Chapter 439: Cornelius Fudge
"This is appalling... appalling... Albus, you didn't tell me about this before you came..."
"Believe me, Cornelius, I knew no more than you did..."
Standing just outside the door, Kyle listened to the conversation inside the Headmaster's office, then raised his hand and knocked on the heavy oak door.
The door opened shortly after. Inside, Cornelius Fudge sat across from Dumbledore, looking visibly uneasy.
Two days before the holidays, Dumbledore and Sirius had finally returned. Without Kyle having to say a word, Dumbledore had already written to the Ministry of Magic, finding a reason to lure Fudge to Hogwarts.
Kyle had assumed Dumbledore could manage the rest on his own, but just as he was about to leave, Professor McGonagall came to inform him that the Headmaster was asking for him.
Fudge frowned as he saw Kyle standing in the doorway.
"Kyle was the first to suspect something was wrong with the rat," Dumbledore explained with a smile. "That's why I asked him to join us—if I miss any details, he can help fill them in."
"Oh... that's remarkable..." Fudge muttered absentmindedly.
Kyle noticed the Pensieve had been brought out of the cabinet, which meant they had already reviewed Peter Pettigrew's memories before he entered.
"Albus, you've really given me a big problem..." Fudge muttered, glancing at Kyle before continuing hesitantly, "Peter Pettigrew has been recognized with an Order of Merlin, First Class, for twelve years. And we've had Sirius Black hunted for over a year now... If I announce that there's been a mix-up in their identities, I'll be flooded with Howlers!"