An oval oak conference table sat in the center of the room. It was massive, yet surrounded by fewer than twenty chairs, making the seating arrangement look sparse. The people occupying these seats were all familiar faces.
They were the real power players from every department—the most influential wizards in the Ministry of Magic. Department Heads, Deputy Heads, the Minister, and the Senior Undersecretary. Most of these faces regularly appeared on the Shadow-Mirror news or the front pages of the Daily Prophet.
Everyone wore the standard black robes of the Ministry, with their department insignias pinned to their chests.
Middle-management employees were relegated to observing from the back. In total, fifty-four people were in attendance, packing the ground-floor conference room of the Ministry to capacity.
This conference room was adjacent to the Minister's office. Expanded internally with the Undetectable Extension Charm, the ceiling connected seamlessly to the floor, featuring an exquisitely carved skylight. Sunlight spilled through the window, casting the Ministry's logo as a shadow onto the table surface.
In the center of the giant 'M' lay a wand, its handle pointing directly at the head of the table—Minister Fudge's seat.
"Middle-management" referred to people like Arthur Weasley and Amos Diggory. Their backless wooden stools were pushed almost into the corners. Sitting in the shadows, Arthur still felt uneasy, clutching his office's report materials tightly.
Past end-of-month meetings usually included a reporting session. theoretically, presenters were chosen at random, but in practice, the departments had reached a consensus to turn it into a showcase for their achievements. Employees selected to present usually saw a promotion soon after.
Arthur hadn't presented in years, nor did he care to. The focus of today's meeting lay in the showdown between Madam Bones and Umbridge, with the outcome determining the fate of Sirius Black's trial.
"Damn it! That's Ludo Bagman from Games and Sports. He's laughing and chatting with Umbridge! He used to smile like that at young female Quidditch fans—did Umbridge slip him a Love Potion?"
Amos lowered his voice. "And Walden Macnair, the executioner for the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. They've really thrown in with Umbridge! Madam Bones might take a hit today. Sirius Black's trial is going to be pushed past Easter."
"Merlin's beard! Am I seeing things? Crouch from International Cooperation—he just exchanged a look with Umbridge! How did that stubborn old mule capitulate too?"
Amos poked Arthur's file folder with his elbow, his face full of indignation.
"Don't jump to conclusions. We don't know the specific agenda yet," Arthur whispered back.
"Can't you guess? What else could it be? Black's trial date, the selection of the Chief Judge... aren't Fudge and Umbridge's attitudes obvious enough? If they control the direction of the trial, even with Dumbledore and Marchbanks in the Wizengamot and half the wizards leaning towards Black, Umbridge can still convict him."
Amos clenched his fist. "Poor fellow. I hope he doesn't have to go back to his old cell in Azkaban."
"Black is an Animagus. He shouldn't have to worry about Dementors, right?"
"Umbridge will definitely find a way to restrict him, to torture him!" Amos said, disgusted by his neighbor's naivety.
"Amos is right!"
An employee in front of them suddenly turned around. It was a dark-skinned, broad-shouldered wizard, accompanied by a young Auror chewing gum. Both were from the Auror Office.
Kingsley Shacklebolt frowned and said, "Azkaban is already preparing. The preliminary plan is regular inspections and modifications to the cells. Every time the Dementors torture the prisoner, personnel will be stationed nearby to watch, ensuring he can't transform to escape."
"Torturing an innocent man over a personal vendetta... are we really going to let them get away with this?" Arthur sighed softly.
Tonks spread her hands. Her hair was black today, a sign her mood wasn't great. She had asked Kingsley many questions that morning, only to be rebuffed with "confidentiality."
"They don't see it as a personal vendetta. Last week when I went to the Minister's office to submit reports, I heard Umbridge brainwashing Fudge, claiming this was to reduce Dumbledore's political influence and reclaim the authority the Ministry has lost."
"It wasn't Dumbledore who made the Ministry lose authority and influence; it was You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters."
Kingsley spoke quietly, "For the sake of power, Fudge and Umbridge are willing to disrupt the Ministry's normal operations and compromise the impartiality of the court. It's not just stupid; it's malicious. Madam Bones can't tolerate it any longer."
"What does that mean..." Amos scratched his head.
Arthur looked just as confused. Kingsley's words were heavy; the focus of this meeting seemed to be more than just the trial.
"Quiet down, please! Colleagues, quiet down!"
Umbridge called out in her sickeningly sweet, high-pitched voice.
The employees present wisely stopped talking. Umbridge hadn't earned the nickname "toad" for nothing; she understood the power of language. While she maintained the facade of a delicate girl, if she targeted you, that high, girlish voice would spew words that sounded normal at first but were filled with malice upon reflection.
It was comparable to a Dark Wizard's curse.
"Colleagues, we are all here. The meeting will now begin. The esteemed Minister Fudge hasn't fully recovered from his cold and his throat is bothering him, so I will continue to chair this meeting."
Umbridge looked around the room. "Madam Bones, Mr. Crouch, and all the esteemed Department Heads here, I am glad you could attend. We moved Monday's regular meeting to today due to an urgent situation. The Shadow-Mirror news report, the Howlers sent this morning—I assume everyone has seen them."
No one responded to her opening remarks. Umbridge had climbed the ladder by stepping on colleagues and sucking up to superiors; aside from Fudge, she had few friends in the Ministry.
"I believe everyone is aware that the insinuations and implications in the report—slandering the Minister and myself for deliberately delaying the trial—are completely baseless libel."
Umbridge covered her mouth and giggled. Her face wasn't young, and crow's feet appeared when she smiled, yet she persisted with the girlish mannerisms, making people wince.
She tossed out several documents regarding the courtroom schedules and case files. From Courtroom One to Ten, the docket looked full, the timing tight, and the reasons legitimate.
"Returning from the Christmas holidays, we had a backlog of urgent cases. The Minister and I worked overtime to review the schedule. We were conscientious and responsible, all for the reputation of the Ministry and to protect the interests of the wizarding populace."
Umbridge shook her head in mock pity. "But some people choose to interpret this with malice and report it publicly, causing negative impact on the Ministry. I think we should take measures to restrict the reckless expansion of the Shadow-Mirror."
"Restrict the Shadow-Mirror?"
Employees from various departments exchanged glances. Was today's agenda not the trial, but targeting the Mirror Club?
"I am still drafting the relevant legislation. Before that, we need to dispel the rumors and publicly try the case of the fugitive Sirius Black and the suspect Peter Pettigrew. We will not let escaping Death Eaters go, nor will we spare criminals who interfere with investigations and break out of prison."
Umbridge spoke with conviction, her expression solemn. One might think she was delivering a speech on high morals.
"Originally, the Minister should appoint the Chief Judge. However, we received a submission from Madam Bones, who seems to have objections and has specifically rallied the Wizengamot... Heh."
She glanced sideways at Madam Bones. "This is actually redundant work. Mr. Fudge is a Minister who listens to opinions, so we are holding this meeting to discuss the candidate for Chief Judge."
No more delaying the trial; going straight to selecting the Chief Judge. It seemed like they were actually following procedure.
A few employees who didn't know the truth looked surprised, momentarily taken in by her act.
"Based on the files submitted by the Department Heads, there are three candidates for Chief Judge. First is Minister Fudge, who intends to handle it personally. When Black and Peter caused the explosion that brutally killed twelve Muggles, Mr. Fudge was working in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. He was a witness to the crime..."
"Next is myself, Dolores Umbridge, currently Senior Undersecretary. I previously served in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and can recite the entire book of wizarding law..."
Umbridge paused slightly. "Finally, Madam Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Madam Bones had no particular reaction to the suitably abbreviated introduction. She nodded calmly.
"Let's vote."
"Wait a moment!"
Umbridge glared at her viciously, reclaiming control of the conversation. "I want to emphasize here: Department Heads will consolidate internal opinions. Each department has only one vote."
The room was silent for two seconds, then filled with the murmur of low conversation.
There wasn't really anything to discuss. The opinions of middle management didn't matter; the result was decided before the meeting even started. The voting was just a formality. They huddled together mostly to gossip.
Arthur, Amos, and Tonks sat next to each other, whispering bad things about Umbridge.
Ludo Bagman suddenly leaned over. "You guys don't know, do you? Umbridge is much shrewder than you think! Fudge wants to be Chief Judge. She's not only helping him whip votes but also nominated herself, just so Fudge feels a greater sense of accomplishment when he wins!"
He had sharp blonde hair, and his nose was somewhat flat from a serious Quidditch collision in his youth. Despite his age, his blue eyes still sparkled, his complexion was ruddy, and his cheerful personality made him look like an overgrown boy.
Although he had once been involved with Death Eaters, it didn't affect his position as Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He was very popular in the Ministry.
Tonks couldn't help but retort, "You were laughing with her just now. Did she buy you off too?"
"Well..." Bagman chuckled.
Seeing his tacit admission, Arthur and Amos glared at him angrily.
Kingsley, however, didn't seem to mind and even teased, "After joining the Mirror Club, reselling match footage, opening your own betting pools, and paying off your debts... your pockets aren't lacking Galleons anymore. What did they use to buy you? Umbridge's beauty?"
Bagman shuddered. "My nose is smashed, not my eyes! And my brain isn't broken!"
"Then what was it?" Tonks couldn't help asking.
"Isn't the Quidditch World Cup next year? The final is being held in Britain. Umbridge convinced the World Cup Committee for me. All commercial activities outside the matches will be fully managed by the Department of Sports—meaning me."
"With an event that big, is your brain enough to handle it?" Tonks stared at him suspiciously.
Bagman glared back and huffed, deciding not to argue with the junior Auror.
Kingsley thought for a moment and asked, "Was this something Professor Levent wanted?"
"Shhh..."
Bagman quickly hushed him. He didn't confirm or deny, muttering something vague about trade secrets that couldn't be revealed as he walked away.
Arthur and Amos stood frozen. Tonks' eyes went wide, and she sucked in a cold breath. Her Metamorphmagus abilities slipped slightly, changing her eye color.
Professor Levent accepted Umbridge's bribe for profit?
Did he betray Dumbledore?
If he's on Umbridge's side, why did the Shadow-Mirror news report the truth of the case?
The corner of the room fell into dead silence. The inadvertently leaked news shocked the three of them. Although they had thought they understood the meeting's content last night, their clear thinking now seemed clouded by a fog. The tangled web of interests was impossible to see clearly or untangle.
Arthur and Amos looked at each other in silence. No wonder they hadn't been promoted in all these years; their thinking was still too simple.
Fifteen minutes later.
Umbridge cleared her throat and began tallying the votes:
"Department of Magical Law Enforcement: Amelia Bones."
"Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes: Minister Fudge."
"Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures: Minister Fudge."
"Department of International Magical Cooperation: Abstain."
"Department of Magical Transportation: Abstain."
"Department of Magical Games and Sports: Minister Fudge."
"Department of Mysteries: Abstain."
"..."
The middle-management staff looked surprised. The gap in votes was even wider than expected. Of the seven departments, only Law Enforcement voted for Bones. The female Department Head seemed to have prepared nothing, merely submitting a proposal to nominate herself as Chief Judge.
Arthur clutched his files tightly. The face of the young professor floated in his mind, and he felt a wave of anxiety.
Regardless of Professor Levent's arrangements or how many backroom deals were behind the case, was Sirius really going to be the sacrificial lamb?
Such a gentle and kind professor... has he been corrupted by Dark Magic? How could he do such a thing?
At the head of the table, Madam Bones showed little expression. Crouch looked down as if it had nothing to do with him. Bagman was grinning. The other Department Heads who voted looked up, exchanging smiles with the Minister.
"Three to one. The result is clear."
Umbridge made no attempt to hide the triumph on her face, her grin stretching wider than usual. "Minister Fudge will serve as Chief Judge. I trust he will deliver a fair and just verdict."
Polite but unenthusiastic applause rang out in the conference room.
Tonks shot a slightly nervous look at her boss, Kingsley. Kingsley shook his head slightly, signaling her not to worry.
"Now, moving on to the second agenda item."
Madam Bones's crisp voice echoed through the conference room like a thunderclap:
"Regarding the proposal to remove Cornelius Fudge from the position of Minister and Dolores Umbridge from the position of Senior Undersecretary."
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