A day at Hogwarts.

Chapter 706 Eat a little bit

"Recently, a regrettable incident occurred at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where a student openly defied school rules and Ministry of Magic laws."

……

"Professor Umbridge's actions were timely, decisive, and entirely appropriate," said an unnamed Ministry of Magic official. "Maintaining the purity and stability of the campus is of paramount importance. Mr. Smith has seriously violated school rules and relevant Ministry of Magic laws and regulations. Professor Umbridge's measures effectively curbed the spread of this negative trend and protected the vast majority of law-abiding students from its harmful influence."

……

Several senior figures in the education community have also expressed their support for Professor Umbridge's approach. They pointed out that appropriate disciplinary action with a clear educational purpose is an indispensable part of school education and helps cultivate students' respect for rules. "Professor Umbridge's strict enforcement reflects the Ministry of Magic's high level of responsibility for the healthy development of the next generation of wizards," said Remus Lupin, former Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Percy Weasley, former Hogwarts Student Council President, stated, "She is cleaning up some of the long-standing problems of laxity and disregard for rules at Hogwarts."

"Analysts point out that this move sends a clear signal to all teachers and students: at Hogwarts, no one is above the rules, and the authority of the Ministry of Magic and current policies must be strictly enforced."

……

"This incident once again highlights Professor Dolores Umbridge's leadership and sense of responsibility as an outstanding representative of the Ministry of Magic. Under her strong leadership, the teaching order at Hogwarts is being significantly improved. We firmly believe that under the wise leadership of Minister Rufus Scrimgeour and with the efforts of loyal and capable officials like Professor Umbridge, the future of Hogwarts and the entire wizarding world will be brighter and more orderly."

……

Harry was initially furious when he saw the news in today's Daily Prophet, but his expression turned strange when he saw the last two names.

He looked toward the professors' table and saw Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall exchange a glance, as if he could see the question marks above their heads.

Umbridge was also looking at the newspaper, but his expression was almost like that of a drunk person.

“This must be Charles’s scheme.” Hermione filled Harry and Ron’s plates with fried eggs and sausages. “Don’t worry about him, eat up. This year’s competition is very important.”

Ron nodded nervously, his hand holding the spoon trembling slightly.

Today is his first official Quidditch match, and he's been incredibly nervous since he woke up. Right now, he's staring intently at his bowl of milk and cereal, as if he's trying to drown himself in it.

Harry was somewhat annoyed. He knew Ron had psychological issues with the game and had planned to give him psychological counseling, but after Charles's incident, he completely forgot about it.

"Hello."

Just then, a dreamlike voice spoke behind them.

Harry turned his head and saw Luna Lovegood strolling over from the Ravenclaw dining table.

She's now the center of attention in the cafeteria; half the people are looking at her, and many are pointing and whispering about her.

She wore a life-size lion's head hat, her eyes gleaming as she stared at Ginny across from Harry, as if she wanted to bite her.

“I support Gryffindor,” Luna said, pointing to her hat. “Charles taught me to do it, and I thought he would see it.”

People felt that what she said was a bit unlucky.

"What will it do?"

She reached out and tapped her hat with her wand.

The lion opened its mouth wide, its expression furious, which frightened everyone around it.

"Ow~"

The lion let out a soft, coquettish roar, which startled everyone for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Luna raised her wand once more and tapped it twice on the lion's head.

This time, the lion let out a realistic roar, startling everyone around and nearly choking Simo to death.

"Isn't it great?" Luna said cheerfully. "What Charles taught me before he left will definitely leave a lasting impression on you."

"I wanted it to have a snake, a symbol of Slytherin, in its mouth, but it was too late."

Anyway, good luck, Ron!

After she finished speaking, she floated away, somewhat like Nick and the others. Dean asked Ron curiously, "When did you meet her?"

When Luna was mentioned, Ron became less nervous, shrugged, and said, "Her house isn't far from mine."

After the little incident, Ron became even more nervous and couldn't eat anything, though the bowl of milk and oatmeal porridge remained the same.

Hermione had no choice but to take out a small bottle and drop a drop of the potion into her milk and oatmeal porridge.

At that moment, Ron's attention was drawn to Harry's words, and he didn't see Hermione's actions.

“Ron,” Hermione said, pointing to the bowl, “you should at least drink two sips of milk.”

Ginny, sitting opposite them, looked at the two of them curiously, and even more curious about what Hermione had put into Ron's bowl.

“I really can’t, Hermione,” he said, his voice dry and tinged with despair. “I’m going to compete. I must be crazy…crazy!”

At this moment, his face was as pale as if he were ill.

“Don’t talk nonsense, Ron,” Hermione said, trying to keep her tone gentle. “You’ve trained very hard, and Harry says you have talent.”

"You need energy; you can't compete on an empty stomach."

She gestured with her eyes to the bowl of porridge and continued, "At least drink this. The milk and oatmeal porridge will calm you down and replenish your energy."

Ron just shook his head painfully, his Adam's apple bobbing as if even swallowing had become incredibly difficult.

"I can't swallow it, it feels like my throat is blocked." He seemed to be wailing.

Hermione sighed, a hint of helplessness and worry flashing across her face.

From both the Gryffindor Quidditch team's and Ron's personal perspective, both need to be in good form for the match.

Hermione glanced at the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy and the others grinning mischievously at Ron.

Malfoy and his team had long since discovered Ron's problem and had made considerable preparations for today's match.

Hermione thought to herself that perhaps Harry was right to use the Imperius Curse.

Suddenly, as if she had made up her mind, she decisively picked up the bowl of warm milk and oatmeal porridge in front of Ron.

Before Ron could react to what she was about to do, Hermione scooped up a full spoonful of thick oatmeal porridge and, with lightning speed, precisely shoved it into his mouth.

“Open your mouth, Ron.” Her tone was firm and unwavering, yet her eyes held a subtle concern.

Ron's blue eyes widened in astonishment, and he instinctively wanted to protest, but a sharp pain shot through his foot, and he barely managed to open his mouth a crack.

In an instant, the spoonful of warm, milky, and oat-grain-textured food was irresistibly placed inside.

He chewed twice as a reflex.

A delicious flavor he had never experienced before burst in Ron's mouth. He felt as if this spoonful of milk cereal was the best thing he had ever eaten in his life, and he recalled the times when his mother fed him when he was a child.

"Eat quickly!" Hermione urged, placing the bowl back in front of Ron. "Time is running out."

Without saying a word, Ron picked up the bowl and gulped it down in one go.

After drinking this bowl of milk oatmeal porridge, the psychological tension was like a small hole appearing in the wall; although it wasn't big, I could eat without any problems.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ron start eating.

But he felt uneasy; today's match was probably not going to be easy.

(End of this chapter)