I'm the King of Curry at Hogwarts

Chapter 192 Exchange of Interests (The previous chapter was numbered incorrectly)

There's a saying that goes, "If you're not ruthless, you can't stand firm." Snape was clearly the kind of person who was ruthless and didn't talk much. After all, when he was ruthless, he could act as a double agent right under the noses of the world's strongest villain and the world's strongest white wizard.

This kind of work can only be done by people with great perseverance.

Peter Pettigrew clearly knew just how ruthless Snape was. He tried to resist the truth serum, but he couldn't. Snape used some kind of magic, and his throat became like a funnel, from which the truth serum dripping from Snape's hand flowed into his stomach.

Peter felt terrible, really terrible, that was his first feeling. His second feeling was that he felt better than ever before.

How should I describe it? It's like suddenly letting down all your defenses, wanting to get everything off your chest.

Under Snape's questioning, Peter Pettigrew spilled the beans, telling everything he had done without reservation, even down to the exact minute and second he told Voldemort.

Snape's hand holding the truth serum bottle trembled slightly. His eyes burned with intense fire and extreme disgust. He truly couldn't imagine why there could be such a shameless coward...

"What a disgrace to Gryffindor!" Hermione whispered, trembling, criticizing Peter. "I simply cannot understand how you were sorted into Gryffindor—"

That statement is actually problematic; it's like saying someone gave Little Pettigrew a special privilege.

"Sometimes, it takes a lot of courage to betray a friend, Hermione," Louise said with a light laugh.

After a long silence, Fudge finally spoke: "Alright, but the Ministry of Magic won't accept Peter Pettigrew's side of the story for the time being, nor will it drop the charges against Black. After all, it happened a long time ago, and the evidence-gathering and other procedures will take time..."

"Why!" Harry demanded, his voice trembling with emotion. "But Peter Pettigrew confessed under the influence of the Truth Fluid, so why can't that prove Sirius's innocence?"

"Harry," Fudge said with a smile, looking at the somewhat out-of-control Harry. "I know you're anxious, but don't rush. The Ministry of Magic is, after all, a legitimate institution in the wizarding world. Everything should follow the proper procedures and go through the entire process according to the law. If we always seek special treatment like this, what will become of the Ministry of Magic's order?"

Louis stopped Harry, who was about to continue arguing, stood up, glanced at Dumbledore, and after receiving a nod of confirmation, smiled at Fudge and said, "Minister, may I have a word with you in private?"

Dumbledore understood that the more he interfered in this matter, the more suspicious Fudge would become. It would be better to let Louis handle it, since at least Louis wouldn't be suspected by Fudge like he was.

Louis naturally understood this principle as well; even old Louis would be jealous of the tacit understanding between him and Dumbledore.

"Of course." Fudge didn't think Louis would harm him, after all, Louis was a nobleman of considerable standing.

Outside the door, Louis casually set up a soundproof barrier.

"Actually, this matter doesn't affect you much, Minister," Louis said bluntly.

"Your Highness is indeed a straightforward person." Fudge was a little surprised; it was the first time he had encountered an old London Union Jack who spoke without beating around the bush.

Generally speaking, a true Englishman is far more slow in speech and action than two or three Seres combined.

However, he did not express his opinion at the beginning, intending to wait and see what Louis was going to say.

"Actually, we might as well look at it this way, Minister," Louis said with a smile. "In any case, this wrongful conviction was a mistake by the Ministry of Magic—" Seeing Fudge frown, Louis chuckled again and continued to explain, "But the wrongful conviction was not made by the Ministry of Magic under your leadership, but by the former Minister, Millison Barnold."

"Therefore, admitting to this wrongful conviction is entirely beneficial to you. Firstly, it will enhance your image in the eyes of ordinary wizards and increase your support rate. Secondly, it will further consolidate your position as minister. Sirius is now the only male member of the Black family. Even if he is expelled because of a misunderstanding, the family is still connected. I'm sure the Black family will reciprocate your kindness."

Seeing that Fudge was somewhat interested, Louis continued, "Of course, you know I also have some small businesses. I will have the Daily Prophet do its best to report truthfully how His Excellency the Minister withstood immense pressure, defied powerful figures, set things right, and cleared the name of the true hero... and..."

Louis played his trump card, a reason Fudge couldn't refuse: "Hogwarts was able to capture the real culprit, Peter Pettigrew, thanks to the clues and information you provided."

Fudge is the kind of person who won't act until he sees a clear benefit; he's cautious about his own safety when it comes to big things, but will risk his life for small gains. This description of him is very accurate.

Fudge was stunned, then a joyful smile spread across his face—the first genuine smile he'd shown since seeing Peter. "Well, as Minister of Magic, this is what I should do. There's no need to include such details, is there?"

That's what they say, but you absolutely can't interpret it that way. Louis saw right through Fudge's thoughts.

Louis tried to keep Dumbledore out of the picture during this conversation, mainly because he was afraid that the old man would upset Fudge's sensitive nerves. He said with a smile, "Of course I understand Your Excellency's admirable virtue of not being greedy for fame or fortune. Of course, in my mother's hometown, there is a similar story. Would you like to hear it?"

"Of course I'm willing." Fudge knew he was in a good mood and didn't mind listening to Louis ramble on for a bit.

There won’t be any missing pieces of meat.

"Two thousand years ago, there was a philosopher in Seres named Kensius. He had many disciples, but this story is about two of them, one named Rhodes and the other named Tribute."

One day, Rhodes encountered a child drowning on the road and jumped in to save him. To thank him, the child's father gave him a cow. When his classmates found out, they were all dissatisfied, thinking that he was greedy for money. However, his teacher Kenshius was very happy because he felt that such behavior was equivalent to announcing to society that doing good deeds would be rewarded, which would encourage others to do more good deeds.

Tribute, while traveling abroad, saw his fellow countrymen enslaved and redeemed them out of his own pocket. Upon returning home, he did not report the expenses to the government. People praised his noble character, but Kensius strongly disagreed. He believed that such behavior would prevent more people enslaved abroad from being redeemed. Because of Tribute's example, if someone reported the expenses to the government after redeeming slaves, it would demonstrate a lack of virtue, leading others to turn a blind eye and stop redeeming their own people.

Fudge nodded as if he understood. Seeing that he had spoken well, Louis continued with a smile, "So even if you don't care about this little bit of fame, you still have to think about the social atmosphere of the entire wizarding world, right? After all, as the Minister of Magic, you are a role model for the wizarding world. We hope that everyone will be a moral exemplar like you, but we can't force everyone to be a moral exemplar."

Louis's ability to lie through his teeth can be attributed to what he learned from Arnold when he was a child. At that time, Arnold was the chief secretary of the cabinet. Because he had served on his grandfather's ship, he treated Louis like his own child and taught him a lot by example.

It's unrealistic to say that Louis has mastered Arnold's skills completely, given his young age and limited experience. But it's also untrue to say he hasn't learned anything; he's not an idiot, how could he have learned nothing?

At least in this aspect of moral vacuum, they have learned it to the fullest extent.

After all, my teacher Arnold is a GCMG, the man God calls me God.

"Haha...then I won't refuse this credit." Fudge smiled with satisfaction. He originally thought that the Blake case would be a huge and difficult case, but unexpectedly, Louis's few words resolved it and it developed in a direction that was in his favor.

I never expected that.

"I've heard that quite a few officials in the Ministry of Magic who handled the cases from back then are still in office," Louis said casually, yet meaningfully. "It seems they were all promoted by the previous minister?"

"Thank you, Your Highness Louis." Fudge's expression suddenly became very solemn. Louis's last words were like a wake-up call. Only now did he realize just how big the bargaining chip Louis had offered was—a legitimate way to clean house, something he had never dared to dream of before.

"Don't worry, we'll get a response within three days at the latest," Fudge promised, and they returned to the office together.

Harry's anxious gaze met his eyes.

"How is it, Louis..." He was truly terrified. He was afraid that his hard-won family member would remain unjustly accused due to procedural issues.

Louis didn't speak, but Fudge, with a smile, said in a completely different tone from before, "Don't worry, Harry, His Highness Louis has explained your situation to me in detail. The Ministry of Magic understands your predicament very well and will definitely clear Black's name as quickly as possible."

"Once I get back, I will immediately order everyone to act together... Of course, for safety's sake, Black and Peter will stay at Hogwarts for now. I believe there won't be any problems at Hogwarts."

After saying goodbye to Dumbledore, he hurriedly left Hogwarts.

"What...what did you say to the minister? Why did his attitude change so quickly?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"Don't pry into other people's business." Louis smiled enigmatically.

Peter was eventually imprisoned in the Headmaster's office, personally guarded by Fawkes, Dumbledore, and the other Hogwarts headmasters. Black remained at Hogwarts for the time being, sleeping alongside Lupin.

Today is just a few days past the full moon, so Blake has at least twenty more days to get along well with Lupin.

Harry was a little reluctant to part with Sirius. Even after everyone had left the office, he sat with the three boys next to Sirius and Lupin, chatting endlessly.

"I said, that's enough, you guys...Aren't you going to sleep or not?" Louis looked up at the clock, good heavens, it was already past one in the morning: "Tomorrow...oh right, tomorrow's Saturday, so you guys need to be careful too, minors need rest..."

"Alright, Little Deer." Catherine finally came out of the bedroom, scolding Louis reproachfully, then turned to Blake and the others: "This must be Uncle Blake, right?"

"Hello." Blake nodded, then pointed at Catherine with a hint of realization: "Oh...you must be that old...daughter of Solanlian!"

You mean old women, right?

"Yes, my mother is Solanlian Worre." Catherine didn't care what Blake thought of her mother; after all, that woman wasn't a good person in her eyes.

Hmph, what a wicked woman, fighting over even with her daughter...

"So it's the eldest daughter of the Worley family. She's as beautiful as the rumors say, and she and Louis are a perfect match." Sirius Black had a sweet tongue and knew who was in charge in this office.

Sure enough, upon hearing the phrase "a perfect match for Louis," Catherine suddenly couldn't bring herself to dislike Sirius for being there so late at night.

"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Blake." Catherine smiled shyly and turned to go to the kitchen. "I'll make you some dessert."

Louis sat regally on the sofa, showing off to Blake, "How about it? Isn't my girlfriend pretty?"

Sirius snorted and said something that neither he nor Catherine could refute or argue against.

"Not as pretty as your mother."

What, so you and Professor Snape have the same attributes?

"You should be more concerned about yourself and Harry. Look at this room, there are six people in total, and you two are the only single guys," Louis said with a hint of disdain.

Harry's face flushed red, but Sirius didn't seem to care. He patted his godson on the shoulder and said with a chuckle, "See? Louis's making fun of you being single. So, do you have a girl you like?"

Harry thought for a moment, the image of Cho Chang popped into his mind, he nodded, then thought of Cedric and quickly shook his head.

"See, do you have it or not?" Sirius Black was also confused by Harry's nods and shakes. He patted his thin, bony chest and said with considerable pride, "Back in the day, your godfather was quite the playboy at Hogwarts, and countless girls had their eyes on me..."

Hermione couldn't help but interject, "But you still couldn't win Aunt Emma's heart, could you?"

Sirius choked immediately, choking to death.

Louis looked at Hermione, who had delivered a fatal blow, and then at Ron. Could it be that being sarcastic or mean-spirited is contagious?

(End of this chapter)