Chapter 1033: The Old Fraud with Explosive Combat Power
Chapter 1033: The Old Fraud with Explosive Combat Power
"You've been too indulgent of them lately."
Having just finished their Dark Magic Defense training, Katrina and Albert emerged from the Room of Requirement, casually chatting about the recent string of events. "Even I've heard the news about the Defense Association."
"I have nothing to do with this. I merely offered them some insignificant help. The so-called Defense Association was their own doing." Albert admitted to lending Hermione a small hand, but the whole affair truly had nothing to do with him.
"No one would believe that you're not involved." Katrina refused to buy that Albert had nothing to do with the Defense Association. Their use of the 'Self-Defense Guide' as a textbook already spoke volumes.
Moreover, no one else had that ability.
Umbridge was being driven mad.
Katrina recalled an incident during mealtime when a dung bomb landed directly on Snape's plate. It was horrifying just to think about it.
Later, she heard that dung bombs had become the most infamous contraband in Hogwarts, yet Filch still couldn't stop them from appearing in the castle despite his best efforts.
These things were as pesky as cockroaches.
Don't forget, Umbridge had even inspected the students' parcels. Ordinarily, there was no way to quietly smuggle large quantities of dung bombs into Hogwarts. The only possibility was through house-elves, and Katrina just so happened to know that Albert liked to have house-elves do things for him.
"When will I be truly proficient in the Silencing Charm?" Katrina didn't continue the previous topic with Albert but instead brought up something she was more concerned about.
Mastering the Silencing Charm and actually using it effectively were two different matters. To achieve a high score in Dark Magic Defense at Hogwarts, one had to be able to cast the Silencing Charm. Proficiency in this spell, no, one should say the ability to cast the Silencing Charm at all, was a mark of a highly skilled wizard.
"That depends on how much time you're willing to spend practicing it." Albert replied calmly, "Or, you could try switching to a wand. Wands made of alder are best suited for casting Silencing Charms."
"When did you start dabbling in wandlore as well?" Katrina raised an eyebrow, not because she doubted him, but because she was amazed at the breadth of Albert's knowledge.
Ordinarily, a wizard in their lifetime rarely delved into multiple fields, and even if they did, they seldom achieved good results. However, the guy before her was definitely an exception.
Of course, she didn't know about the existence of cheats like Albert.
Naturally, a part of Albert's success was also due to his own hard work.
"I've always dabbled in it." Albert didn't elaborate further. His wandlore studies were merely a side interest, and the wands he crafted were quite ordinary; he himself was unwilling to use them.
As the two walked down the stairs, they casually chatted about their plans after graduation while making their way towards the library. Katrina seemed to be troubled by the question of what to do after graduation, and opening a beauty shop was just one of her backup plans.
"I don't want to be like my sister." Katrina mumbled.
Albert didn't offer any comments. He had witnessed Isabelle's efforts firsthand.
As they reached the library, they heard someone shouting at the entrance, "Professor Trelawney has been sacked by Umbridge! She's in the entrance hall right now!"
This shout infuriated Madam Pince, who was in the library, and many students couldn't remain seated, intending to go to the entrance hall to watch the spectacle.
"I thought you knew about this?" Katrina tilted her head and looked at Albert. Trelawney's prophecy was most likely his doing; this guy was mischievous.
"This kind of thing requires effort to divine. Otherwise, it's impossible to accurately predict a specific time." Albert casually explained.
"Professor Trelawney has been sacked by Umbridge, and you're not even going to go take a look?" Katrina was somewhat surprised by Albert's calmness. This guy was always unflappable.
"Of course, I'll go watch the show. Let's go together!"
Albert indeed had no intention of going to the library. Instead, he headed towards a secret passage not far from there, planning to take a shortcut to join the others in the entrance hall.
This was a rare drama unfolding in Hogwarts, and since he was the director, it would be a shame to miss it.
By the time they arrived, the entrance hall was already packed with students, and many more were crowded on the marble staircase. The front row spectators had even formed a circle around the main characters.
The onlookers whispered among themselves.
They couldn't help but be shocked and anxious about Trelawney's dismissal. They never thought the toad would actually fire a professor.
"She should've been sacked long ago."
A tall Slytherin student gloated to his companions, "Everyone knows she's a complete fraud."
"Fraud? You think Professor Trelawney is a fraud even after her prophecy came true, Potter was banned, and she was sacked? You're just an ignorant fool." Two Gryffindor girls glared at the Slytherin boy, their sharp ridicule cutting deep.
It was indeed detestable to speak ill of someone in their time of trouble.
Naturally, many students were surprised by the Gryffindor girls' bravery.
"Montague, if I were you, I wouldn't be spouting such nonsense here. Everyone has their ups and downs, and you're no exception." Albert's voice suddenly cut through the air, interrupting Montague's rage-inducing provocation, "Would you like others to laugh at you when you're at your lowest?"
"I wouldn't." Montague didn't dare to shout back at Albert, but he still mustered the courage to retort, trying to save face in front of the Slytherin students.
"No, you would. Everyone would."
Albert ignored Montague and turned to the two Gryffindor girls. Upon noticing his gaze, they lowered their heads slightly and apologized to Albert.
"She's so calm."
Katrina sized up Professor Trelawney, surprised by the divination professor's composure. She didn't look like someone who had just been fired.
Trelawney held her wand as if she was waiting for something.
"I gave you a chance." Umbridge said in a girlish voice, "You have absolutely no talent for prophecy, and you can't even predict tomorrow's weather. Your teaching is abysmal. When you refused to improve your curriculum, you sealed your fate. If you won't leave on your own, I'll have you escorted out."
Umbridge was clearly prepared, with two Aurors by her side for this very purpose. Otherwise, who knew where those annoying troublemakers would pop up from and quietly strike at her. She had to be vigilant.
"There's no need to rush, I'm just waiting for Dumbledore. I want to have a word with him, and then I'll leave on my own. There's no need for you to chase me away." Trelawney eyed Umbridge and said softly, "If I were you, I'd be more concerned about my own situation. Don't you notice the bad luck written all over your face when you look in the mirror?"
"How dare you..."
"Since you're kicking me out, why wouldn't I dare?" Professor Trelawney looked at Umbridge with a disdainful glance, as if she were looking at an idiot, "Moreover, what I said is the truth. Haven't you been having a string of bad luck lately? Don't worry, this is just the beginning. And that nickname suits you perfectly; you have an uncanny connection with toads."
A snicker escaped from somewhere in the crowd, and more and more students were infected by the laughter, openly chuckling. This was the first time they found Professor Trelawney so amusing. She wasn't just a fraud; she was also surprisingly sharp-tongued.
"Dumbledore can't change the fact that you've been fired. I have a dismissal order signed by the Minister of Magic himself." Umbridge's face turned crimson, and her gaze swept across the crowd, as if searching for those who dared to laugh at her.
"I know, that fool Fudge." Professor Trelawney said nonchalantly, "Everyone knows he'll be out of office next year, and yet you seem to be unaware of it... It's a wonder you're still the Deputy Minister of Magic."
"Dumbledore simply doesn't like to bother with idiots like you, that's why he's been ignoring you. You really have no self-awareness, little fool." Trelawney added excitedly, "By the way, when you're hospitalized next year, I'll pay you a visit."
Professor Trelawney's shocking words left the students and even the professors dumbfounded. Could it be that Dumbledore really knew about this and that was why he allowed Umbridge to wreak havoc in the school?
However, upon further reflection, Professor McGonagall felt that this wasn't surprising at all.
Perhaps the Headmaster had known about it all along and simply didn't want to bother with Umbridge, choosing to let her dig her own grave. The whispers among the students grew louder, and even the two Aurors were stunned.
The original Trelawney, who had difficulty controlling her power, could only make prophecies under certain specific conditions. In Umbridge's and most people's eyes, Trelawney was a fraud. But now, with Albert's support, she didn't mind using this opportunity to thoroughly disgust the toad who was trying to fire her.
Umbridge's cheeks turned purple, and she couldn't even maintain her fake smile. Trelawney's words were like a pile of dung slapped across her face.
"Alright, I think it's time for her to leave. We can't have her affecting the other students." Umbridge gestured to the two Aurors beside her to forcefully take Trelawney away. She intended to find a place to teach this detestable woman a lesson.
The two Aurors exchanged glances and moved towards Trelawney amidst the crowd.
Just as they were about to take action, something was thrown from the crowd. It looked like a deflated balloon, but instead of air, a large puff of white smoke billowed out, filling the entrance hall with fog.
In the chaos, there was a thud, followed by Umbridge's shrill scream.
When the professors finally managed to disperse the smoke, they found that the two Aurors, who had been about to take Trelawney away, had collapsed. Umbridge, for some unknown reason, had also fallen to the ground. Her boots seemed to be stuck, and in the commotion of the smoke and the Aurors being attacked, Umbridge had accidentally tripped herself up.
"It's a pity. I've reminded you more than once. The curse of the Dark Arts Defense Professor is still active, yet you just wouldn't believe me!" Trelawney bent down and looked at the disheveled Umbridge, mocking her sharply.
Everyone recalled the misfortunes of the previous Dark Arts Defense Professors and couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for Umbridge.
"What's going on here?" A voice suddenly rang out from the back of the crowd, and Dumbledore finally made his entrance. He strode through the students towards Professor Trelawney, taking in the unexpected scene.
"It's a pleasure to see you before I leave Hogwarts." Professor Trelawney smiled.
"You don't have to leave," Dumbledore said firmly, "I want you to stay, Sibyl."
He then turned to Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva, would you please escort Sibyl upstairs?"
"Of course," Professor McGonagall replied, "Shall we go, Sibyl?"
"No, thank you, Dumbledore. I only wish to return to my position as Divination Professor after that toad is gone next year. I know you've already found a new Divination Professor, but our teachings don't conflict. His knowledge can broaden the students' horizons, but it may not be suitable for wizards, and he will eventually return."
"Oh, of course." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, "But where do you plan to go?"
"I've found a safe temporary residence, and it will be fine until next summer." Professor Trelawney bowed slightly to the elderly wizard in front of her, expressing her gratitude for his care over the years. Then, she waved her wand, picked up her luggage, and headed towards the door, disappearing amidst the whispers of the students.
"That was so cool."
Someone in the crowd whispered in awe.
"Disgusting." Someone else made retching noises, directing their disgust towards Umbridge.
"Oh dear, it looks like you're injured." Dumbledore seemed to ignore the whispers of the surrounding students.
"Someone just attacked me!" Umbridge exclaimed angrily.
"Why didn't they finish you off?"
The voice came from somewhere in the crowd, and everyone looked around, trying to identify the speaker.
"Don't be angry. I suspect this was just a prank." Dumbledore said cheerfully, "I believe it's just a Sticky Feet Jinx."
"A prank? I don't think so!" Umbridge shrieked.
"Mr. Anderson, Miss McDougal, would you please escort Professor Umbridge to the hospital wing?" Dumbledore paid no heed to Umbridge's words and turned to the two Heads of Houses, "I think she needs Madam Pomfrey's treatment now, along with those two over there."
"Of course, you four." Albert pointed to four Slytherin students and instructed them to carry the two Aurors on stretchers to the hospital wing.
"And you two, help her to the hospital wing." Albert gestured to Malfoy and Goyle to support Umbridge.
"Alright, it's over. Everyone, please disperse." Dumbledore clapped his hands, signaling for the students to stop crowding around.
(End of Chapter)
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