New chapter! Thanks for all the support!
x
"Something did indeed happen, Cornelius."
"Then I'm very sorry, Dumbledore." Fudge sounded apologetic, though his expression looked terribly forced. "In that case, the Ministry of Magic has no choice but to take certain necessary measures. We have already contacted the Board of Governors beforehand."
Dumbledore frowned slightly. He knew nothing about this matter involving the Board of Governors. Clearly, someone had been maneuvering behind his back.
Through threats, bribes, or some other method.
As for who that person was... did that even need to be asked?
"Dumbledore, these are elites from the Auror Office. I believe they can help Hogwarts handle this dangerous matter."
As Fudge spoke, he began introducing the adult wizards who had come with him.
Aurors were, in essence, the wizarding world's elite law-enforcement force.
In theory, every Auror was an elite among wizards, someone especially skilled at fighting Dark wizards and Dark Magic.
In practice, however, the word "elite" needed quotation marks.
Still, there was no doubt that Aurors were quite capable.
"I believe Hogwarts can handle this matter on its own."
A flash of anger passed through Dumbledore's watery blue eyes.
This time, the Ministry's reach had stretched a little too far.
The Board of Governors, the Minister for Magic, and the Aurors. Their purpose could not have been more obvious.
This was a challenge to Dumbledore's authority.
If someone had dared to challenge Dumbledore like this several decades ago, their ending would certainly have been ugly.
His title as the greatest White Wizard was not just for show.
Perhaps it was because he had grown older, or because he had more concerns now. Perhaps his heart had softened, and his will to fight had faded. In any case, Dumbledore these days was actually quite easy to push around.
"Professor, this is bad! Audrina has disappeared!"
Whether by accident or design, at that exact moment, a panicked young witch pushed open the doors and shouted toward the professors' table.
Everyone looked at her at once.
When Lucius heard the young witch's words, the smile on his face deepened. He almost laughed aloud.
"Oh, Dumbledore, I think Hogwarts is clearly incapable of handling this matter. Look. Not only has a student been attacked, someone has now gone missing."
"Whether they are alive or dead is unknown!"
Lucius deliberately emphasized those words.
"I seriously doubt that you are truly capable of managing Hogwarts."
Although his tone remained polite, there was not the slightest trace of respect on Lucius's face or in his manner.
"This is only an accident," Professor McGonagall said, finally unable to hold back any longer.
Apart from Snape, who wore an unreadable smile, all the other professors glared angrily at Lucius.
"The current situation is dreadful." Lucius lazily cut Professor McGonagall off. As he took out a long roll of parchment, he said, "The Board of Governors believes you should step down. This is the removal order. All twelve governors have signed it."
"We feel that you have not made proper use of your talents. Since you cannot prevent the terrible things happening at Hogwarts, we ought to replace you with someone capable. The Head of Slytherin House, for example, seems quite suitable to me."
"You should know that my child is also a student at Hogwarts. I hope the headmaster of Hogwarts is a wizard who is truly caring and responsible."
"Mr. Lucius, wait. This is not what we agreed on." The first person to jump up and oppose Lucius was actually Fudge. He was practically shouting, his face full of panic. "It was only supposed to be the Aurors assisting the investigation and Dumbledore cooperating. No one said anything about removing him."
"Remove Dumbledore? No, no. That is absolutely not what we wanted. And in front of so many students..."
It was not that Fudge's conscience had awakened. He simply did not want to bear the consequences of causing such a terrible public scandal.
A Minister for Magic removing the headmaster of Hogwarts might be unique in history, but one thing was certain: it would be infamous.
Even Phineas Black, the most unpopular headmaster in Hogwarts history, had never been removed by the Ministry of Magic.
Some parents of Hogwarts students might not especially like Dumbledore's occasional eccentricity, but there was no question that they trusted him and recognized his ability. His reputation as a headmaster beloved by teachers and students alike was not empty praise.
In truth, there was one more thing Fudge had not said.
If Lucius removed Dumbledore, then who would solve the problem?
Surely he, the Minister for Magic, could not be expected to step forward himself.
And if the problem was not solved, who would bear the responsibility?
That question alone made Fudge extremely dissatisfied with Lucius.
'If you had told me sooner, I would not have come with you.'
Lucius, however, could not be bothered with what Fudge was thinking. He had never looked directly at this nominal Minister for Magic in the first place. In any case, his goal had already been reached.
Holding the parchment, Lucius took a step forward until he was almost level with Dumbledore.
"Lucius, you do not have the authority to remove Dumbledore." Professor McGonagall stepped forward and said furiously, "Dumbledore is the headmaster chosen by Hogwarts!"
"I believe I do, Professor McGonagall."
Lucius shook the parchment in his hand. It represented all twelve governors, himself included.
That meant the contents of this parchment had official recognition and were legally valid under wizarding law.
Although Lucius could not alter the contract of Hogwarts Castle itself, and Dumbledore might still be able to exercise the authority of Hogwarts headmaster and retain the castle's headmaster privileges, he had already been removed in name.
Unless Dumbledore intended to reject the joint decision of these twelve governors outright.
But clearly, he would not do that. Because he was Dumbledore. Because he was the greatest White Wizard. Because he would not sink to the same level as Dark wizards.
Even if Dumbledore did reject the decision outright, the first to object would not be Lucius, but the Ministry of Magic. The authority of the governors had been granted by the Ministry. Refusing to recognize the governors meant refusing to recognize the Ministry's legitimacy.
That was also why Fudge was so dissatisfied.
No matter what happened, Lucius could achieve his goal.
Lucius looked arrogant, completely certain that he had Dumbledore cornered.
And if these Aurors could resolve the incident smoothly, then Dumbledore's prestige would suffer an enormous blow.
At that thought, a sharp gleam flashed in Lucius's eyes.
That would be wonderful news.
Moreover, if things had not changed, then the culprit behind this incident was the Weasleys' youngest daughter: Ginny Weasley.
He had been the one who placed that book with her in the first place.
He could even frame his old rivals, the Weasleys.
Possession of a Dark Magic object. Tsk, tsk. That charge was not minor at all.
Two birds with one stone. A marvelous plan.
x
x
x
If you're enjoying the story so far, consider supporting me on Patreon ❤️
You'll get weekly early access to chapters, along with some exclusive content:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheDevotedReader