Chapter 438: The Escaping Dementors
Kyle's words cast an immediate hush over the entire Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore, though accustomed to witnessing grand scenes, found himself momentarily at a loss for words. The same reaction held true for the portraits lining the walls.
In one frame, a thin wizard looked at Kyle, his expression filled with complex emotions. He also had a portrait in the Ministry of Magic and often visited it to keep up with the latest happenings in the wizarding world. Because of this, he had a decent understanding of Cornelius Fudge... Yet, try as he might, he simply couldn't reconcile the scheming, power-driven figure he knew with the person Kyle was describing.
Phineas, on the other hand, was much more blunt.
"Albus," he said to Dumbledore without a hint of hesitation—even with Kyle present, "you should check him. I think this boy must be under someone's Imperius Curse."
Phineas himself was familiar with Fudge and, in his words... "Milliphutt was bad enough, but he's even worse."
Hortensia Milliphutt had served as Minister for Magic about 150 years prior, passing all sorts of pointless legislation—like specifying the angle at which a wizard's hat should be worn. At that time, wizards had to spend twenty minutes every time they left the house just to check if their attire met regulations.
But after meeting Fudge, Phineas suddenly found himself thinking that Milliphutt hadn't been so bad after all; at least she'd managed to enact some practical laws each year. Fudge, on the other hand, had achieved virtually nothing in his recent years, save for the Muggle Protection Act from last year.
"Phineas... I don't think anyone at this school should be permitted to use the Imperius Curse on students," Dumbledore said calmly.
"Then why is he spouting such nonsense?" Phineas retorted.
"I can examine him," offered another witch.