Hogwarts: Voldemort, don't stop me from studying - Page 276
Among the relatively intact buildings on the island, some were converted into interrogation rooms, and truth serum was specially approved for use by the Wizengamot Court.
Under the effect of the potion, the Muggle soldiers had almost no resistance and vomited out everything they knew.
But the lower-level soldiers knew very little, and there was almost no valuable intelligence. And the people who really knew the secrets were all dead.
Fudge didn't have the patience to wait on this desolate island. He had several major projects to focus on! In particular, the construction of the Quidditch World Cup was the top priority. In Fudge's mind, everything else had to take a back seat.
Muggles who coveted wizards' magic were indeed terrible, but Fudge felt that there would always be someone else to deal with this matter - such as Dumbledore, or the Ministry of Magic of other countries.
After all, among the children kidnapped to this island, only a few were born in the UK; the vast majority came from the United States, Australia, southern Europe, Africa and West Asian countries.
For Fudge, this was not his business. If Dumbledore had not been involved first and had not contacted the British Ministry of Magic first, then Fudge would have only needed to send a few people to participate as a friendly force.
Leave future troubles to the future Minister of Magic. Fudge only cares about whether the British wizarding world is peaceful enough during his term and whether he can leave a good resume.
Soon after, at Fudge's insistence, although various follow-up tasks had not been completed, most of the Ministry of Magic officials were ready to return to Britain, along with dozens of children who could not find a home and Mabel the Obscurial.
In order to transport the children, the Ministry of Magic got a nearby cruise ship.
The white cruise ship was like a giant whale, sailing on the vast ocean. A fierce argument was heard from one of the rooms, and Fudge's voice was particularly high-pitched.
"Dumbledore, Dumbledore, you can't always be like this."
Fudge said anxiously, "Let that Obscurus go to school? Are you crazy?"
"——The Obscurus, the Obscurus, aren't they all one? There's no point in dwelling on this. Really, you must know what I'm worried about... We have to think about the safety of the students..."
"Ah... of course... of course... I know you must have your own considerations, Dumbledore... I know you will definitely do your best to protect the safety of the students..."
"But look at those poor Muggles out there, what have they become?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter whether these Muggles are pitiful or not. They committed crimes, I know, they hurt that lady, I also know, you have said it three times... But the important thing is that the harm caused by the Obscurus is not fake!"
"The students in the school can't even protect themselves like these Muggles! Putting the Obscurus in there is like releasing a hungry wolf among the sheep."
"I definitely don't distrust your ability, Dumbledore... Well, from the perspective of our duties, I think it is the least we can do to prevent such creatures from entering the school... She is pitiful, but this cannot be a reason for other children to take risks with her..."
"And there are other children with magical powers. We can't just let them go home... What if there's a potential Obscurus among them?"
"I think it would be better for everyone if the Obscure was executed immediately. I believe that the people who were injured on the island also think so..."
"As for the other children, and Haley, we'll keep them in the dungeon for a while for observation... This isn't a bad thing, it's just a safety measure to reassure everyone..."
"How long? How can I tell for sure? We have to make sure there is no danger. I heard that the Obscure won't live too long, but three to five years is always necessary..."
……
Mabel hugged Hayley tightly, and the two of them huddled on the sofa, surrounded by several expressionless and serious wizards.
They were wearing black wizard robes, which reminded the two girls of the black-clad soldiers on the island.
Even the look in their eyes is so similar—warning, disgust, fear...
It's as if they are people who shouldn't exist.
Mabel had been with Dumbledore these days, and when Dumbledore was busy, a fat witch would look after them.
She called herself Professor Sprout. She was gentle and kind, always with a lovely smile on her face. She took care of the two of them very carefully and considerately, giving people a motherly feeling, which made Maybelle and Haley gradually let down their guard and developed an endless yearning for her school.
But today, Professor Sprout was forced to leave, and some people claiming to be Aurors from the Ministry of Magic took over their "care", and since then, the two sisters have not seen any smiling faces.
This quarrel dragged the two of them back into reality.
Fudge's words continued to float into the ears of the two men through a thin wooden door.
Dumbledore had been fighting for them, saying that he would make sure Mabel wouldn't hurt anyone else and would ensure the students' safety;
He said that the current situation was not Mabel's fault, and as adults, they should give children a chance to grow and give them a future.
He also said that he would vouch for Mabel and that he was willing to take full responsibility.
Dumbledore's words made Mabel's eyes well up with tears, but at the same time, Fudge's attitude made her heart plunge into ice water.
The man who spoke in a timid and seemingly weak tone was extremely determined. He insisted on executing Mabel and locking the other children in the dungeon for three to five years.
In this way, even if one was not originally a Silent Person, one will probably become one.
But every word that man said was based on the public interest, duty and power, which made Dumbledore's mercy on the sisters seem very willful.
Finally, Fudge said, "How about this, Dumbledore, we initiate a board of directors at Hogwarts? My opinion alone is not important, but if all twelve directors agree with you, then I have no objection..."
"But I think if they all knew what you were going to do, the board would probably think you should leave the school and suspend you. Otherwise, next time, you'll bring werewolves, vampires, and trolls into the school..."
Dumbledore paused, looked at Fudge deeply, and said nothing.
Fudge knew that he had finally found a way to truly check and balance Dumbledore, and he couldn't help but let out a smug smile.
The smile disappeared immediately, but Fudge still looked worried and concerned for the country and the people, saying that Dumbledore's behavior was risky and willful, and that it should not have been done at all.
After being suppressed by the old man for so long, Fudge was finally able to stand on the moral high ground and gain the upper hand. He couldn't help but become a little carried away. He hinted in a sarcastic tone that Dumbledore had become senile and that he was the one who was truly concerned about the future of wizards.
Fudge didn't care whether the two little girls in the next room heard what he said - he was certainly no match for the Obscurial, but wasn't Dumbledore next to him?
If Dumbledore watched the Obscurus harm people, he would not be Dumbledore.
Relying on the strongest protection in the world by his side, Fudge even hoped that Mabel would release the Obscurus to attack him immediately, so as to prove that he was right.
Haley hugged Mabel tightly, trembling with fear, terrified of their unknown fate.
Mabel covered the little girl's ears, but her eyes fell on the window -
On the azure sea, several dolphins were following the ship. From time to time, they jumped out of the sea and drew beautiful arcs in the air.
Mabel could hear people on the deck cheering excitedly. They were the accompanying clerks from the Ministry of Magic. Some of them were not much older than Mabel and still had innocent childish looks on their faces.
They held thin wands in their hands, and their arms were as thin as bamboo poles, but with a wave of the wand, they could make rocks that seemed to weigh several tons float.
Mabel recalled the time when she and Wade were sitting on broomsticks and going to rescue Hayley, a boy who looked to be her age but could turn tiny insects into terrifying monsters.
and then?
The researchers, who once made Mabel tremble at the sight of them, were easily torn to pieces by the enlarged insects, without even a chance to escape.
She remembered when she transformed into Mo Mo Ran, those arrogant black-clad soldiers and those wizards who mastered powerful magic were all equally terrified and powerless.
If the Aurors in front of them who treated them as prisoners were facing "Morris" instead of "Mabel", would they still look at them with such eyes?
Including that Fudge... When he was almost swept away by the black air, he looked like he was about to pee his pants, not like the one who was shouting and screaming for war now...
Although she had never received any similar education, at this moment, Mabel understood a truth without any guidance.
All fear comes from lack of force.
When she surrendered like a lamb and let others decide her fate, others would not consider her pain and helplessness. Most people would only consider their own interests like Fudge.
Only when she shows the power to destroy everything can she control her own destiny, can she... can she protect Haley, Zeke, and other children so that they don't have to jump from one abyss to another.
But in this way, all the efforts Dumbledore made for her would be in vain, and she would never have the chance to enter Hogwarts again...
Haley suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck. She looked up and was surprised to see Maybelle crying silently.
"Mabel?!" Haley was startled and hurriedly wiped her tears. "Don't be afraid... My mom said that after we die, we will become stars in the sky. Then we will be together in heaven and never separate."
"I'm sorry...Haley..." Mabel choked up and hugged her little sister, whispering in her ear: "We have to separate, but no matter where I am, I will always protect you..."
Haley opened her eyes wide, and she struggled in panic, trying to see Mabel's face, but she was held tightly and could not do so.
Then she was pushed violently and flew out, hitting a bald Auror.
"what happened?"
The Auror caught Hayley in surprise. When he looked up, he saw that Mabel's eyes had turned pure white, her body was shaking violently, and wisps of black air were coming out of her body.
A shrill alarm sounded instantly, and several spell beams shot towards Mabel, but only hit the sofa and the opposite wall.
The original girl had turned into rolling black mist. She only stayed for a moment before breaking through the window and flying out.
The next second, Dumbledore and Fudge rushed in, but they could only see a black cloud of gas rushing into the clouds and disappearing in an instant.
"She...she...she ran away, Dumbledore!" Fudge shouted frantically. "Why didn't you stop her?"
Dumbledore was silent for a while, then smiled helplessly and said, "Yes, she ran away... She had always been very well-behaved before, why would she run away now, Cornelius?"
Fudge's face darkened and he stammered, unable to speak, then he began to accuse the Aurors of not being diligent enough.
Several Aurors also had their own grievances.
This was the first time they faced Obscurus. They always thought that with their magical abilities, it would not be difficult to subdue a little girl who had never learned a spell. Who knew that Obscurus' transformation would be so rapid?
Everyone was also blaming Fudge in their hearts - even if they wanted to execute the Silent One, couldn't they talk about it somewhere else? Why did they have to argue around them?
But Fudge was the boss and they were his subordinates, so they could only lower their heads and acknowledge that Fudge was right and that they were incompetent wastes.
After a fit of rage, Fudge ran to discuss with Scrimgeour how to catch the escaped Obscurus.
Professor Sprout stood outside the door, watching Fudge leave, and she walked into the room.
"Please give me the child, okay?" She said to Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt who was holding Hayley. "She has no magic power, she is just an ordinary person."
Kingsley was stunned for a moment, then silently handed Haley over.
The little girl fell into a familiar, warm embrace and burst into tears.
Several Aurors in the room showed embarrassed expressions and left one after another. Kingsley hesitated for a moment and deliberately stayed last.
Dumbledore whispered some comfort to Hayley, and then gave Professor Sprout a few words of advice. When he went out, he saw Kingsley standing quietly outside the door.
"Dumbledore," Kingsley asked, "can I talk to you?"
Seeing the wizard's serious and earnest expression, Dumbledore, who was exhausted because of Fudge and Mabel, finally smiled a little. He nodded and said, "Of course."
Chapter 399: Dolls and Space
The four puppets stood in a neat row, their bodies swaying slightly, and sometimes they opened their mouths and let out low growls.
They have gray-yellow or dark brown hair and beards, sharp teeth, and look like humans, but with some beastly characteristics.
Abigail looked at the four puppets with shining eyes. She reached out to touch the blond one on the left, but it suddenly opened its mouth and bit her hard.
"Crack!"
Luckily, Abigail pulled her hand back quickly enough to avoid being bitten.
"Don't worry, there's no lycanthropy in its teeth."