Dolores Umbridge really did jump in anger, but she dared not say anything to Regulus Black. Being compared to Regulus Black was something
Dolores Umbridge really did jump in anger, but she dared not say anything to Regulus Black.
Being compared to Regulus Black was something that truly infuriated her!
Was it her fault she was ugly? Did being ugly mean she shouldn't go out, try to carry herself with more confidence, and walk with her head held high?
"No! Absolutely not! If you're ugly, don't come out and scare people."
If they could shout it out loud, the students of Hogwarts would certainly answer this way.
Unfortunately, no one had that kind of courage anymore. Only the harem around Regulus Black whispered about it in private.
The other students had long been frightened into silence by Dolores Umbridge's cruel methods.
But to Regulus Black, things weren't as simple as they appeared. It made no sense that Umbridge deliberately targeted only boys. Was he supposed to believe she had somehow bundled up all the girls for herself?There was only one explanation: Dolores Umbridge was making trouble for boys on purpose in order to build little cliques around the handsome Harry Potter.
Look at what had happened recently—because of punishments, boys who had no prior connection to Harry Potter now gathered around him, bonded by shared misery and encouraged by his words. After Cedric's death and the disbanding of the Theban Legion, Harry Potter's Army of Salvation had grown even stronger.
Anyone unaware of Harry Potter's true changes might have welcomed this. After all, he bore the title of Savior. Whether he was building influence or giving others a chance to cling to his power, it seemed only natural.
But Regulus Black knew clearly that inside Harry Potter's body, the fragment of Voldemort's soul had already seized dominance. That magic circle engraved on Harry's back was not for decoration.
Taking recent events into account, it was obvious: outside Hogwarts, Voldemort had gathered the last of his Death Eaters, while inside, he was rallying these boys under the banner of the Army of Salvation. He was developing forces on both sides, playing the ultimate double agent!
It was impressive—this world's Voldemort had such patience. After seizing control of Harry Potter's body and restoring his mental dominance, he still managed to return to Hogwarts as a student. No one could have imagined it.
Except for Regulus Black.
Using these boy scouts as fighting strength was laughable. Could a pack of schoolboys possibly rival adult wizards?
Their role was only twofold: either to sabotage at critical moments because they trusted Harry Potter, or to become hostages for him when the time came.
But exams were coming soon. Would Harry Potter really stir up more trouble now?
Daily Prophet Headline:Director of Magical Cooperation, Barty Crouch, found dead in a forest near his home.
"Looks like Minister Fudge will be busy for a while. That director's chair is suddenly vacant. I wonder who will end up with it."
Regulus Black put the newspaper aside after reading the front page.
As he spoke, Dolores Umbridge's expression betrayed her excitement. Though she held the title of Senior Undersecretary, her role was essentially that of a secretary without real power. Just look at how she had fawned over Regulus once he became Director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
She nearly simpered like a toad, until she became Acting Headmistress of Hogwarts—only then did she restrain herself.
A post with real power, like Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, was one people would fight fiercely for.
And Dolores Umbridge did have a chance. She was not only Fudge's favored subordinate—his darling, even—but also a newly risen Death Eater in Voldemort's ranks. Both sides would back her for the position.
Voldemort's method of controlling people, especially key figures, was the Dark Mark—branding them as if marking cattle.
Regulus Black suspected Umbridge had long since been branded. Otherwise, how could one explain her glaringly obvious actions that ended up aiding Harry Potter?
So it was already clear who would take the seat.
After breakfast, with no classes in the morning, Regulus went to his office at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. As usual, a stack of documents awaited his signature. But today, he wasn't alone—Dolores Umbridge was also there.
The pink toad was clearly interested in the vacant director's post. Not long after him, she too arrived at the Ministry.
"Good day, Headmistress. You're at the Ministry as well? Not inspecting Hogwarts today?"
Regulus asked deliberately.
"Oh, hohoho! Regulus! I have some official work at the Ministry today. We can discuss Hogwarts matters when we return."
Dolores gave a smug little laugh, as if victory was already in her grasp.
"Oh, that's right. You're still the Senior Undersecretary. Of course you have work here. Just like me—once I became Director, I had to run back and forth between the Ministry and Hogwarts. Not a spare moment left."
Regulus smiled in acknowledgment. Since becoming Director, he truly had been very busy.
The words carried a hint of boast, but also a reminder: look, standing before you is a Director.
"Your workload must be even heavier, of course. You're a Ministry Director and still teaching at Hogwarts."
Umbridge quickly caught herself, returning to her earlier sycophantic tone.
"I'll be heading back to my office. You must be busy too, so I'll take my leave."
Regulus knew exactly why she had resumed her fawning—she hoped for his support in her promotion. Otherwise, she would have to rely solely on persuading Minister Fudge. Harry Potter's verbal support was worth little in substance.
Support her? What a joke. He would never. Not interfering was generous enough. Why help move her into an even more nauseating position?
Back in his Ministry office, Penelope Clearwater had already prepared the day's files.
Since becoming his secretary, Penelope worked punctually and kept everything impeccably organized. Everyone in the department knew of her relationship with the new Director, but her outstanding performance made them respect her nonetheless.
Seeing the much smaller pile of files compared to yesterday, Regulus felt relieved. Then he chuckled at himself. He was getting too caught up in this work. His focus should remain on his duties as a wizard.
He skimmed through the documents quickly, barely minutes passing before he signed them all.
"When is Director Crouch's funeral?"
Closing the last file, Regulus looked up at his secretary.
"It's today. But people at the Ministry seem more concerned about his position than about him."
Penelope Clearwater, clearly disdainful of such cold-heartedness, remarked that in their eyes, power mattered more than the man.
"Minister Fudge won't attend either? Don't tell me those ambitious candidates have tied him up so he can't leave the Ministry?"
With a mocking tone, Regulus knew that Fudge would indeed be detained today—though not by others, but by his darling.
"Regulus, are you going to attend Crouch's funeral?"
Penelope asked while debating whether she ought to change her clothes. After all, she was dressed to please her lover, not for a funeral.
"Change into something more solemn, something suited for a funeral. We'll go together."
Regulus reached out and brushed his secretary's chest, enjoying the silky texture of her dress.
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09