The Admiral of Hogwarts

After Hermione finished reading the newspaper, the surroundings fell silent. Whether it was the Ministry of Magic officials declaring the first step in having a headmaster we could trust, or the mud slung at the Wizengamot elders who had been forced to resign, it all pointed to one possibility:

The Ministry of Magic would attempt to take full control of Hogwarts, and these attempts would increase constantly in the short term, at the expense of the students' studies.

According to the information Hugo had previously obtained, this kind of struggle, which sacrificed the future of the magical world, was uncommon. Even Voldemort only wanted Hogwarts' education to follow his ideas, not to weaken it completely.

So, from this perspective, Fudge and Umbridge might be doing more damage to Hogwarts than Voldemort ever did to the school.

However, there wasn't much anyone could do about this situation, so they could only complain and resolve to practice more on their own in private whenever they had time.

"Now we finally know how we ended up with Umbridge! Fudge used this 'Educational Decree' to force her upon us! Now Fudge is giving her the power to inspect other teachers!"

On the way to the library to study, Hermione said breathlessly, her face full of anger. "Don't they know how important Hogwarts is to the British wizarding world? I can't believe they would be so shameless!"

"You're right, but for many bureaucrats in the Ministry of Magic, they will do many things that cross the line to protect their positions," Hugo shrugged and then said through the Admiral Network.

"Not to mention that after the Dark Lord's resurrection, a large number of senior Ministry of Magic officials have clearly sided with the Dark Lord, so this kind of approach that can secretly weaken Dumbledore's power will naturally be supported."

"And that's why I chose to forge my own path, because Dumbledore always tends to do things step by step, which makes it too easy for the Ministry of Magic to restrain him."

In the following days, things indeed developed in a terrible direction. Umbridge began to investigate every professor, trying to find a breakthrough that would allow her to establish her authority. However, her plan didn't seem to be going smoothly.

The professors were not at all happy with her meddling in the school, and although they couldn't confront her directly, many of them were expressing their dissatisfaction in their own way.

"You've only worked at Hogwarts for three years, right?" One day, as Hugo was about to have dinner, he noticed a crowd gathered at the staircase. When he walked into the crowd, he found Umbridge questioning Enterprise.

"That's absolutely correct. My qualifications are indeed much shallower than most of the professors in the school," Enterprise said at this time, with both hands behind her back, repeatedly tiptoeing.

"So please don't ask me about my opinion on the other professors in the school. A few years is not enough time to understand others, and I don't want to make up things in response to this question."

"Alright, I heard that you used to be an Auror in the American Ministry of Magic. What made you give up that job to come to Hogwarts as a teaching assistant and security officer?" After being politely rebuffed by Enterprise, Umbridge immediately changed the subject.

"I think you, as a Ministry of Magic official, should know that the job of an Auror is not only very risky but also very busy. So, when I got a little older and was ready to start a family, I prepared to find a slightly easier job," Enterprise smiled.

"And for my career aspirations, the school is naturally a very good place. There are only a few magical schools in the English-speaking world, but only Hogwarts had a vacancy at the time, so I naturally came here."

"I believe that's a very reasonable reason." Saying this, Umbridge made a few notes in the notebook in her hand and then asked, "But I heard before that you seem to have killed seven criminals during your career?"

"Your record isn't very complete," Enterprise slightly raised her head, revealing a proud expression. "Because it doesn't include my complete annihilation of an eight-person werewolf gang and two goblin records."

"To be honest, the American Ministry of Magic is much worse than the British Ministry of Magic on this point. They never record the number of non-human criminals in Auror statistics—"

Just as Enterprise said these things, the surrounding students immediately lowered their voices and began to discuss. For everyone, it was really hard to associate such a beautiful girl with so many achievements.

"Of course, our British Ministry of Magic is more fair," Umbridge said here, her toad-like mouth opening even wider, as if she hadn't proposed the decree discriminating against werewolves.

"But you know, in the British Ministry of Magic, killing criminals is not a very appropriate behavior, because we believe that killing will affect the soul. So, do you think that having personally killed people has had some kind of—impact on you?"

"I don't think so. I'm even proud of the things I've done," Enterprise glanced at Umbridge, who was still writing something in her notebook, and said, "Because these actions were all authorized by the Magical Congress."

"But you need to know that in Britain, killing is considered an evil—" After hearing Enterprise say this, Umbridge raised her head and looked at her, but was interrupted by Enterprise halfway through.

"Ms. Umbridge, does your sentence represent the meaning of the Ministry of Magic?"

"Ah, that's just what everyone thinks." Umbridge played it safe, because she heard a strange tone in Enterprise's words.

"I respect everyone's views, but you, as a Ministry of Magic official, should not say that. Just like I said just now, my killing criminals in the United States was an authorized official act by the Magical Congress."

"So, I would like to understand what you, as a senior Ministry of Magic official, mean by putting forward your views on this matter. Does it mean that the British Ministry of Magic hopes to carry out some degree of—intervention in the internal affairs of the American Magical Congress."

"No, of course not." After hearing Enterprise say this, Umbridge immediately realized that this professor in front of her was different from the other professors. Her questions just now were indeed likely to trigger a lot of diplomatic disputes.

If she had to take it to the extreme, it would be enough to put a hat on Umbridge, accusing her of attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of the American wizarding world and ruining the relationship between Britain and the United States.

"Those words just now were just a question I asked out of personal curiosity, and have nothing to do with any person or any organization. If there is anything offensive, please allow me to apologize to you."

Soon, Umbridge made a formal apology. Being a half-blood with no connections and being able to climb to her current position in the Ministry of Magic, where pure-bloods dominate, naturally meant she had a thick skin. So, she immediately showed a smiling face and apologized.

"I can understand people's curiosity, but sometimes being cautious in your words and actions is always a good thing, isn't it?" After seeing Umbridge apologize, Enterprise lightly jabbed, and then said.

"Please feel free to ask anything else you want to ask. As long as I can answer, I will answer your questions truthfully—"