Umbridge's office fell silent. Fudge and Umbridge stared wide-eyed at each other.
"The Board of Governors!"
Then, in some sudden instant, Fudge fiercely swung his fist, his excited expression like that of someone discovering a new continent.
"That's right. Back then, Breen entered Hogwarts through the Board of Governors. It can even directly appoint and dismiss Hogwarts' headmaster. I can't believe I forgot about that!"
Umbridge's eyes, wrapped in swollen lids, also gleamed repeatedly, as though she were weighing the pros and cons.
"Lucius!"
Fudge strode forward and grabbed Lucius's arm, excitement overflowing from his face.
"The Board of Governors can directly dismiss Dumbledore and Breen. Yes, that's it! You support the Ministry of Magic, don't you, dear Lucius?"
"Of course, Minister—"
Lucius concealed his disdain well, but he wore a troubled expression.
"I am more than willing to serve the Ministry of Magic, Minister, but as I just said, the Malfoy family took the blame for the Basilisk incident back then. We have already been removed from the Board of Governors' list. Oh, speaking of it, it truly is humiliating. For many centuries, the Malfoy family served as Hogwarts governors, yet that honor was lost in my hands—"
Watching Lucius, Umbridge narrowed her eyes. She had probably already guessed what Lucius wanted.
At the mention of what had happened back then, Fudge unconsciously showed a trace of embarrassment. At the time, he had been deeply grateful to Breen for resolving the Chamber of Secrets and contributing that precious Basilisk.
"How can the Malfoy family return to the Hogwarts Board of Governors, Lucius?"
Umbridge gazed at Lucius with an innocent expression.
"Since the Board of Governors can remove the Malfoy family, presumably it can also accept the Malfoy family once again."
"That would require the approval of two-thirds of the