Dumbledore did not keep everyone waiting for long. He walked out of Hogwarts Castle and first met Harry's eyes. After Harry nodded to confirm that the plan was still on track, Dumbledore stepped in front of the professors and faced the Ministry officials.
"I understand why all of you have come," he said. "Why don't we find somewhere private to discuss this? I assume you have no wish to disturb these young witches and wizards."
Several Ministry officials whose families did not have children attending Hogwarts were just about to refuse, but Lucius agreed before they could speak.
"Very well. Headmaster Dumbledore, choose a place, and we will discuss the matter there in detail."
"How about the Quidditch pitch?" Dumbledore asked.
Lucius was just about to agree when one of the Ministry officials beside him loudly objected.
"No. Absolutely not the Quidditch pitch."
The other Ministry officials immediately echoed him. "That's right. Anywhere but the Quidditch pitch."
Lucius swept his gaze across them and realized, with some astonishment, that the ones reacting the most strongly were the same officials who had come to Hogwarts with him and the former Minister for Magic, Fudge, to question Dumbledore.
Their reaction also reminded Malfoy of their miserable experience during that last visit to Hogwarts. Back then, Dumbledore had not even needed to make a move. Harry Potter alone had defeated all of them.
After that incident, many Ministry officials had held a meeting at the Ministry and concluded that some kind of permanent enchantment had likely been placed on the Quidditch pitch, greatly amplifying Harry Potter's power.
Because of that, they never wanted to hold a discussion on the Quidditch pitch again.
Of everyone present, only Malfoy knew there was no permanent magic on the Quidditch pitch, and Harry had not received any kind of enhancement.
That had been entirely his own power. Whether these Ministry officials believed it or not, Harry Potter had defeated more than a dozen Ministry officials all by himself.
In the end, after discussion between the Ministry and Hogwarts, they set the meeting location in the Forbidden Forest.
The young witches and wizards nearby heard them and all voiced their dissatisfaction. They wanted to know how things developed as well. They did not want to be kept completely in the dark.
However, although these young witches and wizards might achieve great things in the future, right now, they were among the weakest people in the entire wizarding world. Without power, they had no voice.
The professors, the upper-year students, and the Ministry officials arrived together at a clearing in the Forbidden Forest.
Lucius said lightly, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I have already satisfied your request. Now, shouldn't you and Harry Potter surrender and come to the Ministry to stand trial?"
Professor Flitwick tightened his grip on his wand and shouted, "Not a chance. We will never let you take Headmaster Dumbledore and Mr. Potter away."
Professor Snape's expression was dark as he tightened his grip on his wand as well, and that action alone made his stance clear.
Suddenly, a shrill, grating voice rang through the clearing. "Professors of Hogwarts, all of you have been deceived by Harry Potter."
Umbridge stepped out of the crowd with a smug expression and stood in the open space between the two opposing sides. She fixed Harry with a vicious, triumphant stare.
"During the months I have spent teaching at Hogwarts, I carefully investigated all kinds of information regarding Harry Potter.
"Guess what I discovered? Harry Potter has been secretly contacting those filthy Squibs, using evil magic to borrow power from demons and grant those Squibs spellcasting ability they should never have possessed.
"Not only that, he has also been practicing ancient magic in secret. And as everyone knows, ancient magic is evil magic jointly banned by Ministries of Magic across the entire world.
"I have even heard from certain private sources that the kidnapped Ministry officials were taken on Harry's orders by his subordinates.
"Any one of these crimes would be enough to keep Harry Potter in Azkaban until the day he dies. We absolutely cannot let him go."
The moment she said this, a commotion broke out on both the Ministry side and the Hogwarts side.
The Ministry officials needed no explanation. After hearing these crimes, they looked at Harry as though they were seeing the third Dark Lord, their eyes filled with wariness and fear.
Even the Hogwarts professors and young witches and wizards were shocked, though their reason was different from the Ministry's.
They were shocked because Harry had actually hidden so many things from them.
Seriously, Harry, you could have told us beforehand so we could help you act and cover it up. Now that it had all been dragged into the open at once, wasn't this way too passive?
Seeing the professors' various reactions, Umbridge immediately realized that even the professors did not know about some of the things Harry had done.
That made her even more pleased, and the hatred in her eyes grew even more obvious as she looked at Harry.
"Harry Potter, when you disrespected me in Defense Against the Dark Arts class, you should have known this day would come.
"Your crimes are unforgivable. You should spend the rest of your life in Azkaban."
Professor McGonagall frowned slightly and retorted, "Where is your evidence? Without evidence, this is slander against Mr. Potter, and we still will not allow you to take him away."
The things Harry had done could be considered serious if taken to extremes, but they were not truly fatal.
Many of the professors already knew about helping Squibs regain spellcasting ability, and they considered it a good thing.
As for researching ancient magic, that was not a major issue either. Ancient magic was dangerous because its power was too great, and people feared it would be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
In addition, ancient magic was extremely prone to going out of control. If it did, it could cause a major disaster.
But every professor believed Harry could perfectly control ancient magic and make perfect use of it, and that he would never use it to do anything evil.
Only the kidnapping of Ministry members was difficult to handle. If that charge was confirmed, the professors would have nothing to say.
But how could Umbridge possibly produce evidence?
Especially when it came to the most fatal accusation, that Harry Potter had kidnapped Ministry officials. Umbridge had only heard that through rumors, and even she herself did not believe Harry Potter would be so bold.
But Umbridge was not panicked in the slightest. After all, the Ministry had a regulation allowing them to temporarily detain suspects for one week.
During that week, as long as she handled things properly, whether through Veritaserum or harsh interrogation, she could make Harry Potter guilty.
So she said to Lucius, "Minister Malfoy, Harry Potter is now a criminal suspect. We should temporarily detain him at the Ministry for one week to prevent him from escaping.
"Even if he truly is innocent, we can release him after one week. This is a perfect solution."
Lucius's eyes shifted slightly, and the serpent-head carving on his cane tapped lightly against his palm.
He glanced at Harry, who was being protected behind the professors, and the habitual contemptuous smile on his lips deepened a little.
"Professor Umbridge makes a reasonable point." His voice carried a chill. "The Ministry's regulations are not decorations. For a suspect involved in kidnapping officials and colluding with rebels, temporary detention is a necessary procedure."
He took half a step forward, his black robes brushing across the dew-damp grass.
"Dumbledore, and you as well, Potter. Rather than waste time arguing here, you should come with us.
"In one week, the Ministry hearing will naturally give you an opportunity to prove your 'innocence,' assuming you truly can prove it."
Professor McGonagall was just about to argue, but Lucius raised his hand and cut her off, his gaze suddenly sharpening.
"Minerva, do not forget your current position. Obstructing the Ministry in the execution of its duties is hardly something a Hogwarts professor should be doing.
"Bring them over. Be gentle. We wouldn't want to frighten the esteemed Headmaster Dumbledore or the Savior, Harry Potter."
Umbridge stood off to the side with a fawning smile, her thick fingers clutching her handkerchief tightly.
"Minister Malfoy is truly thorough. This both follows the rules and allows the truth to come out as soon as possible. It could not be more appropriate."
Lucius ignored her flattery and merely gestured toward Harry and Dumbledore again with his wand.
"Mr. Potter, Headmaster Dumbledore, I believe it is time for us to leave. You would not want to oppose the Ministry when Voldemort has already returned, would you?"
Professor McGonagall hesitated, but at that moment, she truly did not know how to refute Lucius.
Dumbledore patted Professor McGonagall on the shoulder, signaling for her to relax, then walked toward Lucius.
Since Dumbledore had already surrendered, everyone's eyes turned to Harry.
To be honest, when facing Harry, the Ministry officials were even more nervous than when facing Dumbledore.
It was not just because of Harry's terrifying strength, but also because Harry was young.
Because he was young, he was arrogant. Because he was young, he was hot-blooded. Because he was young, he might always act impulsively and do something extreme.
If Harry refused to surrender, the Ministry might have to clash with Hogwarts, and that was something neither side wanted to see.
But in the end, Harry did not choose mutual destruction. Like Dumbledore, he walked forward and came to the Ministry officials' side, surrendering without resistance.
The Hogwarts professors and students watched Harry and Dumbledore being taken away by the Ministry officials with complicated expressions, and the atmosphere fell silent.
Professor McGonagall felt it even more deeply. She was furious. She could not understand why the Ministry had become like this.
Voldemort was clearly wreaking havoc outside. Why were they fighting Hogwarts instead?
Hermione was a careful girl, and she keenly noticed the sadness in Professor McGonagall's heart. She quietly tugged on the professor's sleeve.
When Professor McGonagall turned to look at her, Hermione glanced around and saw that no one was paying attention to them, then whispered, "Professor McGonagall, you don't need to worry too much about Harry and Professor Dumbledore. Everything is still going according to plan."
Professor McGonagall froze when she heard Hermione's words. Then a thoughtful look appeared on her face.
It seemed Harry and Dumbledore were playing a much larger game. But why had they not told her?
Could it be because they were afraid she would not agree?
Professor McGonagall clearly knew how rigid she could be. It seemed Harry and Dumbledore must have done something rather extreme, which was why they had kept it hidden from her.
Still, she did not care that Harry and Dumbledore had hidden things from her. She cared far more about whether her student and her old friend were safe.
The fireplace in the center of the Ministry of Magic Atrium suddenly exploded with green flames. Sparks scattered toward the high vaulted ceiling like startled moths, casting twisted shadows across the cold marble floor.
Lucius Malfoy's black robes landed before the flames did. Behind him, the Aurors escorted Harry and Dumbledore out of the fireplace's fading embers, their boots grinding over unextinguished fire fluff with soft crackling sounds.
Harry's wrists were pinned behind his back, and Umbridge shoved him forward.
Behind him, Dumbledore was being treated the same way. Their wands had long since been confiscated. In the eyes of these Ministry officials, the two of them had lost all power to resist and could only be handled however the Ministry pleased.
A moment later, Lucius stopped beside an iron door set with a serpent-shaped knocker. He tapped the serpent's eye with his wand, and the heavy metal door let out a dull gear-turning rumble, like a giant beast yawning.
The solitary cell was smaller than expected. Its four walls were made of obsidian that glimmered with a cold light, and even the air carried an unbearable dryness.
The only light source came from a magical lamp embedded in the center of the ceiling, but the light was weak, leaving the cell dim.
After the Ministry officials locked Harry and Dumbledore inside, they each left.
Harry and Dumbledore stayed in the cell for more than an hour before the lock on the iron door let out an ear-piercing turn. Umbridge walked in first.
Behind her, Lucius leaned against the wall with his arms folded, his eyes filled with amused interest, ready to watch the joke unfold.
"Oh, look who we have here." Umbridge's voice was like sandpaper dipped in honey, sticky and rough.
She paced up to Harry and deliberately straightened her back. Even though she only reached Harry's shoulder, she insisted on raising her chin until the tip of her nose nearly brushed his chest.
"Mr. Potter, do you still remember how you treated me in that Hogwarts classroom?" Her voice suddenly rose, and her thick hand waved through the air. "Back then, I suppose you thought that with Dumbledore protecting you and those foolish professors supporting you, you could order me around however you liked?"
Harry did not answer. He simply stayed silent, his eyes like a deep, rippleless pool as he stared at Umbridge.
Umbridge thought Harry was afraid, and his silence delighted her.
"And now? Your wand is gone, your backer is locked up beside you, and you are trapped in this cage without even a glimpse of sunlight.
"This is what happens when you disrespect a teacher, Potter. But don't worry. I have always been fair.
"Over the next seven days, I will 'take good care' of you. For example, we can talk about the secrets you and Dumbledore have hidden.
"Enjoy yourself, Potter. After all, not everyone has the chance to receive the personal attention of the Ministry's Senior Undersecretary."
"Are you done?" Harry suddenly smiled coldly and sneered, "Lucius, I'm not interested in watching this ugly old woman make a fool of herself anymore. Our plan begins now. Lock this old woman in this cage and let her enjoy it properly."
When Umbridge heard Harry's words, her entire body suddenly froze.
She had an extremely strong premonition that something was terribly wrong.
What made her feel even worse was that Lucius, as Minister for Magic, did not reprimand Harry for his rude command. Instead, he bowed his head slightly and nodded.
"As you command, Mr. Potter."
This time, Umbridge froze completely.
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