Chapter 1056： Retreat to advance

Chapter 1056: Retreat to advance

After being severely punished by Peeves, Umbridge, who returned from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, seemed to have become a lot more "honest" and did not dare to cause trouble for everyone, nor did she talk about it anymore. This time, it seems that after experiencing the last lesson, Umbridge has become "well-behaved" and harmless, and is no longer as aggressive as before.

However, what shocked everyone even more was that Umbridge actually asked Filch to take off the pile of education orders hanging on the notice wall.

Many students couldn't believe their eyes, let alone Umbridge's changes. Even Hermione hesitated about the previous plan to discredit Toad and came to ask Albert if he wanted to continue with the previous plan. On the contrary, Harry has always insisted that everything Umbridge is doing now is just a disguise.

"Even if a poisonous snake puts away its fangs, it is still a poisonous snake. She is just patiently waiting for the opportunity to show her fangs again, instead of being beaten stupidly. This is called retreating, which is a very understandable way to deal with it." Albert said from I don’t believe in the nonsense of laying down the butcher’s knife and becoming a Buddha immediately.

"Hermione, don't be fooled by the toad's appearance." Harry raised his hand, looked at the shallow scars on the back of his hands, and said coldly, "Don't forget, I'm still suspended, and don't forget, my Firebolt It's still there with her. Rather than trusting her, I'd rather trust Anderson's judgment."

"I didn't... I just felt weird." Hermione looked at the empty notice wall in front of her and fell into a brief silence. "Maybe she is brewing some conspiracy."

A few days passed, and no new education orders appeared on the bulletin wall. Umbridge also became very low-key, and almost no longer did other unnecessary things except teaching students.

Hogwarts returned to its usual peaceful and comfortable life, as if the nightmare that had lasted for half a year was finally over.

Especially when Harry got his Firebolt back and was allowed to return to the Quidditch field, even he was momentarily shaken and doubted that Umbridge had really changed her ways. However, the scar on the back of her hand But Harry couldn't believe Umbridge no matter what.

 “What do you think Umbridge is going to do?”

George got the broomstick back from Umbridge and asked Albert suspiciously.

Has the toad really changed its ways?

This kind of thing is hard for the Weasley twins to believe.

 However, the current situation looks very strange. What on earth is Umbridge doing?

"This is called retreating before advancing. In that case, he can only give in and wait for the opportunity to catch your tail. Believe me, she will show her fangs again soon." Albert could guess that Wu What Mrich planned to do, he was just a little surprised that Fred and George would actually have doubts.

Lack of experience?

 It is probably because he has never been tricked by anyone, or he has never encountered a similar case, so he cannot understand Umbridge's operation.

Of course, this may be related to the fact that it is easier for most ordinary people to be satisfied.

 There are many similar cases, and you have to be tricked before you can remember them deeply.

“I see, toads are really insidious.”

Fred and George, who had just gotten their broomsticks back, felt bad all of a sudden, because they discovered that Umbridge's operation had successfully made many people lower their guard.

 “Is it very sinister?” Albert looked strange.

 Presumably, after this time, we can give free lessons to all students in the school.

"We have to go talk to Harry about this and make him be more vigilant so as not to be fooled." George handed the broomstick to Fred and hurried to find Harry.

He has already guessed that Umbridge's purpose is to make everyone relax their vigilance in order to seize the opportunity of the Anti-Toad Alliance and the Defense Association.

 It can only be said that most people are forgetful, especially when facing things that have nothing to do with them. Now many students are turning their attention to the next Hogsmeade weekend, which coincides with the Valentine's Day holiday. Many couples are planning to spend Valentine's Day in Hogsmeade Village.

Albert watched all this silently. When would Umbridge do something evil?

 Probably... we won’t keep everyone waiting too long.

There is no way, the number of people in today's DA gatherings is too huge. Once the number is too large, the difficulty of keeping it secret will increase rapidly, especially when everyone's defenses are lowered.

It is not easy to grab Harry's tail, especially the abbreviation DA, which is really hard not to associate with it.

Unless, Harry goes to Umbridge and establishes a legal DA club, but this is undoubtedly a step into the tiger's mouth, and there will be no return.

 No one is stupid.

 After some discussion, everyone decided to set up a Defense Against the Dark Arts study group to test Umbridge's attitude.

Strangely, the Defense Against the Dark Arts study group was actually allowed. The only requirement was that they could not practice black magic or use jinxes indiscriminately in school.

 After some discussion, everyone finally changed the name of the "Defense Association" to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Study Group, so that the gathering could have normal and legal activities on the surface without having to worry about being targeted by Umbridge.

At this moment, even Harry was confused.

 There is no way, everything is just like a dream, as if everything is back to normal.

 Hermione even suspended her original plan against Umbridge, and some of the previously compiled information fell into Albert's hands.

"You guys help me send these things to Rita Skeeter first." Albert was very surprised at the naivety of this group of people. Maybe students who have not been beaten by society are like this.

“If all this is really staged by a toad, it would be really terrible.” Lee Jordan muttered as he took the information.

"It's normal. She has been at the Ministry of Magic since she graduated from school. If she didn't even have this little scheming, why do you think she could become the director of the Office for the Prohibition of the Abuse of Magic before she was thirty years old and climb to her current position?" Ai Bert felt amused by everyone's naivety, but also a little helpless. Perhaps, he used to be like this too.

 Fortunately, several of his roommates don’t look so stupid after being influenced by him.

Regardless of whether Umbridge was pretending or not, going to Hogsmeade for Valentine's Day on the weekend dominated the discussion among the students. No one objected anymore. Even Peeves was persuaded by Albert and stopped looking for him. Umbridge was in trouble, as if everything had gone with the wind.

 But, is all this really over?

 I don’t think so.

 …

 “Are you really going to do that?”

Hermione already knew that Albert still had no intention of giving up, and that all plans were still going on in an orderly manner. They had already made an appointment with Rita Skeeter, and Luna had also established a good relationship. The Quibbler was willing Dedicate an entire issue to this article.

"Be prepared, even if you don't use it, it doesn't matter. It's just a fee for Miss Beetle, and what I don't need most now is galleons." Albert's words made Ron next to him open his mouth. In the end, I didn’t know where to turn my eyes.

"Umbridge's appearance was all fake?" Harry asked.

 “What do you think?” Albert asked.

"I think so, but now that the Defense Against the Dark Arts study group is considered a legal gathering, she can't do anything to us?" This is what Harry is most confused about. They are no longer breaking the law. If so, what is wrong with us? What is Mricchi planning secretly?

"Don't ask me about this kind of thing, you think and guess for yourself." Albert continued to flip through the Defense Against the Dark Arts notes at hand.

He got this from Professor Flitwick, a note left by the former dueling champion. It contains many of Professor Flitwick's thoughts and experiences.

"Do you think Hogwarts will also fall in the future?" Hermione no longer dwelled on the previous events, but asked her doubts.

"The possibility is very high. In the prophecy, the Ministry of Magic has collapsed. If the mysterious person really controls the Ministry of Magic, it will be easy to influence Hogwarts." Albert answered Hermione's question calmly, as if it was just a rare matter. Ordinary little things.

"I feel like my brain was messed up by Snape, and learning Occlumency didn't make me... In short, I have nightmares more frequently than before." Harry also expressed his confusion.

"You yourself have thought about blocking the connection between you, haven't you?" Albert poked Harry's thoughts unceremoniously, "If you really want to learn Occlumency, you have to spend more time. Put more energy into studying seriously instead of half-knowing it, which would be worse.”

"Harry, Professor Dumbledore hopes that you can learn Occlumency to protect yourself from the influence of the mysterious man." After the few people left the Room of Requirement, Hermione persuaded her earnestly.

"Hermione, you don't understand how bad it feels, how bad it is to feel powerless when your brain is constantly being invaded and people are constantly prying at you. I have been trying to learn it, but it has almost no effect." Harry I have to admit that I may not have much talent in Occlumency.

Of course, this may also be related to Harry's desire to find out what is going on in the corridor he keeps seeing repeatedly in his dreams.

"I think Albert is right. Umbridge may have some hidden secrets. Hermione, do you think..." Harry quickly changed the subject.

 Ron noticed Hermione stopping and looking at the end of the corridor, and asked with some confusion: "What's wrong?"

"nothing?"

 Hermione saw a somewhat familiar figure heading towards the Room of Requirement, and she thought that person was probably their student council president.

 Although Katrina is the sister of Albert's girlfriend, Hermione always feels that those two people may have...a woman's intuition.

 “Hermione?” Harry called.

“By the way Harry, have we forgotten about Hagrid?”

This time it was Hermione's turn to change the subject.

 “What?” Harry and Ron were both confused.

"Hagrid is still on probation. We can use this matter to test Umbridge."

 “Do you really want to go?”

Harry didn't really want to go to Umbridge, even though she was now harmless, but Harry still didn't want to go to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, where it would leave him with a bad memory.

"We have to ask Hagrid about probation." Hermione said to Harry, "You definitely don't want Hagrid to be expelled, right?"

"All right!"

 After much hesitation, Harry finally agreed. The three of them walked towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, and soon knocked on Umbridge's office, and revealed their purpose under Umbridge's surprised look.

"As long as Hagrid doesn't bring any dangerous magical creatures into the classroom, I think he can stay in the school." When faced with the questions from the three Harrys, Umbridge gave a very confused answer.

 However, this left Harry and the three of them unable to find fault.

Because Hagrid did have a bad case of bringing hippogriffs and squids into class, Umbridge didn't even know that Hagrid also raised fire dragons and three-headed dogs, which may still be in the Forbidden Forest. Hidden head giant.

 “What do you think?”

 After leaving the Defense Against Dark Arts office, Hermione asked.

"I can't tell, but her smile still makes me feel sick." Harry still didn't like Umbridge and that fake smile.

"Actually, I think it is completely unnecessary to worry about Hagrid being expelled. Don't forget the old liar. That guy is still waiting for the toad to get out and return to Hogwarts to continue serving. Even if Hagrid is really expelled, unless it is not Dumbledore As the principal, otherwise he will definitely let Hagrid come back to serve." Ron reminded, "I am more worried about what Hagrid hid in the Forbidden Forest. We'd better remind him that Dumbledore knows about it. Something?"

"Dumbledore is not the principal? Could it be..." Hermione suddenly thought of something, had a bad premonition, and immediately walked in another direction.

“Hermione, where are you going?” Harry asked, looking at Hermione who was leaving in a hurry. “Why don’t we go find Hagrid together?”

 “I suddenly remembered something, see you later.”

Hermione hurriedly returned to the Room of Requirement, intending to talk to Albert. Just now, she suddenly had a terrible guess.

When Hermione arrived on the eighth floor, she quickly discovered that the Room of Requirement could not be entered. She tried several more times, but the door to the Room of Requirement actually opened by itself.

She was stunned, opened her mouth slightly, stretched out her hands and pushed the door open.

In the room, Katrina is practicing magic, and Albert is obviously teaching her in person.

I don’t know why, but Hermione felt a little sore in her heart. Didn’t she say she didn’t have time to teach others about Defense Against the Dark Arts?

 “Is something wrong?” A familiar voice suddenly sounded.

Katrina also stopped practicing magic and cast a confused look at Hermione.

Hermione was stunned for a moment, glanced at Katrina, and talked about what happened when they went to find Umbridge.

"She didn't agree to anything." Albert felt that Hermione might have other reasons for looking for him, but he still reminded him, "In fact, most of the words spoken verbally cannot be taken seriously, even if it is a signed contract. It works.”

"that…"

Hermione glanced at Katrina, but in the end she didn't ask. She was actually afraid of getting the worst answer.

 “You are really welcome.”

After Hermione left in a hurry, Katrina asked curiously, "I've actually been curious, Isobel isn't even angry, is she jealous?"

"Because good boys are always popular, because she knows no one can take me away from her, so why should she be angry and why should she be jealous?" Albert turned around and asked, as if he was just stating the facts.

 Katrina ignored Albert and continued to seize the time to practice magic. There was not much time for Albert to personally guide her, so she had to seize the time.

 (End of this chapter)