Chapter 58: Fudge: How Did I End Up Vouching for This Kid?!

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"Um, I think this must be a misunderstanding!" Fudge wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Being stared at by so many potion masters was not a pleasant experience. If he didn't handle this situation properly today, his days as Minister of Magic might be numbered.

"Misunderstanding? You arrested a child under the age of ten and sent him to Azkaban!"

"He was nearly kissed by a Dementor, and you're telling me this is a misunderstanding?" Griselda Marchbanks spoke up.

Besides being the head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority, she was also a member of the Wizengamot, the governing body that acted as both the court and parliament of the wizarding world.

"If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I wouldn't believe it!"

"Cornelius Fudge, tell me, how many young wizards have you secretly imprisoned in Azkaban during your term?"

Griselda Marchbanks was known for her righteous indignation. To say she was furious at this moment would be an understatement.

"Well..." Fudge's cold sweat only intensified. He had no idea how to explain this.

Should he say that Kael had been roaming Knockturn Alley since he was six years old and had killed at least 300 dark wizards in five years? That he was an extremely dangerous individual?

But the Auror office had secretly investigated for a long time and found no solid evidence. Who would believe him if he said that?

Standing behind Fudge, Picard Flint, who had been watching all of this unfold, grew increasingly anxious. He had a good relationship with Fudge and was highly trusted. But he knew very well that the truth about Kael couldn't be openly discussed. For Fudge, this was an unsolvable dilemma.

"Child, can you tell me who arrested you?" Fudge gritted his teeth and asked Kael, finally coming up with a potential solution.

"It was Mr. Picard Flint, standing right behind you!"

"When I was on my way to Hogwarts a few days ago, he even went out of his way to threaten me at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters!"

"He said it was under your orders!"

As an honest child, Kael would never lie. After all, Picard Flint was his classmate Marcus Flint's uncle!

Picard Flint, who had been worrying about Fudge's predicament, was completely stunned when he heard this. A wave of unease washed over him.

Wait, I was just following orders!

[Ding! Detecting intense emotions!]

[Ding! Drawing a reward box for the host!]

[Ding! Congratulations, you've obtained a Golden Treasure Chest!]

...

Picard could never have imagined that the fire would end up burning him as well. He now faced the same problem as Fudge—how to explain this?

Should he say it was Fudge's order? There was no evidence. And even if he had proof, as the one who carried out the action, he wouldn't be able to escape blame.

"Picard Flint!"

"I hereby suspend you from all duties pending an investigation!" Without a second thought, Fudge threw Picard under the bus.

The two Aurors accompanying them immediately confiscated Picard's wand and escorted him out like a prisoner.

"Child, I believe this was all a misunderstanding," Fudge said, maintaining a serious expression as he addressed Kael.

"I sincerely apologize to you for this."

"Rest assured, the Ministry will thoroughly investigate this matter, and I will ensure you get justice."

"No one can wrongfully accuse a recipient of the Order of Merlin."

After dealing with Picard, Fudge turned back to Kael, his tone grave.

"Professor, I told you Minister Fudge is a good man!"

"He won't let a bad person go unpunished, nor will he wrong an innocent one!"

"He didn't falsely accuse me—the Minister said I was wrongly accused!" Kael immediately turned to Dumbledore, speaking with enthusiasm.

"How could a kind little wizard like me ever do anything bad?"

"???"

Fudge felt like his world was crumbling around him.

He had a sinking feeling that the words he said today would have severe consequences for him. What started as a few polite comments had somehow turned into him vouching for this troublesome kid!