- Yes, just a second.
Granger pulled a British wizarding newspaper from her small handbag, made of light green dragon skin. The front page featured a photograph of Fudge in the Minister's chair and the headline in large letters:
The minister is ill. Poisoning or an unknown disease?
"Hermione, where did you get the Daily Prophet?" Richard looked at the girl curiously.
- During the holidays, I decided to visit Diagon Alley and subscribed to this newspaper's mailing list.
- Mmm... I see. Sorry, do you mind if I read it?
- No, no, of course read it.
Richard delved into the article.
Dear readers, our correspondent has learned that Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge was admitted to St. Mungo's Hospital yesterday.
Our correspondent managed to speak with the healers. Here's what healer Blishvik had to say about the minister's condition:
"The patient's condition is stable but serious. We're keeping him in a deep sleep to prevent pain."
Naturally, our correspondent couldn't help but wonder what exactly Mr. Fudge was sick with.
"It's a strange illness," Healer Blishwick commented. "His blood seems to be dying, and we have to constantly administer a blood-restoring potion to the patient. Due to blood clotting, anemia is observed. In addition, the patient suffers from vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, runny nose, and fever. He frequently experiences seizures and tremors."
A Daily Prophet reporter asked the healer about the source of the minister's illness.
"It's definitely poisoning by an unknown substance or a Dark Magic curse," Healer Blishwick shared with us. "The symptoms are completely atypical. For now, all we can do is stabilize the patient. One colleague even suggested we consult Muggle healers, as if they might know about such a disease. Naturally, that's complete nonsense! What do Muggles know? Wizarding medicine is the most advanced in the world!"
"Is there a chance the minister will recover?" our correspondent asked.
"I'm afraid it won't be possible to fully restore Mr. Fudge's health. We'll try to negate the effects of the curse or poison, but the damage caused to his body can only be reversed by the legendary Elixir of Life. And it's unlikely Flamel will share the Philosopher's Stone with us, even to save the Minister."
Dear readers, as you can see, Mr. Cornelius Fudge, according to the healer, will no longer be able to fulfill his duties as Minister of Magic. Therefore, the Ministry of Magic has urgently elected an acting Minister-Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office. The election of the new Minister is scheduled for July 1992.
Our correspondent approached Mr. Scrimgeour, primarily as the head of the Auror Office, and asked for clarification regarding Mr. Fudge.
"Cornelius suffered at the hands of ill-wishers," Mr. Scrimgeour stated. "His condition is the result of an assassination attempt. The Aurors are investigating. One theory is that Mr. Fudge was cursed by radicals associated with a notorious group. Other theories are also being considered. Mr. Fudge recently visited the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and some kind of conflict occurred there. We questioned Mr. Dumbledore about the incident, but were unable to obtain a coherent answer. I'm not saying Dumbledore is to blame for Mr. Fudge's condition, but please note-it is highly suspicious that the Minister became ill after a conflict with a man known as the apprentice of a famous alchemist..."
Richard leaned back on the sofa with a satisfied expression on his face. He understood perfectly well who was involved in the minister's removal and even knew how he had been poisoned.
Richie isn't bloodthirsty, but he'd been raised in recent years to accept the political elimination of a dangerous man calmly. And given his hatred of Fudge, he was also happy.
"You should have used your head before crossing the Richs," he thought.
The actions of the British secret services and the Queen's reaction were entirely appropriate, in Richard's opinion. After all, he was genuinely threatened with prison, and not just any prison, but the most terrifying prison on the planet-Azkaban. Even if that weren't the case, even if Fudge was simply intimidating Earl Rich, the royal family had no other leverage over this minister other than preemptive elimination, because it was unclear what this wizard's next move would be. Today he threatens the Earl and the godson of the First Crown Prince with prison, and tomorrow what? Send Elizabeth II herself to Azkaban?! The British secret services don't, on the Queen's orders, kill everyone who looks askance at one of the Windsors; it's just completely unclear what motivated Fudge's actions. It's truly best not to expect any further action from such an incompetent official, who commands a vast staff of superpowered individuals.
"Richie, what's so funny about that article?" Hermione frowned.
"Healer Blishwick thinks too much of himself," Richard replied.
"Is this because of the comment about Muggles?" Granger asked.
"Exactly, miss. Exactly. But if the wizards had asked any doctor about the symptoms of the disease, they would have received an answer immediately."
"So you know what curse was cast on the Minister?" Hermione looked at her friend curiously.
- Damn it? You're flattering him, Hermione. Fudge's stupidity is innate.
"Richie, it's the Minister. Minister Fudge!" Granger corrected the boy indignantly.
"Not anymore, Hermione. Fudge is no longer Minister."
"Okay, but could you at least be a little respectful?" Hermione said.
"Respect is my middle name," Richard smiled dazzlingly. "But even a Lord's patience has its limits, so be glad I don't call Fudge a worm or anything worse."
Hermione was perplexed. She couldn't understand why Richard had such a negative attitude toward the former Minister of Magic. Deciding to ignore it, she asked:
- Richie, you said you knew what the minister was sick with...
"That's true," Richard nodded majestically.