"…The most crucial point is that this batch of Muggle professors are all from the former Soviet Union."

"Therefore, our Ministry of Magic doesn't need to pay these individuals any remuneration. Just the potatoes grown at Hogwarts will suffice as payment. After all, they are just a group of fleeing Muggles. Having a place willing to take them in is already a blessing; they won't be getting their hands on any Galleons. "

Umbridge raised her eyebrows dismissively, ending the topic with a slightly mocking snort.

Then, the witch gently tapped the table with her wand, erasing the writing on it.

The wand's design was very similar to her appearance: very short, with dark wood crafted into densely packed concentric rings, which looked rather disgusting. An ostentatious pink gemstone divided the wand into two sections.

After a moment of silence, Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, frowned, and said with some concern.

"I'm just worried that things will sound good now, but once those Muggles arrive, Hogwarts will start demanding more financial aid. With Albus Dumbledore's reputation, if he lowers himself and asks, we'll find it very difficult to refuse."

Everyone could feel Dumbledore's change during this period.

Compared to the once unyielding guardian of the magical world, the current Albus Dumbledore was more like an old politician who had been immersed in the political arena for many years. Whether it was dealing with people or negotiating, he exuded a watertight smoothness and sophistication everywhere, which was naturally a situation that the Ministry of Magic officials hoped to see.

Of course, this also corroborated something that Fudge had been firmly believing for a long time - the omnipotent Albus Dumbledore was not incapable of political tactics, but he was just too lazy to spend his energy dealing with those ordinary officials before.

There was no doubt that Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic personally recommended by Albus Dumbledore, and the members of this session of the Ministry of Magic leadership team, held a different position in Dumbledore's heart, which represented respect for the government.

Hearing Amelia Bones' confusion, Cornelius Fudge shook his head with a smile.

"Professor Dumbledore shouldn't make any more requests. If he really needs something, he will definitely say it in advance or at least leave some room, instead of blocking his own path and handing over the handle to us. Hogwarts, the magical world, and the Ministry of Magic are ultimately a ladder of continuous ascent, and as the headmaster, he naturally understands this."

"For so many years, Professor Dumbledore has been devoted to teaching and educating, hoping that his students will become more and more excellent, but whether a wizard is excellent or not is not only determined by school grades. The evaluation of most of their lives still depends on the magical world, or rather our Ministry of Magic. Now, whether it is the introduction of Muggle education or the change in his attitude, I think it is a message of seeking cooperation, after all, it is all for the sake of the students."

"The Minister is right," John Dawlish nodded, "Regarding the recent reforms at Hogwarts, most people in the magical world and the Ministry also think so. I asked several colleagues whose children are studying at Hogwarts, and they all said that although the changes Dumbledore has implemented in the school this year have been frequent, they are all supplementary improvements aimed at some of the students' daily lives… such as improving the food, strengthening the physique, enhancing practical skills, and consolidating basic knowledge…"

"It's just… Professor Dumbledore's recent changes are still a bit unsettling."

Amelia Bones glanced at Dawlish, hesitated for a while, and couldn't help but say another sentence.

"I'm worried about whether…"

As a member of the Wizengamot Court, she had more direct contact with Dumbledore than Cornelius Fudge and others, so she could feel the strange changes in Albus Dumbledore recently.

How should I put it, although there was nothing wrong with his expression, appearance, clothing, or magic, Amelia Bones always felt that Albus Dumbledore's eyes always carried a kind of improper teasing, just like those wizards who deceived the jury through sophistry in court and successfully acquitted themselves.

"Oh, Director Bones, you have occupational disease…"

Umbridge chuckled softly, her hoarse voice trying to imitate a little girl's appearance, her eyes squinting like a large pink toad squatting on a lotus leaf, shrilly said.

"Worried about what? That Albus Dumbledore is under the Imperius Curse, or someone broke into the Hogwarts Headmaster's office, drank Polyjuice Potion, and turned into Dumbledore's appearance to discuss educational reform with the magical world? Compared to these, I would rather believe the latest joke on *The Quibbler* - that after the Dark Lord returned, the first thing he did was to go to Hogwarts to teach students how to defend against the Dark Arts."

Cornelius Fudge also patted his knee with a smile, and a relaxed expression appeared on his face.

"That *The Quibbler* is indeed quite interesting. At least now people know that the things on it are ridiculous jokes, which can be regarded as playing a role in curbing rumors. It is a pity that Xenophilius Lovegood is not quite right in the head. I contacted him last time, and counting on him to write some truth is out of the question…"

"Speaking of which, I heard that the original Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Quirrell, has been admitted to St. Mungo's? Now, a temporary old wizard hired from somewhere, called Otto Apocalypses? Could it be…"

Cuthbert Mockridge, the Head of the Goblin Liaison Office, asked curiously.

He had finally found a place to interject. He had read that issue of *The Quibbler*, and even submitted comments, and carefully learned about the current situation of Hogwarts' official professors.

"I know about this matter. That old wizard is completely reliable, so there is no need to discuss this."

Cornelius Fudge waved his hand, ending the topic, and exchanged glances with several high-ranking officials around him.

Regarding the temporary hiring of the legendary wizard "Paracelsus" from Austria, Dumbledore had already completed the registration with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards a long time ago. However, ordinary officials like Mockridge naturally did not have the qualifications to access this level of secret information, so they would have some doubts.

"As for you… Director Mockridge, what's the situation with the Gringotts goblins now…"

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Chapter 1!