Early the next morning, as Cornelius Fudge yawned his way into the Ministry of Magic and approached the door to his office, he immediately spotted someone waiting outside: Barty Crouch.
Seeing Barty Crouch—who had always carried himself with pride and hardly concealed his disdain for Fudge—gave the Minister a jolt. But then, as though recalling something, Fudge's expression shifted into a feigned smile. He hurriedly extended both hands and greeted:
"Oh! Barty Crouch! Waiting here so early—do you have business with me?"
Crouch offered a quick, perfunctory handshake before retracting his hand. As Fudge opened the office door and the two stepped inside, Crouch spoke without delay:
"Minister Fudge, it's like this. Of late, perhaps owing to age, I've found many of my duties increasingly taxing. So, I've come today to bid farewell."
Upon hearing those words, Fudge was inwardly overjoyed. He even gave Lucius Malfoy a silent nod of approval in his mind. Outwardly, however, he maintained a mask of puzzlement and asked:
"Farewell? You mean a holiday? Some time away to relax? That wouldn't be such a bad idea. Things have indeed been rather hectic at the Ministry of late. If I weren't bound by the obligations of being the Minister for Magic, I might have taken a break myself!"
But Crouch replied without the slightest shift in expression:
"No, Minister. I'm afraid you've misunderstood. I've come to formally resign my position as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I must ask you to appoint a suitable successor."
Fudge struggled not to burst into laughter. Instead, he pulled a face of astonishment and said:
"Merlin's beard, Barty! This... this is all so sudden! I can hardly believe it! You've always been the backbone of the Ministry—how can you simply walk away?"
Unable to contain himself any longer, Fudge turned his back to Crouch and indulged in a broad grin for several moments. Composing his face once more, he turned back around and said with affected regret:
"Are you absolutely sure, Barty? I daresay you've got another ten years in you yet, easily!"
But Crouch merely shook his head and replied firmly:
"No, Minister. My mind is made up. I respectfully ask you to accept my resignation."
Realizing that Crouch was resolute, Fudge finally relaxed and made a token gesture of persuasion:
"Well then, how about this? If your health isn't what it once was, perhaps a less demanding post would suit you better. What would you say to leading the Department of Magical Games and Sports?"
At that, a rare smile flickered across Barty Crouch's face. He nodded swiftly and said:
"Well, if you're so keen for me to stay, it would be rather ungracious of me to refuse. Very well then—Magical Games and Sports it is. I'll carry on there for a few more years."
Fudge froze on the spot, momentarily at a loss for words.
Still, since it was his own suggestion, it would have been awkward to backpedal. Forcing a smile, he said:
"Excellent! Having you stay on is a great boon to the Ministry, truly! Ha ha…"
As he watched Barty Crouch leave, Fudge cursed inwardly: Clever old fox.
When the various Ministry officials filed into the meeting room later that day, small groups gathered to exchange hushed conversations about the day's big news: Gilderoy Lockhart's proposal to open a new bank.
Just then, accompanied by Dolores Umbridge, Cornelius Fudge entered the room at a brisk pace. As soon as he was seated, he clapped his hands and said:
"Alright, everyone—quiet down, the meeting is now in session."
But before he could continue, Scrimgeour—the stern Head of the Auror Office—stood and said:
"Minister, Mr. Crouch appears to have been delayed. Shall we wait for him before proceeding?"
Fudge's brow furrowed at once. He felt betrayed by Scrimgeour's words.
In a cold tone, he replied:
"Ah, yes. That brings me neatly to a new personnel change I'd like to announce."
Fudge rose to his feet and addressed the room:
"This morning, our esteemed Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Mr. Barty Crouch, formally tendered his resignation."
Gasps rippled through the room as the gathered witches and wizards murmured among themselves.
Fudge, secretly smirking inside, raised a hand to restore order and continued:
"However, after my repeated appeals, Mr. Crouch has agreed to stay on for the time being. He will now serve as Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."
Before anyone could voice further reaction, Fudge added:
"As for the now-vacant position of Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, after careful consideration, I have decided to appoint Thomas Vole, current head of the Floo Network Office and former Auror Office head, to the post!"
A fresh wave of chatter erupted at once.
Just then, Umbridge opened the meeting room doors—and in strode Thomas Vole, freshly discharged from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Clad in a long cloak and wearing a proper wizard's hat, he exuded the classic aura of an Auror.
At the same time, Fudge stepped forward and proclaimed:
"I believe it's only fitting that we offer a round of applause to welcome Thomas Vole back to the Ministry, fully recovered!"
A smattering of applause followed—somewhat hesitant, as many were still reeling from the news.
From the relative obscurity of managing the Floo Network to now becoming one of the most powerful figures in the Ministry, Thomas Vole's rise could only be described as meteoric.
He strode confidently to stand beside Scrimgeour—taking the very seat once occupied by Barty Crouch. Nearby, Christine looked on in shock as Vole prepared to sit.
Fudge's lips curled into a small smile as he added:
"Now then—I propose we give one more round of applause for Thomas Vole, whose valor at Gringotts in repelling the Alliance was nothing short of heroic. In that moment, he stood as a shield for us all, defending the honour of the Ministry with his very life!"
The applause this time was thunderous.
Fudge smiled with deep satisfaction.
And Thomas Vole smiled too.
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