After all the commotion at Azkaban had completely subsided, Kingsley fully reported the incident to the current Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and, further up the chain, to the Minister for Magic.
For the current Department Head, there was nothing more to discuss. She immediately summoned all available Aurors, whether at home or in the Ministry, and dispatched them to Azkaban.
For Minister Bagnold, the recent series of major events had nearly worn her nerves to a frazzle.
She truly just wanted to peacefully serve out the remainder of her term and then go home to enjoy her retirement.
Whether good or bad, she really didn't want to hear about any more incidents.
But in the last couple of days, newspapers had somehow started circulating news suggesting there might be more to the story regarding Sirius Black's crimes, and she had been grappling with this headache.
The Ministry currently only wanted to apprehend Sirius as quickly as possible. Who had the inclination to investigate whether he was actually guilty? And if he really was innocent, wouldn't that just make the Ministry look even more incompetent?
Furthermore, this whole situation gave Bagnold a sense of déjà vu, as if she had experienced something similar not long ago.
Just as she was feeling physically and mentally exhausted, investigating who exactly was trying to clear Sirius's name, this explosive event at Azkaban happened tonight.
To be honest, even though this group of Death Eaters gathering and blatantly breaking into Azkaban with the intent to free prisoners was discovered in advance by Dumbledore, who arranged for their complete capture, whether this event was ultimately good or bad news for Minister Bagnold remained uncertain.
If He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named hadn't returned, would these people truly dare to do such a thing?
Now, she could only heavily contemplate the matter, hoping that Dumbledore had indeed made all necessary preparations.
While the Ministry was in motion, the reporters of the wizarding press were also unable to sleep a wink. They, of course, had no access to Azkaban itself and could only continuously attempt to interview Ministry's employees to get first-hand information.
Bagnold was certainly more capable than Fudge, her successor. Having dared to take over the chaotic Ministry during the peak of Voldemort's power, she wouldn't act like an ostrich, burying her head in the sand and pretending ignorance if Voldemort truly returned.
Setting aside the influence of old Nott and those other powerful pure-blood families in the Wizarding World, the mere fact that they had the audacity to carry out such an act at this time was enough for many to sense something unusual.
Before heading to Azkaban, Bagnold also intentionally signaled her subordinates to release hints that the Death Eaters' recent large-scale actions were likely connected to the missing He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Since the lid was bound to come off eventually, reminding the public that the man who threatened the entire Wizarding World had never truly been far away, it was best to let the populace have some advance preparation.
Soon, Bagnold saw the captured Death Eaters in Azkaban.
Those involved in the breakout, even while nearly drained by the Dementors, stubbornly insisted they were under the Imperius Curse and had no intention of breaking anyone out themselves.
As for individuals like Bellatrix, they continuously shouted and raved, incessantly proclaiming that their Master was returning, would soon come to rescue them, and that the entire Wizarding World would become the pure-bloods' domain!
Bagnold just coldly observed their reactions for a while, confirmed exactly who had participated in the Azkaban breakout, and then turned and left the lowest dungeon.
"Take those who participated in tonight's breakout off the island first. Await trial by the Wizengamot."
Her voice was icy, sounding quite displeased.
"As for Bellatrix, the Lestranges, and others like them... they've been sentenced to life imprisonment yet show no remorse, and still express their intent to aid and abet a tyrant. Then initiate the approval process. Let the Dementors give them the Kiss."
Bagnold's words caused everyone around her to fall into a hushed, fearful silence.
The sky was beginning to lighten by now, dawn was approaching.
Having lived in peace for so long, many had almost forgotten that while the current Minister for Magic had evolved from a passionate young witch into a seasoned, mature politician, her decisiveness and ruthlessness towards Death Eaters had never changed!
Kingsley, who had been busy all night, also hurried over, looking travel-worn, to report the situation to Bagnold.
But Bagnold didn't want to hear about other matters. Frowning deeply, she had only one question.
"Did Dumbledore hear these people say that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned? And does he understand that this breakout was also orchestrated by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, commanding his followers?"
Kingsley hesitated for a moment.
Dumbledore hadn't said his words were to be kept from anyone. So, he truthfully informed Bagnold about what Dumbledore had said regarding never having to worry about Voldemort again.
This visibly agitated Bagnold. She stared intently at Kingsley.
"Dumbledore really said that?!"
Kingsley wasn't the only one who heard this statement; several other Aurors present could corroborate it.
Once she confirmed this was true, Bagnold grew increasingly unsettled. She felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty. To determine the truth of the matter, it was clear she needed to go to Hogwarts and speak with Dumbledore personally.
With this thought, Bagnold couldn't stand to stay at Azkaban for another moment. She had already arranged everything necessary there anyway.
Soon, she returned to England and then used Floo powder to travel to Hogwarts.
However, at Hogwarts, she actually couldn't find Dumbledore!
She was received by Deputy Headmistress McGonagall.
This news nearly drove Bagnold to distraction!
"Professor Dumbledore left early this morning with Severus. He said he needed to leave Britain to handle some matters and would be back after some time."
'How could he just leave at such a critical time!'
"Did they say when they would return?"
McGonagall shook her head.
Bagnold couldn't help but sigh in frustration.
"I only confirmed with him that he would definitely return before Halloween. However, Professor Dumbledore said before leaving that if you came looking for him, I should take you to meet a few people."
"Meet whom?"
McGonagall led her to an unused sitting room at Hogwarts. When the door to this room was opened, Bagnold saw inside two men and a large, black-furred dog.