Chapter 752 - 295: British Weightlifting Champion (Part 2)
Chapter 752: Chapter 295: British Weightlifting Champion (Part 2)
At that time, Dumbledore’s prestige was at its peak; he was the only person Voldemort feared.
"Minerva and Severus have undoubtedly already told you," Dumbledore said, staring intently at Fudge, his eyes shining, "we heard Little Bartie Crouch’s confession. Under the effects of Truth Serum, he told us how he was secretly brought out of Azkaban, how Voldemort learned from Bertha Jorkins that he was still alive, and rescued him from his father to create trouble for Harry... Let me tell you, this plan succeeded, and Little Crouch has already helped Voldemort make a comeback."
"Listen to me, Dumbledore," Fudge said, with a hint of a smile on his face, "This, this can’t be true, right? You—you can’t really believe all of this... You-Know-Who—has returned? Don’t joke, don’t joke... Needless to say, maybe Little Crouch thinks he’s acting according to You-Know-Who’s orders—but how can you take the words of a madman seriously, Dumbledore..."
"Tonight, when Harry touched the Triwizard Cup, he was sent directly to Voldemort," Dumbledore said firmly. "He witnessed Voldemort’s return firsthand. Feel free to come to my office, I’ll explain everything to you—if you want to know the details, I also witnessed Voldemort’s return; you might want to see my memory?"
Harry suddenly noticed a little beetle not far away; it seemed inconspicuous, but Harry saw it.
It was Lady Rita Skeeter; it seems Vivi’s unseen hand is about to start working.
"Enough, Dumbledore!" Fudge began to grow impatient. "You’re exaggerating—based on Potter—Potter’s words and the ravings of that lunatic, you conclude that You-Know-Who has returned? You’re being irresponsible to the British Magic World! I must refuse to acknowledge it!"
Dumbledore sighed, suddenly feeling a bit weary.
As the saying goes, you can’t wake someone pretending to be asleep; Dumbledore knew Fudge too well, news of Voldemort’s return would undoubtedly deal a huge blow to his reputation, so he would never admit it.
He hasn’t had enough of sitting in the seat of Minister of Magic.
However, he still wanted to make one last effort.
"Listen to me, Cornelius," Dumbledore said. "I know it’s hard to accept, but Voldemort... he made many Soul Artifacts, which is what allowed him to escape death..."
"Ha..."
Fudge gave Dumbledore a vicious glance and then turned to look at Vivi.
"I understand, I understand, Dumbledore—I understand why you keep pushing me to admit Voldemort’s return. I just don’t get it, spreading this news causes public panic, keeping everyone in constant fear; what’s the benefit to you? It turns out there are Germans inciting this!"
"Germans?" Dumbledore was astonished; he clearly hadn’t expected Fudge to say such a thing.
However, Fudge no longer cared about this; he coldly said, "Since Lady Grindelwald’s Great German Ministry of Magic was established, it has swallowed multiple nations. It looks like Czechoslovakia and Denmark can no longer satisfy your appetite anymore. The next target... is the United Kingdom, isn’t it? No wonder you chose to come to school in the United Kingdom, it turns out you conspired with Dumbledore!"
Upon hearing this, Vivi ignored him.
A mad dog just bites; taking it seriously is losing.
This was already extraordinarily disrespectful, publicly accusing the head of another country’s Magic Ministry...
But Fudge didn’t care, as long as he could maintain his position as Minister of Magic, losing a bit of decorum was nothing.
Since he couldn’t refute the news of Voldemort’s return, then... use the British Wizards’ resistance towards the Great German Ministry of Magic!
Creating a pretext of Foreign Influence could indeed divert public attention, focusing them on the fake news of "the Great German Ministry of Magic attempting to swallow the United Kingdom" thrown out there.
Besides, there are many Muggle-born Wizards in the Magic World who know Muggle history.
Stories like this existed during the Second World War, which would undoubtedly remind them of those dark days.
In fact, many Wizards also participated in the Second World War, taking part in the battle against the Xiu Li Society.
"Looks like he’s really gone mad," Vivi softly said to Harry, her tone full of disdain for Fudge.
Such a bug can sit as the British Minister of Magic?
It’s truly the biggest joke of the year...
"Cornelius..." Dumbledore sighed, gave up persuading Fudge. "It’s true whether you believe it or not, it’s here, and if Voldemort really makes a comeback, then the British Magic World..."
"A good truth! But don’t forget, Dumbledore! The British Minister of Magic is me, not you!" Fudge said coldly, "Don’t forget, sixty-nine counties of Great Britain are carried on my shoulders; how the British Magic World fares isn’t for you to say!"
Harry leaned over, whispered in Vivi’s ear: "Looks like Minister Fudge is a weightlifter; he can carry such a heavy Britain..."
Vivi lowered her head, smiling slightly; she knew Fudge’s political life, and possibly his biological life, had already entered a countdown.
Yet, as the Minister of the Great German Ministry of Magic, Vivi certainly wouldn’t take action against Fudge; that would be suspiciously maneuvering, which would only end up being incriminating.
Now what she needed to do was stand by and enjoy the spectacle, like the book she recently read, which said, "Do more unjust deeds, and you’ll inevitably collapse; just wait and see."
With those words, Fudge left in a huff, leaving everyone in the room.
"Looks like Fudge is dead set against believing," Dumbledore rubbed his temples, speaking exhaustedly: "I truly didn’t expect him to be such a person, to be a ruthless, heartless, power-hungry fool!"
"Perhaps that’s also a good thing," Sirius said beside him, "We must see both sides in everything, a good side, and a bad side..."
"Foolish dog," Snape slowly interrupted Sirius, "Do you really think You-Know-Who’s return is a good thing, or has life in Azkaban turned your brain to mush, making you think you’re a Death Eater too?"
"Oh, Snot Spirit!" Sirius retorted, "I don’t know if I’m a Death Eater, but you definitely are!"
"Alright," Vivi interjected, "Enough... about this matter, I think Fudge won’t let it go... He’ll certainly try every means to suppress the opposition in the United Kingdom, to maintain his fragile rule."
"What will he do?" Harry asked curiously.
"Don’t know." Vivi answered simply, "Sorry, I can’t interfere in this matter, after all, this is your British Ministry of Magic’s internal affair... To me, Fudge seems intent on stirring up populist sentiments in the British Magic World, setting up me as this ’Foreign Influence’ target, to counter his supposed idea of ’Dumbledore trying to seize power.’ If I get involved, it will just play into his hands."
Mr. Bagman had been listening for a while, and finally couldn’t hold back.
"Does he really think Dumbledore wants his position as Minister? Oh, Merlin’s white hair, does such pig-headed stupidity truly exist in this world?"