Cornelius Fudge was in a state of despair. The pressure wasn't just from the ordinary wizarding community; even the prestigious 28 families had stepped forward to voice their concerns. Lucius Malfoy, with a mix of sneer, coldness, and nonchalance on his face, made his presence known in the bustling Ministry of Magic. His platinum-blonde hair perfectly combed, he tapped his cane on the ground with a precise rhythm, drawing the attention of many. The sound echoed, "Dong dong," causing the Ministry officials to turn their gaze towards him. Lucius's influence had grown; not only had he been reinstated as a director of Hogwarts, but he also owned the Museum of Dark Arts.
Fudge, barely concealing his irritation, fixed his gaze on Lucius. "Lucius, what brings you here?" he asked, his voice strained.
"Minister Fudge, I'm here representing the Hogwarts board," Lucius replied, his voice cutting through the noise as he found a seat and sat down gracefully.
Fudge had organized this press conference in a desperate attempt to deflect blame. The plan was to have Rita Skeeter, the Daily Prophet's star reporter, stir up controversy about Knockturn Alley and direct all criticism towards Johnny Silverhand. If the story gained enough traction, it could potentially overshadow the recent scandal of Dementors invading Hogwarts.
Fudge glowered at Lucius, vowing to settle scores with the former Death Eater when the opportunity arose. As more people filled the room, Fudge's expression darkened upon spotting Dharma Alex Belby, a prominent figure who had previously pressured him during the Hagrid incident and a recipient of the Order of Merlin First Class.
The atmosphere intensified with the arrival of Gilderoy Lockhart, adorned in extravagant turquoise wizard robes. Lockhart, a best-selling author and six-time winner of the "Wizard Weekly" Most Charming Smile Award, was an unexpected attendee. His presence was significant, not only because of his Order of Merlin but also due to his membership in the Anti-Dark Arts Alliance, a powerful group composed of influential figures and Ministry officials from various countries.
Fudge, harboring a disdainful sneer, believed he had Lockhart's measure, considering him a fraud. He was confident that he could expose Lockhart and use him as a scapegoat if necessary. After sending a warning message to Lockhart through his assistant, Fudge mistakenly interpreted Lockhart's distant nod as compliance.
As the room filled, Fudge, adjusting his attire, approached the podium. He exchanged a knowing look with Rita Skeeter, who seemed preoccupied with her notes. "Ahem, thank you, esteemed colleagues, for joining us today," Fudge began, his tone attempting to convey authority and control.
Lucius, growing impatient with Fudge's lengthy and irrelevant introduction, raised his hand and interjected with a tone dripping with sarcasm, "Minister Fudge, perhaps you could skip the pleasantries and address the matter at hand."
The room erupted in muffled laughter at Lucius's remark, leaving Fudge with no choice but to proceed. Giving Rita a nod, he cleared his throat, "Please, feel free to ask your questions."
Rita stood up, and Fudge, expecting her to target Johnny Silverhand, was taken aback when she veered off script, posing a question that caught everyone by surprise. The mention of Dementors entering Hogwarts on their mission sparked a sharp reaction. Fudge's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Rita Skeeter, almost suspecting she was an imposter. "Is it a dereliction of duty by the Ministry of Magic that the Dementors are out of control?" she pressed. "Sirius Black continues to threaten the wizarding world; do you not bear responsibility?" "I've heard that ten pure-blood families have lodged formal complaints against you. What are your thoughts on this?" "Rufus Scrimgeour, head of the Auror Office, once suggested that Aurors should oversee the Dementors. Do you consider it selfish to disagree?"
Each question struck Fudge like a dagger, leaving him gasping for air, his eyes reddening with stress. He hadn't anticipated Rita Skeeter's betrayal. Was the "Daily Prophet" turning against him? What was happening?
Lucius Malfoy stood, capturing the room's attention with a sneer. "On behalf of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, I demand the Ministry of Magic answer for its negligence," he declared, causing a stir among the journalists.
Dharma Alex, leaning heavily on his cane, added coldly, "The Potion Masters Alliance questions Cornelius Fudge's leadership of the Ministry of Magic. We seek a wise leader, not a bumbling fool." The Alliance, a prestigious group comprising the top potion masters, rarely made public statements, adding weight to his words.
Gilderoy Lockhart, seizing the moment, rose with his trademark smile. "I, too, question Cornelius Fudge's competence. Under my watch, Dementors would never have invaded the school!" His bold claim only fueled Fudge's fury.
"You liar! Everything about you is a fabrication!" Fudge shouted, pointing at Lockhart. Overwhelmed, he ordered his enforcers, "Seize him and send him to Azkaban!"
The enforcers acted immediately, launching a Sleeping Charm at Lockhart. Fudge's grim satisfaction was evident, believing Lockhart's downfall would distract from the day's events. However, Lockhart was prepared. "Protego!" he declared, casting an Iron Armor Charm to deflect the attack. Then, brandishing his wand, he countered, "It seems you wish to attack me, a Merlin Third Class Medal recipient and honorary member of the Anti-Dark Arts League."
Fudge was taken aback, doubting Lockhart's ability to cast such a powerful charm. But Lockhart, fueled by magic from his ring, confidently deflected the enforcers' spells. He effortlessly dodged their attacks, using silent spells to incapacitate them without uttering a word.
"Reducto!" Lockhart finally declared, sending a blinding white light towards the enforcers, who were promptly knocked aside. He then turned, a look of melancholy on his face, "Why provoke me? Why force my hand?"
Fudge, now desperate to apprehend Lockhart, watched in disbelief as his plan unraveled. Lockhart's unexpected prowess left the Minister questioning the true extent of his abilities and the loyalty of those around him. The house collapsed and turned over, a clear testament to the chaos that had ensued. It was evident to anyone with eyes that Gilderoy Lockhart possessed a formidable power, rendering any need for deceit to bolster his reputation unnecessary. Yet, unnoticed by many, Lockhart was so overwhelmed by the situation that his palms were drenched in sweat. Adorned with rings on all but one of his fingers, he was a picture of nervous anticipation.
The drama reached its climax, and with the publication of the "Daily Prophet" the following day, Cornelius Fudge found himself compelled to resign prematurely amidst a whirlwind of scandals and accusations. Rufus Scrimgeour, the head of the Auror Office, stepped in as the interim Minister of Magic, vowing to prioritize the safety of Hogwarts students above all. His declaration was bold and uncompromising: "We'll stop at nothing to apprehend Sirius Black, even if it means cornering him in a toilet and drowning him in a urinal." This ironclad approach marked a significant departure from the Ministry of Magic's previous, more tepid stance. The Aurors were dispatched to Hogwarts to bolster security and oversee the Dementors.
Ron's face flushed with excitement as he recounted Scrimgeour's words. "If you meet him in the toilet, drown him in the urinal. That's the mark of a true, iron-blooded Auror!" he exclaimed, mimicking Scrimgeour's tone. Harry, too, was caught up in the fervor, vigorously stabbing his fork into his potato. They both admired the resolve of the real Aurors, though Harry couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Fudge, who had shown him kindness at the start of the school year.
Over at the Slytherin table, the atmosphere was different. "Draco, this is your father's moment," whispered the Slytherins, casting envious glances at Malfoy, who swelled with pride. The "Daily Prophet" featured Lucius Malfoy, looking cheerful and at ease. It was a moment of triumph for the Malfoy family, signaling their grand return to the upper echelons of the wizarding world after a lengthy absence.
John glanced at the newspaper. With Fudge's resignation and Scrimgeour's temporary appointment as Minister of Magic, the focus was now on capturing Sirius. If they succeeded, perhaps the shadow hanging over them could finally be lifted.
_________
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Direct Link to playlist
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