This group of Dementors only wanted to come out and hunt because there was nothing to gain from Azkaban. In the past few months, incidents of Dementors attacking Muggles have started to occur frequently. However, these Dementors seem to have measured their actions, and they haven't harmed the lives of Muggles, leaving Dumbledore with no grounds to act.
But, today's events...
Were indeed serious.
This completely qualifies as a serious malicious incident. Dementors greatly affect little wizards, and if it weren't for the timely arrival of the Patronus Charm and the positive emotions it brought, Dumbledore could not imagine what might have happened. Those Quidditch players facing the Dementors, apart from Harry, almost all began falling towards the ground without any resistance, and Dumbledore wasn't sure if he could save so many children from the hands of that many Dementors, as those creatures clearly started dealing lethal blows.
Thinking of this, Dumbledore took a deep breath, the veins on his forehead subtly pulsating—he was truly angry today.
He actually understood Fudge's suspicion of him, so from the beginning, Dumbledore had always been very restrained, never interfering in any decisions or matters concerning the Ministry of Magic unless Fudge himself asked for his advice. He believed that when he made his stance clear, even a fool could understand his attitude—
But apparently, the paranoia in his heart has turned Fudge into someone even less sensible than a fool.
Dumbledore never expected that Fudge's control over the Dementors would be so weak. This group of Dementors actually tried to use the Dementor's Kiss on the students on the playground, and until now, Dumbledore was still somewhat fearful...
He doesn't want any little wizard to encounter any accidents.
So, he now needs to find a way to resolve the person who caused the incident at Hogwarts.
Finally, Fudge broke free from Umbridge's embrace, stood up, adjusted his bow tie with an annoyed expression, and moved Umbridge with a kick backward. Then he turned to face Dumbledore, his face once again adorned with a smile—
"Sir, I received the owl and came over immediately—"
At this point, Fudge did not even know what had happened. Dumbledore sent someone to contact him right away, and all involved Dementors had been taken down, so Fudge hadn't heard any news before arriving at the castle. Despite his impatience, he still maintained a smiling face as he looked at Dumbledore.
"Minister, I remember you promised me you would restrain those Dementors well."
Dumbledore's face was rarely without any smile, and the elderly man, usually full of expressions, now only showed indifference. He stared at Fudge's round face with his calm, ice-blue eyes, and his voice sounded without joy or sorrow.
The address had changed; Dumbledore usually called this Minister by his name or with a teasing "sir"—
But the change in address made Fudge's heart sink a little. Though filled with suspicion, a person who reached his position would never be an idiot. He could clearly see Dumbledore was very angry, and considering what was just said at Hogwarts...
Dementors had an accident?
Damned, did a student die?
At this thought, Fudge's mood instantly became somewhat awkward. He bit his teeth fiercely—no matter how many times he ordered those Dementors not to harm the students, even if they went far away to kill one or two Muggles, it was still something he could cover up, but in the end...
These animals truly can't be trusted!
Fudge took a deep breath and suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, reopening his mouth, "I understand, sir... How are the students' casualties?"
You understand? You just understand?
Professor McGonagall smirked in disbelief, shook her head, about to speak, but Umbridge, already standing up behind Fudge, suddenly interrupted with her sharp, sweet voice, causing the other three in the room to frown repeatedly, "Minister, if I may—Dementors exist to capture the fugitive Sirius, and even if they appear in some... um, places considered forbidden by the Headmaster, it's all for capturing the fugitive. How could they possibly harm students?"
The entirely pink-clad middle-aged woman stood with hands on hips, somehow oozing confidence, she seemed convinced Dementors didn't hurt anyone.
And the truth was just as she said; Professor McGonagall nodded as well, "Yes, there are no casualties among the students."
"!"
Upon hearing this, the previously tense and sweating-through-his-clothes Fudge seemed to have taken a bottle of Felix Felicis, instantly his back no longer hurt, his legs did not ache, and the fat on his face began to tremble rhythmically. Thus, Fudge straightened his back and, facing Dumbledore again, became more composed—
"So, Headmaster, what exactly is the reason you called me?"
As long as there's no death and no injury, it proves the entire matter is completely controllable, no matter what Dumbledore says, he has a follow-up prepared. As a seasoned politician in the realm of magic for decades, he manipulated these loopholes between words as naturally as breathing—
But Dumbledore did not respond, merely waving his hand lightly. In the next moment, a nondescript suitcase leaning against the wall suddenly flew up and landed on the table before him.
"You can open it and you'll naturally know why I called you."
Dumbledore's tone still didn't express anything, merely slightly leaning back in his chair, as if just resting normally, though he subtly distanced himself from the suitcase.
Fudge didn't notice Old Bee's little move, merely stared at the seemingly unremarkable suitcase in minor confusion. He considered Dumbledore's potential responses, such as Dementors stepping into the castle, classrooms, the Great Hall, or even dormitories, but as long as there were no casualties, he could brush it off as a search for Sirius.
Even if Dementors attacked the little wizards, it's still the same line; as long as there were no casualties, everything was trivial.
But Dumbledore's next move caught him off guard—what's inside this box? What's Dumbledore's intention in giving him this box? Does it contain some conspiracy against him?
Fudge remained silent, raising his head to meet those deep blue eyes before lowering his gaze again. He hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, motioning Umbridge to approach, "You, open it."
Me?
Umbridge, somewhat bewildered, raised her hand and pointed to herself.
Upon receiving confirmation, Umbridge cursed internally, compelled to touch something she dared not touch—it was downright maddening... However, simultaneously, with her usual acute political instincts, she quickly picked up on one critical detail—Fudge was openly displaying his distrust of Dumbledore in front of him.
This...
The woman smelled the scent of promotion.
Thus, she steeled herself, gripping the iron clasp with her short, thick fingers, exerting slight force, the suitcase obediently opening. In an instant, the unfathomable despair and cold within were unleashed without restraint, brutally "biting" into the woman's face.
"Expecto Patronum."
Dumbledore casually waved his wand, and in the next moment, a pure white Phoenix radiating light flew from the wand's tip, forcing back the Dementors that had regained significant energy and were attempting to climb out of the suitcase. The clasp snapped back shut, and staring into Fudge's horrified eyes, Dumbledore slightly smiled—
"Your Dementors, all 103 of them, please check and accept them."
...
...
"Will this work?"
Having disconnected Hogwarts from the Floo Network again, Professor McGonagall stared somewhat pensively at the flame, which had reverted to yellow.
Her initial idea and prominent suggestion remained the old routine of expressing a stance and correcting attitudes, using facts to rebut and silence Fudge, after all, the Ministry of Magic still needed balance, and if they didn't want chaos now, they needed to continue playing within the rules and the chessboard.
But, the method Dumbledore ultimately chose was completely different from what she imagined—yes, Dumbledore directly began to show his strength.
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