Chapter 48

"Alright then, how do want to proceed? I don't think buying the same equipment for everyone will be good." I asked.

" Well, it would be better if Aurors can buy equipment as per their needs. But it won't do to just hand over money to them, it won't do us any good if they buy cheaper equipment to save galleons for themselves." She replied.

"Yes, you have a point there. How about I set up a new vault in Gringorts, just for purchasing equipment and supplies? This way, Aurors can buy what they need and charge it on this vault. We can also keep tabs on everyone's spending and make sure they don't use it for their personal gain."

" Hmm, it could work. But are you sure about this? From armor to flying brooms, buying equipment and supplies for everyone will be very costly, especially since they will be buying the latest equipment."

"Yes, I am sure. It won't be a problem. Canis family is not an Ancient and Noble family for nothing. No need to frown over a little spending."

Yeah, even 1/5th of money I got from selling Basilisk parts would be more than sufficient. Once again, thank you, Harry, for your generosity. I am sure Aurors would appreciate your support, along with me. You are the true hero here, but I am sure you value your anonymity, so I will respect your wishes and won't tell anyone about your contribution. Everything for the 'Greater good'.

Hmm, it's strange. I don't know why I suddenly got an urge to laugh out loud like a typical villain.

Anyway, forgetting this oddity, I continued our conversation.

" Alright then, it's settled. I will have my Gringorts manager to set up the vault. I am sure that Aurors will soon put their new equipment to good use. It won't do for Voldemort and his army to catch ministry and Aurors flat-footed."

"Yes, they are getting sharper everyone day with extensive training. DMLE will be ready to face Voldemort and his death eaters when they show themselves."

"That is quite reassuring, Madam Bones. But, we still have a grave problem to take care of until then. I had a private investigator look into Minister Fudge and his staff, what I found out was worse than I had hoped. I am sure you are aware of Lucious Malfoy's influence on Minister Fudge. But not only that, I found that Minister undersecretary Dolaris Umbridge also has quite a say in the matters. I have looked into her and results were not very reassuring. She is as big a pureblood bigot as they come, not to mention her views on the like of werewolves and giants, etc. I am afraid that her passing so many laws against them only serve to alienate them and have them join Voldemort's army like last war."

"Yes, I am quite familiar with her. But, as she has Minister's favor, there is nothing much we could do about her."

"I am sorry to say it Madam Bones, but she needs to be taken care of, one way or another. It's bad enough that she is so close to minister and has influence over his decision, but I have recently come across a quite concerning new information. I have heard that Minister Fudge, due to his ever growing paranoia of Dumbledore, has decided that he would send Umbridge to Hogwarts as a new DADA professor, to keep an eye on things. I am sure I don't need to tell you what it would mean to have someone like her in a school full of impressionable children."

"Are you sure about your information?"

"Yes, I am afraid, I am quite sure."

"But, I thought that it's up to Headmaster to decide over a new professor's appointment."

"Yes, it is. But, it would be a different matter if Headmaster Dumbledore was not able to find a new DADA professor. In that case, the ministry is free to send a professor as per their wish."

"Yes, but that's only if the headmaster is not able to find a replacement for previous DADA professor. I am sure he would find someone like he does every year. Though I am not sure about their teaching standards, anyone else would be better than Umbridge."

"I am afraid you have underestimated them, Madam Bones. Between Fudge's influence as Minister and Malfoy's financial and political backing, I am afraid not many will be courageous enough to accept the job."

"Now that I think about it, it's a much more pressing issue than I previously thought. Having Umbridge as DADA professor will be a nightmare. I have heard many questionable things about her in ministry. It won't do to have her around a school full of children. I can't let someone like her get anywhere close to my niece."