Harry Potter: Archmage of Another World

Umbridge wore a triumphant smile, looking down at Augustus and Harry standing in the corridor.

"Well, Augustus? Is there nothing you want to explain? Minister Fudge has been waiting for quite some time in the Headmaster's office," she sneered, her usual fake smile replaced with a cold, twisted smirk, as if reveling in her long-awaited opportunity.

"I was merely passing through with Augustus," Harry said nonchalantly, stealing a quick glance at Augustus. "I wasn't aware there was anything to explain. Or has the Ministry begun interfering with students' evening activities now?"

"Oh? Evening activities?" Umbridge chuckled sarcastically, her sickly sweet tone grating. "You mean your little group's nighttime escapades? Montague, tell us—how many people just ran out of that room?"

Augustus cast a calm, indifferent gaze at Montague, the Slytherin student standing beside Umbridge.

Avoiding Augustus's eyes, Montague stammered nervously, "O-over twenty. It's all recorded on the surveillance crystal."

"Haha!" Umbridge laughed delightedly, her face glowing with triumph. "Yes, the surveillance crystal has captured all your actions. A gathering at this time of night—what secrets could you possibly have? I'm sure Minister Fudge will be even more curious than I am."

She turned back to Augustus with a haughty expression. "So? Do you still intend to cover up your crimes with silence?"

A faint, sunny smile appeared on Augustus's face. It wasn't just Umbridge who was startled; even Montague, who had been watching him, felt a sudden chill of fear.

"Mr. Augustus! I was forced!" Montague blurted out, trembling. "Umbridge used her authority as High Inquisitor to force me to spy on you. She said she'd expel me if I refused! I—I had no choice!"

"Get lost, you spineless fool!" Umbridge snarled, shoving Montague aside. "Take the surveillance crystal to the Headmaster's office immediately. You know the consequences if there's a mistake."

But Montague didn't move. He was terrified—not just of expulsion, but of the influence of the Julius family in the wizarding world. If expelled, he could simply transfer schools. But if the Julius family emerged unscathed from this, his entire family might struggle to survive in the wizarding world.

"Move, you useless idiot!" Umbridge snapped, her frustration mounting. She then turned her venomous gaze back to Augustus. "We've recorded all your illegal activities. You'd better confess everything now. Otherwise, Azkaban won't be as forgiving as I am."

Augustus chuckled lightly, his eyes never landing on Umbridge. "Even Fudge's lapdog dares to bark at me?"

"You—what did you say?!" Umbridge stammered, her voice shaking with fury.

"I don't repeat myself," Augustus replied coldly. "You're not worthy of wasting my words. Didn't you say Fudge was waiting? Fine. Take me to him. I'd love to see where the Minister's confidence comes from."

He gestured slightly at Montague. "You're dismissed."

Montague, as if granted a reprieve, bowed hastily and handed the surveillance crystal to Augustus with both hands before scurrying away.

"What are you doing?!" Umbridge gasped, horrified, as Augustus casually took the crystal. It contained all the evidence of their activities. Without it, her entire case would be a laughingstock.

Augustus toyed with the transparent crystal, a faint smile on his lips, before tossing it back to her. "Here. Since you seem so desperate for it."

Relieved, Umbridge clutched the crystal tightly and hurriedly tucked it into her robes.

"Didn't you say Fudge was in the Headmaster's office?" Augustus said with a disarming smile. "Let's not keep the Minister waiting—it wouldn't be polite."

He brushed past Umbridge and strode off confidently.

Umbridge glared daggers at his back, her grip on the crystal tightening.

Harry glanced at her, shook his head slightly, and followed Augustus.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the stone gargoyle. Harry couldn't help but wonder how many others had been caught. He thought about Ron—how devastated Mrs. Weasley would be—and about Hermione, who would be crushed if this all happened just before the O.W.L.s.

"Fizzing Whizbees," Umbridge said sharply. The stone gargoyle leapt aside, and the wall split in two. They ascended the moving staircase to the illuminated double doors at the top. The door bore a griffin-shaped knocker, but Umbridge didn't bother knocking. She stared at Augustus as if afraid he might vanish at any moment.

Inside, the office was crowded. Dumbledore sat serenely behind his desk, his long fingers steepled. Professor McGonagall stood rigidly beside him, her face tense. Minister Cornelius Fudge stood near the fireplace, rocking on his heels with an air of satisfaction, clearly pleased with the situation. Kingsley Shacklebolt and another wizard flanked the doorway like guards. The second wizard was burly, with close-cropped hair and glasses. Percy Weasley paced along the wall, quill and parchment in hand, eager to document every moment.

The portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses were unusually alert, their frames buzzing with whispers as they watched the unfolding drama.

As Augustus entered, he walked straight to a broad, comfortable chair, sat down, and helped himself to a pot of green tea on the desk. He poured the tea into an unused crystal cup and began sipping leisurely.

Fudge stared at him, dumbfounded, clearly caught off guard by Augustus's casual demeanor.

After a moment, his face turned red with anger.

"Well," Fudge spluttered. "Well, well, well!"

Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon

https://patreon.com/Glimmer09