Chapter 106: The Dark Lord Comes Knocking

Chapter 106: The Dark Lord Comes Knocking

Joining the Ministry of Magic was a complex process. Kingsley took Lockhart to about a dozen offices to sign documents. Many documents required not only the clerk's signature but also the department head's. Because of this, Lockhart quickly familiarized himself with the heads of various departments.

It was then that he realized Kingsley's extraordinary skill. He seemed to be on good terms with all the department heads.

The department heads respected Kingsley, and things proceeded smoothly.

Of course, there was one final crucial signature: that of the Minister for Magic and the Undersecretary.

Walking towards their offices, the two chatted idly. Kingsley casually asked, "Gilderoy, after visiting so many departments, what's your impression?"

Lockhart glanced at Kingsley with a strange expression. The other man's emotions were well-hidden, but the Boggart detected a hint of wariness in him.

This wariness stemmed from Lockhart encountering fervent fans in every department he visited. Such influence was not to be underestimated in the eyes of some political figures at the Ministry.

Many were probably wary of whether Lockhart could effectively leverage this influence and convert it into political power.

Phew~

It seemed he had accidentally stepped into an unfamiliar circle, a completely new adventurous domain.

Lockhart disliked this domain because it had nothing to do with magic.

He tried his best to put on his original self's perfect, charming smile, which politicians would deem harmless, smiling like a simple idol. He casually replied, "It doesn't feel very good. Everywhere I go, I see traces of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families. I, a half-blood wizard from an ordinary wizarding family, probably won't be able to make much headway."

Kingsley's emotions finally settled down.

He was clearly afraid that Lockhart, swept up in the frenzy of screams, might lose himself and cause unexpected trouble for Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix's plans at the Ministry.

Fortunately, this idol-like figure finally understood deference.

Kingsley nodded. "Not entirely. The Ministry of Magic's employees actually come from two important groups. Members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families usually go to departments with real power, while members of other ancient pure-blood families generally go to departments requiring knowledge or combat prowess."

"For example, the Department of Mysteries. Members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight often find it very difficult to enter there."

"This is precisely what Dumbledore is doing. He's introducing new blood into the Ministry: half-blood wizards and Muggle-born wizards from ordinary wizarding families."

He smiled, pointing to the office at the end of the corridor. "Our Minister for Magic, Mr. Fudge, is the highest-ranking official from this group."

"In this Ministry, where the Sacred Twenty-Eight families and ancient pure-blood families divide spheres of influence, if Mr. Fudge wants to firmly establish himself and cannot receive comprehensive support from Dumbledore, he needs to win over and promote more half-blood and Muggle-born wizards from ordinary backgrounds."

Kingsley narrated with a strange expression. "That's why Dolores Umbridge, from a humble background, had the opportunity to become the Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. She is Mr. Fudge's most important helper, bar none."

So...

From a political standpoint, Umbridge was actually aligned with the Order of the Phoenix?

Or rather, Umbridge becoming the Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic was clearly an outcome Dumbledore was pleased to see.

As for Umbridge's annoying personality, it seemed irrelevant. To carve out a path for ordinary people within the Ministry's layered circles of interest, one likely couldn't succeed without such an aggressive personality.

She formed a perfect complement to the easygoing Mr. Fudge.

Lockhart gasped in admiration, suddenly gaining some understanding of what Dumbledore was doing.

Dumbledore had clearly succeeded, because in the original story, after Dumbledore died and lost his influence, Hermione Granger, from an ordinary wizarding family, became the Minister for Magic.

Of course, this might also be related to Hermione marrying a member of one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families.

But this was already a very good start.

From Fudge to Hermione, this path had been completely opened.

For Hermione to establish herself firmly in the Ministry, besides maintaining good relations with these Sacred Twenty-Eight families and ancient wizarding families, she also needed to promote more wizards from ordinary families, groups whose interests aligned with hers.

Kingsley stopped, looking at Lockhart with a gentle expression. "So, your appearance will actually be welcomed by Mr. Fudge and Madam Umbridge. Even if they might personally dislike you, they will definitely welcome your presence in the Ministry."

"And it wouldn't be appropriate for me to appear with you in front of them; that would only distance you from them."

Taking sides, taking sides within different social circles – that was the survival rule of the Ministry of Magic.

Kingsley made a gesturing motion, inviting Lockhart to proceed alone. "Well, I've helped you as much as I can here."

"Thank you!" Lockhart expressed his gratitude. This influential figure had so skillfully guided him through all the procedures and so simply and clearly laid out the Ministry's interests before him.

"Don't thank me, it was all Dumbledore's arrangement." Kingsley hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "In fact, there's something I might need to bother you with."

Lockhart raised an eyebrow. "Please say."

"When I was at the Crabbe family's safe house, I noticed—" He looked at Lockhart somewhat bewildered. "Umbridge seemed a little afraid of you?"

Yes, the insidious werewolf's dark magic could infiltrate the human mind, manifesting as the fear of a higher predator in the food chain.

Lockhart would not disclose the details of his hidden cards to anyone else. He simply smiled. "Perhaps those with dark hearts always feel ashamed in the presence of a virtuous and upright person like me, and their aura weakens?"

Ah, this...

The absurd confidence of this extremely handsome man completely baffled Kingsley.

He seemed to struggle to maintain his composure, suppressing a twitching corner of his mouth for a while, before finally whispering, "Actually, to be honest, Umbridge falls into a category that is beyond our control but must be tolerated by the Order of the Phoenix. Fortunately, I've found that you might have some influence over her—"

He looked expectant. "If you can influence this uncontrolled area, I believe you will become someone the Order of the Phoenix must win over."

Got it. Everyone needed to have value, and Kingsley, from his faction's perspective, saw Lockhart's value.

To be needed meant not being outside the "greater good," belonging to that part of the big picture that would not be sacrificed even when necessary.

"I accept this challenge."

Lockhart had never imagined that Umbridge, of all people, would become his bargaining chip, or rather, that his research into werewolves would unexpectedly yield such a gain.

Nice~

He stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Umbridge's voice had a peculiar, affected tone, a sweet, girlish lilt, possessing an absurd charm like an old cucumber painted green.

Lockhart's expression suddenly shifted.

He often told his students, "seeking solutions based on characteristics" was one of the most effective methods for a Defense Against the Dark Arts scholar.

So, what were Umbridge's characteristics?

Love of beauty? Bullying the weak and fearing the strong?

He flipped his hand, pulling a small, one-ounce (29 ml) bottle from his ring. Inside was a thick, crimson liquid. Upon closer inspection, he could see golden specks shimmering within the liquid through the brown glass bottle.

This was a cosmetic that Snape had developed based on the active beneficial bacteria from the spring water summoned by the Banshee Maiden.

Yes, a cosmetic.

Initially, Lockhart planned to brand the Spring of Life as a high-end beverage, but after a brief study, Snape casually gave him a simple recipe. After mixing, it turned into a paste, so Lockhart simply rebranded it as a luxury cosmetic.

A magical potion that could revitalize the skin.

From beverage to cosmetic, the profit margins were full of infinite possibilities.

This high-ranking Ministry official seemed like the perfect breakthrough to open up the market. Later, when he asked Rita to interview her, he could casually mention, "Oh, your skin looks so good?" and then a gushing, self-promoting report would follow.

Nice!

But a cosmetic wasn't enough. Lockhart chuckled. Black smoke quickly churned in his eye sockets, accompanied by the werewolf's characteristic scarlet flash, then disappeared. He once again unleashed the malevolent werewolf's magical power.

Full power, maxed out.

Done.

He pushed the door open.

"If you're looking for Mr. Fudge, please wait a moment. He's gone to the hospital to check on the students—" Umbridge was lowering her head, organizing documents, casually speaking as she pointed to a chair in the office, indicating for the visitor to wait.

However, before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt an incredibly terrifying aura approaching.

She swallowed hard, as if a furry, clawed hand had grasped her heart, causing her anxiously pounding heart to abruptly stop.

Suffocation!

Something was approaching!

Indescribable!

So terrifying!

Her mind, chaotic from terror, struggled to make an accurate judgment. Even her vision was blurred. She tried her best to see clearly, but her widened pupils and confused thoughts refused to obey her.

She could only barely see the dark wind howling in the corridor outside the office door, stirring up chaotic black smoke, accompanied by a dreadful stench of blood. A distorted figure was steadily approaching.

She wanted to run, but her hands and feet merely trembled, refusing to obey her.

The footsteps, "thump-thump-thump," grew closer, pounding on her soul, indescribably chilling.

"No—!"

Umbridge screamed in terror, wildly flailing her arms. In a flash, she glimpsed the face of the approaching person, and it was none other than Gilderoy Lockhart, the one who filled her with an intrinsic dread.

This person was absolutely a very, very, very dangerous dark wizard!

Hidden among the crowd, smiling at people, he was definitely doing something evil and terrifying in secret!

She saw through him!

She swore, she absolutely saw through this fiend's little scheme!

She had felt uneasy about this before, but she hadn't expected Gilderoy Lockhart to come knocking so soon!

Yes, she should have known. Scrimgeour and these Aurors were useless; they couldn't possibly keep this fiend contained. He was coming to kill her!

No!

Don't kill me!

Wuwuwu~~~

I still want to live!

Umbridge's entire mental state collapsed. She shrieked in terror, almost falling off her chair.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Suddenly, a warm voice sounded by her ear. Umbridge felt her vision clear instantly, and the light in the office returned to brightness, as if everything had been an illusion.

She looked up and saw that the speaker was indeed Gilderoy Lockhart.

He was smiling at her, a very bright smile, his eyes full of concern.

No!

It's a lie, this is all a lie!

Don't think I can't tell just because you're wearing a mask, you terrifying fiend!

Umbridge screamed inwardly, trying her best to keep her expression calm. Yes, calm. She absolutely couldn't let this fiend discover that she had seen through him, otherwise she couldn't imagine what awaited her.

.....

For early access to 70 advanced chapters on p@treon

p@treon.com/Chaos_God

Thank you so much for your support and for reading