bioinnovel Chapter 411 Four Rumors
Chapter 411 Four Rumors
Chapter 411 Rumors Abound
The next day, news came from the minister's office that Cornell Fudge was unwell.
Almost everyone in the Ministry of Magic, regardless of rank, was talking about this matter, and everyone was concerned about the Minister's health.
Since its establishment in 1707, the Ministry of Magic has been the main governing body of wizarding society, where power struggles, factional infighting, conspiracies, and shady dealings are commonplace.
When Connelly Fudge fell ill, the department staff immediately thought of the ministers who had resigned due to poor health, and some even thought of the ministers who had died mysteriously during their terms of office.
Conspiracy theories quickly spread.
Some say the minister is faking illness to feign weakness, intending to wipe out the entire opposition.
Some say that the minister is indeed faking illness, but not to show weakness; he is surrendering to the opposition and is about to resign.
Some people say that the minister's illness came on suddenly and suspiciously, and that he must have been poisoned by the opposition. The list of ministers who died mysteriously during their terms of office is about to be updated again.
Just as the staff were discussing the matter, another piece of news came from the International Magical Cooperation Department.
Cornelius Fudge's health problems began after he met with Belvina Black alone.
In an instant, the real culprit who murdered the minister became clear.
Some say that Belvina wanted to be a second Septimus Malfoy, and that she wanted to make the minister her puppet. However, Fudge did not want to be a second Anxieces Osbot. He clashed with Belvina and was cursed.
Some say that Belvina wants to replace Cornelius Fudge, and she can't wait to take over everything that belongs to Fudge and become the new Minister of Magic.
The current minister, Fudge, was not one to sit idly by. He took the initiative to go to the International Department of Magical Cooperation to question his former most loyal subordinate, only to be unexpectedly injured by the desperate Belvina.
Some people say that all of the above claims are nonsense, and that Cornelius Fudge's feigned illness was a pre-arranged plan with Belvina to lure out the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, headed by Ms. Bones.
In less than half a day, the winds of change within the Ministry of Magic shifted repeatedly. At times, Belvina was the real culprit in plotting against the Minister, and at other times, she was his most loyal subordinate.
When these rumors reached the International Department of Magical Cooperation, Belvina, sitting opposite Amelia Borns, simply smiled and took it as a joke.
"I'm already a director, how can I be a second Malfoy!" she said with a laugh, tears welling up in her eyes.
Ms. Burns didn't seem so optimistic. She said with concern, "I suspect someone is deliberately trying to sabotage your image in the department."
"It's okay, I'm not running for office," Belvina said nonchalantly. "On the contrary, after you finished spreading rumors about me, it's your turn. After all, you're the one who opposes Connelly."
If that idiot Cornelius Fudge can't stay in the ministerial position, Malfoy and the others will naturally have to support another candidate. They can't just watch the ministerial position fall into the hands of Belvina or Ms. Burns.
First, spread rumors to damage Belvina's image and reputation, then try to target Ms. Burns to reduce their chances of becoming the next minister.
"I will be careful and will not let Malfoy and his gang succeed." Ms. Burns nodded solemnly. It would be absolutely terrible if the Minister of Magic became a puppet of the Death Eaters.
"Amelia, what we really need to worry about isn't Malfoy. These guys are running around the ministry like headless flies. They're a bit of a nuisance, but not fatal," Belvina said seriously, her smile fading.
Although Voldemort had not shown himself or gathered his old followers for months, the Death Eaters all knew he had returned; the Dark Mark on his arm was unmistakable.
The Dark Mark on the inside of their left forearm constantly reminded the Death Eaters that their old master had returned, and they had to do something to welcome him back. Only by accomplishing something could they appease their master's anger and gain his forgiveness.
That's why Lucius Malfoy and others went around in the Ministry of Magic, helping Cornelius Fudge to suppress and ostracize Dumbledore.
Although Malfoy and his crew have been making a lot of noise in the ministry lately, the trouble they've created is just that—trouble. The real concern is the hidden Voldemort.
No one knew where Voldemort would make his next move; even Dumbledore couldn't fathom his true intentions.
"Amelia, your safety is the most important thing right now," Belvina continued. "Connelly may be a bit stupid and have a poor eye for people, but his guards are still quite useful."
Even if the guards in the minister's office couldn't repel the assassins, they could at least buy some time for reinforcements.
On the other hand, Amelia Borns, as the second-in-command of the Ministry of Magic, had rather weak guards.
"I understand your concerns," Ms. Burns said. "The Death Eaters might turn on me in a moment of desperation; they won't stand by and watch me become minister."
"It's good that you understand. Let's not add another blood debt to Burns and Voldemort's record," Belvina said. "Besides, the position of minister is too burdensome; you should take it!"
Belvina reiterated that she had no interest in the ministerial position, and she was telling Ms. Burns that there would be no more conflicting decisions within the Ministry of Magic in the future.
"You're worrying about too many things." Ms. Burns naturally understood the implication. "Our goals are aligned; we're all doing the same thing to defeat the Mystic, aren't we?"
Ms. Burns was also implying that she was not the jealous and envious Connelly Fudge, and that Belvina could confidently do what she wanted.
Both female directors knew that sincerity and mutual trust were the foundation for maintaining their alliance, and that they had to work together to support the beleaguered Ministry of Magic.
"Alright, I should go back now." Ms. Burns stood up. "I can't keep hiding here and having a good time."
"I actually wish you could stay in the office with me all the time," Belvina said. "You can enjoy some peace and quiet, and I can avoid being bothered by mediocre people. It's the best of both worlds."
The Ministry of Magic's thick walls were as solid as paper; news of Cornelius Fudge's "ill health" had already spread to every corner. Some people were obsessed with conspiracy theories, while others were eager to switch sides.
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement is the highest department in the Ministry of Magic, and its head is usually seen as a potential minister. Amelia Burns has the status and ability, and she is very likely to succeed Fudge as the new minister. If you don't take advantage of this opportunity to curry favor with her now, why wait until the day she is sworn in!
The situation is similar for Belvina; some people are eager to curry favor with her, hoping to use her influence to rise to the top.
Now, Cornelius Fudge is merely claiming illness, and his resignation is just speculation. Yet, the Ministry of Magic has already begun to stage a drama of "a new emperor, a new court."
Meanwhile, far away at Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire, a meeting is being held to discuss the successor to the Minister of Magic.
With a face full of scars, Coban Yaxley walked into the lavishly decorated Malfoy mansion, stepping onto the luxurious carpet that covered almost the entire floor as he entered the even more elaborately decorated living room.
At this moment, all the wizards sitting in the living room were Death Eaters who had escaped trial by the Ministry of Magic: Avery, Nott, and...
Crabbe and Goyle, and of course Lucius Malfoy, the owner of the estate.
"You're way too late, Cobbard," Lucius Malfoy's voice echoed in the luxurious living room. "Where's Walton?"
"Walton and I have a lot to do, Lucius. We're not as free as you are," Yaxley snorted and casually found a chair to sit down.
"Let's get down to business," Nott said to Lucius Malfoy first. Then, he looked at Yaxley, who had just sat down, and asked, "So, that idiot Fudge is really going to resign?"
With a fierce look on his face, Coban shook his head and said, "Without seeing Fudge in person, I can't be sure if he really wants to resign."
Crabbe and Goyle, both incredibly stupid, looked at Lucius Malfoy, waiting for him to make a decision.
“I went to Fudge’s house, but I didn’t see him,” Lucius said. “Corban,” he said to Yaxley, “are you sure Fudge met with Belvina alone?”
"I'm absolutely sure," Yaxley said impatiently. "Fudge's guards confronted Blake's men, and then the two of them talked alone in the office for a long time."
The claims made by the department that Belvina "conspired" to murder Fudge were leaked by Yaxley and McNeil.
“My information aligns with that of Cobb,” Avery said. “Fudge fell ill the day after he met with Blake alone. Clearly, Blake may have done something to Fudge that we don’t know about.”
Lucius Malfoy was momentarily flustered; he had no idea what to do.
If Cornelius Fudge resigns citing health reasons, Lucius Malfoy will have no way to influence the Ministry of Magic through the Minister.
If we can no longer influence the Ministry of Magic, and if we can no longer suppress Dumbledore, what other methods can we use to beg for the Dark Lord's forgiveness, and how can we get the Dark Lord to forgive our past "betrayal"?