allendalepharm Chapter 107 The Demon Lord Comes to the Door
Chapter 107 The Demon Lord Comes to the Door
Chapter 107 The Demon Lord Comes to the Door
Joining the Ministry of Magic was a complicated process. Kingsley took Lockhart to more than ten offices to sign documents. Many documents required the signatures of the department heads after the clerks had signed them. As a result, Lockhart quickly became acquainted with the bigwigs of various departments.
It was at this moment that he realized how formidable Kingsley was, as he seemed to have good relationships with the department heads.
The bigwigs all gave Kingsley a lot of face, and things went very smoothly.
Of course, there is one last crucial signature: the signatures of the Minister and Deputy Minister of Magic.
On their way to their office, the two chatted casually, and Kingsley asked, seemingly unintentionally, "Gidden,
"How does it feel to have visited so many departments?"
Lockhart gave Kingsley a strange look. Kingsley hid his emotions well, but Boggart could still sense that this guy was a little wary of him.
This wariness stems from the fact that Lockhart encounters fervent fans wherever he goes, an influence that is no small matter in the eyes of some politicians within the Ministry of Magic.
Many are likely wary of whether Lockhart can effectively utilize this influence and transform it into political power.
喷~
He seemed to have inadvertently stepped into an unfamiliar circle, a completely unfamiliar realm of adventure.
Lockhart disliked this realm because it had nothing to do with magic.
He tried his best to project the perfect, charming smile that politicians considered harmless, like an innocent idol, and casually replied, "It doesn't feel very good. I see the Twenty-Eight Sacred Clans everywhere I go."
"A half-blood wizard like me, from an ordinary wizarding family, will probably have a hard time making it big."
Kingsley finally calmed down.
He was clearly afraid that Lockhart, amidst the countless frenzied screams, would lose himself and cause unexpected trouble for Dumbledore and their Order of the Phoenix's plans by acting recklessly within the Ministry of Magic.
Fortunately, this iconic figure in front of me at least knows how to be respectful.
Kingsley nodded. "Not all of them. The sources of Ministry of Magic employees actually come from two important groups. Those from the Twenty-Eight Holy Pure-Blood Families usually go to departments with real power, while those from other ancient pure-blood families usually go to departments that require knowledge or combat skills."
"For example, the Department of Mysterious Affairs is often difficult for members of the Twenty-Eight Sacred Clans to enter."
"That's exactly what Dumbledore is doing. He's bringing new power to the Ministry of Magic: half-blood wizards and Muggle wizards from ordinary wizarding families."
He smiled and pointed to the office at the end of the corridor. "Our Minister of Magic, Mr. Fudge, is the highest-ranking person in this group."
"In the Ministry of Magic, where the Holy Twenty-Eight Families and the Ancient Pure-Blood Families divide the power, if Mr. Fudge wants to gain a foothold, he needs to win over and promote more half-blood wizards and Muggle wizards from ordinary backgrounds if he cannot get full support from Dumbledore."
Kingsley recounted with a bewildered expression, "Dolores Umbridge, who came from a humble background, thus had the opportunity to become the Deputy Minister of Magic. She was Mr. Fudge's most important assistant, without exception."
so·
From a political perspective, Umbridge is actually a member of the Order of the Phoenix?
Or to put it another way, Umbridge becoming Under-Minister of Magic was clearly an outcome that Dumbledore was happy to see.
As for Umbridge's annoying personality, it seems irrelevant now. Without such an aggressive personality, it would be impossible to carve out a path for ordinary people in the layers of vested interests within the Ministry of Magic.
He perfectly complemented the kind-hearted Mr. Fudge.
Lockhart exclaimed in surprise, suddenly gaining some understanding of what Dumbledore was doing.
Dumbledore clearly succeeded, because in the original books, after Dumbledore died and lost his influence,
Hermione Granger, from an ordinary wizarding family, became Minister for Magic.
Of course, this could also be related to Hermione becoming the wife of one of the members of the Holy Twenty-Eight.
But this is already a very good start.
From Fudge to Hermione, the path has been completely opened.
If Hermione wants to gain a foothold in the Ministry of Magic, she needs to maintain good relations with the Twenty-Eight Holy Clans and ancient wizarding families, and she also needs to promote more ordinary wizarding families who share her interests.
Kingsley stopped and looked at Lockhart with a gentle expression. "So, in fact, your appearance will be welcomed by Mr. Fudge and Ms. Umbridge. Even if they may not like you personally, they will certainly welcome you to the Ministry of Magic."
"And it's not appropriate for me to appear in front of them with you; it will only distance you from them."
Choosing sides, and choosing sides within different circles, is the survival rule of the Ministry of Magic.
Kingsley gestured for Lockhart to go ahead alone, saying, "Well then, that's all I can do for you."
"Thank you!" Lockhart expressed his gratitude. This bigwig had so skillfully guided him through all the procedures and so simply and clearly laid out the division of interests within the Ministry of Magic in front of him.
"No need to thank me, it was all Dumbledore's arrangement." Kingsley hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Actually, there's something I might need to trouble you with."
Lockhart raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"When I was at the Crabbe family safe house, I discovered—" He looked at Lockhart with some suspicion, "Umbridge seemed a little afraid of you?"
Yes, the evil werewolf's dark magic has the power to corrupt people's minds, specifically manifesting as the fear of predators at the top of the food chain.
Lockhart would never reveal his true intentions to anyone again. He simply smiled and said, "Perhaps those with dark hearts always feel ashamed in the face of a righteous and upright person like me, and their momentum weakens?"
Ah, this...
The ridiculous confidence of this handsome guy in front of him completely baffled Kingsley.
He seemed unable to contain himself, suppressing a twitching smile for a moment before finally speaking in a low voice, "Actually, to be honest, Umbridge falls into the category of being beyond our control yet something we must tolerate. Fortunately, I've discovered that you might have a way to exert some influence over her—"
He looked expectant. "If you can influence this out-of-control area, I think you will become someone the Order of the Phoenix must win over."
I understand. Everyone has value, and Kingsley saw Lockhart's value from his own camp's perspective.
Being needed means that one is destined to be part of the "greater good" and will not be sacrificed even when necessary.
"I accept this challenge."
Lockhart never imagined that Umbridge would become his bargaining chip, or rather, that he would unexpectedly gain such a reward in his research on werewolves.
Nice~
Go forward and knock on the door.
"Please come in!" Umbridge's voice had a unique, affected tone, full of girlish sweetness, with an absurd beauty like an old cucumber painted green.
Lockhart's expression suddenly changed.
He often told his students that "finding solutions based on characteristics" is one of the most effective methods for Defense Against the Dark Arts scholars.
So, what are Umbridge's traits?
A love of beauty? Or a bully who preys on the weak?
He flipped his hand and took out a small bottle with a capacity of 29 milliliters from his ring. Inside was a bright red, viscous liquid, and upon closer inspection, one could see golden specks shimmering in the liquid through the brown glass bottle.
This is a cosmetic product developed by Snape based on the active beneficial bacteria spring water summoned by the wronged fairy.
Yes, cosmetics.
Lockhart initially intended to operate Fountain of Life as a high-end beverage brand, but after Snape did some research, he casually gave him a simple recipe. After mixing it, it turned into a paste, so Lockhart simply positioned it as a high-end cosmetic.
A magical potion that can bring vitality to the flesh and skin.
From beverages to cosmetics, the profit margins are full of endless possibilities.
Right now, this high-ranking figure like the Deputy Minister of Magic is obviously a good entry point to open up the market. When Rita, the senior student, comes to interview her, she can casually mention, "Wow, your skin is so good!" and then write a report full of enthusiastic word-of-mouth.
Nice!
But cosmetics weren't enough. Lockhart chuckled, and wisps of black smoke rapidly churned in his eyes, disappearing as the werewolf's distinctive crimson glow flashed by. He once again channeled the magical power of the vicious werewolf.
The kind that delivers the maximum effect.
Get it done.
Push the door open and enter.
"If you're looking for Mr. Fudge, please wait a moment. He went to the hospital to check on the students—" Umbridge was organizing documents when she casually pointed to a chair next to her office, indicating that the person should wait.
However, before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt an extremely terrifying aura approaching.
She swallowed hard, as if a furry hand covered in sharp claws had gripped her heart, causing it to stop abruptly from its rapid, pounding beat.
Asphyxiation!
Something is approaching!
indescribable!
So terrifying!
Her mind, clouded by fear, made it difficult for her to make accurate judgments. Even her vision became confused. She tried her best to see clearly, but her wide-open pupils and chaotic thoughts simply wouldn't listen to her.
She could barely make out the howling wind in the corridor outside the office door, swirling up chaotic black smoke, accompanied by a terrible smell of blood, and a twisted figure was constantly approaching.
She wanted to run, but her hands and feet were trembling and wouldn't obey her commands.
The footsteps approached, tapping against her soul, sending chills down her spine.
"No~~~!"
Umbridge screamed in terror, waving her arms frantically. In a flash, she caught a glimpse of the person who had appeared, and it was none other than Gilderoy Lockhart, the man who instilled a deep-seated fear in her.
This person is absolutely a very, very, very dangerous dark wizard!
Hidden among the crowd, smiling at people, but secretly doing something evil and terrible!
She saw right through it!
She swore she had seen right through the devil's little scheme!
She had been feeling uneasy about this before, but she never expected that Gilderoy Lockhart would come knocking on her door so quickly!
Yes, she should have known that the Aurors in Scrimgeour were all useless and couldn't contain this demon at all; he was coming to kill her!
No!
Don't kill me!
Waaaaah~~~
I still want to live!
Umbridge completely lost her composure, screaming in terror and nearly falling off her chair.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
Suddenly, a warm voice rang in his ears, and Umbridge felt his vision clear up instantly, and the office lights returned to their brightness, as if it were all an illusion.
She looked up and saw that the person speaking was none other than Gilderoy Lockhart.
He was smiling at me, a bright and radiant smile, his eyes full of concern.
Do not!
It's a lie, this is a complete scam!
Don't think I can't see through you just because you're wearing a mask, you terrifying demon!
Umbridge screamed inwardly, trying her best to keep her expression calm. Yes, calm. She absolutely couldn't let this devil discover that she had seen through him, otherwise she couldn't even imagine what awaited her.