Chapter 296: The Argument

Everyone could see that Fudge had brought several Aurors and a Dementor with him.

Madam Bones' expression subtly changed.

The Triwizard Tournament was entirely under her jurisdiction, and given her position, she had full authority to handle the current situation.

Fudge's sudden arrival at Hogwarts without so much as a word was a direct interference with her authority—a slap in the face.

It was evident that Fudge had caught wind of rumors regarding Voldemort.

"My dear old friend, Cornelius," Dumbledore greeted Fudge, though his expression was grim.

"I recall telling you not to bring Dementors to Hogwarts."

"My dear Dumbledore!" Fudge shouted, a fury in his voice that neither Harry nor Hermione had ever witnessed before.

"As Minister of Magic, I have the right to decide whether or not I bring bodyguards, especially when I'm here to meet someone who might be extremely dangerous—"

"Have you said enough, Cornelius?" Alaric suddenly stood up, cutting Fudge off mid-sentence.

"Would you like me to clear out some of the Ministry's excess employees for you?"

Fudge's voice faltered immediately, and his face turned rather unpleasant.

Alaric's presence here was something he hadn't anticipated.

Alaric was as powerful as Dumbledore but far more assertive.

While Fudge could use his political maneuvering against someone like Dumbledore, those tactics were ineffective against Alaric.

However, the most significant reaction came from the Dementor.

It recoiled as if it had seen something terrifying, much like when a Patronus appears, and it fled as quickly as it could.

Clearly, Alaric had frightened it—it must have been present at last year's Quidditch match when Alaric's Patronus obliterated several Dementors, leaving a lasting impression on them.

Throughout history, Dementors had always been creatures that could be repelled but never destroyed.

But Alaric was an exception.

Now, to Dementors, Alaric was like a demon, a figure that could make even the smallest child stop crying—if they had children.

Watching the Dementor flee, Fudge's face grew darker.

He felt utterly humiliated, especially in front of Madam Bones, who was now his greatest political rival.

But as a seasoned politician, Fudge had the thick skin necessary for such situations.

He pretended as if nothing had happened and asked Dumbledore, "I've heard there was some sort of incident during the Triwizard Tournament," he said, feigning concern.

"I heard someone used Polyjuice Potion to infiltrate Hogwarts and took Harry Potter away?"

"You are correct, Cornelius," Madam Bones took the initiative to respond.

"It was Barty Crouch Jr., who disguised himself as Alastor Moody and tampered with the Triwizard Tournament. His goal was to resurrect Voldemort—"

"The Dark Lord… has returned? Nonsense. Don't be ridiculous, Amelia…"

Fudge was aghast, as if someone had just dealt him a severe blow.

He blinked in a daze, staring at Madam Bones as though he couldn't quite believe what he had just heard.

Despite having been mentally prepared, he still couldn't bring himself to accept the news about Voldemort.

"We have already confirmed this," Madam Bones said.

"We listened to the statements of the patroller, Alaric, and the three champions.

Harry heard it directly from Voldemort's own mouth how Voldemort learned from Bertha Jorkins that Barty Crouch Jr. was still alive.

He rescued him from his father and used him to capture Harry.

The plan succeeded. Barty Crouch Jr. has helped Voldemort return to power."

"No, no!" Fudge said frantically.

"Crouch is a madman, a vagrant! From what I understand, he seems to have believed he was following the Dark Lord's orders!"

"Voldemort certainly gave him orders in the past, Cornelius," Dumbledore interjected, "and that plan has now succeeded. Voldemort has regained his body."

"Listen to me, Dumbledore," Fudge said, a slight smile appearing on his face.

"You—you can't really believe all this. The Dark Lord—has returned?

Don't be absurd…

Surely, Crouch Jr. may have believed he was following the Dark Lord's orders, but how can we take the word of a madman seriously, Dumbledore?"

"Tonight, when Harry touched the Triwizard Cup, he was directly transported to Voldemort," Dumbledore said firmly.

"He witnessed Voldemort's resurrection firsthand, and Alaric and the other two champions brought Harry back.

You're welcome to come to my office, where I'll explain everything to you."

Fudge's face still bore that strange smile.

He looked at Harry, then at Alaric and the two girls beside him, before returning his gaze to Dumbledore and Madam Bones.

"So—you're planning to take their word for it, are you?"

"Of course I believe them," Madam Bones said resolutely, her eyes blazing.

"I listened to Harry's account of what happened when he touched the Triwizard Cup; I also heard the speculation and analysis of Barty Crouch Jr.'s plot.

It all fits together, explaining everything that's happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."

Fudge's face still held that odd smile. He glanced at Harry again before replying.

"You're willing to believe that Voldemort has returned, based on the word of four children…?"

"Would you like a taste of the magic from one of those 'children' you mentioned?"

Alaric's icy words made Fudge fall silent, his face flushing slightly.

However, his expression quickly turned stubborn and defiant.

"I've also noticed," he said, turning to Dumbledore, "that you've been keeping certain details about Harry from the Ministry, haven't you?

He's a Parselmouth, isn't he? His behavior is peculiar—"

"I believe you're referring to the pain Harry has felt in his scar?" Dumbledore asked coldly.

"So you admit that he's been feeling this pain?" Fudge said quickly.

"Headaches? Nightmares? Probably—hallucinations as well?"

"Listen to me, Cornelius," Dumbledore said, stepping closer to Fudge.

"Harry is as sane and rational as you or I. His scar hasn't clouded his mind.

I believe that Harry's scar only hurts when Voldemort is near or when Voldemort is particularly intent on murder."

Fudge took a half step back from Dumbledore, but his expression remained just as stubborn.

"I'm sorry, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a curse scar acting like an alarm bell…"

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