"Argus, are you alright?"
Vinda waited anxiously outside the courtroom.
Upon seeing Argus emerge, he immediately approached and inquired.
Argus took out a parchment and handed it to Vinda.
"Scrimgeour's entire network of connections within the Auror Office is in there. Make good use of it!"
"Besides..."
Argus glanced toward the courtroom.
"Don't let him leave Azkaban alive."
He never underestimated the Auror Director, who was destined to become Minister of Magic.
Even if one knew the other party's weaknesses, who knew if they would have a way to counter them after they came out?
Rather than gambling on the other party's cards, it was better to take control of everything oneself.
Vinda understood immediately and turned to leave the Ministry of Magic with Argus.
Two days later, at Acolytes Manor.
Argus sat at the table, picked up a stack of documents, and clicked his tongue in admiration.
"I didn't expect Scrimgeour to be so popular among the Aurors."
"He can control about 60 percent of the Aurors. I originally thought that it would be good if half of them were usable."
"Now it's actually more than two-thirds!"
"With the people the Acolytes have planted in the Auror Office, they already make up more than half of the Aurors."
"It seems that it won't be long before the Acolytes will be able to truly establish themselves in the Ministry of Magic."
...
The following day, at the Ministry of Magic.
Amelia Bones looked solemn.
Ever since Scrimgeour's incident, she had been eyeing the position of Director of the Aurors, wanting to place her own people there.
Unfortunately, Fudge was the same way, and the two of them fought openly and secretly for this position countless times.
She was a serious and upright person; to be precise, the Bones family were all extremely upright.
Her brother and grandmother both died fighting Voldemort. In the original story, she also stood up for Harry when he was arrested, and was later killed by Voldemort.
But being upright did not mean she had no desire for power.
As one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, she had shouldered the mission of her family since birth.
Especially now, with Voldemort yet to return and the British wizarding world seemingly safe.
She was locked in a fierce battle with Barty Crouch and Fudge.
Under these circumstances, how could she possibly relinquish such a powerful position within the Ministry of Magic?
Moreover, this real power was still nominally hers!
Fudge's mentality was much the same as hers, except that one was for the honor of his family, and the other was for the power of being Minister of Magic.
"Minister Fudge, the Auror Office is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Now that the position of Director of the Aurors is vacant, it is natural to select someone from within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Fudge smiled smugly, inwardly marveling at Argus's uncanny foresight.
"Director Bones also knows that the Aurors belong to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?"
"Scrimgeour did something like this, don't you, as the director, bear any responsibility for failing to properly supervise him?"
"If all members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement were like Scrimgeour, even if I believed your department's members, would the British wizards believe me?"
"But that's no reason for you to interfere in various departments!" Amelia retorted without backing down.
"Interfere? As Minister for Magic, what aspect of the Ministry of Magic cannot I manage?"
"When you say 'interfering,' do you mean you're treating the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as your private property?"
"Director Bones!"
Amelia hadn't expected the previously timid Fudge to become so sharp-tongued, and for a moment she couldn't find the right words to say.
But having served as the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for so many years, she immediately thought of a way to retaliate.
"The Auror Office is not something that just anyone can control."
"One must be extremely familiar with wizarding law, and also have sufficient strength and prestige."
"Besides the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, I doubt anyone would dare claim to be well-versed in wizarding law, right?"
"That's not necessarily true!" Fudge scoffed.
"Quite a few people have been transferred from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to other departments. How does Director Bones know that there are no suitable candidates among them?"
Amelia adjusted her monocle, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.
"Minister Fudge himself said that he was transferred from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"What were the reasons for these people being transferred? And what achievements did they make within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?"
"Is there anyone to replace you in other departments?"
"These are all cases that need to be considered one by one. Rather than getting bogged down in these issues, it would be more appropriate to make a selection within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Fudge stared intently at Amelia, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
He increasingly longed to completely control the Ministry of Magic.
If he could really control the Ministry of Magic, none of this would have happened these past few days!
To decide who gets promoted, all it takes is a single word!
And now, he, the Minister of Magic, didn't even have the authority to appoint a director!
"Your Excellency..."
Just then, a sweet, cloying voice rang out.
Umbridge, dressed in a pink dress, appeared at the minister's office with a forced smile.
"What's up!"
Fudge suppressed his anger and asked.
"Minister, the werewolves in Knockturn Alley seem to be making some moves lately."
"Should we send an Auror over to take a look?"
"We can't let those beasts really cause any trouble, can we?"
"Then let…" Fudge and Amelia exchanged a glance.
Neither side made any concessions!
Finally, Amelia took a deep breath: "Minister Fudge, I think that no matter what, we should prioritize the big picture."
"Right now, dealing with the werewolves in Knockturn Alley is the most important thing."
"Since the two of us cannot agree on the position of Director of the Aurors, why don't we let them make their own choice?"
What do you think?
It's true that Amelia wanted to deal with Knockturn Alley, but it's also true that she didn't want to give up her position as the Director of the Aurors.
She dared to make this suggestion because she was certain that Fudge's men were incapable of managing the Auror Office.
Fudge was able to become Minister of Magic because he naturally had his own people.
If it were a contest of influence within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement or other areas, he might not be so willing.
But in his eyes, with his prestige as Minister of Magic, he was far superior to Amelia in this regard.
There are definitely far more Aurors willing to pledge allegiance to him than to Amelia!
The decision was made immediately!
"Alright, let the Auror Office choose for themselves!"
"But we've already agreed that whatever choice they make, neither of us can interfere!"
"We must get them started on their mission!"
Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Amelia smiled with satisfaction.
"Okay! I agree."
"Minister Fudge, please?"
"Should we ask Secretary Crouch to come and be a witness?"
"Him?" Fudge scoffed and strode toward the Auror Office.
Umbridge, the best lackey, hurriedly followed.
...
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