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Chapter Foreplay
After dinner, he said he had something to discuss with the Minister, and Minister Fudge indicated that they should go to the study to talk.
He and Cornelius went to the Minister's study.
"Minister, may I ask why you refuse to believe that the Dark Lord has returned?"
Cornelius was clearly taken aback by Lockhart's question—especially coming from a guest—and he was furious.
"It's not that I refuse to believe it, but there's simply no evidence!"
He snapped, "Gilderoy, you are a professor at Dumbledore's school and involved with Pandora. I've been more than lenient by not suspecting that you approached Pandora deliberately. I hope you will stop acting as Dumbledore's mouthpiece."
Lockhart persisted, "So you're saying you think Dumbledore is lying? What possible benefit would he get from that?"
"I've received far more reports of Dumbledore's dissatisfaction with my leadership than I've received about the Dark Lord's supposed return!" Cornelius's face flushed with anger. "I now have reason to suspect that Dumbledore is using this as an excuse to oust me from office."
"Minister, how can you use such an excuse to slander an old man who is practically on his deathbed!" Lockhart feigned shock, deliberately weaving the lie to lower Fudge's guard. "Dumbledore told me himself that he has less than two years left to live! He simply wants to eliminate one final scourge from the wizarding world before he goes."
"Dumbledore—dying?" Cornelius looked genuinely startled, and his tone softened. "Impossible. With his power, he could live another fifty years."
"He was injured fighting the forces of darkness, and it's getting worse," Lockhart continued smoothly. "In fact, he sent me this time with evidence that the Dark Lord has returned—and that the Dementors have rebelled."
"What?" Cornelius exclaimed. "The Dementors have rebelled? Produce the evidence at once!"
Lockhart finally had his chance. While Fudge was caught off guard, Lockhart reached into his robes and drew his wand.
Cornelius frowned. "What's wrong with that wand? Where's this evidence—"
"Stupefy!"
The Minister of Magic—protected by the Fidelius Charm in his own home—was struck full-force by the Stunning Spell and dropped instantly, offering no resistance.
Lockhart placed Cornelius on the sofa, reinforced the spell with a powerful Sleeping Charm, and plucked a few strands of his hair.
Then—
"Mr. Fudge! Mrs. Fudge! Connelly has fainted!" Lockhart shouted in alarm.
"What!? What's happened to my father—"
"He suddenly collapsed—completely unconscious!"
Stupefy
Stupefy
Finally—
"Pandora, open the door. I'll sleep in your room tonight."
Pandora cracked the door open anxiously. "Come in quickly!"
Stupefy
"She's unconscious," Lockhart said softly.
He lifted Pandora into his arms, set her on the bed, kissed her cheek, and cast a gentle Sleeping Charm on her as well.
After leaving Fudge's home and returning to the Order of the Phoenix headquarters, Lockhart reported, "It's done. Prepare everything."
"Alright, I'll alert our people in the Ministry—and Dumbledore too," Arthur replied. "Dumbledore's currently searching for something at Voldemort's old house."
"Get the Polyjuice Potion ready first." Lockhart picked up a flask and placed Fudge's hair into it. "Remember: drink every fifty minutes. With luck, you'll fool the lot of them."
"Let's go. I can't wait," Moody growled impatiently.
"Minister, Mr. Lockhart—er—and Mr. Moody, what brings you here?" the Minister's guard asked in surprise.
"Summon all Aurors, Hit Wizards, and Emergency Office personnel not currently on duty. This is an emergency."
Arthur's imitation was flawless—so perfect that Lockhart's estimation of him rose yet again. The Order of the Phoenix were clearly all capable people.
"Yes, sir."
Half an hour later, hundreds of Ministry combat staff had assembled in the atrium.
"Based on intelligence from Mr. Lockhart and Mr. Moody, we now have reason to believe that the Dementors have aligned themselves with the Dark Lord and are preparing to release all Death Eaters in Azkaban."
"What!?" Arthur's words sent shockwaves through the hall.
"But, Minister, you denied the Dark Lord's return yesterday," someone challenged immediately.
"I apologise for my previous stubbornness and ignorance. Mr. Lockhart and Mr. Moody have presented me with evidence compelling enough to convince me."
"Then please release this evidence at once, Minister."
Many wizards echoed the demand.
"I have the evidence," Arthur said, withdrawing a small booklet—completely blank, though no one knew that—"but now is not the time to review it. Kingsley Shacklebolt will make it public once this operation is concluded."
A disguised Order member in the crowd shouted, "Let's move now, Minister! If this is true, we can't afford to waste time!"
A chorus of support rose from others.
"Now, pay attention to the essentials," Arthur said, clearing his throat. "During this operation, if there is any resistance, the use of the Killing Curse is authorised. If resistance is encountered, eliminate the target immediately. Anyone unable to produce a corporeal Patronus will remain here at the Ministry. And everyone must wear a Killing Curse-resistant vest. Preparation starts now. We'll gather at the Portkey point in five minutes and depart for Azkaban to take over custody."
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