During Jane Yu's period of unconsciousness, the wizarding world had undergone a complete upheaval.
Nearly every newspaper carried headlines about Voldemort and Grindelwald joining forces to attack Azkaban, resulting in a massive prison break.
The front page of the newspaper was dominated by an image of the destroyed Azkaban. The once towering triangular fortress had been reduced to blackened, crumbling ruins.
[Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, revealed that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named launched an attack on Azkaban on Christmas Eve, causing the Dementors to defect en masse and enabling a large-scale breakout of Death Eaters.
Photographs captured by an anonymous wizard at the scene showed the building completely destroyed, with the Dementors, once the primary guards, nowhere to be found.
Cornelius Fudge, the British Minister of Magic, confirmed the reports and addressed public concerns during his latest press conference:
"We deeply regret the recent events. The Ministry of Magic has confirmed that he has returned. Azkaban was destroyed during his recent actions. Investigations have revealed that the Dementors violated their agreement, revolted collectively, and refused to continue serving the Ministry."
When questioned by reporters, Fudge stated that it was still unclear whether the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was involved in the attack.
"Grindelwald's emblem was found at the scene, but we cannot yet confirm whether he has aligned himself with You-Know-Who..."
The Minister assured that the Ministry of Magic is drafting an emergency response plan, with Aurors under Director Bones already dispatched to pursue the escaped prisoners.
"We urge the public to remain calm and not panic. The Ministry stands with everyone. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every individual. The Ministry has raised the security level to emergency status. Please stay in touch with family and friends and avoid unnecessary outings."
Despite these assurances, public fear continues to escalate...]
Jane Yu opened another newspaper, only to find it filled with articles lauding Dumbledore.
"Albus Dumbledore: The Opponent of Darkness, The Lonely Whistleblower"
[Following the official statement from the Minister of Magic, the revival of the Dark Lord has sparked widespread dissatisfaction and panic among the public.
Months ago, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, repeatedly warned at ICW meetings, Ministry press conferences, and in various publications that the Dark Lord was secretly gathering strength for a return.
However, Dumbledore's warnings were vehemently dismissed by Minister Fudge, who publicly declared the Dark Lord long dead and labeled the warnings as baseless conspiracy theories.
After revealing the truth, Dumbledore faced severe backlash from both the Ministry and uninformed masses, nearly being forced out of his positions.
Yet the recent destruction of Azkaban has vindicated Albus Dumbledore. He courageously sounded the alarm, standing firm in his pursuit of justice even without support. His steadfastness is a beacon of hope, a lone figure standing against the tide of darkness.
This great wizard was among the first to arrive at the scene after the incident, attempting to capture the Dark Lord and Grindelwald while assisting Ministry Aurors in securing the site, successfully preventing further prison breaks...
We must pay tribute to Dumbledore, who has dedicated his life to fighting dark forces...]
Jane Yu flipped through several newspapers, all brimming with articles in support of Dumbledore.
The harsher the previous criticisms of Dumbledore, the more extravagant the current praises.
He had now become a symbol of leadership in the public eye. Even Jane Yu and Harry were mentioned and praised because of his influence.
Phrases like "leaders among students" and "noble souls who uphold the truth" made Jane Yu cringe internally.
"Everyone is on edge. Some families have relocated entirely, while others have retreated into basements. I imagine many parents are rushing to send their children back to school."
Mr. Weasley clearly believed that Hogwarts, with Dumbledore at the helm, was the safest place in the world. He explained:
"In times like these, Dumbledore plays a crucial role in stabilizing the public. Everyone is counting on him to stand against You-Know-Who and Grindelwald."
Jane Yu nodded in agreement.
She turned to an article brimming with outrage.
"A Useless Ministry Under the Incompetent Leadership of Minister Fudge"
[In light of the recent Azkaban breakout and the return of the self-proclaimed Dark Lord, calls for the resignation of Minister Cornelius Fudge have intensified. Wizards, feeling betrayed, are seething with anger.
"We have always trusted the information released by the Ministry. Fudge assured us that everything was safe," said an anonymous wizard in an interview. "But he lied to us. He deliberately withheld information, leaving us to cower at home in fear, worrying about escaped prisoners attacking us!"
Despite Fudge's insistence that he was unaware of the Dark Lord's return, he evaded questions about "why Dementors were used as Azkaban guards instead of Aurors" and "why he ignored Dumbledore's warnings" during an interview with this reporter.
This highlights Cornelius Fudge's incompetence as Minister of Magic. Insiders reveal that the Ministry under his leadership is plagued by corruption, leaving it nearly dysfunctional:
Dolores Umbridge, the former Senior Undersecretary, was entrusted with significant responsibilities by Fudge, serving as High Inquisitor at Hogwarts and teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. However, she refused to teach students spells, instead spreading anti-Muggle ideologies; Bartemius Crouch Sr., the former Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, abused his power to help his son escape prison and was later hospitalized due to mental illness; Ludovic Bagman, the current Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, is suspected of involvement in Quidditch betting...
Amelia Bones, the current Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, has called for early elections for the Minister of Magic. Months ago, she was criticized for supporting Dumbledore's warnings and proposing the recruitment of more Aurors.
As a fair and talented witch, she has stepped forward to take charge amidst the chaos in the Ministry.
"We will rebuild Azkaban, recruit more Aurors as guards, and deploy all available forces to track down the escaped prisoners and the Dark Lord..."]
Jane Yu put down the newspaper, her mind gradually regaining clarity.
She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about these reports, as if there were many discrepancies from what she had personally experienced.
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