Chapter 1258 The Ministry of Magic’s Counterattack

Unlike the political power in the non-magical world, the positioning of schools in magical society is quite special.

Due to multiple restrictions on region, language, and wizard population, most magic schools have a transcendent status.

This is especially true for Hogwarts. During the period when Dumbledore was the principal, Hogwarts became the top magic school in the world.

Most of the previous changes in government and implementation of government orders by the British Ministry of Magic required Dumbledore's opinion to be "politely" sought.

This is not only because the other party is the most powerful wizard in the contemporary era, at least half of the reasons come from his identity as the principal of Hogwarts.

To this day, all the British Ministry of Magic, from ministers to new employees, are Dumbledore's students without exception.

With Dumbledore's sudden departure, a "new era" came to the Ministry of Magic.

"The post-Dumbledore era" - this is what Cornelius Fudge calls this new era.

"Hogwarts cannot be without a headmaster for long, there is no doubt about that."

Ministry of Magic, Office of the Minister.

Cornelius Fudge put his hands on the table and looked around, with a hint of uncontrollable excitement in his voice.

"I propose to pass Educational Order No. 27: When the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts is 'de facto' vacant, the Ministry of Magic will temporarily appoint a Guidance Headmaster."

"During the temporary absence of Professor Dumbledore, I will act as the principal to handle affairs and coordinate the work of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Connelly felt that his hands were sweating. He never thought that the Ministry of Magic would have a chance to take over Hogwarts during his tenure.

"I don't know what you think, but if there's no problem -"

"Well, Minister Fudge, maybe we need to discuss this carefully."

At this moment, Amelia Bones, the director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, coughed lightly.

She took out a brief letter from her arms and handed it to Fudge.

"Dumbledore left a message before he left, hoping that the Vice-Principal, Professor Minerva McGonagall, would be temporarily in charge of Hogwarts affairs..."

"Oh, thanks for the reminder, Amelia—in fact, I received that note too."

Cornelius Fudge raised his hand to take the envelope, opened it, glanced at it quickly, and put it on the table with disapproval.

"Of course, in the temporary absence of Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, as the 'Vice Principal', is naturally the current coordinator of Hogwarts."

"But this only applies in emergencies and we are talking about a relatively long time frame - clearly we have an exceptional situation:"

"The official principal has not retired, so the 'vice principal' is still the 'vice principal'. We cannot directly regard her as the official principal, and Professor McGonagall also has quite a lot of teaching tasks and research projects. Although I don't really want to do this "But as the Minister of Magic, I have to question Professor McGonagall's energy and time..."

Connelly emphasized the word "Vice Principal" and nodded slightly towards Umbridge, who was not far away.

"Ahem——"

The next moment, Umbridge's somewhat artificial coughing sounded in the office.

She stood out from the shadows, a slight smirk on her pale, plump face.

"Oops, dear Director Bones, you may not have seen the Hogwarts faculty investigation report I submitted."

Umbridge opened her satchel, took out a flat hardboard clipboard, and quickly flipped through it a few times.

"Minerva McGonagall, a former member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, had an unusual relationship with her boss, Elphistone Uquiart."

"After investigation and evidence collection, she was given an unusual promotion opportunity, but at Dumbledore's invitation she chose to leave the Ministry of Magic and go to Hogwarts."

"During her time at Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall received extraordinary support from Dumbledore, including taking over as Head of Gryffindor and Professor of Transfiguration. Even her position as Deputy Headmistress was appointed by Dumbledore. With Lido’s recommendation, I have reasonable grounds to question how much of Ms. McGonagall’s series of promotions came from her own actual abilities.”

Umbridge coughed slightly, and the smile on her lips became more obvious, like a large toad that had seen a fly.

"As the investigation deepened, I was surprised to find that Ms. McGonagall seemed to have more identities-"

"First of all, she is a core member of Dumbledore's secret army, the Order of the Phoenix."

"In addition to this, her husband died unexpectedly after three years of marriage - the cause of death was the bite of a venomous tentacle, but curiously, the deceased was Elphistone Uquiart."

"I'm sorry, Umbridge...ma'am. I have to interrupt you."

Amelia Bones raised her eyebrows high, disapproval flashing behind her monocle.

"With all due respect, I really don't see the connection between what you said. If you want to imply that Professor McGonagall is involved in 'murder', you might as well just say so."

"However, I must remind you that this is a very serious and high-stakes accusation, especially as it involves the personal reputations of many well-known wizards."

"Oh - of course, of course, I didn't accuse or imply anyone..."

Umbridge rolled her ugly swollen eyes, showed a formulaic fake smile, and said sweetly.

"I mean, there are still a lot of doubts about Minerva McGonagall, for example, about Peter Pettigrew—"

"Oh, Peter Pettigrew? What's going on?!"

"He's an unregistered animagus, right?"

Umbridge flipped through her notebook, her eyes shining with evil pleasure.

"I checked the records and found that Peter Pettigrew's transfiguration professor happened to be Minerva McGonagall."

"The master of Animagus is known in the contemporary magic world. Judging from basic magic knowledge, it is extremely difficult to learn the transformation of Animagus on his own."

"Even McGonagall completed the Animagus transformation with the assistance and guidance of Dumbledore. In fact, I have found some clues - there are more than a few illegal Animagus under her guidance over the years. Peter Dwarf alone, if these accusations are proven, Minerva McGonagall will face full charges from the Ministry of Magic. That should be the case, Director Bones?

"After all, this is a very serious illegal act... Or, Director Bones, are you willing to use your reputation to vouch for her?"

"I--"

Amelia Bones opened her mouth, but finally said nothing and exhaled heavily.

"Okay, then if Professor McGonagall is temporarily doubtful, who can the Ministry of Magic find better suited to coordinate and coordinate Hogwarts than her?"

She was silent for a moment, her eyes fell on Umbridge's plump and slack face, and she asked with a hint of sarcasm.

"Do you want to recommend yourself? You seem to be quite controversial now..."

"Why not--"

Umbridge shook her fingers triumphantly, preparing to pursue the victory.

However, before she could finish speaking, Cornelius Fudge suddenly spoke.

"You are right, Amelia - Dolores' identity is the senior advisor of the 'Guidance Principal'."

Connelly ignored Umbridge's surprised gaze and continued calmly.

"The 'Guidance Headmaster' sent by the Ministry of Magic is someone else."

"Someone else?!"

"who?!"

"Rufus, Mr. Rufus Scrimgeour."

Connelly pulled a newspaper from his desk and spread it out on the desk.

"This is the first page of the Daily Prophet tomorrow. The attack on the Ministry of Magic must be explained to the public."

"And the Auror Office has lost a lot of information about wizard residences. Under these circumstances, I don't think he is suitable to continue to serve as director."

"I have communicated with Scrimgeour. During this period, he will go to Hogwarts Castle to take charge of the work. As for the Auror office, Kingsley will temporarily take over."

"In addition, Mr. Scrimgeour will also recruit some Aurors and officials to return to Hogwarts with Dolores."

Cornelius Fudge nodded towards Umbridge and tapped his fingers on the newspaper.

"Hogwarts is a little weird right now. You guys should take the opportunity to investigate-"

"As for external public opinion, I will help you deal with it one by one."

"Oh, and...don't mess with that Kaslana."

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