It would be impossible to say there's no intrigue behind this sudden visit—surely, the Minister of Magic, Fudge, hasn't lost his senses to such an extent.
"Damn it! Shut that mouth of yours! You're openly provoking the Ministry of Magic! It's blatant rebellion!" Umbridge's screeching made her seem very much like a pink toad.
She habitually accused Professor McGonagall and Grindelwald, a tactic that usually worked well in the past, but evidently, she finally met her match today.
"The ones trampling on the law are you,"
Grindelwald's expression was insouciant.
"Enough!"
Before Umbridge could speak, the angry Minister of Magic, Fudge, glared fiercely at Grindelwald, as if to sear the image of this figure, whom he considered merely a bestselling author, into his memory.
"This is a Ministry of Magic investigation! All wizards are obligated to cooperate! Don't think Hogwarts is above the law!" Fudge's voice was hard.
"I will, of course, cooperate with you, but if you abandon your own respect for the law, then I will consider your actions as voluntarily renouncing the law's protection,"
Grindelwald's voice wasn't deep, but it created a tense atmosphere, an invisible pressure silently spreading to the surroundings.
The Aurors found it somewhat hard to breathe.
Just as Umbridge's expression turned uncertain and she was about to reprimand Grindelwald for his arrogance.
"Fudge, long time no see."
Albus Dumbledore descended from the staircase. He wore his signature purple robe, moving slowly and deliberately, yet everyone watching didn't dare to harbor any contempt.
"What's the Headmaster hiding?"
Ian noticed what others hadn't: Albus Dumbledore's heartbeat was a bit fast, possibly because he had rushed over.
Was it to deal with these Ministry officials, or to save them? After all, Grindelwald and the Ministry had nearly clashed just a moment ago.
As the little wizard pondered.
"Headmaster."
The group of Aurors couldn't help but lower their heads, afraid to meet his gaze. Their behavior was observed by Fudge, who was dissatisfied, though, as a shrewd politician, he didn't dare show it.
"Albus, long time no see."
Fudge wore an incredibly insincere smile.
"I heard you're investigating me? Do you think I'm involved in Professor Quirrell's death?" Albus Dumbledore slowly descended, looking calmly at Quirrell's body outside Snape's office. He seemed neither surprised nor puzzled, only pausing his gaze briefly on Quirrell's smooth backside.
Then,
he turned towards where Ian was hiding—the old headmaster's gaze wasn't sharp, but full of meaning, which Ian quickly understood.
It was the same message as Grindelwald's note.
"What are they trying to pull?"
Even if Ian didn't quite get what the two old men meant, he turned and left, heading to the eighth floor where the Headmaster's Office was.
Behind the little wizard,
the confrontation continued.
"Albus, you know I've always trusted you; after all, you've been a great help to me. But the Ministry of Magic isn't solely under my command."
"Some individuals of considerable status and power among us wizards have provided us with information, hence, we must shoulder our responsibility to conduct an investigation."
Fudge sighed heavily.
Albus Dumbledore did not respond, simply observing him with a calm expression, which made Fudge unable to meet his gaze.
He continued to justify his actions.
"Truly, I genuinely believe in you, this investigation wasn't my original intention."
Fudge's voice sounded resigned, although everyone knew he was acting. Being an accomplished politician, he quickly consolidated power after taking office.
Unless he wished,
he and his group wouldn't have appeared at Hogwarts. They arrived shortly after Quirrell's body was discovered; the Ministry's efficiency had never been so swift before.
"A person of great power? Who?"
Snape emerged from his office at that moment, slightly relieved upon seeing Albus Dumbledore, though his expression, like Professor McGonagall's, held some concern.
It wasn't about the Ministry's suspicion of Albus Dumbledore, but because they knew Quirrell's secret and were worried about whoever had vanished from him.
"I can't disclose that; it's not within your purview." Umbridge sneered, casting a scornful glance at Snape, a former Death Eater.
"Umbridge!"
Fudge spoke then, in a deep voice, pulling Umbridge back behind him, as he still harbored genuine fear of the recently arrived Albus Dumbledore. Knowing how formidable Albus Dumbledore truly was, he desired to diminish Albus Dumbledore's influence.
Otherwise,
Fudge would find no peace—if he voluntarily became someone else's tool, it wasn't just due to the other's power, but also because he knew how enormous the Albus Dumbledore tree was.