Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Azeroth

Chapter 266, Section 265: The Ministers' Quarrel and the Death of Bellatrix

"He really came back to life?"

Suddenly, Karkarov asked.

“Who? Voldemort?” Harry said casually. “He never died, he just temporarily lost his powers over the past ten years or so. If you’re wondering if Voldemort has returned to the wizarding world, my answer is—yes, he has been resurrected.”

Karkaroff's face turned deathly pale. He looked as if he might jump up from the table and run away at any moment, but after glancing around, he forced himself to remind himself that he was in France, not England.

"Alright," Karkaroff finally said dryly, "Alright, resurrected... alright."

Based on his behavior alone, Harry knew that what Scrimgeour had said earlier about Karkaroff being a Death Eater and escaping trial by biting others must be true. Because if Voldemort really returned, the first people he would deal with wouldn't be those who dared to defy him back then, but those who betrayed him as soon as he fell.

“I’ll say it again, Headmaster Karkaroff, we’re here to discuss the Triwizard Tournament,” Fernando emphasized impatiently before turning to Scrimgeour. “Actually, the French Ministry of Magic is quite willing to start making contact with Muggles. My men are getting tired of this endless work of erasing memories and covering up the existence of the magical world.”

“In fact, if it weren’t for Minister Fernando’s high prestige, there would probably be a wizard strike by now,” Mrs. Maxim explained.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without your help, Madam. You really helped me persuade many people,” Fernando said with a wry smile. “In general, the French Ministry of Magic agrees with Principal Potter’s plan, but the specific location needs to be discussed—why does it have to be held at Hogwarts? We can also hold this year’s Triwizard Tournament in Beauxbatons.”

"No! Absolutely not!" It wasn't even Harry who issued the solemn protest, but Scrimgeour. His love for the school was about to burst forth when faced with the Frenchman. "The Triwizard Tournament has been suspended for hundreds of years. If it's to be held again now, it will have to start all over again from Hogwarts."

"But the situation in Britain is very chaotic right now. The person who terrified all the British wizards is called Voldemort, isn't he? Hasn't this dark wizard been resurrected again? Can you really guarantee the safety of everyone who comes to participate in this competition?"

"Why not? Do you think French wizards can guarantee safety? What do you do when problems arise? Go on strike?"

"Watch your words, Minister Scringer!"

"Of course I know what I'm talking about. Hogwarts is the oldest magic school in Europe and the original venue for the Triwizard Tournament. Do you understand its unique significance?"

"Yes, but according to what I've heard, is Hogwarts really safe? Two years ago, a Death Eater became a professor, and last year a demon destroyed most of the castle. I can't imagine what the consequences would be if Muggles came to watch the games and something like that happened again!"

"Those were demons from outside the world trying to invade our world! The Hogwarts professors and the British Ministry of Magic bravely protected our world! And they protected you too! Frenchmen!"

"Who knows where those demons came from? These reports are all being released by you British people yourselves."

"The British wizarding world now has not only Dumbledore, but also Harry Potter! Headmaster Potter's power is enough to protect Hogwarts!"

"..."

It's hard to imagine such an argument happening between the Ministers of Magic of two different countries, but Scrimgeour certainly looked like he was about to get into a fight with Fernando at any moment.

From the disputes over the location of the new Triwizard Tournament to the inherent flaws of British and French wizards, Scrimgeour, after becoming the new minister, urgently needed a convincing achievement to prove his ability and secure his position in the upcoming election. His role in orchestrating the re-hosting of the Triwizard Tournament and leading the first formal contact between wizards and Muggles was significant enough that he could not afford to give it up.

Clearly, Fernando had similar ideas, which is why the two started arguing.

Meanwhile, the three headmasters gradually joined the battle. Karkaroff did not, like the two Ministers of Magic, request that the Triwizard Tournament be held in Durmstrang. Rather, he seemed somewhat absent-minded, with his head down, seemingly lost in thought.

“Alright, since that’s the case… I’m afraid we also need to talk about the changes you mentioned in your letter regarding the competition.” Mrs. Maxime glanced at the other side of the battlefield and then turned to say, “According to your plan, Principal Potter, doesn’t that mean the professor will also become a champion? Just how many champions does the Goblet of Fire need to select?”

“Yes, professors also need to be warriors,” Harry nodded slightly and said, “After all, students are just students. Limited by their age, their magical level may not be able to show enough impact to the expected Muggles. That’s when professors need to step in—we need to show as many diverse aspects of magic as possible.”

“Oh, limited by age?” Mrs. Maxim said with a smile. “It’s quite interesting to hear you say that, after all, your existence is the best counterexample… In that case, we’ll probably have to increase the difficulty of the competition between professors.”

"..."

Although Madam Maxime also wanted the Triwizard Tournament to be held in Beauxbatons, as an elegant lady, a mature and respected woman, she was naturally too embarrassed to argue with Harry, so the pressure fell entirely on Fernando and Scrimgeour.

Compared to the two Ministers of Magic who were almost at each other's throats, the three headmasters' discussion on the competition was quite harmonious. Karkaroff was no longer as impatient as he had been at the beginning, and just occasionally chimed in with a word of agreement.

It's clear that Karkaroff doesn't really care what Demström can achieve in this tournament; his own situation is more important.

As if finally returning to reality, Karkaroff suddenly asked, "Is Dumbledore still at Hogwarts?"

“He’s not here,” Harry said, somewhat surprised. “Dumbledore has his own things to do. If you have anything to say, please speak freely, Headmaster Karkaroff.”

"I—I—I hope this competition can be held as soon as possible," Karkaroff said in a low voice after a long pause. "I agree to hold this Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts, but on the condition that the Durmstrang students I bring arrive at Hogwarts in advance... As headmaster, you must ensure the safety of the students, at least you can't let the Voidman—I mean, you have to bring Dumbledore back, only then can the wizarding world recognize the safety of this competition."

"The students' safety..." Harry gave Karkaroff a deep look.

He felt that this person simply wanted to come to Hogwarts for protection.

....................................

After many years, Harry returned to his most loyal home, Azkaban. This time, however, he wasn't accompanied by Lucius Malfoy alone; the Longbottoms and Neville were also with him.

“Is this really okay?” Alice Longbottom stared in disbelief at Azkaban Castle, where Dementors were occasionally seen passing through the towers in the distance. “We’ve just arrived in Azkaban like this? I mean—is this really not trespassing?”

“That’s right, this isn’t something a normal wizard should do, Harry,” Frank Longbottom said to Harry with a wry smile. “I have to say, compared to Dumbledore, your style of doing things is indeed more…unpredictable.”

“I promised Neville I would let him take revenge himself,” Harry said rather casually. “That’s why I spared Bellatrix’s life back then… Although things aren’t quite what I expected, it’s a good thing that you two can take revenge yourselves.”

“I… I never imagined I’d actually go to Azkaban… to kill someone.” Frank’s expression suddenly became complicated. “What’s the Ministry of Magic’s opinion?”

“Scrimgeour’s thoughts are actually similar to mine. He’s also reluctant to let these Death Eaters continue to live now that Voldemort has been resurrected,” Harry said briefly. “Whatever Voldemort wants to do, he needs the help of these Death Eaters. What we need to do now is to take out his henchmen in advance, at least to prevent him from showing up and starting to cause trouble with a group of people as soon as he appears.”

Harry didn't know how long it would take for a fel imp of Voldemort's caliber to be resurrected from the Twisting Nether and find his way back to this world, but he didn't want to see Voldemort turn all his loyal Death Eaters into demons—they might not be strong, but they would be truly disgusting.

So it's better to kill them in advance.

Scrimgeour not only had no objection to this, but also thoughtfully evacuated the Aurors from the island in advance. This new minister, who had worked his way up from the bottom, was full of malice towards these heinous criminals. He hadn't killed them before not because he didn't want to, but because Fudge wouldn't allow it.

After all, the Death Eaters were all pure-blood nobles, and pure-blood nobles were all related to each other to some extent. The pure-blood nobles outside did not want to see their noble bloodlines die out one after another, so Fudge naturally did not want to offend his patrons and supporters.

But it is different now.

“This way, the Dementors have already been driven away, this road is safe now,” Lucius said, leading the way. Frank and Alice, who were following behind, looked at his back with somewhat strange expressions.

Those who knew the Malfoy family quite well couldn't understand why Lucius Malfoy would side with Harry, not just as a simple gesture of goodwill, but as someone who stood firmly on Harry's side and ruthlessly killed his former comrade.

It didn't take long for the group to reach the deepest part of Azkaban.

“As I told you before, Bellatrix Lestrange,” Harry said calmly, staring at the witch in the cell whose arm hung limply and who was glaring at him with a venomous look, “people are here to take revenge on you.”

"Harry Potter..."

Bellatrix hoarsely murmured Harry's name, clutching her severed arm. Without timely and proper treatment, her arm was now completely crippled.

“Ha! Let me see who this is?” After shifting her gaze from Harry, Bellatrix spotted the Longbottoms. “Isn’t this dear Frank? And you, Alice… Did you enjoy my hospitality?”

As if recalling some fond memories, Bellatrix excitedly licked her lips.

“You know what? In the more than ten years I’ve been locked up here, your screams have always been a delicious memory I can’t forget—especially yours, Alice,” Bellatrix suddenly cried out in a high-pitched voice, “Neville! Please! Don’t let Neville!!”

She was mimicking Alice's words, and then her gaze fell on the slightly chubby little boy who was being held down by his father, trembling all over and with a flushed face.

“So, you are Neville, right?” Bellatrix laughed maliciously. “It’s me. Have you forgotten me? Didn’t you see everything? Why do I only see unfamiliar hatred in your eyes? Who stole your memories?”

“That won’t do—that won’t do, child!” Bellatrix suddenly became frenzied. “That’s my masterpiece, slowly, bit by bit, driving your parents mad—their screams are the most delicious thing ever!”

"Front teeth like a big stick!!"

Suddenly drawing his wand, Neville roared as he unleashed what could be considered the most malevolent spell he knew.

Bellatrix was indeed struck by the spell; her front teeth began to grow wildly, but what grew even taller was Bellatrix's laughter.

“A door, a front tooth like a club?!” Bellatrix laughed maniacally. “You use this kind of spell against Death Eaters?! Haha ...

Even though her voice was distorted by her overgrown front teeth, Bellatrix's mocking tone was still clearly evident, making Neville's face turn even redder.

"Earth element! Please help me—"

"Avada Kedavra!"

Just as Neville began chanting the shaman's incantation, a beam of green light shot out from Alice's wand and struck Bellatrix directly.

The maniacal laughter abruptly stopped, and Bellatrix futilely raised her arm, but her body fell heavily backward to the ground.

died.

“I’m sorry, Bella,” Alice said calmly, “I don’t have a penchant for tormenting people like you do.”

(End of this chapter)