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Chapter 623: Fudge’s Schemes
🕑 Added 2025-03-16 14:58:04 +0000 UTCApart from Dumbledore, there was someone else who was equally furious about the article.
Umbridge was nearly seething with rage at Rita Skeeter. After reading that morning's Daily Prophet, she stormed back to the Ministry of Magic without even pausing for breakfast.
With the professors absent, there was naturally no Defence Against the Dark Arts class that day. However, given Umbridge's teaching methods, it made little difference whether she was present or not. After all, her lessons consisted of little more than reading and copying, and without her hovering over them, the students actually enjoyed a bit more freedom.
When the afternoon class began, the room was in chaos. Without a professor, it felt as though Christmas vacation had arrived early.
The students' excitement peaked when it became clear that no substitute would be stepping in, meaning they had free rein within the classroom—aside from leaving it entirely.
Mikel and Ryan were immersed in a lively game of wizard chess, while a group of Gryffindors had transformed their textbooks into makeshift Quaffles, tossing them at one another. Judging by their energy, it seemed they might have organized a real Quidditch match if only the classroom had been large enough to accommodate broomsticks.
Amid the clamor, Kyle sat at his desk, steadfastly focused on catching up on his Ancient Runes homework. The class met just once a week, but the workload never let up.
The fifteen-inch essays were manageable, but the real headache came from the translation assignments. These consisted of tedious, lengthy records of seemingly irrelevant events, and Kyle was determined to finish them.
“Kyle, do you think Umbridge will actually be removed from her position?” Kanna asked, her voice tinged with hope.
“Unlikely,” Kyle replied, setting his quill down and slipping the translated papers into his textbook. “Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic operate on completely different dynamics. Fudge must be aware of what’s happening here, and he wouldn’t be happy about this article. But for Fudge, it doesn’t matter whether the claims are true or not.”
“What a pity,” Kanna muttered, her dislike for Umbridge evident.
Umbridge had only been the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor for less than a month, but in that short time, her class had already surpassed History of Magic as the most disliked subject at Hogwarts.
At least in History of Magic, students could take a nap or work on assignments for other subjects as long as they stayed quiet. But in Defence Against the Dark Arts, they were forced to read the same dull passages repeatedly and copy long excerpts of meaningless drivel. There was no escape.
“Do you think Umbridge will go after Rita Skeeter?” Kanna pressed.
“She might,” Kyle said thoughtfully, “but only if she can find her."
“Rita’s written so many scandalous articles that if she weren’t exceptionally clever, she’d have been caught—or worse—long ago. She knows how to stay out of reach.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Kanna said with a small smile. For the first time, she found herself appreciating one of Rita Skeeter’s sensational articles. No wonder so many people read them, even knowing they were mostly fabricated.
Soon enough, the class ended.
The students felt as if the hour had flown by, and many left the room reluctantly, wishing every lesson could be so carefree.
“I hope Professor Umbridge doesn’t come back on Wednesday,” Mikel said wistfully. Their next Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson was scheduled for Wednesday morning, and the students were already hoping for another reprieve.
Unfortunately for them, Umbridge returned the very next day.
That morning’s Daily Prophet brought even more surprises, containing two pieces of unexpected news:
"Sirius Black's Identity in Question; Ministry of Magic Decides to Continue the Investigation."
"Ministry of Magic Announces Educational Reforms: Dolores Umbridge Appointed as the First High Inquisitor"
Both headlines sparked a flurry of discussion in the Great Hall, with students and staff alike buzzing over the implications.
“High Inquisitor?” Mikel asked, staring at the newspaper in confusion. “What does that even mean?”
“It’s simple,” Cedric said, leaning forward to explain. “The Ministry of Magic is trying to interfere with Hogwarts. It’s spelled out right here: the High Inquisitor has the authority to evaluate the professors to decide if they’re qualified for their positions. If not, she can fire them and replace them with someone chosen by the Ministry.”
“The professors are definitely up to the job!” Hannah said indignantly. “Have you noticed, though? They don’t even mention any criteria for determining whether someone’s qualified.”
“Obviously, that’s up to Umbridge,” Cedric replied grimly.
“The Headmaster won’t stand for this!” Justin Finch-Fletchley exclaimed, clearly outraged.
“It won’t matter,” Cedric said, pointing to the last line of the article. “Look at this—every single Governor signed off on Educational Decree Number 22. Even the Headmaster can’t override it.”
Kyle was surprised by the turn of events.
After the backlash from the previous article, he’d thought Fudge would grow cautious, perhaps even start doubting Umbridge. Instead, not only was she still in power—she had been promoted.
He couldn’t imagine what Umbridge had said to Fudge, but whatever it was, her authority at Hogwarts had only grown stronger.
The power to dismiss professors at will wasn’t trivial. It was on par with the authority of a school Governor.
Kyle’s eyes flicked to another section of the paper, where a small article had gone almost unnoticed:
“Sturgis Podmore Arrested for Illegally Entering the Ministry of Magic Late at Night.”
If he remembered correctly, Sturgis was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Kyle had met him at 12, Grimmauld Place over the summer.
Now, with Sirius already trapped under Ministry watch, Sturgis was the second Order member to fall into Fudge’s hands.
Did Fudge know Sturgis’s connection to Dumbledore?
It didn’t seem likely. The Order was careful not to reveal such ties. Moreover, Sturgis had been caught red-handed by the Ministry’s night guards.
But what could have compelled him to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic at such an hour?
Regardless of Sturgis’s intent, Fudge now had leverage over two Order members. Sirius was still entangled with the Ministry, and now this.
As for Umbridge’s promotion to High Inquisitor, it was clearly another maneuver by Fudge to undermine Dumbledore.
The professors at Hogwarts were staunchly loyal to Dumbledore—everyone knew that. By targeting them, Fudge was indirectly attacking his rival.
Yet Fudge’s logic baffled Kyle. Surely, he didn’t believe that highly respected witches and wizards like Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, or Pomona Sprout owed their reputations solely to their roles at Hogwarts.
It was ludicrous to imagine that Umbridge could even think of replacing them.
The thought made Kyle snort in amusement, the sudden sound drawing curious glances from those seated nearby.
"Sorry," Kyle said, waving it off. "I was just imagining... what if Umbridge brought in another History of Magic professor to replace it?"
“Pfft…” Ryan burst out laughing. “If that’s the plan, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.”
History of Magic was infamous as the most boring class at Hogwarts, taught by a ghost whose monotonous voice could put the entire class to sleep.
“The Ministry wouldn’t dare,” Cedric said with a grin. “It’s not like they can find another professor willing to work for free. Unless, of course, Umbridge volunteers herself for the job.”
“Let’s hope not,” Justin quipped. “If it came down to that, at least we’d have something to watch during class—unless she can pass through walls too.”
Laughter erupted across the Hufflepuff table at the remark.
