"From this moment on, we must acknowledge that Voldemort and the Death Eaters are highly likely to become an eternal shadow over the wizarding world."

"And if we accept this grim reality, then we understand what we must do."

Dumbledore said, his voice gradually rising.

People could clearly feel the aura of power surrounding him.

"First, the most important step, we need to figure out who can stand with us."

"Before Voldemort's influence completely spreads, we must find a way to unite all the forces in this world that can be united, to forge a shield. Then we still have a chance to salvage the situation. Of course, we also need to find a way to curb the growth rate of the dark forces."

"For example, start trying to restrain, and even supervise, the Dementors, and get Azkaban out of their control as soon as possible—"

"What are you talking about?!" Cornelius Fudge couldn't help but exclaim, "You're planning to have the Ministry give up the Dementors?"

He blinked incredulously, staring blankly at Dumbledore, seemingly unable to fully believe what he had just heard.

"Give up the Dementors?" Fudge repeated once more, shaking his head vigorously, "That's impossible on that point alone! The moment I propose that, I'll be kicked out of office immediately! The vast majority of us can sleep soundly at night precisely because we know that Dementors are on guard at Azkaban!"

"Obviously, no one slept soundly tonight... The situation is different, Cornelius!"

Dumbledore said, peering down at Fudge from behind his half-moon spectacles with a certain inescapable power in his gaze.

"You should have also heard, Voldemort hasn't forgotten those capable henchmen locked away in prison."

"Those Dementors can't be loyal to the Ministry, Fudge! Voldemort can offer them much more pleasure than guarding prisoners! And once Voldemort controls Azkaban, with the support of those most dangerous and evil creatures, then his power will quickly surpass the past and expand to an unimaginable extent. At that time, almost no one can stop the dark forces from sweeping the world."

"As for whether you'll be kicked out of office? You don't have time to consider that now. You set a dragon on fire Voldemort tonight, didn't you? If I were you, the first thing I'd consider now is how to weaken the dark forces, rather than how to increase the likelihood of sacrificing yourself during your term."

Fudge's mouth opened and closed, as if no language could express his anger and fear.

"Goblins joining the Ministry is a good start, but it's not enough—"

Dumbledore continued, "Besides goblins, we must immediately send someone to deliver a message to the giants, and face the werewolf problem head-on—especially the werewolf issue, which must be addressed immediately. They've been wandering in the grey areas of the wizarding world for far too long; it's time to let them return to normal society. While it's not too late, extend a hand of friendship to them, or Voldemort will win them over."

"You—you must be joking! Dumbledore, I can't do that! It's too absurd!"

Cornelius Fudge gasped in astonishment, shaking his head as he instinctively retreated backward from Dumbledore.

"People's hatred and fear of werewolves and giants are no less than their hatred and fear of dark wizards, Dumbledore. If the wizarding world knows that the Ministry plans to let giants and werewolves join civilized society, it's all over—they might even choose to turn their wands on us!"

"Perhaps, but if you intend to make enemies of all forces outside of wizards, then we're definitely done for."

Dumbledore said coldly, looking around, his gaze sweeping over Scrimgeour and others.

"I think you should have realized today that those dark wizards have accumulated an unusually large amount of power in the past decade of hibernation!"

"This power is so great that it can even raid most of the European magical governments overnight! If it weren't for those two fire dragons from Gringotts, how many people do you think would have died tonight because of your arrogance? Now is not the time to consider official positions!"

"I'm telling you now—as long as you listen to my advice and take some measures, telling everyone in the wizarding world, before panic and resentment have time to spread, that the Ministry still has extremely strong strength to maintain order, then the wizarding world and even the entire magical world will remember you forever, even if you are questioned for tonight's recklessness. But at least you won't become a sinner in the wizarding world, forever nailed to the pillory of history!"

"Madness..." Fudge said softly, his lips trembling, a look of resistance, stubbornness, and panic appearing on his face.

"Yes, it's madness, but it's the only chance the wizarding world has now, isn't it?"

Dumbledore did not continue to refute, but sat back in his chair, seeming somewhat tired.

Then there was silence.

In fact, just a few minutes ago, the senior officials of the Ministry of Magic present had held a brief meeting.

Everyone thought they had imagined the situation badly enough, but after Dumbledore's analysis and suggestions, they found that the future might be even more severe than they imagined. Even Cornelius Fudge couldn't help but imagine the worst-case scenario in his mind.

Giants rampage through the city, Dementors roam around Diagon Alley, werewolves lurk in the dark waiting for prey...

Even more terrifying, there are also lingering dark wizards...

For no reason, a flat, snake-like face with glowing red eyes suddenly surged from his memory.

Cornelius Fudge couldn't help but shiver, his fat face seemed to suddenly relax, Voldemort's resentful, cold eyes before he left were like a cold dagger, piercing through his tense face, releasing all the air inside in a matter of seconds.

He stared blankly at Dumbledore not far away, and after a long while, he seemed to cheer up again and said:

"Then, what about... what about the information of all the wizards in Britain... what should we do..."

"Of course, tell the wizarding world the truth; people have the right to know about this."

Dumbledore said calmly, glanced at the wide-eyed Fudge, and continued to add unhurriedly.

"However..."

"Not now. The Ministry's loss statistics have not been fully completed. The primary task now is to tell everyone that the Dark Lord has returned and some of the Ministry's responses, the alliance plan. As for the theft of wizards' personal information, it can be released in the second batch of announcements after the 'statistics' are completed—along with specific solutions."

"In fact, I do have a vague idea..."

"A vague idea?" Amelia Bones asked curiously.

"Well, for example..."

Dumbledore's eyes wandered for a few seconds, recalling the scene depicted by that Veela hybrid on the Hyperion.

"For example, a magical city belonging to wizards... but there are too many things involved in this, we'd better discuss it separately later."

A magical city... belonging to wizards?

The people of the Ministry of Magic were stunned, but there were too many shocking things tonight.

Compared to those immediate problems, this proposal, which was only an idea, was obviously not the focus at the moment.

"Then what about Mr. Barty Crouch? What are your suggestions?" Scrimgeour asked in a deep voice.

Unknowingly, the initiative of the topic completely fell into Dumbledore's hands.

"I believe Mr. Crouch would not collude with Voldemort, but the matter of Barty Crouch Jr. is indeed quite suspicious—"

Dumbledore interlaced his fingers, pondered for a moment, and his gaze lingered on Scrimgeour, Bones, and others.

"I suggest secretly investigating the situation first, and it's best to arrange for a few Aurors to monitor Mr. Crouch nearby... If Barty Crouch Jr. is really still alive, he probably wouldn't care about any father-son relationship, after all, it was his father who personally sent him to Azkaban."

"In any case, we must find out as soon as possible how he 'came back to life'..."

"After all, we must at least understand..."

Dumbledore's half-moon spectacles reflected a stern glint, and he said softly.

"Are we facing an 'undead'?"

"Or, a group?"

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Oh my god!!