Ross smiled at Dempsey. "An astute assessment," he said. "One can also — create some semblance of a voting block, via appointments. I may not always agree with my appointments —" although Umbridge, Skeeter, and Prewett tended to align with Ross politically on most things "— but we've collaborated on nearly all my policies. And I did the same for Minister Urquart." Ross was somber, for a second — he would miss Urquart. He did miss Urquart.

"And that last policy package required a great deal of work on the individual level," Ross added with a wry smile, hoping to change the subject. "Everyone agrees that certain things would better Britain — a better Ministry, a stronger education system — but not everyone thought that nepotism and lack of scholarships are the problem."