The Daily Prophet reporter inquired as to the source of the Minister's illness.
"It is undoubtedly poisoning by an unknown substance or a Dark curse," Healer Blishwick shared with us. "The symptoms are completely atypical. At present, we can only stabilise the patient's condition. One of my colleagues even suggested consulting Muggle healers, as though they might know something about such a disease. Utter nonsense, naturally! What could Muggles possibly know? Wizarding medicine is the most advanced in the world!"
"Does the Minister have any chance of recovery?" our correspondent asked.
"I fear we shall not be able to restore Mister Fudge to full health. We will do our utmost to neutralise the effects of the curse or poison, but the damage inflicted upon his body could only truly be overcome by the legendary Elixir of Life. Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that Flamel would share the Philosopher's Stone, even to save the Minister."
Dear readers, as you can see, according to the Healer's own words, Mister Cornelius Fudge will no longer be capable of fulfilling his duties as Minister for Magic. Therefore, the leadership of the Ministry of Magic has urgently appointed an acting Minister—Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office. Elections for a new Minister are scheduled for July 1992.
Our correspondent also approached Mister Scrimgeour, first and foremost in his capacity as Head of the Auror Office, and requested clarification regarding Mister Fudge's situation.
"Cornelius has suffered at the hands of enemies," Mister Scrimgeour stated. "His condition is the result of an assassination attempt. The Auror Office is currently conducting an investigation. According to one theory, Mister Fudge was cursed by radicals connected to a certain well-known organisation. Other possibilities are also being considered. Recently, Mister Fudge visited the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and some kind of conflict occurred there. We questioned Mister Dumbledore regarding the incident, but failed to receive a coherent explanation. I do not wish to imply that Dumbledore is responsible for Mister Fudge's condition, but one cannot help noticing how suspicious it is that the Minister fell ill after a conflict with a man known as the student of a famous alchemist…"
Richard leaned back against the seat with a satisfied expression on his face. He understood perfectly well who was responsible for removing the Minister from power, and he even knew exactly how the man had been poisoned.
Richie was not bloodthirsty, but over the past few years he had been raised in such a way that he viewed this sort of political elimination quite calmly. And considering his hatred for Fudge, he was downright pleased.
Should've used his brain before crossing the Grosvenors, he thought.
As far as Richard was concerned, the actions of the British intelligence services and the Queen's reaction had been entirely appropriate. After all, he really had been threatened with imprisonment—and not just any prison, but the most dreadful prison on the planet: Azkaban. Even if that were not the case, even if Fudge had merely been trying to intimidate the Earl Grosvenor, the royal family had possessed no other means of influencing the Minister besides removing him pre-emptively, because there was no telling what his next move might have been.
Today he threatened an Earl and the godson of the first heir to the throne with Azkaban, and tomorrow what? Would he send Elizabeth II there as well?!
Britain's intelligence services did not go around murdering everyone who cast a crooked glance at a Windsor on the Queen's orders. The problem was simply that nobody could understand what exactly had motivated Fudge's actions. From such an unstable authority figure—one commanding an enormous force of superpowered individuals—it truly was wiser not to wait for the next step.
"Richie, what exactly did you find so funny in that article?" Hermione asked with a frown.
"Healer Blishwick thinks far too highly of himself," Richard replied.
"Because of what he said about Muggles?" Granger asked.
"Precisely, miss. Exactly so. If only the wizards had bothered asking any doctor about the symptoms, they would have received an answer immediately."
"So you know what sort of curse was placed on the Minister?" Hermione looked at her companion curiously.
"A curse? You flatter him, Hermione. Fudge's stupidity is entirely congenital."
"Richie, he's the Minister. Minister Fudge!" Granger corrected indignantly.
"Not anymore, Hermione. Fudge is no longer Minister."
"Fine, but could you at least show a little respect?" Hermione said.
"Respect is my middle name," Richard replied with a dazzling smile. "But even a Lord's patience has its limits, so be grateful I'm not calling Fudge a worm—or something considerably stronger."
Hermione was bewildered. She could not understand why Richard harboured such hostility towards the former Minister for Magic. Deciding to let it go for now, she returned to the earlier point.
"Richie, you said you knew what the Minister was suffering from…"
"Indeed I did," Richard replied with a regal nod.
"What is it?"
"Exposure to a lethal dose of radiation."
The girl squirmed excitedly in her seat, practically bouncing in place.
"Oh my God! It really does fit…" she exclaimed. "We have to tell the adults about this!"
"No, Hermione. We do not. I shall be deeply offended if you tell anyone."
"But why?" A hurt expression spread across Hermione's face. "We could save the Minister!"
"Hermione, tell me—are you loyal to the Queen and to Great Britain?"
"Yes, but…" The hurt on Granger's face gave way to confusion. "Why are you asking?"
(End of Chapter)
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