Umbridge felt an unusual sense of exhilaration after successfully removing her thorn in the side.
It wasn't just the joy of controlling the students—it was the satisfaction of wielding and exercising her authority. It allowed her to fully unleash her malice, prejudice, and cruelty within the walls of this school.
Watching the once-innocent faces now twisted in pain, showing expressions of silent resentment and submission under her oppressive rule, she felt a kind of happiness she had never experienced before.
It was as if Hogwarts was a giant slaughterhouse, and she was the butcher standing high above, deciding who would suffer at her whim.
The thrill and joy of toying with her prey had almost gone to her head.
Umbridge wore a sweet smile, knowing she had stumbled upon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
According to the latest news, Grindelwald had taken multiple Muggle hostages in America, along with the disappearance of two traveling wizards. The Magical Congress of the United States had declared a state of emergency in their magical community.
A flood of urgent letters had been sent to the British Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore, almost enough to drown the Ministry. This gave Fudge ample justification to send Dumbledore on an official mission to America.
After all, as the only wizard recognized as capable of defeating Grindelwald—
If Dumbledore didn't go, who else could?
If he claimed old age as an excuse, they could argue he was unfit to remain headmaster. If he cited the threat of Voldemort in Britain, they could accuse him of fear-mongering. In short, the Ministry would give him no grounds to refuse the trip.
This back-and-forth would take months, leaving Dumbledore unable to return to Hogwarts anytime soon.
This created a perfect opening for her. With Fudge's blanket authorization, she had already begun sweeping reforms and successfully seized initial control of the school.
Expelling Jane Yu, the student Dumbledore trusted most and who was most popular among the students, was a milestone on her path to success.
Next, she only needed to dismiss the professors who supported Dumbledore, one by one, replacing them with her own people—
Even if Dumbledore returned, he would be powerless to reverse the changes.
[...Hogwarts student Jane Yu is hereby expelled for violating school rules Articles 1, 3, 4, and 9, including wearing inappropriate attire, carrying jewelry, being late for morning study, disrespecting professors, and using unauthorized spells... Dolores Umbridge will carry out the punishment of breaking her wand...]
With a final stroke of her quill, Umbridge gently blew on the parchment to dry the ink, signed her name, and stamped it with a red seal.
Once this notice was delivered to Jane Yu, she would no longer be a student at Hogwarts.
Satisfied, Umbridge patted the shoulders of her new assistants, Warrington and Montague, who were serving tea and tending to her needs. She sipped the tea they had brewed with a pleased expression.
Her enemies were gone, power was in her hands, and she was surrounded by handsome young men—
Feeling like the ultimate winner in life, Umbridge had never felt so content.
But she wasn't the only one feeling content. The target of her expulsion order, Jane Yu, also felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
Five years—it had taken five long years, but she had finally heard the words "You're expelled!"
She finally understood what it felt like to hear celestial music clearing the mind.
Like an employee who wanted to quit but was instead laid off with a generous severance package, she decided to leave a farewell message in the Slytherin common room:
"The world is vast, and I want to see it."
As part of her departure process, Jane happily distributed her "inheritance" to her friends, giving them farewell gifts.
She handed out spellbooks she had memorized cover to cover, piles of magical tools, and various peculiar potions...
She even left behind a stack of Muggle books—textbooks on business management, accounting, and other subjects, as well as novels for mental nourishment. While the younger Slytherins might not accept these items, she placed them in the common room for anyone interested to take.
If possible, she would have loved to treat the entire school to a feast to express her joy.
"Ahem, today we gather... to celebrate... to commemorate my departure."
Facing the silent Slytherins who were slowly packing her belongings and accepting her gifts, Jane began her farewell speech.
"A brief farewell is for a better reunion in the future," she said, handing out recruitment flyers along with her gifts. "When you graduate, if you need a job, come find me—"
"Oh, no—I don't want these. I just want that outfit—"
But her roommate Daphne, who was crying her eyes out, refused the protective necklace and earrings Jane offered her. Instead, she asked for the Muggle clothes Jane had worn, leaving Jane stunned.
She hadn't expected Daphne, a pure-blood wizard, to take such an interest in the outfit.
Little did she know, Daphne had already planted the seeds of revenge in her heart and planned to hang the outfit in their dormitory as a symbol of resistance against Umbridge, inspiring herself daily.
"Honestly, I envy you," Blaise said with a look of longing. "For you, not going to school offers more opportunities than staying here. I want to see the outside world too, instead of being taught like a Muggle here."
Draco, however, wore a grim expression, cold sweat dripping down his forehead as he held an unsent letter.
"I can't tell my father about this," he said, his face pale. Without the support of his father or Jane, he felt helpless for the first time. "Umbridge has ordered all owls to be kept in the Owlery and assigned numbers—this means all communication is being monitored. Letters that don't meet her standards are returned."
Hogwarts had truly become a prison.
"Look at this," Theodore said, spreading a newspaper on the table. "The Daily Prophet's glowing praise for Umbridge... with some help from my father, of course."
Curious, Jane leaned over to read the headline:
"Spring Winds of Reform Sweep Through the School: A Professor Who Delivers Results"
[This reporter brings you the latest news:
Since Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister and Wizengamot Inquisitor, was appointed as a professor and High Inquisitor at Hogwarts, the school's educational quality has improved significantly.
With a student-centered approach focused on teaching and nurturing, Professor Umbridge has personally regulated campus discipline and fostered a harmonious environment, earning widespread praise from staff and students alike.
'Without theoretical knowledge, it's like building a house without bricks,' Professor Umbridge explained in an interview. 'Only by mastering magical theory can one innovate and build higher upon a solid foundation.'
According to insiders, current headmaster Albus Dumbledore, preoccupied with the recent escape of the infamous dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, is considering stepping down and handing over the position to Dolores Umbridge.
'This is something we're happy to see,' said parent Mr. Nott in an interview. 'Dumbledore should focus on matters that benefit the wizarding world, while Hogwarts needs a progressive headmaster with ample time.'
During her tenure as High Inquisitor, Professor Umbridge has introduced physical training for wizards and increased the frequency of magical exams, promoting students' all-round development. Her efforts have deeply moved the student body.
We eagerly anticipate her next reforms...]
"I feel sick," Daphne said, her tears finally drying up only for her stomach to churn. "So this is the kind of glowing feedback our parents are receiving? Thinking we're doing great? Now I understand why Umbridge is controlling the owls!"
"Your father is quite something, Theo," Draco said, rolling his eyes as he read Mr. Nott's statement in the newspaper. "Sending his son to a school that's practically a prison and being thrilled about it—"
"Thanks for the compliment. Your father isn't bad either," Theodore shot back. "As if he had no hand in influencing Fudge's decisions."
Draco's face turned red as he muttered something about "thinking I was doing fine," "no one expected Umbridge to be like this," and "my letters keep getting flagged for sensitive content and can't be sent" in an attempt to defend his father's perceived lack of support.
Jane flipped through the newspaper, her brows furrowing.
Wait—since she was no longer a student at Hogwarts and no longer bound by school rules—
Her actions wouldn't affect Slytherin's points, nor would any little snakes be punished or implicated because of her behavior...
And considering she had Dobby and Shanshan, who could easily Apparate into Hogwarts, along with her collection of potions, spells, and tools...
It would be perfectly reasonable if Umbridge were to be mysteriously harmed by some unknown force and rendered unfit to serve as a professor, wouldn't it?
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