Chapter 179: Speech From the Minister of Magic

"Yes," Fudge said irritably, "well, the Knight Bus brought Harry here, I'm very happy, but he and I must go to the Leaky Cauldron now..."

Fudge increased the pressure on Harry's shoulders, and Harry found himself being pushed into the small pub. A hunched-over man with a lantern appeared in the doorway behind the bar.

Fanlin looked at the sudden appearance of the Minister of Magic with vigilance. He knew that Animagus would not easily detect it, as long as he behaved like an animal enough.

Fanlin had to crawl to Harry's shoulders, and he wrapped his arms around Harry's neck, looking very panicked.

This is Tom, a wrinkled, toothless boss. "You've got him, Minister!" said Tom. "What do you want to drink? Beer? Brandy?"

"Maybe a pot of tea," Fudge said, still not letting go of Harry. There was a shuffle and a puff of air behind them, and Sampac and Ern appeared, taking Harry's suitcase and Hedwig's cage with them, and looked around excitedly.

"Why didn't you tell us you were Harry Potter, Neville?" Sampac said, smiling at Harry while Ern's owl-like face rested on Stan's shoulder. Staring with interest.

"A private room, Tom," said Fudge bluntly.

"Goodbye," Harry said pitifully to Stan and Ern, as Tom motioned to Fudge to leave the bar and go down the aisle.

"Goodbye, Neville!" cried Sampac. Fudge forced Harry to follow Tom's lantern down the narrow passage, and then they entered a small alcove.

Tom snapped his fingers and a fire was lit in the grate; he bowed and went away. "Sit down, Harry," said Fudge, pointing to a chair by the fire. Harry sat down.

Despite the fire, he felt goosebumps on his arms. Fudge took off his pinstriped robes and threw them aside, then hastily pulled up the trousers of his dark green suit and sat down opposite Harry. "I'm Cornelius Fudge, Harry. Minister for Magic." Of course Harry already knew; he had met Fudge once before, but he was wearing his father's invisibility cloak and couldn't let Fudge know about it.

Fanlin just lay there. He wanted to see if the British Minister of Magic was really as confused as he remembered...

Tom, the barkeeper, reappeared, wearing an apron over his pajamas and bringing tea and toast on a tray.

He placed the tray on the table between Fudge and Harry, left the booth, and closed the door behind him.

"Well, Harry," said Fudge, pouring out the tea, "I'm not afraid you know you've got us into a panic. Running away from your aunt and uncle's house like that! I thought...but you didn't That's all that matters." Fudge buttered his pancake and pushed the plate towards Harry.

"Eat, Harry, you look lifeless. Now... you will be pleased to hear how we resolved Miss Maggie's unfortunate inflating. A few hours ago, two members of the Incident Reversal Unit Ordered to Privet Drive. Miss Maggie recovered and her memory was adjusted. No harm was done."

Fudge smiled at Harry over the edge of his teacup, rather like an uncle looking at his beloved nephew.

Harry didn't believe his ears and opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't think of what to say, so he had to close his mouth.

"Where will you spend the remaining two weeks of your holiday? I suggest you get a room at the Leaky Cauldron and..."

"Wait a minute..." Harry was a little hasty, which startled Fanlin, "What about my punishment? I mean, this matter is just like this..."

"Punishment?"

"Yes," Harry said, "I violated the law restricting the use of magic by minors..."

Fanlin curled his lips. This law is of no use. Many pure-blood wizard families don't care about this pitiful law. Of course, you can't use a wand to cast spells in front of Muggles, and Harry...

Fanlin suddenly thought of why Harry was always discovered. Not only Dumbledore, but the Ministry of Magic also sent people to monitor Harry. This is why Sirius was discovered so quickly.

Thinking of this, Fan Lin's body became a little stiff. I hope the Ministry of Magic won't care about an ordinary ferret...

"Oh, dear boy, we won't punish you for such a trivial matter!" Fugu said anxiously, waving his pancake impatiently.

"That was an accident! We don't send people to Azkaban just to flatter their aunt!" But these words were completely out of tune with Harry's past dealings with the Ministry of Magic.

Fan Lin curled his lips secretly. They were just monitoring Harry, and it was more because of Sirius's escape. They didn't want Harry to be involved in this matter.

"Last year, I received a formal warning just because the house elf in my uncle's house spoiled a piece of pudding!" Harry said with a frown. "The Ministry of Magic said that if I perform any magic there again, I will be expelled from Hogwarts!"

Unless Harry's eyes deceived him, for Fudge looked suddenly embarrassed.

"Things often change, Harry... in the current situation... what we have to consider is... you certainly don't want to be expelled, right?"

"Of course not," said Harry.

"Well, then why are you so flustered?" Fudge laughed easily, "Here, have a piece of toast, Harry, let me find Tom to get you a room."

After speaking, Fudge walked out, and Vanlin squatted on Harry's legs. He couldn't leave yet.

After a while, Fudge came back to normal and arranged for Harry to live in Room 11.

"Room 11 is empty, Harry," Fudge said, "I think you will be very comfortable living there. There is only one thing, and I think you will understand: don't wander around in Muggle London, okay? Just stay in Diagon Alley and don't go out, and you must come back before dark every day. You must understand why. Tom will keep an eye on you for me."

"Okay," Harry said slowly, "but why?"

"Don't want to lose you again, don't we?" Fudge laughed, "No, no... we'd better know where you are... I mean..."

Fudge cleared his throat loudly and picked up his pinstripe robe.

"Well, I'm leaving. I'm busy, you know."

"Do you have any news about Sirius Black?" Harry suddenly asked. Vanlin was also concerned about this issue.

Fudge's fingers slid on the silver buckle of his robe.

"What do you mean? Oh, you heard it - well, no, not yet, but it's just a matter of time. The guards of Azkaban have never failed... They are very angry this time, more than any time I know." Fudge trembled a little.

"Okay, Harry... There is still work to do in the Ministry of Magic. I think I have to leave." Fudge said awkwardly, "Tom!"

Fudge waved his hand, motioning Tom to take Harry away quickly, and then he hurried out.

"Mr. Harry Potter, this way please..." (To be continued)