Chapter 243. Fudge's Reaction
Early the next morning, in the Headmaster's office.
Adrian Wesson had lost count of how many times Dumbledore had summoned him to the office for tea.
"Hagrid told me he found a great many torn cloaks not far from the Quidditch pitch," Dumbledore said gravely from behind his desk. "The Ministry's analysis confirmed they were left by Dementors—all of them sustained very serious injuries and have been sent back to Azkaban to recuperate."
He leaned forward slightly. "Have you anything you'd like to tell me, Wesson?"
Wesson blinked innocently. "Why call me in, Professor Dumbledore? I don't know a thing."
At that, Dumbledore understood at once—it had to be the work of their Care of Magical Creatures professor.
However…
This seemed a touch excessive.
He had told Wesson before that, if necessary, he could act against the Dementors, but Wesson sending the entire lot straight back home in one go… that did rather exceed his expectations.
Of course, it was not exactly a bad thing.
He had long found the Dementors distasteful.
If they had been of some use, that would be one thing, but they had searched Hogwarts for so long without finding a trace of Black and had caused no end of trouble besides.
Perhaps he should not have allowed Dementors into Hogwarts in the first place.
Thinking thus, Dumbledore put away his tense expression and replaced it with a mild smile. "Very well, Wesson, I think I understand."
Wesson shrugged, took a sip of cloyingly sweet tea, and asked off-handedly, "Since the Dementors were all badly injured… what about the Ministry? What's their reaction?"
"You'll know soon enough," Dumbledore said with a sigh, as if something had just occurred to him, and he did not elaborate.
Clearly, the Ministry must have done something.
That was only natural, after all—the Dementors were the Ministry's property. So many of them injured was no small matter.
But what did Dumbledore mean by that remark?
Just as Wesson was puzzling over it, the office door was suddenly flung open.
"Albus, I demand an explanation!"
Cornelius Fudge stormed into the office, very much like an enraged wild boar.
His bowler was askew and his purple pinstriped tie hung loose; clearly he hadn't checked himself over before leaving the house.
Wesson set his teacup down with deliberate leisure and regarded the Minister for Magic with interest.
"Nearly two hundred Dementors!" Fudge paid Wesson no mind at all; he flailed his arms at Dumbledore, spittle flying. "They'll need a month to recover! Since Dementors came into being, nothing like this has ever happened!"
"I was already informed by your letter, Cornelius," Dumbledore said calmly, adjusting his spectacles and folding his hands. "There's no need to get agitated. This is not a great matter."
"Not a great matter?!"
Fudge's voice rose. He snatched off his crooked hat, revealing his sparse hair. "Those were Dementors! Before this, nothing could harm them! Tell me—who did it?"
Wesson took another measured sip of tea, the corners of his mouth tipping up.
"Now that it's happened, there's nothing I can do," Dumbledore replied evenly. "As for who did it—"
He flicked his gaze, almost imperceptibly, towards Wesson. "I am not aware."
"Not aware?"
Fudge's small eyes narrowed to slits, and his gaze moved to Wesson.
He suddenly leaned in close to Wesson, like a hound catching a scent. "Professor Wesson, I'm aware you have unique insights into dealing with Dementors. You must know something, don't you?"
Wesson sighed inwardly.
So Fudge suspected him after all—understandable, really.
After all, on the train he had revealed that he could harm Dementors.
"I've no knowledge of it," Wesson said, setting down his cup and shaking his head coolly. "No matter how formidable I am, I couldn't handle that many Dementors. You know well how dangerous those creatures are, Minister."
Fudge's plump face scrunched up, and his eyes swung back to Dumbledore.
If not Wesson, then in this room only Dumbledore possessed magic of the highest order…
Dumbledore seemed to read Fudge's thoughts. With fingers interlaced beneath his chin, he said, "Cornelius, I must point out that the injuries to those Dementors have absolutely nothing to do with me."
For a moment, Fudge didn't know how to respond. He stared blankly, then said, "Then what happened? Two hundred Dementors just fell out of the sky on their own? Were they bewitched flying carpets?"
Dumbledore spread his hands and said nothing.
Seeing that insouciant attitude only made Fudge angrier.
He knew this had to have something to do with Dumbledore; Dumbledore had always voiced dissatisfaction with the Dementors.
Yet he could not accuse Dumbledore without evidence.
If Dumbledore refused to admit it, there was nothing he could do.
"Well, without the Dementors, let Black turn Hogwarts upside down!"
Leaving that furious line behind, Fudge strode straight out of the Headmaster's office.
After he left, Wesson looked to Dumbledore.
"Don't worry," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Fudge was only venting. The Black affair has greatly affected the Ministry; they will certainly take further measures."
In truth, Wesson's only concern was—what if Fudge found out he was the one who dealt with the Dementors? What then?
Well, perhaps there was no need to worry; it had been self-defence.
If worse came to worst, he would let Dumbledore take the blame.
After all, it was Dumbledore who had told him he could deal with the Dementors.
Yes, that would do.
"Achoo!"
After Wesson left the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore suddenly sneezed.
"The weather's a bit chilly of late," he muttered, rubbing his nose. "Perhaps I ought to change into a thicker robe…"
That afternoon.
Just as Dumbledore had said, the Ministry did take measures.
After all the Dementors stationed at Hogwarts were sent back to Azkaban, the Ministry did not dispatch replacements. Instead, they began sending in Aurors, in batches, to continue the guard duty.
Unlike those cold and baleful creatures, Dumbledore allowed the Aurors into Hogwarts Castle. After all, Aurors were not like Dementors; they would not harm students for no reason.
Very soon, the students discovered that the Dementors had been replaced by Aurors.
No one was more delighted than the Weasley twins.
They had been cautious before because of the Dementors.
After all, the Marauder's Map didn't display the names of Dementors.
The odds were low, but it wasn't impossible to run into one.
Now, at last, they could be a touch bolder during their nighttime wanderings.
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