Chapter 1085: The Harmless Albert
Chapter 1085: The Harmless Albert
"Don't even think about resisting, Potter, unless you want to be expelled."
Draco Malfoy strode forward with Goyle and Crabbe in tow, his wand tapping lightly against his palm as he surveyed Harry Potter, who had just been summoned by Filch from the library. A malicious smirk played at the corners of his mouth. "Your little scheme has been exposed, Potter. You're finished. Don't even think about running away like the Weasley brothers; you won't get away this time."
Malfoy gestured for Potter to look around. Members of the Inquisitorial Squad were closing in from all sides, ensuring that Potter wouldn't slip through their grasp.
"Exposed?" Hermione turned to Harry, noting the slight arch of his eyebrows as he considered Malfoy's words. She, too, looked at Malfoy, hoping to extract some useful information from him.
"Mudblood, don't talk to me." Malfoy lifted his chin arrogantly.
"Don't!"
Ron had already drawn his wand, but Hermione pushed it aside.
"Wise decision." Malfoy sniffed at the trio. "Potter, times have changed."
"Who knows?" Harry shot Malfoy a contemptuous glance. "Maybe the toad is just looking for an excuse to get rid of me. It wouldn't be the first time."
"Excuse? No, no, it's not an excuse. You know what you've done," Malfoy said, leading the way with Goyle and Crabbe in tow.
Filch, brandishing his whip, his eyes glinting with malice, urged them on. "Come along, let's not keep the lady waiting."
Under the watchful eyes of their fellow students, the Inquisitorial Squad and Filch escorted Harry toward Umbridge's office, leaving a trail of whispers in their wake.
Hermione and Ron exchanged glances and quickly followed suit.
In fact, it wasn't just Hermione and Ron; many members of the anti-Umbridge coalition also trailed after them, ready to cause a ruckus and rescue Harry if needed. The Inquisitorial Squad members were hardly a concern.
When Filch finally knocked and led them into Umbridge's office, Harry learned of his supposed "crime."
"Someone saw you conspiring with the Weasley twins."
Umbridge set down her work and lifted her head from behind her desk, her face contorted in a fake smile as she looked at Harry, delighted to finally have something on him.
"Even if you're a professor trying to slander me, you should present some evidence," Harry said fearlessly, staring at Umbridge's repulsive face. "I've been studying for my exams in the library, and most of the students can vouch for me. Unless, of course, the Ministry has taken to baseless accusations these days."
Umbridge's fake smile vanished, and her eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on Harry Potter, like a toad eyeing a fly.
"Don't try to wriggle your way out of this, Potter. They saw and heard your plot with those two little beasts." Filch tightened his grip on his whip.
Recently, he, too, had been plagued by Fred and George's pranks—not only the annoying joke items but also the students' ambushes. In Filch's eyes, Potter, colluding with the troublesome twins, undoubtedly deserved a good flogging.
"Come now, when exactly was this?" Harry mocked. "Your accusation lacks professionalism."
"About half an hour ago, and I'm certain it was him," Malfoy said confidently. "He went into the library afterward, but I didn't follow him in."
"We saw it too," Goyle and Crabbe chimed in.
"You're incredibly unprofessional. I've been in the library studying for the past half-hour," Harry scoffed. "Ask anyone; the entire library full of students can vouch for me."
"Yes, I can vouch for him. We've been in the library the whole time," Hermione said, pushing the door to Umbridge's office open and addressing Umbridge directly.
"Not just us, but Madam Pince and other students as well," Ron added, stepping into the office and glaring at Malfoy.
Ignoring Umbridge's displeasure at their intrusion without permission, Harry continued, "If you're going to slander me, at least come up with a better excuse."
"Slander? You wish," Malfoy said, looking irritated. He hadn't expected Potter to refute the accusation and claim to have so many witnesses, but he had indeed seen Potter with the Weasley twins earlier. Although he had lost track of Potter before he entered the library, he was certain it was him.
"So, you'd rather believe these three with no evidence than the testimonies of numerous other witnesses?" Harry looked at Umbridge with a peculiar expression, knowing that many outside were eavesdropping on the conversation through their Extendable Ears.
"I find them far more trustworthy than you, Potter," Umbridge said, her fake smile returning. "You'd best come clean, or I might have to resort to other methods."
"Even if you force me to drink Veritaserum, there's nothing to confess because none of this happened," Harry said.
Harry gave Umbridge a scornful look, as if he were regarding a simpleton, and said, "Or do you think I should lie to appease you? If you want to hear some lies, I don't mind spinning a tale to please you."
"Then I have no choice. This is no longer a matter of school discipline but one that concerns the safety of the Ministry of Magic..."
"I don't know how you can say that with a straight face. I'm ashamed for you," Harry interrupted, his voice filled with disgust. "The Ministry's loss of credibility can be largely attributed to you."
"Harry..."
Not only Hermione but everyone present was stunned by Harry's audacity.
However, they quickly snapped out of their daze and looked at Umbridge expectantly, hoping that Harry Potter would receive an even harsher punishment.
"...Someone is trying to go against the Ministry, and this incident is a very bad thing," Umbridge said, as if she hadn't heard Harry at all. She slowly sipped her tea and eyed the boy in front of her, seeming pleased by his defiance. "But the safety of the Ministry..."
"If you're looking for Fred and George, I suggest you ask Anderson. He must know where they are since they're his best friends," Harry interrupted again, continuing to mock her. "Why don't you ask Anderson? Are you afraid of him?"
"You're trying to sow discord," Umbridge narrowed her eyes, annoyed. "As far as I know, Anderson hasn't done anything excessive. He spends most of his time in the library researching. He'll be graduating soon, and he's been much better behaved than you."
Umbridge was spewing nonsense, even she didn't believe her own words. However, it was undeniable that, at least on the surface, Albert was well-behaved—excessively so, to the point of being a model student.
Despite Umbridge's suspicions that Albert was up to something behind the scenes, she had no evidence, and Fudge didn't want her causing trouble for Albert.
Moreover, all signs pointed to Albert being a gifted and diligent student who was passionate about magic. He frequently published academic papers in magazines and discussed academic research with other famous wizards. Even when Umbridge took back Dumbledore's permission for Albert to use the restricted section of the library at any time, Albert didn't put up much of a fuss and simply returned the card. There was simply no evidence to incriminate him.
"You don't even believe what you're saying!" Harry burst out laughing.
Albert, well-behaved? Harry thought this was the funniest joke he'd heard all century.
And here Umbridge was, spouting nonsense.
Fred and George were constantly causing trouble for Umbridge, and behind them, no doubt, was Albert, supporting them in every way.
While they had no evidence, sometimes evidence wasn't necessary.
In fact, many people had already suspected as much but chose to turn a blind eye.
Albert probably just didn't want to stir up too much trouble before graduation, so he was secretly helping Fred and George.
"Alright, Potter, stop trying to change the subject. If you're not willing to talk, perhaps I'll have to use other methods," Umbridge said softly. "The Cruciatus Curse should make you talk."
"Are you insane? Using an Unforgivable Curse on a student will land you in Azkaban for life," Ron said, his eyes wide with disbelief as if the toad in front of him had gone mad.
"Don't worry, she won't dare," Hermione quickly added. "Dumbledore won't let her get away with breaking the law."
"Relax, she doesn't have the guts to use the Cruciatus Curse," Harry said confidently, ignoring Umbridge's threat. "And if she does, I guarantee she'll spend the rest of her life in Azkaban. Trelawney's prophecies have come true time and again."
"Harry..." Hermione pleaded, but it seemed like Harry was deliberately provoking Umbridge.
"Very good, very good!" Umbridge's face twitched, and she swayed uneasily. "You really think I won't dare, Potter?"
"Of course, you won't," Harry replied.
"As long as we don't let Connelly know, he won't be unhappy," Umbridge asserted. "And even if he finds out, I'm sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice."
"Like you thought he'd be happy to have me attacked by those Dementors?" Harry sneered. "I'm sure he was thrilled to put me on trial, too bad I got away."
"Yes, he was happy to have the chance to put you on trial, and it's a shame you escaped," Umbridge said, waving her wand. "Now, do you really think I won't use the Cruciatus Curse on you?"
Draco Malfoy, who had been looking disappointed, and his two cronies lit up at the prospect. They eagerly awaited Umbridge's next move, hoping to see Harry suffer a cruel punishment.
"With your pathetic magic skills, do you really think you can pull off the Cruciatus Curse?" Harry scoffed.
"Harry..." Hermione groaned, exasperated.
"Isn't there a prophecy that says Fudge will be ousted soon?" Harry continued, looking at Umbridge as if she were an idiot. "When Connelly Fudge is no longer the Minister of Magic, do you think the new Minister will be understanding of your actions?"
"No, they'll quickly distance themselves from you and throw you into Azkaban to appease the crowd's fury for daring to use the Cruciatus Curse on a student."
"So, Hermione, you really don't have to worry. She won't dare," Harry said, shocking everyone once again.
"Very well, very well, you leave me no choice, Cruciatus!" Umbridge cast the Cruciatus Curse on Harry right under everyone's watchful eyes.
Harry merely hummed lightly, struggling slightly in pain before enduring Umbridge's Cruciatus Curse, his face showing barely any signs of torment.
"Stop, stop! Are you insane?!" Hermione screamed.
"Ask away, we'll tell you anything you want to know," Ron said, his face pale and his body trembling as if it was he who had just endured the Cruciatus Curse instead of Harry.
"Your Cruciatus Curse is pathetic. It's like a tickle compared to Lord Voldemort's Cruciatus, which is far more potent," Harry said, his face devoid of pain and filled with scorn and mockery. He knew Umbridge was doomed; using the Cruciatus Curse on a student in plain sight was enough to land her in Azkaban for life.
"Don't push me to use it again," Umbridge said, looking at Harry, this stubborn bone of a boy, her eyebrows slightly raised as she regarded her wand, seemingly doubtful of her own spellcasting abilities.
The Inquisitorial Squad members eyed her with suspicion, as if questioning whether their new headmistress's pitiful magic skills could effectively cast the Cruciatus Curse.
Otherwise, how could Potter show almost no reaction after enduring the Cruciatus Curse, as if the spell she had just cast wasn't one of the Unforgivable Curses?
"You, speak!" Umbridge turned to Ron, attempting to hide her embarrassment at her lack of magical prowess.
"They're not in Hogsmeade. They've been deceiving everyone and hiding their whereabouts," Ron said in a low voice. "They're currently in the Forbidden Forest, with Hagrid."
"The Forbidden Forest?" Umbridge was unsatisfied with this answer.
"Deep within the forest, there's a secret base where they make prank items to bring to Hogwarts and sell to students to rebel against you. They told me all this because they're not afraid of being exposed. The secret base has a hidden entrance guarded by a bunch of Acromantulas. Only Hagrid can get through safely because those giant spiders are pets he raised since they were young," Ron explained.
"Shut up, Ron," Harry glared at Ron as if he was truly annoyed.
"A secret base?" Umbridge muttered.
She had heard similar information from Harry before. The Aurors had also encountered those spiders in the Forbidden Forest, and they were said to be quite troublesome.
"That's the Order of the Phoenix's secret base. Only members of the Order can use Disillusionment Charms to enter, and they're the only ones who know how to get in. And yes, Harry was indeed studying in the library earlier," Ron continued, despite Harry's angry glares. He took a deep breath and said, "I think Fred and George told me all this because they weren't afraid of leaking information. Without permission, it's impossible to find the secret base. I bet they told me this because they knew a situation like this would arise."
"You don't know the location of the secret base?"
"How could we know? We're not members of the Order of the Phoenix. Don't fantasize anymore. You can't even deal with those spiders," Harry scoffed.
"Are Dumbledore's secret weapons hidden there?" Umbridge interrogated further.
"Shut up, Ron."
"The one who should shut up is you," Umbridge cast the Cruciatus Curse on Harry again, making him grit his teeth in pain.
"Stop, stop it now!" Ron pulled Umbridge's wand away from Harry.
"Continue."
Umbridge was somewhat satisfied with this outcome.
"I don't know. They just said that there are secret weapons there that will give you and Fudge what you deserve," Ron mumbled.
"Secret weapons?" Umbridge raised her eyebrows. They had suspected that the prophecy about Fudge's impending removal from office was Dumbledore's doing, and now it seemed to be confirmed.
"I don't know. Fred and George only said that they would bring the weapon to school and use it to take revenge and drive you out. They didn't reveal anything else important," Ron explained.
"Take me to find that weapon," Umbridge stood up straight. She had to stop Dumbledore's plot. If Fudge was indeed ousted by Dumbledore, her situation would become very dire.
"It seems your ears really are having problems. We couldn't possibly know the location of the secret base," Harry mocked without restraint. "At the latest, in two months, Fred and George will use that weapon to send you to Azkaban. Perhaps by then, you can keep Fudge company in Azkaban, and the two of you can get along with the Dementors there."
That's it for now. There's another part that I'll send tomorrow after editing. The plot involving the tool will also come to an end in this volume. This volume actually focuses more on the growth of the other characters, so there's a bit more of that tool's storyline.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
