The emergency high-level meeting of the Ministry of Magic in the evening was very different from usual.
Umbridge, who usually plays the role of Fudge's mouthpiece, kept his head down the whole time and didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
"Recently, several departments in the ministry have been short-staffed, and I hope that you can all help share their workload."
Fudge glanced at Umbridge casually. "I believe everyone already has a general understanding of the Magical News Department, so I won't go into too much detail here."
He addressed all the issues Gerry had raised, except for things like increasing Fawley.
"The Magical News Department is in dire need of a director. Do any of you have any good suggestions?"
Umbridge glanced cautiously at Fudge, and when he saw Fudge looking at him with a half-smile, he quickly lowered his head again.
The fact that the Shafiq family personally came to the Ministry of Magic to demand proof of the donations' whereabouts shows that they still want to continue profiting from the Magical News Department is simply wishful thinking.
Soon, the higher-ups started recommending each other or volunteering themselves.
Some of them were genuinely interested in the development of the new department, while others were drawn by the lucrative opportunities it offered.
Among so many people, Fudge had already decided who would serve as director.
The reason I asked everyone for suggestions was not only to maintain a seemingly open-minded image, but also to test them.
As a crucial department within the Ministry of Magic for controlling public opinion, the Magical News Department not only needs to be exceptionally capable, but also requires a serious and conscientious work attitude and the ability to maintain order and control.
If someone were to interfere with the publication of the newspaper again someday, similar incidents of people going to the Ministry of Magic to demand proof would likely continue to occur.
Therefore, only one person in the vast Ministry of Magic met the requirements.
"Barty, how's the work at the Department of International Magical Cooperation going?"
The once lively meeting room fell silent instantly. Barty Crouch, who had been called on, remained expressionless. "The Champion's First Task is starting next month, and we are working hard with the Department of Magical Games and Sports to prepare for it."
"I see..." Fudge nodded. "Barty, I'm considering having you temporarily serve as the head of the Magical News Department. What are your thoughts?"
Barty Crouch clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly, a flash of excitement crossing his eyes.
He pondered for a moment, then said, "I have no opinion. It doesn't matter which department it is, it's all the same to me."
Fudge nodded again.
Barty Crouch's personality ensures that nothing like this will happen again in the Magical News Department. He's the only one who takes that strangely appearing article seriously, and if his suggested investigation had gone smoothly, things might not have escalated to this point.
However, his overly rigid approach to things might become another hidden danger, so he can only temporarily serve as the director of the Magical News Department.
Fudge surveyed the assembled executives in the conference room, and after confirming that there was no better candidate, slowly said, "Barty, you just need to keep a close eye on the work of the Magical News Department. Your most important task right now is to make this year's Triwizard Tournament a success, a spectacular one."
Barty Crouch stopped his trembling hands. "I will."
With such an incorruptible director in charge, the Magical News Department is definitely not going to make any money off the press.
Fudge also handed over the task of setting up the audit department to Barty Crouch, then stared sharply at the culprit of the whole thing.
Even if someone is a close confidant, they have made such a serious mistake and must be severely punished.
Dolores, you seem to have a lot of free time lately?
Umbridge didn't dare to look up, and kept nodding his big head.
"Perfect timing." Fudge glanced at the only empty chair in the conference room. "Barty is reorganizing the Magical News Department and preparing for the Triwizard Tournament. If you have time, please help look after the daily affairs of the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
Umbridge kept nodding his big head.
"And—" Fudge paused, "Ludo, I heard there was a little problem when recording the Champion's promotional video?"
Bagman nodded. "Mr. Minister, the main problem is that the instruction manual provided by Wayne Enterprises is too thick, and the contents are particularly profound."
Fudge looked again at Umbridge, who still dared not raise his head, "Ludo, then all you need to do recently is focus on the Triwizard Tournament with Barty."
Dolores, I believe in your abilities. You can definitely handle both the Department of Magical Games and Sports, right?
Even if you gave Umbridge a hundred lives, she wouldn't dare utter a single complaint.
"Yes, Your Excellency, I will do everything in my power to ensure—"
Fudge raised his hand to interrupt her, "Alright, just do what you're supposed to do."
The higher-ups couldn't help but chuckle at witnessing this scene.
The Department of International Magical Cooperation, as its name suggests, is a department dedicated to promoting exchange and cooperation among wizards from different countries.
Its daily operations involve cooperating with magical governments of other countries, establishing trade standards, and creating regulations for goods.
For example, the preparation for the Triwizard Tournament, and the formulation of standards for crucible thickness.
The Department of Magical Games and Sports is responsible for managing all events related to sports in the magical world.
For example, holding regular Quidditch Match, as well as Quidditch World Cup and Triwizard Tournament.
The World Cup just ended, and she wasn't involved in the Triwizard Tournament. It sounds nice to say she could manage two departments at the same time, but in reality, it just meant she was given all the miscellaneous tasks.
Fudge glanced around the conference room and noticed that several people were barely holding back their laughter.
His anger had subsided considerably, so he waved his hand and announced the meeting was adjourned.
The executives left the meeting room one after another, and soon after, cheerful laughter echoed down the corridor outside.
Umbridge, still sitting inside with her head down, clutched her pink suit tightly.
Perhaps she used too much force, or perhaps her pink nail polish was too sharp, but she tore two holes in her thick skirt.
Immediately afterwards, her sharp nails pierced her palm and dug deep into her flesh.
"Ouch—" The excruciating pain made her scream.
Looking at the empty conference room, she knew she was finished this time.
Fudge did not specify a timeframe, which is a dangerous sign.
If she doesn't perform well, she'll probably stay in those two departments doing odd jobs indefinitely.
Although the position of Senior Deputy Minister has been retained, there are many high-ranking officials in the ministry who hold this title, not just one or two.
Umbridge trembled as she raised her hands, staring intently at the blood flowing from her palms.
She is a Slytherin graduate and a particularly ambitious wizard.
Despite her Half-blood heritage and the fact that her father was merely a low-ranking employee in the Department of Magical Repair at the Ministry of Magic, she has always claimed to be Pure-blood Wizard.
In order to further perpetuate her lie about coming from Pure-blood family, she gave her father, the doorman who was in charge of mopping the floor, a large sum of Gold Galleons shortly after she joined the Ministry of Magic, and asked him to leave.
This decision gave her a very high starting point, and through getting to know a large number of powerful wizards, she eventually became the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Magic.
However, this was not the end of her ambition; her goal was to become the most powerful person in the Wizarding World, namely the Minister for Magic.
But now, she has encountered an invisible and intangible wall of air.
It seems that she can still successfully turn her life around and go back in, but if she is not careful, she will fall into a bottomless abyss and become the same "bottom of society" as her father.