"Dear Headmaster Dumbledore, I believe you'll need to come with us," Lucius Malfoy said, his tone carrying the authority of someone who might as well have been the Minister of Magic himself. "You've been sheltering the culprit who opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago and killed a student. As far as I know, that individual is still Hogwarts' Keeper of Keys and Groundskeeper. Allowing such a dangerous person to remain here, especially with history repeating itself, demands an explanation."
"Not to me, of course," he added, "but to the parents of the other students."
Lucius spoke with righteous indignation, as if he were the champion of justice.
"Dumbledore, is what Mr. Malfoy says true?" Fudge's expression shifted, his slow mind catching up. "How could you keep someone so dangerous at Hogwarts? This puts the students' lives at risk!"
Did Fudge know Hagrid was at Hogwarts? Of course he did. But his real concern was his approval ratings—he was desperate to cling to his position as Minister.
"That matter was settled long ago. Hagrid is innocent," Dumbledore said calmly, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Lucius's cold gray ones.
"Innocent or not isn't for you to decide," Lucius countered smoothly. "The Ministry convicted him back then. Even if they were wrong, they'd never admit it—such a mistake would undermine their authority."
"Now," he continued, "you'll need to accompany us to the Wizengamot. You and your Keeper of Keys and Groundskeeper."
Lucius's goal achieved, he cast a fleeting glance toward the Slytherin table, his eyes lingering on Draco for less than a second.
See that, Draco? This is your father's power. Even the greatest white wizard bends to my will.
"Listen, children," Lucius said, nodding with satisfaction before addressing the students below. "As of now, Dumbledore is no longer your headmaster."
"This place is dangerous, so you must follow our instructions—those of the Ministry and these fine Aurors."
He turned to Fudge, as if only just remembering him. "Minister, I trust the Ministry's excellent Aurors can handle things from here?"
If the Aurors failed, well, that would be on them, not Lucius.
"Of course, no problem at all," Fudge replied, wiping sweat from his brow.
He could hardly admit in front of Hogwarts' entire staff and student body that he couldn't manage, could he?
The students erupted into chaos, whispering furiously. Some were already summoning owls to send letters home, demanding answers.
Lucius nodded, a smug smile spreading across his face. He cleared his throat, drawing all eyes back to him. "Now, since the headmaster is being replaced, there are a few matters to address."
Draco's eyes widened, a sinking feeling settling in his gut. No… he wouldn't… would he?
"I've heard," Lucius went on, "that someone, through dubious means—or perhaps a Confundus Charm—convinced the former headmaster to establish an unauthorized organization."
He emphasized former and unauthorized, letting the words hang in the air.
"You all know what I'm talking about, don't you? That… what was it called? Forgive me, it's such an obscure group, I can't quite recall."
Lucius feigned thought, then snapped his fingers as if struck by realization. "Oh, yes—the Disciplinary Committee."
"I've also heard," he continued, his tone casual but pointed, "that several students were expelled because of this group. Expelling students without so much as informing the Board of Governors? I only learned of it through other channels. Utterly irresponsible."
His words were deliberate, painting a picture of triviality while underscoring their weight.
"And I've heard they show no respect for professors. Why, just recently, a professor was publicly attacked! Merlin's beard, it's appalling."
Lucius twisted the truth without hesitation, his exaggerated tone landing like a performance. His gaze flicked briefly to Lockhart, then settled on Neville.
"What do you think, Minister Fudge?" he asked.
"Hm? Oh, er…" Fudge, still grappling with how to distance himself from Dumbledore's ousting while avoiding blame, was caught off guard. He stammered, unable to form a coherent response.
Disciplinary Committee? What's that?
Lucius wasn't surprised by Fudge's floundering. With a disdainful glance, he smirked and pressed on. "Minister, I've been informed this organization answers directly to the former Headmaster Dumbledore."
Fudge didn't know what the Disciplinary Committee was, but he latched onto key words: organization, answers directly, Dumbledore.
"Is this true? Is what Mr. Malfoy says true?" Fudge's voice rose, his agitation clear. "Dumbledore, you never told me!"
When Fudge first became Minister, he owed his position largely to Dumbledore's support. Back then, Dumbledore's reputation was unmatched—defeater of Grindelwald, leader against Voldemort. If he'd wanted it, the Minister's seat would've been his with a nod. Fudge had walked on eggshells, consulting Dumbledore on everything, earning the nickname "Dumbledore's echo." It wasn't until the Order of the Phoenix disbanded and Dumbledore showed no interest in the Minister's role that Fudge finally relaxed.
Dumbledore was both his greatest ally and his greatest source of pressure.
Now, hearing that Dumbledore had formed some new organization—especially one that "answered directly" to him—set Fudge's nerves on edge.
What's he planning? What's he up to?
"Cornelius, I don't believe every detail needs to be reported to you," Dumbledore said, his tone laced with weary patience.
Fudge's sensitivity, especially when it came to matters of power, was exhausting.
Lucius smirked, delighted at how easily he'd swayed the Minister to his side with just a few words.
"I believe," Lucius said, finally baring his fangs, "that such an unauthorized organization should be disbanded."
He was confident Fudge would back him.
"So, as of today, Hogwarts will no longer have a Disciplinary Committee."
"This childish game is over."