"Yes, you see things very clearly, Professor Dumbledore—"
Ares knew Dumbledore was trying to probe something. He took a step forward and said calmly,
"This spell places high demands on both magical control and [Quantity]. Fortunately, I can barely meet the requirements to use it."
"Then you are truly gifted, Ares. Very few people can—"
"Ahem!"
Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge coughed heavily twice, his face already showing obvious annoyance.
"I say, shouldn't we talk about serious business now!"
Dumbledore shut his mouth helplessly.
"Ah, naturally, Minister Fudge. The serious business you mentioned is—"
Ares was glad Fudge had interrupted that topic, and he spoke pleasantly.
"Sigh, I don't want to complain to you two—"
Fudge was happy the conversation was getting back on track, but he put on a worried expression.
He spoke of the so-called 'serious business'... Of course, it was not unexpected for Ares and Dumbledore.
It was nothing more than the surging public sentiment that he couldn't handle.
"The idea you came up with, letting me personally host the Sorting Ceremony for the young wizards, was excellent, Ares... truly excellent. It successfully bought the Ministry a bit of public understanding... I mean, time—"
Fudge kicked angrily at the pebbles on the ground with his golden Chelsea boots.
"But the key problem hasn't been solved!"
Clouds, gathering and scattering in the azure sky, momentarily blocked the sunlight. The breeze wandering the grounds reacted immediately, and the chill in the air made Cornelius Fudge's nose tingle.
He took out a handkerchief and blew his nose hard.
"The public won't stop demanding an explanation from me... How did that damn train lose control!
It's ridiculous... Why do they think I would know?
I told the Daily Prophet that there was negligence in the Department of Magical Transportation... Oh, that was already a huge concession. I told them I kicked the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation home to grow potatoes. I thought that would be enough!"
Fudge lamented.
"But can you believe it, Dumbledore? The public's anger over this matter far exceeds my imagination. They keep demanding a culprit from me, or they won't let it go!
There's an old lady named Smith blocking my office door all day, demanding the Ministry produce the culprit... She says her grandson suffered a fractured rib in the accident..."
The corner of Ares's mouth twitched.
His landlady was not easy to deal with.
"But where am I supposed to find a culprit!"
Fudge became angry again.
"The whole thing could very well be just an accident... an accidental event!"
"Then tell the public what you think, Cornelius."
Dumbledore hit the nail on the head.
"Trying to ask Ares to help you divert public attention won't work. The public isn't stupid; their eyes are sharp... Think about your past experiences and lessons, Cornelius. Did those methods of yours successfully change your image in their minds?"
"Easy for you to say, Dumbledore—"
Fudge wiped the sweat of exasperation from his forehead with the handkerchief he had used to blow his nose.
"To be honest... that's your view. Well, let me tell you—it doesn't work at all. Do you think I haven't told the Daily Prophet my real thoughts?
It doesn't work at all!
They won't publish my opinion... Those damn media, they just love conspiracy theories. Understand? They want a culprit!
The public is the same... Their eyes are sharp?
Oh, heh heh, right. They indeed don't believe the train was just in disrepair. They want the Ministry to punish the culprit. If the Ministry can't produce one...
Hmph, have you seen the latest polls, gentlemen? My approval rating has dropped to an all-time low!
And let me tell you clearly, there aren't many people in the Ministry who actually care about this matter... Especially Old Barty. I guess he's just waiting for me to have bad luck, so he can step on me and climb to the position of Minister!"
Fudge sneered.
"If Old Barty isn't fanning the flames behind the scenes, I truly wouldn't believe it!"
"But if that's the case—"
Ares said softly, carefully choosing his words.
"What can I do, Minister, unless you plan to hand me over as the culprit?"
"You can help me buy time, Ares!"
Sensing a slight looseness in Ares's tone, Fudge's face instantly brightened.
"Help me buy time, Ares. I'll have the Aurors and the people from the Department of Transportation check that train, which has already been dismantled several times, to see if there are any clues left. I'll have them search inch by inch along the railway line!"
Fudge stared at Ares with burning eyes.
"Will you... as a hero, help the Ministry buy time again... Maybe after a long time, the public will forget... There aren't many as stubborn as Mrs. Smith, after all."
This was the most troublesome part of dealing with politicians mentioned earlier.
They were like sticking plasters; once stuck, you couldn't easily get rid of them.
You couldn't refuse to help, otherwise, you would offend them to death.
Of course, you could also go on a killing spree... and then wait for them to make your reputation as foul as Voldemort's.
"Will you do it, Ares?"
Fudge didn't notice Dumbledore's severely furrowed brow and kept pestering Ares relentlessly.
"Just tell people you trust the Ministry... believe that as long as the Ministry is given enough time, we will definitely be able to produce the culprit.
That way I can temporarily get rid of this matter... I can't spend all my energy on this. The wizarding world is still waiting for me to govern!
Really, I left the Department of Magical Law Enforcement long ago, didn't I? I'm not an Auror... investigating cases all day—Sickle Ragnok, that bodybuilding-loving goblin from Gringotts in Diagon Alley, is also sending letters to my office all day, asking me how the capture of Quirinus Quirrell is going?"
"Quirinus Quirrell."
Ares, who had been patiently listening to the Minister's rambling, suddenly twitched his brow.
"What is it, Ares?"
Dumbledore's reaction to this name was far greater than the Minister's. His sharp gaze instantly 'caught' Ares's eyes.
"Do you have his whereabouts, Ares... Or did he write to you, telling you about the previous learning progress of the young wizards in each year?"
"Very humorous, Professor Dumbledore."
Ares looked at Dumbledore calmly and said in a peaceful tone.
"I just... Oh, suddenly had an idea—how should I put it, a whimsical thought, Professor Dumbledore, Minister Fudge..."
"What?"
Fudge was stunned, unsure why Delfino would single out Quirinus Quirrell, that lunatic who robbed Gringotts, for mention... Was he planning to change the subject again?!
"I was thinking... robbing Gringotts... Quirrell is undoubtedly a crazy, irrational wizard.
Hmm, after the robbery failed, he was wanted by the Ministry, the goblins, and Hogwarts simultaneously..."
Ares said softly.
"He... hmm, do you think it's possible he would do something to take revenge on society, Minister?"
Silence, and more silence.
Under Ares Delfino's meaningful gaze, the eyes of Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge gradually lit up!