In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom

Chapter 32: Ministry fights back...sort of...

======Ministry of Magic Headquarters=====

A meeting is happening on Level Ten, the Wizengamot Courtrooms where Headmaster Dumbledore is himself testifying and clarifying his own actions during the attack.

"I knew that somehow Quirinus was in contact with some followers of Voldemort, but I had no idea that Voldemort himself attached to him like a parasite. (Slight gasps in the crowd). But you have to understand, it was because that the soul attached to him was.... was of Voldemort...that he knew how to evade our perceptions.

No one had any idea what kind of monster we invited inside Hogwarts otherwise he would have been hunted by me, personally, before he even had the courage to think of such a bold move.

I can take a magic oath if necessary to prove my words."

Dumbledore explained his side to other fellow judges and his own colleagues, but he could see fear was clouding their judgement.

"Dumbledore... I am already more than 700 years old...I saw you when you were a mere young boy and I had watched how you grew up to be what you are now. One thing I will assume is you understand when it is necessary to make sacrifices? Or am I wrong?"

One of the most mysterious and oldest wizards alive, Barry Winkle or as known as the Undying Winkle, said in a very flat monotone. Once Mr Wrinkle made a statement, he got up and apparated.

Everyone knew Mr Wrinkle never comes for any meeting until it was absolutely necessary. Also, it was common knowledge that no one can use apparition inside the ministry but for Mr Wrinkle, these rules were never a problem.

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Before Dumbledore was considered to be the head of Wizengamot, Barry Winkle was in this position for more than 400 years and it was only when he himself chose Dumbledore that someone else could sit in his place.

======= Longbottom Manor ======

Inside the castle garden area, Neville was trying to get his Nan to agree to the idea of writing a letter to the fellow parents and creating new issues for the Gandalf wannabee. Today, Dean came here with his uncle, Kingsley Shacklebolt, as they were supposed to go to ministry later for questioning.

"I am not sure if I trust the reports that one of the most powerful wizards of all time, Albus Dumbledore is now...well...looney... as per papers. But the very idea that the dark lord was right there...RIGHT THERE... under his nose for the whole year and no one except a few first-year boys could detect something was wrong with their DOD professor, makes me question the whole security of Hogwarts.

I am not sure if you will write those letters Senior Longbottom, but I have done my part. Not only do I want a better Headmaster, but I have suggested a permanent security team inside the castle until we manage to locate or destroy the wraith!"

Kingsley said his thoughts and then got into a discussion with Augusta Longbottom, and they went back and forth on it. Meanwhile, both the boys, Dean and Neville left the discussion and started wandering inside the castle.

Half an hour later, Kingsley came to Ministry with the boys while Augusta Longbottom was busy writing several letters inside the study room. She hated Minerva McGonagall because of personal reasons but she won't let personal and childish squabbles make her doubt the power of McGonagall. She was fit as the Deputy Head and now she should be better as the headmaster.

======Ministry of Magic Headquarters=====

"You did what boy?" The new minister of magic, Cornelius Oswald Fudge or Fudge as people call him was shocked along with others who had their jaws dropped on the floor.

"Fought him, Mr Minister. As I said, I was serving detention with others and had to spend the night inside the Dark Forest, I was attacked by one Dark Wizard. I somehow managed to fight him off and manage to hurt him in the process and this allowed me, thankfully, to survive the brief battle."

Neville recalled his own personal battle with the Voldemort inside the dark forest to provide a reason why he asked his friend to invite Aurors in the first place inside Hogwarts.

However, now when he went on explaining the story, other wizards who had survived the period when Voldemort was killing wizards left and right, felt they misheard, or their ears were ringing or something.

"How could you, a first-year student in Hogwarts, fight You-Know-Who and managed to defeat him? How?" Fudge practically roared inside the chambers and other Aurors were also whispering to each other.

"I... I have no idea." Neville had no justification for that. He fought and survived a battle with Volde but maybe Volde was extremely weak at that time or Neville was extremely lucky or maybe it was just a lot of other random factors, but the truth was he fought and survived the battle.

"Mr Minister, instead of questioning the young boy, we should take the help of others, and watch the memory to get a better idea. After all, some things cannot be explained in words properly. Isn't it?" Shacklebolt who was uncomfortable at how Neville was questioned by the minister pitched in and then the same procedure followed.

The next month, The Daily Prophet was first covered with the articles covering the attack on Hogwarts and then they wrote several long articles and full-page interviews of the Hero who defeated the wraith of "You know who".

See the ministry decided, the best way to curb the fear is to present a champion and provide people hope that they can fight the wraith or the wandering soul of the dark lord. Since people are constantly questioning Albus Dumbledore, Neville was a better candidate.

After all, his memory presented all the Aurors and wizards with a beautiful display of charms and elemental magic spells against the most feared Dark Wizard in the last few decades. Also, more than 20 teams of Aurors started looking for the wraith inside the dark forest but there was no good news. Dark Lord was simply gone.

In this way, the first month of Holidays was over for Nev and now, free from inquiries and other issues, he could focus on his small goals for the vacation.

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