HP: The Duelist of Hogwarts - 418

Chapter 418: Umbridge

The presiding judge had his arse firmly planted on the pure-blood side, and Sean had seen that from the start of the trial. He had no intention of sparing the judge’s feelings.

At Sean’s words, the judge’s face darkened, but Sean’s argument was sound and reasonable. He could not refute it, so he nodded stiffly. “I will send an official notice to the Auror Office, instructing them to investigate and apprehend the wizard who cast the Imperius Curse on Sturgis!”

No sooner had the judge spoken than Amelia Bones stood up. “I am aware of the matter. I will have Scrimgeour lead the Aurors in investigating this immediately. The wizard who cast the Imperius Curse on Sturgis is likely acting with a purpose. I will see this matter through to the end.”

“If the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement says so, I am reassured. I look forward to the Auror Office apprehending the culprit soon.”

With that final polite remark, the judge turned and left.

The trial was now officially over. The scheme to smear the Order of the Phoenix had been thwarted, marking a small but significant victory.

Dumbledore and Sturgis’s friends gathered around to comfort him.

Sean, meanwhile, left the courtroom with Marchbanks and the others.

“Sean, you have thoroughly offended Fudge and Umbridge today. When you return to Hogwarts, you must be careful. We can help you resist Ministry interference, but if Umbridge targets you within Hogwarts, we cannot do much.”

“Don’t worry, Madam Marchbanks. I can handle it.”

“Very well. If you truly cannot manage, you may come to me. I have some influence on education matters. I may be able to help.”

“Thank you, Madam Marchbanks. If I run into trouble, I won’t stubbornly push through.”

Marchbanks nodded. “It is getting late. You should head back. After all, you are still a student.”

Sean nodded, bid farewell to Marchbanks, Ogden, Dordolian, and the others, stepped into the Ministry’s fireplace, and used the Floo Network to return to the Headmaster’s office. From there, he went straight to the Slytherin common room.

The common room was nearly empty. Most students had already gone to their rooms to sleep.

Sean greeted those who were still in the common room and then returned to his own room. He glanced at Kulkan, who had been sleeping soundly since he came back, then took out his Time-Turner and drank two vials of the second-generation Mental Restoration Potion. He exhaled and muttered, “Ran around all day, then came back to start lessons from the beginning. This life is harder than a workhorse.”

Grumbling aside, Sean turned the Time-Turner and returned to an earlier point in the day, resuming his classes.

Wednesday.

This term, Care of Magical Creatures was scheduled for Wednesday and Friday.

Second period in the afternoon.

Sean and Blaise arrived at the classroom. Looking at the students inside, they were puzzled. Since when did Care of Magical Creatures take place in a classroom? They had not seen a single magical creature.

The bell rang, and Umbridge entered right on time.

“Good afternoon, class!”

Few students responded. Only a handful in the front mumbled a “Good afternoon” back. Clearly, Umbridge was not satisfied.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” Umbridge shook her head in disappointment. “That will not do, will it? That is not how students should behave toward a professor, is it? I expect you to answer me like this: ‘Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.’ That is not difficult, is it? Please try again. Let me hear your answer. Good afternoon, class!”

“Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge!”

“That is much better,” Umbridge simpered. “That is not too hard, is it? Everyone did well, though a few did not quite meet the standard. I think everyone should do well, is that not right?”

Here, Umbridge turned to Sean, who sat in the middle. She smiled, but her eyes held no warmth. “Sean, I did not see you answer my greeting. Perhaps I did not hear you. Could you answer me again?”

At Umbridge’s words, Blaise’s face darkened. He knew she was targeting Sean. But unlike Blaise, Sean showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he wore a perfectly polite, aristocratic smile. He nodded gently to Umbridge. “Of course…

Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge!”

“Hmm, your voice was a bit soft. Could you try again?”

“Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.”

“Your voice was a bit too loud. Perhaps one more time?”

“Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.”

Sean repeated the greeting over a dozen times, never showing any sign of annoyance. He followed Umbridge’s instructions precisely, always with that flawless, aristocratic smile.

Watching Sean, Umbridge’s smile grew stiff. She nodded slowly. “I hope you remember today’s lesson. Next time, I expect the same answer. That is not difficult, is it? But the fact remains that your previous greeting was inadequate, is it not? So I must regretfully deduct ten points from Slytherin as a punishment. I know this is not fair to the rest of Slytherin, is it?”

With that, Umbridge turned away, drew her unusually short wand, and tapped the blackboard. Lines of text appeared instantly.

“The previous professor of this subject was utterly incompetent. I am certain of that. So I will bring this class back into the classroom. There is no need for you to see magical creatures. Knowing their appearance, their names, and how to deal with them is enough.

The text on the board is today’s lesson. You must copy it all. Also, you should have the relevant books, correct?”

At the scattered replies, Umbridge was clearly dissatisfied. She looked at the students and said, “I think we should try again. When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer, ‘Yes, Professor Umbridge,’ or ‘No, Professor Umbridge.’ That is not difficult, is it? So, you all have the relevant books, correct?”

“Yes, Professor Umbridge!”