"Fudge's failed in many departments," Blake continued. "His biggest mistake was to refuse to work with, and later even outlaw the Order of the Phoenix, and Albus Dumbledore. Anyone with a brain knows that Dumbledore is the only wizard Voldemort fears, and for good reason - Dumbledore's a far better tactician than Fudge, and he knows it. Fudge's just scared that he can take power whenever he wants. He would rather risk the future of magical Britain than lose power. Selfish, and hungry for power. He outlawed the Order, and because of it, two brave people had to die yesterday - and the worst part is, he doesn't even see his mistakes."
"I can also say that Fudge is a coward, unlike anyone I've ever met before. At the graveyard where Voldemort was resurrected, he literally asked me, a child, to protect him. He didn't even fight, even though me and Harry did. Weak, and a coward. Is this man your leader?"
"Then, there's the issue of Fudge's attempt at indoctrination and intimidation tactics. He banned Harry Potter and his friends from Defence classes for simply expressing support for Dumbledore, and others, during an active war, all through his proxy, Dolores Umbridge. Does he want these children to be defenceless? Is he a fool, or someone that's okay with allowing students to die without being able to defend themselves? And when, in response, these students refused to remain defenceless, and created a club to protect themselves, he labelled them terrorists, and wants to expel them. Today, he even threatened me, saying that if he did this interview, and showed support to him, he would allow my brother to stay at Hogwarts. Well, f*ck that!"
"There is only one person I know that's qualified to be Minister of Magic during these times. Amelia Bones - Head of the DMLE! She's personally confronted and captured Death Eaters, and I've no doubt she's working to track down Voldemort and the rest as we speak! More than Fudge, who's standing right next to me instead of tracking down the people threatening his country, and is unable to break through even a simple shield spell that a 15 year old cast! Wizards and witches of Britain, if you want the Ministry to stand a real chance of fighting back - if you want a real chance at victory, without just relying on Dumbledore and the Order, and without all the casualties of the last war, put your faith in her. Amelia Bones will lead Britain to victory."
Blake took a second to collect himself, but Umbridge screamed in that short interval.
"You foolish boy! You don't know what you've done! We'll have you in Azkaban for this!"
"And how's that?" Blake responded coolly, gesturing towards Skeeter to keep writing.
"Stop the interview," Fudge said faintly, still in shock.
"If you know what's good for you," Blake said quietly. "You won't."
Skeeter nodded.
"You - you're supporting a terrorist!" Percy Weasley said wildly. "Criminal offence- you're going straight to-"
"Azkaban?" Blake asked. "What, like Sirius Black? Didn't the Ministry also send him straight to Azkaban? What happened with that, I wonder?"
Percy Weasley flushed bright red and shut up immediately.
"You - you threatened me!" Umbridge produced, her eyes animalistic and triumphant. "You said you would kill me! I'll have you expelled for it! I'll have-"
"That's just a lie," Blake said. "I expected better from you, Headmistress. But y'know, you've just reminded me about a conversation we had."
Umbridge paled instantly.
"W- wait-"
"This is a direct request to Madam Amelia Bones," he told Skeeter, who was in the middle of taking pictures. "Dolores Umbridge was torturing the students that acted out in class. I have evidence." He produced the pictures that he had Colin Creevey take.
"She used a Blood Quill in detention, on my little brother and many others, including Harry Potter. I have given evidence to the Daily Prophet, and there's an Owl on the way to your office as we speak. No matter the offence, torture on children is not legal in any capacity. Under the Protection of Underage Wizards and Witches Act of 1974, I demand that Umbridge is sentenced under the maximum penalty for child abuse - life in Azkaban."
Umbridge collapsed, clutching her chest, next to Weasley and Fudge, but they both just looked at her, in a mix of shock and disgust.
"By the way, Weasley," Blake said, turning to him. "Your brothers and sister were her victims too."
The ginger man's face tightened.
"You disgust me," Blake told him, sneering. "You know that woman tortured your younger siblings, but you do nothing? You're the scum of the earth. I would rather die a death by a thousand cuts than be born into a family with you in it."
He turned back to Skeeter.
"Either way, if the public wants to know my opinions or advice, it's this. Reinstate Albus Dumbledore as Headmaster of Hogwarts. Remove the Order of the Phoenix from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations. Arrest and trial Umbridge. Remove Fudge from office and instate Amelia Bones as Minister of Magic, with Rufus Scrimgeour as Head of the DMLE. Remove all the Educational Decrees from Hogwarts. And finally, I want the use of Unforgivable Curses to be authorised when fighting the Death Eaters, just like in the First Wizarding War - only this time, I want its use to be authorised in any life or death self-defence situation. I'm done fighting Death Eaters on the backfoot. Thank you for your time."
Blake got up from his chair finally, and approached Rita.
"I trust that everything I've said will make it to the Prophet, unchanged or manipulated?" he said quietly.
"O- Of course," she replied.
"Good," he smiled. "Because we both know what'll happen if it doesn't."
Finally, Blake dropped his shield spell, and stepped past Fudge, Weasley and Umbridge who was still on the floor.
"Just so you know, Minister, this whole time I've been in correspondence with Amelia Bones. And I have to say - she'll be a far better Minister than you could ever dream of being. Oh, and Headmistress?" he called, and Umbridge shakily looked towards him.
I sent the Aurors evidence of your crimes and a written account this morning. My Owl should've dropped it off a while ago, so any time now…"
As if scripted, the sound of multiple footsteps grew louder and louder behind them, and a concierge of Aurors, led by Rufus Scrimgeour, made their way towards them.
"Mrs Dolores Umbridge," he said gruffly. "We have a warrant for your arrest."
The woman shrieked loudly. "Minister! Minister, please!" But Fudge didn't respond. Instead, he just looked at her hazily, as if in a trance, as the Aurors took her away. Scrimgeour nodded at Blake, before looking at Skeeter and Fudge with contempt.
After they left, Blake began to make his way back to the castle.
That felt good.
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