If there's one thing Umbridge cannot tolerate, it's being ignored by others.
She loves the feeling of being the center of attention and the look of awe in others' eyes. It's precisely these feelings that have driven her to climb to her current position step by step.
Now, if she takes just half a step further, she'll be able to sit in the deputy minister's seat, becoming the second most powerful person in the Ministry of Magic.
Those people actually called her a "nobody in the Ministry of Magic." Don't they know what their own status is?
Umbridge absolutely cannot accept such an insult. Her entire body trembles with anger.
"I am Dolores Umbridge!" Umbridge said in a sharp voice, "the Minister of the Ministry of Magic Law Enforcement Department, and a member of the Wizengamot!"
"Oh, so you're a minister." Kael looked a bit uneasy, shifting his feet slightly. "So, you can be held accountable for what you just said, right?"
Umbridge held her head high, "Of course..."
"Ahem, I think Dolores didn't mean it that way."
Fudge interrupted Umbridge with a cough, interjecting, "She's just too concerned about the child. After all, young wizards shouldn't try to defeat werewolves when they see them. Running away is the wisest choice."
"Of course, I completely agree with you, Cornelius."
Dumbledore nodded seriously, "As for her mention of expulsion just now..."
"That, of course, was a joke. The Ministry of Magic wouldn't expel a little hero who just saved many people."
Fudge chuckled heartily, "Dolores was just trying to use this method to remind that child so he won't act so recklessly next time, right..."
Fudge gave a subtle sideways glance.
Umbridge immediately understood, showing a fake smile, she continued in that sweet, cloying voice, "Yes, Minister, I'm honored you understand my meaning.
Young wizards these days are too self-inflated. Just lucky enough to get a good score, and they think they can handle a werewolf?
He needs to learn his limits and know what should and shouldn't be done, in order to live a longer life."
"I'll remember that, ma'am." Kael also showed a fake smile, "And just to say, in an outfit like that, it really makes you look younger."
Umbridge looked down at her pink cardigan, not thinking much of it, and thought Kael was complimenting her, held her head high, and left.
Meanwhile, beside her, Professor Cecily slightly curled her lips, looking at Kael with interest.
She clearly picked up that the child was mocking the Ministry of Magic official for trying to look young.
But it's also true.
Soon, the Aurors returned.
"Rufus, how is it?" Fudge asked.
"It's a werewolf," Scrimgeour said quietly, "and he just moved into St Mungo's yesterday."
"It's really a werewolf…" Fudge frowned, anxiously pinching his hat.
He could hardly imagine the panic that would ensue if word got out that werewolves could transform during the day.
As the Minister of Magic, he would surely be criticized.
No, this incident must not get out.
Fudge's eyes began to harden as if he had resolved on something.
"Minister, I'll take the child to rest first, then."
At this time, Professor Cecily approached, gesturing to a young healer nearby, "If the Aurors have any questions, they can find Hippocrates. He will fully cooperate with you."
Fudge looked at her, then at Dumbledore, nodding, "Oh, no problem. You all go ahead."
"Then excuse us."
...
The sixth floor of St Mungo's is a tea room and shop.
Professor Cecily led Kael and Dumbledore to a cubicle and ordered a cup of red tea for each of them.
Dumbledore took a sip and said with some delight, "It's my favorite flavor. I thought you'd forgotten."
"Five sugar cubes. I always remember."
Professor Cecily said calmly, "If nothing goes wrong, our minister will likely take the werewolf away."
Dumbledore put down his cup, "Cornelius is just like that, too tense when things happen."
"All right, I'll begin with what I know first."
Professor Cecily continued, "That person came to St Mungo's yesterday afternoon, claiming to be scratched by a werewolf. But to be cautious, the healers still placed him in a special ward with dedicated caretakers.
Last night happened to be a full moon, but he didn't transform into a werewolf, so he was transferred to a regular ward."
St Mungo's has a thorough process. For special cases like werewolves, they definitely won't have them staying with others, unless it's confirmed he isn't infected.
This is also why that werewolf came from next door.
Kael nodded, indicating his understanding.
A werewolf who is fine during the full moon but transforms during the day... This is indeed puzzling. Even those healers probably didn't foresee such a thing.
"Is this considered a mutation?" Kael asked.
"Probably not."
Professor Cecily's expression was solemn, "When I got here, I smelled a very distinctive magic potion scent from that werewolf's blood."
"Magic potion?"
"Yes, and it resembles the Wolf Poison Potion." Professor Cecily frowned, thinking for a moment, "But unlike normal Wolf Poison Potions, it had Howling Grass... and some other things."
Howling Grass...
Kael knew about this thing.
Just as sorcery has a branch of Dark Magic, herbs also have... Howling Grass is one of them.
Beyond those cursed poisons, normal magic potions simply don't use it.
It can be said that if an Auror finds Howling Grass in a bottle of magic potion, the wizard possessing the potion would spend at least a year in Azkaban.
Kael looked at Professor Cecily across from him, marveling, "Just by smelling it, you can tell what potion he drank?"
"Wolf Poison Potion and Howling Grass are quite special." Cecily explained, "They can stain the soul, so they linger a bit longer."
"Kael, you probably don't know, but Pegasus is one of the greatest pharmacists in nearly two hundred years."
At this point, Dumbledore leaned close to Kael, whispering, "I've always wanted her to come to Hogwarts to teach Potions, but she feels St Mungo's needs her more."
Though Dumbledore tried to keep his voice down, in this small cubicle, it was useless no matter how quiet he was.
"Albus... why are you saying this."
Professor Cecily said helplessly, "Slughorn is also one of the greatest pharmacists... and that young man named Snape, his talent isn't much inferior to mine."
"It's different, Pegasus." Dumbledore took a sip of red tea, saying pensively, "A good professor is never too many."
......