Chapter 131: Chapter 134: Umbridge, This Woman Can't Do Anything Right
Honestly.
If it weren't for Dumbledore and Grindelwald's negotiations last year, Cornelius Fudge might not have been so easily persuaded, as this Minister of Magic is very timid.
According to Fudge's thinking.
Since Dumbledore once negotiated with the first Dark Lord, Grindelwald, and recruited him to deal with the third Dark Lord, Peter Pettigrew;
Then, as the Minister of Magic, making a deal with Peter Pettigrew to recruit him to deal with the second Dark Lord, Voldemort, shouldn't be too troublesome.
If he could successfully eliminate one Dark Lord...
With the wizarding world facing the threat of three Dark Lords, Dumbledore solved the first through negotiation, and Fudge himself recruited the third. Together, they would completely deal with the second.
Even if Dumbledore had any objections afterward, Fudge believed his position would remain unshaken!
Most importantly...
There is a Dark Lord sitting right there!
Even if he wanted to just refuse Peter, Fudge didn't dare to do it.
Also...
There was the Philosopher's Stone.
Fudge's gaze involuntarily shifted to the stone.
To maintain his image as the Minister of Magic, Fudge forced himself to look away from the stone and solemnly addressed Peter.
"Mr. Pettigrew, before we negotiate, even though dealing with Voldemort is in our mutual interest, I cannot go against the interests of the Ministry of Magic..."
"Why would you?"
Peter shook his head, casually spreading his arms, and chuckled, "I only need the Minister to do one thing for me, and it's just a trivial matter..."
As he spoke, Peter's voice lowered, as if what he was saying was of utmost importance: "Bring a prisoner out of Azkaban..."
"A woman."
"A madwoman."
"Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Only this Death Eater, who is utterly loyal to Voldemort, can help me find him. The rest I will handle myself."
"..."
Fudge subconsciously sighed in relief.
He had originally thought Peter would make a much more troublesome request, but it was just to release a prisoner from Azkaban. This task was indeed difficult, but far less than he had expected.
As a competent politician, Fudge immediately furrowed his brow again after sighing, "To release a Death Eater from Azkaban, we need a valid reason. If this gets out, I'll be impeached by the members of the Wizengamot..."
"But..."
Peter's mouth curled into a mysterious smile as he continued in a low voice, "If just one Death Eater can lead to the complete defeat of Voldemort, even Dumbledore would support your decision."
Indeed.
Dumbledore would surely support it.
Fudge's face still showed signs of conflict as he continued, "Before that, we must find a plausible reason for Bellatrix's release, such as she being falsely accused like Sirius Black..."
Fudge's words abruptly stopped.
At that moment, he seemed to realize he had mentioned the wrong person.
The mastermind behind Sirius Black's wrongful imprisonment was sitting right in front of him!
"There will always be a way, right?"
Peter raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "Hehehe... Even if we have to secretly bring her out, as long as she can escape, she'll definitely find Voldemort..."
"..."
Fudge felt even more relieved.
If that's the case, it would be more convenient for him. As long as no one notices Bellatrix's absence, there wouldn't be much risk.
"It's still not easy..."
Though relieved, Fudge continued to voice his concerns, "No one has ever escaped from Azkaban..."
"Minister Fudge."
Peter's smile widened as his eyes narrowed, "I don't mind killing a Minister of Magic and finding another to cooperate with."
"I'll try my best."
Fudge quickly relented.
He had briefly forgotten that the person he was negotiating with wasn't just any politician but a ruthless Dark Lord!
"For the plan to proceed smoothly..."
Peter leisurely rewrapped the Philosopher's Stone in its parchment and softly said, "Please, Minister Fudge, stay here for now. Have your confidant bring Bellatrix Lestrange over. The Philosopher's Stone and the glory of defeating Voldemort will be all yours."
"This..."
Fudge's face showed hesitation.
What if his confidant brought Bellatrix and Peter reneged on the deal?
"Don't worry."
Peter seemed to read his mind and chuckled, "I could go to Azkaban myself and secretly release her, but I think having Minister Fudge do it might earn me a genuine partner because we'll share a secret..."
"..."
Fudge's heart tightened.
This bastard plans to use this to blackmail him in the future!
Peter's fingers drummed on the table as he continued, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to blackmail you. The weight of a Minister of Magic is still valuable..."
"What else do you want?"
Sweat was visibly forming on Fudge's forehead.
This Minister of Magic didn't expect to be entangled with a Dark Lord!
"I said, don't worry."
Peter's fingers stilled on the table, smiling, "We'll discuss future matters when they come. I won't cling to you. Our next collaboration will be the last."
Of course.
The manner of their final collaboration...
Wouldn't be up to Fudge to decide.
"I understand."
Cornelius Fudge nodded slowly, "I'll order Umbridge to come over..."
As a Minister, Fudge had his confidants.
Dolores Umbridge, who had always followed him, was Fudge's most trusted subordinate because her courage matched his.
To be honest.
Umbridge was delighted when she received the message.
Last time, Peter had promised her the position of Minister of Magic, filling her with both fear and joy. She feared being entangled with Peter but was also pleased at the prospect of becoming the Minister of Magic if Peter succeeded.
However, Peter had disappeared for over a year...
Umbridge continued to work cautiously by Fudge's side and became a member of the Wizengamot, which wasn't too bad.
Now, Umbridge didn't know whether to hope for Peter's return to dominate the wizarding world or to wish he never appeared again...
After all, Fudge treated her well.
However, fate is unpredictable.
When Umbridge knocked on Fudge's door, the sight of Peter behind it horrified her. Why was Peter in the Minister's home?
"Hehehe..."
Peter's sharp grin widened as he seemed delighted to see Umbridge, "Long time no see, Umbridge."
"... Long... Long time no see..."
Umbridge's eyes widened as she cautiously smiled, "Mr. Pettigrew, it's been a while. I didn't expect to see you here..."
"You're too polite."
Peter stepped aside, gesturing her in, "Please, we've been waiting for you, Ms. Umbridge."
Dolores Umbridge.
The perfect pawn.
This woman was timid, yet brazen when she had backing.
Currently, Fudge was her support. Thus, when Fudge ordered her to bring Bellatrix from Azkaban, she hesitated but ultimately agreed, despite her fear of the prison.
Maybe it was to maintain his authority in front of his subordinate, but Fudge, after giving the order to Umbridge, turned to Peter, "Mr. Pettigrew, are you sure you can completely eliminate Voldemort?"
"Of course."
Peter sat leisurely, glancing at Umbridge beside Fudge, and smirked, "I already know the locations of Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes..."
Speaking with confidence, Peter revealed, "Lucius Malfoy's home has a diary he doesn't know is a Horcrux..."
"Also, the Lestrange family vault, guarded by Bellatrix, contains a gold cup given to her by Voldemort. I couldn't retrieve it last time due to the commotion, but I'll get it next time..."
"The last is a locket kept by the Black family house-elf, Kreacher. Destroy these Horcruxes, and Voldemort can never return."
"From then on, the entire wizarding world will recognize Minister Fudge..."
At this, Peter casually glanced at Umbridge, chuckling, "I initially considered partnering with Umbridge, but after observing, I found her quite incapable. It's more convenient to work with Minister Fudge..."
"Yes, indeed."
Umbridge responded with a smile.
The middle-aged woman in pink cautiously lowered her head, not showing the flash of malice in her eyes.
When Umbridge looked up again, her face still had a flattering smile, "Minister Fudge, Mr. Pettigrew, if there's nothing else, I'll go to Azkaban to bring Bellatrix here..."
"Go ahead."
Fudge waved dismissively, while casually addressing Peter's remarks, "Well, Umbridge has her ways of doing things that align with my intentions..."
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