Chapter 657: Dumbledore’s Intuition and the Phoenix Secured
The news of Sirius's injury seemed to have been deliberately concealed by the Ministry of Magic. No one knew what had transpired that night, and not a single mention appeared in the newspapers.
The next day, however, Hogwarts bustled with its usual liveliness. Students eagerly discussed Christmas plans and holiday arrangements.
"What on earth is the Ministry thinking..." Cedric muttered angrily, putting down the newspaper at the Hufflepuff table. "Two people almost died—powerful adult wizards, no less. And their solution is to just ignore it?"
"Apparently, that's exactly what they're doing," Kyle replied, calmly spreading orange marmalade on his toast. "That's why I keep telling Professor Dumbledore he should run for Minister of Magic, but he refuses every time."
"Yeah, it would be brilliant if Professor Dumbledore became Minister," Cedric sighed.
Though Cedric believed Hogwarts couldn't do without Dumbledore, the fact was, he'd be graduating next year. Who the headmaster was would no longer matter to him personally, and he secretly wished Dumbledore would take up the role of Minister of Magic.
"Let's change the subject," Kyle suggested, shaking his head. "If you want Dumbledore as Minister, the only way is for Voldemort to become headmaster of Hogwarts. So... what are your plans for the holidays?"
"Cho and I are visiting Sirius at St. Mungo's," Cedric replied, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. "After that, we're heading to Diagon Alley. Fred and George have picked out a shop there, and I'm going to help them set it up."
"Join the Weasley joke shop?" Kyle asked, surprised. "But didn't you want to join a professional Quidditch team after graduation? If I remember right, the Montrose Magpies even sent you a tryout invitation recently."
"That's true," Cedric said calmly. "But I just can't convince myself to leave England right now. I can join a professional team anytime, but this isn't the time for it."
He shrugged. "Fred and George need an extra hand, so it's a good way to stay occupied in the meantime."