Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 729: Chapter 678: Bellatrix and Umbridge (Part 3)

When Kael arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, Cedric was already waiting.

”Why are you so slow? We’re already late,” he said somewhat anxiously.

”Couldn’t help it, I ran into Professor Snape on the way and got delayed,” Kael said unhurriedly, ”Besides, our start time is different from the official staff, as long as we get to the Ministry of Magic before nine, it’s fine.”

”That’s true, but it’s still better to go early.”

They used the fireplace, and quickly arrived at the Ministry of Magic.

It was as usual, bustling with wizards coming and going in the hall.

And because recently, the newspapers have been reporting Death Eater vandalism every few days, making everyone on edge and causing more people to come to the Ministry of Magic.

”Latest news, Death Eaters have appeared in the south again,” on the elevator, two witches were discussing the latest news on the newspaper.

”This time it’s that lunatic Bellatrix Lestrange, she seems to be looking for something.”

”Yeah, I heard she ran into a Beater trying to apprehend her; the whole street was blown up.”

”If only an Auror was leading the team... maybe they could have caught her.”

Initially, Kael didn’t pay much attention, dismissing it as another fake story by Umbridge.

But when that witch got off the elevator, Kael accidentally saw the newspaper in her hand and was surprised to find that there was indeed a picture of Bellatrix on it.

When the elevator stopped on the floor of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Cedric was about to speak when he saw Kael rush out first.

He quickly called out, ”Wait, Kael, you haven’t yet...”

”I know.” Kael didn’t look back, running all the way to Chris’s office.

Chris was writing something, and upon seeing Kael enter, he jokingly asked, ”So, did the Minister give you a new task to deliver?”

”Dad, do you have the Daily Prophet here?” Kael asked directly.

”Oh, over there.” Chris pointed to a still-unopened newspaper on the table, ”It was delivered just a minute ago.”

Kael quickly opened it to look.

On the front page of the newspaper was indeed a photo of Bellatrix, repelling the Beaters blocking her way with her wand, laughing wildly as she turned into a cloud of black mist and disappeared.

”Beaters discovered the escaped Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange in Hampshire. After a fierce battle, she escaped again.

”Deputy Minister Dolores Jane Umbridge, who was leading the team, is suspected of having been interrogated using the Cruciatus Curse and has been sent to St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries...”

Kael didn’t think the photo was fake, as Bellatrix’s mania was hard for anyone to imitate.

More importantly, he also saw Dumbledore in the photo.

Though it was just a fleeting glimpse, he did indeed appear in the corner of the photo amidst a burst of flames, seemingly brought there by a Phoenix.

Perhaps it was precisely because Dumbledore was there that Bellatrix fled in panic.

”Dad, do you know what happened?” Kael asked, ”The Order of Phoenix should have some news, right?”

Chris glanced at the newspaper, then used his wand to close the door.

”I do know a bit,” he said in a lowered voice, ”The headmaster is going to find someone, coincidentally, the Death Eaters are also looking for the same person.”

”Who is that person?”

”Bob Ogden,” Chris said after a moment of silence.

”That name again.” Kael frowned, ”Who exactly is he?”

This time, Chris didn’t explain, he just shook his head and said, ”This is a matter for the Order of Phoenix, Kael. Though Dumbledore said we don’t need to hide anything from you, there’s nothing you can do to help with this.”

Chris didn’t want to say too much about Bob Ogden, and after thinking it over, Kael didn’t press further, instead asking, ”Then what’s going on with the Beaters? Why didn’t they send Aurors?”

”Well...” Chris suddenly laughed, but feeling it was inappropriate, he suppressed it.

”It’s quite the coincidence, didn’t you give Fudge a suggestion?”

”Yes.” Kael nodded; he hadn’t hidden it from Chris, and several core members of the Order of Phoenix knew about it too.

”That’s it,” Chris said, ”Yesterday we got news that someone was illegally smuggling two Zouwu into Hampshire, so Umbridge thought there was more to it and went there early this morning.”