"Oh? Oh!" Fudge was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with sudden realization.
"I remember now. You're that... Umbridge from that office, aren't you? I remember you—you came to see me."
Umbridge's face lit up with the delighted expression of a young girl meeting her idol.
"Oh, I'm truly honored! Minister, you actually remember a little employee from the Improper Use of Magic Office!
Goodness, I'll never forget this moment!"
Listening to Umbridge's flattery, Fudge nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
He might have been a shrewd politician, but that didn't stop him from enjoying a little flattery.
"So, how's my book coming along?" Fudge asked casually.
"Oh, I took the liberty of doing a little extra work." Umbridge beamed.
"I think your whole series of books, including From Prefect to Minister and Tips for Running for Head Boy/Girl, is wonderfully written.
Especially My Life as Minister. I keep it by my bed day and night, and read a little every evening.
So I took the liberty of promoting the whole series.
And the promotion worked very well. Sales of every book have risen significantly."
Fudge's eyes brightened, and he nodded with satisfaction. "Well done!"
Who wouldn't like an employee who was good with words, knew how to flatter him, and helped make him money?
Umbridge didn't answer at once. Instead, she looked toward the spot where Dumbledore had been standing earlier, her face full of anger.
"Minister, that Dumbledore was absolutely out of line! He didn't take you seriously at all!
You're so great, and under your leadership, the Ministry of Magic is thriving and the Wizarding World is becoming more peaceful.
The Wolfsbane Potion was developed two years ago, and a year ago the Ministry solved a wrongful conviction from fifty years back, clearing