A day at Hogwarts.

Chapter 626 The important task is entrusted to you.

Cedric: "I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

He stood there stunned for a moment, almost doubting that he had misheard.

Charles mysteriously summoned him to the kitchen tonight, and he was full of anticipation, perhaps for a tasting invitation to a new dish, or for signing an interesting advertising contract like Viktor Krum. Little did he expect that what awaited him was such an unbelievable notification.

Cedric even instinctively wanted to drag Charles to the school infirmary immediately and ask Mrs. Pomfrey to examine him to see if he was sick and delirious.

Charles smiled easily, even with a hint of slyness, and said, "That's right, I specifically recommended you to Professor Umbridge."

He looked smug and poured elderflower sparkling water into two empty glasses.

Cedric's face instantly darkened, his brows furrowing so tightly they seemed to grip his wand, a mixture of astonishment and displeasure replacing his usual gentle expression.

Charles had never seen such an expression on his face before.

“She’s not a good person, Charles,” Cedric said in a low voice, his tone becoming unusually serious. “I’ve heard a lot about her from my father.”

He then briefly recounted the general assessment of Umbridge within the Ministry of Magic—bureaucratic, acerbic, scheming, ruthless, and extremely hostile towards Muggles—a description largely consistent with what Eleanor had previously revealed.

Cedric was secretly anxious. He picked up his drink, took a sip, organized his thoughts, and continued, "Charles, you don't fully understand Umbridge's character yet. You're easily deceived by her outward kindness or promises."

He ultimately didn't say anything, and as a result, he's now dragged himself into this obvious fire pit as well.

Charles listened quietly, the playful smile on his face gradually fading, the curve of his lips straightening, replaced by an extremely serious and earnest expression.

He sat up straight, his gaze no longer wandering, but looking directly into Cedric's eyes, and asked solemnly, "So, do you think she'll behave herself at Hogwarts and do nothing?"

Charles's voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a special magic that struck Cedric's heart.

Cedric, though resolute, was caught off guard and fell silent under Charles's "bargaining magic," his brow furrowed as he pondered.

The only sound in the kitchen was the crackling of the stove.

Yes, given Umbridge's reputation in the Ministry of Magic, how could she possibly be content to be a law-abiding professor? That senior investigator probably has some ulterior motive behind it all.

Cedric recalled Umbridge's speech after the dinner, from which he could glean many insights.

Now that the mysterious man has returned, the Ministry of Magic is stepping up its preparations, and will likely strengthen Hogwarts as well.

The problem is, if Umbridge were to handle this, things might go wrong.

Seeing that he was wavering, Charles didn't give him time to think it over. Instead, he struck while the iron was hot and said in an extremely sincere, even urgent tone, "That's precisely why you should accept this position."

Every word was clear and powerful, like a bolt of lightning that instantly cleaved through the fog in Cedric's mind.

Cedric suddenly understood.

Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore would never allow Umbridge to run rampant at Hogwarts and tarnish this great castle.

Charles has a close relationship with the headmaster and extensive connections within the Ministry of Magic.

Umbridge's sudden appointment must have a deeper meaning and is by no means accidental.

Due to a combination of factors, Dumbledore, through the arrangement of Charles as an intermediary, made further arrangements. His aim was to have a reliable, honest, and capable person to monitor Umbridge closely and legitimately, and to keep track of her movements. Cedric then realized that Charles had sought him out to complete this surveillance mission.

A warm feeling of bearing a heavy responsibility filled my heart, and a sense of mission born from being trusted naturally arose.

Cedric felt a sudden weight on his shoulders, and his previous resistance and worry were quickly replaced by a determination, even tinged with excitement.

He took a sip of the hot water, his gaze towards Charles hardening with unwavering resolve. Lowering his voice, he asked with the solemnity of someone about to embark on a secret mission, "I understand."

"So, Charles, what do I need to do?"

He felt he had completely grasped the grand scheme of things, his voice filled with the awareness to meet the challenge, and he was willing to jump into the trap set for Umbridge.

For Hogwarts, for the headmaster, this responsibility was his inescapable duty.

Charles seemed pleased with his reaction, refilled his glass of sparkling water, and said in a relaxed yet meaningful tone, with a tacit implication, "At this stage, there's no need to take any initiative."

"Just do your teaching job at Umbridge as usual, keep observing and stay vigilant, and that's enough."

Cedric nodded solemnly, his eyes sharp.

He fully understood his mission: to lie in wait, observe, gain trust, remain still, gather information, and wait for the right opportunity.

This task is more important, more secretive, and requires more patience and wisdom than imagined.

He could almost see himself standing on the platform of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, shouldering another sacred mission.

Charles watched as Cedric left the kitchen with a confident and resolute air, his steps steady and firm. He sat down in his chair, letting out a long sigh of relief, but also feeling a little guilty.

However, he finally managed to trick Cedric into that trap, and he could finally extricate himself from that troublesome position.

When Charles returned to the Gryffindor common room, many people hadn't gone back to their dormitories to sleep yet. Harry, Harry, and Ron were all there, while Ron leaned back in his chair, looking completely relaxed.

"What's wrong with Ron?" Charles asked curiously. "Did he leave his summer homework at home?"

Ron immediately snapped to attention, jumped up and almost rushed back to his dorm, but remembered that he had indeed finished his homework and put it back in the box before sitting down again.

“It’s nothing,” he said. “Two boys got into an argument over a girl and almost came to blows.”

Charles immediately turned to look at Hermione.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him and said, "It wasn't me, it was a third-year student."

Charles could only say, "Kids these days really know how to have fun."

Ron rubbed his temples and said, "I'm really afraid they'll start fighting again someday. If we get caught, we'll lose points in the academy."

Charles shrugged and said, "Just let them fight where they won't be spotted."

Ron's eyes suddenly lit up.

(End of this chapter)