The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 599 The Mad Umbridge

"Professors, it's been a while—I wonder how you've all been?" Hogwarts' current headmaster, Umbridge, sat quietly in the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, looking at the professors present.

Things are alright — but overall I'm busier — Loila stood in the corner, looking down at her toes. For some reason, just before the Christmas holidays, Umbridge suddenly summoned all the professors to her office for a meeting.

But she still can't get into the principal's office—a principal who isn't recognized by the principal's office—hmm—that's a plot point that's also very much like something out of a novel.

Looking at the silent professors, Umbridge casually sprinkled a tiny bit of coffee into her cup, continuing, "I believe everyone is having a good time, right?"

"Teaching according to the Ministry of Magic's regulations, allowing students to learn about the Ministry's glorious history—in any case, that's far more interesting than those old, boring, and outdated courses, isn't it?"

Her response was still silence—aside from Roy, most professors were tormented by this so-called curriculum reform, especially with Umbridge and her Aurors frequently appearing and disappearing in the classroom to disrupt the lessons.

Many professors were practically seething with anger—especially Professor McGonagall, who was practically glaring at Umbridge, wishing she could turn her into a silent stone.

But it was just a thought, since there were seven or eight Aurors standing around Umbridge at the moment, watching the professors warily, as if they were about to attack their former teachers at the slightest provocation.

"Of course—I didn't call you all here for class matters—because I believe that with the Ministry of Magic and my supervision, everyone will become happier and happier." Umbridge said, pouring hot water into her cup and then gently stirring her coffee with a spoon.

"I've called you all here today for Christmas," she said slowly. "Christmas is just around the corner—I'm sure you're all as excited as I am for it, aren't you?"

Hmm... why do I have a bad feeling about this?

Loila felt a sense of unease as she looked at the confident Umbridge. Was she planning something on Halloween?

"It's like this—" Umbridge coughed, "I've looked into the past Christmas traditions at Hogwarts—"

The drawbacks were discovered.

"Hogwarts under Dumbledore's leadership is weak—powerless, so easily infiltrated—easily becoming a cradle of dark wizards—the key to this is a lack of unity." The more Umbridge spoke, the uglier the professors' faces became.

"Therefore, I have decided to carry out a reform this Christmas." The word Umbridge used most often was "reform," and upon hearing this word, Roy felt subconsciously uncomfortable.

Umbridge glanced at the professors, then said calmly, "Hogwarts will not be closed for Christmas this year."

"Um?!"

Not just Loira, all the professors immediately frowned. Christmas marks the end of the year, a time for everyone to be happy—but Umbridge actually said—no holiday?!

"Ms. Umbridge—" McGonagall blurted out instinctively, "The students might be very unhappy if we don't give them a holiday."

"Professor McGonagall—may I ask you, what are they?"

"Hmm?" McGonagall paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Student."

"Then what are we?" Umbridge asked with a forced smile. "We're professors."

"Students obey professors unconditionally—is there a problem with that?" She paused, "And besides—even though they don't get holidays, Hogwarts still has fun activities."

"We will gather together to perform for Minister Fauci."

"Is Minister Fudge coming?" McGonagall stared at Umbridge in disbelief, her lips twitching as she said, "Hogwarts Christmas should belong to Hogwarts, not—"

"Professor McGonagall, please listen up—" Umbridge interrupted her abruptly: "Hogwarts belongs to the Ministry of Magic—"

"Its Christmas is naturally the same."

'

After Umbridge spoke, everyone fell silent.

Loila didn't really care—what do I care about holidays or not? I'm not going to stay at Hogwarts anyway—even if there are any events, I can just leave a copy to represent them, right?

In short, Loila was ready to run away.

"Professors, please keep a close eye on the preparations for Christmas," Umbridge continued, seeing everyone fall silent. "Besides the Christmas preparations—I also hope that you professors can discipline your students a little more."

"None of us want to embarrass everyone at Christmas, right?" she said with a fake smile, then looked at Loila.

"Professor Hamilton?"

"Huh?" Loila shrank her neck sharply.

I never even considered running away! Absolutely not!

"What have you been busy with lately?"

"Ah—class—or something like that."

"Really?" Umbridge asked slowly. "Many Aurors are saying—you're meeting with students in private—"

"No—nothing like that!" Loila quickly waved her hands. "I don't know anything about it!"

"That would be for the best," Umbridge said, pausing for a moment, "but I must remind you, Professor Hamilton—"

"No matter what you're thinking—you must ultimately restrain yourself—"

"Even Dumbledore couldn't go against the Ministry of Magic." Her words made Loila purse her lips.

Loira clearly saw the situation between Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic at the time—it was roughly that if Dumbledore wanted to, he could have killed everyone present.

So you actually said that Dumbledore couldn't go against the Ministry of Magic?

Loila didn't know how to comment—but she clearly understood the threatening meaning in Umbridge's words.

Loila's response was simple: "Oh."

She nodded, looking serious.

But she didn't take Umbridge's words seriously at all—she was already extremely restrained every time she met Umbridge, and it could be said that Umbridge was probably the second most hated person by Loila.

The person I dislike the most should be that Durmstrang principal—the one who's currently in the hospital being treated as a mental patient—

Hearing Loila's answer, Umbridge didn't say anything more, but shook her head.

The meeting seemed to have come to an end there.

As soon as they stepped out of the office, the professors erupted in a commotion.

"If we told the students about this—they would definitely cause trouble," McGonagall said slowly.

"This is not a good thing," Professor Sprout said instinctively.

"No, no, no, that's not necessarily true—" Professor McGonagall paused abruptly, then looked at Loila: "Professor Hamilton—how is the training going?"

"Can they protect themselves?"

"Huh?" Loila was taken aback by the sudden question.

How come everyone knows about this?

"It's... alright, I guess?" Loila thought for a moment and gave this answer: "But protecting yourself means—"

"In front of the Aurors at the Ministry of Magic," McGonagall said slowly, "once the students find out about Christmas—"

That wouldn't end so simply.