Did the Mysterious Man really come back to life and lurk among people to carry out activities?
This is a question that does not require much thinking to answer.
Just open your eyes and look around, at those wizards sneaking across the border, at the dire law and order situation in the British magical world, and then at those restless wizarding families.
Even the most foolish wizards should have a clear idea.
But Rufus did not speak, the real difficulty of answering this question was not here.
The hand hidden under the cloak involuntarily clenched, Rufus deeply gazed at the young face behind the Round Table, his complexion slightly pale.
If Brian records his answer in some way and presents it to the Minister of Magic, his career will be over like that young man from the Weasley family who was forced to leave.
But now, his situation is not much better.
Strictly speaking, he has always been on the same side as the Minister of Magic in the Ministry, and in the tense situation of the magical world recently, the Minister of Magic should have been more eager to gain his support.
What is strange is that the highest decision-making level in the Ministry has been continuously dividing his powers.
Ms. Bone was the first to do so.
She started doing this after this year's Christmas, bypassing him to directly contact the underlings of the Order of the Phoenix. Although she did it very discreetly, it couldn't escape the eyes of the director of the Order's administrative office.
What is not surprising about Ms. Bone doing so? After all, she is the openly supported candidate of Amos Bonnington in the Ministry, and she is seen as part of the Minister's faction by outsiders.
But Miss Umbridge was also secretly supporting his Death Eaters and competing for power with him, which was a puzzling thing.
Umbridge is an absolute member of the Minister's faction and is in the same camp as him.
She has no reason to undermine herself, does she?
And after he expressed his dissatisfaction almost directly to the Minister of Magic, the minister did not come out to support him but instead played around with Miss Umbridge.
Without a doubt, all the signs indicate that he has lost the trust of both the Minister and the Deputy Minister, Miss Umbridge.
Or, something may have been done by Death Eaters to gain greater trust from the higher-ups, which is why he has been sidelined.
Gazing at Amos Bonnington, that seemingly confident face that believed he would give him the answer he wanted, Rufus' dull yellow eyes shimmered with a mysterious glow.
"You know why."
midway in speaking, Rufus saw Amos Bonnington's raised eyebrow and then closed his mouth.
He had not returned to the question of Brene, probably, Brene would not be kind to him.
At some point, Albus had dealt with the water disaster and had quietly returned to the tavern.
He saw the bottle of old sherry that Amos had opened on the table, but he did not lose his temper. Instead, he tightly focused on Rufus Scrimgeour, his equally blue eyes filled with seriousness and surprise.
Among the people Brene had met in his bar today, Rufus' appearance was the most incredible to him.
With Albus Dumbledore behind him and running such a bar, Albus was not just any naive villager.
His information network in the magical world is well known. That's why he was surprised.
Rufus Scrimgeour has always been the cornerstone of the Minister's faction's power, hasn't he?
Why would he meet with Brene in private? The implications hidden within are truly chilling!
The dimly lit, damp and cold bar was filled with an air of bizarre, nerve-wracking tension, as if a major meeting to determine the future was being held here.
Looking at Brene sitting at the round table in the bar's inner room, undoubtedly leading this negotiation, Albus moved his lips, but found his lips dry as if he had just experienced a scorching sun.
With a gentle motion, he poured the remaining wine from Brene's private bottle into a glass, and as his lips touched the slightly chilled liquid, Albus was reminded of a conversation he had with Albus last time.
That was back in the beginning of last month, when Brene left Hogwarts and went to New York with a wolf cub.
It was during this time that, under Fudge's leadership, the Ministry of Magic suddenly attacked Albus. Not only did they remove his titles including Chief Warlock of Wizenghamot, but they also suspended many interviews and academic invitations for Albus.
Albus could see a trace of helplessness between his brother's usually unassailable brows.
"Hmmph, it seems the Ministry believes you are easier to deal with, isn't that so?"
That night, Albus stood behind the bar, watching Dumbledore sip a glass of whiskey under the dim light of an oil lamp, mocking him with a derogatory sneer.
"Oh--"
Lost in thought, Dumbledore came back to his senses and looked at his brother. His clear eyes showed no anger or embarrassment, but instead a sense of relief and gratitude.
"If you mean the Ministry has decided to target me, not Amos, Albus."
Albus smiled and said,
"Although my relationship with the Ministry is tense now, I must say that the Ministry's decision is correct. Connelly is rare for not being as stupid as usual and trying to stir up trouble with Amos."
"It's a rarity to hear obscenity from your mouth."
Silence for a moment, Albus spoke in a voice that was calm and peaceful, yet quite different from his usual rough style.
"Hmmph--"
Albus did not take offense; he continued to smile.
"People think I'm rule-bound and of high virtue, you know the truth is quite different, Albus. But the problem is, these labels that seem to have been permanently glued to me with an adhesive curse are indeed restraining me. And Amos, on the other hand, is much freer."
Sipping the deep red wine, watching the sediment floating in the glass as it swirled slightly.
"I have always been cautious of Amos, wary of the hidden ferocity in his character, which could one day get the better of his kindness and cause more harm to the wizarding world than Voldemort ever did."
"But I must admit that his ferocity has given him a more free range of action. Yes, that's true. Connelly is often too afraid to provoke him, which occasionally makes me envious—"
"Yes--"
Suddenly, Albus was jolted out of his reverie. He blinked, and realized that the person speaking to him was the head of the Order's Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The dark purple abyss, the ultimate force of destruction that neither shakes nor recedes, finally overcame Rufus Scrimgeour.
Rufus' face was pale, and his voice was more fluttering than ever.
"I believe he has returned, and this is an indisputable fact."
The oppressive atmosphere in the bar dissolved instantly!
"An astute judgment, Rufus--"
Amos finally smiled again, looking at Rufus with admiration.
"So, there is a second question--"
In the dimness, Amos' eyes shone with a faint light, and his deep gaze seemed to contain two deadly whirlpools that were absorbing Rufus' soul.
"Under the premise that Voldemort has returned to the wizarding world, Rufus, what would you do?"
"I would--"
Under Amos Bonnington's gaze, Rufus found his words getting stuck in his throat. He gasped deeply, sweat pouring down in large drops.
"Resist. We have no other choice but to fight to the end, isn't that so?"
Amos' light laughter echoed through the dim interior.
"Then, we are allies, Rufus--"
All the questions and answers are contained in these two questions. When Rufus gave his heartfelt answer, the two of them no longer needed to discuss further. Everything was understood without words.
"If today's answer is not what you want to hear, what will happen, Brene?"
As he stepped out the door, Rufus' face, which had flushed slightly, turned to look back at Amos who was seeing him off.
"Nothing will happen."
The rain subsided, and the sky revealed a faint twilight glow.
Looking truthfully at Rufus' restored sharp, dark yellow eyes, Amos smiled to emphasize again,
"I am not the Dark Lord, am I?"
…………
(Chapter ends)
