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The aftermath of Umbridge's disastrous performance was immediate, and it even took Harry by surprise, though, in hindsight, it made sense. The public outrage against Fudge had already been building, and learning that his undersecretary's deepest fear involved something as absurd as equal rights for magical creatures and non-purebloods was the final blow. Umbridge was promptly demoted, with a strong warning from the Minister himself to strictly follow Hogwarts' curriculum and become the ideal model of a professor for the next generation of Wizarding Britain.
The change in Umbridge's behavior was noticeable right away. Gone was the shrill, domineering presence. She no longer raised her voice in class and, instead of her usual condescending tone, now carefully followed the lesson plans without adding her oppressive opinions. Her once overbearing demeanor was replaced with a strained politeness, almost as if she was afraid to misstep.
Harry watched the shift with both amusement and indifference. It was odd seeing her like this, but it wasn't unexpected. The Ministry had her on a tight leash now. She was just another cog in the machine, and the days of her trying to enforce her twisted ideals were over.
As classes resumed, the atmosphere in the school lightened significantly. Students whispered about Umbridge's downfall, and even the professors seemed more relaxed. Harry, however, moved on quickly from the event. There was no need to dwell on it—Umbridge was out of the picture for now, and that was enough.
One of those days, while walking through the corridors, Harry noticed a woman he hadn't seen before. Something about her presence made him stop. Pulling up the system map, he froze when the label "Andromeda Tonks" appeared. A few weeks back, while disguised as Albus Riddle in Knockturn Alley, he had crossed paths with a Metamorphmagus named Nymphadora Tonks. Who was this woman, and how was she connected to Metamorphmagus?
Without hesitation, Harry decided to seek answers. He scanned the system map until he located Draco in the library. Malfoy did say something about a new Muggle Studies Professor. A few moments later, Harry strolled into the quiet room, his eyes locking onto Draco, who was engrossed in a book.
"Draco," Harry began, keeping his tone casual, "got a moment?"
Draco glanced up, mildly surprised to see Harry, but closed his book with a small nod. "Sure, what's on your mind?"
"I noticed a new face around here," Harry said, leaning against the table. "Andromeda Tonks. Know anything about her?"
Draco nodded, leaning back slightly. "Yeah, she's my aunt. Our new Muggle Studies Professor. I guess it's not surprising you haven't seen her much. She and her husband live in Hogsmeade, so she doesn't usually eat in the Great Hall."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Your aunt? I didn't know you had any relatives teaching at Hogwarts."
"Well, she wasn't exactly close to the family for a while," Draco replied, his tone casual but with a hint of something deeper. "She married a Muggle-born, Ted Tonks. That didn't sit well with my mother or the rest of the Blacks. Aunt Andromeda's been... well, out of the picture for years."
Harry glanced around the quiet library, absorbing this new information. It made sense now why Draco hadn't mentioned her before. "Sounds like things are a bit complicated."
Draco shrugged. "You could say that. But she's decent enough, I suppose. Doesn't lecture me about blood purity every five minutes, which is more than I can say for some of my other relatives."
Harry smirked slightly. "Guess that's a relief."
"Definitely." Draco tilted his head thoughtfully. "She's... different, though. I mean, she's strict about Muggle Studies, really pushes the importance of understanding both worlds. It's not something you'd expect from a Black, but then again, she's always been the odd one out."
Harry nodded, intrigued by what Draco had revealed. "Wait, you said she was a Black, so she is on your mother side?"
Draco leaned back slightly, giving a small nod. "Yeah, she's my mother's sister. Andromeda Tonks née Black. She's been kind of an outcast from the family for years now, ever since she married a Muggle-born. The Blacks weren't exactly thrilled about that."
Harry considered this for a moment before another thought crossed his mind. "Do you know Nymphadora Tonks then?"
Draco's expression shifted to a grin, clearly amused. "Ah, yeah. She's my cousin. Auror-in-training these days, though I would advise you never, ever call her Nymphadora to her face unless you're keen on being hexed."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco, genuinely confused. "Why's that? What's the big deal with her name?"
Draco let out a short laugh, leaning back in his chair. "Because Nymphadora hates it. You would think it was the worst thing in the world the way she reacts. Just call her Tonks. Trust me, I learned the hard way. Imagine a Metamorphmagus sneaking on you, impossible to guard against."
Harry smirked slightly at the thought of Draco getting hexed. "Noted. But what's her deal? You mentioned she is a Metamorphmagus, but she's also an Auror-in-training?"
"Yeah, she's training under Mad-Eye Moody, if you can believe it," Draco replied, rolling his eyes. "Completely mental, that one. Not just because of the Metamorphmagus thing either. She's always been a bit... reckless."
"Reckless, huh?" Harry said, filing that information away. "Sounds like someone fun to know."
Draco chuckled, shaking his head. "Depends on your idea of fun, Potter. She'll either drag you into some chaotic adventure or get you in trouble with the Ministry. Could go either way."
Harry leaned back in his chair, thinking. He hadn't had any interaction with Tonks, but if she was training under someone like Moody, she must be competent. "Guess I'll keep that in mind if we ever cross paths."
"Just make sure it's on your terms, not hers," Draco advised. "Otherwise, who knows what kind of mess she'll pull you into."
Harry grinned. "Sounds like someone I would get along with, then."
Draco raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You would, wouldn't you?"
Harry left after thanking Draco. Many things made sense now. He had already guessed Tonks was an Auror, after seeing her in the pub. It also explained why Alastor Moody was there that night. 'Did she somehow call Dumbledore that day? No, the Headmaster arrived with Moody, Kingsley, and Mundungus. I didn't think of it before, but could Mundungus have a connection with Dumbledore?' Harry shook his head, unable to make an immediate connection.
As Harry was about to return to the Chamber of Secrets, a sudden flicker caught his eye. A glowing phoenix Patronus glided through the school, pausing briefly at several spots before hovering near him. The familiar voice of Dumbledore echoed from the ethereal bird.
"Please come to my office, Harry."
Curious, Harry adjusted his pace, heading toward the Headmaster's office. As he walked, he spotted Snape moving swiftly in the same direction. Their eyes met briefly.
"Do you know what's going on, Professor?" Harry asked, keeping his tone neutral.
Snape shook his head. "No. But it seems urgent."
Without exchanging further words, they continued side by side in silence. Upon reaching the office, they entered to find Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and—surprisingly—Umbridge, who was crying in the corner. Dumbledore stood by the window, his back turned to them, the tension in the room palpable.
When Dumbledore turned to face them, his expression was uncharacteristically grave. His eyes scanned the room, lingering on each of them before he spoke.
"There has been a development," he said quietly. "Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, has been assassinated by Bellatrix Lestrange."
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"There has been a development," Dumbledore said quietly. "Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, has been assassinated by Bellatrix Lestrange."
The words hung in the air, sinking in like a cold wave. Harry was shocked, as he stared Dumbledore, half-expecting him to say it was a bad joke. Snape's reaction was equally restrained, though his jaw tightened. No one spoke for several moments, the weight of the news settling heavily on the room.
Dumbledore continued, his voice steady, though the gravity of the situation was clear. "This has already caused significant unrest at the Ministry. Chaos is spreading as we speak. We must prepare for the ramifications."
Harry's mind immediately began processing the implications. Bellatrix's involvement meant this wasn't just a rogue act of violence—it was likely tied to the resurfacing of Voldemort's forces. This would send shockwaves through the wizarding world. The delicate balance they had been trying to maintain was now fractured.
McGonagall cleared her throat, her voice tight with concern. "Headmaster, what are we to do?"
Dumbledore glanced toward Umbridge, who was still weeping quietly, then back at McGonagall. "We must stabilize Hogwarts first. News like this will reach the students soon enough. We cannot let panic take root here."
Harry knew this wasn't just about Hogwarts—it was about the entire wizarding world.
As Dumbledore continued talking, Harry's mind started racing. For weeks, he had been tracking Bellatrix Lestrange, waiting for her to make a move. Avery had assured him that she wouldn't return to Britain until after Christmas. Why had Avery failed to warn him? And why had Bellatrix assassinated Fudge? It didn't add up. If she had returned to Britain ahead of schedule, something important must've driven her.
Harry's thoughts narrowed on the idea that Bellatrix might be protecting the Death Eater patriarchs. The assassination of Fudge could've been a tactical move to keep the Ministry from investigating them further. But then again, it was Bellatrix—impulsive and violent by nature. Maybe her actions were part of some chaotic plot to stir fear, keeping everyone on edge. She thrived on that.
Dumbledore's voice droned on, but Harry's mind continued to work. Bellatrix's move to eliminate Fudge would destabilize the Ministry, but Harry knew it wasn't random. The patriarchs, including Lucius Malfoy, had managed to avoid direct blame for years. Fudge, though weak and incompetent, had always been easily manipulated, making him an asset to them. Killing him seemed counterintuitive unless something bigger was in play.
The implications were vast. With Fudge out of the way, the Ministry would descend into chaos. It would be the perfect cover for Voldemort's supporters to consolidate power or distract from other, more sinister plans but also would send all those Death Eaters filling Fudge's pocket return to the spotlight. The timing was too precise to be coincidental.
Bellatrix Lestrange hated betrayal above all. For her, loyalty to the Dark Lord was unwavering, absolute, and anything less was unforgivable. As Harry considered Dumbledore's words about Fudge's assassination, it became clear that Bellatrix's act was not just another chaotic display of madness. It was revenge.
Lucius Malfoy and his ilk—those who had skated through the fall of Voldemort with excuses, lies, and manipulations—had never faced true consequences. While Bellatrix rotted in Azkaban, they had continued to thrive, protected by wealth, connections, and a Ministry too weak to hold them accountable. Fudge, as a puppet of those same pureblood families, had likely enraged her the most.
Killing Fudge wasn't a mere political maneuver. It was personal, a message to those who had betrayed the Dark Lord by claiming innocence under the Imperius Curse. She had snapped, unable to tolerate the idea that Lucius and the rest had escaped while the true loyalists suffered.
Dumbledore's voice pulled Harry from his thoughts. "This will cause chaos at the Ministry," he said, turning back to the group. "We must be ready for what follows."
Harry nodded but kept silent. His mind was already running through the consequences of Bellatrix's actions. Killing Fudge was chaotic, sure, but it also paved the way for something bigger. The Ministry, weak and incompetent under Fudge, would now have to shift. People wouldn't want another leader like him—too soft, too easily manipulated. No, they'd want someone tougher, someone who could restore order in a world that was becoming increasingly unstable.
"Bellatrix might have done us a favor," Harry thought. She'd create a storm, but in the chaos, the Ministry would have no choice but to get its act together. After all, three dangerous Death Eaters had just broken out of Azkaban, and now one of them had assassinated the Minister. The public would demand a leader who could handle things, someone who wouldn't shy away from harsh decisions. That was what this would all lead to—a government that ruled with an iron fist. The time for weak leaders was over, and that could work in Harry's favor.
The law allowing the use of Veritaserum would add fuel to the fire. The Ministry was going to get messy. There would be trials, interrogations, and people would be exposed. For the Death Eaters still trying to play both sides, the next few months were going to be brutal. Harry almost felt a bit of satisfaction imagining the chaos Lucius Malfoy and others like him would have to navigate. They'd been too comfortable for too long, hiding behind their money and influence. Now, with Fudge gone and the Ministry forced to take action, everything was about to shift.
Focusing back on the room, Harry tuned into the ongoing discussions. Umbridge, still sniffling, requested to leave the castle to "mourn." Harry knew that wasn't the full story. Fudge was dead, and with him, her protective shield was gone. It wouldn't be long before she faced the consequences of her actions. Not long ago, her greatest fear had been exposed to all of Britain, spreading from students to parents and then to the newspapers. She wasn't just mourning; she was planning her escape—somewhere she wouldn't be hunted by the new government or the people she once oppressed. If Bellatrix and her group couldn't overthrow the Ministry, which was impossible, Umbridge had no hope of surviving either.
Dumbledore glanced at her briefly, then nodded, dismissing her as if she were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "Of course," he said simply, already thinking beyond her. In the grand scheme of things, Umbridge was insignificant.
He turned to Snape. "Severus. Please contact Alastor. We are in urgent need of a capable professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post." The word "capable" was emphasized, a final jab at Umbridge. Snape gave a curt nod, his robes billowing as he exited the room to carry out the request.
Harry stood, preparing to leave. "I'll be heading out as well, Headmaster. Thank you for the information, and my condolences, though I'm not sure why I'm here. I'm just a student, after all."
Dumbledore gave him a knowing look, but Harry didn't wait for a response. He turned and walked out, leaving the headmaster to deal with the aftermath. The Ministry would be in chaos now, but that wasn't Harry's problem—not yet. His focus was on what was coming next.
He made his way down the familiar corridors of Hogwarts, the weight of the news lingering but not overwhelming. Bellatrix had made her move, but it was a reckless one. That meant she would be easier to find, or she would need people more than ever. It was risky, too risky, but it was time for Albus Riddle to appear once again. He had to find Bellatrix. It was now or never. He couldn't afford to waste time; Bellatrix's actions would undoubtedly stir chaos within the Ministry, and if she were truly acting on impulse, now was the moment to strike.
For weeks, he had been plotting the perfect moment to reintroduce Albus Riddle, the persona he had crafted so carefully. He could use it to reach places Harry Potter couldn't, slipping through the cracks of the magical world unnoticed. And that time had arrived.
He knew it was risky to disappear now, but Harry wasn't one to sit around while opportunities passed him by. He had to get to her before the Death Eater patriarchs could shield her from the storm she had created or remove her permanently.
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