Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

As a remnant of Grindelwald, isn't it only natural that Eric and his organization would want to deal with Dumbledore?

Do you have any questions?

At least Fudge doesn't think so!

Of course, Fudge couldn't completely side with Eric.

As Minister of Magic, he still has to maintain the basic order of the wizarding world.

It's impossible to allow Eric to turn the wizarding world upside down during his term.

But Eric's target was only Dumbledore.

That would be easy.

Fudge believed that he and Eric were completely aligned in this regard.

Most importantly, Eric's plan did not require Fudge to take any risks.

Fudge just needs to wait quietly for things to happen; he doesn't need to do anything unnecessary.

Eric's plan was simple.

He knew where Sirius Black was, but he couldn't tell Fudge yet. He would notify Fudge when the time was right to come and get him.

Eric also assured Blake that his escape would not cause too much turmoil.

No one will be harmed as a result.

Then Fudge was very satisfied.

In Fudge's view, this naturally meant that Eric's organization had taken control of Sirius Black.

Although he had some reservations about this blatant illegal behavior.

But considering the enormous benefits he could gain in the end, he could tolerate it.

The most important point is what Eric said: Sirius Black was not actually a Death Eater.

Fudge cannot fail to seriously consider this possibility.

Fudge had no interest in revealing the truth, but when the truth concerned Dumbledore, it was a different story.

If what Eric says is true, then this truth is enough to become a sharp sword piercing Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix.

Given the power vacuum left by Dumbledore's disgrace, it was quite natural for Fudge to take over.

Of course, if something goes wrong, Fudge's political career could very well be over immediately.

But Eric also said that this was a beneficial thing for Fudge.

In fact, Fudge didn't have to pay any price at all.

All he had to do was wait until after Halloween.

If Blake is not caught before Halloween, Fudge will know that what Eric said is true.

The transaction will only officially begin at that time.

If Blake is caught before Halloween, or even tomorrow, Fudge can simply pretend nothing happened.

At that point, Fudge might immediately turn on Eric.

Eric tacitly acknowledged this, and his public appearances and conversations with Fudge did indeed have a hostage-like air about them.

Who is Grindelwald?

That was the first Dark Lord, the kind who could stop children from crying at night.

Before the magical world turned pale at the mention of Fukui, everyone was terrified of Ge.

Capturing Grindelwald's remnants was also a significant achievement for Fudge.

Fudge now carefully recalled Eric's account and found that he couldn't find any obvious flaws in it.

The only troublesome part is that it takes time to prove it.

But Fudge can wait.

Chapter 27 For the greater good

All Eric wanted was actually just one request.

That is, when necessary, Fudge must help Eric enter the Ministry of Magic, give him a legal identity, and then provide funding for some of his subsequent actions.

To Fudge, these conditions couldn't be more favorable.

He privately speculated that Eric might want to legitimately infiltrate the Ministry of Magic to retrieve some contraband item, which would require his ministerial authority.

Or perhaps Eric was paving the way for his future political career, becoming a spy for his organization within the Ministry of Magic.

Fudge was just guessing and of course didn't say it aloud.

He could give all of these things to Fudge, and he didn't care about any of them.

As for the large amount of Galleons that might need to be provided to Eric, that's all public funds anyway, not Fudge's money.

As long as Fudge's position remains secure, Eric can have as many Galleons as he wants.

What does the loss suffered by the Ministry of Magic have to do with the Minister of Magic?

Beyond the names Dumbledore and Grindelwald, what finally convinced Fudge was Eric's revelation of the Black family's wealth.

If Eric hadn't reminded him, Fudge would have almost forgotten that Sirius Black is the only living heir of the Black family.

If Sirius Black dies, the Black family's wealth will certainly flow out of the country.

The wealth of a long-established wizarding family is unimaginable to ordinary people.

This includes a lot of unknown knowledge, spells, and other hidden assets.

Apart from the core members of the Black family, no one knows the exact number.

Of the Black family members, only Sirius Black remains as a core member.

If Fudge could get involved in this process, the Black family's wealth would be within his grasp.

Whether Sirius Black is alive or dead, Fudge has many ways to achieve this goal through legal channels.

If Fudge can control Sirius Black, he will have the same control over the Black family.

Fudge simply couldn't refuse this possibility.

When he finally turned to Eric and said, "I'm willing to wait until after Halloween," Fudge knew that Eric's words had already filled his mind.

The two did not make any vows, nor did they need to, nor did they swear any oaths of unwavering loyalty.

Eric understood that Fudge couldn't take that risk.

Even if Fudge breaks the contract, Eric has ways to make Fudge pay the price.

Therefore, all of this was just a verbal agreement.

After reaching an agreement, Fudge hurriedly left the Leaky Cauldron.

He couldn't say whether it was to avoid being seen or simply to escape Eric's gaze.

He had a strange sense of fear toward Eric.

The other party seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.

Although Eric looks like just a little kid.

But in the magical world, a person is not always judged by their age.

Fudge, who had been familiar with Dumbledore's life since childhood, was well aware of this.

Not to mention the mark that Eric displayed.

Fudge has access to some secret files sealed by the Ministry of Magic.

No one knew better than him what that mark meant.

This left Fudge with no further doubts.

……

Eric's room.

After Fudge left, the room became completely quiet.

It was already late at night, and apart from Old Tom on night duty, there was no other sound from the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry Potter was arranged by Old Tom to stay in the room next to Eric's. Harry, who was tired after a long day, was already asleep and had no idea what was happening in the room next to his.

After Fudge left, Eric resumed his daily spell practice in order to tame the wand in his hand.

The secret conversation with Fudge seemed to have no effect on him.

There was only one change in the room compared to before Fudge's arrival.

A brand-new sheet of parchment lay flat on the desk, on which was a drawing that Eric had just made.

It was a rectangular design with a winding, serpentine symbol in the center, making it look like a locket.

At this point, Eric circled the locket-like pattern and marked it with a big X...

That was one of Voldemort's seven Horcruxes.

As for the parchment bearing Grindelwald's mark, it has already been destroyed by Eric.

That identity was obviously fake.

But whether it's fake or not doesn't affect his importance in Fudge's eyes.

As long as it works for Fudge, that's fine.

Whether Eric believed it or not, Fudge certainly did.

Besides, if he hadn't deliberately created a mystery by revealing this identity, how could he have gained Fudge's trust?

Eric didn't think Fudge was a fool.

Everything was for the purpose of obtaining the desired information through Fudge's channels when necessary, and then influencing others.

Eric certainly wouldn't really entrust Sirius's life or death to Fudge.