A couple of minutes, and we entered one of the unused classrooms. But here not only walls were bare, without a single trace of any posters or cabinets, but there was no furniture at all either.
"We'll stand, won't break," Hannah businesslikely looked around the absolutely empty classroom—good thing there were windows at least.
"Can conjure..." I wanted to take out my wand, but, it seems, no one needed it and no one wanted and planned to linger here. "Okay."
"Come on, lay it out, why did you decide to gather us all," Pansy started the conversation, hands on hips. The rest just stood, forming a sort of circle.
"Just a second," I still took out my wand and passed it around us, creating powerful complex privacy charms. "It's simple. Need to decide on the policy of each house regarding Umbridge."
"And what to do?" Goldstein shifted his gaze from one to another. "And why? Well there will be no practice—big loss?"
"What do you mean—big loss?" Hermione clearly didn't understand how one could take this issue so lightly. "This is very important, especially in light of the recent rumors about the rebirth of You-Know-Who."
"Oh, much he cares about you, even if he returned," Malfoy treated this statement with disdain. "Will he run and hunt for all dissenters, especially children."
"Harry Potter?" Padma slightly tilted her head sideways, casting doubt on Malfoy's words with this name alone.
"Tsk. The matter is clear that the matter is dark," he turned away demonstratively, staring into the darkness outside the window.
"Suppose," Goldstein nodded, running his hand through his blond curls. "Ours seem to have started trying to do something with this, but this is a lost cause. Everyone is on their own mind, no discipline, complete chaos. Everyone practices whatever they want, senior years—no exception."
"Eh..." Hermione sighed. "We have approximately the same, only the majority also doesn't care about practice. No one wants to study. Give everyone entertainment and Quidditch."
"What Quidditch? Almost two weeks until the start of tryouts generally."
"Well..." Hermione hesitated, as if she said what she shouldn't have. "Angelina scheduled tryouts for this Friday."
"Oh, have you really learned to play dishonestly, like 'filthy Slytherins'?" Malfoy's words literally oozed irony.
"We are still very far from you..."
"Folks," I stopped all these off-topic conversations. "Firstly, let's return to the topic of conversation, and secondly—it's not about practice at all."
"And what then?" Goldstein expressed with his whole face misunderstanding of what topic could be more important, considering the conversation about Umbridge.
"It's simple," making sure that the guys will listen to me, even if some, won't point fingers, grimace from the need to stand with each other in one room. "Considering all fermentations in society and the Ministry, about which, should he have a desire, Malfoy could tell us..."
A short glance in his direction made me understand that he has no desire, and on his face it is literally written: "Think for yourselves".
"...We can conclude that the Ministry wants to knock Dumbledore out of the Headmaster's chair, the last post that remained for him. Just so that he does not confuse the minds of the population with words and opinions differing from the official position of the Ministry."
Some clearly wanted to be indignant at such a formulation of the question, but I stopped the incipient objections.
"Wait, discuss this later, let me speak. Considering that in the Prophet and other yellow press it is now quite actively said how wonderful the Ministry is, that the rebirth of the Dark Lord—is nonsense, and Dumbledore—is a senile nonsense generator, then... A quite clear picture emerges that the appearance here, at Hogwarts, of Dolores Umbridge, for a second, personal assistant and confidant of the Minister—is not an accident at all. There can be no such accidents. Umbridge herself doesn't need this Hogwarts at all—she has an excellent place in the government. Personally she doesn't have a single reason to move away from Ministry affairs to teach here..."
"But didn't she say that she is fulfilling the Ministry's task to eliminate gaps in our knowledge?" Padma seemed to be offended at the whole world—so despondent was the expression on her face.
"Well you know," frowning Hermione decided to answer her. "I wouldn't start declaring either that I came here to cause fuss, turmoil, sow discord and dig under the Headmaster, respected by many at least, if not loved."
"Fair," Padma nodded, but remained upset.
"Let's go further," I continued the conversation. "It is obvious that she is here for Dumbledore's soul. But attack him directly—impossible in any way. No grounds. He can express his opinion contrary to the policy of the Ministry as much as he wants, but this does not prevent him from being Headmaster. So what?"
Pause. Malfoy exhaled wearily.
"Need to discredit him as Headmaster. These are the basics of basics," Draco wearily told the rest this truth, as if to idiots. "Dig up dirt on him as Headmaster and throw him out to Mordred from here. And need to dig thoroughly."
"Who but you should know," Hermione looked at the guy reproachfully. "Your father has tried to do this so many times already, but nothing worked out."
"And please note," Draco ignored this lunge, which hurt Hermione even more than if he answered. "The reasons then were more than real, existing, not invented. Therefore Umbridge, if will dig—then deeply and on a grand scale."
"And if there is nothing to dig?" Goldstein didn't like all these thoughts and intrigues. Like me. Think he would rather spend time with a book or practicing sorcery.
"Provoke," Hannah standing next to me decided to participate in the discussion. "Through students. Simple and reliable way. Press us properly, and we ourselves will cause some turmoil that will frame the Headmaster, exactly as Headmaster."
"And in all this business," I continued Hannah's thought, "need to adhere to the tactic 'divide and conquer'. Alone, without support of part of students, she will not crush another part of students. By herself against everyone she will not stand. And here the most important question is brewing—go over to her side or not."
"Hector, what are you doing?!" Hermione was indignant. "Think that should go against Dumbledore?"
"Not at all," I smiled. "I only voiced a question that will settle in the heads of many. Look, how I would do in Umbridge's place. Would start to press students somehow. For example, through the Minister would formalize some powers for myself, after all Hogwarts is the property of England, and to a fairly large extent is under the control of the Ministry, as the only high-class educational institution. It is foolish to think otherwise."
"Okay, suppose, and what next?" everyone agreed with Hermione's question, although Malfoy and Parkinson, it seems, already see threads of intrigue.
"It's simple. Press, ban something, cut in rights and freedoms of students, for offenses—harsher punishments. At a certain point students will howl. And here I would organize some special group of students which would be on my side."
"Yes no one would go to you after these measures of yours," Padma waved it off.
"Not at all," Malfoy looked calm, clearly thought about something. "If Granger in Umbridge's place in such a situation returned rights and freedoms, many would go to him. Not for the sake of an idea or anything else—but for the sake of their comfort."
"You meant to say: 'Many Slytherins'," light accusing notes were heard in sister's words, but the guys, in principle, agreed with such a formulation of the question.
"I do not deny. Moreover—not the worst idea to leave after oneself a correct opinion with Umbridge, who, for a second," Malfoy looked at us with slight superiority. "A person close to the Minister."
"That is now she—is a person close to the Minister," I broke off that light pathos with which Draco stood, arms crossed over his chest. "The main question in everything—did the Dark Lord really return. If this is so, and Umbridge arranges here a local breakthrough of Hell on Earth... Is it necessary to explain that even if the Ministry throws Dumbledore from the post of Headmaster, they will immediately return him, and will also apologize. At the same time, Fudge with his apparatus, and with Umbridge too, will quickly fly off their posts. Many, especially he himself, as I see, forget that positions at the top of the Ministry—are elective. Society will want to throw off Fudge, showing dissatisfaction—he is done for. And so if the Dark Lord really returned—Fudge is done for."
"Yes, possibly," Malfoy nodded. "Politics—it is like that."
"You didn't understand? Okay, I'll explain," now I put my hands on my hips in Draco's manner. "What will happen if Slytherins and someone else—sure, in every house there will be such—support Umbridge? Besides the fact that there is no benefit for the future, they will also completely become enemies for the whole school, who ruined their life together with the pink tumbler toy."
"Tumbler toy?" almost everyone asked in discord.
"Well, such a toy, plump, round, depicting a person, with a low center of gravity. Put it on its side, and it takes and stands up by itself—pure physics, no magic."
It took the guys a few seconds to imagine God knows what, after which they smiled, imagining Umbridge in the image... Don't know what they thought of, but "in the image"—for sure.
"Laughed—and okay. Let's continue. If no one, not a single soul, supports Umbridge—she will do absolutely nothing to anyone. Just take—and completely ignore any trick of hers. Will ban something—don't care. Will assign detention—don't come. Punishment—ignore. But the application of magic to students is strictly regulated by the Hogwarts charter, which no one can change at all. She will be practically powerless."
"Can be expelled for such a thing," Hermione frowned, but agreed with my thoughts.
"Who?" but I smirked, as did a good half of the prefects. "This is decided by the Board of Governors. Decrees from supervision over minors go there, from Wizengamot and so on. They decide. And these, for a second, are the richest and most influential wizards in England. Fudge not that does not have influence on them—everything is exactly the opposite. It is they, if they really want, can move Fudge. And no one of them will indulge his whims, as well as his assistants'. In general, without support Umbridge will leave here with nothing. Well and if she crosses the line, and she can—she doesn't look particularly balanced..."
"Then in the forbidden forest there is an Acromantula colony," Pansy bared her teeth predatorily, slightly scaring the especially impressionable in the person of Ravenclaw prefects. "What? Good option? And can also fall from the landing of the eighth floor of the Main Tower. Eh, Hogwarts, beloved school."
"Do you really approve of such an approach?" Hermione did not see disapproval in my gaze, to which I only shrugged.
"You know, I even somehow understand the Dark Lord. I mean, the manner of killing objectionables. Due to the rooted tradition among wizards of not causing death, everyone becomes a tiny bit extremely arrogant."
"How rude," Pansy snorted.
"That is you suggest," Malfoy decided to sum up our meeting, "in no case join Umbridge, whatever happens, and completely ignore?"
"Yes. This is the best strategy. Fudge will be swept away with his apparatus in any case. If the Dark Lord returned—the crowd will sweep away first, and then he himself. Fudge is a painfully bad puppet—sent Umbridge to the children of those who pay him. If not—will still be swept away when accurate information about Umbridge's activities reaches students' parents. He won't dump everything on her—won't work. Sure, she will 'bite' back—such a trusted person surely knows a lot of interesting things."
"Understood. I will convey your thoughts to the house," Draco gathered to leave together with Pansy. "Can't guarantee anything—house policy is determined by the majority."
"Ours can get stubborn," Goldstein shook his head. "Ours are all on their own."
"Not even worth talking about for me," Hermione importantly tossed her head. "Gryffindor has always been on Dumbledore's side. Sure, not a single person will be found who would join Umbridge if things go bad."
"And what about yours?" Draco, already standing at the door, turned to me, as did Pansy.
"We will have everything in the best way," Hannah answered instead of me.
"Good."
On this our improvised spontaneous meeting ended, and we all went to common rooms—curfew time is about to come. And still have to do homework. Eh... Still I don't like difficulties.
. . . . . .
Things are going amusingly at Hogwarts. I stood in a circle of gloomy prefects and literally laughed my head off. We gathered on Sunday morning in the same empty classroom. The reasons for my laughter? Oh, it's simple! It happened literally ten minutes ago...
...Sunday breakfast in the Great Hall proceeded normally. A richer table, unlike other days of the week, students' faces not so loaded and groggy from an early wake-up. In general, nothing unusual. Here appeared owls delivering correspondence, including the Daily Prophet. This little newspaper has a habit of publishing papers whenever the editorial office pleases, and not just on schedule. Yes, despite the name—this newspaper is not daily, but every other day. And right now, on Sunday, it seems it shouldn't be here. I should subscribe—for the umpteenth time I think about this.
Time passed, guys had breakfast.
"Look, huh..." Hannah, holding the newspaper with one hand, calmly drank juice and almost choked.
"What's there?" I leaned sideways, reading the headlines. "Wow! Amusing..."
"Ministry carries out educational reform. Dolores Umbridge appointed to the new post of High Inquisitor."
"What a twist," I smirked. "Need to gather the rest of the prefects."
However, didn't have to gather anyone—everyone knows how to read. Literally right after breakfast we met without agreeing at the exit from the Great Hall and went in one friendly crowd towards that very empty classroom.
"What did you forget here, Weasley?" Malfoy in Ron's presence even began to drawl words affectedly, maximally demonstrating his superiority as he knew best—copying his father. Only if Mr. Malfoy did everything with dignity, then Draco looked against his background like a faded and low-quality Chinese fake, which even parts do not fit together. "Maybe better go to your common room, play chess with Potter?"
"Forgot to ask you."
Ron almost managed to ignore Draco's words, but the key word here is—"almost". Blushed a little from dissatisfaction.
In the classroom we stood, as last time, in a circle.
"So," Draco folded his arms over his chest, shifting weight to one leg and looking at everyone with a smirk. "Who will start this wonderful meeting? Everyone knows how to read, I hope?"
"Moderate your ardor, Malfoy," I looked at the guys with a similar smirk. "Think need to read out?"
"Ron, will you say?" sister looked at the dissatisfied redhead.
"And what to say? Okay. In general, I wrote to Percy, my brother. He is now just working in the Ministry. In general, different rumors and other movements there up to the throat. Fudge brings some wild fuss, threatens to throw down Dumbledore. Percy, corrupt mug..."
"What an amazing discovery!" Malfoy wanted to chuckle and habitually look behind his back, but checked himself—Crabbe and Goyle are not here now.
"Don't interrupt, pale-faced moth..."
"Enough," I stopped the dispute. "Not the time and not the place. Continue, Ron, be so kind."
"Uh-huh," Weasley nodded. "In general, Percy complains that, like, students do not want to help Umbridge, and she worries so much, worries so much about the quality of education. He also says directly that those who will help her in her affairs at Hogwarts will be provided... How's it there? In general, it will be good for them, and for the rest—bad."
"What a style, what a vocabulary," Draco "admired", but was ignored.
"And now, to the article," Hermione unfolded the Daily Prophet in front of her, and began to read.
With every word, a smile stretched wider and wider on my face. In short, yesterday, on Saturday, by Educational Decree Number Twenty-Three, the position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor was established, and Umbridge will occupy it. There were many words about what a wonderful decision this is, and Dumbledore—is not a great wizard at all. Interviewed Percy Weasley, Lucius Malfoy. In general, there was a lot of water in the article. Exposing the Ministry purely in a positive light. Added, true, a whole line on behalf of Madam Marchbanks—one of the oldest members of the Wizengamot—she did not approve of such a thing. But didn't forget in the Prophet to write a short article about her "subversive activities". Perhaps this is even true—when it comes to the press, a tool for influencing the masses, nothing can be excluded.
And when the article reached Dumbledore's "dubious appointments", I could barely hold back laughter. The fact is that it is really funny—to distort reality so one-sidedly! On the one hand—it is the purest truth. Appointments of DADA teachers were extremely dubious, but only if look at the question: "And are they teachers?". But, as I already noticed, Lupin and Moody didn't teach us according to the program—they taught us from experience, and this is much more important than memorizing paragraphs.
In general, when Hermione finished reading, I burst out laughing...
"What's funny?" she was indignant. "Hector! This is a nightmare."
"Ha-ha... Oh, I can't..." quickly pulling myself together, I looked at everyone. "Beginning is laid, isn't it?"
"Well, she will inspect classes, so what?" Goldstein voiced the question hovering in the air. "How is this connected with your assumptions, Hector?"
"Obviously..." Hermione began to answer instead of me. "This appointment—is a reason to 'find' something that can be changed under the guise of good undertakings."
"Malfoy," I attracted Draco's attention, who was examining nails on his right hand with a smirk. "What's going on in your house?"
"So far no single decision. But you all must understand," he raised his gaze to us. "That if parents decide that we need to stick to Umbridge—we will stick to Umbridge. Most likely. Will need iron arguments for another decision."
"Can't you decide for yourselves what is better for you, or what? You..."
"Mione," I interrupted this rebuke. "You don't understand what you are talking about."
"Listen to your brother, Granger," Malfoy nodded in my direction. "Many of us belong to old families with strict rules and hierarchy inside. If we go against parents in such... 'Important' issues, many can have a fun summer arranged. No one wants this. For you to understand—remember your bumpkin-Longbottom. He is from a similar family. Did he often go against his grandmother's opinion?"
"Don't involve Neville in this..."
"Malfoy is right," Hannah nodded, attracting attention. "Our family takes various fermentations in the country quite lightly, but there are a number of internal rules. You often heard something like: 'Our family always supported Dumbledore, and I will too...', or 'Our family always did this and that, and I will...'. Real arguments are needed."
"And can they issue such instructions?" I asked Malfoy.
"Can. I already received such from father. Memories of educational measures are still too fresh to contradict. Greengrass, Parkinson," Draco jerked his head towards Pansy who nodded in agreement, "Nott, Selwyn... Yes Merlin, a good half of ours have already received instructions for action."
"That is..."
"Nothing is decided yet. We are waiting for further actions from Umbridge. But I brought your thoughts to everyone's attention."
"Malfoy. Serious question without jokes and attempts to hurt," I glanced at Draco. "Do you have information about whether the Dark Lord returned or not?"
Malfoy was about to snap back standardly, as always when his family is associated with Voldemort, but restrained himself.
"No one knows. Generally. There is one sign of his return, and it is unambiguous. But He has not revealed Himself to anyone yet."
"Damn Death..." Ron wanted to speak out, but I threw Silencio at him wandlessly, and my barely noticeable hand movement was nevertheless "noticed".
"Gentlemen. And ladies. Waiting. Let's see how all this ends."
We parted. For now we really had to wait. Hope Umbridge will show herself maximally terribly, which will help the rest make the right choice. For the greater good, of course.
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