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Chapter 715: Emergency Measures

“Cornelius, you are too obsessed with your office, which has caused you to lose your due judgment,” said Dumbledore, his voice rising now, the aura of power around him palpable, his eyes blazing once more.

“You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood. You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! Your Dementor has just destroyed the last remaining member of a pure-blood family as old as any… and see what that man chose to make of his life! I tell you now… take the steps I have suggested, and you will be remembered, in office or out, as one of the bravest and greatest Ministers of Magic we have ever known. Fail to act … and history will remember you as the man who stepped aside and allowed Voldemort a second chance to destroy the world we have tried to rebuild!” 

“Insane,” whispered Fudge, looking at Dumbledore in panic, and still backing away. “Madness…”

“If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this, Cornelius,” said Dumbledore, “we have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit. And I… and Hogwarts shall act as I see fit.”

Dumbledore’s voice carried no hint of a threat; it sounded like a mere statement. But Fudge bristled as though Dumbledore was advancing upon him with a wand.

“Now, see here, Dumbledore,” he said, waving a threatening finger. “I finally understand what you mean, you and your Hogwarts… I’ve given you free rein, always. I’ve had a lot of respect for you. I might not have agreed with some of your decisions, but I’ve kept quiet. There aren’t many who’d have let you hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid, or decide what to teach your students without reference to the Ministry. But if you’re going to work against me…”

“The only one against whom I intend to work,” said Dumbledore, “is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius, on the same side.”

It seemed Fudge could think of no answer to this. He rocked backward and forward on his small feet for a moment and spun his bowler hat in his hands. He had no idea at all, and seemed to expect Dumbledore to change his mind.

Finally, he said, with a hint of a plea in his voice, “He can’t be back, Dumbledore, he just can’t be…”

Dumbledore hadn’t spoken yet, and Snape, who was standing next to Evan, strode forward. As he walked, he pulled up the left sleeve of his robes. He stuck out his forearm and showed it to Fudge, who recoiled in horror.

“There,” said Snape harshly. “There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. This mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff’s too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled after Barty Crouch Jr. was caught? We both felt The Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord’s vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold.”

Fudge stepped back from Snape as well. He was shaking his head. He did not seem to have taken in a word Snape had said. He stared, apparently repelled by the ugly mark on Snape’s arm.

Then he looked up at Dumbledore and whispered, “I don’t know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. Please contact me when you calm down and understand what is going on, Dumbledore! Then, I need to discuss with you the running of this school. Now, I must return to the Ministry.”

He pushed Snape in front of him, striding past Dumbledore, out of the room, the Aurors hurriedly followed him.

The door was closed heavily, and in silence, Dumbledore turned to look at the others.

“Fudge’s attitude was as I expected, but this undoubtedly makes things worse and changes the whole situation!” said Dumbledore. “There is some work to be done immediately. Sirius… I hope you will return to the Ministry at once…”

“I’ve just been fired. I’ve had enough of that job!” Sirius mumbled.

“I need to send a message to Arthur. All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as shortsighted as Cornelius.” Dumbledore said. “When you go back to the Auror office to pack your things, you can find an opportunity to talk to other Aurors.”

“All right, but I hope you can give me something more exciting to do!” Sirius said.

“This is very important. After telling Arthur to contact all the people in the Ministry who are willing to help us, I need you to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher… the old crowd…” Dumbledore paused and continued, “That done, you can return to Hogwarts. I hope you can help Evan get in touch with the vampires and try to convince them. Although I don’t have much hope for this, at least we have to know what secret Voldemort has obtained about the powerful force he is trying to master!”

Evan nodded, and he also wanted to know what secrets the Slytherins had kept for generations; and know about the big problem that Caresius had been hoping Voldemort would help them solve.

“Professor, I have no contact with those vampires?” Evan suddenly realized he didn’t know where Caresius was.

The vampires had many enemies, and if their whereabouts could be found so easily, they would have been exterminated long ago!

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