Chapter 27 - Ministry's Reaction

After their meeting, Asmodeus and Dumbledore gracefully returned to Hogwarts. Nevertheless, they would have to wait for financial support. Neither Asmodeus nor Dumbledore wished to exploit the Philosopher's Stones for gold – a tactic deemed foolish. Firstly, only an imbecile would employ the Philosopher's Stone in such a manner. Secondly, Asmodeus aimed to bind these affluent Muggles to his cause. To fully gain their allegiance, he needed them to comprehend what they could gain and what they could offer. In this arrangement, Asmodeus gained control over the future magical world educational system, while they gained the opportunity to become wizards. For this to happen, Asmodeus must share his knowledge, and they must contribute their resources. It's simple; cooperation based on mutual benefit is always more reliable than a one-sided deal.

In reality, Asmodeus emerges the victor in this maneuver, especially considering that the stronger the world becomes, the more he stands to gain.

Now, Asmodeus and Dumbledore must decide how to handle the Ministry of Magic. They didn't anticipate that the arrival of approximately 3000 people in the village of Hogsmeade would go unnoticed.

And, as it turned out, they were right.

Ministry of Magic, England. Minister's Office.

"Damn it, what is Dumbledore doing? Why is there such a gathering at his brother's bar? Why wasn't I, the Minister of Magic, informed?"

Furious, Fudge paced around his office in a fit of rage. Despite his fear of Dumbledore and the knowledge of whose hand fed him, Fudge dared not ask him directly or express any discontent. However, he needed to understand why over 70 internationally renowned wizards had entered England in the past week. They all had one reason for their arrival – an invitation to a meeting from Dumbledore.

Unaware of any such gathering, Fudge didn't dare offend any of Dumbledore's guests, each either a scholar or a world-class wizard. The most he could do was to discreetly monitor one of them. What he witnessed was staggering – within an hour, 2500 people entered the Hog's Head Inn. Forget the clearly unauthorized use of space-expanding charms, forget even the fact that these wizards had blatantly entered the territory of the Ministry of Magic in England illegally. But what was Dumbledore planning, inviting 2500 people to a meeting? Clearly, these were not locals; many seemed foreign. Yet, he didn't recognize any of them.

(Unaware that most attendees were Muggles, the thought didn't cross Fudge's mind. Moreover, except for attire, an average wizard couldn't discern magical abilities in a person. Hence, Fudge naturally assumed they were wizards.)

Fudge had already begun distancing himself from Dumbledore, especially after Grindelwald's release. He believed Dumbledore was gathering forces to oust him from the Minister's position, unaware that for Dumbledore, he was no more than a beetle to be crushed at any moment.

Today, Fudge found enough courage to write a letter to Dumbledore, demanding explanations. Little did he know that just when Dumbledore received the letter, someone openly disdainful of him would be by his side.

Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office

Asmodeus and Dumbledore discuss the layout of the future academy.

"I'm telling you, there should be a dragon breeding ground here! What child wouldn't want to be a knight riding a dragon!"

"Asmodeus, we won't be allowed to do that, and taming dragons is no easy feat."

"Albus! This is my academy; I'm the headmaster! I want us to have a field for teaching children how to ride dragons!"

Dumbledore rubbed his aching temples. He couldn't argue against this point. The academy indeed belonged to Asmodeus, or more precisely, the Morningstar family, as specified in the land contract issued by Britain.

However, he doubted that any Muggle parents would allow their children to attend a school in the midst of a dragon farm. Moreover, he himself didn't want such neighbors.

You know, the new academy will be located next to Hogwarts. If you fly on a broom, you can reach Elysium from Hogwarts in 5 minutes. It's no more than 15 kilometers away.

Dumbledore doesn't want one of the students who took a joyride on broomsticks to end up as a dragon's meal. Elysium Academy should be built to the northeast of Hogwarts, the direction Quidditch players go when testing broomstick speed.

Asmodeus contemptuously looked at the Dumbledore, thinking, "So, you can build a dragon pen right next to Hogwarts, but I can't!" But he said nothing. He was already considered a prophet among these old folks; one shouldn't overdo it, or they might start addressing him as the prophet later.

"Damn it," thought Asmodeus. "Oh well, I really wanted to understand the difference between local dragons and the dragons of the Fire Nation…"

While these two stubborn individuals sat and stared at each other, an owl tapped on the window.

Dumbledore stood up, opened the window, and the owl dropped a letter on the table before flying to the bowl set for all incoming owls. So many owls had arrived at Dumbledore's in the past week that he had no choice but to resort to this method.

Opening the letter, Dumbledore read it and handed it to Asmodeus.

"Albus, my dear friend. It's me, your loyal comrade, Minister Fudge. Three days ago, the ministry detected unusual activity in Hogsmeade and a significant influx of people at the Hog's Head Inn. Some ministry members are getting nervous and demand explanations from you. Could you please respond to them?"

"Ha, what a pitiful sight. He didn't even dare to ask directly. I'm just amazed at you. How could you allow such a useless piece of crap in the minister's chair?"

"Well, you're exaggerating a bit, Asmodeus... Fudge isn't that bad, at least he was... At that time, I thought a weak minister who couldn't stir up trouble would be the better choice."

"Ha-ha, then you miscalculated in choosing people. I tell you, he's a dog biting the hand that feeds him. We should put our own person in the minister's position."

"Who? Do you already have a candidate?"

Asmodeus was surprised that Dumbledore wasn't against it and said, "Amelia Bones would be suitable; I want to talk to her. If she agrees with our ideas, I'll be glad if a worthy person heads the Ministry of Magic. But I want a seat in the Wizengamot."

"Asmodeus, why do you need that? You'll already have enough power as the director of the first magical academy of a new format."

"Actually, I don't need it. Consider it as me just trying to ensure a good life for my descendants. Although I doubt I'll ever die..."

"Death is just another journey; there's no need to run from it."

But before Dumbledore could finish, Asmodeus interrupted him, "No, Albus, death is a journey only for those who either don't see the point in living beyond it or don't enjoy life. For example, you don't enjoy life, and I think if it weren't for me, you would have chosen to die alongside Voldemort and end your journey in this world. But now look, you're planning a future as you envisioned your family together and want to live for that future."

"Right now, I have no intention of dying, and I think there will be plenty for me to do in the future."

"Perhaps you're right..." Dumbledore murmured quietly.

"But what do we do with Fudge now?"

"What's complicated about it? Capture him, lock him in a box, and let someone from the saints take his place using a Polyjuice Potion until we find a suitable replacement and officially change the Minister of Magic for England."

"But Fudge hasn't done anything to be treated like this..."

"Albus, believe me, he already thinks you're planning to remove him from the Minister's position."

"...It seems he's right..."

"....."

"It's not about that. I mean, since he has started showing signs of disobedience, just get rid of him. No need to kill him. Just let him serve as an ingredient for the Polyjuice Potion, and then we'll erase his memories of being a minister, and he can live his life. Even if someone in the magical world recognizes him, we'll just say he had a counter-reaction from some spell, and now he doesn't remember who he is. What's the problem?"

Hearing Asmodeus's words, Dumbledore sighed and said, "Well, alright. Shall we go to the Ministry?"

"Yes, let's go. I want to see the pink toad dwelling there."

"Who?"

"Oh, just someone, it doesn't matter."

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