章 66: Truth Serum
---
With the help of Vinda, the news of Dyroth's arrest spread rapidly.
Many old members of the Saints, who had deep connections in the UK, began reaching out to their long-time friends.
These connections were all elites, though not necessarily in high positions, and their united outcry forced the Ministry of Magic to take the situation seriously.
---
Meanwhile, in Romania, the Weasley family also heard the news.
Mrs. Molly Weasley, who had once been an elite Auror, nearly exploded in rage.
"How could they do such a thing?!" she fumed. "Dyroth is such a good boy! We mustn't let him be wronged!"
Arthur Weasley, always the calm one, tried to reason with her. "Let's think this through, Molly. Maybe we can talk to—"
"Talk?!" Molly cut him off, her voice rising. "We're going back to England immediately! I'm going to ask Scrimgeour what in Merlin's beard he thinks he's doing!"
Even Ginny, who didn't fully understand the Ministry's workings, nodded in fierce agreement. "That's right! Let's go!"
---
At the British Ministry of Magic, in the Auror's office, Dyroth sat in his chair, unfazed. He acted as if he were merely at home. The Aurors around him watched him warily, unsure of what he might do next.
Suddenly, the door flew open. In strode a young woman with pink hair and a leather jacket—Nymphadora Tonks.
"Tonks, what are you doing here?" one of the Aurors warned. "The director said no one is allowed to approach him!"
Tonks scoffed, as if she had heard the most ridiculous thing ever.
"Dangerous? An eleven-year-old boy is dangerous?" she said incredulously. "You lot are treating him like a criminal!"
Ignoring the warnings, she walked right up to Dyroth, pulling out pieces of bread from her pocket and placing them on the table.
"Here, eat something," she said kindly, noticing the confusion in Dyroth's eyes. "Don't worry, there's no magic in them."
As a show of trust, Tonks grabbed a piece herself and took a bite. Only then did Dyroth realize who she was—Nymphadora Tonks, the Metamorphmagus and member of the Order of the Phoenix, married to Remus Lupin. She was the niece of Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy, rebellious but righteous, and destined to die in the final battle at Hogwarts in the original timeline.
Unexpectedly, here she was, offering him help.
"Eat up," Tonks urged, smiling reassuringly.
Just as Dyroth reached for the bread, the door opened again, and Scrimgeour stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Who brought this in?!" he shouted. "Who allowed food in here?"
Tonks didn't back down. "When did the Ministry rule that children aren't allowed to eat bread?" she retorted, stepping forward.
Scrimgeour's scowl deepened. "He's not just a child—he's a criminal!"
Tonks' face darkened with anger. "A criminal? For what—saving people? Or is it because he didn't bring you candy, Little head Auror?"
"Nymphadora!" Scrimgeour barked, using her full name.
Tonks' temper flared. "What did you just call me?" she spat. Everyone knew she hated her given name, and Scrimgeour had just poked the bear.
Several Aurors tried to calm things down, wisely pulling Tonks out of the room before things escalated further. One Auror leaned in to whisper something to Scrimgeour—Dyroth caught snippets like "Minister… uproar outside…"
A smile crept onto Dyroth's face. Public opinion might not always change things, but ignoring it came at a price. Scrimgeour knew it too.
"The matter is resolved!" Scrimgeour growled, visibly agitated. "If I let him go now, where's the Ministry's honor?"
"we don't need to worry about that," one Auror said nervously. "There's more than enough going on outside!"
Scrimgeour pulled a chair up to sit opposite Dyroth, his eyes narrowing. "I suggest you start cooperating, or things will get worse for you. Tell me, why were you at Gringotts today?"
Dyroth remained calm, his tone steady. "I went there to save people."
Scrimgeour slammed his fist on the table, face red with frustration. "You're still lying! Do you really think I won't take action against you?"
But Dyroth knew better. If the Ministry had any real evidence, he'd have been thrown into court by now. Instead, they were stuck questioning him in a waiting room, which meant they had nothing substantial.
"If I walk out of the Ministry with so much as a scratch," Dyroth said coolly, "what do you think the wizards outside will do?"
Scrimgeour felt a chill. The boy's confidence was unnerving—he saw right through him.
"I'll deal with you one way or another!" Scrimgeour snapped. "Bring me the Veritaserum. I want the truth from this saint!"
Gasps filled the room. Veritaserum was tightly regulated, especially when used on minors.
"Director, please reconsider!" one Auror pleaded. "The public would riot if they found out we used Veritaserum on an eleven-year-old!"
"You can't do this!" another Auror insisted. "The pure-blood families would retaliate! Many of them aren't exactly 'clean' either!"
But Scrimgeour, breathing heavily, was too far gone. "I'll take responsibility! If anyone wants to come for me, let them!"
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Ministry, a crowd had formed outside Fudge's office. The floor, which was usually quiet, was now buzzing with activity. Ministry staff tried to contain the situation but were overwhelmed by the number of high-profile wizards demanding answers.
Suddenly, the door to Fudge's office was flung open, and a wizard stepped inside, his voice ringing with authority.
"Minister Fudge," he declared, "you owe the British wizarding community an explanation. Since when has the Ministry of Magic become a puppet for the goblins of Gringotts?"
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