After learning that Fudge had arrived, Tver wasted no time and headed straight for the new Joint Operations Office.
Yes, the new one.
Magic could repair the building, but the documents and equipment that had been thrown into disorder inside had not been fully restored to their original places.
On top of that, the Office's importance had clearly risen, so Tver had chosen a more spacious location for the new office.
There just were not many suitable areas in Whitehall, and the new office was a little far from the main area. So when they reached a place with almost no one around, Tver grabbed Evans by the shoulder. The instant Evans's eyes widened, he Apparated straight into his own office.
"…I know we had some misunderstandings before, but now that they've been cleared up, there's no need for us to… WTF!"
Fudge, who had been pacing anxiously around the office, jumped in fright. He had still been rehearsing how to talk to Tver when two people suddenly popped into existence right in front of him.
Once he saw that it was Tver, he suppressed his anger and clenched his fists in irritation.
"Do powerful wizards like you not even bother putting Anti-Apparition protections on your own office?!"
Tver looked at Fudge in confusion. It sounded like a complaint, but somehow it also felt like a compliment.
For a moment, he did not even know how to respond.
"Er, this is a new office, so I haven't had time to set everything up yet," he explained dryly.
His calm attitude only made Fudge even more awkward.
In the past, Fudge certainly would not have minded continuing to vent his anger at Tver, but things were different now. In his eyes, their positions had completely reversed. The weaker party was now him, the Minister of Magic.
"Well, er… I only hope you'll be a little more careful. After all, the situation is different now." Fudge was so embarrassed he did not know where to put his hands or feet.
So now you understand that?
Tver raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Minister…"
He deliberately stressed the title. After all, how much longer Fudge could remain Minister was another matter.
"As far as I'm concerned, the situation has always been the same. In fact, you could say it's become clearer."
Damn it, I knew this brat wouldn't let me off so easily.
But knowing that was one thing. Fudge still had to lower his head and play along. Who told him to make that tiny little mistake back then?
He tugged at the muscles in his face and, despite the humiliation in his heart, forced out a fawning smile. "Of course. Someone as outstanding as you is always bound to show remarkable foresight."
Interesting.
Tver did not answer. Instead, he sat down with a faintly amused look and instructed Evans, who was still somewhat dizzy beside him, "Evans, please bring in two cups of tea."
The moment he received the order, Evans's military instincts were triggered. He immediately forced down his physical discomfort, pressed his lips together as if to keep himself from throwing up, and strode out.
Even though he had no idea there were no tea leaves anywhere in the office.
"Heh." Fudge laughed awkwardly. "Muggles really can't handle the wonders of magic."
"But wizards can't figure out the wonders of technology either."
Tver calmly gestured toward the chair across from him.
"Sit down. After all, you're still the Minister of Magic. I wouldn't want to give you a chance to slander me right before you step down."
"Just like you did every time before."
Having his deepest fear struck, Fudge gritted his teeth, but still endured it.
He had come today to save his Minister position, which was hanging by a thread. But yesterday, Dumbledore had flown into a rage, clearly showing that he was utterly disappointed in him.
And now, the only one who could save him was Tver, right in front of him.
"I admit we had some misunderstandings before, and you're very angry, but I can compensate you in any way you want, as long as you…"
"You're mistaken, Mr. Fudge." Tver tapped his finger on the desk again and again, the dull thuds making Fudge's heart tremble along with them. "I'm not angry."
"Your stupidity and stubbornness were entirely within my expectations. Otherwise, I wouldn't have supported Barty Crouch to compete with you instead of choosing to work with you, the rightful Minister."
Fudge's eyes widened at once.
"Are you saying that ever since you and Barty colluded… began working together two years ago, you were already planning to drive me out of office?!"
Tver looked at Fudge with some surprise. He had not expected him to have such a sharp side.
Although Tver said nothing, Fudge immediately found the answer he wanted in that expression.
In fact, an even more terrifying guess came to him.
"After I step down, the Ministry of Magic will be completely under your control." His eyes flickered, shocked by the information constantly surfacing in his mind. "The President of the Wizards' Confederation is on good terms with you, and you've also drawn in the British Prime Minister…"
Fudge suddenly raised his head and stared at Tver, the fear in his eyes growing deeper and deeper.
"With such a complicated network of connections, using it just to deal with You-Know-Who would be a waste. What exactly are you trying to do?!"
Tver's finger paused on the desk, and the entire office instantly fell into a suffocating silence.
To be precise, it was a deathly silence that made Fudge more and more terrified.
Tver's face was as calm as still water, showing not the slightest emotion, yet it brought Fudge an ever-increasing pressure.
Dumbledore had always regarded Tver as a student. On top of that, the vague clues Fudge had uncovered seemed to suggest that Grindelwald also had some connection to Tver…
He no longer dared to think any further, afraid he might find some connection between Tver and You-Know-Who as well, and scare himself to death on the spot.
"To be honest, I really didn't expect you to be quite this smart once you calmed down."
Tver spoke evenly, but Fudge wished he would deny it firmly instead.
"I… I don't know what you're talking about… It's getting late. I should return to the Ministry first…" Fudge said in panic.
Out of sight beneath the desk, he used all his strength to pinch his limp legs, which were too weak to stand.
He no longer wanted to be Minister at all. Whoever wanted the position could have it.
"Knock, knock."
A weak, listless knock eased the heavy atmosphere a little. In Fudge's eyes, Evans, who walked in, looked like a little angel with fluttering wings.
"Sorry." Evans steadied his breathing and placed the two cups of tea in front of them. "The department next door is a bit far from here."
"Thank you."
Tver was very satisfied with his perfectly timed arrival, so he did not mind that it was a cup of bitter tea, or that it was cold bitter tea.
After Evans left, Tver and Fudge both took a sip of tea at the same time. It made Tver's expression less cold because it was bitter, and it made Fudge less terrified, also because it was bitter.
"I'll be direct. There is no way I'm letting you walk out of this office as though nothing happened."
Seeing that Fudge's mental defenses had been completely destroyed, Tver set down his teacup with a light chuckle.
"I can give you two choices."
"First, at this afternoon's meeting, resign from the position of Minister, recommend Barty as your successor, and join this Joint Operations Office under my supervision."
"Second…"
"I choose the first one," Fudge said in a rush.
The instant he saw Tver's expression turn cold, he knew the second option could not possibly be good.
Tver could not help laughing at how tactful he was. He raised his teacup again and lightly clinked it against Fudge's.
"Welcome aboard, Cornelius. May I call you that?"
"Of course, boss."