[{"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-230":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},1496354,1944,"Chapter 230: Fun Licorice Candy, the Inconceivable Pensieve","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-230",230,"\u003Cp>Fudge did not agree with Dumbledore's proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he suspended the Triwizard Tournament now, wouldn't that be announcing to the entire wizarding world that the Ministry of Magic under his leadership was weak and incompetent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though—truth be told—the Ministry under Fudge really had been a mess lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last summer, both the Ministry and Gringotts had been robbed in succession, and even the Quidditch World Cup had been plagued by constant incidents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But precisely because of that, Fudge was determined to push the Triwizard Tournament through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes, this was the perfect opportunity to prove that he was not an incapable Minister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then all the more reason you shouldn't disappoint the wizarding world!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was \"Moody\" cutting in, his tone heated, sounding as though he stood firmly on Dumbledore's side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, he couldn't have been happier that Fudge opposed Dumbledore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Triwizard Tournament were cancelled, his master's plan would be dead in the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for him, Fudge and Dumbledore were arguing too fiercely to spare him any attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge said firmly, \"The Triwizard Tournament absolutely cannot be cancelled. I refuse to be seen as a coward!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore countered calmly, \"A truly wise leader is decisive and clear-headed, and does not concern himself with how others perceive him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge bristled, convinced Dumbledore was mocking him. \"What did you say?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, \"Moody\" stepped forward to interrupt. \"Pardon me, gentlemen, but it seems your conversation is no longer private.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, \"Moody\" flicked his wand and opened the Headmaster's office door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry and Arthur were standing right outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moody\" turned his head—and when he saw Arthur, his pupils shrank slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had sensed Harry's presence earlier, but he hadn't realized Arthur was there too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of unease rose in him. He decided that later he'd return to the scene of the incident to check whether he'd left behind any evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for an excuse? As a former elite Auror, he could always claim he was worried the current Aurors were a bit rusty and wanted to offer some guidance. Wasn't that reasonable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Fudge knew nothing of what \"Moody\" was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he saw Harry, Fudge's expression changed completely, the earlier tension with Dumbledore vanishing without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry! So glad to see you again!\" Fudge said brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who didn't know better might have thought the two of them were old friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Fudge didn't like Harry at all. Harry's fame as the Boy Who Lived overshadowed even the Minister of Magic himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was Fudge for you. A seasoned politician—no matter how much he disliked someone, he would never show it on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't held the Minister's seat for so long with no ability at all. At the very least, he was extremely skilled at social maneuvering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry, however, ignored him completely. He stepped past Fudge and said to Dumbledore, \"Sorry, Professor. We'll come back later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need, Harry,\" Dumbledore said, stopping him. \"The Minister and I have finished our discussion. I'll see him out and be right back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore had already seen how firm Fudge's stance was. No matter what he said, Fudge would not halt the Triwizard Tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he decisively moved to end the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to Fudge, he said, \"Minister, if you please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even thoughtfully picked up the hat from the side and handed it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge was just as happy to stop sparring with Dumbledore. He took the hat and turned to leave the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and Harry,\" Dumbledore added, \"if you get bored while you're waiting, feel free to have some licorice candy. Just be careful—it packs a bit of a punch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to the head-sized metal container on his desk, filled with the licorice he mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were black, stone-like little candies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Arthur's eyes, their shape looked exactly like river snails—so much so that it made him crave a bowl of snail noodles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore and the others left the office, with \"Moody\" bringing up the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he closed the door, Arthur gave him a long, meaningful look—so meaningful that \"Moody\" almost thought he'd been exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was, Arthur wasn't like old Crouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur was overwhelmingly powerful, and \"Moody\" had absolutely no confidence that he could defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant he couldn't lay a hand on Arthur either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing himself to remain calm, \"Moody\" shut the door, silently warning himself to be even more cautious in his future actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Arthur was pondering whether to go get a bowl of snail noodles for a late-night snack, Harry wandered over to the pile of licorice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scooped up a handful with his right hand and was just about to pinch one between his fingers to taste it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, the candy in his hand came alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spiral, snail-like shapes straightened out, transforming into large black tadpoles—complete with sharp teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They opened their gaping mouths and snapped at Harry's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, these were just magical novelty candies, not particularly dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, Harry's hand would have been bitten bloody at the very least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a yelp, Harry flung the candies away. They hit the floor, and he bent down instinctively to pick them up—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only for the candies to scatter in all directions, fleeing as though trying to escape Harry and avoid being eaten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they scurried into places Harry couldn't reach, he could only turn to Arthur with a pleading look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur waved a hand casually through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible strands seemed to snap taut, yanking the candies back toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they landed in Arthur's hand, they had reverted to their original snail-like forms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur barely glanced at them before tossing them back into the container.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no interest in those candies. Even if he wanted to try them, he certainly wouldn't choose ones that had just been on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether Dumbledore might later eat something that wasn't exactly clean—that wasn't Arthur's concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't there an old saying? A little dirt never makes you sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, with a wizard's constitution, eating a bit of dust wouldn't cause any problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless, of course, the Headmaster's office hadn't been cleaned in centuries and the dust was hundreds of years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Actually, thinking about wizarding habits, that wasn't impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hogwarts had plenty of rooms that hadn't been cleaned for centuries. It wouldn't be surprising if the Headmaster's office had one or two such corners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that incident, Harry completely lost his appetite for candy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't know whether he'd accidentally triggered something while picking them up, but the display cabinet beside them slid open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind it emerged a stone basin, about half a person tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its rim was carved with runes and mysterious symbols. The liquid inside glimmered with a faint blue glow, radiating an enigmatic aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry asked curiously, \"What's this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Pensieve,\" Arthur replied. \"It can store thoughts and memories extracted from the mind. As long as you touch the silvery strands inside, you can view the corresponding memory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Arthur leaned closer to examine it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the basin, he sighed. \"Seems like Dumbledore has quite a lot on his mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pensieve was filled with silver strands of varying lengths—a clear sign that Dumbledore used it frequently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing the explanation, Harry suddenly grew curious about what memories Dumbledore had stored inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out and touched one of the strands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world spun violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, he landed in what looked like a courtroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Harry steadied himself, he saw Dumbledore standing beside him—much younger than he was now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry immediately realized that he was inside one of Dumbledore's memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he took in the surroundings, a cage suddenly rose from the center of the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside it stood a man Harry had encountered a few times before—the headmaster of Durmstrang, Igor Karkaroff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry remembered Sirius telling him that Karkaroff had once been a Death Eater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this must be the Ministry's trial of Karkaroff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If your testimony proves to have sufficient value,\" a voice rang out, \"this committee may consider ordering your immediate release.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was painfully familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry had spoken with its owner just earlier that day—and now that man was already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was right. The speaker was none other than old Barty Crouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat at the center seat, presiding over the trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouch asked, \"Then what evidence do you wish to provide?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Names, sir,\" Karkaroff replied. \"I can provide the names of Death Eaters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for further prompting, Karkaroff began rattling off a series of names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every name he gave belonged to someone who was either already dead or had already been captured and sent to Azkaban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only exception was Snape—who had been vouched for by Dumbledore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouch summarized coldly, \"If the witness cannot provide any substantive evidence to this committee, then this hearing will conclude, and you will be returned to Azkaban.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No—no!\" Karkaroff cried urgently. \"I know another name!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouch said, \"Go on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karkaroff said: \"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advance Chapters Available on Patreon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FWhiteDevil7554\u003C\u002Fp>",1513,"2026-06-06T04:19:46.381Z",1,"novelbin.me","52678e4f83d8101def1b502d3a4d2fdf4b03a954e4ba55cba0db75a9c4cc9924","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-231","starting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-chapter-229",281,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-at-hogwarts-logging-into-elden-ring-cover.jpg"]