Fudge's explanation did not persuade Dumbledore or reassure Hagrid.
"I can go with you to the Ministry, and you can have an auror watch over me, Minister..." Hagrid's lips trembled as he said, "but please don't let me go to Azkaban!"
Before Fudge could speak, there was a heavy knock at the door again.
Dumbledore went to open the door, and this time it was Harry who took a sharp blow to the ribs. He let out a distinct gasp.
Lucius Malfoy, who had just instructed Draco on something, strode into Hagrid's cabin, wrapped in a long black traveling cloak. His face wore a cold, smug smile, and Hagrid's dog began to bark wildly.
"It seems that you have already discussed the key issue..." Lucius nodded in satisfaction, "Very good, very good!"
"What are you doing here?" Hagrid roared in anger. "Get out of my house! You are not welcome here!"
"Dear friend, please believe me, I am not happy to be entering this... oh, you even call it a house, forgive me for being direct, but the place where my house-elf lives is more dignified than this--"
Lucius Malfoy looked around the small wooden hut, laughing mockingly, "I just forgot to tell you, Dumbledore, someone has told me that you're here... "
"What do you want from me, Lucius?"
Dumbledore maintained his composure, but Harry was sure that he saw two sparks of anger burning in Dumbledore's eyes.
Hagrid's small hut had not been this busy in a long time. Before Lucius could even say anything, the door was flung open and Madam Pince walked in.
"Does it look like I come at the wrong time?"
As he stepped into the house, he immediately sensed an atmosphere of considerable unpleasantness, which was not surprising.
The people in the house reacted to Madam Pince's arrival in different ways. Dumbledore exchanged a glance with her, but neither of them said much.
Fudge was obviously not sure who Madam Pince was, but, for this relatively unknown young professor, Fudge was very cold and even did not nod in greeting.
After seeing Madam Pince enter, Lucius slightly toned down the uncontrollable pride on his face. He knew that this person was brought by Catus Flame, and the people there were all unrestrained black wizards. They were different from gentlemen like Dumbledore, and if possible, Lucius did not want to offend such people.
"Well, I was planning to go and find you after I informed Dumbledore of the bad news, Artemus Pince--"
Lucius said to Artemis, who looked slightly surprised, and then he pulled out a piece of vellum from his pocket. The cold gray eyes locked onto Dumbledore, and his mouth curved into a smile again.
"Things are very bad, Dumbledore--"
Lucius flaunted the parchment in front of Dumbledore in an impolite manner, saying.
"The Board should have dismissed you by now, this is a temporary suspension order — you'll see that all twelve board members have signed it. We think you may not have been utilizing your talents properly. How many attacks have there been so far? At this rate, by the summer vacation, there won't be a single young wizard left at Hogwarts!"
It seems that Fudge had not previously extracted this matter from Lucius's mouth, and he was very surprised by the board's decision. However, as Lucius said, the appointment of the headmaster was the responsibility of the board, and he could not interfere.
Hagrid shot up from the bed, his shaggy, dark head scraping the ceiling. He roared.
"How many threats and extortions did you have to make to get them to agree, eh, Malfoy?"
Madam Pince let out a faint snort, as Catus Flamel had reminded him of this matter, but he never expected that Lucius would handle it so quickly.
"But, "
Hagrid and Fudge couldn't prevent this from happening, and Dumbledore had to comply with the instructions of the Board. He spoke in a slow and clear voice, so that everyone present could hear every word he said,
"Only when everyone here betrays me will I truly leave Hogwarts, and you will find that those who seek help in Hogwarts always receive assistance."
After speaking, Dumbledore looked strangely at the corner of the wall, and Artemus, who had a secret look in his eyes, followed Dumbledore's gaze. His eyes were deep and then he smiled to himself inwardly, moving his gaze away casually. At this moment, he found that Lucius was also looking at him.
"We will miss you, Dumbledore--"
Lucius grinned, and he pulled out another similar parchment from his pocket, continuing to speak,
"Since Dumbledore's matter is over, I regret to inform you, Artemus Pince, that the Board of Directors has also sent you a dismissal letter... I have always thought that sending an unknown person as an investigator to Hogwarts would be useless, and the facts have proved my judgment correct. Artemus Pince... I suggest you can go back and pack your things right now. This way, you won't miss the first train tomorrow."
"What do you mean by that?"
Artemus Pince smiled, showing no sign of surprise.
"Of course, I was appointed as an investigator by the Board of Directors, and dismissing me is also your right. However, I don't intend to leave Hogwarts just yet--"
Lucius narrowed his eyes, and even Fudge first officially turned his gaze towards Artemus.
"--This is the command of the Board of Directors, Mr. Brown. Are you planning to defy it?"
"I'm afraid you've forgotten one thing, Mr. Malfoy,"
Artemus Pince smiled happily.
" Indeed, I am no longer a special investigator, but I am the professor of the Dark Arts Defense class appointed by Dumbledore himself. The right to dismiss a professor rests solely with the headmaster. Since there is no longer a headmaster at Hogwarts, I must stay in the school until a new headmaster takes office."
Lucius stared coldly at Artemus without speaking, indeed, he had overlooked this point.
"Very well..."
For a while, Lucius Malfoy nodded silently, "I will talk to the new headmaster about the appointment of teachers in this school when he officially takes office."
After saying this, Lucius left without caring about anyone else.
"I believe you have a direction for what you're going to do next, don't you?"
Dumbledore's smile appeared as a result of Artemus' insistence on staying, before leaving, he spoke to him in a gentle manner.
"Of course," Artemus smiled in reply, "I have no intention of standing aside."
"Explain to me, Professor Brown--"
Under Fudge's escort, Hagrid hesitated, saying with a sullen face, "You know the situation, Professor Brown. Perhaps you can help me clear up this misunderstanding."
The small wooden cabin was now empty except for Artemus. Soon, he would go back to his office to check how many things his surveillance system had recorded. But before that...
Artemus looked towards the corner of the cabin, cleared his throat.
"The things here have already ended, three of you, what are you still hiding from?"
