BOOM!
Several scarlet curses exploded across Hagrid's broad back.
Harry stared in shock as he realized that these familiar-looking boys were ruthless enough to use Blasting Curses on Hagrid.
This spell was infamous for being difficult to control and cast, but in exchange, its destructive power was terrifying.
And so, amid a series of thunderous explosions, Hagrid collapsed to the ground.
But worse was yet to come.
Two of the boys didn't even wait for Umbridge's orders. They leapt straight over Hagrid's fallen body and chased after Grawp.
They were incredibly fast, their movements astonishingly agile. Dense forest and thick brush seemed nonexistent to them, and with a few bounds they had already shot far ahead, almost as if they were flying.
Most importantly, as they moved, their bodies began to slowly turn translucent.
Hagrid saw all of this clearly.
Roaring in fury, he struggled to get up and stop the pursuers.
But just as his hands pressed against the ground, even more spells came flying at him from behind.
And this time, the boys were even more vicious.
Many of those devastating Blasting Curses were aimed straight at Hagrid's head and vital points.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM…
Everything happened far too fast.
By the time Harry reacted, Hagrid, charred black all over, was no longer moving, lying on the ground like a corpse.
Harry felt a raging fire ignite inside his chest.
Instinctively, he reached for his wand, about to draw it, but Hermione's ice-cold hand grabbed his first and held him back.
It was only then that Harry suddenly noticed Umbridge watching him with malicious intent, clearly eager to see him actually pull out his wand.
And the boys guarding her had all raised their wands, aiming directly at him.
"Oh, how disappointing!"
Seeing Harry release his grip, Umbridge shook her head and said in a sickeningly smug tone, "If your wand had come out just one more inch, I could have expelled you from Hogwarts for attacking a professor."
"You don't have that right!"
The one who spoke was Ron.
To everyone's surprise, he found the courage to step forward, standing in front of Harry and Hermione despite the situation.
Unfortunately, his body was shaking nonstop from fear, making him look brave on the surface but weak underneath.
"I think instead of worrying about whether I have that authority," Umbridge said with a smile as she slowly stepped forward.
"You should be more concerned about what's about to happen to you."
She pointed her stubby finger at Hagrid's body on the ground.
"That disgusting half-giant will be dismissed from Hogwarts and sentenced to life in Azkaban for endangering public safety. His giant brother will be executed by hanging, there's no question about that! As for you…"
She reached out and touched Harry's face, "The best outcome for you is a full term of detention under my supervision. I believe it will be a wonderful journey. I hope you enjoy every moment of it, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"
Her words only made the fire in Harry's chest burn hotter.
He slapped her hand away and shouted, "Don't touch me with your filthy, disgusting hands!"
He used so much force that Umbridge actually staggered backward.
But in the next instant, the hand he had knocked aside snapped back even faster and struck his face.
Smack!
The sharp sound of skin meeting skin rang out clearly.
Umbridge's smile was gone now. She shook her wrist, her face twisted with fury.
"Take them all away!"
With that, she turned and walked toward Hogwarts Castle without even looking back.
The boys roughly shoved Hermione and Ron aside as they tried to help Harry up, then dragged Harry along with them, Hagrid included, following behind Umbridge.
As for the remaining two boys, they exchanged a grin and disappeared deeper into the forest to assist their companions who had gone after Grawp.
———
The journey back to Hogwarts felt unbearably long to Harry and the others.
Not only because the wind and snow were far worse than before, but also because Umbridge deliberately slowed the group's pace, clearly intending to let Harry freeze a little longer.
After all, she and the boys were protected by warming charms. A bit of cold meant nothing to them.
By the time they finally reached the castle, the sky had already darkened. Harry and the others were frozen stiff, their faces blue, their bodies nearly numb.
But worse was still to come.
As soon as they entered the castle, Harry realized Umbridge had already sent word ahead.
The Great Hall was filled with students seated at their respective house tables. With just a quick glance, Harry knew that every student who hadn't gone home for Christmas was gathered there.
The moment Umbridge and her group entered, the previously noisy hall fell into sudden silence.
But once the students got a clear look at Harry and Hagrid's bizarre state, whispers erupted again.
Normally, this would have earned Umbridge a sharp reprimand.
But now she acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, leading them straight onto the raised platform used for speeches.
Hermione's face burned hot.
Even though she kept her head down, she could still feel countless eyes shamelessly fixed on her.
She even caught a few bursts of mocking laughter.
The humiliation nearly drove her mad.
Compared to that, Umbridge now looked like some kind of Dementor that fed on negative emotions instead of happiness.
Standing before Harry and the others, she faced the students below, took a deep breath, and announced loudly,
"Just moments ago, several volunteers and I uncovered a major disciplinary violation in the Forbidden Forest! Our former Care of Magical Creatures professor, Rubeus Hagrid, conspired with Harry Potter and others to secretly bring a dangerous giant into the forest, plotting an attack on Hogwarts Castle!"
Gasps rippled through the hall.
Anyone who had taken Care of Magical Creatures knew what giants were. Their terrifying images were printed right on the opening pages of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and children from wizarding families had grown up hearing horror stories about them.
Everyone understood one thing very clearly.
If a giant ever entered Hogwarts Castle, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Instantly, the looks directed at Hagrid and Harry changed completely.
"That's bullshit!"
Harry's furious shout shattered the increasingly chaotic atmosphere and made Hermione snap her head up.
And only then did she realize, Harry's head was held high.
He didn't look like a criminal being dragged up here at all.
He looked more like a victorious general returning from battle.
In that moment, just looking at him made Hermione forget her own pain.
Umbridge also turned her gaze toward Harry.
His profanity wiped the smile completely off her face.
She rushed forward, grabbed his hair, and yanked his head back painfully.
"Still trying to argue? I'll..."
BOOM!
Before she could finish, a beam of golden light shot from afar and knocked her hand away from Harry's hair.
The boys beside her jumped in alarm, instinctively pointing their wands toward the source.
But the person walking calmly out of the corridor was Professor McGonagall.
With just one sharp glance from her, the boys who had been so arrogant moments ago immediately lowered their wands.
The fury on Umbridge's face faded, replaced by her familiar fake smile.
She rubbed her wrist and waited until McGonagall stepped fully forward before saying sweetly, "Professor McGonagall, I was just about to inform you. Our dear savior has committed a serious offense."
"Oh, I'm generally aware of what happened," McGonagall replied calmly.
"Hagrid bringing a giant into the Forbidden Forest was indeed inappropriate. But on what grounds do you claim that Mr. Potter and the others were his accomplices?"
Before Umbridge could answer, Harry blurted out, "Professor McGonagall, Hagrid's innocent! That giant, Hagrid..."
He stumbled over his words.
He hadn't expected McGonagall not to object at all to Umbridge's judgment of Hagrid.
If this charge stuck, Hagrid could spend the rest of his life in Azkaban.
Harry wanted to defend him, but didn't know how.
No matter the reason, bringing a giant into the forest was still a crime.
McGonagall didn't give him time to think. She frowned and barked, "Silence, Potter!"
"Yes, Mr. Potter," Umbridge chimed in happily.
"As a suspect, it would be best if you kept quiet."
Harry shut his mouth completely.
His teeth clenched hard, his burning gaze locked onto Umbridge as if he wanted to kill her with his eyes.
Umbridge clearly enjoyed his helpless rage, her smile growing even wider.
"Let's return to the matter at hand," McGonagall said.
"What evidence do you have that Potter and the others were Hagrid's accomplices?"
"If they weren't, why would that half-giant bring them there?" Umbridge replied, pointing to one of the boys.
"My volunteers saw everything. They chatted happily along the way, no signs of coercion whatsoever."
McGonagall's expression darkened further. She shot Harry a fierce glare before continuing, "In any case, your evidence is insufficient. For instance, you keep claiming Hagrid brought in a giant, so where is that giant now?"
"I'll catch it. Very soon!"
"But you haven't caught it yet," McGonagall said sharply.
"Which means you have no right to make such claims. And besides, you don't have the authority to pass judgment at will!"
"Oh, but I do," Umbridge said with a smile, pulling out a parchment.
"Do you recognize this? It's an order from Minister Fudge himself, granting me full authority over rewards and punishments for everyone at Hogwarts."
McGonagall's eyes narrowed.
"You realize what will happen once Dumbledore hears about this," she said coldly.
Umbridge said nothing. Her mocking smile and casual shrug made it clear she wasn't afraid of Dumbledore at all.
McGonagall continued, "This matter requires further investigation. At the very least, it must wait until term begins and Dumbledore returns. Until then, neither Hagrid nor Harry Potter may leave Hogwarts."
Harry and Hermione nearly cheered.
Ron silently vowed to finish his Transfiguration homework the moment he got back.
At that moment, McGonagall's sheer authority had completely won them over.
Meanwhile, Umbridge frowned, inhaled sharply, and was about to speak when one of the boys leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
Then something astonishing happened.
Umbridge, who had been seething moments ago, suddenly smiled.
She straightened proudly and scanned Harry and McGonagall with satisfaction.
"Very well. We'll deal with this once term begins. The witnesses and evidence are already in place, I'll make sure you're fully convinced."
With that, she turned and led the boys away.
But as she passed Harry, she bent down and whispered in his ear with a soft laugh, "There will be far more people watching on the first day of term."
Harry's relieved expression froze instantly.
He turned to look after her, but only saw Umbridge's retreating figure, laughing as she went.
In that moment, Harry understood.
She wasn't backing down because she feared Dumbledore.
Nor was it sudden mercy.
She wanted to expose everything in front of everyone, to boost her own authority and grind the name Harry Potter, the Chosen One into the mud.
The realization sent a chill through Harry's body, goosebumps rising on his arms.
"Harry, are you okay?!"
"Don't listen to her, Harry, she's just bluffing!"
Hermione and Ron rushed over.
They kept offering comfort, but the worry on their faces made Harry feel like they were trying more to convince themselves than him.
McGonagall didn't come over.
She was busy ordering the students to disperse and directing several Gryffindors to carry Hagrid to the hospital wing.
Harry watched it all silently, his eyes suddenly hardening with resolve.
He looked seriously at Ron and Hermione and said, "I'm afraid we need to contact Link immediately."