Hogwarts Raven's Claw

Chapter 351 Angry from shame

Umbridge's words made Mike frown.

As the oldest magic school in Europe, Hogwarts is supported by the Ministry of Magic and twelve directors with astonishing wealth. The total amount of funds allocated to Hogwarts by these thirteen parties every year can be described as an astronomical figure.

Of course, the money these people gave to Hogwarts was not free. As the investors of Hogwarts, the school directors and the Ministry of Magic were theoretically the bosses of Hogwarts. According to convention, all students who graduated from Hogwarts should remember the names of the Ministry of Magic and these families, because it is because of these people that they can learn magical knowledge at such a low cost.

And this is exactly the most fundamental reason why these people invest in Hogwarts. On the one hand, they can use the investment in Hogwarts to promote their own reputation and ensure that their family's descendants obtain a certain degree of privileges in Hogwarts. For example, there is a directors' carriage in the Hogwarts Express that is specially for the children of directors.

On the other hand, they want to bribe the students who graduate from Hogwarts so that they can become helpers of their families and forces.

But all this changed after Dumbledore became the headmaster. Dumbledore's strength, which was so powerful that he could almost crush everything, allowed him to do whatever he wanted in Hogwarts. Even though the school directors theoretically had the power to fire Dumbledore at any time, they did not dare to do so.

At the same time, Dumbledore also upholds the concept of equality for all and treats all students equally. This behavior makes him the most beloved headmaster among students, and also makes the children of the school directors lose their so-called privileges. And most importantly, from then on, students graduating from Hogwarts only recognize Dumbledore and not those school directors who contributed money and effort.

It is also for this reason that although Mike is currently qualified to become the headmaster of Hogwarts, he has no intention of getting involved at all.

He doesn't want to be a sucker!

Mike originally thought that the lack of materials for Hogwarts' advanced courses and other problems were because the school directors were dissatisfied with Hogwarts and reduced funding.

Or maybe this is a restriction deliberately made by the Ministry of Magic in order to consolidate the class.

But now listening to Umbridge say this, it seems that this is not the case.

"You mean to say that the funds that the Ministry of Magic and the school directors inject into Hogwarts every year are sufficient for Hogwarts to meet the course needs of all senior students?"

"Yes, there is no doubt about that!" Umbridge said excitedly, "The Ministry of Magic and the homes of the other twelve directors all have receipts and account books for the funds injected into Hogwarts every year, so if what you said is true, then the problem can only be inside Hogwarts."

Mike was silent, he thought of the Order of the Phoenix.

Maintaining an elite anti-Voldemort organization requires a lot of expenses, so could it be that Dumbledore embezzled Hogwarts' public funds to fight Voldemort?

Shaking his head, Mike didn't want to think about it any further, because this idea was constantly subverting the glorious image of Dumbledore in his mind.

Umbridge on the other side also gradually calmed down at this moment. She restrained her smile, and said seriously with a rare stern face:

"I will investigate the issue of corruption in Hogwarts. Now let's get down to business. Mike, I'm sure you've noticed that my attitude towards you is completely different from that towards others."

Mike nodded.

"I want you to understand that I did this not because I was afraid of your power or revenge, but because I admire you very much. You are a very good child. Not only did you win the championship in the Triwizard Tournament and win glory for the Ministry of Magic of the United States, but you also founded the Los Santos Group and made it grow into a behemoth in just a few years.

Compared to the former, it is even more rare. You must know that this is not the time when the mysterious man just disappeared. Today's society is already in a fairly stable state, but you still managed to make it out!
Your Los Santos Group has provided jobs for thousands of people and made outstanding contributions to social stability. Although you are a little wizard of Muggle origin, you have made outstanding contributions to the wizarding world. This is why I respect you.

Although I respect you, you can't act recklessly. I know you are a kind-hearted child, and you implemented the "Los Santos Student Aid Program" just to help those students in need, but now the situation is gradually out of your control. In order to get this matter back on track, I hope you can stop this plan! But you don't have to worry about those students. As the Deputy Minister of Magic, I can assure you that the Ministry of Magic will definitely shoulder its responsibilities and provide these students with a good learning environment!"

Umbridge was speaking passionately and with saliva flying, and her words were so sincere that Mike couldn't help but believe that what she said was true.

If it were someone else, they might really be stunned by her flattery.

But Mike is different. He is familiar with the original book and understands from the beginning what kind of person Umbridge is and what purpose she has in coming to this school.

So when Umbridge finished her speech and looked at her expectantly, Mike did not agree immediately as she had imagined. Instead, she smiled sarcastically and said:
"Sorry, I refuse."

"Mike, I must remind you that I was not joking with you." Umbridge continued, "Your actions have already made the Ministry of Magic very dissatisfied. If you continue to be so stubborn, I will definitely impose sanctions on you in a tougher manner. Don't forget, I am a professor, but now I am just a student!"

"No, you won't."

Mike changed his sitting position to make himself more comfortable, then took out a photo from the bag of Traceless Stretching Charms he carried with him and threw it in front of Umbridge.

This photo is not one of those magical photos with moving figures commonly used in the wizarding world, but an ordinary Muggle photo. In fact, because it is too old, many parts of the photo have begun to turn yellow.

But despite this, the pattern in the photo is still clearly visible.

Umbridge lowered her head and looked at the photo, only to see that it was a family portrait of a family of four.

This should be a very happy family, the wife is leaning on her husband, both of them are smiling. In front of them are a boy and a girl, a brother and a sister, the sister is putting her hand on her brother's shoulder and smiling happily, even showing her eight white teeth with braces.

And the little girl with braces was actually Umbridge when she was a child!
A look of surprise flashed across Umbridge's face, and was replaced by an expression of shock and anger. She reached out hysterically to snatch the photo.

The movement was so big that it even knocked over the three-layer tray on the small round table.

Mike didn't panic when he saw this. He snapped his fingers with a playful look on his face, and a transparent shield appeared in front of him, blocking the flying food and tableware.

As the sound of porcelain breaking was heard, the room immediately became a mess. Cat patterns could be vaguely seen on the ceramic fragments on the ground, but those incomplete patterns looked extremely hideous at the moment, just like the expression of their owner at the moment.

Looking at Umbridge, whose face turned red and looked even more like a toad, Mike's mocking expression became even more intense. He stood up and said in a sarcastic tone:
"Wow! You don't have to be so anxious. This photo was originally meant for you. After all, I have a lot of these photos, enough to cover the entire Diagon Alley."

"You...you think you can threaten me with this?"

Umbridge panted and spoke viciously, holding the wrinkled photo tightly in her hand.

Umbridge is a true politician. For such people, nothing is irreplaceable. They only see the exchange of interests. If Mike's request is too excessive, I believe Umbridge will definitely refuse without hesitation, even if Mike really spreads the fact that Umbridge is a half-blood to the whole world as he said at the beginning.

Mike naturally knew this truth, so he did not choose to push the other party too hard, but just said lightly:

"Relax, Professor Umbridge. I didn't mean that. In fact, I just want to make a small deal with you, and this (Mike threw out a family photo) is my sincerity."

"Ha! You are so sincere!" Umbridge grabbed the photo before it landed on the ground, then gritted her teeth and said, "Tell me what you want!" "It's very simple," Mike put away his smile and walked up to Umbridge, looking down at her and said coldly, "Don't mess with my people!"

Umbridge was not at all flustered. She raised her head and said sarcastically:

"Your people? So you admit that those people in the mutual aid society are all your subordinates?"

"You can understand it this way." Mike's lips curled up slightly, "You just need to ignore these people. It's not too difficult for you, right? And I can assure you that these people will never take the initiative to provoke you. In this way, you can spend this year successfully and return to the Ministry of Magic with an excellent transcript."

"That sounds good." Umbridge also smiled, "But there is still a problem here, that is Harry Potter, is he one of yours?"

"No, he doesn't."

Umbridge was stunned by Mike's answer, but Mike turned around and said while pacing:
"He and his friends are not in the scope of our business. You can deal with them however you want. In fact, I hope you can increase your efforts!"

"This is really..."

Umbridge muttered, Mike's words had made her at a loss for words.

According to the information she had collected before, Mike and Harry should be a pair of very good friends, but now it seems that this is not the case.

At least Mike didn't consider Harry Potter as his friend.

"You two have a really good relationship!"

Umbridge, who had been mumbling for a long time, finally sneered.

"And what's your answer?"

"I promise you, but you have to promise me that those photos will never appear in the hands of other people." Umbridge said, "If I see those photos in other people's hands, whether it is you who gave them or not, I will come to you to settle the account!"

"It's a deal. Happy cooperation then."

Mike smiled and extended his hand to Umbridge, while Umbridge had a cold face and reluctantly shook Mike's big hand.

……

Outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office, Harry and Ron were hiding in a shadow, staring at the office door.

As the minutes ticked by, Ron began to grow more and more impatient, repeatedly asking Harry to take out his pocket watch (he didn't have one himself) to check the time.

It wasn't until Ron asked Harry to check the time for the fourth time that Harry couldn't help himself and said in a low voice:
"Ron, could you be quiet?"

"I'm anxious, aren't I?" Ron also whispered, "Hey, Mike has been in there for so long, has something happened? I say, we should just break in!"

As they were talking, Ron walked out and tried to knock on the door, and Harry hurried forward to stop him.

However, just as the two of them were arguing, the office door suddenly opened.

"Um, Mike, Professor Umbridge?"

Harry quickly put the hand that was holding Ron's neck behind his back and said timidly, "We are just passing by."

"They're here to pick me up."

Mike said to Umbridge with a smile, and Harry and Ron showed shock on their faces when they heard it. They didn't expect that Mike would sell them out like this.

However, even more exciting things are yet to come.

Umbridge said with that disgusting fake smile:

"Really? You two still have a really good relationship!"

Umbridge's tone was quite affected, and how could Mike not know that she was deliberately mocking him.

But he didn't get angry, he just smiled and nodded.

"Then I won't keep you any longer. Be careful on the road."

"Don't worry, Professor."

Mike said goodbye to Umbridge, then left the office with Harry and Ron.

Just after turning a corner, Ron couldn't help it. He lowered his voice and said in surprise:
"When did your relationship become so good?"

Harry was obviously more concerned about other things, and asked immediately:

"How was your chat? Did Umbridge agree to change the teaching objectives?"

"I'm sorry, Harry." Mike ignored Ron's apology and said to Harry, "Umbridge's attitude is very tough. Maybe we have to find another way."

"Really?" Harry was a little disappointed. "But from what I've seen just now, Umbridge isn't so bad, is she? At least she's willing to come and see you off, and it doesn't look like she's torturing you. Maybe our days ahead won't be too bad."

Mike smiled and looked at Harry without saying anything.

Harry was still too optimistic. It was absolutely impossible for him to have an easy life in the future!

(End of this chapter)