Not only was the meal meat, peas, and vegetables, but Lockhart was kind enough to pull out a good bottle of wine to reinforce Rita Skeeter's concept of "reward"

But Rita Skeeter was obviously starving. In the month she became a beetle, although she consumed a lot less, she also ate a lot less.

She didn't even have time to taste the deliciousness of the food Lockhart was serving, and she didn't care about her image, she just ate it, which was very different from the way she used to pretend to do everything.

In other words, she's broken.

In front of a true master of psychology, if they just want to make others obey them, they don't actually need the Imperius Curse at all. The Death Eaters, who depended on the Imperius Curse to do their jobs, had already fallen into the lower ranks.

Just like the general concept of DND mages, it is the true ability of mages to solve problems without spell slots. When he had to use spells, the mage had already lost.

After the food on the plate was wiped out like the wind and clouds, Rita Skeeter let out a breath, and her IQ flowed back to her brain along with the nutrients of the food.

After hitting a stick, of course, he would give her another sweet date, so Lockhart gave her another 100 Galleons, and once again told her to report to herself every week who contacted her, he

Just kicked Rita Skeeter out the door.

He is not afraid that Rita Skeeter will change her mind, because she has no reason to change her mind whether it is from the perspective of psychological suggestion, handle or interest.

I believe that as long as her anti-Lion media banner is still there, the political enemies of Lockhart and Dumbledore will do things through her, and Lockhart can also use her to grasp all the movements of the opposition.

Just as he cross-examined a little, Rita Skeeter betrayed Umbridge behind her.

Originally, Lockhart wondered why even Fudge had made peace with him, and there were still people who wanted to **** him, but when he heard that it was Umbridge who wanted to **** him, Lockhart understood everything.

This woman is greedy for power, superstitious in authority, ruthless, and even ignoring her IQ and family in order to pursue power. And judging from the original book, where she instructed the Dementors to attack Harry Potter, her obsession with power has reached a level of insanity.

If she was aware of her threat and made a radical move, Lockhart would not be surprised at all.

What only puzzled him was how Umbridge made the Dementors obedient.

Because Dementors theoretically have a cooperative relationship with the Ministry of Magic, they do not obey them, and they will not sell unfavorable news for themselves because of simple coercion, especially the "delicious" they have eaten.

Although the Ministry of Magic allows them to **** the happiness of prisoners, they strictly guard against their sucking of people's souls, so as to prevent them from getting worse when they taste the sweetness, so Lockhart thought that he was bribing the Dementors with a piece of Voldemort's soul. will be exposed

But now it seems that Umbridge has more control over the Dementors than he thought.

Deeper, and the method she uses to command the Dementors is by no means a simple threat with a Patronus Charm.

This is interesting.

Regardless of whether he will be exposed in the future, Lockhart does not intend to "bet" Dumbledore before Voldemort returns. He will kill Azkaban, who is only there by himself.

This will certainly put more pressure on him, but when the victory comes, he can also get more benefits from it, so this risk can still be taken.

After he figured it out, Lockhart immediately began to write.

Now that he figured out that it was just Umbridge's personal behavior, he might as well take this opportunity to sell his favor to Fudge and leave it to him to deal with it, while he was freeing up his hands to take Deng Deng. The benefits of Blido's many orders are obtained first.

Soon, Fudge received the letter from Lockhart's owl. He looked at the content and was furious.

He immediately called Umbridge over, scolded her badly, and ordered her to stop her behavior.

He wasn't annoyed at Umbridge's attack on Lockhart, but at how she dared to make up her own mind and upset Fudge's own arrangements.

\"But, Minister...I'm here to help you." Umbridge defended.

"You're sending me into the fireplace to bake," Fudge replied bluntly. "Politics is not like that, Dolores. The purpose of fighting is for a better compromise, not to push people to death. ."

II "■■■

"There's nothing to be done\" but\'that's how the game is played, whoever breaks the rules first must rebuild a set of order, otherwise no one will go with you. "

Perhaps because he found that he was talking too much, Fudge felt that he should not be too much to the "loyal" subordinates, so he began to take back the words again.

"...That's it, either don't do it, or don't be discovered if you do it. If you are discovered, there must be a remedy. If there is none of these, then the people who are destroyed will definitely not be our opponents, but us. ."

Although Fudge is indeed lacking in courage, he has always been good at political proportions, which is the best part he has done as a minister for more than ten years.

From this point of view, after the "Goblet of Fire" plot, Dumbledore and Fudge's parting ways cannot be said to be all Fudge's fault.

Because from the perspective of the Minister of Magic, Dumbledore is trying to re-establish a new order, and its purpose is to end his rule. It is Dumbledore who breaks the "rules" first.

Even if Voldemort did return, Dumbledore should not have announced the news that Voldemort had returned just after the Triwizard Tournament was over and VIPs from home and abroad gathered, because it was easy to be misunderstood.

According to the rules, Dumbledore should first cover up this matter, then secretly come to Fudge to discuss it, and then through Fudge to convene a group of highly respected "elites" to make a collective decision, and finally through the Ministry of Magic to declare martial law, rather than making up his own mind .

Outsiders may not understand Fudge's thinking, but Lockhart understands this politician's thinking very well.

If Lockhart were Dumbledore, he would have stabilized the Diggory family as soon as possible, and then informed the top officials of the Ministry of Magic, and made a clear statement, saying, "Now that the wizarding world is at a critical moment, I call on everyone to join hands. Come, unite closely under the central banner of the Ministry of Magic, represented by Fudge, to overcome the difficulties together."

Dumbledore can get Fudge's support only if he is the first to show that he has no intention of seizing power, instead of surrounding him with a gang of Lions at the Triwizard Tournament awards ceremony, in front of everyone, forcing Fudge to act immediately. decision, it's easy to make

People thought Dumbledore was trying to force the palace to claim power.

So, although no one would deny that Dumbledore was a great wizard, Lockhart still believes that Dumbledore does not understand what a power struggle is, and he lacks this sensitivity to power.

And what Lockhart is doing now fits very well with Fudge's philosophy: Fighting without breaking is the correct form of political struggle, rather than pretending to flip the table at every turn.

"Tell you, Dolores. Lucius told me about Lockhart's entry into Azkaban." Fudge told Umbridge.

Umbridge's eyes widened in such a way that Fudge thought her eyes would pop out of their sockets.

"Did you say it?" Umbridge repeated.

"Yes, I said it. It was just that their purebloods were going to take advantage of it.

\"Idle funds\' to invest, so I just tried to get the gold out of those people's hands. Anyway, it is idle, and it will only be cheap for those goblins if you keep it in the vault."

"Why hasn't anyone told me about this before?" Umbridge's disappointment

Love beyond words.

Fudge answered her angrily: "If it were you, would you go around talking about how you make a lot of money?"

Chapter 143 Position Arrangement

Fudge scolded Umbridge, then called the Ministry of Magic's public press spokesman and asked them to issue a statement saying, "The Ministry of Magic has recently prepared to focus on a large-scale censorship of the newspaper media. Govern the unscrupulous disinformation problem of the irresponsible media", which can be regarded as an explanation for the people of Dumbledore's faction.

Of course Lockhart knew what Fudge meant, so he followed the flow and took advantage of the opportunity to open a book sale in Diagon Alley, surrounded by reporters, and announced his entry into the Ministry of Magic in a high-profile manner.

When he was in school, he had already finished writing his new book "I Danced With Basilisks in the Chamber of Secrets", and the Whitsundays Company also determined the promotion and promotion with amazing efficiency, and planned to use the Quidditch World Cup. During the window period before the qualifiers, the new book was put on the market.

Although the sales of the new book are not yet known, according to Ms. Logan, the editor in charge, the sales must be "unprecedented" based on the pre-orders alone.

In addition to the number of pre-sale, even publishers in Germany, France, the United States, Italy, Greece, and Spain have purchased the translation rights and copyrights of this book, and started simultaneous promotion, which also gave Wytz Harder Corporation with great confidence.

It seems like everyone wants to know about the Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets.

The circle of wizards is really not very big, any dragon that raises a nest of eggs can become news for half a week, not to mention the former T0P7, and now Hogwarts, which is the leader of TP0 (the British self-proclaimed), its Every move, no matter how small, cannot but become news.

However, at the book signing meeting, Lockhart showed a rare modesty. He did not overemphasize his "credits" and "achievements", but focused on looking forward to his future.

"Since that man left, the wizarding world has had its most prosperous decade in history, and it is inseparable from the joint efforts of the Ministry of Magic."

"On the road to eliminating black magic, there is a limit to what a person can do. Only the power of organization can kill black magic in its cradle."

"This is a new subject for me, because my enemy is no longer concrete, but an abstract force."

\"I sincerely hope that the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets is the last creature of dark magic I have ever dealt with."

His rhetoric was generally quite satisfactory, and aside from flattering the Ministry of Magic, he completely avoided talking about his position in the Ministry of Magic, saying that he would obey the assignment.

Many people, especially fans who came to the scene to ask for autographs, felt sorry for Lockhart, and even thought that Lockhart's entry was a big loss to the wizarding world.

They couldn't understand why Lockhart retired at the peak of his career and turned to politics, which was not a glamorous job in the eyes of wizards.

In this regard, Lockhart can only think that these wizards are still too ignorant

Best-selling author, social activist and lawyer, it is quite normal for people in these professions to turn to politics in the Muggle world, especially those who go through parliamentary and party systems.

For example, Czech President Vaclav Havel was a playwright before he became prime minister, and the current British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is actually a writer. .

As for lawyers, there are more. For example, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, British Prime Minister Lloyd, and more than half of the US presidents are actually lawyers. These countries under the Western system can be described as genuine "rule of law".

So, when Rowling finished writing the Harry Potter seven parts and expressed Hermione

When they came and went to "become a lawyer", many Chinese also expressed regret for this, thinking that such a smart person should play a bigger role, rather than spend the rest of his life in legal provisions and lawsuits. When they found out later that Hermione was the Minister of Magic, some people would still be surprised and ask, "Didn't he become a lawyer?"

This is the misunderstanding caused by differences in civilizations, customs, and systems. If a commoner in Western society wants to get ahead, it can be said that it is a matter of course to switch from a lawyer's status to a political world. The rule of the country by people born in the industrial system is a comparison in the world. Weird existence.

This is the reason why Lockhart chose to join Dumbledore. In addition to the illusory things like values ​​and political ideals, the more important thing is that Lockhart, as a best-selling author, is based on "civilians" rather than "civilians". "Superstructure", so it is easier to rise up by taking the route of the lions.

On the other hand, if he is a "pure-blood" wizard, and his family has a lot of connections in the magic world, even if he appreciates Dumbledore's political ideals, he will not hesitate to choose the Snake faction.

This is politics, positions and interests always take precedence over ideas and feelings.

How far Lockhart will go in the future is unknown, but for now at least, even the Ministry of Magic is afraid to give him small shoes, because it will cause a large number of protests from wizarding civilians.

Even if it was Lockhart's own will.

In the office, Fudge stood up.

\"What? Memristor? What are you kidding?"

Cuthbert Mockridge, who is in charge of the Personnel and Goblin Liaison Office, shrugged: "It was Lockhart himself, who said he had a good relationship with Peasegood, and Peasegood immediately If he wants to be promoted, he will be promoted faster if he fills in...

"Absolutely not!" Fudge refused without hesitation, "What would they think of the Ministry of Magic if we let the outside world know that we have arranged for this \"hero\' to work as a memory canceller? "

Because of the existence of the "Wizard's Secrecy Act", the memory cancellation staff can be said to be the grass-roots employees of the Magic Law Enforcement Division, and their status is far inferior to the members of the Aurors, Strikers and Law Enforcement Team members.

The work they do is tiring and complicated. They are running around all year round, and the salary is not very high. They belong to the kind of position where employees are trying to find a way to transfer after they come in.

If the Ministry of Magic arranged this job for Lockhart, the newspapers would definitely not say good things about Fudge, and it would be the mildest to ridicule him.

"I really don't understand that the Auror office is the most suitable position for him," Fudge complained. "I can elevate him up high and have him attend some pro-people events from time to time to show the people that the Ministry of Magic maintains peace and tranquility. Determination. It's safe, pays well, and often gets the limelight..."

Mokrich also sighed: "Maybe this is what he wants to avoid. He wants real power, even if he just gets the real power of the memory cancellation office, it is better than being a puppet."

"Yeah, that old Scrimgeour lion...he won't tolerate anyone being undisciplined." Fudge nodded again and again.

"In that case, how about arranging him into my goblin liaison office?" Mokrich came up with an idea, and the relationship between Wu Ye and Gringotts is said to be good.

"No." Fudge said angrily, "I remember that you and the goblin had negotiated many times, but it seemed to be fruitless?"

Mokrich was a little embarrassed: \"That's because..."

"So, do you want to see him come into your office and quickly fix all the problems, humiliating you?" Fudge asked rhetorically.

This time Mokrich did not speak again.

It is said that Ragnor of Gringotts invited hardly any human beings at the promotion banquet, only invited Lockhart and his brother-in-law, this relationship is obviously much better than the relationship between himself and Gonuk.

For the sake of his own position, he really can't lead the wolf into the room, and Fudge will not allow the position of his cronies to be taken away by outsiders.

In the end, J or Fudge himself made the decision.

"Promise that guy Barty Crouch, let him enter the International Magical Cooperation Department! Let Crouch worry about this problem." He said.

"Wonderful! That way he won't be able to get in touch with specific domestic affairs." Mokridge stunned, "It's just that Crouch is too old-fashioned, and I'm afraid he won't get along well with that peacock man."

Immediately he saw the meaning in Fudge's smiling face - this is what I want!

Chapter 144 The Flexible Man

In mid-June, when Lockhart returned to London after his book promotion tour in Diagon Alley, Godric's Hollow, Foley Village, and Hogsmeade, he was delighted to learn that Two new news:

The first one is the exam at Hogwarts - although almost every grade's final exam of Defence Against the Dark Arts has a little bit of a glitch, among the two exams .W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts, Hogwarts Ci's students maintain a very high pass rate.

For example, in the fifth grade, the pass rate for this course is 100%, and the excellent rate has reached nearly one-third of the students. In the seventh grade NEWTs, the pass rate is also 100%, and only one person did not get it.

It seems that whether it is a wizard or a Muggle, as long as the review is systematic and adequate, getting good grades becomes a matter of course, and it is not in vain that Lockhart copied his experience of being admitted to Oxford University.

The only fly in the ointment is that because there are too many people who passed this year, Ms. Geslda Machiban said that next year's exam will be more difficult, which is bad news for this year's seventh graders.

In addition, sixth graders who took Lockhart courses last year are also entering seventh grade this year. As you can imagine, no matter who this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is, I'm afraid he will be busy.

But no matter what: Lockhart can go to office with this glorious teaching resume, and it is the kind of confident.

The second thing is that the Ministry of Magic has sent a notification letter from the Department of Personnel and Administration, saying that after \"\"has passed a strict review", he has been allowed to join the Ministry of Magic and asked him to come to Magic before July 1. Go to the Ministry and report to the Director of the International Magical Cooperation Division, Barty Crouch.

Stop outside the dagger\"Recite the knowledge letter l~i do not note the sun and the moon-TlW: the arrival of husband Gan I3 is generous; husband \" is also fruitful

From the red phone box next to the Prime Minister's Office, dial 62442 to enter the fifth basement of the Ministry of Magic and register your wand.

However, he has been in the Ministry of Magic many times in the past year, and he can't get used to the employees there any more, so this is a bit redundant. Even if Lockhart is more careless, he will not want to pass the Floo fans directly. into the office fireplace

And according to Ministry of Magic regulations, only senior officials such as the Minister of Magic, Deputy Minister, Director, or Aurors in emergency situations can enter the Ministry of Magic through Apparition.