Chapter 417 Dumbledore's arrangement is enough to make the conversation go to hell
"Look!" Snape hissed, "The Dark Mark, it's not as clear as it was an hour ago.
Back then it was burned Black, but you could still see it."
"This is the brand Lord Voldemort puts on Death Eaters, how Death Eaters identify each other, and the signal for Lord Voldemort to summon them back to him.
When he touches a Death Eater's mark, we must immediately Apparate to his side.
Both I and Karkaroff felt the mark burning hot tonight; we both knew he had returned.
However, Karkaroff betrayed many Death Eater comrades, and fearing Lord Voldemort's revenge, he ran off early without a trace."
"Professor Karkaroff… ran away?" Krum asked, looking unnatural.
"Yes! And incredibly fast," Snape sneered. "Before we even reacted, he was gone. It must have been before Lord Voldemort gave the signal."
Fudge's eyes widened, and after a long moment, he looked at Dumbledore, gritting his teeth firmly, "I don't know what tricks you're playing, but I've had enough.
I don't want to say anything more. Goodbye, Dumbledore. We need to discuss Hogwarts' operating methods next time.
Now, I must return to the Ministry of Magic."
Fudge turned to leave, but after only a few steps, he turned back.
He took a large pouch of Galleons from his pocket and placed it in Aaron's hand, "The Triwizard Tournament prize money, a thousand Galleons.
Although you touched the trophy together, I think everyone assumes you are the champion. This is what you deserve."
Aaron was about to say something, but Abe quickly snatched the Galleons and stuffed them into his own pocket, the satisfaction of having them secured clearly visible on his face.
"I probably won't attend the awards ceremony, as PrincipalDumbledore and I had a bit of an unpleasant disagreement," Fudge said, then glanced at Dumbledore, put on his top hat, and walked out of the Principal's office.
Bang!
The oak door slammed shut.
Dumbledore shook his head in disappointment, then looked at Cedric and the others, "I think you all need to go to the Hospital Wing and let Madam Pomfrey have a good look at you."
"It's quite tiring. Tonight was unusually stimulating.
I need a little sedative and a good night's sleep."
Abe immediately pulled out a dark glass bottle from his pocket, looking at his master ingratiatingly.
Aaron looked at the 'Sedative' label on it, his mouth twitching slightly, "You prodigal child, these were all concocted by me step by step. How can you waste them like this!
Put it away quickly. The Potions at the Hospital Wing don't cost anything."
Abe gave an awkward laugh and stuffed the glass bottle back into his pocket.
"Let's go!"
"Not so fast, Mr. Gaius," Dumbledore said. "You and Harry, please stay for a moment."
"Uh…" Aaron was a little unwilling, "Just leave Harry. He definitely knows more than I do."
"Don't worry, it won't take up much of your time."
Aaron's mouth twitched slightly, and he nodded helplessly.
The three of them, including Cedric, exchanged glances and quietly left the room.
"Honestly, we anticipated Fudge's attitude, but this changes the entire situation," Dumbledore said. "We must speed up our actions.
Minerva, I need to see Hagrid as soon as possible. If possible, please also inform Madam Maxime!"
"I'll go at once," Professor McGonagall said, immediately leaving the Principal's office.
"Sirius, you can return to your normal form now."
The large Black dog made no move, merely glancing at Adrian.
There's an outsider here. What if she misunderstands?
"Miss Klein is smarter than you think; nothing will happen."
Adrian shrugged indifferently, "I'll just pretend I didn't see anything tonight."
The large Black dog hesitated for a moment, then transformed back into Sirius. He eyed Adrian warily, and finding that she wasn't surprised, he reluctantly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sirius, Severus, and Lupin, I trust all three of you deeply.
Now I hope you will set aside your past grievances and work together wholeheartedly."
"Dumbledore," Lupin looked at him with a troubled expression, "I have no problem, but those two…"
Snape and Black looked at each other with expressions of disgust and displeasure. If Dumbledore hadn't been there, they might have engaged in a duel between men.
"Surely you can manage not to show hostility in important public settings for a short time!
Everyone is on the same side; internal unity is essential, otherwise, we all have no hope," Dumbledore earnestly pleaded. "Now, for my sake, shake hands and call a temporary truce."
The two reluctantly shook hands, but quickly separated.
Dumbledore nodded, feeling a little weary, and continued, "Lupin, you and Sirius go to the Weasley's house.
Before he transforms into a human, explain to them the injustice he suffered, otherwise, Arthur and Molly might directly take him back to Azkaban.
I will write a letter to Arthur, explaining the current dire situation and telling him what to do.
After that, you must go and inform Arabella Figg and Mundungus Fletcher. I will keep in touch with you at all times."
"Understood," Lupin said.
Sirius walked up to Harry, "You'll see me again very soon, I promise."
Harry nodded worriedly, "I understand."
Sirius transformed back into the large Black dog and, led by Lupin, left the Principal's office.
"Severus."
"You don't need to tell me. I know what you want me to do. I am ready," Snape said in a deep voice, though his face was particularly pale.
A flicker of worry passed through Dumbledore's eyes, "I can only say, good luck."
"Professor Snape," Adrian interjected, "My brother has been under your care these past few years."
Snape paused, then smiled, "As a Professor, that is my duty."
"No, you misunderstand," Adrian explained. "What I mean is, if what you have to do is very dangerous, or if you want to give up, you can take refuge temporarily at the Gaius family's home.
Lord Voldemort doesn't have the power to trouble our families. You will be very safe there."
Aaron nodded very seriously. He could tell from Dumbledore's eyes that Professor Snape's task was very important, but also very dangerous.
Frankly, he didn't want this Professor to be in danger.
"It's alright, at least for now, nothing will happen," Snapereassured, then strode away.
"It seems he's made up his mind," Adrian said. "Prepare some Felix Felicis for your Professor. Perhaps it will come in handy."
Aaron nodded, then looked at Dumbledore, "Professor, do you have any instructions for us, leaving us behind?"
Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's just us few left here. I promise that no one else will know about our conversation.
Harry said you fought dozens of Death Eaters alone in Riddle's graveyard…"
"Pure fabrication," Aaron immediately interrupted, stating very confidently, "That was definitely Harry's delusion. I'm confident I can beat one or two Death Eaters, but dozens are simply impossible."
Harry: … He didn't even blush or breathe heavily.
This level of blatant lying was truly astonishing.
"Alright!" Dumbledore knew he wouldn't admit it, and continued, "Your butler seemed to have gone to find you midway. You…"
"I didn't see him," Aaron said without thinking. "All of us fainted, so we don't know anything."
"Then what do you think of Lord Voldemort? If he restarts his dark reign…"
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, I am pure-blood.
Lord Voldemort wants to start a bloody reform, but that fire won't burn us."
Dumbledore: … Is he trying to kill the conversation?
"Professor, do you have anything else?" Aaron asked cautiously.
"No, nothing," Dumbledore said with a forced smile.
He had thought he might be able to get some information this time, or at least give Aaron a heads-up, but he didn't expect him to be so unyielding, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.
Adrian also smiled without speaking, looking as if it had nothing to do with her, as if Lord Voldemort's resurrection had no impact on them at all.
"Then I'll go to the Hospital Wing now."
"Go, and take Harry with you."
Aaron shrugged, helping Harry up from the chair.
"Goodbye, Professor Dumbledore. I should be heading back as well," Adrian said. "There was quite an unexpected turn in the Triwizard Tournament. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Hogwarts can handle the final awards ceremony; I won't be participating."
The three walked along the path, Harry's expression conflicted, "Um… sorry, I think I said some things I shouldn't have."
"Clearly, that was your hallucination," Aaron reminded him. "But it's best not to bring up that hallucination in the future, lest you make a fool of yourself, understand?"
Harry's face turned red, and he nodded awkwardly, "We fainted after witnessing Lord Voldemort's resurrection, and I had a nightmare. After waking up, I was inexplicably sent back by a Portkey."
"Hmm! Teachable indeed!" Aaron said with a satisfied smile.
Adrian chuckled, then looked at Aaron, "You did well this time. You met all the requirements I set.
Champion, last one to complete the task, and no major casualties among the others."
"Two years. Don't forget what you promised me."
"This year and next year."
"What?" Aaron's expression changed slightly, "That's not right. This year is already half over.
You said two years, and now you've cut off a quarter directly!"
"Correction, I said until this time next year, not the entire next year," Adrian said righteously. "As for why, Uncle Gines probably didn't tell you, but you're going on a trip out of town this summer.
I'm counting it as one year for you, so you're not losing out."
Aaron was confused for a moment, then said bitterly, "This isn't fair. Enduring the holiday is one thing, but you've also cut the two years in half."
"You know better than I do what this summer holiday entails. Counting it as just one year, I even feel it's a bit short."
"Excuse me, may I interrupt?" Harry interjected, "What are you talking about?"
"His blind date time!" Adrian said meaningfully, holding up a finger. "He was supposed to go on blind dates after the holidays, but he fulfilled my requirements, so it can be postponed for a while."
Aaron held his forehead and shook his head, on the verge of tears, "Now do you understand why I worked so hard in the Triwizard Tournament?"
Harry: …