Homecoming from Hogwarts

Harry and the others were quick to react.

However, when they rushed down from the fourth floor to the first floor, the square hall at the entrance of St. Mungo's was already crowded with relatives of the victims, slightly injured people and St. Mungo's nurses.

They only left a small space for Minister Bones, who was dressed solemnly in black, Mad-Eye, who had a bloody bandage on his head.

There was no place to step on the first floor, so they had to stand on the stairs and watch Minister Bones shake hands with the wounded one by one. The noise made it impossible for them to hear what Minister Bones was saying.

"Why is Professor Moody following Minister Bones?"

Harry muttered.

During their month at Grimmauld Place, whenever they called him Professor Mad-Eye, he would shout at them angrily, reminding them that he had never actually taught a single day at Hogwarts.

But people like Harry are still used to calling him professor.

"My situation is that I can only take leave for the time being--"

Sirius' voice suddenly appeared behind them.

"But the Minister's safety is the most important thing, so I asked Alastor to cover for me for a few days."

"What brings Minister Bones here, Sirius?"

Hermione held her chin up.

"Of course it's condolences."

Sirius said,
"We've suffered a great loss, haven't we?"

Many people were waving to Minister Bones, but Harry just watched the scene quietly.

If Cornelius Fudge had been the one to offer condolences, Harry would have thought he was just putting it on show.

Minister Bones was surrounded by the crowd below, with a firm look in her eyes. When she faced the wounded and their families, the sadness and anger in her eyes could not be hidden from many people.

"She looks a lot older than she did during the Triwizard Tournament—"

Ron's sudden sigh also reminded Harry.

Indeed, compared to a month ago.

The wrinkles on Minister Bones' forehead and corners of her eyes became more obvious, and her hair became a lot whiter. She looked like she had aged ten years in this month.

"After all, we are in a time of war, and a tough Minister of Magic needs to bear a lot of pressure and criticism--"

Sirius sighed.

"She shouldn't be here—"

Neville was surprised by Harry's sudden words.

"why?"

"There may be Voldemort's minions here, and they may take the opportunity to attack her."

Harry thought of the Death Eater he had seen here yesterday, who had been recognized by Mrs. Weasley.

This is not groundless speculation, Harry's reminder does have a certain possibility. Sirius frowned when he heard this, and his vigilant eyes swept among the crowd below.

At this moment, a woman holding a child suddenly squeezed out of the crowd and rushed towards Minister Bones desperately!
Mad-Eye was indeed an experienced Auror. Even in such a chaotic environment, he still reacted immediately, took a step sideways, and pointed his wand at the forehead of the witch who was rushing towards him!
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and the noisy people quickly quieted down as if a bucket of cold water was poured on them.

"Come on, Alastor--"

Minister Bones' voice finally reached their ears.

"I believe this lady does not want to harm me, right?" Looking at the witch with a sad expression and the child in her arms who had forgotten to cry because of the tense atmosphere, Minister Bones' resolute brows softened a little.

Pushing Alastor's arm away, under the gaze of the people, Minister Bones gently held the tearful witch's arm holding the child, and asked gently,

"You wanted to say something to me, didn't you, ma'am?"

The witch was obviously of ordinary status. She felt the pressure from everyone's gaze and the sadness in her heart. Facing the Minister of Magic's questions, she could not utter a word and could only sob sadly.

"My--my husband is--is, Kush Tucker, the Minister."

With Minister Bones' constant comfort and encouragement, the tearful witch finally spoke.

Kush Tucker.

Harry had no recollection of the name, and he was sure that Minister Bones had never heard of it either.

Minister Bones did not ask who Kush Tucker was, nor did he need to ask what happened to this unknown wizard. Everything was obvious.

"Your husband must love you and your children very much--"

Minister Bones just took a deep breath and said,
"I believe he went to the battlefield for you and the child, right?"

The witch was crying so hard that Harry had to prick up his ears to barely hear what she was saying incoherently.

"We are all very happy that Kush has become a batsman in the department. We have been living a difficult life before. Woohoo--
Oh, I tried to persuade him not to go, but Kush told me that he should go, to join the resistance, because if You-Know-Who wins, wizards like us will become slaves."

Harry immediately stood in awe of the wizard named Kush Tucker!
"What should I call you, ma'am?"

Minister Bones listened to everything she said, and after a moment's silence, she asked.

"Nami Nami Ross, Minister--"

"Nami--"

Minister Bones let his voice be heard louder.
"First of all, please allow me to express my respect for your husband, Mr. Kush Tucker. There is no doubt that he is a warrior and a hero. Even though he may not be an outstanding wizard, his courage to fight against evil is admirable. The Ministry of Magic is proud to have an employee like Mr. Kush Tucker!"

The lady Nami Rose couldn't even stand, and Alastor and Rufus could only help hold up her arms.

"Secondly, I want to tell you, Nami. Don't worry about your future life.

The Ministry of Magic will reward Mr. Kush Tucker for his bravery, and you will receive a considerable amount of gold, enough to ensure your future life.
Regardless of whether your child is allowed to study at Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic will arrange a well-paid job for her when she grows up."

Minister Bones raised his head, trying hard to suppress his agitated emotions.

“Not only Mr. Kush Tucker, but all the wizards who died on the battlefield yesterday will receive such compensation.

Wizards who participated in the war or were injured and disabled in the war, you are all brave fighters, the Ministry of Magic will award you the Medal of Courage and give you generous bonuses!"

"Bellatrix would be furious if she knew that the gold she inherited was being used by the Ministry of Magic to reward wizards who resisted Voldemort."

Sirius hummed twice with satisfaction.

"Everyone, Mr. Kush Tucker's words tell the wizarding world why we have to fight a war,"

Minister Bones stood up straight, her eyes burning as she looked around at everyone.

"The evil forces will not show mercy because of our surrender, nor will they stop advancing just because we give in.

The real goal of those wizards who have been lurking in the darkness is to dominate our world with hegemony and turn us all into slaves!"

Harry stared at the passionate Minister Bones and felt the blood in his body rushing!
"Everyone, no one wants to see their loved ones die in a war. No one wants to see our prosperous magic world wailing in the flames of war!"

Minister Bones' eyes were filled with anger and his voice was deafening.
"But for ourselves, for our children and grandchildren to be respected, rather than being regarded as slaves in a world dominated by privilege, we must fight to the end. The Ministry of Magic will never surrender to Voldemort!" (End of this chapter)