Chapter 274: Timely Severance, Semi-Public, and Curtain Call
"Ahem, Umbridge, due to major negligence in managing subordinates, you are temporarily relieved of your Deputy Minister position," Fudge then ordered.
"But according to magical law, isolated evidence cannot be used as the basis for a final verdict," Fudge said, still wanting to struggle.
Unfortunately, his clownish behaviour only earned more contempt.
"Well then, I have another witness here, don't I?" Dumbledore said, snapping his fingers as the Wizengamot doors opened automatically.
Mrs. Figg walked in, and Dumbledore stood up to offer her his chair.
"Hah, you want her to testify? A Squib," Fudge mocked.
Mrs. Figg pulled out a... wand from her bag, and some people laughed at this scene.
"Expecto Patronum."
Mrs. Figg's wand tip lit up, and a British Blue Cat Patronus ran out from in front of her wand.
"This is impossible!" A large number of people stood up in shock.
"She's just a Squib... there's no reason..." Fudge said, his glasses falling to the ground and shattering, but he was so shocked he didn't even notice.
"How did you become a wizard!" Some people couldn't restrain themselves and wanted to grab Mrs. Figg for interrogation.
Aiden frowned, raised his right index finger, and lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. The sound echoed throughout the Wizengamot.
In an instant, everyone's emotions were wiped blank.
Without any motivation, they entered a state of complete calm, their shock at Aiden vanishing entirely.
"Gentlemen, I know you're eager to explore the secrets of Mrs. Figg, since who can guarantee their descendants won't have Squibs? But the focus now is Mr. Harry Potter's case, isn't it?"
Aiden stood up and paced around the courtroom. A complex diagram appeared in his hand, and everyone's attention was drawn to it.
"Well, it's time for this farce to come to an end. Those in favour of Harry Potter being guilty, raise your hands."
Madam Bones couldn't stand Fudge using the sacred court as a tool for retaliation and simply pushed the case forward.
Among those present, only Fudge and Umbridge raised their hands.
"Oh, this lady seems to have been dismissed. Her vote shouldn't count, right?" Aiden said, raising an eyebrow at Umbridge.
Then he happily watched her smiling face twist and swell.
"Now, those who disagree with Harry Potter being guilty, raise your hands." Most of the Wizengamot wizards raised their hands.
The farce ended. Fudge couldn't resist the will of the majority, or his blessing would disappear.
Dumbledore took out his wand and made the flowery chairs disappear, bowed politely to them, and turned to leave.
Harry called out "Professor", but unfortunately didn't receive a backward glance.
Aiden also wanted to leave, but Fudge called out to him.
"Mr. Prewett, the means to transform ordinary people into wizards should be under the Ministry's control!" Fudge spoke from on high.
Aiden left without looking back, giving Fudge the middle finger and leaving him with a mocking silhouette.
The Wizengamot wizards all chased after him, leaving only Fudge alone in place, furious.
"Minister," Umbridge said, approaching pitifully.
"You'll serve as the general manager of my Diagon Alley shops. After accumulating political achievements for a certain time, I'll transfer you to the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
Fudge left this sentence and walked out as well.
In the Ministry's main hall, Aiden dealt with enthusiastic wizard after wizard. Finally tired of dealing with them, he could only use psychological invisibility to create an illusion to handle them.
He sat in a nearby lounge with the Director, drinking tea.
"So why did you suddenly ask me to make the technology public?" Aiden asked.
"There are too many. If this continues, we'll be discovered," the Director said with a bitter smile.
"What do you mean?" Aiden asked with some puzzlement.
"During this period, we've successively transformed a total of 300,000 wizards!" the Director revealed an astronomical number.
"What? How can there be so many?" Aiden said with a frown.
"The Deep Realm King's recovery speed is too fast. We performed a second cut on the core and reached agreements with guardians from other regions to jointly transform wizards. Now the projected transformed wizards are spread throughout Europe, and large parts of Africa have also begun trial transformations," the Director explained.
"Where are all these wizards hidden? Won't this cause large-scale exposure incidents?" Aiden asked.
"Temporarily hidden using Extension Charms and Confundus Charms. Muggles have reported large-scale disappearances, but their leadership doesn't seem to care much," the Director said with a shrug.
"You specifically targeted populous countries, didn't you?" Aiden said, his eyes curving like crescents.
The Director also smiled and lifted his tea for a sip. Communication between two foxes didn't need to be so detailed.
Harry's hearing finally ended, and Sirius escorted him all the way to King's Cross Station.
"Well, looks like I can only take you this far," Sirius said.
"I'll write to you," Harry said, giving him a hug.
"But where is your luggage?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Aiden said he hid the luggage in dreams. Do you know what kind of magic this is, Sirius?"
Harry expressed to Sirius his desire to learn this magic.
"Uh, it might be their family heritage. But don't worry, I'll teach you all of the Black family magic in the future," Sirius said, patting his chest to resolve the awkwardness.
The train's whistle sounded. Young wizards boarded the train one after another, carrying their families' blessings and expectations as the Hogwarts Express began its journey.
"Hmm, look who this is. After a summer vacation, you seem even more charming?" a familiar voice sounded from inside the compartment.
"I became immune to that word when I was six, Edmund," Aiden said, putting down his book.
"See, I told you he wouldn't react. Pay up," Ethan said, emerging from behind.
"Tch." Edmund reluctantly pulled out ten Knuts and handed them to Ethan.
"You two actually made bets about me," Aiden said, roaring like an evil dragon and pouncing.
"He started it!" Ethan said, decisively betraying Edmund.
"You disloyal guy." Edmund dodged the dragon's attack and pounced on Ethan.
The group playfully wrestled in the compartment.
The train arrived at Hogwarts at nightfall. It was another new school year, and many young wizards followed Professor McGonagall to the lakeside to board boats.
"Professor McGonagall?" Aiden said, tilting his head.
"Maybe Hagrid is ill. How rare," Edmund sighed.
Several people walked through the path and came to the forest behind the station to wait for carriages.
"Merlin, what is that?" Edmund was suddenly startled.
"You can only see Thestrals now," Ethan said with a smile.
"What?" Edmund asked with puzzlement.
"Magical creatures that can only be seen by those who have witnessed death. Did you witness someone's passing during the break?" Aiden asked.
"Someone raided our family during the vacation. That person was killed by the accompanying guards," Edmund said, recalling those hateful eyes.
"Then you'd better strengthen security, because the storm is about to come," Aiden said ominously.