Milk_Is_My_Drug
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Chapter 103: A Spectacle At The Ministry
🕑 Added 2025-05-07 15:12:43 +0000 UTCDespite the Triwizard Tournament concluding, the visiting schools remained at Hogwarts until the official end of the academic year, which was still three weeks away. The remaining days passed uneventfully, filled with final lessons, last-minute studying, and quiet goodbyes as friendships formed over the tournament prepared to be tested by distance.
As the term drew to a close, Dumbledore made his way to Dante’s office, his expression calm yet curious. Inside, he found Dante sitting behind his desk, casually flipping through a book. In a cage beside him, Rita Skeeter’s beetle form buzzed frantically, sensing her long-awaited release.
Dante waved his wand, and the magical barrier around the cage shattered along with it. In an instant, Rita transformed back into her human self.
Both wizards immediately noticed something was off. Rita looked… older. The fine lines on her face had deepened, her hair had dulled slightly, and there was a weariness to her that hadn’t been there before.
Dante observed her carefully then said. “Just as I suspected,” he mused, leaning back in his chair. “Animagi age slightly faster than normal wizards. And the shorter the lifespan of the animal, the more drastic the effect.”
Dumbledore frowned, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “A rather troubling revelation for those who transform frequently”
Meanwhile, Rita barely paid attention to their words. She was too busy relishing her freedom—until Dante’s voice cut through her moment of joy.
“I trust,” Dante said coldly, “that you’ll refrain from publishing any more ridiculous stories about me.”
Rita flinched, her hands tightening. If not for her fear, she would have called Dante for his slander, she has never published sensational news about him.
Dante’s silver eyes gleamed with warning. “Because next time, I won’t be so kind. If you make yourself a nuisance again, you’ll be bird food.”
Rita’s face went pale, and she nodded frantically before bolting out of the office as fast as her legs could carry her.
Dumbledore sighed as the sound of her hurried footsteps faded. “That went better than expected.”
Dante smirked, pushing a stack of papers toward him. “I’ve finished reviewing and marking all the students’ exams and assignments. I’m heading back to Malfoy Manor now.”
Without another word, he disapparated, vanishing from the office in a swirl of magic.
Dumbledore remained still for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. “I really must look into how he does that inside Hogwarts.”
___________
Dante reappeared in the dimly lit Slytherin common room. His sharp gaze swept over the room until he found Draco lounging by the fireplace, chatting with his housemates.
“Draco,” Dante called.
Draco turned, startled. “Brother?”
“I’m apparating back home. Get your trunk unless you’d rather take the Hogwarts Express.”
Draco didn’t hesitate. He quickly gathered his things, muttering quick goodbyes to his friends before returning. “I’m ready.”
Dante put his hand on Draco’s shoulder then side-alonged Draco away from Hogwarts.
___________
Life at Malfoy Manor settled into a strange sense of normalcy. Though the world outside was growing more dangerous by the day, within the grand estate, things were peaceful.
Draco wasted no time telling their parents about Dante’s time at Hogwarts. “You should’ve seen it, Mother,” he said enthusiastically. “Everyone thinks Dante is the best professor Hogwarts has ever had.”
Narcissa listened with quiet relief. It was proof enough that her eldest son had fully recovered. Lucius, on the other hand, listened intently, clearly tempted to ask Dante about the strange events that had led to Dante’s disappearance and return. But in the end, he chose not to press the matter. As far as he was concerned, things were stable now, and that was enough.
Dante, however, was far from idle. He spent the summer tutoring Draco, pushing him harder than ever. Draco, for his part, accepted the challenge without complaint. With Dante now a professor at Hogwarts, his methods had elevated the entire student body. Even students who had previously struggled were showing significant improvement.
Draco knew that if he didn’t train hard during the summer, others—besides Hermione Granger—would soon surpass him. And that was simply unacceptable.
___________
The summer break passed peacefully for Dante, untouched by the growing tension in the wizarding world. The most interesting piece of news came when Albus Dumbledore publicly declared that Lord Voldemort had returned. He urged the wizarding community to be cautious and to prepare for the inevitable battle against the Dark Lord and his forces. Dumbledore cited the mass escape of Death Eaters from Azkaban, the increasing activity of dark creatures abandoning their hidden communities, and the rising number of attacks on wizards as undeniable proof.
Predictably, the Ministry of Magic, led by Cornelius Fudge, refused to acknowledge any of it. Instead, they dedicated themselves to discrediting Dumbledore at every turn. According to Lucius Malfoy, Fudge was terrified of the idea that Voldemort had returned. Rather than facing the threat, he chose to deny reality, determined to maintain his position as Minister of Magic at any cost.
To all of this, Dante paid no mind. He had no interest in Dumbledore, the Ministry, or, most of all, the pathetic fool leading it. As long as they did not interfere with his work, they were irrelevant.
But one month before the new school year, Dante received an unexpected letter from Dumbledore. It was brief and to the point:
"Professor Malfoy, I request your presence at the Ministry of Magic early tomorrow morning. The future of a student is at stake."
There were no further details—no mention of who the student was or what the situation entailed. Still, Dante decided to go. He was curious, if nothing else.
___________
Arriving at the Ministry at the appointed time, Dante found Dumbledore waiting for him. The headmaster offered a polite nod and immediately led him forward at a brisk pace.
“Thank you for coming,” Dumbledore said. “The hearing is about to begin.”
“What hearing?” Dante asked, his tone calm.
Dumbledore didn’t slow down. “The Ministry has decided to expel Harry Potter from Hogwarts for using magic in front of a Muggle.”
Dante raised an eyebrow. “And why am I here?”
Dumbledore merely smiled knowingly. “Just listen and you will understand.”
They arrived just as the hearing commenced. The moment Dumbledore stepped inside, he confidently announced himself.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, witness for the defense."
The gathered witches and wizards murmured among themselves, but before anyone could speak, Dumbledore gestured toward Dante.
"And this is Professor Dante Malfoy, the second witness for the defense."
Silence followed.
Dante's silver eyes swept across the room, taking in the various expressions: Harry, seated in the center, looked relieved to see Dumbledore. Cornelius Fudge scowled darkly, clearly displeased. The other Ministry officials reacted with a mix of surprise, irritation, or indifference. Then there was a particularly unpleasant-looking woman, her beady eyes fixated on him with a scrutinizing gaze.
Dante stepped to the side and observed, arms crossed, as the ridiculous display unfolded before him.
Harry and his Muggle cousin had been attacked by Dementors. In response, Harry cast a Patronus Charm to defend them. A squib, an old woman, was called in to provide testimony, but her words were weak and uncertain. The back-and-forth between Dumbledore, Fudge, and the toad-faced woman, who had an annoyingly high-pitched voice, grew increasingly tedious.
Dante had heard enough.
With an exasperated sigh, he stepped forward, drawing the attention of the entire room. He stood beside Harry, his presence commanding immediate silence.
Dumbledore, who had been mid-sentence, paused. Then, slowly, he leaned back with a knowing look.
Dante turned to Harry. “Does your cousin know you’re a wizard? That magic is real?”
Harry hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”
“When you received your Hogwarts letter, did your Muggle family see them?” Dante asked again.
Harry nodded again. “They even saw and heard the letter speak when I was informed of my expulsion.”
Dante tilted his head. “Then why are we even having this hearing?” He swept his gaze across the gathered officials. “His Muggle family has already seen all there is to see. If you want to punish someone for violating the Statute of Secrecy, perhaps you should start with the Ministry itself for using magic in front of Muggles.”
Fudge gaped, then quickly composed himself. “That is entirely different!” he snapped. “We are here to judge Harry Potter’s actions—”
Dante scoffed. “The Statute of Secrecy exists to protect wizards. Breaking it to save himself from Dementors doesn't constitute a crime.”
He took a step forward, his presence radiating cold authority. “And you seem to be under the misconception that the Dementors follow your orders. They do not. They assist wizards who know how to ask them properly. But since you are blind to that…” His voice turned sharp. “From this day forward, I will personally ensure that the Dementors leave Azkaban. Neither the Ministry nor Voldemort will have the right to call on them again.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Fudge’s face twisted with anger. “It is one thing to align yourself with Dumbledore’s lies, but to claim we do not control the Dementors—”
Dante cut him off with a dry laugh. “I’m not on Dumbledore’s side. And the idiot you fear? He really is back. But that doesn’t matter to me.” His expression turned disdainful. “All I see is a pathetic excuse of a hearing, orchestrated by an incompetent coward.”
Fudge turned red with fury, his hands clenched into fists.
Dante, however, wasn’t finished. “Regardless of your decision, Harry will continue to attend the school.” He glanced at Fudge with thinly veiled contempt. “Do yourself a favor—retire and stop wasting everyone’s time.”
Fudge slammed his hand on the table. “Your insolence is enough to send you to Azkaban!”
Dante smirked. “Starting today, the Dementors will hover near you wherever you go—until you issue a public apology to Harry Potter.”
Fudge recoiled, his fury giving way to unease.
Dante turned away from him and looked at Harry. “Ignore him. He has no power over you while you are my student. If he as much as make a beep, I will handle him”
Harry was surprised by the quick turn of events, but quickly recovered and then slowly stood up, following Dante out of the room. Fudge is afraid of Voldemort’s power, Voldemort is afraid of Dumbledore’s power and Dante is even stronger than Dumbledore. Even for Harry it was no brainer who he should follow.
Fudge, still fuming, turned to Dumbledore. “Did you bring Dante Malfoy here just to insult me?!”
Dumbledore sighed. “I brought Dante because he can control Dementors. I had hoped he would demonstrate that once he understood the situation.” He shook his head. “But it seems you’ve managed to irritate him instead.”
The old wizard couldn’t help but wonder—was bringing Dante to the hearing a mistake? Or, perhaps more importantly… Why does Dante become aggressive out of nowhere?
