NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: Chapter 24
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Chapter 24: Wizengamot, Joint Pressure
In the lobby of the Ministry of Magic, Cole walked out and looked around. The wizards of the Ministry of Magic were working normally, and nothing significant had happened. Cole did not head to Fudge's office but instead went to the Auror Department. John's status in the Auror Department was quite high. In addition to the support of the Black family, many Aurors were allied with him. After all, relying solely on the Ministry of Magic's salary, many wizards struggled financially and couldn't support their families.
The treatment of John's team was well known within the Ministry of Magic. It was funded by his family, and no one had any reason to object. After knocking on the door, Cole entered. John was busy with work. "Master, you are here," John greeted. Cole nodded and sat on the sofa in the office. "Has anything significant happened lately?" he asked. "The Ministry of Magic is operating as usual, but a lot of people came today. Those below said they all went to Fudge's place."
Cole knew what was happening with Ben; it must have been Fudge trying to stir up trouble. "I understand. I'll go now. Gather the people and be ready at any time." John obeyed immediately and went to summon the wizards. Cole took a leisurely stroll to Fudge's office. Upon opening the door, he saw Fudge and Dumbledore sitting together, drinking tea. "The minister is in a good mood, and the principal is here too. I wonder if you want to see me for something important?" Cole said as he sat down opposite Fudge, staring at him.
Dumbledore smiled and remained silent, while Fudge glanced at Dumbledore and said slowly, "Cole, don't worry, let's try my black tea first. Dumbledore says it's good." Cole watched as Fudge waved his hand, and a cup of hot tea appeared on the table. However, Cole didn't move. He just looked at Fudge and Dumbledore coldly, and the atmosphere instantly became tense. Fudge swallowed but didn't dare say a word. "Principal, did the Black family fail to entertain you that day when you visited?" Cole's words made Dumbledore's smile freeze slightly. He knew that Cole would already be aware of what was happening if he had been called here today.
"Cole, I am deeply sorry for what happened to your child, but you have to know that the harm caused by the Obscurus in the wizarding world for hundreds of years is unacceptable," Dumbledore said as he rubbed the ring on his hand. "It's been hard to settle down over the years, and you don't want to make trouble again, right?" Cole smiled, realizing that Dumbledore was indirectly referring to Ben being an Obscurus. Still wanting to manipulate him morally? Does the stability of the wizarding world concern my Black family?
"Mr. Dumbledore, I forgot to remind you that I will handle the Black family's affairs myself, so you don't need to worry about it," Cole retorted. Turning to Fudge, he added, "There's no need for the Ministry of Magic to worry about it." Cole's forceful refusal was anticipated by Dumbledore and Fudge, who knew well what kind of person Cole was through their years of interaction. "Cole, you must know that past painful experiences tell us that danger must be contained in the bud, otherwise many people will be harmed," Dumbledore lectured.
"Then, I would like to ask Principal Dumbledore, why didn't you kill Voldemort when he was a student, so that not so many people would have died in the future?" Cole boldly questioned. Dumbledore always had a strange sense of mission but was hesitant to take decisive action.
When the Dark Lord was mentioned, Fudge's face twitched, and he did not dare to speak. Dumbledore's eyes gradually became sharper, and he looked at Cole coldly. Cole showed no signs of weakness and responded to the famous white wizard. "What is there to be afraid of? All disasters are caused by the incompetence of those in power. I am capable of handling it. What position does the principal have in telling me that he wants to kill my son?" A huge amount of magic flowed around Cole, and the teacup on the table was shaking with ripples.
"Calm down, Cole. I just asked you to come here to discuss and deal with this matter." Dumbledore made no other movements but looked at Cole quietly and said comforting words. Cole was speechless for a moment. If the principal had a real duel with him, Cole wouldn't say anything. However, Dumbledore has considerable strength, but he always thinks of other ways to solve problems. This kind of tactic made Cole very uncomfortable.
"Cole, you are also a member of the Wizengamot. You should know the criteria for opening a meeting. Let's go, someone is waiting." As the chief councilor of the Wizengamot, Dumbledore certainly has the right to call meetings. Cole did not expect that in this short period of time, Dumbledore would be able to convince those members. It seemed that the strength of the Black family had made some people afraid.
Cole applauded. "The principal is worthy of being a principal. He can think of recruiting people to put pressure on me in such a short period of time. It seems that the Black family's intransigence is not enough." Cole stood up directly and walked towards the Tribunal. Cole had never participated in the Wizengamot Conference in all these years. Unexpectedly, the first time he participated, he would be the one being judged.
Cole didn't intend to let Ben show up. Ben was still just a child, and he, as a father, had the responsibility to protect him from the wind and rain. If he couldn't even protect his own son, he would really be in vain. A group of three people hurriedly arrived at the trial court. There were already people sitting and waiting in the room. Wizards from major pure-blood families, wearing red wizard robes, looked at Cole condescendingly. In the crowd, Cole saw Lucius's presence. At this time, Lucius looked at Cole with a complicated expression and anxiously stroked the scepter in his hand.
Fudge also sat in his own position, and Dumbledore took the chief position. With the sound of a hammer, the meeting officially started. "Today's meeting was held to discuss the fact that Ben Black, as an Obscurus, seriously threatens the security of the wizarding world. Cole, do you want to defend Ben Muran's identity?" Dumbledore's voice was carried through the speakers and echoed throughout the Inquisition.
Cole knew that his son was not an Obscurus, but in the eyes of wizards, the magic power in the body could not communicate with the outside world, and it doubled as he grew older. If not Obscurus, what else could it be? Hearing Cole admit Ben Mo Ran's identity, everyone on the stage looked satisfied. Many malicious looks followed. Cole knew that the goal of these people was not only to eliminate the Obscurus, but also to tear a piece of flesh from the Black family.
"In this case, according to the wizard regulations, the way Obscurus is dealt with should be destroyed as soon as possible. Everything is to ensure the safety of wizards. Cole, do you have any objections?" Dumbledore brought dozens of wizards to exert pressure and tried to decide a person's life or death in the Inquisition. "Of course," Cole responded loudly.