‘I know, Williamson, I know,

‘I know, Williamson, I know, I saw him too!’ gibbered Fudge, who was wearing pyjamas under his pinstriped cloak and was gasping as though he had just run miles. ‘Merlin's beard—here—here!— in the Ministry of Magic!—great heavens above—it doesn't seem possible—my word—how can this be—?’

‘If you proceed downstairs into the Department of Mysteries, Cornelius,’ said Dumbledore— apparently satisfied that Harry was all right, and walking forwards so that the newcomers realised he was there for the first time (a few of them raised their wands; others simply looked amazed; the statues of the elf and goblin applauded and Fudge jumped so much that his slipper-clad feet left the floor)—'you will find several escaped Death Eaters contained in the Death Chamber, bound by an Anti-Disapparation Jinx and awaiting your decision as to what to do with them.’

‘Dumbledore!’ gasped Fudge, beside himself with amazement. ‘You—here—I—I—’

He looked wildly around at the Aurors he had brought with him and it could not have been clearer that he was in half a mind to cry, ‘Seize him!’

‘Cornelius, I am ready to fight your men—and win, again!’ said Dumbledore in a thunderous voice. ‘But a few minutes ago you saw proof, with your own eyes, that I have been telling you the truth for a year. Lord Voldemort has returned, you have been chasing the wrong man for twelve months, and it is time you listened to sense!’

‘I—don't—well —’ blustered Fudge, looking around as though hoping somebody was going to tell him what to do. When nobody did, he said, ‘Very well—Dawlish! Williamson! Go down to the Department of Mysteries and see ... Dumbledore, you—you will need to tell me exactly—the Fountain of Magical Brethren—what happened?’ he added in a kind of whimper, staring around at the floor, where the remains of the statues of the witch, wizard and centaur now lay scattered.

‘We can discuss that after I have sent Harry back to Hogwarts,’ said Dumbledore.

‘Harry—Harry Potter?’

Fudge wheeled around and stared at Harry, who was still standing against the wall beside the fallen statue that had guarded him during Dumbledore and Voldemort's duel.

‘He—here?’ said Fudge, goggling at Harry. ‘Why—what's all this about?’

‘I shall explain everything,’ repeated Dumbledore, ‘when Harry is back at school.’

He walked away from the pool to the place where the golden wizard's head lay on the floor. He pointed his wand at it and muttered, ‘Portus.’ The head glowed blue and trembled noisily against the wooden floor for a few seconds, then became still once more.

‘Now see here, Dumbledore!’ said Fudge, as Dumbledore picked up the head and walked back to Harry carrying it. ‘You haven't got authorisation for that Portkey! You can't do things like that right in front of the Minister for Magic, you—you—’

His voice faltered as Dumbledore surveyed him magisterially over his half-moon spectacles.

‘You will give the order to remove Dolores Umbridge from Hogwarts,’ said Dumbledore. ‘You will tell your Aurors to stop searching for my Care of Magical Creatures teacher so that he can return to work. I will give you ...’ Dumbledore pulled a watch with twelve hands from his pocket and surveyed it...'half an hour of my time tonight, in which I think we shall be more than able to cover the important points of what has happened here. After that, I shall need to return to my school. If you need more help from me you are, of course, more than welcome to contact me at Hogwarts. Letters addressed to the Headmaster will find me.’

Fudge goggled worse than ever; his mouth was open and his round face grew pinker under his rumpled grey hair.

‘I—you—’

Dumbledore turned his back on him.

‘Take this Portkey, Harry.’

He held out the golden head of the statue and Harry placed his hand on it, past caring what he did next or where he went.

‘I shall see you in half an hour,’ said Dumbledore quietly. ‘One ... two ... three ...’

Harry felt the familiar sensation of a hook being jerked behind his navel. The polished wooden floor was gone from beneath his feet; the Atrium, Fudge and Dumbledore had all disappeared and he was flying forwards in a whirlwind of colour and sound ...