Archaeologists at Hogwarts

Chapter 348 Minister Dumbledore

In the top box.

Ludo was about to announce the upcoming award ceremony, but Scrimgeour, who was staying with him, suddenly stopped him.

In his hand he held an urgent message that had just been delivered, and the veins on the back of his hand were popping out.

"Director?" Lu Duo asked in confusion: "The awards will be given out soon. Are you sure Minister Fudge can't come?"

Scrimgeour narrowed his eyes and said in a gloomy tone: "Minister Fudge is not coming."

"It's really rude." The Bulgarian minister who had remained silent suddenly spoke fluent English: "I will protest to the International Federation of Wizards and let them know about Fudge's arrogance - quickly move the trophy over and award the prize.

Just let me do it for you, don’t waste your time.”

Ludo was suddenly in a dilemma. Scrimgeour was about to leave the box, but he stopped after hearing what the Bulgarian minister said.

"Do as he says." Scrimgeour's expression was still gloomy.

Ludo assumed that Scrimgeour didn't want to antagonize the other party. After all, Fudge's behavior was indeed a bit excessive. Normally, ministers would watch games with ministers from another country, but Fudge was the first to break the rule.

"Let us applaud warmly and welcome the Bulgarian team members who are glorious in defeat to the stage!" Bagman shouted.

A dazzling light shone in, and the top box was magically illuminated, allowing all spectators in the stands to see what was going on inside the box.

Two panting wizards carried a large gold cup into the box and handed it to the Bulgarian minister.

The seven defeated Bulgarian players went upstairs and entered the box. The audience below applauded and cheered to show their appreciation.

"You played well." The Bulgarian minister shook hands with the players one by one. When Krum came over at the end, he patted the other player's shoulder extra: "Excellent children, don't be discouraged."

Next up were the players from the England national team.

"Harry! Harry!"

Ron and Hermione waved vigorously to Harry in the crowd, and the Weasley family also cheered the names of the Weasley twins. Molly ran over and held them both in her arms, tears streaming down her face immediately.

"Madam, Madam - Molly, there are many people watching." Ludo separated them awkwardly, and then quickly pushed the players in front of the Bulgarian minister.

When James raised the trophy high, the audience burst into thunderous applause and cheers, and Ron felt like his hands were going numb.

But Harry was still in a daze. He didn't even know how he appeared in the box. Especially when Ron and Hermione rushed over to hug him, Harry almost fell down.

"You really won, Harry!" Hermione said with red eyes. She had cried many times while watching the game, especially in those moments when Harry was targeted, which made Hermione's heart twitch.

stand up.

Ron said with a trembling voice: "I knew you could win, I always thought so!"

Harry looked around confusedly. Everyone was celebrating, and the relatives of the team members came over to hug their children.

No one could notice them now. Harry's throat rolled hard, and Ron and Hermione finally saw that something was wrong with Harry, not just because of his victory.

"Dumbledore captured Fudge." Harry whispered to the two of them: "This is what Professor Highmore said to my father just now. Do you think it is true -"

A big hand fell on Harry's shoulder. He quickly looked back and found that it was his father.

Now the smile on James' face has faded a lot.

"It seems you heard it." He said: "Follow me, I am going to confirm the authenticity of this matter now. I have to write to Dumbledore quickly to confirm. I hope this is not true."

——

In the players tunnel.

"Go back to your parents." Toby said to Draco, who still looked frightened: "Or are you going to let me send you back?"

After hearing the second half of the sentence, Draco immediately ran away without even daring to look back.

Al has transformed from the Thestral back to the form of Sniff. He reached out to stuff the Pharaoh mask back into his belly pocket, but was stopped by Toby.

"It will be useful later."

He took the mask and said, staring at the lifelike face on it.

"They're coming."

At the other end of the passage, Scrimgeour returned with the returning Aurors. All of them were injured, but not fatally. At least they could still fight.

"I thought you would wait a while before taking action."

The magic ball floated up little by little, and Al followed closely and stared at these guys with evil eyes.

Toby slowly raised his scepter: "But I didn't expect you to be so anxious. Have you drank Gamp before deciding to come to me? Are you sure this is the decision you really want to make?"

"The audience hasn't left the venue yet."

He shook the Pharaoh mask in his hand from side to side, and the meaning of the threat was self-evident.

"Hand over Minister Fudge," Scrimgeour said with suppressed anger.

Toby raised his eyebrows, and he let his long curly hair hang in front of his eyes, making it difficult for people to see his eyes clearly.

"You are absolutely wrong, Scrimgeour." Toby smiled happily: "It wasn't me, at least I didn't expect to take action so early - I didn't expect that even you were wrong about Dumbledore."

Lido, I thought you didn't like him, but I didn't expect you to think that Dumbledore really wouldn't do such a thing - yes, who could have imagined it."

Tonks, who was covering her arms and grinning, widened her eyes in surprise. Not only her, the atmosphere of the entire Auror team became strange.

"Are you kidding-"

"What can I say so that you can understand that if it was really me who did it, then there is absolutely no need for me to hide it - do you think others will not be able to guess it? However, if you really want to compete -"

At this moment, a flash of fire flashed from Scrimgeour's head, and then a paper owl flew down. It flew into Scrimgeour's hand and was opened by him.

When he saw the words on it clearly, his expression suddenly changed.

Then he raised his head and stared at Toby with a completely different look, with a little surprise in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Toby frowned and asked, "Is it possible that Fudge himself returned to the Ministry of Magic?"

He saw that Scrimgeour was no longer as hostile to him as before.

Scrimgeour suddenly stepped forward alone, and the Aurors all took a step forward, but he stopped them with their hands.

After coming close to Toby, Scrimgeour showed the note to Toby. There was only one short line on it——

【Peter Pettigrew escaped from prison.】

"Who rescued him?" It seemed that Scrimgeour had already guessed something. He lowered his voice and asked, "Don't tell me that Gellert Grindelwald is still alive!"

Peter Pettigrew has been confirmed to be Gellert Grindelwald's subordinate, and it was also because of Grindelwald's order that the location of the Potters' residence was exposed.

Toby reached out and grabbed the note. After reading it a second time, a flame ignited in his hand, burning the note completely and turning into black ash and falling on the ground.

"I have long said that there are still remnants of Grindelwald's party. Now I can't be sure who did it."

At the end of the sentence, Toby's voice became smaller and smaller, his eyes became angry, and he exchanged a look with Scrimgeour.

Through Toby's eyes, Scrimgeour knew that his guess was true.

"you liar!"

Although he was very angry, Scrimgeour still suppressed his voice and lowered his voice: "You and your principal are all liars!"

"It seems we can't fight anymore." Toby reached out his hand unceremoniously and pushed Scrimgeour away. He couldn't wait to find Dumbledore and question the real truth.

"I thought I heard someone starting a fight."

A sudden burst of fire appeared, and Dumbledore strode out. As soon as he came up, he said in a solemn tone: "Perhaps you should stop temporarily. Gentlemen, we are all going to be in trouble."

——

The players of the England team were reunited with their families, so the team tent was completely emptied.

Scrimgeour, Toby, and Dumbledore, the three of them gathered in this tent.

It was inconvenient for James to appear in front of Ministry of Magic officials in order to avoid unnecessary risks, and Angela, Sirius, and Lupine also avoided it early.

After the three of them sat down in the living room, Scrimgeour first explained clearly the contents of his subordinates' report in a few words - the Auror escorting Fudge was suddenly attacked. The attack came so suddenly that the number of enemies was not even known.

Clearly. When I came back to my senses, Fudge was gone.

They are helpless against this group of unknown enemies. There are not many wizards with this ability, and there are two very suspicious candidates in front of them.

"If it were me, those Aurors would definitely have suffered more than just minor injuries." Toby's demonstration made Scrimgeour extremely angry.

"The next thing is that Peter Pettigrew was rescued." Dumbledore interrupted the dispute between the two in time: "These two things happened almost at the same time. I think you can guess it."

He looked at Scrimgeour and said: "Grindelwald, he -"

"His accomplices are still at large!" Toby suddenly interrupted loudly: "These people kidnapped Fudge and their old friend Peter. Who knows who the next candidate will be - I think you are pretty good.

.”

"Unless you agree to help make Dumbledore the minister, no one can guarantee what will happen next."

Toby was almost blatantly threatening Scrimgeour. He flicked his wand so hard that sparks shot out, as if he would not give up until Scrimgeour agreed.

"Are you threatening me?" Scrimgeour's eyes filled with anger: "Do you think I will obey?"

"I just think that the Ministry of Magic does not lack an Auror Office Director." Toby said tit for tat: "Frank is quite good. He has enough seniority and has made many contributions. He is worthy of being convinced."

"The most important thing is that he is also Dumbledore's man - let me make it clear directly. Even if Dumbledore wants to stop me, I will not let you go. We don't have so much time to waste. It's time to do something

The choice is made.”

"No."

Dumbledore, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said: "I won't stop you, Toby."

Under Toby's surprised gaze, Dumbledore cast his gaze on Scrimgeour: "It's really time for you to make a choice. We don't have much time left, so don't make it difficult for me."

Scrimgeour stared at Dumbledore in disbelief, as if he was recognizing the old man in front of him for the first time.

He stood up and hurriedly left the tent, giving Dumbledore one last look but saying nothing.

"Wow." Toby exclaimed: "This really surprises me. When did you change your mind?"

He said it deliberately and respectfully, which seemed very funny.

But Dumbledore's tone was very serious.

"I never thought about being a minister." He sighed and said, "Yes, Toby, do you think I will really do what you want? No, I didn't plan that way from the beginning.

My real plan is to put pressure on Fudge as a candidate so that he can change. And I will concentrate on the affairs of the Order - I dare not approach power, Toby, you have just seen the consequences

.”

"But Grindelwald changed everything." Toby said in surprise: "He deliberately pushed you to the position of minister? How is it possible? He is obviously so afraid of you."

"Because he knows what my weakness is." Dumbledore said seriously: "It is also power. He wants to make me troublesome, thinking that he can defeat me in this way. Defeat me with his own people."

Toby acted as if he didn't hear the second half of the sentence, because if Grindelwald really planned this, then Toby became his accomplice - after all, he was the one who drove Dumbledore out of Hog

Watts's.

"But that's okay, Vice Principal Heimer."

Dumbledore's name for Toby changed. He stood up and looked at him condescendingly: "Since there is no way to escape, there is no need to continue to pretend to turn a blind eye. It will not be long before I, as a candidate,

He will be appointed as the new Minister of Magic in advance, and Scrimgeour will also help us hide the news that Grindelwald is still alive and only release some of the information about his associates."

"I hope we can have a happy cooperation by then."

Toby looked at Dumbledore's outstretched palm in surprise. He had never seen the headmaster look like this.

"I seem to have made a wrong decision but, well, future minister."

Toby also stood up. He held Dumbledore's hand and asked: "As a testimony of our cooperation, can we hold a Triwizard Tournament? After all, I have sent invitations to the other two principals. If the Ministry of Magic does not

I would be embarrassed if I agreed."

Dumbledore seemed to have expected this.

"Let's not rush this matter now." He asked: "I think there is another thing that is really worthy of concern-Old Tom Riddle, he has watched the Quidditch game and can tell me your

Harvest?"

"No problem." Toby replied easily, and forcefully pulled back the pinched palm. How could the principal be so strong?

"I have sent Al to bring him back. We will know the result in a few minutes at most - eh, you see it is back."

A corner of the tent was lifted up, and Al rushed in in a panic. As soon as he saw Toby, he immediately started hesitating and barking.

Dumbledore also understood what Al meant.

"He is missing?" Toby blinked in surprise: "You mean he can move?"

"Vice Principal Heimer"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Toby quickly stopped: "Why does this name make me feel so scared? Don't worry, minister, I have already prepared it - put on these glasses, Old Tom has bone algae on his body

With his scent, it’s easy to find him.”

Dumbledore followed Toby's instructions and hung his brand new half-moon glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"Vice Principal Heimer."

"What's the matter?" Toby asked angrily.

"Nothing." Dumbledore gently took Al and let him stand on his shoulders, ignoring the angry Toby with a flattering expression.

"I just want to call a few more times. I believe there will be more calls in the future."