radicalducati Chapter 64 Yes, he did it all!
Chapter 64 Yes, he did it all!
"Yes, you are absolutely right, Professor Dumbledore—"
Ares knew what Dumbledore wanted to test. He stepped forward and said calmly,
"This magic requires a high degree of control over and quantity of magical power. Fortunately, I can barely meet the requirements to use it."
"Then you are truly gifted, Ares, very few can—"
"Ahem!"
Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge coughed twice, his face clearly showing his annoyance.
"I say, let's get down to business!"
Dumbledore reluctantly shut his mouth.
"Ah, of course, Minister Fudge, the important matter you mentioned is—"
Ares was pleased that Fudge had changed the subject, and he said in a friendly tone.
"Hey, I don't want to complain to you two—"
Fudge was pleased that the conversation was getting back on track, but he looked worried.
He spoke of what he called "serious business"...which, of course, was not unexpected by Ares and Dumbledore.
It was simply that the overwhelming public sentiment made it impossible for him to entertain them.
"Your idea of having me personally preside over the Sorting Ceremony for the young wizards is excellent, Ares... Very good, you've successfully garnered some public understanding for the department... I mean, time—"
Fudge angrily kicked at the pebbles on the ground with his gold Chelsea jersey.
"But the key problem hasn't been solved!"
The gathering and dispersing of blue clouds temporarily obscured the sunlight, and the breeze lingering over the area immediately responded, the coolness in the air making Cornelius Fudge's nose tingle.
He took out a handkerchief and blew his nose hard.
"The people have been relentlessly demanding an explanation from me... How did that damn train go out of control!"
It's ridiculous... Why would they think I would know?
I told the Daily Prophet that the Department of Magical Transportation was negligent... Oh, that's a huge concession! I told them I sent the head of the Department of Transportation home to grow potatoes. I thought that would be enough!
Fudge lamented,
"But can you believe it, Dumbledore? The public's anger over this matter is far beyond what I imagined. They keep asking me for the killer, or they won't give up!"
An old lady named Smith keeps blocking my office door, demanding that the Ministry of Magic find the culprit... She says her grandson broke his ribs in an accident..."
Ares's lips twitched.
His landlord was not easy to deal with.
"But where am I supposed to find a murderer!"
Fudge became angry again.
"The whole thing could very well have been an accident... a chance event!"
"Then tell the people what you're thinking, Connelly."
Dumbledore hit the nail on the head.
"You can't ask Ares to help you divert public attention. The public isn't stupid; they're discerning... Think about your past experiences and lessons, Connelly. Have your actions successfully changed your image in their eyes?"
"You make it sound so easy, Dumbledore—"
Fudge used the handkerchief he had used to blow his nose to wipe the sweat of frustration from his forehead again.
"To be honest... if that's your opinion, then I'll tell you—it's completely useless. You think I haven't told the Daily Prophet my true opinion?"
It doesn't work at all!
They made it impossible for my opinion to get published... These damn media outlets, they love conspiracy theories, you know? They want a murderer!
The public is the same... their eyes are discerning?
Oh, haha, that's right. They really don't believe the train was just old and dilapidated. They want the Ministry of Magic to punish the murderer, and if the Ministry of Magic can't provide...
Hmph, have you seen the latest polls, you two? My approval rating has plummeted to its lowest level ever!
And let me be clear, there aren't many people in the department who really care about this... especially old Barty, I bet he's just waiting to get into big trouble and then step on me to get the ministerial position!
Fudge sneered.
"I simply don't believe that Batistuta wasn't pulling the strings behind the scenes!"
"But if the situation is like this—"
Ares spoke softly, carefully choosing his words.
"What can I do, Minister, unless you intend to hand me over as the murderer?"
"You can buy me some time, Ares!"
Sensing a hint of relenting in Ares's tone, Fudge's face immediately lit up.
"Buy me some time, Ares. I'll have the Aurors and the Transport Department check that train, which has been torn to pieces several times, again for any remaining clues. Have them search inch by inch along the tracks!"
Fudge stared intently at Ares.
"How about... I can buy the department some more time as a hero... Maybe in time, the public will forget... After all, there aren't many people as stubborn as Mrs. Smith."
This is what I mentioned before, the most troublesome part of dealing with politicians.
They're like leeches; once you're stuck with them, it's hard to get rid of them.
You can't refuse to help, otherwise you'll be offending them to the core.
Of course, you can also go on a killing spree... and then wait for them to ruin your reputation as badly as Voldemort.
"Will it work, Ares?"
Fudge didn't notice Dumbledore's deeply furrowed brow and continued to pester Ares relentlessly.
"Tell people that you trust the Ministry of Magic... that you believe that given enough time, we will be able to hand over the murderer."
This way I can get away from this for a while... I can't spend all my energy on this, the magical world is waiting for me to govern it!
"Seriously, I left the Department of Magical Law Enforcement a long time ago, didn't I? I'm not an Auror... Always investigating cases—Sigurd Legnark, that bodybuilding-loving goblin from Gringotts in Diagon Alley, is constantly sending letters to my office, asking me how the Quirinus Quirrell case is going."
Quirinas Quiro.
Ares, who had been patiently listening to the minister's rambling, suddenly twitched his brow.
"What's wrong, Ares?"
Dumbledore's reaction to the name far surpassed that of the Minister of Magic. His sharp gaze immediately "captured" Ares's eyes.
"Do you have any information about him, Ares... or did he send you a letter informing you of the progress of the young wizards in each grade?"
"How witty, Professor Dumbledore."
Ares glanced calmly at Dumbledore and said in a peaceful tone.
"I just... oh, I suddenly had an idea—how should I put it, a wild idea, Professor Dumbledore, Minister Fudge..."
"What?"
Fudge paused, puzzled as to why Delfino singled out Quirinus Quirrell, the madman who robbed Gringotts... Was he planning to change the subject?!
"I'm thinking... robbing Gringotts... Quirrell is undoubtedly a crazy, irrational wizard."
"Well, after the robbery failed, he was wanted by the department, the goblins, and Hogwarts..."
Ares said softly.
"He... um, do you think it's possible he might do something to retaliate against society, Minister?"
Silence, and more silence.
Under Ares Delphinor's meaningful gaze, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge's eyes gradually lit up!