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"I agree. I don't see a problem with it," said Ludo Bagman, the only department head who hadn't been captured. He also chose to support George.
Unlike Rufus, he didn't think too deeply about the political implications, nor was he, like Amy, someone already aligned with George.
His reasoning was simple. After the Quidditch World Cup, his Department of Magical Games and Sports would return to its usual marginal status, and he would once again become the Ministry's most powerless department head.
But if George became the Minister, things would be different.
After all, George came from England's national Quidditch team, which had just won the World Cup, and he shared a good rapport with Bagman. Once George rose to the top, he would likely favor the Department of Magical Sports, which would make Bagman's life much easier.
"I object!"
At that moment, Dolores Umbridge, wearing her trademark pink sweater, squeezed through the crowd.
As George's direct supervisor, she had long harbored jealousy toward his talent and competence. Fearing that his growing reputation might one day overshadow her in the eyes of the Minister, she had been secretly suppressing him.
If George were to become Minister, it would surely spell disaster for her—so of course, she couldn't allow it.
With most of the Ministry's senior leadership captured by Voldemort, only she and Rufus remained with the seniority and authority to plausibly assume leadership. If George were chosen, why not herself?
As for Voldemort—well, if she became Minister, she could just order George to fight him. Would he refuse?
She knew people like George and Dumbledore—so long as it meant preserving peace in the wizarding world, they would sacrifice everything, even their lives, to oppose Voldemort.
So she wasn't worried at all that George wouldn't pull his weight under her command.
"George's strength isn't in question, but he's far too young and lacks experience. Choosing him as Minister is an irresponsible decision.
At such a critical time, we must take the selection seriously. We need to deliberate, discuss, and hold a proper vote."
All she needed was to stall the decision. Once the vote was delayed, she could use her political maneuvering to seize the position. In this arena, Rufus was no match for her.
"I agree with Director Umbridge. Choosing a Minister is no small matter—it must be handled with utmost caution."
Lucius Malfoy walked forward elegantly, leaning on his silver-tipped cane.
George was the only wizard who had truly stood up to Voldemort. Naturally, his becoming Minister would be a serious blow to Voldemort's plans—something Lucius had to prevent.
As a member of one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, the Malfoy family held significant sway within the Ministry. In fact, they had nearly succeeded in removing Dumbledore as Headmaster not long ago.
With Malfoy stepping forward, others began to waver—especially the fence-sitters and undercover Death Eaters in the crowd.
George had expected this kind of resistance and had already prepared a countermeasure.
Elsewhere, Voldemort—still disguised as the Memory Construct George—had, after Apparating away with the others, sealed Dumbledore and the rest into his personal space.
Thanks to his absorption of Minerva's confinement-space techniques and the Eastern spatial magic systems, his mastery of space magic had evolved. He could now contain living beings, not just objects.
"You all wait for me at Malfoy Manor," he ordered Bellatrix and the Death Eaters before Apparating back to the Quidditch arena.
There, hidden among the crowd and using voice magic, he began to stir dissent with different voices:
"The Ministry's leadership is worthless! They couldn't even catch the escaping Death Eaters!"
"All they care about is Galleons! If their kind keeps ruling, we're doomed!"
"Now that that idiot Fudge is gone, we need someone younger, smarter, and stronger to lead us!"
"I agree—we should choose George! He drove off You-Know-Who, published magical books, improved spells, and just won the Quidditch World Cup!"
"That's right! We choose George—he's the true will of the people!"
"George! George! George!"
With the Memory Construct's incitement, the British wizards quickly rallied.
They thought of the Ministry's years of corruption, the grievances they'd suffered under its ineptitude, and George's spectacular entrance—the man who had driven away the very name they feared to speak.
The contrast was stark.
Aside from a small number swayed by Voldemort's speech, most wizards began chanting George's name with fervor.
Even many foreign wizards—awed by George's display of power and eager to participate in the moment—joined in the shouting.
Soon, the entire stadium echoed with one name: "George!"
Umbridge and Lucius had never anticipated such a turn. Faced with overwhelming public support, they found themselves momentarily speechless.
"See? This is what the people want. What more needs to be said? The vote has already been cast!"
Rufus couldn't hide the smugness on his face.
He knew full well he wasn't a match for Umbridge or Lucius in political scheming.
But in this situation, all the schemes in the world were useless. This was public opinion—irrefutable and undeniable. If anyone opposed it, the entire Ministry might as well be torn down and rebuilt from scratch.
"My friends, I truly appreciate your support," George said humbly as he stepped onto the commentary platform and used a Sonorus Charm to amplify his voice. "But I must confess—I'm inexperienced and worry I may not fulfill the duties of Minister well."
"Even if I don't become Minister, I swear to you—I will give everything I have to stop Voldemort's atrocities and protect our world!"
"Become Minister!"
"Become Minister!"
"Become Minister!"
The chants erupted again from all corners of the stadium, fists pumping in the air as the crowd surged in support.
The scene spiraled into passionate chaos once more.
"George, just say yes. We'll help you govern the Ministry. Everyone supports you!"
Amy stepped forward, her voice sincere.
Other practical-minded Ministry wizards—those who had worked with George or been helped by him—voiced their support as well.
With a helpless expression, George finally clenched his jaw and declared:
"There's a saying: 'With great power comes great responsibility.' Since everyone believes in me, I can no longer shirk that duty.
Very well. I will accept the position of Minister for Magic—and I will lead us in defeating Voldemort and rescuing our leaders!"
The stadium erupted into thunderous cheers.
"Perhaps… Umbridge can still be won over."
Lucius Malfoy looked disappointed for a moment. But when his gaze shifted to the even more bitter-faced Umbridge, a new idea sparked in his mind.
Umbridge still held real power within the Ministry. If she could be brought over to their side, it might not be such a bad thing after all.
(End of Chapter)