This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class had a new professor: a pink toad named Dolores Umbridge. All the textbooks for Defense Again
This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class had a new professor: a pink toad named Dolores Umbridge.
All the textbooks for Defense Against the Dark Arts had been replaced this year. The new books were cheap, sold at cost—actual cost!
Regulus Black even bought copies on behalf of his harem, saving them from spending unnecessary money.
In truth, although the Ministry of Magic didn't want students learning combat skills, the new textbooks were still rich in theoretical knowledge. Just by reading and following the instructions, students could still learn how to use and defend against the Dark Arts.
"Regulus! Why are you buying so many textbooks? There won't be enough left for the students."
Dolores Umbridge was in a bit of a bind. After all, the books had been printed according to the number of students at Hogwarts, but Regulus Black was taking multiple sets for every year, and in varying quantities.
"I've already paid for them."
Regulus Black spoke with confidence. I spent my own money to buy these—who are you to question me?
"No, I mean we should prioritize the students' needs. If you also need some, I can ask the Ministry to print more."
Dolores Umbridge forced a smile. After all, this colleague's abilities were highly valued by Cornelius Fudge.
"Well then, no need to worry. I'm giving them away. There are many unfortunate girls waiting for my care and attention."
Regulus Black didn't bother to look at the pink toad's reaction. He turned and left, dozens of textbooks floating behind him.
"Unfortunate girls waiting for care"—what an utterly shameless remark. Everyone in the Ministry knew he had a harem at Hogwarts!
The textbooks didn't cost much, but when they reached those girls' hands, they still gratefully thanked him with enthusiasm.
These were girls who had been around him for four or five years. As for the younger ones, those in first to third year who had been brought in by their seniors, they accepted the books somewhat nervously. Though they had come for his reputation, they weren't familiar with Regulus Black yet.
Each girl had her own reasons—some had even been sent by their families with instructions to do so.
After all, what could be easier than a young girl clinging to a powerful man to get close to Regulus Black?
"Mr. Regulus Black, on behalf of us sisters, we offer you our respect."
The twin girls Regulus had taken notice of earlier were now dressed in full Slytherin uniforms, thanking the assistant professor who had gifted them their books. But they didn't even dare to raise their heads—clearly, they weren't all that pleased.
"Don't tell me your family forced you to come to me too?"
Regulus Black chuckled as he asked. Over the years, he'd seen many reluctant girls pushed into seeking his favor. But he never forced anyone—he relied on his charisma and academic strength to win them over easily. Not a single one had ever left after joining.
"The Donald family offers you its respects! I'm Margie, and this is my sister Maggie."
Since Regulus had mentioned family, the girls had to formally state their lineage, even if it was already public knowledge from the school's start-of-term announcements. Courtesy demanded they state it again.
"Margie Donald and Maggie Donald, right? Welcome to Hogwarts—and to this little group."
Regulus Black didn't call it a harem. That would only make the girls feel uncomfortable.
He kept all the girls who sought his support. After all, families wouldn't send their unattractive daughters to embarrass themselves. Most girls they assigned were quite pretty. With the right potions to enhance their condition, they'd become even more beautiful.
It wasn't that Regulus Black was obsessed with looks—this world was simply obsessed with appearances. If he looked like Filch, no matter how talented or capable he was, girls wouldn't throw themselves at him.
Lifelong bachelor Filch might disagree—after all, he had Madam Pince.
The distribution of the new textbooks went relatively smoothly. Dolores Umbridge finally wrapped things up after two whole days. Her hands practically cramped from counting coins. Especially frustrating was dealing with wizarding currency conversions—Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. The students buying textbooks showed up with bags full of small change—and some even tried to pay in pounds sterling, arguing with her endlessly over tiny exchange rate differences.
1 Galleon = 17 Sickles, 1 Sickle = 29 Knuts. A single Galleon is worth approximately 5 pounds, which is about 7.33 US dollars.
Dolores Umbridge regretted not bringing a Gringotts goblin along to handle the finances. She swore to properly discipline these children later—she absolutely despised children, especially when there were so many badly behaved ones.
In the end, the tally wasn't too bad. It seemed a bit short, but Dolores Umbridge didn't have the energy to fuss over it anymore. Even if she had to cover the shortfall herself, it didn't matter.
In the first few days after term started, Dolores Umbridge even dreamed of piles of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts rolling toward her, pinning her plump body underneath, unable to move.
Since even she was having nightmares, she decided to take revenge by becoming a nightmare to the students—just the sight of her should be enough to haunt their dreams.
"Everyone, memorize the first lesson. After that, you'll also be writing a summary that's no shorter than the length of the text."
With a chilling smile, Dolores Umbridge announced the learning method students dreaded most.
"I hate memorizing texts! And we still have to write a summary? And it can't even be shorter than the original? Is this supposed to improve our writing skills?"
Ron Weasley shouted in the Gryffindor common room, hoping to rally support from his classmates so they could go to the headmaster's office together to complain—so that Headmaster Dumbledore would take this seriously and, ideally, get rid of that pink toad.
"You guys really shouldn't get involved in this. I've read through the textbook. Normal textbooks usually combine theory, practice, analysis, and guidance. This one simply removed the practice and guidance parts and reinforced the theory and analysis sections. That's why this year's material feels so dry and boring. But these are actually the most essential foundational theories. After all, Hogwarts has twelve school governors. They're not going to just stand by and let the Ministry of Magic ruin children's education with terrible textbooks."
Regulus Black's explanation was difficult for the girls around him to understand at first. But once they thought it through, they realized he was right.
"In that case, let's just keep learning as usual."
"Exactly. There are many things we don't need to get involved in. It's better to stay on the sidelines and observe."
The girls who usually followed Regulus Black supported him and chimed in.
Not all students were going to cause trouble anyway, so the fact that Regulus Black and his group of girls stayed out of it didn't really matter.
However, one person's involvement would drive Dolores Umbridge—who came with an agenda to teach—absolutely mad.
"Dumbledore's Army! Dumbledore's Army! Dumbledore's Army!"
Harry Potter was being pushed toward the headmaster's office by the other students. In truth, he didn't want to go, but he couldn't resist their dragging and pulling.
Though the handsome Harry Potter looked completely unwilling, in the eyes of a certain pink toad, this was a dangerous sign.
Voldemort was about to rise again. Voldemort was forming his own army. Voldemort was about to take over Hogwarts.
As the Ministry of Magic's appointed representative, action had to be taken. He must be suppressed, discredited, and eliminated before he could even begin.
Ministry of Magic Decree No. 001:Dolores Umbridge is hereby appointed as the High Inquisitor assigned by the Ministry to Hogwarts, responsible for investigating both staff and students.
Ministry of Magic Decree No. 002:The use of new textbooks is of utmost importance. Students with poor academic performance will be expelled.
Ministry of Magic Decree No. 003:Hogwarts will implement new school regulations, to be submitted by Dolores Umbridge for Ministry approval.
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