Chapter 122 Cornelius Fudge
"Minister Fudge, why did you ask me to meet so late?"
In the Hog's Head Bar in Hogsmeade, Tom, completely shrouded in a black robe, lowered his voice and spoke to Fudge, who was also completely shrouded in a black robe.
This scene looked exactly like an illegal transaction between Dark Wizards.
As Tom looked at Fudge, Fudge also looked at Tom, his expression very complex.
After contacting Tom through a series of methods, he received a reply agreeing to meet, and the location was set at the Hog's Head Bar in Hogsmeade.
Fudge, who arrived on time, had expected Tom to send someone else to meet, but he was surprised to find that Tom came in person, which greatly astonished him.
Hey, I remember you're only in your second year, right? And it's still Hogwarts curfew. How many school rules have you already broken by openly coming here?
Suddenly realizing that Tom in front of him seemed to be a lawless fellow, not at all as he had imagined, but it was too late, and he felt he could only go all the way.
"Tom, I want to talk to you about Dumbledore..."
The name Dumbledore had just left Fudge's mouth when Tom covered his mouth and made a "shh" gesture.
With a puzzled look from Fudge, Tom pointed to the old man wiping glasses at the bar: "Minister, do you know the identity of the owner here?"
Fudge shook his head. He had only been to the Hog's Head Bar a few times, let alone known the identity of its owner.
Tom leaned close to Fudge's ear and kindly informed him: "The owner here is surnamed Dumbledore."
Hearing this surname, Fudge's pupils suddenly contracted, unable to believe it: "He...he..."
Seeing Fudge's reaction, Tom kindly added: "Aberforth Dumbledore, that's the owner's name, Albus Dumbledore's brother. So, Minister, are you really sure you want to talk about Professor Dumbledore here?"
Fudge immediately fell silent.
Thank goodness, thank goodness, Fudge looked at Tom gratefully. Fortunately, he reminded him in time, otherwise the secret information from today's meeting might have been on Dumbledore's desk that very night.
It seemed this young Wizard was not entirely on Dumbledore's side, which gave him a bit more confidence.
Seeing Fudge fall silent, Tom suggested: "Minister, this isn't a suitable place for a conversation. Come with me."
After Fudge agreed, Tom led him out of the Hog's Head Bar.
After leading Fudge to a small grove on the outskirts of Hogsmeade and confirming that no one was around, Tom finally spoke: "Alright, Minister, there's no one here now. You can say whatever you want."
Fudge organized his words slightly, preparing to probe Tom's attitude: "Tom, what do you think of Dumbledore?"
Tom, who was well aware of Fudge's recent situation, could probably guess what he wanted to do, so he followed his words: "Minister, although Professor Dumbledore usually pretends to be a good person, this cannot hide his desire for power. He is a complete opportunist."
Fudge was very satisfied with Tom's answer: "Exactly, Tom, Dumbledore is just that kind of person. Now he is trying to overthrow the Ministry of Magic. His actions seriously threaten the safety of the magic world. For the sake of the magic world, I need your help."
Hey, hey, although I generally know what you want to do, is it really okay to say it so openly? Shouldn't you be looking for Gryffindor for this kind of thing, why did you come to him, a Slytherin?
Tom secretly complained in his heart, but on his face, he showed a look of shared indignation: "For the safety and future of the magic world, Minister, tell me, what do you want me to do?"
The more Fudge looked at Tom, the more satisfied he became. He hadn't received such support on Dumbledore's issue in a long time.
"Tom, I need you to keep a close eye on Dumbledore at Hogwarts. If you find any evidence that he intends to overthrow the magic world, secretly notify me. At that time, I will bring Aurors to arrest him. As long as he is imprisoned in Azkaban, the magic world can return to peace."
Tom was stunned by Fudge's words.
That's it! That's it! With your Troll brain, how did you even become the Minister for Magic? Is there no one left in the Ministry of Magic?
And you idiot, have you even realized Dumbledore's strength? Bringing Aurors to arrest him? He alone could probably take on the entire Auror Department with ease. How much fake alcohol did you drink to say something like that?
Seeing Tom not speaking, Fudge thought he was thinking, so he urged: "How about it, Tom, can you do it?"
"I can, yes." Speaking of which, Tom smiled, "But why should I agree?"
Fudge was momentarily stunned; this was somewhat different from what he had expected.
"You..."
Fudge was about to say something when he found himself hit by a Petrificus Totalus and unable to move.
Casting silently and wandlessly, Fudge looked at Tom in front of him with horror. Could this be the level a Hogwarts second-year student could achieve?
And he attacked the Minister for Magic, wasn't he afraid of retaliation? Or was he going to kill him here?
"Don't be nervous, Minister, I won't kill you. I just want to give you a small gift."
Tom seemed to have seen through Fudge's thoughts. While gently comforting him, he slowly approached with a smile, and under his terrified gaze, he slowly pulled up the sleeve of his left arm.
Dark Mark!
A clear Dark Mark appeared vividly on the inner side of Minister for Magic Fudge's upper left arm.
Tom's special edition, no allegiance required, yet can be marked.
Fudge, freed from the Petrificus Totalus, touched the freshly made Dark Mark, feeling its burning sensation, and felt as if his entire world was collapsing.
"Who exactly are you?" Fudge looked at Tom with resentment.
But Tom's next action was an even bigger blow.
"Who exactly am I? That's a good question. I'm in a good mood today, and I don't mind sharing this little secret."
As Tom waved his wand, the golden letters 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' shifted in the air, and Fudge shrieked out the name.
"Lord Voldemort!!!"
Fudge couldn't believe it at all, and his words became incoherent: "How is that possible, you're not, not already...."
"Not already dead, right?" Tom finished the unspoken words for him, "Heh heh, but what if this was all part of the plan?"
"Oh, and I forgot to tell you something: I've always been Dumbledore's man!"
Tom said no more, leaving the rest for Fudge to imagine on his own.
At this moment, two Death Eaters, summoned by Tom, also arrived at the scene.
"Minister, now meet your new colleagues."
Fudge looked at the two newly appeared people.
One was Lucius Malfoy, whom he was very familiar with; his appearance here was not surprising.
But the other person was absolutely beyond his expectation, causing him to grit his teeth and shout:
"It's you!!!"