As Cornelius Fudge returned, Rufus Scrimgeour immediately stepped forward, asking:
"Minister, what did the witch say?"
Fudge merely sighed, not answering Scrimgeour's question. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the group of Ministry wizards behind him and called out:
"Amos, come here!"
Amos Diggory, who had been nervously glancing toward Cedric, only realized Fudge was addressing him when a colleague nudged him. He hurried over to the Minister's side.
Looking at the anxious Amos Diggory, Fudge's face softened with guilt as he said:
"Amos, the child held hostage by the Purists—he's your son, isn't he?"
Amos's earlier behavior had made it clear to everyone present who Cedric's father was, so Fudge had no doubt about the answer.
As soon as Amos heard the Minister's words, tears welled up in his eyes. Choking with emotion, he replied:
"Yes, Minister, Cedric is my son! He's a remarkable young man! Last year, as a first-year at Hogwarts, he earned Outstanding marks in every subject. He's destined to be an exceptional Auror!"
His voice breaking, Amos pleaded:
"Minister Fudge, you must save him!"
Hearing Amos's heartfelt plea, Fudge felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had feared that Amos might say something like, 'It would be an honor for my son to die in service to the Ministry.'
Moved by Amos's distress, Fudge embraced him tightly, his voice trembling:
"Of course, Amos. You've dedicated so many years to the Ministry, and everyone here knows the kind of man you are. No one doubts that your son will be one of the Ministry's future elites! But…"
Fudge hesitated, his words trailing off. Seeing the pained look on the Minister's face, Amos felt a chill in his heart, a sense of dread creeping in.
Tears streaming down his face, Amos asked fearfully:
"But what, Minister?"
After a moment of silence, Fudge forced out a sorrowful expression and said:
"But the Purists are using him as a hostage, demanding the release of their captured members. As Minister of Magic, I cannot agree to their terms. I'm sorry, but your son… is likely to…"
Before Fudge could finish, Amos felt the world spin around him and nearly fainted.
The surrounding Ministry wizards gasped, and it was only thanks to Rufus Scrimgeour's quick reflexes that Amos didn't collapse to the ground.
Fudge was startled, inwardly shouting, Don't faint yet! At least finish this performance with me first!
The sudden commotion drew the attention of the other Ministry wizards. Fudge quickly explained Rosier's demands, and the gathered wizards finally understood why Amos Diggory had nearly lost consciousness.
For many, this was also the moment they realized the true stakes of the conflict.
With Scrimgeour's help, Amos eventually regained his composure. Once he was steady, he grabbed Fudge's shoulders, his face twisted in anguish.
"No, Minister! You can't do this! He's just a child! Cedric is Hogwarts' brightest student and the future of the Ministry! You can't let him die here, Minister!"
Seeing Amos's tearful desperation, many of the Ministry wizards behind him had tears in their eyes. After all, Amos was a colleague they'd worked with for decades, and many had watched Cedric grow up. People aren't made of stone—how could they not be moved?
At that moment, one of the Ministry wizards stepped forward and said firmly to Fudge:
"Minister, we can't just stand by and watch a young wizard die in front of us! If we can't even protect a child, how can we expect the wizarding community to trust us to safeguard the magical world?"
As soon as these words were spoken, several wizards around them nodded in agreement.
Fudge maintained a conflicted expression, but internally, he thought, Well said!
Outwardly, he hesitated and replied:
"You're right, Arthur. But rescuing the boy safely—it's too difficult!"
Turning deliberately toward Scrimgeour, Fudge asked:
"Rufus, if the Aurors were to act decisively, even using Unforgivable Curses with my authorization, could they ensure the boy's safe return?"
Scrimgeour glanced at the Purist wizard holding Cedric at wandpoint, then at the hostile Purists behind him, and shook his head grimly.
Seeing this, Fudge sighed heavily and said:
"I'm sorry, Amos. The Ministry has failed you. You've worked tirelessly for us all these years, and yet we can't even save your son. I apologize."
Hearing Fudge's words, Amos looked utterly devastated as he turned to gaze helplessly at Cedric.
At that moment, Arthur Weasley stepped forward again, declaring passionately:
"Minister Fudge, if we stand by and allow a young wizard to be killed before our eyes, then everyone here will bear the guilt of his death!"
Well said! Fudge silently applauded Arthur Weasley's words.
Outwardly, however, he hesitated, prompting Arthur to continue:
"Minister, there's something else you might not have considered."
Fudge, feigning curiosity, asked:
"Oh? Mr. Weasley, please elaborate."
Arthur glanced at Rosier, who stood across from them with a smug expression, and said meaningfully:
"Minister, combating the Purists isn't solely the responsibility of the British Ministry of Magic. There's no reason for us to bear such losses alone. If a full-scale war against the Pureblood Party is necessary, it should be a united effort among all the world's Ministries of Magic!"
"Furthermore, if we suffer significant casualties today to defeat the Pureblood Party, who will ensure the safety of the magical community in the aftermath? The Pureblood Party aren't the only dark wizards in Britain!"
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