Chapter 73: Lone Dawn

"Shocking Scandal! Aurors Illegally Arrest Innocent Bystander Leading to His Death!"

"Malicious Framing! Who Will Ensure Our Safety?"

"Everyone at Risk! Unregulated Justice"

"No Need for Trial? The Woes of Wizengamot"

"Questioning! Where is the Limit to the Powers of the Law Enforcement Squad?"

"Secret Interrogations! The Unknown History of the Auror Headquarters"

"50,000 Galleons! Philanthropist Murphy Donates to St. Mungo's"

Rita Skeeter, the top journalist in the wizarding world, excelled at creating sensational news. For several days, the Daily Prophet was filled with her reports on the Aurors' coercive interrogations.

Her stories shocked the wizarding community. The Auror Headquarters, the only legal force in the British wizarding world, was believed to be a minor agency dealing with crimes like dark artifacts and attacks on Muggles. Yet, it possessed such terrifying power!

They could arrest a wizard without solid evidence, force confessions through Legilimency, Veritaserum, or even torture, and even send them to Azkaban without trial. Moreover, they had done so already!

This one-stop service of arrest, coercion, and imprisonment was reminiscent of the Muggle Inquisition of the wizards' memory. With such immense power and arbitrary actions, it was like a sword hanging over every British wizard's head – who wouldn't be afraid?

During the First Wizarding War, Aurors were granted enormous powers to combat Death Eaters and curb dark wizard crimes. To this day, the Law Enforcement Squad remains the largest department in the Ministry of Magic.

However, years have passed since the war. Voldemort has disappeared, rumored to be dead, and the Death Eaters are imprisoned. With no enemies left, whom will the Aurors' blades target next?

Rita Skeeter, in her articles, quoted many arguments taught by Murphy, such as the confusion between legislative and judicial powers, and the overreach of law enforcement over judicial authority. She portrayed the Law Enforcement Squad and Auror Headquarters as a terrifying machine capable of regulating all wizards yet remaining unregulated itself.

In her narrative, the Aurors could snatch you from your sleep and have you wake up in a solitary cell in Azkaban.

Their power was immense, their actions ruthless, likened to the Jin Yi Wei of the West, the Eastern Factory of the wizarding world.

The story was terrifying.

And the evidence was irrefutable.

With Sirius Black's untried imprisonment and the recent death of an unnamed individual during interrogation, wizards couldn't help but fear.

Rita Skeeter's conspiracy theories were, disturbingly, quite logical.

There really was no institution in the wizarding world to regulate the Aurors, something wizards hadn't considered necessary until Rita's awakening.

After her revelations, wizards felt such oversight was indispensable.

Consequently, there was an uproar demanding severe punishment for the involved Aurors, a retrial for Sirius Black, and even the resignation of Scrimgeour and Barty Crouch from their posts. Letters flooded the Minister's complaint box.

A month after the incident, Scrimgeour resigned.

Simultaneously, Wizengamot announced a re-trial for Sirius Black's case.

On the day of Scrimgeour's resignation, the atmosphere in the Auror Headquarters was extremely tense.

Scrimgeour closed his office door for the last time, handed the keys to an Auror, and was met by a corridor full of former colleagues.

"I didn't know they'd arranged a farewell," the old lion joked solemnly.

"Rufus," Kingsley, who had lost weight, said regretfully, "I'm sorry, I didn't heed your advice because I..."

Scrimgeour patted his shoulder, "Never underestimate your opponent, always be more patient than the enemy. But, we're still lucky, we have a chance to learn."

Having seen comrades die in the fight against Voldemort during the First Wizarding War, Scrimgeour found the current defeat insignificant in comparison.

"But it shouldn't be you, it should be me..."

"The enemy targeted me, pushing you out wouldn't have been enough, it would've just been a waste."

Public opinion was raging, even the Minister felt uneasy. Such a major issue couldn't be settled by just sacrificing an Auror Captain. In fact, even Barty Crouch, the Head of the Law Enforcement Squad, was close to losing his position.

If the Sirius Black case took a turn upon retrial, Crouch would face impeachment.

In fact, Crouch's resignation would have been the most effective way to mitigate the incident, preserving the Auror Office's strength and removing the "overreach of judicial authority" label from the Law Enforcement Squad.

But obviously, Crouch didn't want to step down in disgrace.

So, Rufus Scrimgeour had to leave.

He had no complaints.

He knew of Kingsley's actions and naturally bore leadership responsibility.

His subordinates fought on the front lines while he enjoyed tea in the rear. Claiming credit for successes and fleeing from failures was the face of a politician, something Scrimgeour disdained.

The Aurors fought and died on the front lines; it was his duty to ensure their peace of mind.

Since he didn't make better arrangements beforehand, the least he could do now was to take some responsibility for them.

If only he hadn't been ordered by the Minister to assist in protecting the Muggle Prime Minister that day, the situation might not have been so embarrassing.

Looking back, that order must have been one of Murphy's schemes.

Outplayed, a move too late!

Murphy Darkholm, as formidable as Voldemort himself.

No, even more insane, equally ruthless, but with even more meticulous planning and cunning.

He had lost fairly.

Kingsley Shackelbolt, filled with regret, refrained from apologizing again. His expression of pain gradually subsided, returning to his original calm and wise demeanor.

But his words were stronger than ever: "One day, I will reveal the truth to the world and give you justice."

Scrimgeour felt that strength, patted his arm, and walked away.

His war had ended.

For the future warriors, he had become a sacrifice, granting them armor to battle the new dark lord.

Patience, Shackelbolt.

Be more patient than your enemy.

Because darkness can't forever obscure the light, and truth can't always be subdued by lies.

Patiently observe, bide your time, and then wait for that lone dawn to break the night.

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