Chapter 138: Dreamless Night (1/2)

”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 — I 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 were advancing upon him with a wand.

”Now, see here, Dumbledore,” he said, waving a threatening finger. ”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. Finally, he said, with a hint of a plea in his voice, ”He can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be . . .”

Snape strode forward, past Dumbledore, pulling up the left sleeve of his robes as he went. He stuck out his forearm and showed it to Fudge, who recoiled.

”There,” said Snape harshly. ”There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so 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. This Mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? 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.”

Chris felt respect for Snape, at that moment. If he was a death eater once it has gave him a lot of trouble but Dumbledore saved him, and he was standing by Dumbledore's side, now. Maybe he's a bully as a teacher but as a wizard, he's respectable.

But Fudge stepped back from Snape. 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 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. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry.”

He had almost reached the door when he paused. He turned around, strode back down the dormitory.

”Though I believed you don't deserve this. The other judges disagree with me.” He said controlling his anger a little. ”So here... your winnings. You both tied in the first place.”

He dropped two bag of gold on Harry and Cedric's bed, hastily. Then he crammed his bowler hat onto his head and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The moment he had disappeared, Dumbledore turned to look at the group.

”Now, first I would like to know if you trust us Amos or not?” He asked the Diggorys. ”Your son had went through a lot tonight. Do you believe him or not?”

Amos Diggory hesitated a little bit but Cedric's mother put a hand on Cedric's shoulder and said, ”I believe him, Dumbledore. I believe you.”

There was no hint of hesitation in her voice. She turned to her husband.

”The minister can ignore this things, Amos but we can't. Our son was there... he saw everything. If we don't trust him...”

”Yes. You're right. It's just difficult to accept.” Mr Diggory sighed. ”I believe you Ced.”

Cedric smiled.

”There is work to be done,” he said. ”Molly . . . am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?”

”Of course you can,” said Mrs. Weasley. She was white to the lips, but she looked resolute. ”We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper Wizarding pride.”

Amos Diggory coughed but then straighten up looking at his wife and son.

”You can count me as well Dumbledore.” He said standing up. ”You'll need as people as possible.”

”I'm proud of you Dad.” Cedric grinned looking at his father.

”Alright. Then I need to send a message to Arthur. Amos, you can stay with your son, right now. I'll tell you about this later.” said Dumbledore. ”But right now, all those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and Arthur is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as shortsighted as Cornelius.”

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”I'll go to Dad,” said Bill, standing up. ”I'll go now.”

”Excellent,” said Dumbledore. ”Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry —”

”Leave it to me,” said Bill.

He got up and patted Chris on the head.