Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

"Professor Snape just returned from Austria a few days ago, and he brought back bad news."

"Austria?" Fudge's face turned pale.

There is only one reason that could lead Snape to Austria at this point in time.

That was Grindelwald's version of the Dark Mark that appeared at Hogwarts during the Dueling Club period.

Dumbledore said, "That's right, Professor Snape went to Nurmengard. As for the rest, Severus, you can tell us yourself."

Nurmengard is a prison, similar to Azkaban, specifically used to imprison wizards.

However, unlike Azkaban, there were no guards or jailers in Nurmengard.

Because there was only one prisoner being held there, and he had voluntarily entered into the prison.

This refers to the Dark Lord, whose power swept across Europe in the previous generation.

Gellert Grindelwald.

Snape stepped forward with a grim face and said, "I went to Nurmengard, but it was deserted, and I didn't find Grindelwald."

This news shocked everyone present, and they all looked at Dumbledore.

Grindelwald escapes from prison?

Some older wizards still vaguely remember the bloodshed and chaos that Grindelwald stirred up in the wizarding world during the height of his power.

That was a dark lord even more terrifying than Voldemort!

Fudge is on the verge of a breakdown.

The events that happened tonight were more and more explosive than the last.

Fudge was losing control of himself, trembling as he looked at Dumbledore and roared, "Dumbledore! You promised... you promised Grindelwald wouldn't escape!"

Grindelwald was defeated by Dumbledore and voluntarily went to prison.

It was also because of Dumbledore's guarantee that the International Federation of Wizards did not set up a guard in Nurmengard.

Dumbledore said calmly, "Don't worry, Cornelius. In my opinion, Grindelwald will not pose any threat to the Ministry of Magic."

Fudge retorted angrily, "What makes you think you can say that! You made a promise once before, and now he's escaped!"

Eric suddenly said from the side, "I think the principal means that Grindelwald did not escape voluntarily."

This silenced Fudge, who looked at Eric with a puzzled expression.

Eric added, "Grindelwald was kidnapped, right?"

Dumbledore smiled and nodded.

Amelie Bones asked, "What exactly happened? Can you continue, Eric?"

Eric laughed and said, "The minister must believe that these recent incidents were instigated by Grindelwald. First there was the demonstration at the Duel Club, and now today there is a direct attack on the Ministry of Magic."

"Otherwise what?" Fudge asked angrily.

“But I don’t think so, because tonight’s attackers revealed an important piece of information: they admitted that they were following Grindelwald, but they were after Black.”

Amelie Bones asked, puzzled, "So what if she came for Blake?"

Eric said, "If their target tonight is Blake, it only proves one thing: Grindelwald has no way to control them, because someone of Grindelwald's stature wouldn't make such a decision."

Eric said, "This, in turn, shows that Grindelwald was unaware of their plans and proves that Grindelwald was not the organizer."

Chapter 145 Contradictions

Dumbledore nodded and said, "Go on."

Eric said, "Although these recent incidents are quite serious, a careful analysis will easily reveal the contradictions. First, there was the wizard's demonstration in the dueling club. He controlled Clement and killed him in front of all the spectators, just so that the Dark Mark would show up when he dueled with me."

Eric said, "The appearance of the Dark Mark with Grindelwald's unique symbol at Hogwarts is undoubtedly a demonstration, but at the same time, the whole thing is also quite ridiculous because they did nothing after Clement's death."

Eric said, "Think about it carefully. If you were Grindelwald, and you orchestrated this demonstration to announce your return, when would be the best time?"

Lupin thought for a moment and said, "After the Duel Club."

“Yes,” Eric said. “The best time would have been after the Duel Club, when the panic would have allowed Grindelwald to openly announce his return. But they didn’t. On the contrary, now that the hype surrounding the Black Mark has died down, they still haven’t taken any action. The public has started to see the Black Mark as a personal prank.”

Eric said, "While we don't really know why they didn't choose to continue creating panic after displaying the Black Mark, whatever the reason, it's a good thing for us."

Eric said, "Then tonight's attack came right after that, which is equally bizarre."

“What’s wrong?” Fudge asked. “Many of us have died.”

Eric said, “There are two reasons. First, they didn’t know I was there. I’m not bragging, but if they had known in advance that I would be there tonight, they wouldn’t have sent only six people to attack. They would have had to at least double the number. But finding so many powerful dark wizards on short notice would have been very difficult for them.”

Eric said, "If I were the planner of the operation, I would not have carried it out rashly without ensuring the accuracy of the intelligence and the exact number of people present, much less send my men to their deaths. This shows that their intelligence sources were very limited; they only learned about tonight's operation from the Ministry of Magic, but they did not know that I would be there, which led to their heavy casualties."

Eric continued, "If our opponent were Grindelwald, given his intelligence, he would never allow such an action."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The fact that there are survivors tonight is entirely due to Eric's presence.

From a rational and objective perspective, the six moles are indeed no match for Eric.

They might be able to wipe out all the Aurors here, but they definitely can't take down Eric.

Only Fudge looked gloomy.

Eric's conclusion placed all the blame for the intelligence leak on him.

However, this is indeed the case.

Eric said, "The second reason is that they are after Sirius Black, who is openly known as Sirius Black. Their goal is to take Black away, which is contradictory because Black has no connection with Grindelwald from beginning to end, but Black is connected with someone else."

"Who?"

Eric said, "Voldemort."

The appearance of this name once again caused the atmosphere at the scene to freeze.

Eric continued, "Until we learn the truth, Black's public identity remains that of a loyal servant of Voldemort, and there is no reason for such a person to attract the attention of Grindelwald's side, nor is there any reason for them to rescue Black."

Dumbledore interrupted, "Unless..."

“You and I are thinking the same thing, Professor,” Eric said. “Unless, Grindelwald’s side reached a certain conditional cooperation with Voldemort’s side, or there was a secret that Grindelwald needed to know about Black at the time.”

Eric shrugged and said, "But this brings us back to the conclusion we just came up with. If they valued Blake, they wouldn't have sent so few people to participate in the attack. Besides, we now know that it wasn't Blake, but Peter."

Dumbledore smiled and continued, "Therefore, we can only conclude that Grindelwald did not leave voluntarily, nor is he in control of the group that calls themselves Grindelwald's remnants."

Fudge and the others looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

After Eric's analysis, they agreed with the conclusion, but at the same time, they couldn't convince themselves of it.

After all, Grindelwald's reputation is too great.

So there are still concerns.

Snape, his face grim, said sarcastically, "That's brilliant reasoning, Headmaster, but what are we supposed to do?"

Fudge then realized what was happening and asked, "Right, how should we announce this to the public? Grindelwald's name must never be revealed!"

“No, quite the opposite,” Eric laughed. “Grindelwald’s name has to be in the papers.”

Fudge asked urgently, "Why!"

Eric exclaimed in surprise, “There are no outsiders here, so I’ll be frank, Minister. Only by invoking Grindelwald’s name can the Ministry of Magic perfectly explain what has happened during this period. Minister, you just mentioned the War Act. Now, it’s time to put the War Act into effect. Minister, you can declare a state of war. In conclusion, Grindelwald’s name perfectly fits the bill.”

"What? How is this possible?" Fudge exclaimed in shock.

The attack that occurred tonight was indeed serious, but to declare a state of war in the wizarding world based on this would be an overreaction.

Eric said, "Oh, then you'll have to take responsibility for this, Minister. It's not just about the things related to Grindelwald, but also about wrongly accusing an innocent man and the mistake of imprisoning Sirius Black in Azkaban for over a decade. As long as you announce your resignation, I think the turmoil caused by these things will soon pass. I never expected you to have such a selfless spirit. I admire you greatly."

I'm #u0026%￥……*！ @%

Fudge went berserk, cursing wildly in his mind, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

Eric gave him several options on the surface, but what was the reality?

He had no choice at all!

Indeed, just as Eric said, once he announces his resignation, everything will be over for him.

But how could Fudge possibly give up this position?

Fudge stared intently at Eric's face, a strange sense of fear washing over him.

He was like an ox, led by Eric; wherever Eric told him to go, he had to go.

Chapter 146 The Forgotten Sirius

Fudge swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "So, we have to announce to the outside world that Grindelwald has returned... and then the Ministry of Magic will go into a state of war?"

Dumbledore nodded and said, "In my opinion, this is the best solution."

Fudge trembled.

Dumbledore's tone was calm, but those familiar with him knew that this was not a suggestion, but an order.

Fudge knew that Dumbledore's tolerance for him was nearing its limit.

He dared not contradict Dumbledore's opinion any longer.

Fudge then asked, "And... what about Peter Pediru?"

Dumbledore smiled and said, "As for Peter, I think Amelia will be in charge of following up on his case. Of course, this will require your active cooperation, Cornelius."

“Of course, of course…” Fudge said cautiously.

He had opinions, but he didn't dare to voice them.

Fudge certainly didn't want to exonerate Peter, because doing so would do him no good.

But now, how things should proceed is no longer up to him alone.

After Eric and Dumbledore finalized their next strategy in just a few words, the Ministry of Magic's reinforcements finally arrived, albeit belatedly.

And of course, Rita Skeeter followed.

Having received word of such a major attack, she arrived at Hogwarts in time.