Chapter 393: Conflict
Chapter 393: Conflict
When Liam and Hermione returned to the Common Room, they saw Ron examining a letter on a piece of parchment. Harry was standing beside him, saying something.
"Who gave you the letter?" Liam asked, curious.
"Percy. He told Harry and me to behave ourselves and try to stay out of sight of Umbridge. He says Fudge's ideas are getting more radical, and he's worried that we might get caught up in the mess. Ha, he ran off to be a hero and got kicked out of his office. Now he's risking his life leading patrols in areas full of Dark Wizards and dangerous creatures, while telling his little brother to hide far away." Ron let out a scoff, clearly disagreeing.
"Ron, your brother is just looking out for you", Hermione said. "At least he thinks you’re still students and should enjoy school life. I believe that by not causing trouble, we can help them by not giving them more to worry about."
"He's always right, from childhood to now", Ron sighed, shaking his head. "I admit he has a point, but I don't think that means I can't do anything."
"Fair enough, but you need to come up with a solid plan instead of just talking about it", Liam said, dousing his enthusiasm with a dose of realism.
"I’ll find a way", Ron said, then he and Harry bent over their homework. They still hadn't finished Professor Snape’s essay. No matter how ambitious they were, they couldn’t afford to neglect Potions homework.
The next morning, the Owl delivered a new issue of the Daily Prophet. The front page featured a large photograph of Dolores Umbridge, smiling broadly and blinking at them. The headline read: "Ministry of Magic Seeks Educational Reform; Dolores Umbridge Appointed First Senior Inquisitor."
"Fudge is really showing his true colors", Liam remarked, scanning the article. "He’s so eager for the spoils that he’s shoving his snout into the trough, and some shameless people are even sticking their hooves in."
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Last night, the Ministry of Magic passed a new decree, giving them unprecedented control over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Minister has become increasingly concerned about the state of Hogwarts. The school’s teaching has gone off track, and even many parents are unsure of the right educational approach", Hermione read aloud, drawing the attention of several others.
In recent weeks, Minister Cornelius Fudge had not been shy about enacting new decrees to reform the Magic School. Just a few days ago, on August 30, Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two was passed, ensuring that if the current Headmaster could not provide a candidate for a teaching position, the Ministry of Magic would recommend a suitable one.
"Dumbledore couldn’t find anyone, so the Minister appointed Umbridge. Needless to say, she’s been an immediate success—"
"An immediate success in what?" Harry asked, surprised. "Wait, there’s more", Hermione said, her face stern.
"An immediate success in bringing about a breakthrough in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and in providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback on the true state of Hogwarts. As part of the Minister’s plan to address the perceived decline in Hogwarts' educational standards, this is an exciting new initiative. The Inquisitor will have the authority to review her fellow staff members to ensure they meet the standards. Professor Umbridge has been granted this position in addition to her teaching duties and has graciously accepted it."
"But why wasn’t anyone, including the parents, consulted?" a voice from the crowd asked. "My father wrote to me yesterday, worried that I might not pass my final exams."
"I think we and the parents have been represented without our input", Liam said, taking another newspaper and reading on. "The Ministry of Magic's new measures have received enthusiastic support from Hogwarts parents. Mr. Lucius Malfoy, aged forty-one, said last night at his estate in Wiltshire, 'We, who are deeply concerned about the well-being of our children, have been troubled by Dumbledore’s strange decisions in recent years. Now, knowing that the Ministry of Magic is closely monitoring the situation, we feel much more at ease.'"
Disapproving boos echoed around the room, especially when everyone realized that the so-called parents were all from pure-blood families. Unfortunately, as students, they couldn’t do much beyond venting their frustration, and they eventually dispersed. However, as they left, almost everyone was discussing what the newspaper content would mean for the School.
Meanwhile, in the Headmaster's Office, Fudge was announcing Umbridge's appointment to Dumbledore.
"I will not accept it", Dumbledore said, his blue eyes flashing with anger. "Cornelius, I think you should focus on practical matters, like capturing those ten escaped Death Eaters, rather than—"
"You must accept it; this is the Ministry of Magic's decision", Fudge said firmly. "The Senior Inquisitor is Dolores Umbridge. Hogwarts is not your personal School! I have already discussed this with all the School governors, and they have accepted the decision. Therefore, you must accept it! Otherwise, we will have to consider replacing the Headmaster!"
"Very well, she can take the position, but she must not interfere with the School's teaching in any way. Otherwise, I will remove her without a second thought!" Dumbledore said, suppressing his anger. "However, I believe you—"
Before he could finish, Fudge disappeared through the fireplace.
Like other Schools in the region, the Board of Governors was the body that held the real power at Hogwarts, and the Headmaster was merely their employee. As a principled White Wizard, Dumbledore had to follow the rules, even if Fudge was not a Dark Wizard. Dumbledore could not simply rely on his own power to overturn the decision. Fudge's ability to act so recklessly was partly due to this fact. It was a case of deceiving the virtuous with a show of propriety.
"I hope Fudge doesn’t push his luck. With Voldemort having returned, we cannot afford internal strife", Dumbledore muttered, standing by the window and looking out at the students on the grounds.
Over the next few days, things indeed took a turn for the worse. Umbridge began investigating every professor, trying to find a weak point to establish her authority. However, her plans did not seem to be going smoothly. The professors did not take her seriously.
"Didn’t you used to teach a different subject?" This was during Professor Grubbly-Plank's Care of Magical Creatures class, which she was substituting for Hagrid.
"Very astute, I’m glad you noticed", Professor Grubbly-Plank said, her hands behind her back as she rocked on her toes. "I am a substitute, temporarily replacing Professor Hagrid. Therefore, I can’t really comment on the other professors. Please stop asking me that question repeatedly."
Umbridge was speechless for a moment, taken aback by Professor Grubbly-Plank’s response.
"Fine, if you must ask, feel free to tell me what answers you expect, so I don’t inadvertently disappoint you", Professor Grubbly-Plank said, spreading her hands in a gesture of resignation, noting Umbridge’s flushed, liver-like complexion.
The students burst into laughter. They had never seen Professor Grubbly-Plank show such a sense of humor during her previous stints as a substitute.
"You... you dare... to... speak to me like that..."
"Every answer I give seems to displease you, and you refuse to tell me what would satisfy you. I was only in France for a few months; how could the School’s expectations have changed so much in such a short time? Teaching has really become a thankless job these days."
The students laughed even harder, and even some of the Slytherin pure-blood wizards joined in.
(End of Chapter)
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