"Opposition stems from ignorance."
Umbridge interrupted him.
"Once the public sees the results firsthand, the opposition will naturally disappear. When they see fourth-year students casting a flawless Shield Charm within a second, when they see formerly failing students now reciting the Anti-Pranking Regulations fluently, will they still call these reforms cruel?"
Fudge tapped the parchment twice with his fingers.
He did need results.
The authority of the Minister for Magic's office was teetering after this incident.
If they could stage a perfect public relations showcase, public opinion would shift.
"I couldn't make up my mind at first."
Fudge opened a drawer and took out a note.
"I sent your proposal outline to Holmes through the Floo Network. I wanted his judgment on this sort of thing."
Umbridge's smile stiffened slightly.
She looked at the note.
"What did he say?"
Fudge pushed the note over.
There was only one clearly written sentence in Douglas's handwriting: Go ahead.
Let the facts speak.
Umbridge looked at the sentence.
Her smile returned.
"Professor Holmes has always had an excellent grasp of the bigger picture. Then, Minister, please allow me to begin preparations immediately. I guarantee this will be the Ministry of Magic's greatest victory in recent years."
Fudge looked at the oak door, which had closed again.
Douglas's note was still on the desk.
Fudge looked at the word "facts."
He did not know what the facts would actually say.
He only hoped that this time, the facts would be on his side.
The conference room of the Hogwarts Academic Affairs Office.
Sirius slapped a list onto the conference table.
"This is out of the question, Dolores."
Sirius pulled out a chair and sat down.
"You want to showcase only the top twenty Red List students at the briefing. That isn't a report on