Chapter 713 - 714

Dementors had entered the office and immediately targeted Barty Crouch Jr. as if they had been prepared for this moment. As they removed their cloaks, they revealed their grotesque and decayed faces, covered in scabby gray skin. They had no visible eyes, nose, or other facial features except a dark, black-hole-like mouth.

Evan and Snape were shocked and alarmed as they watched the dementors zero in on Barty Crouch Jr., their mouths gaping open, ready to perform the dreaded Dementor's Kiss. Evan felt a rush of cold air emanating from the dementors, and he saw the horrifying sight of a Dementor's Kiss for the first time. It wasn't just the sorrow that dementors naturally brought but the sheer terror of witnessing such a moment. In a matter of seconds, Barty Crouch Jr.'s soul was sucked out of his body, and he was left lifeless, his body a mere shell.

Barty Crouch Jr. sat there with his head hanging, his body devoid of any aura or sign of life. He was alive but had no soul; he was essentially dead. Even now, I understand why everyone considered dementors the most sinister creatures in the world. The way they performed the Dementor's Kiss, extracting a person's soul and consuming it, was even more evil than the three Unforgivable Curses combined. When someone was killed by the Killing Curse, their soul had the choice to move on or become a ghost, but Barty Crouch Jr.'s soul was now trapped inside that dementor, serving as its sustenance.

After the soul was devoured, the dementor seemed to grow stronger. It turned toward Evan and Snape as if to taunt them. Then, it suddenly vanished into thin air when Snape cast a powerful Patronus that obliterated it.

With the dementor gone, Snape's Patronus continued to rush out of the room, likely to inform Dumbledore. The whole situation was incredibly bizarre, and everything seemed planned out meticulously. Shortly after Dumbledore left, Barty Crouch Jr. had his soul sucked out, and then Snape's Patronus rushed away. It was as if Barty Crouch Jr. had never existed.

Evan couldn't help but feel suspicious of Minister Fudge. It appeared as though Fudge might be in league with Voldemort and his followers. How else could they explain this situation? It was all too convenient.

They needed Barty Crouch Jr. to testify about Voldemort's return, but he could not. Although he was technically alive, he was effectively dead. Evan and Harry's testimonies might not be enough, especially since they were underage, and Fudge was unlikely to believe their words.

"Minister, as Dumbledore has stated, dementors are not allowed inside the castle," Snape admonished angrily.

"I am aware but heard that Death Eaters were plotting this event!" Fudge tried to justify his actions, looking at Barty Crouch Jr. in the chair. He then hardened his stance. "As the Minister of Magic, I have the right to decide if I need to provide security. This individual, seated here, is considered deserving of punishment. He appears responsible for several deaths, including his father, the senior Ministry official Barty Crouch!"

"Yes, Cornelius, he may have caused many deaths, but he can't testify now," Dumbledore countered. "He has become—"

Before Dumbledore could finish his sentence, Fudge interrupted, "Albus, what are you trying to say? Why did he kill them? It's obvious!"

"Before Voldemort gave him orders, Cornelius!" Dumbledore explained. "Voldemort had devised a plan to make his return, and just half an hour ago, that plan succeeded, allowing him to regain his physical form."

Fudge was stunned as if someone had slapped him in the face. He blinked in disbelief and stared at Dumbledore, struggling to comprehend what he had just heard. After a few moments of silence, he stammered, "You mean... You-Know-Who is back? This can't be true! Don't joke about it, Dumbledore; it's not funny."

"We have just heard Barty Crouch Jr.'s confession, given under the influence of Veritaserum. He told us everything, including how he helped Voldemort return," Dumbledore reiterated.

"Let me get this straight, Dumbledore!" Fudge panted, almost breathless. A strange smile played on his lips. "You want to base all of this on the word of a lunatic like him? Maybe young Crouch believed he was following You-Know-Who's orders, but how can we take the words of such a madman seriously?"

"Evan and Harry witnessed this process. They were brought to Voldemort's presence via portkey, and they saw Voldemort return to life," Dumbledore stated firmly. "I suggest we adjourn to my office, where I can provide a complete explanation, and then we can decide what steps to take."

"You intend to rely solely on the testimonies of these two boys, Dumbledore?" Fudge sneered. "I find it hard to believe any of this. You-Know-Who's return? It's preposterous!"

"We shall see," Dumbledore said calmly, his eyes unwavering as he met Fudge's gaze. "Evan and Harry are not the only witnesses; I believe the evidence will speak for itself."

As they left the room, Dumbledore, Sirius, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, Madam Maxime, and the Aurors accompanying Fudge looked stunned by what they had just witnessed. Dumbledore's eyes bore into Fudge's with a newfound understanding.

"Cornelius, he may not be able to testify now," Dumbledore said solemnly, "but we must act swiftly to prevent further harm. Voldemort's return is undeniable, and we must take appropriate measures to safeguard the wizarding world."

Fudge appeared to be struggling with the implications of this revelation. Still, his strange smile remained on his face, and his eyes seemed distant.

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"I believe them unquestionably," Dumbledore stated firmly, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I've heard Barty Crouch Jr.'s confession and listened to Evan and Harry's accounts of the events. The Ministry's investigation into the Vampire(s) in the Albanian Forest has been compromised, and their testimony is consistent with the facts regarding last year's events."

"Are you suggesting that even the Vampire(s) are involved? Dumbledore, I understand that you are inclined to believe Voldemort has returned but to base your belief on the words of murderers and two children with a history of troublemaking is absurd!" Fudge replied, his voice growing softer. "These two boys have caused us considerable trouble, always seeking attention and recognition. This time is no different; they've concocted a lie, and you are surprisingly willing to entertain such notions. You should know better than to trust the words of children under 15."

"Minister, Evan and Harry don't need you to clean up after them!" Sirius erupted angrily. "They have witnessed Voldemort's return, risking their lives to escape, and you—"

"Silence, Black!" Fudge shouted back, his anger matching Sirius's, and the smile on his face gradually faded. "I should remind you, Sirius Black, that I have shown leniency towards you in the past due to your family's influence. But now, you've gone too far. You are no longer an Auror; you have been dismissed. Pack your belongings and leave the Ministry immediately."

Sirius seemed about to lunge at Fudge, but Hagrid quickly restrained him.

Fudge glared at Sirius with malice, inhaled deeply to calm himself, and then turned to Dumbledore again.

"I believe this lunatic has somehow manipulated Evan and Harry into having delusions, causing them to imagine these unbelievable events. They should be sent to St. Mungo's for treatment," Fudge said, his face reddening. "Dumbledore, tell me you won't seriously entertain these absurdities."

"Listen to me, Cornelius," Dumbledore began, stepping closer to Fudge, his presence radiating an indescribable force. "Evan and Harry are as clear-headed as you or I. Voldemort has indeed returned."

"No!" Fudge exclaimed, taking a half step back, creating distance between himself and Dumbledore. "By all that is sacred, Dumbledore, I know these two boys have been a thorn in our side for years, always involved in bizarre occurrences to seek attention, to win glory. This time is no different. It's a lie they've concocted, and you are shockingly willing to entertain such absurdities. You claim they witnessed You-Know-Who's return? It's preposterous!"

"We have just heard Barty Crouch Jr.'s confession, given under the influence of Veritaserum," Dumbledore reiterated. "He revealed everything, including how he helped Voldemort return."

Fudge breathed heavily, almost breathless. His strange smile was replaced with a look of disbelief.

"Let me be clear, Dumbledore!" Fudge stammered, struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation. "You mean to say... You-Know-Who is back? This is not a joking matter, Dumbledore. Do not jest about it."

"We have the testimonies of Evan and Harry, and their words are corroborated by other evidence," Dumbledore said calmly, his gaze unwavering as it met Fudge's. "Evan and Harry are not the only witnesses; the evidence will speak for itself."

As they left the room, Dumbledore, Sirius, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, Madam Maxime, and the Aurors accompanying Fudge still appeared shocked by what they had witnessed. Fudge's response had been entirely unexpected.

"Cornelius, while Barty Crouch Jr. may no longer be able to testify," Dumbledore said solemnly, "we must act swiftly to prevent further harm. Voldemort's return is undeniable, and we must take appropriate measures to safeguard the wizarding world."

Fudge seemed to be struggling to come to terms with the implications of this revelation. His strange smile had vanished, and he appeared lost in thought, his eyes distant.

"Voldemort has returned!" Dumbledore repeated firmly. "If you accept this reality now and take necessary action, we may be able to save the situation from deteriorating further. First and foremost, we must rid Azkaban of dementors."

"Unthinkable!" Fudge exclaimed. "Abolish the dementors? If I were to propose such a thing, I'd be immediately removed from office! Half the people can sleep soundly at night knowing dementors guard Azkaban!"

"Cornelius, just as you find solace in the presence of dementors, others live in fear," Dumbledore explained. "They do not feel safe as long as these creatures guard the prison. Voldemort may gain their support if we do not act, and his former followers will return in force. It will become exceedingly difficult to prevent him from regaining the influence he held thirteen years ago."

Fudge's mouth opened and closed as he struggled to find words to express his anger and disbelief.

"Secondly, we must unite with the Vampire(s)," Dumbledore continued. "They are crucial allies in this fight. Lift the warrants for their arrest and do not drive them into Voldemort's hands."

"Are you out of your mind?" Fudge gasped, retreating a half step, maintaining distance from Dumbledore. "Vampires are the darkest of creatures. Do you know the number of attacks they've carried out in the past year alone? You suggest we grant them amnesty?"

"You must understand that many of these attacks were orchestrated by Voldemort himself. We should not waste our resources on the Vampire(s); they can be persuaded," Dumbledore explained further. "Thirdly, we must immediately reach out to the giants."

"Reach out to the giants?" Fudge exclaimed. "This is utter madness!"

"It's not too late, Cornelius," Dumbledore urged. "We must extend the hand of friendship to them while we still can. Otherwise, Voldemort will win them over. He has successfully manipulated them before, offering them power and freedom. We must act before it's too late."

Fudge seemed unable to process the gravity of the situation. He shook his head, his expression a mixture of disbelief and outrage.

"I cannot believe what you are suggesting," Fudge said, his voice trembling incredulously. "First dementors, then Vampires, and now giants? If the public learns of these plans, my career will be over. People will never agree to this, Dumbledore!"