The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

Chapter 323 Chapter 318 Complaint
Dumbledore was indeed in the headmaster's office.

He was sitting behind the table, looking down at a piece of parchment. He was wearing a bright blue robe, and his hat was placed on the corner of the table. He looked like he had just come back from a long distance. Fox stood on the back of his chair, his long, beautiful tail feathers gently hanging beside his shoulders, casting a golden-red glow on his silver-white beard and hair.

"Ah, Minerva." Dumbledore looked up and smiled as they entered the Headmaster's office. "I was wondering when you would arrive. Can you help me close the door, Hagrid? Thank you."

He pointed with his wand, and three very comfortable-looking chairs appeared in the principal's office, one of which was obviously larger than the others.

Hagrid gave Dumbledore a somewhat embarrassed smile, pulled over a large chair, and sat down. Fawkes turned his back to Anthony, lowered his bird's head, and leaned against Dumbledore's neck for a few seconds before spreading his wings and disappearing in a streak of fire.

Dumbledore said with a smile, "Sit down, Minerva, Henry."

"Yes, sir," Anthony said, sitting on the chair on the other side.

Professor McGonagall did not look at the chair that appeared, but remained standing straight in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"Albus, I hope you enjoyed your meeting," she said dryly. "Perhaps you also happened to notice the insignificant influence that the revered High Inquisitor has had on Hogwarts?"

"Perhaps." Dumbledore smiled. "I am reading the investigation report against me."

Professor McGonagall seemed to be so surprised that she forgot to be angry for a moment: "Is there any investigation report against you?"

Dumbledore nodded: "Obviously. I returned just in time to get it from Fawkes - sit down, my good professor, and celebrate for me." Professor McGonagall hesitated, but finally sat down.

"I don't see why this is anything to celebrate," she said, slightly annoyed. "Don't tell me you got an 'O'."

Dumbledore said, "No, it is an 'A'. However, it is a long time since I received a report card, and I have been meaning to get one again. Isn't that something to be happy about? Tea?"

"No sugar or milk," said Professor McGonagall. "Thank you."

"Hagrid? Henry?"

Anthony thanked him and took the cup, throwing a piece of sugar in it. Hagrid's cup was as big as a bucket, and he added nearly half a bucket of milk, almost overflowing.

Professor McGonagall glanced at Hagrid, then turned to Dumbledore: "Whatever happens, Albus, Dolores can't go on like this. She's gone too far."

Dumbledore put his teacup down and put his fingertips together, as if to listen attentively.

Professor McGonagall paused for a moment, and then her complaints came pouring out: "I've already talked about her walking around in class - it's very disruptive to class discipline - not to mention what she did with Educational Order No. 23. No, I expected that her deductions would not be very fair, or rather, I didn't expect her to be fair, but she has gone even further than Severus, and at least Professor Snape took the trouble to find some harsh reasons. Most importantly, do you know what happened today?"

"I guess I'm about to find out."

Professor McGonagall was not interrupted at all: "She organized an investigation team, and then distributed the power to deduct points to those students, even including the second years! This completely undermines the prefect system and the house system!"

"Alas," Dumbledore whispered.

"Henry and Hagrid saw it. Albus, you may have your considerations, but this must stop. Otherwise..." She paused, "Otherwise, we might as well just abolish the house system - before everything becomes too ridiculous."

"That's ridiculous!" Hagrid repeated. "Thirty points from a second-year Slytherin brat!"

Anthony saw Professor McGonagall's gaze and put down his cup, agreeing, "I don't see why Madam Umbridge should be allowed to do this."

"That's right," Dumbledore said, standing up and walking aside. "But perhaps Dolores has other ideas."

He tapped the buzzing silver instrument with his wand. The white mist from the instrument paused for a moment, then with a tinkling sound, the mist twisted, split into two streams, swirled upwards, merged into one, and finally dissipated near the Sorting Hat sleeping on top of the cabinet.

"Interesting, but the question is not whether it is, but how..." Dumbledore muttered, then turned around and looked at the sky outside the window. "Although it is almost time for dinner, I guess Dolores won't mind having a cup of afternoon tea first."

……

"You looking for me, Headmaster?" Umbridge asked in a coquettish voice. She stood in the middle of the Headmaster's office, with her chin slightly raised, as if she was deliberately trying to make herself look more calm and domineering. Except for a glance around when she entered the door, she did not give any attention to Professor McGonagall, Hagrid or Anthony.

Dumbledore smiled, "Yes, Dolores, please take a seat."

A chair appeared noiselessly behind Umbridge.

"Thank you, Headmaster, that's very thoughtful of you." She said sweetly, but her face was not very happy. "I hope you had a good time while you were away from school." "Of course, Dolores, everything was great. I brought back some nice black tea, which is perfect for this warm afternoon."

Umbridge took the cup politely and placed it on the table.

"By the way, I have also seen the investigation report you gave me. I particularly like those sections that describe how chaotic the management of Hogwarts is due to the inaction of the current headmaster." Dumbledore said briskly, "However, I invited you because I heard an interesting rumor. It seems that we have an investigation team?"

"Oh, yes, yes, Headmaster." Umbridge said softly, "A group of very enthusiastic and good children... With their help, my investigation went much more smoothly... Moreover, I heard that all student organizations, associations, teams and clubs are free to form and disband without approval, so I didn't bother to inform you. After all, you should have been busy at the time."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Dolores," said Dumbledore. "Don't worry, I am not trying to blame you for setting up the Investigative Task Force. On the contrary, I think it is an excellent idea."

Umbridge repeated slowly: "You think it's a wonderful . . . "

Hagrid slammed the cups—the bucket—on the table. "Professor Dumbledore—"

Dumbledore raised a hand to stop Hagrid from continuing. "Genius, if you will. Therefore, I would like to encourage you to recruit more students to join the Investigative Task Force. I think you will be pleased to find that there are quite a few talented students among them. For example, I have always been impressed by Harry's kindness-"

"Mr. Potter, unfortunately, is not willing to cooperate with my investigation. In addition, Professor Snape told me that Mr. Potter is reckless, arrogant, and likes to show off. I am afraid he is not suitable to join the investigation team."

"—I have also heard of Miss Hermione Granger's diligence and prudence—"

"But she's a Muggle-born, isn't she?" Professor McGonagall stared at Umbridge with disgust, and Umbridge grinned like an ugly toad. "I mean, she has only known the wizarding world for more than a year, and she is still unable to make accurate and appropriate judgments."

"——Mr. Ron Weasley is well acquainted with the workings of the wizarding world——"

"He and his brothers behave in a somewhat undisciplined manner," said Umbridge, smiling.

"My goodness, Dolores, how differently we perceive our students," Dumbledore said quietly. "Where I see kindness, humility and sincerity, you see a character distorted by prejudice. Where I find wit and warmth, you emphasize its confusion. Where I see seriousness and intelligence, you note only the least important thing about a person, that is, birth and background."

"What I have just mentioned is very important, Headmaster," said Umbridge sweetly, but with a hint of impatience. "Anyway, I understand. Let's get this straight - you are talking about the fact that they have just been deducted points by the Inquiry Team, right?"

"Indeed, Dolores." Dumbledore pressed his ten fingers together and looked at her over his half-moon glasses. "I must admit that I am a little surprised. I know that Educational Order 23 gives you the same power over house divisions as professors, but traditionally, professors only allow prefects to deduct points - and, if I remember correctly, prefects cannot deduct points from each other."

"Members of the Investigative Task Force cannot deduct points from each other, if that is what you are asking, Headmaster."

"No, I mean that appropriate limits and caution are necessary, Dolores. I fear that too much power, in the wrong hands, could have consequences that no one would like to see."

Since entering the headmaster's office, Umbridge's face changed visibly for the first time. She stared at Dumbledore in surprise, and her voice, which was trying to be calm, was a mixture of excitement, joy and fear: "Ah, finally, Dumbledore, you finally showed your true colors... just as the Minister expected..."

Professor McGonagall sneered as if she couldn't stand it. Dumbledore still looked very calm: "Don't misunderstand me. I think Cornelius will agree with me on this matter - Evra?"

A portrait on the wall opened its eyes: "Albus?"

"Could you please ask if Cornelius is in his office?" Dumbledore said, looking at the sky again, "Ask the staff nearby, some of them should not have left work yet. If Cornelius is still in the Ministry of Magic, tell him -"

"——Everything is fine." Umbridge interrupted sharply. She took a deep breath and a smile suddenly appeared on her face. "But you may not have to make a wasted trip, Everard. The Minister should have gone back."

The wizard named Everard glanced at her in the portrait and muttered, "It's been a long time since I last visited my frame at the Ministry of Magic..."

"Believe me, it hasn't changed at all compared to when you left." Umbridge said, "Headmaster, although there is no intention to increase the number of members of the Investigative Task Force in the short term, how about this: I will respect the tradition of Hogwarts and take back the house power of the members of the Investigative Task Force below the fifth year... As for the students above the fifth year, I think they should be mature enough to reassure you?"

"According to Hogwarts tradition, only prefects have the power to distribute power among the schools." Dumbledore smiled slightly, "However, I encourage you...how did you say that? 'Carry out a series of reforms that go against tradition'?"

Professor McGonagall said, "It's strange, Dolores, you seem to have become so friendly all of a sudden. However, if you insist, you remind me that maybe members of the Transfiguration Club should have some House authority... to supervise their classmates' studies and so on."

Anthony warned: "Don't let the Lock Your Heart Club hear you say this."

Professor McGonagall said, "It's okay. I think Pomona and Filius should be able to think of some clubs that should have the power of the house... Oh, yes, there is also the Albacore Club."

Umbridge seemed to have used a lot of effort to say this: "Okay, Headmaster, take back the house power of the action team members other than the prefects."

(End of this chapter)