Who let this Dementor into Hogwarts!

Chapter 408 It's quite normal to accidentally blow up the Ministry of Magic during a war.

Harry, feeling even more vindicated, revealed the whole story behind last year's Christmas dance partner incident, including how Cohen used magical creatures disguised as three girls to act as dance partners for the three bachelors...

Ron's face grew increasingly bitter—the more he recalled the taciturn girl at the ball and her strange behavior, the more true Harry's "truth" seemed.

Now only Hermione is laughing out loud.

"Pfft—So that's how it is... Hahahahahahaha..." Hermione laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up after hearing the whole story.

“Yeah, yeah,” Ron said dryly. “Cohen’s father’s hands aren’t as strong as Weke’s.”

Hermione's laughter stopped.

“Now it’s my turn to laugh,” Cohen said in a grand finale tone.

“Dancing with a unicorn isn’t much better!” the three said in unison.

Cohen pursed his lips.

The idea that happiness can transfer is a complete lie; nobody is happy now.

"Pfft, pfft—"

A series of "pfft" sounds, like some kind of code, came from outside their bedroom door.

Ron opened the door, and outside stood Fred and George, looking rather mysterious.

"What are you all doing huddled up in there? The meeting's starting!" Fred urged in a low voice. "Aren't you going to come and listen in?"

As he spoke, he raised the retractable earpiece in his hand.

"We improved its polarization, so now Mom definitely won't be able to spot it."

Ginny followed behind them, and she also seemed very curious about the contents of the Order of the Phoenix meeting. She was also less afraid to appear in front of Harry now—she had previously been too shy to appear on screen with him because she admired him.

"Hello, Harry, and Cohen!" Ginny greeted Harry and Cohen happily.

Harry and Cohen smiled and responded, but it was clear that what Fred had to say was more important than the greeting.
"Dumbledore is here too?" Harry stood up quickly and asked in a low voice.

“He just arrived, and the meeting started as soon as he arrived,” George said.

They went together to the stairwell, where Fred swung the retractable ear down like a fishing rod, so that its tip could be close to the living room door—

"Whoo-"

A piercing noise erupted from the ear in front of them.

"Damn it, it must be a disruptive spell." Fred struggled to pull his extendable ears up from the bottom of the stairwell, but it seemed a little too late—

"Snapped!"

A menacing-looking man with a prosthetic leg appeared behind their group.

“Luckily I’m old. In the old days, I would have thrown a few curses at this place first,” Mad-Eye Moody said gruffly, grabbing Fred and George by the back of their collars. “What did your father tell you?”

Fred and George immediately deflated—they might be able to laugh and joke with other people, but neither of them could laugh in front of Moody.

"Do not interfere with the meetings and operations of the Order of the Phoenix..."

“Go back to your rooms, the meeting will be over soon,” Moody said, his blue magic eye darting around in its socket before settling on Cohen.

"How are things in Greece, son?"

“It’s alright,” Cohen replied.

“I heard things are in complete chaos at the Greek Ministry of Magic,” Moody patted Cohen on the back. “They’ve even lost several golden sheep.”

“It wasn’t Cohen who did it—” Harry said quickly. “You really need to get rid of this habit,” Cohen said, covering his face, “or you’ll never be an Auror…”

“He’s right, Porter,” Moody grinned. “The Golden Sheep is still quite useful. Don’t worry, with us covering for them, Greece won’t be able to find us—if needed, we might have to buy some wool from you.”

Moody said the last sentence to Cohen alone, leaning close to him.

“Of course,” Cohen said generously.

Moody stomped downstairs, and they looked at each other in bewilderment. Fred and George sighed in disappointment.

Cohen could have helped them eavesdrop, but considering that Harry might now be another informant for Voldemort, it was better not to complicate things.

One spy is enough.

As Moody said, the meeting didn't last long. The living room door was quickly opened, and several figures hurriedly left. Mrs. Weasley was trying to persuade the remaining people to stay for dinner.

"Dumbledore, won't you stay for dinner?"

"No, Molly, I'm sorry, I have to go to France," Dumbledore declined. "I'm worried Hagrid won't be able to handle it."

“Alright, then I won’t bother you any longer—” Molly said quickly, “Where’s Snape?”

“I don’t have the habit of eating dinner at people’s houses with dogs,” Snape said coldly, “because dogs are always so noisy.”

"What do you mean, you snotty-nosed devil!" Sirius stormed out and demanded an explanation.

Snape didn't say a word, but his eyes seemed to say, "You see, just like this."

"That's incredibly insulting, I need to learn from it," Cohen said, leaning against the armrest and watching the drama unfold.

"Dumbledore's gone..." Harry said, sounding a little disappointed. "I wanted to ask him about Voldemort—"

“Dumbledore said he still has business to attend to in France,” Hermione comforted him. “Harry, you can ask him again next time…”

In the end, only Kingsley remained, a tall, bald black wizard who couldn't refuse Molly's invitation, and he seemed to have something to say to Cohen—because he paused for a moment after seeing Cohen on the stairs in the hallway, and then agreed to stay for dinner.

Just as Cohen had predicted, after dinner, Kingsley took the opportunity to pull Cohen into the kitchen to remind him of some things.

“I was originally planning to tell your father, but Dumbledore said that the Nortons wouldn’t be participating in this Order of the Phoenix event, so I haven’t had the chance,” Kingsley said in a steady voice. “Sirius said you know about the Dementors’ escape.”

“I know.” Cohen nodded. “What’s wrong?”

“Fudge wants to pin the blame for the Dementors’ defection and the Death Eaters’ escape on you,” Kingsley said. “They’re looking for the scattered Dementors and trying to drive them near you to create the illusion that you’re the culprit—but don’t act rashly.”

Kingsley noticed something was off about Cohen's eyes and immediately followed up.

“Dumbledore took it into consideration that you might not be able to resist, so he took this matter very seriously.”

“What are your plans?” Cohen asked.

“Fudge’s influence in the ministry is waning, and once the Azkaban affair can no longer be covered up, his image will completely collapse,” Kingsley said. “You don’t need to play right into their dying scheme out of anger. Dumbledore has you stay here temporarily, leaving Fudge and his men to wander around like headless flies, firstly to wait for the news of Azkaban to be exposed, and secondly to wait for the next ministerial election.”

“Isn’t the next election in 1996?” Cohen asked.

“In an emergency, the change of minister can be brought forward or delayed,” Kingsley explained. “And Barty Crouch Sr. is also preparing for this, and I’ve been keeping an eye on his movements.”

"According to the table prepared by his subordinates, Batty may take office in December of this year or January of next year."

So early?
Cohen frowned.

I was originally planning to "accidentally blow up the Ministry of Magic" while fighting the Death Eaters at the end of the school year, but if Barty comes to power, I don't think I'll have such a righteous reason anymore...

(End of this chapter)