Chapter 310: The Innocent Quidditch
After the opening feast, the students returned to their respective dormitories to rest and prepare for the first day of classes.
As Gryffindor's new Prefect, Ron couldn't go back just yet.
He still had to give the customary speech to the first-year students.
After all...
A new Prefect had to establish a little authority.
---
Meanwhile...
Dumbledore personally escorted Umbridge on a tour of Hogwarts.
Professor McGonagall followed beside them as Deputy Headmistress.
No one could have imagined...
That after spending less than half a day at Hogwarts...
Umbridge would leave the students with a very unexpected "gift."
---
"I spent my own school years here."
Standing inside the Trophy Room, Umbridge gazed at the gleaming awards displayed inside polished cabinets.
She put on a nostalgic expression.
The wrinkles on her toad-like face bunched together as she smiled.
Completely oblivious to how unpleasant she looked.
After touring several parts of the castle...
The three eventually made their way outside.
Their destination—
The Quidditch pitch.
"This..."
Dumbledore gestured toward the enormous stadium.
"...is Hogwarts' Quidditch field."
The vast arena stretched beneath the moonlit sky.
A cool breeze drifted gently across the empty stands.
The moon occasionally emerged from behind the clouds.
Everything felt peaceful.
"When matches are held..."
"The entire stadium is filled with students."
Umbridge nodded with an official smile.
"It looks quite impressive."
She had previously been involved in organizing parts of the Quidditch World Cup.
She understood how popular the sport was.
It also generated considerable economic benefits.
So she had never held any obvious prejudice against it.
At least...
Not until now.
---
Whoosh!
A bright red Bludger suddenly shot across the night sky.
Its speed was astonishing.
Clang!
Before anyone could react...
It slammed directly into Umbridge's face.
She collapsed to the ground without making a sound.
"Who's there?!"
Professor McGonagall immediately drew her wand.
Her eyes scanned the surrounding darkness sharply.
Her expression became extremely serious.
An attack on the Minister for Magic...
Inside Hogwarts...
Would have catastrophic consequences.
"Minerva."
Dumbledore raised a hand calmly.
"Please."
"There's no need to be so alarmed."
"I'm sure it was merely an accident during student practice."
As he spoke, he gently tapped Umbridge's forehead with his wand.
A warm white glow flashed briefly.
Basic healing magic.
"Albus!"
McGonagall frowned deeply.
"Who would possibly be practicing Quidditch on the very first night of term?"
She looked toward the completely empty stadium.
She suspected this had been deliberate.
In fact...
She was correct.
Only...
She had absolutely no idea who had orchestrated it.
Nor did she realize...
The mastermind was standing quietly beside her.
"Let's discuss that later."
Dumbledore smiled faintly.
"For now..."
"I think waking her up would be more important."
He pointed his wand again.
"Ennervate."
Powerful restorative magic surged forward.
Umbridge's eyes flew open.
---
"The sport is far too dangerous!"
"I'll ban it!"
"I'll ban it completely!"
The moment she regained consciousness...
She jumped to her feet and began shrieking hysterically.
Professor McGonagall's expression immediately darkened.
Dumbledore simply watched her.
Still wearing that mysterious half-smile.
---
Deep within the Forbidden Forest...
Silver moonlight filtered through the trees.
A chilly breeze rustled the bushes.
Somewhere among the thorns, insects chirped quietly.
Standing atop a large black rock...
Was the centaur Firenze.
His posture resembled someone who had just completed a perfect throw.
One arm remained raised.
His thumb pointed upward.
After maintaining the stance for a moment...
He relaxed.
Rolling his shoulders before casually stretching his wrists.
"So..."
"This is the wizarding world's favorite sport?"
He shook his head.
"Not particularly interesting."
Apparently...
The true culprit had been found.
---
Back at the Quidditch pitch...
Dumbledore smiled gently.
"Minister Umbridge..."
"My advice would be to visit the Hospital Wing."
"Just to make sure there aren't any lingering effects."
"Yes..."
"Yes..."
"Take me there immediately."
"I feel terribly dizzy."
Umbridge dramatically pressed one hand against her forehead.
Her face twisted into an exaggerated expression of pain.
Considering how loudly she'd been screaming only moments earlier...
She hardly appeared seriously injured.
After all...
Purely physical injuries rarely posed much danger to fully trained witches and wizards.
In truth...
If Dumbledore truly wished to protect someone...
Even Voldemort himself would struggle to harm them.
So...
Why had Umbridge been struck in the first place?
That...
Was a question worth considering.
---
The following morning...
Every Hogwarts student received shocking news.
Quidditch practice...
Was suspended.
Even the inter-House Quidditch Cup faced cancellation.
Last year's Triwizard Tournament had replaced Quidditch.
Few students had complained because the Tournament had been spectacular.
But now...
No one could understand this decision.
Educational Decree Number Twenty
For the safety and stability of Hogwarts students, all Quidditch-related activities are hereby suspended until further notice.
The notice appeared simultaneously in every House common room.
The school immediately erupted into outrage.
---
"Why?"
Harry rushed straight to Professor McGonagall's office after class.
"Professor..."
"What happened?"
"Why has Quidditch been suspended?"
"Even practice has been cancelled!"
Dumbledore had already stepped down.
For now...
Professor McGonagall was serving as Acting Headmistress until the Ministry appointed a replacement.
She sighed quietly.
"I'm sorry, Potter."
"This decision comes directly from the Ministry of Magic."
"For the moment..."
"Hogwarts has no choice but to comply."
"There has to be a reason."
Harry could barely hide his anger.
"There is."
McGonagall pursed her lips.
"At least..."
"That is the official explanation."
She had no intention of telling Harry the real story.
Knowing it would accomplish nothing.
Her own mood was clearly no better.
"Try to accept the current situation."
"We'll do everything we can to restore Quidditch as soon as possible."
She offered what reassurance she could.
Truthfully...
As a Quidditch enthusiast herself...
She was just as unhappy.
Harry left her office feeling deeply frustrated.
He hadn't played Quidditch in nearly a year.
The Triwizard Tournament had occupied all of last year's school term.
His Firebolt—the finest broom in the world—had spent all that time gathering dust inside its case.
He had thought...
At last...
He would be able to fly again.
Instead...
Everything had been taken away before the season had even begun.
His dislike for Dolores Umbridge deepened considerably.
By now...
She had already left Hogwarts.
Otherwise...
There would have been no way for the Ministry to issue an Educational Decree so quickly.
The new school year...
Was beginning under an undeniably bad omen.