Chapter 1062: Discovered
The girl in the photo appeared to be around eight or nine years old. She was dressed in a deep blue Muggle primary school uniform, with a cute chubby face resembling a porcelain doll. However, her complexion was slightly pale, likely due to a lack of sunlight exposure over an extended period.
Facing the camera, she revealed two sharp fangs, giving her a comical appearance.
“This is the evidence. The girl in this photo is a core member of the vampire clan,” said Fudge.
“It is true that it is very similar, but just based on one photo, it…”
“Not just a photo, we also found traces of Sirius Black in Norway. He is connected to those vampires and Death Eaters. One of the Death Eaters who escaped from prison this time was his cousin,” Fudge continued arrogantly, without giving others a chance to explain. “It is already very clear that Black and the vampires planned the Death Eaters’ breakout, and now this girl appears here, giving me reason to suspect others are involved as well.”
Fudge was clearly pointing fingers at Dumbledore, as he handled all of Elaine’s enrollment procedures.
In simpler terms, he was now accusing Dumbledore of conspiring to overthrow the Ministry of Magic and planning the Death Eaters breakout.
“Great reasoning! I never thought you had such a strong imagination. This is probably a story Mr. Malfoy came up with,” said Dumbledore calmly. “If I understand correctly, you’re accusing me of saving those Death Eaters and planning the Azkaban escape?”
“No, no, of course not; I never thought of it that way.”
Under Dumbledore’s piercing blue gaze, Fudge’s face turned red again. He seemed either intimidated by Dumbledore’s authority or frightened by the dreadful conclusion he’d just made.In any case, he continued shaking his head, retreating several steps, completely losing his momentum.
“Minister, we can conduct a physical examination on this girl to determine whether she is a vampire!” Percy hurriedly stopped recording and walked over to support Fudge. “Professor Dumbledore may have been deceived. Maybe Black and the vampires have deceived him together.”
“You are right, Weasley!” Fudge nodded vigorously. “As long as we can confirm the identity of this girl…”
“Don’t come any closer, Percy!” Evan warned him, seeing Percy’s eager expression.
Elaine didn’t hide behind Evan either. She had already taken out her wand and looked at Percy fiercely…
Harry and Hermione also approached Evan and took out their respective wands.
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips tighter, exchanging anxious glances with Kingsley not far away.
“It Looks like the secret is exposed, doesn’t it?!” said Dumbledore cheerfully, looking at the scene in front of him with interest.
“Dumbledore, what do you mean?”
“I mean you seem to have discovered Miss Slytherin’s identity,” said Dumbledore.
“What?!” Fudge was stunned for a moment, then said ecstatically, “You mean, she is really a vampire!”
“I believe so. Allow me to formally introduce her. She is Elaine Slytherin, a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts!” said Dumbledore, as if stating a trivial matter.
The portraits on the wall erupted into another round of discussions, especially some of the early headmasters who appeared particularly excited.
“She … she is a descendant of Slytherin, no … I mean … she really is a vampire!”
“That’s right!” Dumbledore nodded.
Evan grabbed Elaine and motioned her not to be impulsive and wait until Dumbledore finished speaking.
“Oh my …since she’s a vampire, and she’s here, it means you did plan the Death Eaters escape,” Fudge looked at Elaine, then quickly turned his head to glance at Dumbledore. His chest was heaving rapidly, his breath getting more and more agitated.
“I suppose not, but that doesn’t matter, does it?” said Dumbledore.
“It indeed doesn’t matter!” Fudge shouted excitedly, vigorously waving his fists. “These things are enough to explain everything. I never thought, Dumbledore, that you’re really connected to vampires. They are all wanted by the Ministry, proving that you are indeed conspiring against me, planning to overthrow the Ministry.”
“Cornelius, to be honest, your thoughts are truly laughable. I have always opposed only one person, and it’s certainly not you,” said Dumbledore. “If needed, I can tirelessly reiterate my position!”
“That’s enough, Dumbledore!” Fudge shouted excitedly. “Drop the act; I don’t want to hear your nonsense. I’ve already figured everything out. Lucius was right; I came here tonight…”
“Oh, you came to arrest me, didn’t you?” said Dumbledore gently.
“That’s right!” said Fudge, who was now trembling with joy. “Dumbledore, I’m arresting you. You will now be escorted back to the Ministry, where you will be formally charged and then sent to Azkaban to await trial. A lifetime imprisonment awaits you.”
“Well, that sounds quite promising!” said Dumbledore lightly.
“Dumbledore, you can say whatever you want at Azkaban. You can explain to the Wizengamot why you housed a vampire at Hogwarts. You can explain to the Dementors how you helped those Death Eaters escape. Weasley, have you written it all down?”
“Yes, sir, I think so, sir!” said Percy eagerly, whose nose was splattered with ink from the speed of his note-taking.
“Well, I thought we might hit that little snag before that,” said Dumbledore.
“Snag?” said Fudge, his voice still vibrating with joy. “I see no snag, Dumbledore!”
“Well,” said Dumbledore apologetically, “I’m afraid I do.”
“Oh really?”
“Well, before we discuss the viability of your ridiculous accusations, it’s just that you seem to be laboring under the delusion that I am going to — what is the phrase? ‘Come quietly.’ I am afraid I am not going to come quietly at all, Cornelius. I have absolutely no intention of being sent to Azkaban. I could break out, of course … nor do I wish to undergo Wizengamot’s trial, though I am innocent. It would be a waste of time, and frankly, I can think of a whole host of things I would rather be doing.”
Fudge stared at Dumbledore, with a very silly expression on his face, as though he had just been stunned by a sudden blow and could not quite believe it had happened.
He made a small choking noise and then turned to look at Percy, who was similarly dumbfounded, as well as Kingsley and the man with short gray hair standing by the door, an Auror!
Dawlish gave Fudge a reassuring nod and moved forward a little, away from the wall, one of his hands casually drifting toward his pocket.
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