This time, Fudge was waiting here ten minutes early, for fear that someone would stumble on him again.

Although he is the Minister of Magic, he cannot do everything in the Ministry of Magic.

Just think about the past, because many transnational affairs are still managed by the Department of International Magical Exchange, Barty Sr. easily concealed the news of Harley's return to China.

Originally, he still had a few cronies there, who regularly told him some important information.

But last year, when England successfully applied to host the Quidditch World Cup, Fudge wanted to trick Barty Sr.

He asked Barty Sr. to build the Quidditch World Cup venue with the Department of International Magical Exchange and the Department of Magical Sports, with Barty Sr. being the first person responsible.

At the same time, in order to put a burden on Barty Sr., Fudge hinted that Ludo Bagman, the director of the Department of Magical Physical Sports, would not be able to contribute.

In this way, if something goes wrong with the venue, it is Barty Sr.'s responsibility; If the Quidditch World Cup is a complete success, it will be a credit to Fudge.

Fudge had a wishful thinking, but old Barty conveniently arranged for Fudge's cronies to go to work, and they were so busy that they couldn't stop.

As a result, the cronies didn't have time to report the latest important news to Fudge, who still thought that Hallie was traveling in France.

If it weren't for the owl who informed Harley to receive the Order of the Order of Merlin, Fudge wouldn't have known that Harley had returned home!

This made the Minister of Magic extremely annoyed, but also strengthened his determination to promote his cronies.

Seeing Dumbledore's arrival, Fudge immediately greeted him, smiling as if he had seen his best brother.

"Oh, dear Albus!" Fudge said loudly, his voice could be heard both inside and outside the room,

"Did you bring Harley to the Merlin Order ceremony?"

As he spoke, Fudge gave Dumbledore a hug and deliberately showed his side face.

The Ministry of Magic employees in the back and the photographers hired by the Daily Prophet immediately took pictures, and several reporters began to capitalize close-ups.

These were all professional writers that Fudge had hired, and a prickly head like Rita Kitter didn't even qualify for the Ministry of Magic.

After all, Fudge wanted the Daily Prophet to run a big positive story, not a scandal like "the stupid Minister of Magic trying to take the credit."

"Of course." Professor Dumbledore smiled, "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to greet us, dear Connelly. ”

After Fadge greeted Professor Slughorn, his gaze shifted to Hallie:

"Oh, dear Hallie, congratulations on winning the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Potions Tournament, and thank you for bringing back this glory to the British wizarding world!

But why didn't you tell me the news of your return to China, so I should prepare in advance and tell the crowd this exciting news! ”

"Thank you for your concern," Harley bowed slightly, "didn't Mr. Crouch tell you?"

At that time, he personally came to the outside of the room to help us with the formalities, and I thought you knew. ”

"Oh, it seems that Old Barty not only doesn't welcome our champions, but even wants to kick them out of the Ministry of Magic!"

Fudge didn't blink his eyes, and immediately picked up Harley's words,

"Looks like I'm going to have to criticize him. Harley went abroad to compete for the glory of the United Kingdom!

And she won a first prize for us in Great Britain as well! It's really unfair to treat our little hero like this! ”

Fudge shook his head and sighed vigorously.

The camera in the back flashed wildly again, and a reporter was frantically writing something in his notebook.

"Albus, Horace, let's go to Merlin's Cottage again in the afternoon!" Fudge looked at the two professors,

"The ceremony didn't start until three o'clock in the afternoon, and I didn't have time to interview Harley yet.

The British wizarding community is looking forward to this champion. ”

"Connelly, I think you can wait until Hallie gets the medal before we interview us." Professor Dumbledore said quietly.

Fudge looked back with a grimace, then leaned close to Professor Dumbledore's ear and whispered:

"Albus, you know how much pressure the Ministry of Magic has been on lately. After all, this is the first time Azkaban has ever escaped!

I now get yelling letters every day.

Having Hallie give two interviews, in batches, would allow the residents of the British wizarding community to see a few more days of good news in the newspapers, and also divert their attention.

Albus, you have to understand my pressure! I've been having a hard time lately. ”

Professor Dumbledore sighed and turned his head to look at Harry.

"Professor, I have no opinion."

"Alright, then we'll leave in the afternoon." Professor Dumbledore sighed again.

……

After a long interview and photo shoot, Hallie was happy to learn that the interview was over.

Fudge also desperately hinted to Harley that she wanted to give her golden cauldron to the Ministry of Magic to display.

But Harley has lived for so many years, but she is a master of pretending to be confused.

Seeing that Harley couldn't understand what she said, Fudge had no choice but to give up.

After all, forcibly asking Harley for a golden cauldron and Harley's voluntary donation to the Ministry of Magic are two different concepts.

Even if it's not voluntary, it's "voluntary", it's much better.

At noon, Fudge had wanted to invite Professor Dumbledore to a banquet, and was going to invite some of the high-ranking officials who were now in the Ministry of Magic.

But Professor Dumbledore firmly refused:

"Don't forget, Connelly, there's a very important award ceremony in the afternoon. We can't afford to waste our time. ”

"yes." Fudge was a little disappointed, but he didn't have any depressed look on his face, and instead had a simple meal in the cafeteria attached to the Ministry of Magic.

After lunch, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Slughorn took Harley and left early using the portkey.

As the main figure of the ceremony, Hallie needs to prepare in advance.

Fudge smiled as the three of them disappeared from his eyes, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

"Hurry back to your post, we still have a lot of work to do." With a wave of his hand, Fudge departed from the Ministry of Magic employees and reporters behind him.

Only one woman, dressed in pink, who had been following the corner of the line earlier, did not leave.

The woman was short and fat, with a broad, loose-skinned face, and short curly hair with a small black velvet bow, like a toad.

"You're still not gone." Fudge frowned, "Which department are you in?" ”

"Minister." The woman hurriedly ran over in small steps, and said respectfully in her characteristic shrill voice,

"Have you forgotten? I'm Dolores Umbridge.

Last time, I did the publicity for your book "How Prefects Gain Power", and this time I will report to you the results of the propaganda. ”

……

……

(Thanks to the nine-tailed Yanhu for the tip!) ）

(End of chapter)