Misunderstanding? Harry was a bit confused.
The Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, especially between the Ministry and Professor Dumbledore, are now virtually at odds. This is something Harry is well aware of, as Fudge even used his power to dismiss Dumbledore from his position as Chief Warlock of Britain.
But what misunderstanding is there?
Why was Percy looking at him and saying that? Harry blinked, catching a glimpse of something, but it wasn't clear.
"You know, for so many years, the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts have gotten along well, Professor Brehon--"
Percy spoke sincerely,
"Minister Fudge fully respects Hogwarts' rights, respects Professor Dumbledore and you, but the department cannot sit by while the magical world is thrown into chaos and the public is plunged into panic because of a."
Percy's eyes flickered.
"Because of an unproven message."
An unproven message has caused panic in the magical world?
At this moment, if Harry still didn't understand what Ron's brother was hinting at, he could be considered incredibly foolish!
Clang!
Harry knocked over the chair beneath him and stood up with more intensity than Hermione, while Ron also stared at Percy in disbelief, obviously having understood what he was saying.
"You think I'm lying!"
Harry's face was ashen, and naturally, he had no good feelings towards Ron's brother. He shouted in a stern voice,
"You think I'm making up lies, don't you, Percy? That Voldemort hasn't resurrected?"
"Oh, don't be angry, Harry--"
The tense atmosphere in the office immediately made Percy uncomfortable, and he stood up hesitantly, feeling a bit guilty about facing Harry and Ron's angry glares. However, he still said,
"I didn't say you were lying, I just said there was no evidence, right? Of course, I know you were under a lot of pressure then, and you had Hermione and Ron with you. You were all at the bottom of the lake and nervous. So, you couldn't see through the black witch's plot. I mean Vera Claymore that evil woman. Everything comes from her schemes and ambitions."
"Nonsense!"
Harry shouted angrily,
"We saw the Dark Lord resurrected with our own eyes, and Vera Claymore was just following his orders. If you don't understand this, it's truly pitiful!"
"I can prove that Harry's words are completely accurate!"
Ron also glared at his brother.
"You sneaked into Hogwarts, didn't you? Dad would never allow you to come here and spout nonsense!"
Hermione said no more, merely glowering at Percy, while in fact, she had been the closest to him in the past.
"There is no evidence!"
Harry and Ron's rudeness and disrespect also angered Percy, and he raised his voice to emphasize,
"It's only you two who say that, with no one else to prove it. But the Ministry has obtained a confession from Vera Claymore. If you had read last month's issue of The Daily Prophet, you would know that the black witch herself has admitted to being behind all this!"
"That woman is lying!"
Hermione said coldly, "The woman is lying."
"She's covering for the Dark Lord, giving him time to gather his dark forces."
"Exactly, Hermione!"
Harry loudly agreed,
"Evidence. That's absolutely absurd, Percy. Don't you remember, Barty Crouch Jr. and Karkaroff? Crouch Jr. was killed by Voldemort, and Karkaroff was brought over by the Death Eaters with the help of other Death Eaters!"
"Evidence, Harry!"
Percy was obstinate.
"Only you people claim to have seen these things. That's absurd. If you know anything about Barty Crouch Jr., you would know that he personally sent his unreliable Death Eater son to prison fourteen years ago, and that son ultimately died in Azkaban, with many Dementors witnessing it. The Ministry has records of this."
"That's your biggest mistake, Harry, Ron, Hermione. Barty Crouch Jr. died a long time ago. Perhaps you heard rumors about him from somewhere, and in your panic, mistook the disciples of Claymore for the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters!"
A torrent of unimaginable anger surged up from within him, invading his consciousness in an instant. Harry unconsciously shook his sleeve, as if to draw his wand and give Percy a fierce blow. But before that --
"Harry!"
Professor Brehon's shout drew Harry's gaze away, but the moment his eyes met the professor's pale purple eyes, a more intense anger swept through him. Why would Professor Brehon keep silent? He was clearly present at the scene of Voldemort's resurrection, wasn't he?!
That strange surveillance mirror, Professor Brehon, had the ability to show everyone that Voldemort had come back to life. But he just wouldn't do it!
Anger made some horrific thoughts pop into Harry's mind. He even wanted to shoot spells at the sofa. Or more straightforwardly, he wanted to charge at Professor Brehon and take a savage bite out of his neck!
Aragog's expression suddenly became fierce, his sharp gaze piercing through Harry's emerald eyes, which flickered with a brief flash of crimson light. The deep and heavy aura of his presence was so overwhelming that it made the several young people in the office gasp for breath.
"Harry."
Hermione noticed the terrible expression on Harry's face. She blinked, struggling to move her lips and stammered, "Harry."
"What are you doing?"
"What?"
The sound piercing into his ears made Harry suddenly regain consciousness. He took a quick step back and nearly stumbled over the chair behind him if it wasn't for Ron quickly catching his arm.
Harry stared with wide eyes, his face filled with confusion and fear!
"What just happened to you?" Hermione looked at Harry, worriedly.
Just now
Harry's breathing was rapid, as if he had just undergone a strenuous workout. He remembered the terrifying thoughts that had flitted through his mind just now; he wanted to attack Percy for his foolish words, and he also wanted to kill Professor Brehon!
"I -- just --"
In the gazes of many, Harry couldn't explain, nor dare to.
A pale Harry said,
"I was so angry that I lost my mind."
Ron blinked confusedly, he didn't see Harry's demonic expression just now.
Aragog's eyes flickered, and he stood up from the sofa, looking calmly at Percy. In his gaze, Percy was rendered speechless after his earlier debate with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"You want to persuade me to accept Fudge's suggestion, letting Umbridge take up a position at Hogwarts, Percy--" Aragog said calmly.
"Sorry, I can't agree with your request. It's opposite to my original idea."
Percy opened his mouth, but under the invisible pressure of Professor Brehon's presence, he could not say a word.
Seeing Percy's unwilling expression, Aragog sighed in his heart and thought for a moment before turning towards the desk, pulling out a thick folder from the drawer,
"Can you do me a favor, Percy?"
"What?" Percy asked blankly, looking at the folder.
"When you're on your way back, go to Diagon Alley and stop by the enchanted object workshop. Help me deliver this to Remus and tell him that I have no objections to the people inside."
Percy didn't understand too much, but still numbly took the folder.
"I believe you'll miss the delicious food at Hogwarts, won't you, Percy--"
Aragog patted Percy on the shoulder and gave him a gentle smile.
"Go ahead. It should still be possible now. If you wait any longer, there might not be much left."
Percy left, looking disoriented as he departed from the office, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione had little sympathy for him.
"Then, it's your turn --"
When Professor Brehon's voice rang out again, Harry's heart jumped to his throat. He even felt a surge of urge to follow Percy and escape from the office.
Professor Brehon must have seen the expression on his face just now. Even though he didn't look in a mirror, Harry was sure that his expression must have been quite terrifying!
(Chapter ends)
