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Chapter 50: Daily Prophet, Fudge Wants To Kill Someone
There was a lot of movement in Diagon Alley. In just a few hours, a large number of wizards had gathered to watch the excitement. After more than ten years of stable life, most wizards had lost their vigilance. Something as big as the robbery of Gringotts would have to be published in the Daily Prophet tomorrow. Of course, these wizards couldn't wait to read about it in the newspapers, so there was nothing like witnessing the excitement firsthand.
The gate of Gringotts was blown to pieces, and a dozen goblins raised their heads and scrambled to explain to the Ministry of Magic officials. They were robbed in broad daylight; is there any law? The leading goblin no longer cared about his broken glasses and stared at LeVere Shacklebolt in front of him with his green eyes.
"Mr. Shacklebolt, as the head of the Auror Office, why are you here so slowly? Do you know that the robbery by the robbers is an injury to Gringotts and a contempt for the Ministry of Magic?"
Who was LeVere? How could he not hear the meaning of the goblin's words? Yep, goblins were indeed a cunning race, and now they wanted to blame the Auror office. LeVere didn't want to take the blame. He didn't care how many galleons Gringotts lost; the Shacklebolt family's treasury wasn't here. LeVere thought to himself: things are really in trouble now. As far as he knew, most of the treasuries stolen this time belonged to pure-blood families, accumulated over many generations. The pure-blood nobles would definitely not let these goblins go. Even the Ministry of Magic would be held responsible. Who made them fail to guarantee the wizard's property?
Turning his eyes, LeVere showed a warm smile and said, "Mr. Governor, I don't know the details of this matter. I brought the Aurors to help as soon as I received the news from Gringotts. Wait a moment; Minister Fudge is on his way here. He will respond to your question. I have to go and take the Aurors to clean up the surrounding risks. See you later." After speaking, LeVere turned away and left the scene with a righteous look on his face, as if he was going to use Avada Kedavra on the thief.
The President of Gringotts had no choice but to walk back and forth in front of the door, worry evident on his wrinkled face. By the time Minister Fudge arrived with small steps, the atmosphere at the scene had already begun to feel uncomfortable.
Not only did reporters from the Daily Prophet arrive at the scene, they began to interview passers-by about whether they had seen the true face of the thief. Rita Skeeter, a reporter from the Daily Prophet, was extremely excited in the crowd, and the quill in her hand was about to ignite. Rita Skeeter, with curly blond hair spread out in all directions, and those pupils under her tortoiseshell glasses, could make anyone feel a little chilly.
She was best at digging out the dark side of things. Even boring news could attract people's attention with her quill. Although the truth of things was often not as people expected, Rita's writing style was obviously more in line with the readers' taste. People who were targeted by Rita had to be aware that even a small gesture might be over-interpreted.
Fudge looked at this woman's actions and knew that the next thing would not be easy to solve. Although the Daily Prophet was an official department of the Ministry of Magic, some policies and major events were published on it. But Rita was obviously not a compiler of the Daily Prophet. This woman relied on her sensitive sense of smell and control over the news. She was an independent individual and only cooperated with the Daily Prophet. What's more, he didn't dominate the Ministry of Magic. Rita was an annoying buzz-bug that gave Fudge a headache.
Fudge's appearance attracted attention soon after. Before Fudge could understand the situation with LeVert, he was already surrounded by the goblins of Gringotts and the surrounding reporters. Wizards from afar also came over, wanting to see how the Ministry of Magic handled this matter.
"Mr. Minister, what do you think of this Gringotts attack? Does it indicate that the wizarding world is no longer peaceful?" asked one of the reporters. "The attack occurred in Diagon Alley. You must know that this is Diagon Alley. Is the support from the Ministry of Magic Aurors fast? Can we doubt whether the Aurors can ensure the safety of wizards?"
Before Fudge could say anything, Rita asked a pointed question. Fudge wanted to block this woman's mouth and use a curse to prevent her from speaking for the rest of her life.
"Everyone, please rest assured. Please trust that the Aurors of the Ministry of Magic can protect the safety of the wizarding world. As for the Gringotts incident, I have not yet learned about it. Please do not hinder the Ministry of Magic's investigation." As Fudge spoke, he wiped the non-existent sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.
After saying that, the bull head took the goblin into Gringotts. The Aurors stopped Rita, who wanted to continue questioning but refused to give up, and set up a cordon around Gringotts. Fudge also realized the seriousness of the matter. He looked at the goblin, who was several heads shorter than him, and asked seriously:
"What happened? How many vaults were stolen? Are Gringotts' defenses vulnerable?" The goblin president rubbed his hands nervously. "Minister Fudge, the person who came here is very powerful. The dragon deep in the cave was unable to catch any thieves. Almost all the pure-blood family treasuries were looted."
"The amount of gold galleons lost is countless, not to mention the amount of treasures lost. Only the owner of the vault knows the amount lost."
"What should I do? I will definitely be questioned by the headquarters." Hearing the goblin's words, Fudge really thought that he was dreaming at this moment, and he lifted up the collar of the goblin in front of him.
"You are still worried about being accused. I really want to send you to Azkaban so that you can feel the cordial greetings of the Dementors." The goblin kicked his legs weakly and did not dare to use magic. He just held Fudge's wrist with both hands.
"Minister Fudge, don't be impulsive. It's not all our fault, right? Your Ministry of Magic is also responsible." After hearing this, Fudge became furious and threw the goblin out.
"Merlin's underpants, millions of galleons are lost. Have you remembered the Ministry of Magic? Didn't you goblins swear to guarantee the wizard's property? Where was that arrogant attitude before? I knew I shouldn't trust you cunning goblins."
Although Fudge is not very smart, most wizards say that he became Minister of Magic because of Dumbledore. But he is not a fool. The Ministry of Magic generally doesn't care about Gringotts' matters, but as long as there is a problem, he, the minister, will be in trouble.
The treasuries that were stolen this time all belonged to pure-blood nobles. It was terrifying just thinking about it. Fudge actually broke out in a cold sweat. His handkerchief was soaked.
Don't think that purebloods have declined after experiencing the era of the Dark Lord. Their power is still spread throughout the corners of the wizarding world. Fudge could already predict that those nobles would tear him apart. Of course, there are also these hateful, disgusting goblins in front of him.
Fudge looked fiercely at the goblin who was slowly being helped up.