Chapter 1069: Infamous
Chapter 1069: Infamous
Due to the previous explosion and the news that Filch had taken Potter away, everyone was curious about what the old toad was up to.
Wasn't he supposed to be expelling Peeves?
Just as there was an explosion, why did it suddenly go quiet?
Everyone was looking forward to seeing an Auror fight with Peeves?
It was a real buzzkill.
However, they soon found a new source of entertainment.
As they passed through the entrance hall, everyone could smell a putrid odor, and their attention was drawn to something covered by a black cloth.
Someone with a curious streak yanked off the black cloth to reveal what was hidden beneath.
The toad statue, an exact replica of Umbridge, left students stunned as they passed by, and the whispers that followed were like a tidal wave, becoming the hottest topic of discussion.
The toad statue was too similar... no, it was a perfect likeness of Umbridge.
This news spread like wildfire across the school, and soon the entrance hall was packed with students and even professors who had come to gawk.
The only problem was that the toad statue was a bit smelly, and its location next to the Great Hall might affect the students' appetite.
Initially, they wanted to move the statue, but not only did their spells fail, they were also repelled. Finally, they understood why the statue was left there.
Otherwise, given Umbridge's temperament, she would have probably smashed the statue instead of merely covering it with a cloth. The toad's curse level was evidently insufficient to deal with the statue.
Speaking of which, where had the toad gone? It was unusual for her not to appear at a time like this, and it left everyone feeling bewildered.
What surprised them even more was that none of the professors attempted to move the foul-smelling toad statue, as if they tacitly approved of it being there, tarnishing their sense of smell and serving as a reminder of Umbridge's humiliation, ensuring she would be forever etched in the memories of future students.
A few inquisitive students took it upon themselves to venture to the corridor outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts office in search of useful information.
However, upon reaching the corridor, they were assaulted by a nauseating stench.
A few brave souls held their breath and used the Unlocking Charm to quietly open the wooden door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, eager to uncover what had transpired within.
In that moment when the office door was pushed open, everyone's mouths hung agape and their eyes widened in shock at the scene before them.
The putrid stench that wafted out caused the brave explorers to cough uncontrollably, and one even vomited from the sheer repulsiveness of it all.
It was truly a gruesome sight! Not only had the Defense Against the Dark Arts office been transformed into a fetid swamp, but their new Headmistress, Umbridge, and the Aurors from the Ministry who had come to deal with Peeves, were all lying unconscious, covered in various foul substances. One would think they had just been dragged out of a sewer.
What had happened here remained a mystery, but the outcome was not difficult to guess—Umbridge and her unfortunate companions had once again been defeated by Peeves.
The scene inside the Defense Against the Dark Arts office attracted a large crowd of students; if not for the overwhelming stench, the entire corridor would have been packed.
Even the professors were reluctant to step forward and help clean up the mess because it was just too disgusting and repulsive.
Another reason for their hesitation was that they took a certain amount of glee in seeing Umbridge's misfortune. The more unfortunate she became, the more it soothed their own frustrations. Seeing Umbridge and the Ministry's Aurors in such a pitiful state elicited a sense of satisfaction from both students and professors alike.
As for Madam Pomfrey of the school hospital, she outright stated that she was unable to heal Umbridge and the Aurors, suggesting that Professor McGonagall should immediately send them to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for more formal treatment.
However, Professor McGonagall also wanted to wash her hands of the matter. She dispersed the surrounding crowd of students and used magic to isolate the corridor outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts office. She then sent a notification to the Ministry on behalf of Hogwarts, requesting that they send someone to deal with the toad problem.
No one was surprised by Umbridge's failure; after all, the toad hadn't really accomplished much. But seeing Umbridge in such a pitiful state was certainly a first for them.
"Perhaps the Anti-Toad League was secretly involved in this?"
This was the genuine thought in the minds of many members of the Anti-Toad League, and indeed, they were the only group in Hogwarts bold enough to stand up against Umbridge. Moreover, the swamp in the Dark Arts office resembled the Portable Swamp that Fred and George had mentioned before.
Could it be that Fred, George, and Lee Jordan had taken care of both the toad and the Aurors in one fell swoop?
How on earth did they manage that?
Everyone was extremely curious about what had transpired within that office.
However, there were some who were even more astonished and eager to uncover the truth behind these events.
Ever since Minister Fudge received the urgent owl from Hogwarts, he had almost been driven mad by its contents. Fudge never imagined that twenty Aurors, an elite force, would be unable to handle a single poltergeist.
From the photos Professor McGonagall had sent, it was clear just how miserable those unfortunate souls were, an even more pitiful state than when Fudge himself had been blasted out of Hogwarts with dung bombs.
"Investigate! I want to know who has been purchasing large quantities of dung bombs and who is behind this mischief!" Fudge commanded his trusted assistant, Percy Weasley, determined to get to the bottom of this.
"Yes, Minister," Percy replied respectfully.
"Good, and while you're at it, take care of this matter for me as well." Fudge patted Percy on the shoulder and handed him a parchment. "I have high hopes for you."
Percy took the parchment from the Minister, glanced at its contents, and then bent down to pick up the photos that Fudge had tossed onto the floor, his lips twitching at the corners.
"Shall I send some Aurors with you?" Fudge inquired.
"I'll handle it," Percy asserted, standing tall. He then exited the Minister's office, ready to make his way to Hogwarts.
Cornelius Fudge was a man who knew his limitations, and he dared not go himself, fearing that he might be knocked out just like the others. Even with Auror protection, he felt it wouldn't be safe. Given Umbridge's plight, it was clear that she had been ambushed, so finding a capable young man to handle the task was undoubtedly the best choice, and the diligent Percy Weasley was his ideal assistant.
Fudge's decision was indeed a wise one, as Percy Weasley soon found himself under attack by Peeves, bombarded with dung bombs.
Nonetheless, Percy successfully completed the task assigned by Fudge, sending Umbridge and the Aurors to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
However, there was an unpleasant incident along the way.
St. Mungo's Hospital nearly refused to admit the putrid-smelling Umbridge, as she and the Aurors were too foul and nauseating, severely polluting the hospital environment.
Understandably, anyone would want to keep their distance from them.
"Minister, I found the group of Aurors led by Dawlish near the school gates. Apparently, they were chasing after Hagrid..." Percy began to report his findings to Fudge but was interrupted.
"You've done well, Weasley. I think you need some rest now," Fudge said, covering his nose and mouth. "Go home, take a good bath, and get a good night's sleep. We'll discuss this further tomorrow."
"Yes, Minister," Percy replied, feeling a bit embarrassed as the stench wafting from his body was indeed quite off-putting.
In any case, Percy was granted a brief respite.
However, before Fudge could receive Weasley's full report, he was confronted with devastating news. Various newspapers were competing to break the story, and it was said that someone had sent them photos and information. Even the rout of the Ministry's Aurors at the gates of Hogwarts was making headlines.
Fudge found himself back in the eye of the storm once again.
But that was not all; even Albert, who had been biding his time, released his own bombshell. With careful guidance from certain individuals, the calls for Fudge's resignation had grown louder and louder.
People were disillusioned with the foolish Minister, and even those who had once trusted the Ministry now admitted that it had been the stupidest decision.
(End of Chapter)
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