Dumbledore flatly refused to legislate against whistleblowing.
At the sound of those sensitive words, the three people outside Umbridge's office immediately perked up. But Arthur quickly came to his senses. He shot Lucius a wary glare and cleared his throat loudly.
"Minister, are you in there? Isaac told me you were here!"
The heated discussion inside the office immediately died away, followed by Fudge's cautious voice.
"Who is it?"
"Arthur Weasley—"
Mr. Weasley called loudly.
"I have something I'd like to discuss with you, Minister. Oh, Lucius Malfoy is looking for you too."
The office fell silent for a moment. Then, the clattering footsteps behind the door grew clearer, and Umbridge's swollen, toad-like face appeared before them.
With her chin raised, Umbridge gave Arthur and the somewhat timid young man behind him a cold glance. But when it came to Lucius Malfoy, she was far more amiable, saying in her shrill voice,
"You go first, Lucius—"
Mr. Weasley's face immediately darkened, but there was nothing he could do. He could only take Percy aside to wait.
Lucius clearly had not come to Umbridge's office for the first time, so he paid no heed to its atrocious taste. He saw Cornelius Fudge standing beside Umbridge's desk, tightly clutching a piece of parchment. When Fudge realized Lucius was eyeing it, he panted and crumpled the letter into a ball before stuffing it into his pocket.
"What is it, Malfoy?"
Fudge's tone was nothing like the warmth he usually showed when Lucius sent him sponsorship money. He spoke impatiently.
"The Minister and I are discussing something important, Lucius—"
Umbridge let out several skin-crawling giggles, her manner intimate.
"So if you have something urgent that requires the Ministry's support, you should make it quick, Lucius—"
"Oh, thank you both for receiving me despite your