Chapter 73: Return To Saints
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"...Huh!"
Dumbledore's eyes showed a flicker of surprise. He hadn't expected Fudge to reject him so directly. In the past, although Fudge had sometimes disagreed, he had never gone head-to-head with him like this. Most times, Fudge would compromise. But today was different...
Dumbledore's expression changed as he studied Fudge carefully.
"I understand, Fudge," he said quietly.
With that, Dumbledore didn't push further. He left the Ministry of Magic and returned to his office at Hogwarts. Settling into his familiar rocking chair, he began to reflect on Fudge's unusual behavior. Up until today, there hadn't been any major signs of change around Fudge.
The only recent variable in the equation was... Dyroth.
But how could a brief interaction with Dyroth cause such a dramatic shift in Fudge's attitude?
"Could it really be you, Dyroth?" Dumbledore muttered to himself. "Just a few minutes with him, and Fudge changes this much? You truly are Grindelwald's heir, after all…"
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After being checked at St. Mungo's Hospital. Dyroth was escorted back to the manor by Mrs. Molly Weasley.
Vinda Rosier had received word of his release and was waiting at the door. As soon as she saw him approaching, the worry on her face eased, and she stepped forward quickly.
"Dyroth, are you alright?" she asked with concern.
"I'm fine, Aunt Vinda," Dyroth reassured her with a nod. Then he introduced Arthur and Molly Weasley, who had accompanied him from the hospital. "This is Mr. Arthur Weasley and Mrs. Molly. They're the ones who took me to St. Mungo's."
Vinda smiled and nodded to the pair.
"Thank you for your help," she said graciously.
Arthur, a bit awestruck by Vinda's legendary reputation, stammered, "Ms. Rosier, the pleasure is ours."
Mrs. Molly, on the other hand, was more at ease and launched into a series of motherly remarks about Dyroth's health, causing Arthur to grow slightly red in the face.
When Arthur and Molly finally left, Vinda turned to Dyroth with a thoughtful expression.
"Arthur Weasley is quite decent," she commented. "And if I'm not mistaken, his wife is the sister of the Prewett brothers, yes?"
Dyroth blinked in surprise. The Prewett brothers? That was a name he hadn't come across before. The original books mentioned very little about Mrs. Molly's past, aside from her being a former Auror.
"They were original members of the Order of the Phoenix," Vinda explained. "Killed during the First Wizarding War. Good fighters, both of them."
Dyroth raised an eyebrow, understanding now why Vinda had taken such an interest in the Weasleys. She had never let go of her deep-seated concerns about Dumbledore and his Order. No detail about those connected to the Order escaped her notice.
"Aunt Vinda," Dyroth asked, changing the subject, "did anything happen with the Saints after I was taken away?"
Vinda shook her head. "No, after you were taken, I had a few people continue with our plans for today, and I summoned most of the others back to keep order. I nearly went to the Ministry myself, but Lucius Malfoy kept me informed so I didn't."
She paused, her face growing more serious. "Though I don't think anyone expected Scrimgeour to be bold enough to try using Veritaserum on you."
As Vinda spoke, a wave of fear washed over her.
This time, it was just Veritaserum. Even if Dyroth had been forced to drink it, it would have only caused a lot of complications but no lasting harm.
But what about next time?
Who could guarantee that Dyroth wouldn't be given something far deadlier?
Dyroth felt a chill run down his spine recalling what happened. He had calculated everything, but the Auror's ruthlessness had caught him off guard.
"I expected Scrimgeour to push me for answers, but I didn't think they would stoop to such extreme measures."
It was like a scholar facing a soldier—a clash of minds and methods that defied logic.
"But I should've anticipated something like this," he muttered. "It's fortunate that you and Lucius acted so quickly. Otherwise, the consequences could have been catastrophic."
Vinda nodded. "I've already sent word to those who helped. And tomorrow, we'll hold some events at the Saint's shop in Diagon Alley as a show of goodwill to the wizarding community. We'll reach out to as many as we can."
"Good," Dyroth replied. "As for those at Hogwarts, I'll handle their gifts myself. I'll also make a personal visit to the Weasleys. It wouldn't sit right if they were the only ones without a gift, especially after everything they've done."
Vinda nodded in agreement and then shifted the conversation to the Saints' business.
"In just one day," she said with a smile, "we've earned nearly 10,000 Galleons. It's more than we used to make in an entire month!"
Dyroth chuckled. "That's great news. But what happened at Gringotts?"
"Chaos," Vinda replied with a sneer. "The goblins have been silent since the incident, but the British wizards are furious. Many have started withdrawing their gold from the bank. The goblins tried to calm them, but a few well-placed remarks about the goblin rebellions shut them up quickly."
Dyroth frowned. "And the pure-blood families?"
"They haven't moved much yet," Vinda said. "Their wealth is tied up in too many places to act quickly."
"That makes sense," Dyroth mused.
After discussing the Saints' plans for the upcoming days, Dyroth finally retired to his room. He felt the exhaustion catch up with him, and as soon as his head hit the pillow, he drifted into a deep sleep.
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The next morning.
Dyroth arrived at the Burrow, carrying several gifts. When he knocked on the door, it swung open to reveal a striking figure with fiery red hair.
"Are you... Mr. Grindelwald?"
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