"I knew it would be like this. The media and public opinion have been manipulated, under the coercion of stupid politicians and with your acquiescence, Dumbledore."
Dudley handed the newspaper to Harry and then commented bluntly.
"Dudley, I didn't ask Minister Cornelius Fudge to do this. I warned him. It's him..." Dumbledore quickly defended himself. He really didn't think this could be blamed on him.
"Did he act on his own initiative?" Dudley picked up the conversation. "Dumbledore, I think you really should reflect. Sometimes you're just much too naive and weak.
Yesterday in Diagon Alley, when Harry and I were buying wands, this Minister Cornelius Fudge shouted and yelled at you and Hagrid in the street, right? And it's even possible that he, waving his arms around, threatened you, right?"
"He's bullied you, and you still allow him to run amuck everywhere. Isn't that acquiescing to his actions?"
"How long are you going to keep compromising? I really don't understand. If you don't handle this guy quickly, are you going to keep him for Christmas?"
Hearing what Dudley said, Dumbledore was shocked and hurriedly said, "Dudley, I don't think Minister Cornelius Fudge should be put to death, right?"
"What are you thinking?" Dudley also widened his eyes. "Don't think I'm that bad! Dumbledore, I just want you to oust him from office!
An idiot who has been blinded by power shouldn't continue to hold the position of Minister of Magic. Otherwise, it will harm all the wizards in the wizarding world of Britain!"
"So that's what you mean."
Dumbledore heaved a sigh of relief. Ousting Minister Cornelius Fudge from office was much more acceptable than killing him.
"But how do we get Minister Cornelius Fudge out of office? Do I have to use my magic and reputation to coerce... That will face a lot of resistance!"
After agreeing with Dudley's idea, Dumbledore was now troubled by how to implement it.
"There's no need. Doing it forcefully is too laborious and too low-level. If you do that, you'll become Voldemort in sheep's clothing!"
Dudley began to scheme for Dumbledore. "You've been officially fighting Voldemort head-on for twenty years. There should be some people in the Ministry of Magic who are on your side, right?"
"There are a few, Dudley. What do you want to do?" Dumbledore asked.
"Tell your people to find evidence of Minister Cornelius Fudge's illegal and criminal acts. A person who is so obsessed with power that he denies reality must have tasted the intoxicating taste brought by power.
Is it possible that such a person has never accepted bribes or perverted the law for personal gain?"
Dudley was calm and composed, looking quite like he was in control of the situation. "Tell your people to hurry up. Or, Dumbledore, you do it yourself. Read the memories of Minister Cornelius Fudge and quickly find all his incriminating evidence.
Then, get your people to submit the evidence to the Wizengamot and officially impeach Minister Cornelius Fudge.
Next, as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, you just need to conduct a fair trial of Minister Cornelius Fudge's corruption case, and oust him from office openly and justly and with good reason. Then, recommend an excellent wizard who listens to you to take over the Ministry of Magic.
To be honest, in the wizarding world of Britain, you control two of the three major power institutions that are in charge of administrative, judicial, and educational affairs, and your reputation is unparalleled. I can't think of any obvious things that can stump you."
"Dudley, you... Fortunately, you chose to stand on the side of justice. Otherwise, I can't imagine what you might do when you grow up!"
Dumbledore was completely stunned by the plan Dudley presented.
"Dumbledore, you're mistaken. I'm not standing on the side of justice. I'm standing on the side of my family. It's just that in order for my family to be safe and sound, I need a wizarding world that adheres to a relatively just order.
Besides, no matter which side I stand on, the things I can do in the future will blow your mind!"
Dudley was extremely confident, and his words carried great firmness.
"I have no doubt about that!" Dumbledore didn't think Dudley was just blowing hot air at all. "Then I'll get started right away. Voldemort is active again, and I need to make the wizarding world alert earlier.
Oh, by the way, here are the tickets you and Harry will need to go to Hogwarts when school starts, guys. It's the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London!"
Dumbledore slowly stood up, carefully took out two train tickets and gently put them on the desk in Dudley's bedroom, then prepared to say goodbye and leave.
Surprisingly, Dudley stopped him.
"What's the hurry? Dumbledore, you're over a hundred years old. Why are you in such a rush like a young hotshot!"
"Did you forget what I said just now? This month, there are still tons of things I need you to do!"
"Ah? This month! I thought the other things would be done after school starts! After all, changing the Minister of Magic is such a big thing, and it's already pretty tight on time to spend a month on it!"
After some self-reflection, Dumbledore regained his drive. He had this drive when he was a Gryffindor lion in his youth. But with the sudden change, he didn't have time to adapt and lost some of the composure of an old man.
"You just sit still. Time is like toothpaste in a tube. If it's running out, just squeeze it!
For the matter of changing the minister, you only need to show up during Legilimency and the trial. Leave the odds and ends to others.
Fudge has fallen from power, and he and his cronies will vacate a large number of positions. This is a great benefit to the wizards who work for you. Don't worry that they won't be dedicated."
Dudley analyzed it clearly. Soon, he would also sort Dumbledore out properly.
"Dumbledore, this month, besides dealing with Fudge, you need to go to Azkaban once. Use Veritaserum or Legilimency on Sirius. Ask him about the last doubts regarding the murder of my Aunt Lily and Uncle James.
If Sirius surrendered to Voldemort and leaked the secret, then you disable him and bring him in front of me and Harry.
If Sirius was overconfident and wrongly trusted Peter Pettigrew, giving away the location of the Secret Keeper, then do this. Get from him all the subtle characteristics of Peter, especially the abilities that can help Peter disguise and hide.
And then, there's one more thing."
"Professor Dumbledore, if Sirius didn't intentionally kill my parents, please rescue him from Azkaban. He's been locked up for nearly ten years, and with his inner guilt, the punishment he's received is already enough to offset his crime."
After Dudley deliberately paused for a moment, Harry naturally continued his cousin's words. After all, this was the feud of his parents. How to deal with the enemies required him to give a clear opinion.
"What Harry means is exactly what I mean."
Dudley went on, "And, if you're going to let out Sirius, Dumbledore, don't tell him yet that Peter Pettigrew most likely faked his death and escaped. We don't want him to act rashly and do something stupid to alert the enemy.
It'd be best to let him out a month after Harry and I start school. Find a place for him to calm down first.
The Dementors in Azkaban are really good at tormenting people. After being confined for so long, it's inevitable that he might go crazy."
"I understand." Dumbledore agreed, but his expression was still a bit hesitant. He hesitated and said haltingly, "Dudley, I still hope you won't let Harry get exposed to bloodshed so early…"
"Whether Harry gets exposed to bloodshed isn't up to me, Dumbledore! If fate wants to play tricks on us, all we can do is face it head-on and be unyielding and brave fighters!"
Dudley forcefully got rid of the pity and weakness that had just emerged in Dumbledore's heart. Then, he grinned and added:
"We witnessed with our own eyes in the Gringotts underground vaults a strange person with faces on both sides turn into a golden statue and then turn to ashes. That scene was just as stimulating as a bloody incident. Don't treat us like wimps!
So, rein in your pity, Dumbledore! Let me give you a task to do!"