Mr. Minister, there is news that a riot has occurred in Azkaban prison under your department. Is this message true?
Minister Fuge, it is rumored that dozens of heavy criminals have escaped from Azkaban during the riot. Has your department obtained a detailed list of the escapees?
Mr. Fudge, I am a reporter from the Goblin Report, Karl Cain. Could you explain exactly how this terrifying escape from Azkaban prison occurred?
A chestnut-haired wizard with wild curls broke through Kingsley's containment and managed to pull an ashen-faced Minister Fudge back from trying to rush into the packed reception hall.
"I'm sorry, I have nothing to report!"
Minister Fudge suddenly turned around and stared at the French journalist with a fierce expression, his eyes seeming to devour their prey as he shouted angrily.
"Oh, Minister, Azkaban magical prison has always been guarded by Dementors--"
The French journalist was not deterred by Minister Fudge's terrifying gaze and shouted even louder.
"Does this mean that Dementors no longer obey the Ministry of Magic in Britain? They have rebelled together with these heavy criminals!"
Nonsense!
Minister Fudge forcefully pulled his sleeve back.
"Blast, I have to leave here. Oh, Kingsley, Delores Umbridge! Where are you all? Drive them away, they haven't been authorized to enter the department!"
About half a minute later, with his shoes squished off, Kingsley, Delores Umbridge wormed his way through a reporter's legs to get to Minister Fudge's side.
"Oh, that's going to be quite difficult, Minister. Half of the European magical world is gathered here, we're up against quite a crowd."
"Half of the European magical world's journalists!"
Minister Fudge roughly pushed the reporter in front of him aside.
"Yes, Minister!"
Kingsley used his body to clear a path for Minister Fudge.
"And the other half are on their way or are being kept outside!"
"That's only half the time that has passed!"
"With the protection of a few Aurors, who had their robes torn off, the Auror finally managed to squeeze into the elevator lobby. However, there were still hordes of journalists pushing their way towards him, with countless journalists raising their hands and shouting,"
"Say something, Minister!"
"When will the Ministry of Magic apprehend those heavy criminals?"
Bang!
A thunderous explosion suddenly sounded in the bustling Magic Hall, silencing all the journalists shouting.
"In regards to the Azkaban prison breakout, the British Ministry of Magic will hold a press conference shortly. Please do not believe rumors and refer only to the official statements released by the Ministry."
Kingsley pointed his wand at his throat and shouted, which finally caused the journalists to calm down somewhat.
"Good job, Kingsley."
Minister Fudge wiped his sweat with his tie and, taking advantage of the brief respite provided by Kingsley, hurried into the elevator with Delores Umbridge.
Bang!
The office door was kicked open by Minister Fudge, and he unconsciously reached up to take off his hat, only to suddenly realize that his hat had long been lost in the crowd.
Minister Fudge could only irritably rub his hair and stand before the coat rack, breathing heavily.
"Minister, oh."
Delores Umbridge was about to close the office door, but several department employees took the opportunity to rush in.
"Hey, Anakens, what do you and your people want to do!"
Delores Umbridge suddenly became furious, but the employees in the Ministry did not pay attention to Delores Umbridge's anger and rushed straight to the angry Minister Fudge.
"What's going on, Anakens?"
Minister Fudge pursed his lips and tried to straighten his chest.
"Minister."
The International Cooperation for Magic Director, Anakens, was panting heavily.
"Less than twenty minutes ago, the International Confederation of Wizards sent us a letter of inquiry, accusing us of being negligent and causing a severe crisis for the entire European magical community!"
"Crisis?"
Minister Fudge jumped up,
"There's nothing happening right now!"
"--In any case, Minister,"
Anakens had a look of impending doom on his face.
"The International Confederation of Wizards is giving us a deadline of one week to provide explanations and to come up with a feasible plan for capturing the escaped prisoners!"
"Oh, that's too funny!"
Minister Fudge's eyes bulged out, and he burst into laughter,
"That's too funny, when did the International Confederation of Wizards get to tell us what to do! Oh, I see now, this must be Dumbledore's, Breege's, and Draygon's orders; they three are watching that ridiculous game at Hogwarts right now!"
"Not only the International Confederation of Wizards, Minister --"
A young man behind Anakens nervously trembled the parchment in his hand,
"The German Ministry of Magic, the French Ministry of Magic, the Italian Ministry of Magic, the Norwegian Ministry of Magic, even the Albanian Wizard Self-Defense Organization have all sent us inquiries asking for specific details about this prison break. Oh, and there are also some non-official organizations, like the International Union Against Dark Magic and the Merlin Society Review Committee."
"I"
Minister Fudge's face turned purple, almost causing him to spew old blood.
"I have nothing to say to them!"
The team from the International Cooperation for Magic office looked at each other in confusion.
"But, Minister——"
Anakens said, enduring Minister Fudge's terrifying gaze,
"We must respond to the magical world. Is that not correct?"
Minister Fudge puffed up his chest, seemingly about to roar again, but in the end, he held back his anger and only gave Delores Umbridge a look.
"All right, Anakens!"
Delores Umbridge's intelligence was suddenly online.
He stepped forward and seized the letters of inquiry from various countries brought by the employees of the Cooperation Office, speaking with an authoritative tone,
"Minister Fudge needs time to calmly think about the current situation and the next steps. I mean, the Ministry will respond."
"Alright."
Anakens looked troubled.
"I know the situation is difficult, Minister, but we must have a proper statement to calm the anger of the public and address the concerns of the international magical community."
Click——
In the instant the door clicked shut, Minister Fudge jumped to his feet.
"Blast, who did this!"
Delores Umbridge remained in an embarrassing silence.
It's not a question that needs deep thought to determine who carried out the jailbreak. Just look at who escaped from Azkaban.
However, Delores Umbridge would never say such a thing.
After all, this conflicted with the department's previously held certain viewpoints.
If it were admitted that Death Eaters had plotted everything, the Ministry, especially the Minister of Magic, would be completely ridiculed.
"It's only been half a day!"
Minister Fudge roared wildly to vent his anger,
"Even the semi-official organization in Albania knows about it!"
"Minister, you know--"
Delores Umbridge wiped the cold sweat off his forehead,
"This kind of scandal spreads... Oh, I mean!"
Seeing Minister Fudge's sinister gaze, Delores Umbridge felt a chill down his spine. He quickly changed his statement,
"I think Miss Umbridge's proposal is very reasonable, Minister. Now what's most important is to divert public attention. Oh, of course, there's also capturing the fugitives but this doesn't need to be rushed, you know, people tend to be forgetful."
Minister Fudge fell silent, standing in front of the desk and breathing softly.
"Minister, couldn't it be... at a time like this."
"I certainly won't back down, Delores Umbridge, even if this will cause a full-scale conflict between the Ministry and the two wizards at Hogwarts. Oh, but it's their fault!"
Minister Fudge glared fiercely with furrowed brows.
"Oh, yes, that's right, it's their fault. Dumbledore has been promoting rumors of the return of Voldemort to sow confusion, and Breege openly trained an army at Hogwarts. The perfect timing has arrived. Delores Umbridge!"
The unexpected call startled Delores Umbridge, and the fierce gaze that Minister Fudge had stolen over was even more terrifying, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
"I'm here, Minister!"
Delores Umbridge straightened his back.
"About that matter with Harry Potter."
Minister Fudge's eyes glinted with malice.
"I believe we have a complete chain of evidence now, right?"
"I assure you, Minister!"
Delores Umbridge blushed profusely.
"Harry Potter is inescapable!"
Inescapable.
Outside the office door, Kingsley, who had finally calmed down the riotous journalists and was about to knock on the Minister's office door to report in, suddenly froze with his arm raised!
