"Everyone at the meeting was laughing at him. Two magic schools publicly responded and accepted Hogwarts' invitation, yet as Minister for Magic, he was the last to find out—and he learned it from a French newspaper. I dare say The Quibbler will tear into him tomorrow!"
"I think Cornelius hurriedly ended the hearing because he wanted to figure out how to conduct—what was that Muggle term again?"
"Crisis public relations?"
"Yes, crisis public relations!" Dumbledore stroked his beard. "Cornelius isn't having an easy time right now. His repeated losses against you have caused his polling numbers to plummet. Now, even the slightest mistake he makes will be examined under a magnifying glass by the public, while his opponents are pressing him hard."
"Today, Cornelius took the initiative to step back. The hearing on practical classes has been postponed for a month, which will let us—"
"No, let me catch my breath for a while."
Dumbledore's tone was dripping with sarcastic mockery.
But Vaughn ignored him outright and analyzed, "Fudge won't compromise so easily. That man is a political animal through and through. We can't let our guard down during the postponement."
"Of course. Amelia will keep an eye on him."
"Keeping an eye on him alone isn't enough." Vaughn had a different opinion. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Actually—the international magic school potions exchange event could let him participate."
"Oh?"
Dumbledore smiled until his eyes narrowed. "You want to use Cornelius's hunger for political achievements to undermine the relationship between him and your opponents?"
What a pointless question.
Vaughn rolled his eyes.
He didn't believe Dumbledore had never considered using Fudge. After all, Fudge had been single-handedly supported by Dumbledore. Old Dumbledore knew better than anyone what kind of person he was.
To someone like Fudge, power and