Dumbledore's fall directly shattered the fragile balance the wizarding world had barely managed to maintain.
Very soon, Voldemort's side made its first move, and their first target was the Ministry of Magic, which still held a certain amount of prestige and authority in the eyes of most ordinary wizards.
The final result might not have been all that surprising, but the speed of it was.
In just one morning, such terrible news had arrived.
Even with a surprise attack, it should not have been possible for them to collapse completely in such a short time. Yet it had still happened...
...
Deep underground.
This was the first underground level, where the Office of the Minister for Magic was located.
However, this place, where the Minister for Magic was supposed to handle official work, should have carried a certain dignity and order. Now, it looked utterly wrecked, as if it had been blasted apart by magic.
Not only that.
The wizards appearing here now were not Ministry personnel in standard Ministry robes, but black-robed wizards whose entire bodies were concealed.
Among them, the wizard sitting in the only intact chair in the room radiated something dark and oppressive, like a devil that had crawled up from the sewers.
There was not a single positive feeling or description that could be attached to him.
At the same time, every wizard in the Office of the Minister for Magic had their head lowered, looking both reverent and afraid.
The only one here who could approach him, and who was allowed to be so close, was probably the venomous snake coiled at his feet, hissing again and again...
As the occasional sounds outside faded away, one black-robed wizard whose face could not be seen slowly stepped forward.
"Great Master, our people have already taken control of the Ministry of Magic."
"But... that foolish, cowardly Cornelius Fudge wasn't in the Ministry at all, so..."
The entire Ministry of Magic had clearly been placed under spells to maintain a steady temperature, but at this moment, the black-robed wizard who had stepped forward was covered in sweat.
It was the cold sweat of fear...
"So you let him escape."
That voice was hoarse and harsh, as if it had been scorched by fire, yet not a single wizard present had the slightest thought of laughing.
Instead, they lowered their heads even further.
Perhaps realizing what was about to happen, the black-robed wizard began trembling uncontrollably as he spoke, not daring to look up at all.
But driven by the instinct to survive, he hurriedly said, "Merciful Master, give me time. I will definitely find him!"
What awaited him, however, was not the mercy he spoke of, but the other man's withered finger pointing at him...
"Yes, that will be your task afterward. But now... Crucio!"
"Ugh! Aaaah! Spare me, Master! I know I was wrong! I'll complete the task you gave me perfectly!"
Although he kept begging for mercy, his tightly shut eyes could not see the look of pleasure appearing on his Master's face.
It made one wonder whether, compared to the success of the mission, this wizard cared far more about whether the person writhing at his feet could feel pain.
Just thinking about it sent a chill down the spine.
Yet faced with such a person, the other wizards showed no reaction at all. Even though the one being punished was their own companion, someone who worked alongside them, they merely watched indifferently.
Some of them even revealed twisted, cruel smiles...
And the ones capable of treating their own companions with such cruelty, the organization led by such a mad leader, were naturally those fanatical and loyal Death Eaters...
And Voldemort, with that distorted face!!
...
After the wizard who had passed out from torture was dragged away, Barty Crouch Jr., standing at the far left, finally stepped forward and looked at Voldemort before him with fanatic devotion...
"Great Master, although there was a small accident, everything is still proceeding according to your plan."
"Has the choice been made?"
"Yes. Pius will take over the position of Minister for Magic next. When that happens, we'll be able to mobilize all our forces to capture that Potter."
"...Very good. Don't forget the one we have at Hogwarts, our brave little Malfoy."
The noseless Voldemort revealed a cold smile and turned his gaze toward the corner of the room.
His bright crimson eyes, with their narrow pupils, opened wide, and a snake-like hiss of laughter sounded from his throat...
"Isn't that right, Severus Snape... No, perhaps I should call you... the soon-to-be Headmaster of Hogwarts!"