There was silence. Madam Pomfrey was standing motionless at the foot of Harry's bed, her hands over her mouth.

Mrs. Weasley stood facing Harry, her hands on his shoulders to prevent him from rising. Bill, Ron, and Hermione were staring at Fudge, and they couldn't agree with each other...... stance.

"If you're determined to be blindfolded, Connelly," Dumbledore said solemnly, "then we'll have to go our separate ways." You take your single-plank bridge, and I take my Yangguan Road. ”

There was no threat in Dumbledore's voice, but it made Fudge furious, as if Dumbledore was walking towards him with his wand.

"Look at this, Dumbledore," Fudge threatened, waving his finger, "I always give you autonomy. I have a lot of respect for you. Maybe I don't agree with some of your decisions, but I've kept quiet. There won't be many people who will let you hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid, or decide what to teach your students without consulting the minister. But if you're going to do it—"

"There's only one person I'm going against," Dumbledore said, "and that's Voldemort, and if you're against him, Connelly, then we'll stand aside." ”

Fudge seemed speechless.

His little feet rocked around for a few moments. In his hand swirled his black bowler hat. Finally he spoke, with some pleading in his voice.

"There's no way he's going to come back. It can't be ......"

Snape stepped over Dan Bodeau, striding forward, and rolled up his left sleeve. He held out his forearm to show Fudge, who asked and flinched.

"Here," Snape said harshly, "look here, this Dark Mark mark. It wasn't as clear as it had been when it had been blackened about an hour ago, but it was still visible. Every Pippi Rabbit has this piece of the Dark Lord brand. This is how He calls us, and how he distinguishes us from one another. When he touches any of the Death Eater markers, we are to disappear and appear beside him. This mark became clearer and clearer throughout the year. Karkaroff's too, do you know why Karkaroff ran away tonight? We all felt the mark burning. We all know he's back. Karkaroff feared that the Dark Lord would retaliate for his betrayal, so much so that he was not sure that he would be welcomed back into the group. ”

Fudge took two steps back. He was shaking his head, as if he hadn't heard Snape at all.

Fudge looked at the ugly mark on Snape's hand, the Dark Mark in disgust, and then looked up at Dumbledore again.

"I don't know what exactly you and your men are playing on Dumbledore, but I've heard enough. I don't want to say anything more. Dumbledore, I'll contact you tomorrow to discuss school management. I need to go back to the ministry. ”

With that, Fudge walked briskly.

As he reached the door, he stopped, turned, and strode into the dormitory, stopping at Harry's bedside.

"It's your win," he said briefly, pulling out a large bag of gold from his pocket and placing it on the counter next to Harry's bed, "a thousand gold Galleons, there was supposed to be an award ceremony, but in this case, ......"

Fudge tucked his top hat over his head and walked out the door, slamming the door shut, and as soon as he left, Dumbledore turned to look at the group of people next to Harry's bed.

"There's something to do. He said, "Molly...... I can count on you and Arthur, right?"

"Of course," Mrs. Weasley said. Her lips were pale, but her face was resolute. "He knew Fudge's true colors. It was Arthur's affection for the Mags that prevented him from returning to the ministry over the years. Fudge felt that he lacked proper wizarding pride. ”

"Then I'll have to send him a message. Dumbledore said, "We need to inform all those who can be persuaded by us that Arthur is in contact with those in the Department who are not as short-sighted as Connelly. ”

"I'm going to find Daddy," Bill said, standing up, "I'll go now!"

"Very good," Dumbledore said, "tell him what happened." Tell him I'll be contacting him directly shortly. But he's going to be cautious, if Fudge thinks I'm in the Interference Ministry—"

"Leave it to me!" said Bill.

He patted Harry on the shoulder, kissed his mother on the cheek, put on his cloak and strode out of the room.

"Mimileva," said Dan Bodeau, turning to McConaughey, "I would like to see Hagrid in the office as soon as possible, and Madame Maxim, if she wishes." ”

Professor McGonagall nodded, and left without saying a word.

"Pomfrey," Dumbledore said to Madam Pomfrey, "may you go down to Professor Moody's office?" There, I think you'll find a very sad elf. Serve her as best you can and take her to the kitchen. I think you'll take care of her for us. ”

"Very good!" said Madam Pomfrey. She looked a little surprised, and then she walked away.

Dumbledore made sure the door was closed, and Madam Pomfrey's footsteps were gone, before he began to speak.

"Now," he said, "it's the turn of two of us to see each other for who they really are." Sirius ,...... Please change back to your normal shape. ”

The big black dog looked up at Dumbledore, and then, after a while, became a man.

Mrs. Weasley screamed and leaned back into the bed.

"Sirius, aren't you supposed to be out there?" she screamed, pointing at him.

Molly knew the consequences of an Auror leaving his post without permission, especially a head like Scrimgeour......

"Mom, stop screaming," Ron said, "it's normal. ”

Snape didn't scream or jump back, but there was a mixture of anger and fear on his face.

"Him!" he snarled as he stared at Siris, who also looked disgusted, "what is he doing here?"

"I invited him here. Dumbledore looked at them and said, "Just like you, Severus, I trust you both." It's time for you to put aside your past differences and trust each other. ”

Harry felt as if Dan Bodo was trying to force a miracle to happen, as evidenced by last semester.

Sirius and Snappy were staring at each other, disgusted.

"I think in the short term," Dumbledore said, with a hint of impatience in his voice, "to put an end to open hostility, shake hands and make peace, and stand on the united front." Time is short, and there is no hope unless a few of us who know the truth come together. ”

Very slowly—but they were still staring at each other, as if wishing they were sick—Sirius and Snape walked over to each other and shook hands. But it soon loosened.

"This can go on," Dumbledore said, walking in the middle of the crowd once more.

"Now I have work for you two. Fudge's attitude, though not unpredictable. Sirius, I want to go now. You go warn Lupin, Erifiger, Mantongues. Frys—the old men. Stay at the Lupin house, I'll be there to contact you. “