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Chapter 624: How Good Are You at the Memory Charm?
🕑 Added 2025-03-16 14:58:42 +0000 UTCIt seemed that after being granted the title of High Inquisitor, Umbridge wasted no time in proving her loyalty to Fudge.
Naturally, she didn’t go after formidable opponents like Professor McGonagall or Professor Flitwick right away. Instead, she chose a softer target: Professor Sybill Trelawney and her Divination class.
To carry out her plan, Umbridge observed a fifth-year Divination lesson that afternoon. By the time Kyle arrived at the Great Hall, Ron was already at the Gryffindor table, enthusiastically recounting the scene to a growing crowd.
“Umbridge was sitting at the back of the classroom, quill in hand, scribbling away on her clipboard,” Ron said, gesturing animatedly. “She looked like she was grading Professor Trelawney or something...”
Students from all four houses had gathered around, eager to learn what the so-called High Inquisitor was actually up to. Kyle, curious himself, had tried to attend the class but had been delayed by Herbology and couldn’t make it in time.
Just then, Hermione walked into the hall, carrying an armful of books, with Harry trailing behind her, visibly angry.
“I think Professor McGonagall is right,” Hermione was saying as they approached. “You need to control your temper a bit. Constantly arguing with Umbridge isn’t helping you, Harry. It’s only going to make things worse.”
“I can’t help it,” Harry retorted, his frustration evident. “She insults Sirius, and I’m just supposed to sit there? Voldemort was stuck to the back of Quirrell’s head, for Merlin’s sake—I’m just telling the truth!”
“But your truth isn’t what she wants to hear,” Hermione replied. “And she can punish you however she likes. You’re only hurting yourself.”
“I don’t care!” Harry snapped. “I’m not going to let her win. Let her punish me—she can do whatever she wants! I’m not the only one who’s stood up to her. Kyle argued with her too!”
“Actually, I’d rather you didn’t follow my example,” came Kyle’s voice from beside them.
Both Hermione and Harry jumped, turning to find Kyle standing there.
“Kyle, when did you get here?” Hermione asked, startled.
“I was here when you came into the hall,” Kyle said calmly. “You just didn’t seem to notice.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention,” Harry muttered. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this—I’m just so angry.”
“Angry?” Kyle echoed. “What happened?”
“It was in Defense Against the Dark Arts this morning,” Harry said bitterly. “She claimed that every Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, except Quirrell, was incompetent—even Sirius!”
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
“But we all know Quirrell was the worst!” Harry went on, his voice rising. “He literally let Voldemort attach himself to the back of his head!”
“So you couldn’t help but argue with her?” Kyle asked knowingly.
“Yes!” Harry’s voice grew even louder. “But everyone’s acting like I was wrong to contradict her. Professor McGonagall and the others keep telling me to ignore her and let her rant. Even Hermione says it!”
“What’s wrong with that advice?” Kyle said evenly. “They’re just trying to stop you from getting into more trouble. Honestly, I think you should listen to them.”
Harry froze, staring at Kyle as though he couldn’t believe his ears. “But...you argued with her! I thought you’d understand! Someone needs to speak up and let people know the truth!”
“Understanding doesn’t mean agreeing,” Kyle said firmly. “And the truth isn’t going to change anyone’s mind just because you say it. Neither you nor I have that kind of influence.”
Harry was at a loss for words, clearly taken aback.
“Besides,” Kyle continued, “as I said before, I don’t want you following my lead. All that will do is get you into more trouble, and for what? Nothing will change unless...”
He trailed off abruptly, lost in thought.
“Unless what?” Harry pressed, leaning forward.
Kyle hesitated, then asked, “Let me ask you this—how’s your Memory Charm?”
Harry blinked, thrown off by the sudden question. “My...Memory Charm?”
“Yes,” Kyle said, watching him closely.
Harry hesitated, clearly unsure why Kyle was asking. “It’s...it’s okay,” he stammered.
Kyle didn’t miss Harry’s averted gaze, which told him everything he needed to know. “Okay” likely meant Harry’s skills were barely passable—if not outright disastrous.
“The Memory Charm... What does that have to do with being put in detention by Umbridge?” Harry asked, frowning in confusion.
“It’s nothing. Just curious,” Kyle said with a small shake of his head, brushing it off. Then, smoothly shifting the conversation, he asked, “By the way, you were in fifth-year Divination earlier, right? When Umbridge—the High Inquisitor—was sitting in?”
“I guess so,” Harry replied. “She seemed to be evaluating Professor Trelawney. She kept asking her all these questions during class—about how long she’s been teaching, her qualifications, and her background.”
Kyle nodded thoughtfully. These were standard Ministry interrogation tactics, nothing surprising.
Harry appeared to think for a moment, then added, “Oh, yeah. Umbridge even had Professor Trelawney give her a prophecy before the lesson was over.”
“A prophecy?” Kyle’s interest was piqued. “What did she say?”
“The usual nonsense,” Harry said, lowering his voice. “You know how Trelawney is—always making up stuff to scare people. She told Umbridge that she was walking into a trap and would face terrible danger.”
Kyle raised an eyebrow. “A trap?”
“Yeah,” Harry said dismissively. “But it’s probably just another one of her lies. I hear her predict something like that at least three times every lesson.”
“That’s not necessarily...” Kyle muttered under his breath, but his voice was so low that Harry didn’t catch it.
“What was that?” Harry asked, leaning closer.
“Nothing,” Kyle said quickly, patting Harry on the shoulder. “Thanks for filling me in. In return, I’ll give you a heads-up about what to expect during Umbridge’s detention.”
Harry’s curiosity flared. “What is it?”
Kyle’s tone was calm but pointed. “Carving letters into your hand with a knife.”
Harry stared at him, momentarily stunned, but before he could respond, Hermione gasped in outrage.
“She can’t do that!” Hermione exclaimed, her voice rising. “Even in the last century, Hogwarts never allowed such barbaric punishments! No, I’m going straight to Professor McGonagall!”
“Don’t rush off just yet,” Kyle said, holding up a hand to stop her. “I’m only saying it’s a possibility. She might use another method—it’s hard to predict. Either way, Umbridge won’t do anything obvious or traceable. Even if Professor McGonagall gets involved, it may not make a difference.”
Hermione hesitated, looking torn.
“There’s really only one way to deal with this,” Kyle continued, turning back to Harry. “If you end up in detention, don’t fight it. Admit fault, stay quiet, and you might get off lightly.”
“Kyle’s right,” Hermione agreed reluctantly. “Umbridge is a professor. You can’t defy her outright.”
“No way!” Harry snapped, his defiance flaring up. “I’m not going to admit fault when I haven’t done anything wrong!”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Hermione said sharply. “What good will that do you?”
“But I’m not wrong!” Harry insisted, his voice rising.
The argument between Harry and Hermione reignited, escalating just as it had earlier when they entered the hall.
Kyle, meanwhile, quietly made his way back to the Hufflepuff table.
If even Hermione couldn’t talk sense into Harry, there was little point in Kyle trying to press the issue further.
