After Umbridge's misdeeds at Hogwarts were exposed, the British Ministry of Magic swiftly distanced itself from her, describing them as "an individual's loss of control."
They tried to place all responsibility on Umbridge alone, but many people questioned whether the Ministry's upper ranks had truly noticed none of so many evil acts beforehand.
These doubts placed enormous public pressure on Fudge and the Ministry of Magic under his leadership, severely damaging its credibility.
The public's trust had collapsed more than once already. The Daily Prophet hastily published Umbridge's medical diagnosis, and Fudge even held large-scale speeches for several consecutive days, attempting to rebuild the Ministry's "responsible" image while reiterating its "support" for Hogwarts.
Faced with this uproar, the parents of students had complicated feelings, and their attitudes became divided.
Some parents had once supported Umbridge's so-called "strict management." Now that the truth had come to light, they were shocked and frightened in retrospect, instead feeling fortunate that the Ministry had "handled things properly."
Other parents, especially those of Muggle-born young wizards, generally trusted Dumbledore more. They accused the Ministry of inadequate oversight and condoning crimes, demanding a thorough investigation and reform to ensure that similar incidents would never happen again.
The incident also sparked widespread criticism and concern throughout the international magical community.
During an interview with Witch Weekly, Madame Olympe Maxime, headmistress of France's Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, subtly criticized the British Ministry of Magic's heavy-handed interference in education, emphasizing that governments should safeguard educational independence.
A senior official from the United States Magical Congress expressed concern in an informal setting over the stability of the British Ministry of Magic, believing that it might affect cooperation between the two nations in magical security.
The International Confederation of Wizards Observer published a comment from the head of the Education Department of the German Ministry of Magic: "We have taken note of recent events at magical educational institutions in our neighboring country. In Germany, we firmly believe that the high degree of academic autonomy enjoyed by magical schools is the foundation of educational quality. At the national level, we provide guidance and resources, but never interfere in specific teaching matters, such as the textbooks chosen by schools or the academic value assigned to certain ancient branches of magic."
British Ministry of Magic, senior conference room.
Fudge slammed that international newspaper onto the table. "Damn Germans! Durmstrang is a school that openly teaches students Dark Magic, and he still dares talk about academic autonomy!"
"Mr. Minister, could it be because of Wayne's pursuit operation? They have always wanted to cooperate with us and share intelligence."
Fudge's face turned livid, his voice sharp with fury. "Cooperation? That sounds nice enough. But what will the outside world think of us? That we cannot even control the Dark wizards in our own country, that we are so incompetent we need another country's help?"
He swept his gaze across the senior officials present, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Those damned Germans just want to see us make fools of ourselves! No... the entire world wants to see us make fools of ourselves!"
An elderly official cautiously raised his head to look at him. "Mr. Minister, if we want to quell public opinion as quickly as possible, we must make the most thorough break possible from Umbridge. Punitive measures must also be announced swiftly."
Fudge took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger. "Of course we must make the most thorough break! Issue a statement emphasizing that all of Umbridge's actions were the result of her own grave dereliction of duty and mental instability, and had absolutely nothing to do with the Ministry of Magic's overall policies."
He looked around at the senior officials again, his tone easing slightly. "At the same time, punish several mid-level officials close to her on the grounds that they 'failed to notice her mental health issues in time.' Give the public an explanation."
All the officials present breathed a sigh of relief. A Senior Deputy Minister along with several mid-level officials was no small sacrifice. The public would be satisfied.
Fudge rubbed the bridge of his nose, a glimmer of unwillingness flashing through his eyes.
Give up the Hogwarts front? Absolutely not!
"And Hogwarts must not return to its former lawless state. Dumbledore's power must be restrained."
The senior officials exchanged glances, but none dared to voice an objection.
They looked at one another, and in the end, the same elderly official spoke up. "Mr. Minister, given the current international public opinion, it would be unwise for us to use official terms such as 'special envoy' again. It would leave us open to criticism."
Fudge tapped the table with his fingers, revealing a calculating smile. "It's only a name. We'll establish a 'Hogwarts Coordination and Improvement Committee.' Doesn't that sound so mild, so full of cooperative spirit?"
His smile gradually turned cold. "We will 'invite' Hogwarts to send representatives to the committee and jointly 'discuss' such 'important issues' as curriculum arrangements and student safety."
Same medicine, different bottle. In substance, nothing had changed.
Fudge's tone carried an unquestionable decisiveness. "The committee's chair and the majority of its seats must be appointed by the Ministry of Magic. We will use the soft blade of 'cooperation' and 'consultation' to slowly guide Hogwarts... back onto the right track."
What could the senior officials do? Naturally, they unanimously approved his decision.
Less than half an hour after the written document was formally sent to Hogwarts, Dumbledore's reply arrived.
"Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Dear Cornelius,
Thank you for writing to inform me of your proposal to establish the 'Hogwarts Coordination and Improvement Committee.'
Such thorough consideration indeed reflects the Ministry of Magic's concern for education. Please believe that, like you, I have always placed the students and the future of magical education first.
However, after careful consideration, I must decline your invitation to join this committee.
As you know, I cannot represent Hogwarts in this matter. It is of great importance, and my decision should receive formal approval through a vote of the School Board. Yet for certain well-known reasons, the School Board's operations have come to a standstill.
Finally, please allow me to add a personal remark:
True improvement often comes from trust rather than supervision, from guidance rather than commands.
If Minister Fudge is willing to focus more of his energy on addressing the increasingly severe external threats rather than scrutinizing every lesson at Hogwarts, you may find that we have always stood on the same side.
May your Lemon Drop always remain sweet.
Yours faithfully,
Albus Dumbledore"
When people were extremely angry, they could burst into loud laughter. In the Minister's office, Fudge laughed so hard that tears streamed from his eyes.
Formal approval through a School Board vote? Hogwarts had twelve School Board seats in total. Seven belonged to Vincent, one belonged to the Ministry of Magic, and with the restrictions of the castle's ancient magic, even if the remaining four all voted in favor, what use would that be? The vote would remain deadlocked, never producing a result.
As he laughed, Fudge's gaze suddenly turned cold.
He realized something: no matter what excuse he used, whether it was a committee or a coordination council, Dumbledore could always invoke the School Board to refuse him.
But if they successfully captured Vincent, the Ministry of Magic could obtain those seven School Board seats.
By then, no matter how many tricks Dumbledore had, they would be useless. He could only watch helplessly as he packed up and got out.
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