Chapter 1009: The Dark Arts Defense Group
Chapter 1009: The Dark Arts Defense Group
As Professor Trelawney's prophecy caused a stir within the walls of Hogwarts Castle, whispers among the students spread about Albert's alleged plan to reorganize the "Defense Association." Rumors abounded that Albert intended to tutor his peers in the lessons they were missing in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and had even authored a book titled "A Self-Defense Guide" as their textbook.
This was undoubtedly welcome news for the majority of Hogwarts students.
While some scoffed at Albert's audacity in writing the "Self-Defense Guide," deeming it arrogant, these dissenting voices were quickly drowned out and their speakers shunned by the majority.
Only fools and the extremely jealous would utter such words.
As the champion of Barnabas Finkley's Exceptional Spellcasting Champion, the Triwizard Tournament, and the Wizarding Dueling Competition, having also defeated the arrogant Dark Wizard, Albert's capabilities were unquestionable.
If even Albert wasn't qualified, who else could be?
Wouldn't all the other authors of Dark Arts defense books become a joke in comparison? They certainly didn't possess the impressive titles and accolades that Albert did.
Umbridge's reaction to these rumors was a tad slow. By the time she received word and attempted to take action, the rumors had already morphed.
Albert himself publicly claimed that he was too busy this semester to tutor anyone.
And just like that, the original gossip fell apart.
Of course, only a select few knew the true state of affairs, and Katrina was one of them. She was aware that Albert was indeed busy, but his excuse about not having time to tutor was just that—an excuse. After all, he had tutored her several times this month, and the results had been fantastic. Katrina felt her skills in Defense Against the Dark Arts had skyrocketed.
Before Umbridge could even process this, new rumors emerged, claiming that it was actually Harry Potter who wanted to reorganize the "Defense Association" to strike at Umbridge, and that the abbreviation 'DA' also stood for Dumbledore's Army.
Just as Umbridge was relishing the thought of finally having a handle on Potter and Dumbledore, yet another twist emerged in the form of a rumor that denied any plans for a "Defense Association" reunion. Instead, it was said to be a gathering of the Anti-Toad League, whose members were finally taking action to expel the toad from Hogwarts.
This was exciting news, and the boldness of the Anti-Toad League seemed to know no bounds as bizarre rumors continued to circulate within Hogwarts.
However, according to Umbridge's investigations, everyone was talking about a gathering, but no one seemed to know who was organizing it or when it would take place.
The whole situation felt eerily familiar.
It was all a hoax! There had never been any plans for a gathering; it was all a figment of the so-called Anti-Toad League's imagination, designed to taunt her.
Now, Umbridge understood the true nature of this Anti-Toad League.
It was a group that existed only in name, comprising all Hogwarts students who opposed her. The so-called toad markings had never existed; they were a collective fabrication, spread by those who sought to vex her.
As long as Umbridge remained at Hogwarts, and there were students who resisted her, the Anti-Toad League would persist, spreading rumors with impunity. No matter what Umbridge did, she couldn't stop the gossip, for she could not control the words that came out of other people's mouths.
Someone had certainly come up with a devious way to vex Umbridge.
Lies lurked beneath the truth, and truth beneath the lies, creating an indistinguishable mess—perfect for stirring the pot.
This was a tactic Lee Jordan had learned from Albert, and the results were astounding, leaving Umbridge completely befuddled.
As Umbridge's attention was diverted by these various tales, Harry Potter quietly assembled a Dark Arts defense group right under the toad's nose.
Neville Longbottom was among the few students who received an invitation. The Weasley twins, along with their friend Lee Jordan, intended to join as well. Ginny, being a natural choice, was invited, as were Angelina, Alicia, and Katie from the Quidditch team. They all had a good relationship with Harry, free from any prejudices.
Harry barely managed to gather eleven people, all Gryffindor students. He didn't have high hopes for the Dark Arts Defense Group to grow into anything significant; he just wanted to study and learn about dark magic defense with his peers.
However, what Harry didn't know was that the invitations extended beyond this small group.
George had invited Diggory, Hermione had quietly invited Macmillan, and Ginny had invited her boyfriend...
With the help of Albert's good roommate, Hermione managed to get the entire Dark Arts Defense Group up and running right under Umbridge's nose.
This time, taking Harry's suggestion, Hermione decided not to rush into expanding the group. Instead, she opted for a steady approach, confident that as long as everyone could learn useful knowledge from the group, the word would spread among the students, and more people would be willing to join.
"The first gathering of the Dark Arts Defense Group is all set!"
During a Herbology class, Hermione whispered to Harry and Ron, "Fred and George have agreed to let us use the Wizarding Card Competition as a cover."
"The Wizarding Card Competition?" Harry asked, puzzled. While he didn't pay much attention to such things, he did have some knowledge about them.
"I think the competition usually ends around March or April next year, doesn't it?"
"It's been moved up this year. It'll be over by the end of this month." Hermione replied in a hushed tone, "We plan to hold our first meeting right after the competition ends."
"There's always a short celebration after each competition," Ron chimed in. "We can help clean up after the celebration and then use that opportunity for our first gathering."
"That old toad won't expect a thing," Ron muttered. "And I think she's a bit scared of Albert, to be honest."
"Who wouldn't be?" Harry thought to himself.
Umbridge's string of unfortunate events was indeed thanks to Albert.
Though Umbridge might not necessarily make the connection.
"By the way, what will happen to the club next year when they graduate? Who will take over the Wizarding Card Club?" Ron suddenly asked.
"I heard it's going to be Luna Lovegood," Hermione replied.
"That crazy girl? I wonder how Albert chose her," Ron mumbled.
"She's a former champion of the Wizarding Card Competition herself and has a deep love for the club," Hermione explained. If she hadn't been a prefect, she might have had a chance to inherit the club herself.
"What about the subsequent competitions? What will happen to the prize of ten Galleons for the champion? Will it be canceled?" Ron, who was quite adept at Wizard's Chess, had always wanted to compete for that prize money, but his Wizarding Card skills weren't up to par.
"Don't worry, there will be funding for activities," Hermione assured him.
"What kind of funding?" Ron asked, perplexed.
"They're providing the money to keep the club running," Harry explained.
"But... why would they... What's in it for them?" Ron was baffled to hear that Albert was funding the club's operations. He couldn't understand why Albert would go to such lengths.
"George said that as long as the Wizarding Cards continue to be popular among the students, the cost of maintaining the club is negligible, even less than the cost of advertising in the newspaper," Hermione admired Albert's arrangements for the club.
While Wizarding Cards weren't made of gold or silver, and not everyone enjoyed the card game, the relaxed and free atmosphere of the club was well-liked by the students.
According to Hermione's knowledge, the vast majority of Hogwarts students were members of the Wizarding Card Club, including many Slytherins.
(End of Chapter)
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