The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 606 Madness

"They're absolutely insane!"

"Is this an act of rebellion against the Ministry of Magic?!"

In the Minister of Magic's office, Fudge's roar could be heard clearly even on the first floor. He angrily threw all the documents on the table to the ground, and then slapped the globe off the table.

Scrimgeour and several other Ministry of Magic officials stood before him, unsure of what to do as he looked at his furious expression.

After throwing a tantrum, Fudge plopped down in his chair, thought for a few seconds, and then looked at Scrimgeour and asked, "How many Aurors can you mobilize right now?"

"Minister?!" Fudge's words startled Scrimgeour. He exclaimed, "You mean—you mean to attack Hogwarts?"

"This isn't an attack on Hogwarts, it's capturing those traitors—fugitives, terrorists!" Fudge shouted.

I asked you how many Aurors you could mobilize!

"This is absolutely unacceptable, Minister!" Even Scrimgeour, who had been able to tolerate it until now, couldn't take it anymore. He looked at Fudge and said, "You mean I should mobilize the Aurors to attack their alma mater, their teachers, their juniors?"

"Wasn't that damn Hamilton hitting her junior?"

"Professor Hamilton didn't actually graduate from Hogwarts—"

"Enough! Shut your mouth, Scrimgeour!" Fudge was furious at Scrimgeour's retort. He glared at Scrimgeour, pointed at him, and said, "Do you want to quit, or do you want to go to Azkaban, Scrimgeour!"

"Could it be that you and Dumbledore are in cahoots?"

"Minister! I just—"

Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Kingsley, who had been silent until now, slowly spoke up: "Alright, Director Scrimgeour."

"I know you have many concerns—but this is the minister's order."

"Sometimes we have to use some extraordinary measures when dealing with fugitives."

Kingsley's words left Scrimgeour looking puzzled. He pursed his lips as if to say something, but in the end, all he could manage was a somewhat helpless and muffled "I understand."

Seeing that Scrinker understood, Fudge immediately looked at the editor-in-chief of the Daily Prophet, who had been standing in the corner without daring to speak.

"You—right now, publish an additional issue of the Daily Prophet, and expose everything those traitors at Hogwarts have done!"

"They are all criminals, the most evil wizards—do you understand?"

"Yes—yes, Minister!" The editor-in-chief pursed his lips and nodded quickly.

Seeing the obsequious expressions of the Ministry of Magic officials before him, Fudge seemed to calm down. He pursed his lips and said, "Alright, go and carry out my orders."

"I must see the Aurors ready by tomorrow night at the latest."

"Yes, Minister."

"Clatter".

The door to the minister's office closed slowly, and Fudge sat down in the chair with a slightly complicated expression—he rubbed the ring on his hand, but his gaze seemed a little vacant.

"Clatter".

The office door was pushed open again, and this time it wasn't the Ministry of Magic officials who had just walked in, but a handsome man with pale skin.

"Minister Fookie—are you ready?"

"Mr. Riddle?" Upon seeing the visitor, Fudge immediately stood up and said, "Why did you come in person?"

"Because I know about Hogwarts." The man, referred to as Mr. Riddle, who was actually Voldemort, shrugged and slowly sat down.

"I remember reminding you that sending Umbridge to Hogwarts was a dangerous thing—she's sometimes too impulsive," Voldemort said slowly. "And that's what caused such a big problem at Christmas."

"It was my fault for not following your orders—" Fudge stood before Voldemort, head bowed like a scolded subordinate, and said, "But—but they will soon arrest them one by one."

97

"Do you trust Scrimgeour and his Aurors?" Voldemort sneered. "Even though what he said was very unpleasant."

"But it is indeed the case." Voldemort paused and said, "To expect them to take down Hogwarts—that's a bit too naive, Minister Fudge."

Under Fudge's gaze, Voldemort shook his head slightly and said, "You need more capable subordinates—more capable Aurors."

"But—but this is already the strongest force we can gather," Fudge said slowly.

"That's not the case." Voldemort chuckled softly. "I know a place where there are still many powerful wizards—"

"where?"

"Azkaban".

"No—no way." Fudge immediately shook his head and said, "The Azkaban class is full of criminals—they won't obey the Ministry of Magic's orders."

"Besides—if I release them, my term as minister will be over."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow and said, "Does Minister Fudge really think that—by letting Hogwarts continue like this—your minister will be safe?"

"If Scrimgeour and his men lose—the Ministry of Magic won't be far from collapse." Voldemort shook his head as he spoke. "By then, it will be too late to think about Azkaban."

"And—" Voldemort said, looking at Fudge seriously, "I have a way to make them obey—"

"Make them obey the orders of the Ministry of Magic."

"What—method?" Fudge asked instinctively.

"That's something I can't tell you, Minister," Voldemort chuckled softly. "But if you wish—they can give their lives for the Ministry of Magic."

"Really—is it possible?" Fudge had to admit he was somewhat tempted. He lowered his head and pondered, saying, "But if we release them—the public pressure will be—"

"Who are the guards of Azkaban?"

"Dementors—Dementors?"

"Yes—my dear minister." Voldemort slowly rose and walked to the office door: "Since the guards are Dementors—"

"Then all we need to do is send the Dementors to attack Hogwarts, right?"

"This way, we can not only gain more power, but also avoid attracting attention—Azkaban is just a dormitory without jailers."

'

Mr. Riddle's words silenced Fudge. He rubbed his ring, pursed his lips, and finally said slowly, "Is this alright?"

"Of course, my dear minister, of course."

Voldemort's smile grew colder and more profound: "You are the Minister of Magic—if you wish—"

"Anything can be done."

"And I will fully cooperate with you—to manage the entire magical world."