#269 - Chapter 269: Sharing the Minister's Worries

After numerous news media reports, even wizards who hadn't watched the match live knew about the Hogwarts students' brave fight against the Dementors.

In an instant, the entire wizarding world was ignited by this shocking event.

Wizards discussed it animatedly, whether in the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley or at the dinner tables of wizarding families; almost everyone was talking about this thrilling battle.

In various wizarding families, many parents of students watched the replays on television with pride.

They eagerly wrote letters to relatives and friends, recounting their children's heroic deeds, with some parents even exaggerating, claiming their children had led the charge in repelling the Dementors.

However, as the excitement gradually subsided, a sense of lingering fear quietly spread.

"Dementors dared to attack students; what utter lawlessness!"

"What exactly is the Ministry of Magic doing, allowing such a thing to happen!"

The parents' anger began to spread, directed squarely at the Ministry of Magic.

This wave of anger reached its peak on Monday, with countless Howlers flooding into the Ministry of Magic.

Chaos reigned everywhere, with the Minister's office being the hardest hit.

"Fudge, you pea-brained, incompetent Minister, actually letting Dementors attack students!"

"Incapable fellow, don't expect a single vote in the next election!"

"The children were scared pale; they are the future of our wizarding world. You, you fool, should resign!"

"If you can't be Minister, then step down and give the position to someone more capable!"

Fudge stood in his office, the insults from the Howlers echoing in his ears like thunder, making his head throb.

"Damn it, it's not my fault the Dementors are disobedient! I didn't order them to attack the students!"

Fudge's face flushed red with anger as he paced back and forth in the small space, his forehead veins bulging, curses spilling from his mouth.

Amid the chaos, a pink figure stood quietly outside Fudge's office door, incongruous with the surrounding uproar.

Listening to Fudge's roars and the sound of things being smashed inside the office, Umbridge subtly curled the corners of her lips, contemplating how to exploit this incident to her advantage.

This was an excellent opportunity!

An opportunity to showcase her abilities and further consolidate her position within the Ministry of Magic.

Currently, Fudge was in the throes of emotional turmoil, and the Ministry of Magic was also facing a public backlash.

As long as she used a little tact to help Fudge overcome this difficult situation, she could openly become the savior of the Ministry of Magic.

Just as Fudge was about to lose his mind in anger, Umbridge gently knocked on the door and walked in.

"Minister," Umbridge said, wearing her signature smile, "I have a way to resolve the current crisis."

Fudge turned around sharply, knowing Umbridge was skilled at handling crises; perhaps she had a way to deal with the current situation.

"Umbridge, what suggestions do you have?"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Umbridge's eyes: "Everyone is currently focused on the issue of the Dementors entering Hogwarts."

"We might as well start there and reverse the public opinion in our favor."

Fudge asked eagerly, as if grasping at a life raft, "Tell me, how do we reverse public opinion?"

For an entire morning, the Ministry of Magic's daily affairs had almost ground to a halt due to the numerous Howlers.

More importantly, this incident had greatly reduced the credibility of the entire Ministry of Magic, and the public's aversion to the Ministry had reached its peak.

He desperately needed to do something to restore his image.

Umbridge wore a confident smile on her face, hinting gently, "Minister, think about why the Dementors were sent to Hogwarts in the first place?"

"I can go to Hogwarts to 'investigate' and confirm the facts."

"Are you saying..." A look of realization appeared on Fudge's face.

Good idea!

In this way, the nature of the incident would be completely changed.

The Dementors would no longer be the culprits who attacked the students but would be diligently fulfilling their duties.

They had merely discovered Sirius Black's trail and a misunderstanding arose during the pursuit.

Dumbledore not only didn't appreciate it but even allowed the students to attack Ministry of Magic employees, resulting in the deaths of many Dementors in the line of duty.

Once the public understood this fact, they would realize that the Ministry of Magic was the victim.

At that time, the image of the Minister of Magic enduring humiliation and bearing the burden would be deeply rooted in people's hearts.

This Umbridge, as expected of his trusted aide, knew how to handle things.

Thinking of this, Fudge immediately ordered Umbridge to go to Hogwarts, instructing her to make sure this matter became an ironclad case.

Having received Fudge's approval, Umbridge arrived at Hogwarts with great enthusiasm, but before even entering the gates of Hogwarts, she felt insulted.

"Are you saying that I, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, need your permission and some visitor's pass to enter Hogwarts?"

Umbridge's face was ashen as she reprimanded Filch, who had opened the gates of Hogwarts.

"Open your dog eyes and see, I am here on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, where do you get the audacity to stop me?"

These rude fellows, sending a Squib to greet her was already bad enough, but now they wouldn't even let her in.

Saying that, she pushed Filch aside and strode towards the campus.

"Get out of the way! If you delay the Ministry of Magic's business, I'll have you thrown into Azkaban!"

To Umbridge's surprise, as soon as she stepped into the Hogwarts grounds, a piercing alarm sounded.

Her face turned completely gloomy, she stopped and looked at Filch with a sinister gaze.

What did this mean!

Did they think she was an intruder?

"Senior Undersecretary," Filch said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, Professor McGonagall already knows about your arrival."

"She will be here soon and personally issue you a visitor's pass."

Umbridge ignored Filch until she saw Professor McGonagall's figure, then she put on her professional smile again and said sarcastically.

"Professor McGonagall, sorry to intrude, I didn't expect that even visiting Hogwarts required a visitor's pass, otherwise I wouldn't even be able to enter the gate."

Professor McGonagall said sternly, "This is an upgraded defense system for the safety of the students; strangers entering need to apply for a permit."

Saying that, she took out a visitor's pass and said to Umbridge, "Take out your wand, tap it lightly on this pass, then put the pass away, and you can enter the school with me."

"I am the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic," Umbridge raised her eyebrows, "Do I also need to apply for a permit?"

"Of course, even if Minister Fudge comes, he needs to apply for a visitor's pass," Professor McGonagall waved her wand to stop the surrounding alarm.

"Unless you want to hear this piercing sound wherever you go, you need to apply for a visitor's pass."

Umbridge's smile faded.

Good, good, a compliance test, is it.

Clearly, they could control these alarms, but they insisted on making her apply for a pass.

They were not taking her seriously!

This was blatant contempt for the Ministry of Magic!

Minister Fudge was indeed right, everyone at Hogwarts, starting with the Headmaster, was lawless.

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