The match quickly resumed.
Douglas Holmes paid no further attention to the outcome, dragging a reluctant Sirius away toward the headmaster's office.
Back in his own office, Douglas immediately arranged for Dobby to send a batch of prepared wooden plaques to Bill.
These plaques differed from the one he'd given Harry. Harry's was designed specifically to counter Dementors—it could unleash the Patronus Charm. But this new batch contained no Patronus; instead, whenever they detected a surge of dark magic, they could autonomously cast Protego three times.
An hour later, Douglas looked out his window and saw Minister Fudge arriving at the castle with his entourage.
Moments after, a silvery Patronus message from Dumbledore summoned him to the headmaster's office.
After making sure Sirius was settled, Douglas headed straight for the headmaster's tower. Passing the stone gargoyle and ascending the spiraling staircase, he was just about to push open the office door when he heard Fudge's disgruntled voice from within:
"Albus, this time it was over a dozen, not just one!"
Dumbledore's reply was icy cold. "Cornelius, why did the Dementors break into the school? You gave me your word!"
Fudge's tone immediately softened, struggling to sound calm. "Well… perhaps… you know, they've been searching for so long…"
At that moment, a shrill, saccharine voice broke in, first with a peal of laughter sharp as glass, then: "I must have misunderstood your meaning, Professor Dumbledore. Are you questioning our esteemed Minister of Magic? Surely the real problem isn't those darling children so freely casting Patronus Charms—I simply can't fathom why such advanced magic is so rampant at Hogwarts! You must realize that such widespread use could severely impact the Dementors' future effectiveness. Especially this time—I imagine they sensed Black's presence at Hogwarts, isn't that right, Minister?"
Fudge nodded eagerly. "Yes, that's precisely what the Dementor leader reported. Unfortunately, they were interrupted at a critical moment."
At that, Douglas pushed open the door and entered, voice cool and sharp:
"It seems you both could stand to retake Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. I'd wager the Dementors broke our agreement because the happiness radiating from the pitch was simply an irresistible feast for them. And as any competent professor knows, a Patronus Charm can only drive Dementors away, not harm them…
Professor, as an expert in Defence Against the Dark Arts, that's my professional opinion."
Halfway through, Douglas forced himself to turn toward Dumbledore—he wasn't sure he could resist drawing his wand if he looked at the others any longer.
Standing by Fudge was a short, squat woman with a broad, sagging face, a neck so short it was nearly invisible, large, bulging eyes, and a drooping, wide mouth. As Douglas entered, she eyed him with suspicion, then recognition, her expression twisting into something almost amphibian—a toad poised to flick out its tongue for a fly.
Douglas recognized her instantly: Dolores Umbridge, newly promoted Senior Undersecretary to the Minister.
Before this, she'd run the Improper Use of Magic Office at the Ministry. Back when Douglas was underage, he'd spent no small effort researching loopholes and staff lists from that office, all so he could practice magic outside school. More recently, thanks to a tip from his editor, Mr. Slane, he knew she was the one who'd signed the order banning his latest book.
(The Improper Use of Magic Office is responsible for enforcing the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy and the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery.)
As Douglas finished speaking, Fudge brightened, greeting him with a broad, insincere smile:
"Ah, Professor Holmes! You make an excellent point. As the first Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor in decades to last more than a year, your opinion certainly carries weight. In fact, I'd like your thoughts on the recent Dementor disappearances."
Fudge's tone was all honey and politics.
Inwardly cursing the man's hypocrisy, Douglas replied, "To my knowledge, Dementors are hardly loyal creatures—"
But Umbridge's shrill voice sliced through his words:
"Mr. Holmes, that's pure speculation. The Ministry of Magic maintains excellent control over the Dementors. They've served the Ministry faithfully for nearly three centuries. Of course, only those of us with proper wizarding heritage would know such things."
Douglas didn't so much as glance at her. He simply found a chair, sat down, pulled a banana from his pocket, and began to eat, fixing Fudge and the others with a look of open anticipation—settling in for a show.
His blatant disregard made even the seasoned politician Fudge falter, his face freezing for a moment.
After all, Dumbledore had never once offered them a seat since they'd arrived. Here stood the Minister of Magic himself, yet a young professor had simply waltzed in and made himself comfortable.
Sensing the tension, Umbridge turned to Dumbledore with a syrupy smile:
"Heh, Professor Dumbledore, I must say I'm surprised by how relaxed things are here at Hogwarts. While I wouldn't dream of criticizing your management style, Hogwarts is still part of the British wizarding community, and thus under the Ministry's authority."
Dumbledore, who'd been quietly observing since Douglas arrived, finally blinked and replied, "Indeed. That's why only the Ministry's representatives in this room are standing, looking down and interrogating Hogwarts' headmaster and professor. That, you see, is my greatest display of respect for the Ministry of Magic."
Douglas was momentarily taken aback—he'd half expected Dumbledore to offer them seats and smooth things over. Clearly, so had the Ministry officials; Fudge looked as if he'd swallowed a lemon, his plan to claim a chair himself abruptly stalled.
Dumbledore glanced at Douglas, then continued, "And today, it's thanks to Douglas's foresight in teaching the Patronus Charm that no students were harmed. If you have any further questions, you may address them directly to him."
Douglas had no objection; after all, he had started this particular chain of events, and it was only fair he answer for it.
Fudge simply looked at Douglas, saying nothing—perhaps considering himself on equal footing with Dumbledore in official matters.
Sensing her cue, Umbridge stepped forward, her smile stretched tight:
"Oh, how remiss of me not to introduce myself. I am Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. You may address me as Undersecretary Umbridge."
"Returning to the main issue: regarding the two instances of Dementors disappearing at Hogwarts, the Ministry expects a full explanation. And as I understand it, both times your Patronus was the first to interfere with the Dementors' search. What do you have to say for yourself, Professor Holmes?"
Douglas ignored her entirely, his gaze locked on Fudge.
His indifference made Umbridge's eyes bulge even more, her face mottled with fury.
Fudge frowned and said, "Dolores, as Senior Undersecretary, you are fully authorized to speak on my behalf, Professor Holmes."
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]