28 Chapter 28 - Minister of Magic

With a gentle pop, Asmodeus and Dumbledore appeared at the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry, an eight-story structure with underground chambers, welcomes wizards daily through the Atrium.

Adorning the Atrium is a grand Magical Brotherhood fountain, adorned with golden sculptures of a Mage, Sorceress, Goblin, Centaur, and House Elf. Tradition dictates tossing small coins into the fountain, with these contributions going to St. Mungo's Hospital.

From the Atrium, one enters a small hall hosting no fewer than twenty lifts, as the Ministry's expansive layout places various departments on different floors. The following are these departments in the order they divide the levels.

In the hall, special fireplaces are positioned: on one side for "entry" and the other for "exit." A duty wizard sits here, where non-Ministry visitors must register, undergo inspection, and present their magical wand for scrutiny on a designated device. Each Ministry employee carries an identification pass.

Asmodeus and Dumbledore approached the registration desk, where Dumbledore said, "Hello, Conan. Could you please issue a pass for this young man? He's invited by Fudge."

"Oh, Director Dumbledore, just wait a moment. I'll need to check his wand," replied Conan Greenwood.

"Uh, well, alright."

"What's this? He can't possibly be without a wand!" Dumbledore exclaimed, slightly surprised.

However, Asmodeus, who had returned to his 20-year-old appearance, intervened. After the last time he used the rejuvenation potion, Asmodeus went back to Hogwarts, waved his hand, and ordered 100 vials from Snape. Snape was furious, claiming he had no time for such low-level potions, but after a couple of thousand Galleons, he reluctantly agreed.

"Uh, I think Director Dumbledore is referring to this," he said, pulling his staff/wand from behind and placing it on the registration desk.

Conan Greenwood: "..."

He looked at Asmodeus strangely, then shifted his gaze to Dumbledore with a facial expression asking, "Is this a joke?"

Ahem, Dumbledore coughed and said, "Well, his wand is a bit special..."

"What the **** kind of wand is this!!!" screamed the inspector inwardly but still tried to pretend to examine and verify the wand. He described the wand's appearance and stamped the pass.

"Everything is ready; you are free to go."

Holding the pass, Asmodeus and Dumbledore headed to one of the lifts, and Dumbledore said, "Department of Magical Ministry Management."

As the lift stopped after ascending one floor, Asmodeus, not quite remembering where the minister's office was, asked, "Is the lift broken?"

"Ha-ha-ha, no, no, we've arrived. The minister's office is on the first floor."

"What's the point of having a separate lift that goes up just one floor?" disdainfully remarked Asmodeus.

"Ahem, you should ask Evangeline Orpington about that; she introduced lifts to the Ministry of Magic."

"Isn't she the one who got involved in the Muggle war?"

"Ahem, those are just rumors..."

"Alright, I don't care; it's just funny that the Ministry of Magic, existing to prevent contact between wizards and Muggles, participated in a Muggle war."

(In the mid-nineteenth century, the interaction between the Muggle and magical worlds became noticeable like never before: rapid technological progress scared wizards, but some non-magical inventions were introduced into magical life (such as the Hogwarts Express). It is believed that Evangeline Orpington, a friend of the queen, magically intervened in the course of the Crimean War, and the next Minister of Magic resigned due to unfavorable relations with the British non-magical government.)

Asmodeus and Dumbledore conversed while walking through the Department of Magical Ministry Management— the division in the British Ministry of Magic located on the first level, where the minister, his administration, and other leading figures of the Ministry work directly.

After a couple of minutes, Dumbledore and Asmodeus reached the Minister's office, and Dumbledore knocked on the door.

Knock - knock - knock.

"Come in, the door isn't locked."

*Sound of the door opening.*

"Oh, Dumbledore, it's great to see you. You know, the Auror Department has been pressuring me about your meeting a couple of days ago. But don't worry, I stood up for you..."

Non-stop chatter began immediately after the door opened. Hearing what Fudge was saying, Asmodeus couldn't hide his undisguised contempt. He thought Fudge would at least have the courage to ask about it personally or not ask at all. But now he's clearly trying to shift all the responsibility onto the Aurors.

"And I'm pleased to see you, Cornelius..."

"Albus, I need to know what to tell them about the sudden influx of wizards into England. You know, they all said they came to meet you, but they haven't left anywhere. So our Aurors are nervous; they think someone among the newcomers might be up to something."

"Cornelius, I can assure you that none of those who came at my invitation harbors ill intentions. We gathered in England to discuss the latest magical research..."

As Dumbledore continued to justify and attempt to be polite, Asmodeus couldn't bear it. Especially after seeing Fudge's combat power value determined by the system - 3 points. Do you even understand what that means? For a well-trained Muggle, combat power is exactly 1 point. The combat power index grows exponentially, and 1+1 doesn't mean two but 5. According to Asmodeus's gathered data, a fifth-year Hogwarts student averages 3-4 points, and top graduates have 5 points of combat power. Aurors possess 7 points. After magically enhancing his ring, Dumbledore raised his combat power to his peak from forty years ago - 40 points. Thanks to ring enhancements, Asmodeus's combat power also rose to 32 points. And now Dumbledore, with his strength, is trying to explain something to a bug. Having lived for 18 years in a world of law supremacy, Asmodeus also lived in a war-torn world where everything is based on your own strength for 20 years. He leans more towards the form of governance - the stronger, the more important. He can't understand why the elephant is trying to reassure the mouse scared by its steps.

You might perceive this as arrogance, but Asmodeus respects those stronger than him. With Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Nico, he can jest but never demand or demean them. It's his respect for the strong!

Asmodeus doesn't believe there's no place for the weak in the world or anything radical. No, he simply thinks everyone should know their place, especially in a world where personal combat power can surpass the strength of an army. He supports anyone who, in such conditions, strives to increase their strength and treats them with respect.

Fudge, however, is practically indistinguishable in strength from a Muggle for him. Yet, Fudge behaves as if he were an immensely important person in front of Dumbledore.

Unable to contain himself any longer, he said, "Albus, why are you explaining anything to him!? He literally got into this position solely thanks to your support; it's his job to run after you."

Hearing these words, Fudge's face contorted. Since becoming the minister, no one dared to address him like this, and he turned around to see where the voice was coming from. Initially, he didn't notice anyone else in the office besides Dumbledore, as Dumbledore was his main focus and he didn't pay attention. But now he turned around and saw that disdainful gaze directed at him, and he asked discontentedly.

"This young man lacks manners, whether with Dumbledore's support or without, I am the Minister of Magic, the most important person in England."

"Oh, do you think so?" Asmodeus said playfully, and the disdain in his eyes only intensified.

"Dumbledore, who is this uncultured young man?" Pointing at Asmodeus with disapproval in his voice, Fudge asked.

"I don't think you need to know," Asmodeus said before Dumbledore could answer. "It's time to wrap this up, Dumbledore."

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small suitcase with a space expansion charm cast upon it. Newt Scamander had given this suitcase to Asmodeus, hoping that if Asmodeus ever managed to enter the world of Avatar, he would bring back animals for him to study. But now, inside the suitcase, was one of Grindelwald's people, chosen to replace Fudge.

Dumbledore sighed and pointed his wand at Fudge.

Seeing this, Fudge paled.

"What are you going to do? I'm the Minister of Magic; you have no right! HELP!"

"Sorry, Cornelius, but you're no longer suitable for this position. Besides, no matter how loudly you shout, they won't hear you."

Saying this, Asmodeus cast a spell that struck Fudge, causing him to lose consciousness.

Seeing this, Asmodeus placed the suitcase on the floor and opened it. A middle-aged wizard emerged, saluting and saying, "I'm ready to take on the role at any moment!"

"Excellent. Over there lies the one you'll be for the next year," Asmodeus said, pointing at Fudge.

He handed three vials of Polyjuice Potion.

"You'll be receiving a new batch of Polyjuice Potion every week. Don't let anyone suspect that you're not Fudge!"

The man nodded, took out a trunk from his pocket, and placed Fudge inside.

That's how, without any commotion, Dumbledore and Asmodeus replaced the Minister of Magic.

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