Chapter 995: The Toad's Croak
Chapter 995: The Toad's Croak
"I hate the rain!" Albert turned and gazed at the rain-splattered window, then reached out and lightly tapped his address book, his usual method of contacting Fred, George, and Lee Jordan on the train.
"I thought you liked the rain!" Katrina also turned to glance out the window before looking back at the address book in Albert's hand. "Have you been chatting with my sister this whole time?"
"Yep!" Albert didn't deny it. "It's better than doing nothing. Chatting kills time."
"Can you make one of these for me? I can pay in galleons." Katrina asked suddenly.
"I don't plan on selling them just yet, but you can make one yourself. It shouldn't be too difficult with a Transformation Spell," Albert replied, not wanting to spread this invention too widely yet, lest it give an advantage to Voldemort's side in the upcoming war.
"It's not just a simple Transformation Spell, is it?" Katrina didn't believe that for a second. While the address book might function using the principles of a Transformation Spell, its creation was surely more complex. Anyone who believed otherwise would be a fool.
"Well, it's an advanced application of the spell," Albert said as he put away his address book, sensing that the train was slowing down.
"So, you're not going to fulfill your duty?" Katrina asked tentatively, already guessing the answer, as she saw Albert preparing to leave. It was the prefects' job to ensure the first-years got off the train safely.
"Let's leave the job of maintaining order to the prefects. They need the opportunity to exercise their authority." Albert casually made an excuse for his laziness and followed the crowd toward the train exit. After confirming that there were no issues, he turned to Katrina, who was behind him, and said, "Stay within my line of sight."
"You really don't trust me, do you?" Katrina raised an eyebrow, a little unhappy. She wasn't upset because she thought Albert was overreacting, but because she felt belittled, as if she were being treated like a child.
"Don't be angry. In the face of danger, any negligence could cost you your life. Wizards' lives are more fragile than you think." Albert raised his wand and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Although the chance of them targeting you is very low, it's better to be safe than sorry."
"You just don't want to see Isabelle sad." Katrina sighed, feeling envious of her sister.
"I also don't want to see you get into trouble because of me. Since it's my problem, it's my responsibility to take care of you." Albert got off the train and onto the platform. After checking once more that there was no danger, he signaled for Katrina to follow.
Just then, a crisp and efficient female voice rang out from not far away. Hagrid was apparently not back yet.
This didn't surprise Albert at all, as Hagrid still had to take care of his giant brother.
This semester, Albert decided to stay away from Hagrid to avoid being dumped with the responsibility of looking after that big oaf.
Even if it triggered a mission, Albert was determined to abandon it.
Giants! That was a job for Potter.
The two deliberately lingered at the back of the group to ensure that no student was left behind. They made their way along the muddy path outside Hogsmeade Station toward the Thestral-drawn carriage convoy.
Most of the carriages already had students in them, except for one that was empty and reserved for the Head Boy and Girl.
This was one of their privileges.
"You few, get in this one!" Albert said to the second-year students who had been driven out of their carriage by Malfoy and his cronies, looking lost and confused.
Then, he glared at Malfoy, who was chatting with his friends, and warned, "I don't care what you're up to, but don't cause me trouble."
"Understood," Malfoy said expressionlessly.
"Get in," Albert gestured to the three little guys to enter the carriage. This carriage was a bit different from the others, with a noticeably better interior. Although it couldn't compare to the one he had ridden to the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship, it didn't have hay on the floor, nor did it smell musty.
The carriage convoy set off, swaying gently.
The second-year students inside the carriage looked at Albert with admiring eyes, and a freckled boy plucked up the courage to ask Albert a few questions about his Dueling Championship victory.
"Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers. Most of the time, it's just the publishing companies trying to grab attention and sell more copies. That's all. If you believe everything you read, you'll easily end up being manipulated by others." Albert turned to look out the window. It wasn't until the convoy passed through the school gates that he relaxed his vigilance and turned his attention to the looming Hogwarts castle in the distance.
"So, you're saying that half the British wizarding community are fools?" Katrina muttered.
"Much of what you see is what others want you to see." Albert said indifferently, "Anyone with a brain would realize something is amiss if they thought about it."
"Then this world must be full of fools?" Katrina said self-deprecatingly.
"Because they passively accept information without actively questioning why. They have no one to blame but themselves if they become fools." Albert fell silent as the carriage convoy came to a stop at the stone steps leading to the oak front doors. Hundreds of carriages had filled the area around the steps, and students were disembarking and making their way toward the castle's entrance.
Albert and Katrina hung back, ensuring that all the students had entered the castle before slowly making their way inside themselves.
As they walked toward the Great Hall, they suddenly heard a giggling sound.
Albert stopped in his tracks and looked at the Peeves that had emerged from the shadows.
Katrina also paused and looked at Peeves curiously. This guy was acting strangely, with a sinister smile on his face that he couldn't hide, and he rubbed his hands together as he looked at Albert, as if waiting for something.
Albert reached into his pocket, took out a bag, and threw it to Peeves. The latter's smile widened as he took the bag, and the sounds he made became even more bizarre before he disappeared with the bag in hand.
Katrina eyed Albert suspiciously, feeling that the guy next to her was up to something.
However, she didn't ask.
Even if she did, she probably wouldn't get an answer, so it was better to just quietly observe. That was the tacit understanding they had developed.
As they entered the Great Hall, the decorations were similar to previous years, except for the ceiling, which mirrored the sky outside as if the professors had forgotten to change it back to the dazzling starry night.
Albert made his way along the Gryffindor table, looking for Fred, George, and Lee Jordan.
As he passed by, the excited conversations would quiet down, and curious eyes would stare at him as if he were some rare creature.
Even some young girls asked for his autograph, leaving Albert speechless. He quickened his pace and headed towards George, who was waving at him.
"You're quite popular," Fred teased, "I thought you'd stop and give them your autograph."
"Shut up," Albert replied.
He took a seat in the space the three had saved for him and greeted the few girls sitting across from them.
"This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is said to be the Undersecretary of Magic," George said to Albert, winking as he spoke loud enough for the surrounding students to hear.
"Are you sure you got that right? An Undersecretary of Magic coming to teach at Hogwarts?" Shan Na looked at the poorly dressed witch on the teacher's platform with surprise.
Anyone with half a brain knew that this probably wasn't going to be a good thing.
"To be honest, her taste is quite... unique," Albert commented.
"By the way, Albert, I became the Quidditch captain," Angelina said excitedly, sharing her good news.
"Congratulations. But I'm afraid your luck isn't that great," Albert said with a slight curve of his lips as he noticed Umbridge taking a sip from her wine glass.
"Why?" Angelina asked, confused.
"Haven't you been reading the newspapers? The Prophet hasn't stopped smearing Harry Potter lately," Albert pointed out.
"But, what does that have to do with anything?" Angelina was still perplexed, not understanding Albert's implication.
"It means that the relationship between the Ministry and Harry Potter is strained, and our new professor is the Undersecretary of Magic. You can imagine how tricky the situation might become," Albert explained.
"It's fine. If Harry can't play, we still have you," Angelina said confidently, knowing that Albert was also an excellent Seeker.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to help you this year. I have other things to attend to," Albert shook his head.
Angelina's expression immediately fell.
"Do you know why the Undersecretary of Magic came to teach at Hogwarts?" Shan Na smoothly changed the topic.
"It's definitely not going to be anything good," Lee Jordan said. "By the way, have you guys been listening to the Wizarding Wireless Network?"
"What's that?" Alicia asked.
"It's a mysterious station broadcast. I remember last night, the broadcast was talking about our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. To be honest, our Defense Against the Dark Arts class this year might be a bit of a mess," Lee Jordan shared.
"Then let Albert teach us," Alicia suggested.
"I don't have the time," Albert shook his head.
"What are you busy with?" Shan Na asked curiously.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall led the students into the Great Hall, and the Sorting Ceremony was about to begin.
Amidst the nervousness of the first-year students, the Sorting Hat opened its mouth and sang:
"Oh, I remember my very first day, when I went up on a head, I'm afraid I wasn't quite as clever as I am now, but I knew enough to choose the clever ones, and so I picked out — Slytherin! Our Hogwarts is in danger, enemies at the gates. We must unite within or we'll crumble from within. I've told you and warned you, now let's get started. Let's see — Hufflepuff!"
After the song, the hat fell silent again.
"Do you think that was Dumbledore's intention or the Sorting Hat's own idea?" George asked, turning to Albert during the applause.
Not just him, but the students in the hall were whispering among themselves, discussing the Sorting Hat's warning.
"Nick, has the Sorting Hat given similar warnings in the past?" Albert asked the Gryffindor ghost directly.
"There have been a few times," Nearly Headless Nick recalled. "The Sorting Hat feels a moral obligation to give the school proper warnings when it senses that the school is facing... immense danger. Of course, its advice is always the same: unite and maintain stability within."
"A prophetic hat?" Fred asked rhetorically.
After feeling the unfriendly gaze from Professor McGonagall, everyone closed their mouths.
"How is that possible? The Sorting Hat is kept in Dumbledore's office, it probably overheard something there," Albert said loud enough for those around him to hear.
"After all, you're the prophet," George added silently.
Soon, with Professor McGonagall calling out names and the Sorting Hat's announcements, the long line of first-year students gradually shortened.
After the Sorting Ceremony concluded, their headmaster stood up to greet everyone and announced that the feast would begin.
"How does it feel to be the Head Boy? Pretty great, huh?"
George cut into his steak, glancing sideways at Umbridge, who was also cutting into her steak on the staff table.
"She really does look like a toad, a pink toad!"
"It's off-putting."
"I wonder why the headmaster compromised with the Ministry."
"Who knows, maybe Professor Dumbledore had his reasons for conceding."
The group lowered their voices, whispering among themselves.
"I heard that old spinsters like her are the scariest. Many of them become twisted inside because they never found the nourishment of love." Lee Jordan mumbled.
"Hasn't anyone told her that her fashion sense is atrocious?"
"I bet her insides are twisted. Otherwise, why would someone her age dress like a little girl?"
"Maybe you could try to salvage her fashion sense."
"Never mind, I don't want to get sent to detention." Lee Jordan, munching on a chicken leg, joked, "Now's the time to pray to God; maybe He will answer your pleas."
"I thought wizards worshipped Merlin."
"Wizards don't have a religion, at least I don't." George shook his head. "Merlin's beard and such are just figures of speech."
Just then, Umbridge, who had just taken a bite of her steak and a sip of wine, froze as she noticed blood on her steak.
She touched below her nose, seeing the blood on her fingers, and was stunned.
She was bleeding from her nose, and it seemed to be serious.
Not only was she stunned, but Professor Dumbledore, who was sitting nearby, also noticed Umbridge's predicament and gave her a quizzical look.
"Are you alright?"
Umbridge had already taken out a handkerchief to cover her nose and didn't have a chance to reply to Dumbledore before the other professors on the staff table noticed the change in the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Even the students below, who were conversing in low voices, took note.
"Looks like something's up." Fred stifled a smile, gesturing for the others to look at Umbridge on the staff table.
"Our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor seems to be having a nosebleed?" Lee Jordan also struggled to hold back his laughter.
"Looks like the jinx on the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is taking effect." George deliberately steered the topic elsewhere. "She's really unlucky to be plagued with misfortune as soon as she arrives at the school."
Umbridge's eyes widened in shock as she saw the blood continuing to flow from her nose, staining her handkerchief red.
"Perhaps you should pay a visit to the school hospital. Madam Pomfrey should be able to help you." Professor McGonagall suggested to the flustered Umbridge.
News of Umbridge's nosebleed quickly spread, and soon it was rumored that she had been jinxed. Some students even started a betting pool on how long Umbridge would last.
"What do you think, how long will it take Madam Pomfrey to fix her up?" Fred turned to Albert. George, sitting next to him, sent a message via the communication bookmark, asking if Madam Pomfrey would notice anything amiss.
"Probably... not long."
Albert knew that Madam Pomfrey was capable of handling this issue.
Indeed, it only took about a quarter of an hour. By the time Albert had finished his two servings, Umbridge finally returned to her seat.
But...
The respite was short-lived.
Just as Umbridge started to eat again, her nose began to bleed once more, and she hurriedly left the Great Hall for the school hospital, seeking Madam Pomfrey's help, amidst the stares of the students.
This time, Umbridge didn't touch the food on the table. She did suspect that someone had tampered with her food, causing her nosebleed, but everyone chose their own dishes, so it was unlikely that someone was specifically targeting her.
Indeed, Umbridge would never have guessed that Peeves had sneaked some magic onto her cup and cutlery.
After all, nosebleeds were relatively common, and everyone assumed that Umbridge simply had a delicate constitution.
Who would have thought that someone was deliberately targeting Umbridge? No one could have guessed, and at least for now, no one would discover anything amiss, as the professors were more inclined to enjoy her misfortune.
"You really aren't going to have some? The syrup-soaked fruit pie is quite delicious." Dumbledore smiled, offering Umbridge some pie as he noticed that she had barely touched her food since the start.
"No, I think I'll pass for now." Umbridge forced a smile, but her mood was terrible. Watching everyone else eat while she went hungry was a cruel form of torture, and she certainly wasn't in the mood to enjoy it! It seemed that she was determined to deliver her speech about the Ministry's interference in Hogwarts after the meal.
Umbridge finally persevered through the meal, but during her speech, another mishap occurred.
"...to achieve a balance, between the old and the new, between permanence and change..."
Gurgling sounds suddenly echoed through the hall.
"...some old habits will be retained, which is understandable, but some habits have become outdated and must be..."
The growling stomach interrupted her again, and everyone struggled to hold back their laughter.
However, Umbridge's stomach seemed to be protesting the abuse, and the growls became more noticeable and louder.
Finally, someone from below couldn't hold back and snickered.
Once someone started, more and more people joined in, unable to contain their mirth.
The gurgling sounds were truly delightful, like the croaking of a toad.
(End of Chapter)
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