Rufus Scrimgeour pondered for a long while. During this time, Judy Fox's hopeful expression and Regulus Black's comforting demeanor—while the two of them kept showing off their affection—made it clear they did not see Rufus Scrimgeour as an outsider at all.
"I can recommend Miss Judy Fox to take over my position. The problem is, it has to wait until I step down first."
Rufus Scrimgeour had no desire to see Regulus lean toward that old toad.
If he refused, Regulus would assume the toad's chances of winning were higher. For the sake of advantage, he would then congratulate the toad in advance, boosting his odds even further. In the end, the snowball would grow larger and the toad would inevitably secure the position.
Even just preventing this outcome was worth doing.
So Rufus Scrimgeour agreed, though he would not yet relinquish his post as Head of the Auror Office.
"Rufus! Your worry is unnecessary. I would never make such an unreasonable demand. When have you ever seen me do such a thing? I'm going to the Minister's office right now—care to come along?"
Regulus Black extended the invitation and at the same time pulled back Judy Fox, who had wanted to leave. How could he possibly attend without a beauty at his side? And while at it, he might as well secure her position too.
The Minister's office was crowded today, but very few were of true importance. Perhaps Dolores Umbridge, as Senior Undersecretary, counted as one. Most of the others were simply there to test the waters, cautiously observing and speculating.
The secretaries outside thought the day's business might soon end—until they saw Regulus Black arrive, accompanied by the Head of the Auror Office and a beautiful female Auror.
Two high-ranking Ministry officials showing up together—what did this mean? It seemed the first candidate for the vacant post was about to emerge. Who would it be?
"Regulus! I didn't expect you to come. Don't tell me you're also interested in the position of Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation? Oh, I nearly forgot—you were fully involved in the Triwizard Tournament, from drafting the rules to crafting the magical items. Almost everything was your responsibility, and the whole event was a splendid success, if not for the… accident at the end."
Minister Cornelius Fudge winced at the memory of that "accident." Why had it happened? Why did Voldemort have to return?
Couldn't he have chosen another time to capture Harry Potter for his resurrection? Why during the Tournament?
It had been a nightmare. Fudge had not even realized what was happening at the time, and afterward, the memory haunted him.
He couldn't even accuse Harry Potter of fabricating it all, because Harry's transformation into a fusion with Voldemort had proven the truth beyond question. Both had stood before the world together, undeniable.
"Yes, Minister. That was indeed an accident. And now we face another one. Director Barty Crouch has died—an untimely and unexpected death. Of course, we will eventually uncover the truth of it. But his post cannot remain vacant while we wait."
Regulus Black had no intention of contradicting Cornelius Fudge. The increasingly paranoid Minister viewed anyone who opposed him as an enemy. To gain his approval, one had to follow his reasoning.
Cedric's death? If Fudge called it an accident, then it was an accident.
Thus, Regulus easily secured the post of Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
And now, Barty Crouch's death? Another accident, naturally.
So why not place his own recommended candidate in the empty seat? And while at it, elevate his woman to the newly opened post as well.
"You are right, Regulus. No one understands and supports me like you do. I've decided to let you take this position. I know you will do it well."
Minister Fudge clasped Regulus's hand in excitement. This was not quite what Rufus had imagined.
"Please, wait a moment, Minister. Can one person hold two departmental head positions at once?"
Regulus Black reminded him that he already held one.
"Ah… what should we do then? Even if you take over as Head of International Cooperation, the Magical Creatures department would be left empty. Unless… I sign a special decree giving you authority over both."
Suddenly, Fudge remembered—he had the authority to issue special decrees! It was only paperwork. Why not sign it?
"Forgive me, Minister Fudge. I'm grateful for your trust, but I don't wish to see you criticized. I've come today to recommend a worthy candidate for Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Rufus Scrimgeour has the credentials and the strength to assume this post. What the Ministry needs most is a figure of unquestionable fairness, and he is the best choice."
Regulus Black strongly endorsed Rufus Scrimgeour, presenting him as the most suitable candidate of all.
Rufus Scrimgeour could only stare in shock at their exchange. How highly Cornelius Fudge regarded Regulus Black!
To even consider issuing a special decree allowing him to head two departments—surely Regulus was his beloved ai-chan, not just his ai-jiang. Absolutely ai-chan, not ai-jiang.
Though shaken by the degree of trust between them, Rufus Scrimgeour could not help but feel a bit of anticipation at soon becoming part of this inner circle, despite all his past disputes with Cornelius Fudge.
"If Rufus Scrimgeour becomes Head of International Magical Cooperation, what about the Auror Office?"
Minister Fudge was already convinced. Gazing at Rufus's stern, lion-like face, he began to consider the now-vacant Auror Office Chief's position.
"Judy Fox, a captain in the Auror Department. She may be young, but her ability can be vouched for by Rufus Scrimgeour. Once he assumes his new post, she can take over as Head of the Auror Office."
Regulus Black pointed at Judy Fox, neatly laying out the entire reshuffling plan.
Once the three sat down, Judy Fox took on the role of attendant, pouring tea for them.
"It's not that I disagree, Regulus. But Judy is still quite young. Unless she has made some major contribution, it will be difficult to justify giving her such a position."
Fudge, though fraying at the edges of sanity, had not completely lost his grasp of reality. After studying Judy for a while, he raised the issue.
"Minister Fudge, do you mean a public contribution, or a private one?"
Regulus Black gestured for them to enjoy their tea.
"Preferably public—an extraordinary achievement or exceptional ability acknowledged by many departments. But if it's private, as long as it earns the Ministry's discreet recognition, it still counts as a major contribution."
That Fudge spoke this plainly showed he had no intention of hiding his terms.
"Then consider this: The Auror Office committed a grave oversight at Azkaban. Barty Crouch Jr. escaped for over a year without detection. It wasn't until I recently saw him myself that I alerted Judy Fox to investigate Azkaban again, where she confirmed the truth. We covered up this gross dereliction of duty together. Does that not qualify as a major contribution?"
Regulus Black sipped his tea again. Fudge's black tea was exquisite—smooth as silk on the tongue, almost like milk, though no milk had been added.
"How could such a thing happen?"
Rufus Scrimgeour was immediately agitated. This had occurred under his tenure.
"It's no longer your concern, Rufus. Focus on preparing to assume the International Cooperation post. The handling of this grave oversight will go down as the new Auror Chief's accomplishment."
Regulus Black's cold gaze froze Rufus Scrimgeour mid-motion as he had been about to stand. Scrimgeour slowly sank back into his seat.
"Since Barty Crouch Jr. is already dead in Azkaban, all we need to do is make sure he is even more thoroughly dead."
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