This Hogwarts is not normal

As Fudge roared his orders, just three corners away, Dumbledore and the members of the Order of the Phoenix in the Department of Mysteries watched in silence, Vincent's words echoing in their ears:

"Look at what he's done over the past year. After the Triwizard Tournament, he ignored your warnings and turned the Ministry of Magic into his personal fiefdom. He'd rather accuse me of being the Dark Lord who colluded with Dementors than acknowledge Voldemort's return..."

Why? Because acknowledging Voldemort's return means acknowledging the failure of his past policies, and it means that the foundation of his power will be shaken. For someone like him, the stability of power is far more important than right and wrong or the truth...

No one showed up.

Dumbledore sighed, a sigh filled with sorrow and acknowledgment of Vincent's accurate prediction.

He glanced one last time at the corridor where Fudge was, then turned to Arthur, his eyes devoid of their usual brilliance, only filled with unfathomable weariness. "Arthur, I'm entrusting everything here to you."

Without instructions or explanations, Arthur instantly understood the weight of those words.

The Order of the Phoenix did not appear tonight, and Vincent...

“I…” Arthur opened his mouth, but his throat was dry.

He recalled Vincent's calm departure and all that the child might have to bear, and his heart was filled with struggle and resentment.

This is so unfair.

Dumbledore gently patted his shoulder, the slight pressure silencing the words Arthur couldn't utter.

As the flames flickered, the Hall of Mysteries was left in ruins, with captured Death Eaters, unconscious Silent Men, and Arthur standing amidst the rubble.

The chaotic footsteps and Fudge's shrill voice grew closer, and Arthur didn't have much time left.

He looked down at the wand in his hand, a complex expression on his face that was a mixture of pain, determination, and irony.

He walked to a conspicuous spot that could be seen immediately upon entering.

Then he raised his wand and pointed it at himself.

After the red light, his body went limp and fell onto the cold ground, near several Silent Men, as if he had been wounded and unconscious in a fierce "battle".

……

……

In the private ward of St. Mungo's Hospital for the Injuries of Magic and Injuries, the aroma of potions and herbs lingered.

Arthur woke up with a splitting headache, and in front of him was a white ceiling and Molly's tear-red face, which she was trying to keep calm.

"Arthur! Thank you, Merlin, you're awake!" Molly rushed over, grabbing his hand tightly, tears welling up in her eyes again. "They said you were attacked at the Ministry of Magic! You scared us to death!"

An attack? Yes, an attack by the Dark Lord Vincent Wayne.

Soon, the attending therapist came to check on him and confirmed that he was out of danger.

Immediately afterwards, a brand new copy of the Daily Prophet was delivered to his bedside.

The bold headline on the front page was like a red-hot branding iron, so hot that he couldn't even open his eyes.

Brave and fearless! Chief Weasley bravely stops the Dark Lord, and the crisis in the Department of Mysteries is finally averted!

The Ministry of Magic successfully thwarted Vincent Wayne's grand plot, capturing several Death Eater accomplices. Minister Cornelius Fudge lauded the heroes!

Accomplices of the Death Eaters?

Arthur struggled to open his eyes and looked at the burning hot words.

"The Dark Lord Vincent Wayne feigned arrest, but in reality, he had already secretly colluded with the Death Eaters to infiltrate the Department of Mysteries in an attempt to steal the Ministry of Magic's core secrets."

At this critical moment, the loyal and courageous Ministry of Magic official, Director Arthur Weasley, cleverly uncovered the conspiracy and bravely confronted the thugs.

Ultimately, in the Hall of Mysteries, Director Weasley was severely wounded while preventing Vincent Wayne from entering the inner area. Even before losing consciousness, he successfully bought time, making a crucial contribution to the arrival of reinforcements and the capture of some of the remaining Death Eaters.

In the middle of the newspaper was a striking photograph of Fudge speaking in the Department of Magic Hall. He looked sorrowful yet resolute, declaring that justice had been served and the authority of the Ministry of Magic was not to be challenged.

In the corner of the photo, you can see Antonin Dolokhov and others being led away, bound in shackles and looking dejected.

Arthur's hand holding the newspaper trembled slightly.

He became a hero? A "hero" built on a complete lie and the sacrifice of another young man?

Those cold, precise words echoed in his mind once more. How similar all of this was to Vincent becoming a hero in the magical world back then!

“Arthur, look, there’s this too!” Molly, oblivious to his pale face, pulled out an internal document from the Ministry of Magic. “The Ministry has notified us that because of your outstanding service and the loyalty and courage you showed in times of crisis, Minister Fudge has personally signed a promotion order! You’re getting a promotion!”

Promotion? Arthur numbly accepted the beautifully printed parchment.

"Mr. Arthur Weasley, for his outstanding performance in the 'Battle of the Ministry of Magic on December 25,' has been promoted from 'Head of the Office for the Prevention of the Misuse of Muggle Items' to 'Head of the Office for the Investigation and Confiscation of Illegal Items and Counterfeit Defense Spells under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.'"

The new job title is long and sounds like it has a broader scope of authority and greater responsibility.

From "Muggle items" to "illegal and counterfeit defense curses," this closely reflects the security issues under the current "Dark Lord threat."

However, Arthur, having worked at the Ministry of Magic for many years, immediately understood the implications.

What promotion? This is clearly an upgraded version of being sidelined.

Director of the Office for the Investigation and Confiscation of Illegal and Counterfeit Anti-Curse Magic? This new department sounds impressive, but it's clearly a marginal department that has almost nothing to do in peaceful times and is thankless and difficult to work in turbulent times.

Investigating illegal items and counterfeit protective spells on the market would offend merchants who profit from selling anxiety, and besides, the manpower, budget, and actual enforcement power of this office are probably no better than his former department.

Seeing the genuine joy and pride on Molly's face, Arthur felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

He forced a smile, which looked worse than a grimace.

“I…I want to be discharged, Molly. There are still many things to do at the department.”

After confirming that he was not seriously injured, the attending therapist agreed to his discharge request.

As Arthur stepped into the hallway of the Ministry of Magic, an eerie atmosphere immediately enveloped him.

The Magic Brothers Fountain was still splashing water merrily, but the wizards passing by didn't have their usual carefree expressions; instead, they looked more tense and were whispering among themselves.

Everyone who recognizes him, whether a familiar colleague or a stranger, stops in their tracks and greets him with an overly enthusiastic smile.

"Director Weasley! Congratulations!"

"A heroic performance, Arthur! You've truly brought honor to our department!"

"The new office is on the fourth floor, east side. It's all ready for you. It's a bit small, but it's quite nice!"

"How about we celebrate tonight? Three brooms, my treat!"

Congratulations were endless; congratulations on his promotion, congratulations on becoming a "hero".

However, Arthur saw something more complex behind those smiles: genuine admiration based on lies, pure politeness, cautious observation, and subtle sympathy and mockery...

Everyone tacitly agreed to only talk about "the attack by the Dark Lord Vincent Wayne" and his "heroism," but remained tight-lipped about the terrifying black fog that had swept past last night.

……

……