Fudge's actions were quicker than imagined.
The first change was in the "Daily Prophet".
Previously, almost every issue of the newspaper featured different people attacking Dumbledore and asserting that You-Know-Who could never return. It was a complete lie.
But since Fudge left the Three Broomsticks, there hasn't been any news about You-Know-Who for a week in the paper.
Those indignant voices seemed to have disappeared overnight, making the newspaper harmonious... at least for others.
"Kael, can you explain what's going on here?"
On the eighth floor, in the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore who rarely came back from outside, sat there with a worried look, and an open newspaper lay on the table before him.
[Dumbledore intends to run for Minister of Magic, is it premeditated or just a whim]
"Our special reporter Rita Skeeter reports that Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has been frequently interacting with high-level staff of the Ministry of Magic recently. Sources say he seems unhappy with current Minister Cornelius Fudge's slanders against him and intends to run for the new ministership to restore his deteriorating reputation and honor..."
The article was long, occupying an entire page despite not being on the front page.
It was filled with so-called insider scoops about Dumbledore's recent schedule, and even featured a large photo in the middle of the article.
In the photo, Dumbledore is seen having a laugh with Umbridge, and the two are shaking hands.
"Senior Deputy Minister of Magic, Dolores Umbridge, who took up the position as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts in mid-September.
"Previously, someone said she took this job to monitor Dumbledore's every move for Fudge, but now it seems the truth might be different.
"An insider reveals that the two are often seen having lively chats in the corridors at Hogwarts, indicating a close relationship.
"We have reason to suspect that Deputy Minister Dolores Umbridge is actually a double agent. She works for Fudge but has long been loyal to Dumbledore..."
"Ha..." Upon reading this, Kael couldn't help but laugh, "This is really interesting, I bet Umbridge would be furious seeing this."
"I don't doubt it at all." Dumbledore sighed.
Kael looked at the newspaper, "By the way, Professor, when did Umbridge become one of us?"
"Wasn't it you who did it?" Dumbledore countered, his blue eyes staring unblinkingly at Kael.
"Of course not." Kael calmly retorted, "If I had the skill to sway Umbridge to our side, I wouldn't have waited until now."
"That's not what I meant." Dumbledore said with a complex expression, "Umbridge has always been a loyal follower of Cornelius, I've never doubted that."
He pointed at the photo above. "In fact, the photo was taken after Sirius was taken away, around the time she wanted to take the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position, which I welcomed.
"Also, the location is not Hogwarts but the Ministry of Magic."
"I see..." Kael nodded, "I should've thought of this earlier, Rita Skeeter loves to fabricate stories."
"So, this article has nothing to do with you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course not." Kael shook his head repeatedly, "As you mentioned earlier, this picture was taken at the Ministry of Magic, and I've been at the school since Sirius was taken away, there's no way I'd go there and take a photo."
Dumbledore looked into Kael's eyes but didn't see anything unusual.
"Then, do you have a way to end this farce?" Dumbledore sighed, "That infamous Rita Skeeter has written lots about me, but this one has the most impact.
"You might not know, but in just a few hours, I've received so many letters."
Dumbledore turned slightly, revealing a stack of thick letters behind him, piled several feet high.
"And that's just part of it..."
Before Dumbledore's words were finished, another owl flew in through the window and dropped a letter on the table.
"You saw that." He continued, "Everyone seems to believe the article, thinking I really want to be Minister of Magic... offering all kinds of advice, it's terrifying.
"Honestly, I'm starting to fear seeing owls."
Dumbledore afraid of owls?
Kael couldn't help thinking, if this were spread out, it could make another front-page story.
"Professor, this may not be a bad thing." Kael said softly, "The more people believe, the less suspicious Fudge will be."
Dumbledore's expression changed, "This isn't what we agreed upon."
He clearly remembered that Kael's original intention was to create an illusion that would cause suspicion in Fudge's mind.
And that's exactly what he did, speaking a bit with Amelia Bones, greeting Barty Crouch... all just with a bit more enthusiasm than usual, nothing more.
How did it suddenly turn into this?
Since this morning, letters have been arriving asking if the news in the "Daily Prophet" is true, with some impatiently expressing their support, including several from members of the Wizengamot, and even...
Dumbledore glanced at the table.
On it lay a special letter, sent by the French Ministry of Magic, from the Minister of the French International Magic Cooperation Department.
Though it appeared to be just a cordial greeting, he had never received letters from that person before, nor did he know the Minister's name.
Someone with no prior connection chose this moment to send a greeting, how could Dumbledore not understand the implication?
Even other countries' Ministries of Magic are supporting him, if this continues, Dumbledore feels he might actually be pushed into the Minister position.
Which he doesn't want, he just wants to be a regular headmaster.
"Well... I can't help it either." Kael said, "We'll have to see what Fudge does.
"If he wants to keep his ministerial position, he'll surely find a way to stop you. Then we'll just do nothing and let things take their course, letting him win."
"Really?" Dumbledore cast a suspicious look at Kael.
His intuition told him there was something of Kael in this article, but he couldn't find any proof... nor use any special means.
He knew Kael had learned Occlumency, and quite proficiently, even Snape couldn't fully see through his thoughts... or rather he could see, but certainly wasn't true.
The ability to hide real thoughts while creating illusions to confuse the enemy, such level of Occlumency is extremely difficult even for an adult wizard.
Realizing this, Dumbledore sighed again... had he known this, he wouldn't have agreed to Kael's idea of creating an illusion.
Now he can only hope Fudge stays reliable.