Capítulo 20: Chapter -19 Meeting in Ministry.

Chapter -19.

"So, you're on the hunt for a second-hand magic lantern to use at Hogwarts, huh? That's awesome! And congrats on landing the job, especially being a Slytherin and all—what a feat!"

"I know, right? It wasn't a walk in the park! The old man had me on edge for a whole month. You know how he can come up with the most bizarre reasons to keep someone from becoming a professor."

As they chatted away, Bellatrix, who was sitting nearby, couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. She thought to herself, 'Aren't you two supposed to be a bit upset with each other after those earlier comments?' But seeing them both so relaxed and smiling, she decided to just sit back and enjoy watching Theodore catch up with his old friend.

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Meanwhile, in the Minister for Magic's office, three individuals were seated comfortably, but the atmosphere felt a bit tense.

"Minister, I didn't realize that the Hogwarts headmaster would be part of our meeting," said a man with a tiger-like demeanor, clearly not thrilled about having someone unrelated to the matter in the room, especially for a confidential discussion.

"Rufus, I invited Dumbledore, so let's not go there. Besides, it's Dumbledore we're talking about," replied the frog-faced man, who seemed to have melded into his plush chair, clearly enjoying his position of authority.

Dumbledore, lost in thought with his wise blue eyes sparkling, finally spoke up, addressing the greedy politician. "Minister, while I understand what Scrimgeour is saying, I believe the issue of the Dark Mark and its sudden reappearance after all these years is far more pressing than my presence here. We should focus on that," he added, glancing at the head of the Aurors.

"Albus is correct, and you, Rufus, may find that it is sometimes more advantageous to adopt a slightly amiable demeanor rather than maintaining a state of constant tension," remarked Cornelius, the Minister for Magic, with a smile that concealed the underlying authority of his statement.

Rufus, recognizing the authority in Cornelius's words, nodded in agreement. Although he did not possess the same level of political acumen as this old frog, he understood when it was prudent to yield and when to stand firm.

Furthermore, he held a deep respect for Dumbledore, appreciating the opportunity to work under his guidance, as he considered Dumbledore a far more favorable option than those who resorted to seeking assistance through displays of weakness.

Observing Rufus's nod, Cornelius offered a slight smile before asserting his position as the Minister for Magic, emphasizing his authority within the wizarding community. "Very well, let us discuss the immediate measures you implemented upon receiving information regarding the Dark Mark."

While Cornelius was already aware of the details, he posed this question to allow Dumbledore the opportunity to uncover any new insights. This inquiry elicited a faint look of distaste from the head of the Auror Office; however, Rufus felt compelled to comply with the Minister's request and proceeded to recount the comprehensive details he had gathered from the Aurors in the field.

The atmosphere in the dimly lit room was thick with tension as the trio of wizards grappled with the implications of the dark mark's sudden appearance. "That's the full amount of information we have," the speaker continued, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency. "To acquire anything helpful or related to this matter, we're also seeking the assistance of those who were in close proximity to the location of the dark mark's manifestation."

Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore, who had been listening intently to the explanation, felt a peculiar unease settle in his chest.

As someone who had stood at the forefront of the battle against the Death Eaters, he was all too familiar with their wickedness and their insatiable desire to assert their power whenever they sensed an opportunity. Yet, this particular instance—the appearance of the dark mark—seemed devoid of the usual ominous undertones that accompanied such events. It was as if the mark had materialized without the accompanying violence or bloodshed that typically followed in its wake.

"So, there was no sign of manslaughter or traces of a duel, right?" Dumbledore inquired, his voice calm but laced with a hint of skepticism. He sought confirmation, his mind racing with possibilities.

Could this be nothing more than a childish message or a prank, a misguided attempt to signal that a certain someone was still alive? Or perhaps, he mused, he was simply overthinking the situation, allowing the weight of his years to cloud his judgment. After all, there had been no reports of death or mass destruction accompanying this dark mark.

At Dumbledore's query, both Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour perked up, their interest piqued. "Why? Perhaps the Headmaster thinks this might be the work of a Death Eater who has managed to evade the Ministry's grasp?" Rufus suggested, his brow furrowing in thought. He sensed that Dumbledore might have deeper insights into the matter than he was letting on.

Dumbledore, hearing this, felt a chuckle bubbling within him, though he quickly stifled it.

It was ironic that the head of the Auror Office, a position that should have been steeped in the realities of their ongoing battle against dark forces, was the one to voice such a concern. There had been numerous Death Eaters who had slipped through the Ministry's fingers, thanks in no small part to the incompetence of certain individuals within the Ministry itself. Some even sought to gain influence within its ranks, leveraging their financial power to manipulate outcomes. The absurdity of Rufus's suggestion was not lost on him.

"Death Eaters? I don't think they are foolish enough to act without a well-laid plan," Dumbledore replied, his tone measured yet firm. "And even if they were behind this, I find it hard to believe that the Ministry of Magic could suppress it so easily. Scrimgeour, you have worked in the field and have chased these dark wizards. Do you truly believe a Death Eater would engage in such a reckless display?" His words hung in the air, laden with the weight of experience and insight.

Rufus, absorbing Dumbledore's perspective, felt his initial intuition solidify. This situation felt markedly different from previous encounters with the dark mark; there was an unsettling quality to it that he couldn't quite place. However, before he could articulate his thoughts, Cornelius Fudge interjected, his voice dripping with indignation. "Dear Albus, aren't your words a bit harsh? What is there that the Ministry of Magic cannot suppress if they set their sights on it?"

A sigh escaped Rufus's lips, though it remained unvoiced. Internally, he lamented the necessity of involving politicians in matters of such gravity. Cornelius, while undoubtedly fulfilling his role of safeguarding the Ministry's image, was woefully out of touch with the realities they faced.

Note : as always, please give me some power stones, it will motivate me to write more. [You can also share ideas if you have some] :)