Chapter 182 The Ministry of Magic intervenes
Harry looked troubled; the Invisibility Cloak couldn't cover four people, which meant one of them couldn't go.
"How about I go back to the common room later?" Ronpursed his lips. "Though I don't really want to admit it, leaving me behind is the most sensible option."
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances and nodded helplessly.
"No need for such trouble," Aaron said calmly, then took a small glass bottle from Abey's pocket. "The last of the Invisibility Potion, enough for one round trip."
"Great, let's go now!" Harry said excitedly, then put on the Invisibility Cloak, covering Ron and Hermione inside.
Aaron shrugged and gave himself and Abey a sip.
After learning the Disillusionment Charm, this bit of potion was useless to him, tasteless to eat, and a pity to discard.
But it was better to hide a little than nothing; tonight would be the night this bottle was emptied.
The group carefully moved through the corridor, avoiding patrolling prefects, Professor, and ghosts in the darkness.
After leaving the Castle, Aaron and Abey exited their invisible state, while Harry and the others remained hidden under the Invisibility Cloak, not daring to come out.
"Is it really necessary? Don't you feel uncomfortable walking like this?"
"Safety first," Harry's voice came from the air. "I think you and Abey should also remain invisible. It wouldn't be good if the Basilisk targeted you."
Aaron rolled his eyes, ignored him, and walked on, carrying Abey.
"Aaron, you should know that caution is the parent of safety!" Hermione reminded him. "There's nothing wrong with being careful."
"Firstly, Abey is a universal radar. I am absolutely confident that I can run away before the Basilisk arrives.
Secondly, you've experienced the intensity of the patrols. By now, the Heir of Slytherin should be trapped in the Gryffindor common room and unable to get out.
If he can't get out, the Basilisk can only stay obediently in the Chamber of Secrets.
Finally, we have three pure-bloods here. The Basilisk only targets Muggle-born Wizard who are alone or in groups..
In other words, we are still very safe right now." Aaron explained patiently, but Harry had no intention of taking off the Invisibility Cloak, as if only this robe could bring them warmth in the silent night.
It wasn't until they saw the faint yellow light at the edge of the Forbidden Forest that they finally dared to emerge.
After knocking for about ten seconds, Hagrid opened the door.
He looked very nervous, aiming his crossbow at the doorway as he opened it, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them.
"Why are you here?" Hagrid asked, puzzled. "Never mind, come in first. I'll make you some tea."
After they sat down, they noticed Hagrid's body trembling constantly, clearly preoccupied, and he didn't even notice the tea overflowing from the cup.
"Hagrid, are you alright?" Harry asked with concern.
"I'm fine, I'm perfectly fine."
"You wouldn't be like this if you were perfectly fine," Aaron asked meaningfully. "What are you worried about?"
"No, nothing," Hagrid chuckled, "I'll cut you some cake!"
"Wait a minute, Hagrid," Harry quickly stopped Hagrid. "We have something to ask you, about the Chamber of Secrets."
Hagrid paused, turned his head to look at Aaron, and asked, "You told them?"
"I didn't tell them; they found out themselves.
Although the process was somewhat convoluted, everything I knew, they now know," Aaron said helplessly. "They're looking for you to see if you have any other clues, no matter how unimportant."
"I can see you're really desperate, but you have to understand..."
Before he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door, followed by Fang's barking.
"Quick, put on your cloaks," Hagrid looked at the door and immediately lowered his voice. "You all hide, and don't speak."
The group immediately complied. Harry, Hermione, and Ron hid under the Invisibility Cloak.
Aaron sighed regretfully, divided the remaining Invisibility Potion into two portions, and he and the dragon drank it all.
Seeing that they were all hidden, Hagrid picked up his crossbow and went to the door.
After opening the door, Hagrid's expression became somewhat surprised. "Professor Dumbledore."
"Good evening, Hagrid."
Dumbledore walked in, but he wasn't alone; there was a stout stranger behind him.
"Cornelius Fudge?" Aaron raised an eyebrow at the short, gray-haired middle-aged Wizard holding a top hat. "Has the Ministry of Magic intervened?"
"You know him?" Ron asked in surprise. "That's my dad's boss, the Minister for Magic."
"He comes to my house every year, promising all sorts of benefits to gain Gaius's support, but each time I've refused him.
This man puts on a good front, but that's all it is. He's weak at heart, obsessed with power and money, suspicious, and until the very end, he always has a strange self-confidence."
"Someone like that can be the Minister for Magic?" Hermione said incredulously.
"It's who everyone elected!
The current magic world is relatively peaceful, leaving a mascot in that position does no harm, at least he barely has the ability to maintain the status quo."
Harry nudged the two of them with his arm, lowering his voice nervously. "Don't speak yet."
"Things are bad, Hagrid, very bad.
I had to come. Three attacks on Muggle-borns, things have gotten too big, the Ministry of Magic must take action."
"I didn't," Hagrid's face was pale. "You can ask Professor Dumbledore."
"Cornelius, I must tell you," Dumbledore said, "I have absolute trust in Hagrid."
Fudge waved his hand in a troubled manner. "Albus, Hagrid's record is very much against him. I must take him away."
"Take me away?" Hagrid looked at him indignantly. "Where to? Not Azkaban, is it?"
Fudge looked a bit guilty but didn't deny it. "I have no choice, Hagrid.
But don't worry, it will be a short time. This is just a precautionary measure.
If you are truly innocent, we will release you immediately and offer our full apologies."
The implication was that he was temporarily designated as the scapegoat, and he had no choice but to agree.
Harry couldn't hold back and wanted to rush out to defend Hagrid, but Ron and Hermione held him back firmly.
Just then, there was another knock on the door, and Lucius Malfoy entered.
He looked at the three people in the room and smiled with satisfaction. "You're already here, Fudge."
"What are you doing here? Get out of my house!" Hagrid said unceremoniously.
"To be honest, I don't want to step into this..." Lucius looked at the hut, his sarcastic tone mixed with disdain. "This can barely be called a house."
"That's the honest truth," Aaron pouted. "My dorm room is bigger than this place."
"I'm not here for you," Lucius's gaze swept past Hagrid and landed on Dumbledore. "I just had business at the school, and they told me the Principal was here."
"Alright! What exactly do you want from me?" Dumbledore's tone was calm, but his eyes held a hint of anger, clearly knowing that Malfoy's visit could not be for anything good.
"I and the other governors unanimously agree that you should step down," Lucius said, pulling out a piece of parchment. "This is the suspension order, with the signatures of all twelve governors. We feel that you are no longer able to control the situation.
If the attacks continue, I'm afraid there won't be a single Muggle-born Wizard left.
In that case, it would undoubtedly be a loss for the school."
"What? Has Lucius lost his mind?
Even if he dislikes Dumbledore, he shouldn't be driving him away at this time!"
This time, it was Aaron who couldn't hold back. Hagridbeing locked up in Azkaban was irrelevant; he hadn't committed any serious crime, at most it would be house arrest, and he'd be released soon.
But if Dumbledore left the school, Hogwarts's safety would drop by at least half.
If the Heir truly intended to go all out, a few Professor alone might not be able to protect everyone.
However, as soon as he tried to step out, he was held back firmly by Harry and the other two, unable to move.
"You can't drive Professor Dumbledore away! Without him, who will protect the Muggle-born students?
Remember my words, there will be more deaths!" Hagridshouted.
"That's exactly what I wanted to say," Aaron fully agreed with Hagrid's point. "Anyone can leave, but Dumbledorecannot."
"But you can't go out now," Hermione held onto him tightly, not letting go. "Calm down, you going out won't change anything."
"Calm down, Hagrid.
If the governors wish for me to step down, then I shall comply.
But please remember..." Dumbledore said, walking to the corner and looking meaningfully at the invisible group, "At Hogwarts, help will always be given to those who ask for it."
Aaron met Dumbledore's blue gaze, and an embarrassed smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
Sure enough, such a small trick as invisibility couldn't fool a great Wizard with one foot in the Saint Realm; everything they had said and done just now probably hadn't escaped his eyes.
"How touching," Lucius said indifferently, but still feigned emotion, bowing and saying, "Let's go!"
Dumbledore followed Lucius out the door, but not before winking at the four of them.
"Let's go, Hagrid," Fudge said, looking at Hagrid, who was standing still. "Alright?"
"If..." Hagrid coughed twice, pretending to glance casually in the direction of the four, "I mean, if someone wants to find something, just follow the spiders."
"That's all I have to say.
Oh, and feed Fang for me while I'm gone."
The two walked out of the hut and closed the door.
Harry pulled off the Invisibility Cloak, revealing the three of them underneath.
Aaron also dropped his invisible state. He looked angrily at the receding figures outside the window. "He saw us, he definitely saw us.
Especially that final hint, Dumbledore seems to be putting his faith in us, and he's full of confidence.
That old fox, indeed, old people are all cunning bastards."
"It's not good to talk about him like that!" Harry said. "I actually think Dumbledore's words must have a deeper meaning."
"I have to say a couple of things to you, Harry.
There's nothing wrong with trusting someone, but you can't trust someone too much. How many times have you and Dumbledore even met?"