[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring":3,"chapter-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-192":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Starting at Hogwarts, Logging into Elden Ring",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1496416,1944,"Chapter 192: — A Place of Ill Omen, and the Magic Ministry That Arrived Too Late","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-192",192,"\u003Cp>After Bertha Jorkins' disappearance, Voldemort—now accompanied by Peter Pettigrew—began making his way toward Britain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One had to admit, this was a perfect case of mutual pursuit between Barty Crouch Jr. and Voldemort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the unfortunate Bertha Jorkins—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let this be a lesson: never go near Albania, that ill-omened land. Nothing good ever comes of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the wizarding campsite had been burned nearly to ashes, Fudge finally arrived—bringing the Aurors with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they entered the area, they didn't bother asking questions. Any place where someone was standing was met with several volleys of Stupefy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, by that point, the campsite was mostly empty—aside from Barty Crouch Jr., who had collapsed from exhaustion after casting the Dark Mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Auror stepped forward to check him over. When he rolled Barty onto his back, the Dark Mark on Barty's arm was clearly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Fudge,\" the Auror reported, \"we've captured a Death Eater.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after confirming the area was secure did Fudge approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he saw Barty Crouch Jr.'s face, his expression stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crouch family had once been deeply intertwined with the Ministry of Magic. Before Barty Jr.'s identity as a Death Eater was exposed, Barty Crouch Sr. had been Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement—once even considered a strong candidate for Minister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his son's crimes came to light, Crouch Sr.'s reputation plummeted. He was reassigned to head the Department of International Magical Cooperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both positions carried the title of \"Head,\" but the difference in influence—and benefits—was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magical Law Enforcement held real power. International cooperation, especially after the enforcement of the International Statute of Secrecy, had far fewer opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge and Crouch Sr. had once been rivals during the Ministerial race, but they weren't enemies. In the Ministry, everyone eventually crossed paths—no one truly wanted to burn bridges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, a man who had supposedly died years ago had reappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Fudge didn't know how to handle the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was pondering what to do, Harry stirred awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still groggy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he noticed an Auror holding his wand, he spoke instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Um… sir? Could I have my wand back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single sentence instantly exposed Harry and Snape's position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(To save space beneath the Invisibility Cloak, Lily had already hidden herself again.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who's there?!\" Fudge exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Aurors immediately raised their wands, aiming toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a resigned sigh, Snape lowered the Invisibility Cloak, privately thinking that this was probably what Arthur meant by a pig teammate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Snape? And… Harry Potter?\" Fudge asked sharply. \"What are you doing here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Obviously,\" Snape replied flatly, \"we came to watch the Quidditch World Cup.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape's mood was far from pleasant. As a former double agent, anything involving Death Eaters was a minefield for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he'd planned to wait until the Aurors left, then quietly take Harry away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry's sudden outburst had ruined that plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge, knowing Snape's past as a Death Eater, regarded him with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape noticed—and this was precisely why he hated dealing with the Ministry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge took Harry's wand from the Auror and turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry, you say this is your wand. Then can you tell me why it was found in the hands of that Death Eater?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Snape, who had a history, Harry was far easier to question—and control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Death Eater?\" Harry repeated, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. A Death Eater. One of his followers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Voldemort's followers?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"—You know the name. No need to say it out loud.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I… don't know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then do you know where the other Death Eaters went?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know that either. Maybe you should ask Professor Snape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry didn't understand why Snape had been with him, but after learning about Snape's past with his mother, Harry was certain of one thing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape would never harm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge sighed. He'd hoped to extract something useful from Harry, but got nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well,\" he said. \"Professor Snape, could you briefly explain what happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Death Eaters attacked the campsite,\" Snape replied. \"Potter was trampled during the panic and lost consciousness. His wand fell then. That man picked it up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape gestured toward Barty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge's mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd asked for a brief explanation—but Snape had condensed the entire incident into two sentences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what were you doing at the time?\" Fudge pressed. \"Why didn't you stop them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were too many,\" Snape said coolly. \"And my primary duty, as a teacher, is to protect my student.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sentences again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Fudge could ask more, Snape spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any other questions? If not, I'll be taking my student away. He's been through quite a shock.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Snape's attitude, Fudge knew pressing further would be pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One last question,\" Fudge said. \"Which direction did the Death Eaters flee?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Over there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape pointed casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the Death Eaters had scattered in all directions. Snape simply indicated the direction with the most movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even then, it was unlikely the Aurors would catch anyone—most of them had already Apparated away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge knew this too. He just needed a reason to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning Harry's wand, Fudge led the Aurors away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the ruins of the campsite—another department could clean that up later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least the companies selling family tents would be making a fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Fudge didn't forget to take Barty Crouch Jr. with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided to hand Barty over to Crouch Sr. himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouch Sr. was Head of International Magical Cooperation—meaning the diplomatic fallout of this incident could conveniently be dumped on him as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foreign wizards had been attacked on British soil. Someone had to take responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That someone would certainly not be Cornelius Fudge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reputation had already taken a hit after the break-ins at both the Ministry and Gringotts two months earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he took responsibility for this disaster as well, his term as Minister would be over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he chose the easier path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things went well—if the culprits were caught—Fudge would share the credit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things went badly, Crouch Sr. would be the scapegoat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, Fudge would come out ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Fudge left, Harry turned to Snape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Professor Snape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing Snape had stayed with him the entire time he was unconscious genuinely moved him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape waved it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pure coincidence,\" he said. \"If Arthur hadn't asked me to return this cloak to you, I wouldn't have been here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed Harry the Invisibility Cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry accepted it—but his thoughts raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why today of all days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape never liked Quidditch. At Hogwarts, he barely attended matches unless Slytherin was playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would he come all the way to the World Cup?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Fudge and Snape had been talking, Harry had been communicating silently with Lily in their unique way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd told him everything that happened while he was unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape had appeared almost immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—he'd been watching Harry all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reminded Harry of first year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snape's sharp words… and hidden protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Harry had misunderstood him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the cloak, Harry said nothing more—but etched the truth into his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Arthur returned with Ron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Arthur realized Harry was missing, he'd wanted to search immediately—but he had to secure his other children first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after ensuring their safety did he come back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron, worried sick about Harry, had followed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FWhiteDevil7554\u003C\u002Fp>",1225,"2026-06-06T04:19:46.381Z",1,"novelbin.me","52a789e85a4767f5370738ea041795079f3907907c558708b5a58eac0051583f","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-193","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-191",281,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-cover.jpg"]