Chapter 309: Resignation
"Oh ho ho... what a truly magical hat."
Umbridge let out a string of exaggerated laughs, the grating sound sending chills through the Great Hall.
"I seem to recall that neither Beauxbatons Academy nor Durmstrang Institute divides its students into separate Houses."
"Shouldn't Hogwarts learn from them?"
"Wouldn't that make everyone more united?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"As far as I know, there has always been considerable conflict between Hogwarts' Houses."
"Could the Sorting itself be the cause?"
Before Dumbledore could answer...
Professor McGonagall stepped forward.
Her brows were tightly furrowed.
"Dividing students into Houses does not create disunity."
"It simply allows us to educate students according to their individual personalities while making the school easier to manage."
Her tone was calm.
But unmistakably firm.
She already had an extremely poor impression of this woman.
Especially after hearing her casually criticize Hogwarts' traditions.
Umbridge merely smiled without responding.
She had already begun interfering in matters far beyond her authority.
Almost as though she were deliberately displaying her power.
---
"Actually..."
Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon spectacles before speaking.
"There is also a magical school in North America—Ilvermorny."
"It, too, is divided into four Houses."
"Thunderbird."
"Wampus."
"Pukwudgie."
"And Horned Serpent."
"Each possesses its own traditions and characteristics."
"In that respect..."
"They are quite similar to Hogwarts."
"They have done very well."
He smiled gently.
"This system reflects the wishes of Hogwarts' four founders."
"They hoped to preserve each House's unique identity."
"Not erase those differences."
He paused briefly.
"Education tailored to each student's nature..."
"...is one of the most important principles of teaching."
"I suppose..."
"That does make some sense."
Umbridge nodded reluctantly.
Yet the displeasure on her toad-like face was impossible to hide after being publicly refuted.
---
Very few students paid attention to the conversation taking place at the staff table.
Their attention...
Was focused entirely elsewhere.
Dinner.
The moment Dumbledore finished speaking, countless dishes suddenly appeared across every table.
Roast beef.
Lamb shanks.
Fresh bread.
Steak-and-kidney pie.
Yorkshire pudding.
Baked beans.
Fried bacon.
Sausages.
Scrambled eggs.
The first-years stared in amazement.
For every new student...
This magical feast was unforgettable.
At the Gryffindor table, Hermione immediately pulled out a small notebook.
She carefully began writing.
"Roast beef... lamb... toast... steak-and-kidney pie... Yorkshire pudding..."
She murmured each dish as she recorded it.
Across the top of the page was written:
House-Elf Recipe Investigation
Estimate their working hours based on the complexity of each dish.
"They must have worked incredibly hard to prepare all of this..."
she whispered.
Ron leaned over to peek at the notebook.
"You're still worrying about those slaves?"
Hermione frowned immediately.
"They aren't slaves."
"They deserve freedom."
"Right."
Ron rolled his eyes.
"I've never seen a single one of them wanting to be free."
"They seem perfectly happy living as servants."
As he spoke, he scooped another spoonful of baked beans onto his plate.
Hermione's cheeks immediately turned red.
Her entire body trembled with frustration.
Caught between them...
Harry wisely remained silent.
He calmly picked the bones from his grilled fish and quietly dropped them beneath the table.
The fish is actually pretty good today...
he thought.
Above them...
Nearly Headless Nick floated happily through the air.
Older students barely noticed him anymore.
The first-years, however, stared wide-eyed.
Some looked positively terrified.
After all...
Most people didn't enjoy sharing dinner with ghosts.
---
Eventually...
The meal came to an end.
Conversation gradually grew louder throughout the Great Hall.
Then Dumbledore rose once again.
With a wave of his hand, the flames burning in the great wall-mounted torches flared brightly.
The Hall gradually fell silent.
"There are several matters I must announce before the new school year officially begins."
Dumbledore's expression had become noticeably more serious.
"These are extraordinary times."
"And it is therefore more important than ever that everyone obey the school's rules."
He first covered the familiar announcements.
The Forbidden Forest.
The updated list of prohibited items.
As always...
Filch's list had grown considerably.
With Fred and George Weasley still attending Hogwarts...
It only continued to grow longer every year.
As though on cue...
The twins pulled exaggerated faces at Filch.
The caretaker glared back furiously.
Everyone already suspected they would invent even more outrageous pranks this year.
---
"Next..."
"There are several staff changes."
Dumbledore paused briefly.
"Professor Alastor Moody will serve as this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."
"And yes..."
He smiled faintly.
"This time, it truly is him."
A few students chuckled politely.
Moody stood.
His wooden leg thumped heavily against the floor.
He gave a curt nod.
His magical eye slowly rotated, sweeping across the Great Hall.
The students immediately quieted down.
Only scattered applause followed.
At the staff table...
Snape's face looked darker than ever.
Once again...
The Defence Against the Dark Arts position had slipped through his fingers.
---
"And finally..."
Dumbledore's smile gradually faded.
"I have accepted an appointment from the Ministry of Magic."
"For the time being..."
"I shall no longer oversee Hogwarts."
"I will be stepping down as Headmaster."
The Great Hall exploded into uproar.
Students stared at one another in disbelief.
Even many professors looked completely stunned.
Only Snape remained expressionless.
Apparently...
He had already known.
Professor McGonagall, however, looked utterly shocked.
Even as Deputy Headmistress...
She was hearing this for the first time.
"These arrangements were approved by the Board of Governors."
"And I have accepted their decision."
Dumbledore's calm voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Indeed."
Umbridge immediately began applauding enthusiastically.
"Professor Dumbledore has displayed admirable concern for the greater good."
"The Ministry of Magic will soon appoint an Acting Headmaster to oversee Hogwarts during this period."
She smiled broadly.
"Oh..."
"I nearly forgot."
"I should introduce myself properly."
"I am Dolores Umbridge."
"The newly appointed Minister for Magic."
She attempted to appear friendly.
To Harry...
Her smile looked fake.
Malicious.
The wrinkles on her face only made it more unpleasant.
Many students clearly felt the same.
"That smile is disgusting."
Ron grimaced openly.
"It's wrong to judge people by their appearance."
Hermione replied seriously.
She paused for a moment.
"...But I do agree that her laugh is absolutely unbearable."
Sometimes...
People simply disliked someone on sight.
No explanation was needed.
The very first day of the new school year had brought unsettling news.
Hardly an encouraging beginning.