Chapter 160: A Second Invitation for Dumbledore
The door to the Headmaster's office was knocked upon. Minerva McGonagall entered, a small girl trailing behind her.
"Albus, Ministry officials have arrested Xenophilius Lovegood. They left his daughter, Luna, behind."
A small head, covered in fluffy, pale-blonde hair, peeked out from behind her.
"This young lady found her own way here," McGonagagll continued. "She said she saw the Daily Prophet report about Hogwarts capturing Voldemort and believed it meant Dark Wizards wouldn't dare bother Hogwarts students."
McGonagall's expression was tense, angry, but beneath it all, there was a flicker of astonishment. She was surprised because an owl had delivered a letter directly to her. Upon opening it, she found it was from a "Luna Lovegood," detailing how her father had been taken by "law-breaking Dark Wizards." The letter requested help from Hogwarts to rescue her father and asked for sanctuary.
McGonagall had initially suspected it was a prank, but on the off chance it was true, she had gone to the Lovegood house. She found the little witch sitting on the doorstep, staring blankly into the distance. It was only when she saw McGonagall that a light returned to her eyes. The first words out of her mouth were, "Hello, are you a professor from Hogwarts? My home was invaded by Dark Wizards. I need your help."
Professor McGonagall finished explaining the situation.
At this, Luna herself stepped forward and repeated earnestly, "They were Dark Wizards! They didn't follow any rules or wizarding law! Only Dark Wizards would do that!"
Dumbledore nodded slightly. He wanted to tell the girl that, often, the ones who truly don't follow the law are the ones who have the power to make it. But considering she was still young, he simply comforted her and agreed to her request. "Miss Lovegood, please rest assured. We will not stand by and allow an innocent person to be persecuted."
Nearby, Harry—who had been spending his time learning from Dumbledore how to control his power—could hardly believe what he was hearing. He couldn't understand why Ministry officials would so brazenly break the law. He couldn't understand why the Minister of Magic himself, a great figure in the wizarding world, would sign such a decree. A seed of disgust for the Ministry began to grow in his mind.
"Albus, you should write to Fudge," Minerva McGonagall said, gently patting Luna's head as the girl relaxed slightly at Dumbledore's promise. "Warn him not to do things he shouldn't."
"We have another visitor at the door," Dumbledore said. "Let's hear what this one has to say."
A few seconds after he spoke, McGonagall also turned her gaze to the door. A moment later, a knock was heard, and a new figure entered the office.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt," Dumbledore greeted him. "What business does Fudge have for you today?"
"Sir, there was a protest incident in Diagon Alley today. The Ministry dispatched Aurors to guide and disperse the crowd, but it was ineffective. After one of the Deputy Ministers, Dolores Umbridge, arrived on the scene, the conflict escalated."
Kingsley spoke extremely quickly, but his words were clear, showing no sign of panic. "As of now, the wizards who went to the Ministry to 'admonish' have broken through and have Minister Fudge surrounded. The Minister sent me to request your presence, sir, hoping you will come to the scene and ensure the safety of the Ministry staff."
You can admonish someone by breaking in? Harry felt that, as a young person, he truly didn't understand the adult world or what "admonishment" really meant.
Dumbledore's brow furrowed slightly. Based on his assessment of the situation, this shouldn't have happened. But then he remembered Fudge's decrees, and the fact that Ralvin was no pushover. His brow relaxed. "I am aware of the matter."
"Mr. Dumbledore, to be honest," Kingsley said, "Fudge brought this on himself. His poor decisions led to public outrage, which explains what's happening to him today. If he weren't the Minister of Magic—or, to take it a step further, if he simply hadn't been at the Ministry today—this protest wouldn't have been such a serious affair."
Kingsley, recalling the conclusion he and Scrimgeour had reached, subtly stated his position. "But he is the Minister, and for him to be cornered and admonished inside his own office... the Ministry's authority will be gone."
"Very well. In that case, I shall go," Dumbledore said, agreeing to Kingsley's request after studying the Auror for a moment. He held up a hand to stop Professor McGonagall, who was already preparing to head to the Ministry. "Minerva, you stay at the school. We mustn't let the students get out of hand. I will take Harry Potter and Luna Lovegood with me. We will return shortly."
Hearing this, Harry was stunned. It was a detail no one else could have known, but before Ryan had left Hogwarts today, he had come to find him. He had handed Harry a small, sealed packet, telling him to open it only if Headmaster Dumbledore decided to take him off school grounds.
Harry had taken the packet but thought nothing of it. He couldn't imagine any situation where the Headmaster would take a first-year like him on an excursion.
But now, that exact scenario was happening. The Headmaster was taking him to the Ministry to calm the protesting wizards.
Harry quietly tore open the packet and took out the small piece of parchment inside. A few sentences were written on it:
Harry,
I saw a vision of a protest in Diagon Alley today. The details were unclear, but I know the cause and effect.
Fudge has likely been influenced by some strange ideas, believing that as Minister, he is entitled to everything. This has caused people to oppose him—people like our senior Ralvin, and Mr. Weasley.
You may not know Senior Ralvin, but he was the Head Boy at Hogwarts when I was in my first year. His plans are meticulous, but he tends to walk a fine line. Of course, this is because his hand has been forced, so he will certainly ensure the conflict is inflamed, covering his own tracks and escalating the protest into a "remonstrance by force."
And you, Harry, are the supernova that the Headmaster, Mr. Gellert, and my professor are carefully cultivating. You are the Chosen One who will command the Dark Lord's power. You are a flag for the new era.
Therefore, the Headmaster must go to the Ministry—first, to cover Ralvin's tracks, and second, to finalize the next Minister of Magic. He will certainly take you with him, to stand at the forefront, to make the name "Harry Potter" resonate through the wizarding world once more.
I know that facing the entire wizarding world is a lot for a first-year. My advice is: empty your mind, and do whatever the Headmaster tells you.
—Ryan Welles
"Harry, Luna, have either of you ever Apparated with someone?" Dumbledore asked. He had noticed Harry opening the packet but didn't need to ask who it was from.
Both small wizards shook their heads.
"Then we shall need a Portkey."
Right in front of Kingsley, Dumbledore picked up a piece of scrap silver from his desk—it looked like a small, dented silver pot. He tapped it with his wand. The object glowed with a bright blue light, which then faded, and with a soft hum, it returned to its original state.
"Place a hand on this," he told Harry and Luna.
~~~
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