I, Hogwarts Second Time Around.

Chapter 123 Keep a close eye on Draco, this is the right way to be a capitalist! (4,000 words)

Kyrie Irving never harbors unnecessary anger towards anyone.

Unless that person raises their wand at him first.

Even among the Death Eaters, Bellatrix and Barty Crouch Jr.

Humans are complex beings. The pain of the times inadvertently falls upon those sensitive individuals, stinging and angering them, and the blood mixed with hatred flows into their bodies.

Fudge is one of those people.

He had his own agenda. As the least influential person in the Ministry of Magic, he was merely the Deputy Minister of the Department of Magical Disasters before becoming Minister of Magic.

Above him are people with ten fingers.

Fudge's ability to hold onto his position can ultimately be attributed to Dumbledore.

Don't think that writing to Dumbledore to ask for advice on governance is a shameful thing to do.

If Fudge is truly so stupid that he doesn't even know how to govern the Ministry of Magic, then to save face, Floo fans and such will always find a way to cover it up.

However, the truth is that everyone in the wizarding world knows that the current Minister for Magic often consults Dumbledore on matters.

It's impossible that Dumbledore accidentally overheard this while having tea, so there's only one possibility: Fudge or his campaign team deliberately leaked this information.

Regardless of whether the headmaster actually gave him advice, the fact is that most of his colleagues in the Ministry of Magic believed that Cornelius's decree was roughly equivalent to what Dumbledore had approved.

This is why Fudge was able to rise from a marginal figure to the position of Minister of Magic in less than a few years, and even had his own team during the Goblet of Fire, daring to confront Dumbledore.

That wasn't foolishness; rather, he had already amassed considerable political capital during the Goblet of Fire era.

Even with Dumbledore's endorsement, many in the wizarding world couldn't believe that Voldemort had returned.

But that's a story for another time.

Currently, he still cannot live without Dumbledore.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to the old principal tonight to pledge his loyalty.

That's why Irving feels a bit angry about Fudge's current behavior.

If he were even slightly clear-headed, he would know that he is not yet qualified to get involved with Dumbledore!

"You? What about you?!" Owen tilted his head, mocking without restraint, "You seem to have no idea what's going on."

"Professor Dumbledore could get you kicked out of your ministerial position with just one sentence."

"How arrogant!" He walked step by step to Hermione and the others, and with a gentle wave of his wand, everything was cleaned up and all the debris on the little witch and her unfortunate companions disappeared in an instant.

The magic swept over Hermione's body, and suddenly, from nowhere, she felt a very comforting warmth.

It's like—a year and a half ago, the girls' washroom on the third floor, the forbidden forest, under the trapdoor on the fourth floor.

Staring blankly at Owen with bloodshot eyes, the little witch suddenly understood why she had tolerated so many of his unreliable behaviors before.

He did many things that were indeed absurd, even evil, but he was always so reliable.

With him around, it feels like there's nothing to be afraid of.

"Don't look at me like that, Miss Granger." Owen's lips curled into a slight smile, his anger lessening somewhat. "I regret to inform you that Gryffindor is definitely out of the running for the House Cup this year."

"ha?"

Ignoring Hermione's little expression, he turned to look at the idiot again, "If you had even the slightest bit of brainpower, you would realize that you are threatening the most powerful wizard in the world with these little wizards."

Do you know what this means?

"What?!" Fuki's furious face stiffened for a moment, his eyes darting around as if he wanted to see what would happen next.

But the professor didn't pay any attention to him.

The old principal kept looking into the distance, where several professors had gathered and were putting out the raging fire.

Then, Owen continued in a highly threatening tone, "You know what? If Professor Dumbledore wanted to, he could chop you all into eight pieces in a second, or he could spend a few seconds capturing you all alive and erasing this memory."

"Don't worry, the headmaster's forgetfulness spell is definitely more proficient than Lockhart's."

His sinister tone was like the whisper of a demon.

The surrounding Aurors trembled involuntarily.

The fierce fire in that forest is still burning.

They absolutely believed that what Irving said was true.

"How dare you?" Fudge's momentum waned again, his expression became somewhat flustered, and his eyes showed more fear as he looked at the unfavorable situation.

"Or, we could try another approach." With that, Owen pulled the somewhat reluctant Malfoy closer. "Do you know who his father is?"

"Lucius, Lucius Malfoy. What do you think would happen if Lucius switched his allegiance to Barty Crouch from now on?"

"Public opinion is easy to manipulate. Just release a few reports that the Director of the International Department of Magical Exchange and Cooperation is a British wizard who has dedicated his life to the Ministry of Magic, and within a few weeks, all the stains on his life will be wiped clean."

"People might even marvel at how great it was that he upheld the ideals of justice, even at the cost of his own family ties! But wait, sir, look, the masses are like this lake; whatever color you pour in, that's the color it will become—"

"You!" Fudge stared wide-eyed at Owen in disbelief.

It's hard to believe these words came from a teenage wizard.

His gaze kept lingering on Draco, Dumbledore, and Owen.

He weighed the pros and cons in his mind—Lucius was his biggest financial backer, and if he lost his support...

The network of contacts you've painstakingly built up over a whole year could collapse in an instant.

"Yeah, yeah! My dad had dinner with Director Barty Crouch just a few days ago." Draco reluctantly spoke up under Owen's concerned pat on the shoulder.

His face showed disgust and impatience.

Upon hearing this, Fudge, whose reason had been consumed by rage, finally regained some composure.

He looked Dumbledore over again, his bloodshot eyes filled with resentment; he had no intention of giving up.

Because those little wizards did indeed attack him.

He couldn't swallow this insult.

And what about Dumbledore?

The old principal ignored Fudge's gaze and made no attempt to defend himself against Irving's threatening remarks.

Oh! What did the child say?

Oh dear! The little guy just has a bad temper. How can you take what a twelve or thirteen-year-old says seriously?

Adult wizards need to be more mature.

He's still just a child!

"These little wizards." Fudge still wanted to make a last-ditch effort, but he had barely opened his mouth when...

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared before my eyes.

"Snap!" Several more flashes of light froze the images of several blank-faced young wizards and the magical handcuffs on the ground.

That's a camera flash.

Colin! Colin Crevey!

He was a freshman in Gryffindor, the little boy who idolized Harry to an extreme degree.

He often carries a camera around the college taking pictures.

To be honest, I want to send the photos home to his mother so she can also learn about this magical world.

Okay~_~

Colin certainly wouldn't just suddenly appear here.

This was naturally due to Irving's coercion and enticement~~~

He successfully lured the kid over by offering Harry's personal photo shoot rights.

As for Harry's side

Oh dear! It's no big deal. A few petrification spells and I guarantee you'll be able to strike any pose. (laughs)

"What are you doing?" Kingsley frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden, blinding flash of light.

This is in the nature of an Auror.

They all disliked those foolish creatures called wizard journalists.

He carries around this old camera all day taking pictures—what if he accidentally captures something classified?!

"Just recording life, sir!" Owen said with a faint smile. He then slowly pulled Colin behind him. "After all, we're just a group of weak, helpless, and pitiful second-year Hogwarts wizards. Oh, Merlin! We haven't even learned the Avada Kedavra—uh—no—Levitation Charm yet."

Upon hearing this, Professor Flitwick frowned.

He said: What did you say, kid?

Hufflepuff wants to deduct points, doesn't it?!

"These photos will be the evidence if that shameless wizard lies and says we attacked several Aurors and Ministry of Magic officials!"

His face was filled with grief and indignation, as if he had been deceived by the whole world. "Oh my God! If any adult wizard believes that a group of little wizards who don't even know the Levitation Charm can defeat an Auror, then he must have been hit by a troll's club!"

Kingsley stared at Owen in astonishment.

His lips twitched slightly, then his gaze fell on the two unlucky Aurors who had been taken down by Hermione.

The two men's ashen faces clearly showed their embarrassment.

If there had been a tree hollow beneath their feet at that moment, they probably would have crawled right in without hesitation.

"Stop talking, it's too embarrassing."

They preferred to let the matter drop and didn't want to pursue it further, since if word got out, these two Aurors would be socially ruined.

Even their Auror positions might be at risk.

After all, the public wouldn't believe that two adult wizards who couldn't even defeat a junior wizard could protect them.

"Sharp teeth and a sharp tongue!" Fudge's hair was plastered to his forehead, black with some yellow specks mixed in. Once his eyes lost their fierceness, his appearance became somewhat comical.

Owen remained unfazed by the Minister of Magic's indifferent gaze, still leaning lazily against Draco.

After the threats were over, the sweeteners were about to be offered.

"I heard that the Ministry of Magic has been extremely busy lately because of Lockhart's case, and has even incurred a serious financial deficit." He was referring to the demands from multiple countries for compensation from the British Ministry of Magic.

Those people came with great force and would not give up until they got the money, but this money could not be paid by the Ministry of Magic.

Otherwise, it would be seen by British wizards as a sign of weakness.

"Mr. Malfoy was extremely anxious when he heard about it."

"That's right." Draco gritted his teeth as Irving secretly elbowed him in the lower back.

"As a capable wizard who cares deeply for the Ministry of Magic, for Britain, and for all British wizards, Mr. Malfoy is heartbroken and feels sympathy for wizards from other countries and his own country who have been attacked by Lockhart."

"Yeah, I haven't slept for days," Draco said.

"In order to establish a sound and effective system for wizards to heal the wounded, to strengthen friendly international relations between Britain and other countries, and to promote the fine gentlemanly (and troublemaking) traditions of our Great British Empire, Mr. Malfoy has decided!"

"Establish a wizarding world personal protection company (to buy insurance), and provide free (the most expensive), long-term (constantly exploitative), and meticulous (guaranteeing they won't starve) medical care to all the poor wizards who have suffered Lockhart's despicable harm. Furthermore, the philanthropic Mr. Malfoy will donate a special fund (ensuring equal treatment and preventing anyone from getting approved) to the St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries (bringing all the injured wizards to England to prevent rumors) for their treatment. (Quietly and secretly dispose of them.)"

"???" Draco's eyes gradually ignited with fire as he listened to the nonsensical ramblings in his ear!

Wow! You Hufflepuffs are so kind.

Do you know how much it will cost to save those wizards?

You think the Malfoy family's assets didn't come from thin air, and that they don't feel bad about spending money that isn't their own, right?

What kind of ridiculous idea is this? I absolutely will not cooperate with you.

Draco, who had just made a solemn vow in his heart, suddenly felt a tickle in his ears, and then heard the whisper of a certain evil succubus (scratch that) demon: "Watch out, or I'll send your picture in a little skirt to your dad!"

???

Upon hearing this, Draco paused, then turned to look at Owen.

When did I ever wear a skirt?

Before he could even voice his question, he was given goosebumps by Irving's mocking gaze.

Okay, he understands.

To avoid being forced to wear a black, fitted dress with lace trim and embroidered roses someday, Draco could only force an awkward yet elegant smile and say, "Yes, my father has that idea."

snort!

Hearing Draco's insincere words.

Irving looked disgusted.

Check it out!

This is the difference between landlords and capitalists; they have absolutely no vision.

The wizard lived to be nearly two hundred years old, but he lived out his life in the body of a dog.

If he were a member of some ancient family, give him two hundred years, and what need would he have for a Qilin in the election of the Federation's president? He could just choose whoever he wanted!

Look at this useless landlord class, obsessed with their tiny piece of land, with no foresight whatsoever, they truly deserve to be shaved by Minister Granger.

"This" refers to Irving's grandiose promises.

Fudge was somewhat moved.

I'm sorry, he acted impulsively just now.

The professors who had already subdued the fiery blaze all arrived at the Black Lake.

The other professors simply looked at everyone indifferently, but Professor Snape was different; the disgust in his eyes was almost palpable.

They equally loathed everyone present.

Including Professor Dumbledore

This made Fudge truly believe that he couldn't take these little wizards away today, no matter what.

They couldn't take the Ravenclaw relics with them either.

Forget it! He had a bad feeling and wanted to back down. Being a coward at heart, he immediately retreated as usual after realizing that he no longer had the upper hand.

This ending is alright.

At least Lockhart's case has come to a conclusion.

This trip wasn't a complete waste of his time.

After a moment of contemplation, his eyes fell on Professor Dumbledore again. With the other's approval and assurance, the farce finally came to a less than satisfactory end.

One more chapter. Please wait a moment!

(End of this chapter)