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Chapter 624: How's Your Memory Charm?
Chapter 624: How's Your Memory Charm?
As if to prove her loyalty to Fudge, Umbridge immediately sprang into action after acquiring the title of Senior Undersecretary.
Of course, she wasn't foolish; instead of starting with tough targets like Professor McGonagall or Professor Flitwick, she opted for a relatively softer target - Professor Sybill Trelawney of Divination.
However, it was the fifth-year Divination class that she chose to audit. At noon that day, as Kyle arrived at the Great Hall, he happened to see Ron seated at the Gryffindor table, vividly recounting the scene.
"That Umbridge sat at the back of the classroom, quill in hand, scribbling away on her clipboard," Ron described. "I bet she was grading Professor Trelawney..."
A crowd of students from various houses surrounded Ron, all seemingly eager to learn about the purpose of the Senior Undersecretary's visit.
Kyle was also curious, but as he had just come from Herbology class, he arrived a bit late and couldn't squeeze his way in.
Just then, Hermione entered from outside, arms full of books, with an angry Harry in tow.
"I think Professor McGonagall is right," Hermione said as she walked. "You need to rein in your temper and stop opposing everything Umbridge does. It won't do you any good."
"I can't help it!" Harry exclaimed. "She badmouthed Sirius, and I wasn't wrong! Voldemort was attached to the back of Quirrell's head; I was just stating the truth."
"But your truth isn't what she wants to hear," Hermione argued. "And she can lock you up anytime she wants. In the end, you're the one who suffers."
"I don't care!" Harry said defiantly. "I won't let her get her way, no matter how she punishes me. And I'm not the only one doing this; don't forget Kyle stood up to her too!"
"Actually, I don't want you to follow in my footsteps," a sudden voice said.
Hermione and Harry jumped at the unexpected interruption and looked up to see Kyle standing beside them.
Harry looked slightly embarrassed but quickly regained his composure.
"When did you get here, Kyle?" Hermione asked.
"I've been here since you entered the Great Hall," Kyle replied. "You just didn't seem to notice me."
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention," Harry muttered. "I didn't mean to bring up your detention; I was just too angry."
"Angry?" Kyle asked. "What happened?"
"It was during today's Defense Against the Dark Arts class..." Harry began. "She claimed that all Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, except for Quirrell, were incompetent, including Sirius.
"But we all know Quirrell was the most incompetent one... because he had Voldemort stuck to the back of his head."
"So, you got upset and argued with her?" Kyle said.
"Exactly!" Harry's voice rose with indignation. "But it seems like everyone thinks I was wrong to contradict Umbridge. Professor McGonagall and the others believe I should have just ignored her ranting..."
"What's wrong with that?" Kyle asked. "They just don't want to see you get punished. I also think you should have done the same.
Harry stared at him, bewildered. "But you also rebutted her... I thought you would understand how I feel. We should let everyone know what the truth is."
"Those are two different matters," Kyle said. "Understanding doesn't mean agreeing, and no one will change their minds just because of a few words from you or me. We don't have that kind of influence.
"Additionally, as I said before, I don't want you to follow in my footsteps. It will only result in a few more days of hardship for you, and nothing else will change, unless..."
Kyle paused for a moment.
Harry blinked, unsure why Kyle had suddenly brought this up, but after hesitating for a moment, he mumbled, "It's, it's okay, I guess."
Although he said so, Kyle could tell from his evasive eyes that the truth was probably quite the opposite.
Harry's idea of "okay" was probably a polite way of saying it was a mess.
"Memory Charm... what does that have to do with Umbridge's detention?" Harry asked.
"Nothing, I was just asking. Don't mind me." Kyle shook his head and changed the subject. "By the way, you were there during the Divination class for our year, right? What did that Senior Undersecretary Umbridge do?"
"I don't know," said Harry. "But I guess she was grading the professor. And during the class, she kept asking Professor Trelawney questions... about how long she'd been in this position and about her background."
Kyle nodded; these were standard tactics employed by the Ministry, nothing new.
Harry thought for a moment, then continued, "Oh, and Umbridge also asked Professor Trelawney to make a prediction for her at the end."
"A prediction?" Kyle asked curiously. "What was it?"
"The usual nonsense," Harry whispered. "You know how Professor Trelawney is, all bluff and no substance when it comes to predictions. So, she tried to pull the same stunt again.
"She told Umbridge that she was stepping into a trap and that she would face terrible danger.
"But Umbridge didn't seem convinced and expressed doubt about Professor Trelawney's predictive abilities."
"A trap?" Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"That's what Professor Trelawney said," Harry said nonchalantly. "But it's probably fake. I hear variations of that prediction in every class."
"Not necessarily..." Kyle muttered.
"What was that?" Harry asked, as he hadn't quite caught what Kyle said.
"Nothing, I said thanks." Kyle patted Harry on the shoulder. "And in return, I can give you a heads-up about what Umbridge's detention might entail."
"What is it?" Harry asked eagerly.
"Carving words into your hand with a knife," Kyle said calmly.
Before Harry could react, Hermione exclaimed, "She can't do that! Even in the last century, Hogwarts never had such cruel detention punishments... No, I'm going to tell Professor McGonagall about this."
"Hold on," Kyle said, stopping Hermione, who was about to rush out. "I'm just offering a possibility. What if she changes it to something else? That's also possible.
"And no matter what the punishment is, Umbridge won't do it openly. Even if Professor McGonagall intervenes, it might not help. So, the best option is..."
Kyle looked at Harry again. "When you're in detention, don't say anything and just admit your mistake. You might get out of it."
"Kyle's right," Hermione agreed. "Umbridge is a teacher; you can't go against her."
"No way, I will never admit I'm wrong to her!" Harry said stubbornly.
"Don't be foolish; it won't do you any good," Hermione argued.
"But I didn't say anything wrong..." Harry trailed off.
Once again, Harry and Hermione were arguing just as they had when they entered the Great Hall.
However, by this time, Kyle had already returned to the Hufflepuff table.
If even Hermione couldn't convince Harry, then there was no point in him trying as well.
(End of Chapter)
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