Dozens of Wizards were still busy on the small island, raising collapsed houses and clearing out buried items one by one.
Various documents, machinery, and medicines were piled high in an open area. To sort through these items, half of the British Ministry of Magic's clerks had been dispatched, and they even borrowed a significant number of personnel from the Ministries of Magic in several surrounding countries.
Under Dumbledore's intervention, the American Ministry of Magic was excluded, while some smaller African nations participated.
This was because a dozen of the children in the island's dungeon were from Africa. It was unknown how many others were still buried.
Some of the relatively intact buildings on the island had been converted into interrogation rooms, and Veritaserum was specially approved for use by the Wizengamot court.
Under the effects of the Potions, the Muggle soldiers were almost defenseless, spilling everything they knew.
However, the information known by the lower-ranking soldiers was very limited, with hardly any valuable intelligence. The real officials who held the secrets, though, were all dead.
Fudge didn't have the patience to wait on this godforsaken island. He had several major projects to focus on! The establishment of the Quidditch World Cup stadium was of paramount importance, and in Fudge's mind, everything else took a backseat.
Muggles coveting Magical Power were indeed terrifying, but Fudge felt that someone else would deal with it—like Dumbledore, or the Ministries of Magic in other countries.
After all, among the children abducted to this small island, very few were born in the UK; most were from America, Australia, Southern Europe, Africa, and West Asian countries.
For Fudge, this wasn't his responsibility to begin with. If Dumbledore hadn't gotten involved first, and if the British Ministry of Magic hadn't been the first contacted, Fudge would have only needed to send a few people for a friendly participation at most.
Future troubles could be left to future Ministers of Magic. Fudge only cared whether the British Wizarding world was peaceful enough during his term and if he could leave behind an impressive resume.
Soon after, at Fudge's insistence, despite various follow-up tasks not yet being completed, most Ministry of Magic officials were preparing to return to the UK. Accompanying them were dozens of children who had no homes to return to, as well as the Obscurial, Mabel.
To transport these children, the Ministry of Magic even acquired a nearby cruise ship.
The white cruise ship, like a giant whale, sailed on the vast ocean. From one of the rooms, a fierce argument could be heard, with Fudge's voice particularly high-pitched—
"Dumbledore, Dumbledore, you can't always be like this."
Fudge said uneasily, "Let that Obscurus go to school? You must be insane, right?"
"—An Obscurus, an Obscurial, aren't they all one and the same? Dwelling on this is meaningless. Really, you must know what I'm worried about… We have to consider the safety of the students…"
"Ah… of course… of course… I know you must have your own considerations, Dumbledore… I know you will do your best to protect the students' safety…"
"But look, look at those poor Muggles outside, what have they become?"
"Oh, whether these Muggles are pitiful or not isn't important. They committed crimes, I know, they hurt that young lady, I also know, you've said it three times already… But the important thing is, the damage caused by an Obscurus isn't fake either!"
"The students in the school can't even protect themselves as well as these Muggles! What's the difference between putting an Obscurus in there and putting a hungry Werewolf among a flock of sheep?"
"I am absolutely not distrusting your abilities, Dumbledore… Sigh, from the perspective of our duties, I believe not allowing such a creature into the school is the absolute minimum… She is pitiful, but that cannot be a reason for other children to risk their lives as well…"
"And those other—Magical children, we can't just let them go home… What if there's a potential Obscurus among them?"
"I think that Obscurial should be executed directly; it's best for everyone. I believe those who were injured on the island also think so…"
"As for the other children, and that Hailey, keep them in the dungeon for observation for a while… This isn't a bad thing, it's just to reassure everyone, it's a safety measure…"
"How long… How can one say for sure? We have to ensure there's absolutely no danger. I hear Obscurials don't live very long, but three to five years are always needed…"
...
Mabel hugged Hailey tightly. The two huddled on the sofa, surrounded by several expressionless, stern Wizards.
They wore black Wizard Robes, an attire that reminded the two girls of the black-clad soldiers on the island.
Even their eyes were similar—wary, disgusted, fearful…
As if they were people who shouldn't exist.
For the past few days, Mabel had stayed by Dumbledore's side. When Dumbledore was busy, a plump witch would look after them.
She introduced herself as Professor Sprout, gentle and kind, always with a lovely smile on her face. She cared for them meticulously, giving off a motherly feeling that gradually made Mabel and Hailey drop their guard and filled them with an endless longing for her school.
But today, Professor Sprout was forced to leave. Some people claiming to be Ministry of Magic Aurors took over their "care." Since then, the two sisters hadn't seen a single smiling face.
This argument, moreover, brutally pulled them back to reality.
Fudge's words drifted through a thin wooden door, constantly reaching their ears.
Dumbledore had been fighting for them. He said he would ensure Mabel wouldn't harm others, and he 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, to have a future.
He also said that he would vouch for Mabel and was willing to take full responsibility.
Dumbledore's words made tears well up in Mabel's eyes, but at the same time, Fudge's attitude plunged her heart into ice water.
That man, whose tone was so timid and seemingly weak, was exceptionally firm in his stance. He insisted on executing Mabel and locking the other children in the dungeon for three to five years.
In that case, even if they weren't Obscurials initially, they would likely become so.
But every word that man spoke was on behalf of the public interest, of duty and power, which made Dumbledore's compassion for the sisters seem quite willful.
Finally, Fudge said, "How about this, Dumbledore, we convene the Hogwarts Board of Governors? My opinion alone isn't important, but if all twelve governors agree with you, then I have no objections…"
"But I think, if they knew what you intended to do, the Board would probably feel you should leave the school, be suspended and gone. Lest next time, you bring Werewolves, Vampires, and Trolls into the school…"
Dumbledore paused, looking deeply at Fudge without speaking.
Fudge knew he had finally found a way to truly restrain Dumbledore. He couldn't help but let out a triumphant smile.
The smile was quickly reined in. Fudge still maintained a worried, patriotic demeanor, implying how risky and willful Dumbledore's actions were, and that he absolutely shouldn't do such things.
After being suppressed by this old man for so long, finally having an opportunity to stand on the moral high ground and gain the upper hand, Fudge couldn't help but get carried away, sarcastically hinting that Dumbledore was starting to become senile, and that he was the one truly dedicated to the future of Wizards.
Fudge didn't care if the two little girls in the next room overheard him. He certainly wasn't a match for an Obscurial, but Dumbledore was right there, wasn't he?
If Dumbledore stood by and watched an Obscurus harm someone, then he wouldn't be Dumbledore.
Relying on the presence of the world's strongest protection, Fudge even hoped Mabel would immediately unleash her Obscurus and attack him, as that would further prove he was in the right.
Hailey clung tightly to Mabel, trembling with fear, terrified of their unknown fate.
Mabel covered the little girl's ears, but her eyes were fixed on the window—
Out on the deep blue sea, several dolphins were swimming alongside the ship, leaping out of the water now and then, tracing beautiful arcs in the air.
Mabel could hear excited cheers from the deck; it was the accompanying Ministry of Magic clerks, some not much older than Mabel, their faces still innocent.
They held slender Wands, their arms as thin as bamboo poles, yet with a flick of their Wands, they could make stones that looked several tons heavy float.
Mabel remembered the time she and Wade sat on a broom, flying to rescue Hailey. That boy, who seemed to be her age, could turn tiny insects into terrifying monsters.
And then what?
The researchers who used to make Mabel tremble just by looking at them were easily torn apart by the enlarged insects, without even a chance to escape.
She remembered when she transformed into an Obscurus; those arrogant black-clothed soldiers, those Wizards wielding powerful Magic, all became equally terrified and helpless.
Could these Aurors, who treated them like prisoners, still look at them with such eyes if they were facing an "Obscurus" instead of "Mabel"?
Including Fudge… when he was nearly swept away by the dark mist before, he looked like he was about to wet himself, not like he was now, clamoring for a fight…
Although she hadn't received any similar education, at this moment, Mabel instinctively understood a truth—
All fear stems from insufficient strength.
When she, like a lamb, surrendered and let others decide her fate, they wouldn't consider her pain or her desperation. Most people, like Fudge, would only consider their own gains and losses.
Only when she displayed the power to destroy everything could she control her own destiny, and then… then she could protect Hailey, Zeke, and the other children, so they wouldn't have to jump from one abyss into another.
But if she did that, Dumbledore's efforts for her would be in vain, and she would never have the chance to enter Hogwarts…
Hailey suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck. She looked up and was surprised to see Mabel silently shedding tears.
"Mabel?!" Hailey was startled and frantically wiped away her tears. "Don't be scared… My mom said that after people die, they turn into stars in the sky. Then we'll be together in the sky too, forever and never apart."
"I'm sorry… Hailey…" Mabel choked back a sob, hugging her little sister and whispering in her ear, "We have to be separated, but no matter where I am, I'll always protect you…"
Hailey's eyes widened. She struggled frantically, wanting to see Mabel's face, but she was held too tightly and couldn't.
Then, she was suddenly shoved, flying out and colliding with a bald Auror.
"What's going on?"
The Auror caught Hailey in surprise. Looking up, he saw Mabel's eyes had turned pure white, her body trembling violently, and wisps of black mist rising from her.
A piercing alarm blared instantly, and several beams of Spell light shot towards Mabel, but they only hit the sofa and the opposite wall.
The girl had already transformed into a swirling black mist. She lingered for only a moment before crashing through the window and flying out.
The next second, Dumbledore and Fudge burst through the door, only to see the black mass of mist soaring into the clouds, rapidly disappearing into the distance.
"She… she… she escaped, Dumbledore!" Fudge shouted frantically. "Why didn't you stop her?"
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then smiled helplessly. "Yes, she escaped… She's always been so well-behaved before, why would she run away now, Cornelius?"
Fudge's face darkened. He stammered, unable to speak, then began to criticize the Aurors for not being diligent enough.
The Aurors also had their own grievances.
This was their first time facing an Obscurus. They had assumed that with their Magical Power, restraining a little girl who had never learned a Spell wouldn't be difficult. Who knew the Obscurus transformation would be so rapid?
Everyone also blamed Fudge in their hearts—even if an Obscurial had to be executed, couldn't he have chosen a different place to say it? Why argue right next to them?
But Fudge was their superior, and they were subordinates. Everyone could only lower their heads, silently agreeing that Fudge was right to scold them and that they were incompetent good-for-nothings.
After his outburst, Fudge went to discuss with Scrimgeour how to catch the escaped Obscurus.
Professor Sprout stood outside the door, watching Fudge leave, then walked into the room.
"Could you give me this child?" she asked Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was holding Hailey. "She has no Magical Power, she's just a normal person."
Kingsley paused, then silently handed Hailey over.
The little girl fell into a familiar, warm embrace, and then she burst into tears.
The Aurors in the room all looked embarrassed and left one by one. Kingsley hesitated, purposefully staying behind.
Dumbledore quietly comforted Hailey for a while, then gave Professor Sprout a few instructions. As he was leaving, he saw Kingsley standing quietly outside the door.
"Dumbledore." Kingsley asked, "Can I speak with you?"
Seeing the Wizard's serious and earnest expression, Dumbledore, who was exhausted from Fudge and Mabel, finally managed a small smile. He nodded and said, "Of course."
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