"Please believe me, Professor Umbridge, I had no intention of hiding anything. In fact, my owl flew to the Ministry of Magic three hours ago."
In the Defence Against the Dark Arts office, Kael looked at the glaring Umbridge and said calmly, "There's a very detailed investigation report, all the news I've recently gathered from Hagrid."
"I hope you're not lying to me," Umbridge said harshly, without her usual coquettish tone.
"Of course not." Kael shook his head, "Had I known you'd return early, I wouldn't have let the owl send the letter to the Ministry of Magic."
Umbridge returned early, storming into the castle with undisguised fury on the afternoon Kael had locked Harry in the Room of Requirement.
"I should never have left the school," Umbridge said through gritted teeth, "Tell me what you've found."
"Someone's been writing to Dumbledore." Kael said calmly, "And not just one, but many people."
Umbridge scrutinized Kael with a searching gaze and slowly nodded upon hearing this. "Seems you haven't lied to me."
"Of course not." Kael asked, "Professor, how did you know about this?"
"You're not the only one in this school," Umbridge said meaningfully, "The Minister wants to see you."
"Wonderful." Kael replied happily, "Are we going to the Ministry of Magic now?"
"Of course, the sooner the better." Umbridge grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and threw it into the fireplace.
"Hurry up, don't let the Minister wait too long."
Kael was slightly surprised.
After all, at Hogwarts, except for the Headmaster's Office, fireplaces elsewhere aren't connected to the Floo Network, including those in the professors' offices.
But Kael quickly realized that if Umbridge wanted to connect the fireplace in her office to the Floo Network, it wouldn't be too difficult.
He calmly stepped into the fireplace and shouted loudly, "Ministry of Magic!"
The next second, Kael found himself in the main hall of the Ministry of Magic, where a whole corridor was lined with fireplaces, and at any moment, Wizards were stepping into them or emerging from them.
Soon, Umbridge arrived too.
"Follow me," she said, then led Kael through the crowded throng, striding towards the elevators without any concealment.
Even at the Ministry of Magic, Umbridge was quite famous, and everyone they encountered along the way would clear a path and greet Umbridge warmly.
Yet out of Umbridge's sight, they instantly wore another look of disdain.
However, Umbridge was oblivious to this; she strode ahead, craning her neck like a charmed toad suffering from stiff neck.
Soon, they arrived at the elevator.
Umbridge chose the one that had just arrived.
Despite many others waiting outside, until the golden grille of the elevator closed, no one else stepped inside... apart from Umbridge and Kael, there was no one else in the elevator.
Judging by Umbridge's demeanor, she seemed well accustomed to this and found nothing amiss.
"Professor, what does the Minister want with me?" Kael couldn't help but ask.
"You'll find out once we get there," Umbridge glanced at Kael, offering no answer.
Kael nodded and refrained from asking further.
With no others around, the elevator quickly reached its destination.
"First floor," said the emotionless female voice, "Minister's Office, including Senior Deputy Minister's Office, Minister's Assistant Office, Logistics Department."
They exited the elevator and walked down the corridor.
Kael noticed an imposing golden door with a plaque reading "Minister's Office." But strangely, Umbridge didn't stop there; she continued onward until they reached the end of the corridor at a door labeled "Tea Room."
Umbridge's previous arrogance vanished, replaced with a fawning demeanor as she approached and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Fudge's voice came from inside.
Once granted permission, Umbridge pushed open the door.
This room, about the size of a classroom at Hogwarts, contained only one person.
"Minister," Umbridge said respectfully.
"Ah, thank you for your hard work, Dolores," Fudge nodded, looking at Kael with a forced smile, "Sorry to summon you during the holidays."
"It's alright, Minister," Kael said sincerely, "I'd much rather engage in something meaningful than endure a boring vacation."
"It's rare to hear such thoughts," Fudge laughed again, more naturally than before.
"Hypocrite," Umbridge muttered inwardly, yet outwardly maintained a cheerful appearance.
"Please, have a seat." Fudge gestured to the seat opposite him, "What would you like to drink, Butter Beer? Or Redcurrant Rum—though you're not quite of age yet, are you?"
"Butter Beer will do."
As soon as Kael spoke, a bottle of Butter Beer appeared on the table before him, clearly a product of the Leaky Cauldron.
"I just received your letter," Fudge said, seemingly casually, "I must say, I've never seen such a large owl. Delex confidently claimed it was a new type of Fantastic Beast."
"Ladon tends to be quite gluttonous, so he's grown rather large," Kael replied with a smile.
"So is everything you wrote in the letter true?" Fudge suddenly asked, "Has there really been frequent correspondence with Dumbledore recently?"