Chapter 314: Ministry of Magic Spokesperson Umbridge
Lupin watched Fudge and the Aurors arrive again, as expected, and took a deep breath, afraid he wouldn't be able to resist the urge to mock them, much like Snape would.
Although he had learned from various sources that the current Minister of Magic was highly incompetent, facing him in person still made Lupin's blood pressure rise.
"Sirius has gone to track down Peter Pettigrew."
Lupin patiently said, trying to keep his tone gentle:
"Even though you yourself have admitted there are doubts about the case, and that Sirius is innocent... he hopes to catch Peter Pettigrew himself for revenge."
"What?! Does he have a lead on Peter Pettigrew? How did he get it? How can he guarantee he'll catch Peter Pettigrew?"
Fudge demanded loudly, his small eyes glinting slyly, as if to say—Finally, I've caught you red-handed.
Lupin inhaled and exhaled again.
"Sirius didn't guarantee that; he just hopes he can catch him! He's putting his utmost effort into this—while your Ministry of Magic is completely helpless with an escaped convict!"
Lupin couldn't help but scoff.
He had already realized that Fudge was not only unintelligent but also stubborn.
Fudge had a preconceived answer in his mind, and no matter the situation, he would desperately try to fit it to that answer.
So, no matter what Lupin said, Fudge would interpret it as "Sirius colluding with Pettigrew" and then independently form a self-consistent explanation.
As expected, Fudge said suspiciously, "Hmm? How can you be sure he's really trying to apprehend him rather than trying to cover for him? I've heard stories about your time at school; apparently, Sirius has been lawless and caused a lot of trouble since he started Hogwarts..."
Lupin's anger flared, and he raised an eyebrow, saying, "Minister, do you think you know Sirius better than I do? He is—"
*"Knock, knock, knock!"*
A sudden knock on the door interrupted Lupin. Everyone fell silent, and then they saw Harry, who had been quiet until now, run to open the door.
"Wade!"
His surprised voice came from the doorway.
"Haven't seen you in a few days, Harry. This is a gift I brought you from America."
Wade handed Harry a colorful jar of candy and asked, "Where are Remus and Sirius?"
"Um... Sirius went out, Remus is home."
Harry didn't understand what he meant and answered cautiously.
"I brought them gifts too..."
Wade entered, saw the people in the living room, and acted as if he had just realized what was happening, saying in surprise, "Sorry, I didn't know you were entertaining guests."
"No, Minister Fudge is here to take Sirius to investigate and—"
Lupin hadn't finished speaking before Fudge cut him off.
"Wade! So good to see you!"
The plump Minister raised his voice and walked forward to shake hands. "I must say, the Streaming Mirror is truly an amazing invention! And the Book of Friends—no Wizard can live without it now!"
"Hello, Minister," Wade said politely, shaking his hand.
"Hahaha, I wanted to say this back at Hogwarts, but I never had the chance," Fudge said with a beaming smile. "It's such a waste to use a product like the Streaming Mirror just for broadcasting those childish matches. I believe it should play a greater role in promoting Ministry of Magic policies..."
He had wanted to get acquainted with this young, talented Alchemist for a long time, but unfortunately, he never had the opportunity. Even when he was at Hogwarts last time, he couldn't find a moment to talk.
Running into Wade unexpectedly at the Black Family home was like a large cake falling before a hungry person for Fudge. He immediately pushed Sirius to the side, and his attitude instantly became kind and enthusiastic.
"Actually, we've had similar thoughts, but we weren't sure if the Ministry of Magic would find it offensive for reporters to record with the Streaming Mirror..."
Wade said with a smile, then added with a hint of anticipation, "If you don't mind, could you arrange for Ms. Umbridge to collaborate with us on promotions?"
"Umbridge?"
Fudge's smile stiffened slightly. "You know Umbridge?"
His first thought was, Umbridge knew I wanted to meet Wade Gray, so why didn't she introduce us?
Then he heard Wade's explanation—
"No, I've met Ms. Umbridge twice, but she probably doesn't know me."
"Who's Umbridge?"
Harry was confused and couldn't help but quietly ask Lupin.
Lupin wasn't sure either, but Wade heard his question, turned, and said with a smile:
"She's a Senior Undersecretary at the Ministry of Magic. I hear she excelled in school and has performed exceptionally well since joining the Ministry, rising through the ranks. She's now just one step away from becoming Minister!"
The many Aurors present, who were well aware that Umbridge had only been promoted by insincerely flattering superiors and taking credit for others' work, showed strange expressions.
"And Ms. Umbridge is also very elegant, gentle, and full of childlike wonder," Wade continued.
"She loves cats very much—although I haven't spent time with her, people who love cats are usually kind-hearted, open-minded, and very responsible. Ms. Umbridge must be like that too, right?"
At this point, Harry, who didn't know Umbridge at all, took Wade's words at face value. Imagining a noble and gentle lady in his mind, he said with longing,
"That sounds really good—too bad I've never met her."
"You'll definitely get the chance someday! Maybe she'll even appear on the Streaming Mirror in a couple of days!" Wade said.
The Aurors: "..."
Please stop, we're about to vomit.
Did the person these two children were talking about have even a Knut's worth of resemblance to the tyrannical, arrogant, cold-blooded, control-freak pink toad they knew?
Lupin saw the expressions on the others' faces and vaguely felt that something wasn't right with what Wade was saying, though he couldn't figure out Wade's purpose.
As for Fudge, even though Umbridge was "one of his own," he felt as disgusted as if he'd swallowed a fly.
Especially when he heard Wade's next words:
"—I believe Madam Umbridge has a great chance of becoming the next Minister. With her abilities, she certainly wouldn't be inferior to Minister Millicent Bagnold!"
"Minister Fudge, don't you agree? I hear Madam Umbridge is your capable subordinate; you must know her abilities better than anyone."
Fudge's face was blank as he thought, What abilities? The ability to flatter? Or the ability to try and have an "extra-friendly" relationship with me?
He had always found Umbridge's words pleasant to hear, always hitting just the right spot, but this was the first time he found the woman utterly detestable.
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