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Chapter 999: Umbridge's Schemes
Chapter 999: Umbridge's Schemes
"Mr. Anderson... Professor Umbridge asked me to... to give this... to you."
A young girl with her head lowered approached Albert, who was having dinner with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. With trembling hands, she passed a parchment roll to Albert.
"Thank you," Albert said, reaching out to take the parchment and offering a polite smile to the girl.
Her face reddened, and she hurried away.
"You're as popular as ever," Fred teased.
"The important thing is that Umbridge invited Albert for tea, isn't it?" George said, giving Fred a sidelong glance.
"I have a bad feeling about this. What do you think she's up to?" Lee frowned, his brows knitting together.
"Does it matter?" Albert replied nonchalantly. "Umbridge is nothing more than a jumped-up jobsworth, if you ask me."
"Toad!" The three friends chorused, sharing a laugh.
Promptly at eight o'clock that evening, Albert knocked on the door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He stepped inside to the sound of Umbridge's shrill voice.
"Take a seat, Mr. Anderson," Umbridge offered with feigned enthusiasm. However, her eyes held no warmth or kindness.
Albert scanned the room briefly before sitting down across from the elderly witch.
The hag before him asked in a grating voice, "What would you like to drink? Tea, milk, pumpkin juice, or butterbeer?"
"I'd prefer milk tea," Albert replied.
With a casual flick of his wand, he conjured a steaming cup of milk tea out of thin air. He brought the cup to his lips and took a delicate sip, paying no mind to the expression on Umbridge's face.
"Now, Professor, what did you wish to see me about?" Albert asked, setting down his cup.
"I think it's in our best interests to avoid any conflict." Umbridge glared at the young man before her, his pleasant smile grating on her nerves. She longed to punch that smug look off his face, but she knew it would be futile.
Besides, she knew she couldn't beat him in a fight.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean," Albert said, his eyes widening in feigned confusion.
"The issues with Defense Against the Dark Arts classes," Umbridge sighed, forcing herself to take a deep breath and maintain her composure.
"That has nothing to do with me," Albert shook his head, his expression one of sincere bewilderment.
"Nothing to do with you?" Umbridge repeated, her eyes narrowing as she tried to peer into his thoughts.
Unfortunately for her, Legilimency was not among her skills, and even if it were, she would not have been able to penetrate Albert's mind.
As their gazes met, Umbridge felt a searing heat as if she had been burned, and she quickly looked away.
"I intend to make good use of my final year here by delving into the wealth of knowledge in the Hogwarts library," Albert said, as if reading her thoughts. A slight smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he continued, "I'm usually in the library, and by the way, I'm quite busy, so I really don't have time for your little games."
"Little games?" Umbridge repeated, her eyes widening in surprise. She had not expected to be dismissed so casually.
Did this young man consider her actions as trivial as a child's game? It was clear that he held neither her nor the Ministry in any regard.
"Isn't it?" Albert asked, his expression one of genuine confusion as he watched Umbridge tremble with rage.
"I know what you're trying to do, but it has nothing to do with me," Albert continued in a detached tone, as if discussing something of little consequence. "I have my own matters to attend to, and unless you believe that I acquired all these titles by simply bending over and picking them up off the ground, I suggest you leave me be."
Umbridge opened her mouth, her face contorting with the effort of maintaining her smile. "With your abilities, if you were to consider a career in the Ministry of Magic after your graduation..."
"I have no interest in joining the Ministry after graduation," Albert interrupted bluntly. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. I need to return my books to the library before it closes."
With another casual wave of his wand, the empty cup vanished.
"If you don't wish to attend the Defense Against the Dark Arts advanced class, I won't force you to. You may skip it and go straight to the N.E.W.T. exam. I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors," Umbridge said, revealing her true purpose for summoning Albert. She needed to dismantle the large group of seventh-year students who were openly defying her.
"Oh, that's wonderful news," Albert said, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he guessed her intentions. However, he didn't care for her petty schemes. Leading the Hogwarts students in a direct confrontation with Umbridge was not on his agenda—that would be far too boring.
It was the students' wit and cunning in their resistance against Umbridge that brought life to Hogwarts, and who knew, it might even generate some interesting tasks for him.
"By the way, a word of friendly advice: be wary of curses," Albert added, his eyes glinting with hidden meaning.
"Curses?" Umbridge asked, her curiosity piqued.
"As one of the most dangerous Dark Wizards in history, the Dark Lord's curses are undoubtedly perilous. Many professors have learned this the hard way," Albert said, his tone carrying a weight of experience.
As Albert rose to leave the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Umbridge's forced smile finally slipped.
"Damn that Mudblood!" she hissed, her face contorting with rage.
With a sweep of her arm, she sent the objects on her desk crashing to the floor, venting her fury. Students passing by the classroom could hear the stream of curses and the sound of breaking objects from within.
After her outburst, Umbridge's face grew even more sullen, and her dislike for Albert intensified.
Of course, the fact that he had claimed the long-forgotten task rewards didn't help matters.
Umbridge felt utterly helpless against Albert, who had made it clear that he was not someone to be trifled with.
In fact, Umbridge had already inquired with other Slytherin students, and they confirmed that Albert had not instigated any united resistance against her Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
At least, none that the Slytherins were aware of, but this only added to her wariness.
She knew very well how so many students had ended up in her advanced class, and the thought of those seventh-year students turning against her was unnerving.
If it came to that, she had no doubt that they would happily show her the door and invite Albert to take her place.
He certainly had the capability to do so.
Student?
The word seemed laughable when applied to Albert.
No one cared about his N.E.W.T. scores, and even if she tried to fail him, the backlash would ultimately fall on the Ministry.
Public opinion?
That was a joke.
Numerous newspapers and magazines, aside from the Daily Prophet, had reported on Albert's triumph in the Dueling Competition, proving his influence extended far beyond a single publication.
Did the Ministry really think they could control all the media? Umbridge wasn't that delusional.
(End of Chapter)
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