Thanks to the extensive media coverage, in just one afternoon, even Wizards who hadn't watched the live broadcast of the match learned of the Hogwarts students' heroic feat of battling the Dementors.
For a time, the entire Wizarding World was ignited by this shocking event.
Wizards discussed it animatedly; whether at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley or at the dinner tables of Wizarding families, almost everyone was talking about this thrilling battle.
In various Wizarding households, many students' parents watched replays on television with pride, over and over again.
They eagerly wrote letters to friends and relatives, recounting their children's heroic deeds, with some parents even exaggerating that their children had led the charge in repelling the Dementors.
However, as the excitement gradually subsided, a feeling of lingering fear quietly spread.
"How lawless of the Dementors to dare attack the students!"
"What exactly is the Ministry of Magic doing, to allow such a thing to happen?!"
The parents' anger began to spread, directed unreservedly at the Ministry of Magic.
This anger reached its peak on Monday, as countless Howler letters flooded into the Ministry of Magic like a deluge.
Chaos reigned everywhere, with the Minister's office being the hardest hit.
"Fudge, you incompetent Minister with a shrunken brain, how could you let Dementors attack students?!"
"You useless fellow, don't even think about getting a single vote in the next election!"
"The children were scared pale; they are the future of our Wizarding World. You idiot should resign!"
"If you can't be a Minister, then step down quickly and give the position to someone more capable!"
Fudge stood in his office, the insults from the Howlers exploding like thunder in his ears, making his brain ache.
"Damn it, the Dementors are disobedient, what does that have to do with me? I didn't order them to attack the students!"
Fudge's face turned red with anger, as he paced back and forth furiously in the small space, the veins on his forehead bulging, curses constantly spilling from his mouth.
Amidst the chaos, a pink figure stood quietly outside Fudge's office door, strikingly out of place with the surrounding clamor.
Listening to Fudge's roars and the sounds of things being smashed in the office, Umbridge subtly curled her lips, contemplating how to leverage this incident for her own greater benefit.
This was an excellent opportunity!
An opportunity to showcase her abilities and further solidify her position within the Ministry of Magic.
Currently, Fudge was in an emotional maelstrom, and the Ministry of Magic was pushed to the forefront of public anger.
As long as she subtly intervened and helped Fudge overcome this difficulty, she could openly become the Savior of the Ministry of Magic.
Just as Fudge was on the verge of losing his mind with anger, Umbridge gently knocked on the door, then pushed it open and walked in.
"Minister," Umbridge said, her face adorned with her signature smile, "I have a way to resolve the current crisis."
Fudge spun around abruptly; he knew Umbridge was adept at handling crises, and perhaps she had a solution for the current situation.
"Umbridge, what do you suggest?"
A shrewd glint flashed in Umbridge's eyes: "Everyone is currently focused on the issue of Dementors entering Hogwarts."
"We might as well start there and turn public opinion in our favor."
Fudge eagerly asked, as if grasping at a lifeline: "Tell me, how do we turn public opinion around?"
For an entire morning, due to the numerous Howlers, the Ministry of Magic's daily affairs were almost at a standstill.
More importantly, after this incident, the overall credibility of the Ministry of Magic significantly decreased, and public aversion towards the Ministry reached its peak.
He urgently needed to do something to salvage his image.
Umbridge's face showed a confident smile, and she hinted softly, "Minister, think about it, why were the Dementors sent to Hogwarts in the first place?"
"I can go to Hogwarts to 'investigate' and ascertain the facts."
"You mean…" Fudge's face showed a look of sudden realization.
Good idea!
This way, the nature of the incident would completely change.
The Dementors would no longer be the culprits who attacked the students, but rather diligent enforcers fulfilling their duties.
They had merely discovered Sirius's trace and a misunderstanding arose during the pursuit.
Dumbledore not only showed no gratitude but also condoned students attacking Ministry of Magic personnel, leading to several Dementors dying in the line of duty.
Once the public learned this fact, they would understand that the Ministry of Magic was the victim.
By then, the image of the Minister of Magic enduring humiliation would be deeply ingrained in people's hearts.
This Umbridge, truly worthy of being his trusted confidante, was indeed efficient.
Thinking this, Fudge immediately instructed Umbridge to go to Hogwarts, telling her to ensure the matter was settled as an ironclad case.
Umbridge, having received Fudge's approval, excitedly arrived at Hogwarts, but before she even entered the Hogwarts gates, she felt insulted.
"You mean, I, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic, need your permission and some visitor's pass to enter Hogwarts?"
Umbridge's face was livid as she reprimanded Filch, who had opened the Hogwarts gate.
"Open your dog eyes and look, I represent the Ministry of Magic, where do you get the nerve to stop me?!"
These ill-mannered people, it was bad enough to have a Squib greet her, but they wouldn't even let her in.
Saying this, she directly pushed Filch aside and strode into the campus.
"Get out of the way! If you delay the Ministry of Magic's official business, be careful, I'll have you locked up in Azkaban!"
To Umbridge's surprise, as soon as she stepped onto the Hogwarts campus, a piercing alarm sounded.
Her face completely darkened, and she stopped, glaring menacingly at Filch.
What does this mean?!
Am I being treated as an intruder?
"Deputy Minister," Filch said with an appeasing smile, "Please wait a moment, Professor McGonagall has already been informed of your visit."
"She will be here soon and will personally issue your visitor's pass."
Umbridge couldn't be bothered with Filch until she saw Professor McGonagall's figure; only then did she resume her professional smile, saying in a sarcastic tone:
"Professor McGonagall, I apologize for the abrupt visit. I didn't realize one needed a visitor's pass to enter Hogwarts, otherwise, one can't even get past the main gate."
Professor McGonagall said sternly, "This is an upgraded defense system for the students' safety; all strangers must obtain identification to enter."
Saying this, she took out a visitor's pass and said to Umbridge, "Take out your wand, tap it lightly on this pass, then put the pass away, and you can enter the school with me."
"I am the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic," Umbridge raised an eyebrow, "Do I also need identification?"
"Of course, even Minister Fudge would need a visitor's pass if he came," Professor McGonagall waved her wand, stopping the surrounding alarm.
"Unless you want to hear this piercing sound wherever you go, everyone needs a visitor's pass."
Umbridge's smile faded.
Alright, alright, a compliance test, is it?
Clearly able to control these alarms, yet insisting on making her get a pass.
This is disrespecting her!
This is open defiance of the Ministry of Magic!
Minister Fudge was right after all; everyone at Hogwarts, starting from the Principal, was lawless.
...