the weight of the news lingering but not overwhelming. Bellatrix had made her move, but it was a reckless one. That meant she would be easier to find, or she would need people more than ever. It was risky, too risky, but it was time for Albus Riddle to appear once again. He had to find Bellatrix. It was now or never. He couldn't afford to waste time; Bellatrix's actions would undoubtedly stir chaos within the Ministry, and if she were truly acting on impulse, now was the moment to strike.
For weeks, he had been plotting the perfect moment to reintroduce Albus Riddle, the persona he had crafted so carefully. He could use it to reach places Harry Potter couldn't, slipping through the cracks of the magical world unnoticed. And that time had arrived.
He knew it was risky to disappear now, but Harry wasn't one to sit around while opportunities passed him by. He had to get to her before the Death Eater patriarchs could shield her from the storm she had created or remove her permanently.
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