Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 492, Section 490: Room 11

Fudge took off his striped cloak and tossed it aside, pulled up his dark green suit trousers, and sat down opposite Harry.

“Harry, I am Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic.”

Harry already knew who he was, of course.

He had seen his face in the newspapers more than once, and just now, below Sirius's face was Minister Fudge's round face.

The bar owner, Tom, reappeared, wearing an apron over his shirt-style pajamas and carrying a tray with tea and toast.

He placed the tray among the group, then left the room and closed the door.

“Oh, Harry,”

As Fouché poured the tea, he said...
"To tell you the truth, you really threw us into a panic. You actually managed to escape from your aunt and uncle's house like that!"

I initially thought... but you're safe now, and that's the most important thing.

Fudge took a piece of toast, spread some butter on it, and then pushed the plate to Harry.

“Eat up, Harry, you look like you’re about to collapse. Don’t be shy, Mr. Green.”

Fudge looked at Sheen with a smile.

The three of them were sitting in an interesting arrangement: Harry was sitting against the wall, while Sheehan had been introduced by Fudge to sit next to Fudge.

From this perspective, it looks as if Fudge and Sheehan are judging Harry together.

“Look, your Aunt Maggie has been inflated, but you’re nowhere to be found, Harry.”

It's hard not to make those connections...

But... you're very clever, Harry. You found someone to help you.

For Mr. Grimm's sake, the Ministry of Magic has already resolved the unfortunate incident of inflating Miss Maggie Dursley, and I think you'll be happy to hear that.

Two hours ago, two members of the Accidental Events Reversal Unit were dispatched to Privet Drive. Miss Dursley has been deflated, and her memories have been altered.

She had absolutely no recollection of the incident. That's it; nothing serious happened.

Fudge smiled at Harry from the edge of his teacup, like an uncle looking at his favorite nephew.

Harry could hardly believe his ears. He opened his mouth to speak, but didn't know what to say, so he closed his mouth again.

"Oh, you're worried about your aunt and uncle's reaction, aren't you?"

Fudge said,
“Well, I can’t deny they’re furious, Harry, but they’re still going to let you go back for the summer next year, though they want you to spend Christmas and Easter at Hogwarts.”

Harry was finally able to speak:
"I always spend Christmas and Easter at Hogwarts."

He said.

Then Harry waited to hear what they planned to do with him next.

"What's left now,"

As Fudge spoke, he took a second flatbread, spread butter on it,
"So, that's where you'll be spending the last three weeks of summer vacation. I suggest you rent a place near the Leaky Cauldron—"

"and many more,"

Harry suddenly asked,

"If you knew that it was 'me' who cast the spell, how would you punish me?"

Fudge blinked.

"punish?"

"I broke the law!"

Harry said,
"The Law on Reasonable Restraint of Underage Wizards!"

"Oh, my dear child, we won't punish you for such a small thing!"

Fudge waved his tortilla impatiently and said loudly,

"This was an accident! We won't send someone to Azkaban just because they inflated Auntie's!"

This is quite different from Harry's past dealings with the Ministry of Magic.

"Last year, I received a formal warning because a house-elf broke a cake at my uncle's house!"

Harry frowned and said,
"The Ministry of Magic said that if anyone there uses magic again, I will be expelled from Hogwarts!"

Whether Harry's eyes were playing tricks on him or not, Fudge suddenly seemed quite embarrassed.

“Things are changing, Harry… We have to take into account… In the current situation… Needless to say, you certainly don’t want to be expelled, right?”

"Of course not."

Harry said.

"Exactly, then why are you still dwelling on this?" Fudge said with a light laugh.
"Alright, have a cookie. Harry, I'll go see if Tom has a room for you."

Then, I need to have a word with Mr. Green.

I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Fudge strode out of the private room, and Harry stared at his retreating figure.

This is really strange. If Fudge doesn't want to punish him for what he did, why is he waiting for him at the Leaky Cauldron?
Harry thought about it again, and it was very unusual that the Minister of Magic himself was personally handling the issue of underage wizards abusing magic, wasn't it?

"It's... Sirius."

Harry eventually figured it out.

He suddenly looked up, startled, at the moonlight outside the window.

It was a pale, hazy glow, with a vague, unreal quality.

"Sheen, is that Sirius Black?"

Harry knew who to ask for the most helpful information.

"Ah."

Sheen nodded.

"He was Voldemort's most trusted henchman. He escaped Azkaban, and he's going to..."

What is he going to do?

Do you even need to ask!

He blew up a street, and if there had been a kid named Harry Potter in it, he probably would have laughed himself silly.

Harry felt a tremendous sense of panic.

An escaped convict, a powerful escaped convict, who escaped from the most dangerous prison.

Nobody knows how he did it, but everyone knows he's here to kill Harry Potter!

"This is why Minister Fauci came..."

It's not that we've inflated the prices..."

Harry felt a dryness in his throat and was unable to speak.

Ever since he arrived in the magical world, there have been people who want to kill him.

"Yes, Harry."

Sheen said calmly.

"Sheen, can I come back to Hogwarts with you?"

Harry asked cautiously and tentatively.

I wish I could be with Sheen.

What sent a chill down Harry's spine was that Sheehan shook his head.

"I understand."

Harry had no idea that his voice could become so hoarse.

"Harry, listen to me."

Just as Harry was lost in thought, Sheehan spoke up.

You will be safe.

"what?"

Harry was a little confused.

But before he could figure out the key to it, Fudge and the bar owner Tom returned together.

“Room 10 was just checked in, but Room 11 is empty, Harry,”

Fudge said,
"I think you'll be very comfortable here. There's just one thing I'm sure you'll understand:"

I don't want you to go to London in the Muggle world without permission, understand?
Don't leave Diagon Alley. You must be back here every night before dark.

You'll understand. Tom will keep an eye on you for me.

"Oh, now, Mr. Green, may I have a moment of your time?"

After saying that, before Harry could react, Fudge left, beaming with joy and practically clinging to Sheen.

(End of this chapter)