The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 549 School Opening

Good evening, Professor Hamilton.

Looking at Hagrid beside her, Loila pursed her lips and nodded gently. She then looked down and saw that the room was already full of students.

Today is the first day of school at Hogwarts. According to tradition, the new students will travel to Hogwarts by train, and then, led by Hagrid, take a boat—

etc----

Hagrid, what are you doing here?!

Loila abruptly turned her head to look at Hagrid, who was still sitting there happily, seemingly quite pleased with himself.

Have you forgotten something?

"Um—that Hagrid," Loila quickly reminded him, "Shouldn't you—shouldn't you be picking up the new students?"

"Ah—about that," Hagrid said, scratching his head. "Headmaster Dumbledore said I don't need to go this year; he's already arranged for someone else."

"Hmm?" Loila blinked in confusion. Had someone else been arranged?

As if struck by a sudden thought, she immediately peeked out from behind the professors' chairs and looked around.

Ms. Umbridge is not here—that is obvious, and it goes without saying where she is.

"By the way, Professor Hamilton, I heard that Professor Lupin isn't working at Hogwarts this year. Who's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?"

Hagrid, you didn't know about this?

Loila paused for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "It's—it's Ms. Umbridge from the Ministry of Magic."

"Umbridge?!"

Royla, who had to cover her ears because of Hagrid's shock, now understood why Dumbledore hadn't told Hagrid about it.

His surprised voice not only drew the attention of the professors, but also all the students.

"Oh—how embarrassing—" Roy lowered his head awkwardly, not daring to utter a sound, while Hagrid, seemingly oblivious, asked, "Why would someone from the Ministry of Magic work at Hogwarts?"

"It seems to be—it's because of Sirius—" Loila's voice was so weak it was almost a whisper; she was speaking through her teeth.

Hearing this, Hagrid scratched his beard anxiously and said, "This year is definitely going to be a big mess—"

"Clatter".

Just then, the auditorium doors were pushed open, and Professor McGonagall walked in, her expression not looking too good.

Loila rarely saw her with this expression. Not only her, but even the students subconsciously quieted down after seeing her expression.

She walked quickly to Dumbledore's side and leaned down as if to say something.

".."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "Don't worry, Minerva."

"If she's willing, then let her come."

Dumbledore's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for all the professors to hear.

It's obvious that Ms. Umbridge is up to something —

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, McGonagall remained silent for a few seconds, then sighed helplessly and finally sat down slowly beside Dumbledore.

She seemed to notice Loila's gaze, glanced at Loila slightly, and then gently shook her head.

"Things don't look good," Loila said, rubbing her hands together nervously before looking at the closed auditorium doors.

Not long after, the auditorium doors were pushed open.

But what walked in was neither a student nor Umbridge, but a row of Aurors in trench coats.

To the students' astonishment, the Aurors tapped their wands, spreading a red carpet on the ground and then letting a few flower petals fall from the sky above the Hogwarts Great Hall.

As the first pink petal landed on a student's plate, Umbridge strode in, and as she entered the Great Hall, an Auror even waved his wand and began to play a tune on a floating violin.

What is this? What's going on? Loila stared wide-eyed at the indescribable scene before her.

"She and Gerald Lockhart could definitely be friends."

Hagrid's words were practically Royla's own thoughts. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Umbridge paced back and forth rather affectedly, stopping in front of Dumbledore.

"Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore—and good evening, gentlemen and ladies." Her voice was sickeningly sweet, and just listening to her speak gave Loira goosebumps all over her body. Even her pointed ears perked up unusually, indicating that the scene before her was making Loira extremely uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, Umbridge's "appearance" didn't seem to be over yet. After her greetings, she flashed an extremely affected smile and continued, "It's a pleasure to see you all studying so happily under the Ministry of Magic's management."

"Let me introduce myself. I am Minister Fudge's right-hand man—and also the Deputy Minister of Magic."

"And here, you will need to call me Professor Umbridge."

"Because I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year."

"What?!"

"She's not joking, is she?"

Her words caused a huge stir, and most of the students in the auditorium couldn't help but start discussing it. After all, compared to Mr. Lupin, Umbridge seemed far too—

Especially when some people know who she really is.

"It was her who was tracking Sirius Black with Fudge back then," Harry said, sitting in his chair with displeasure. Hermione and Ron beside him also looked troubled.

However, it was clear that the students' discussion did not embarrass Umbridge. She chuckled, looked around, and finally fixed her gaze on the indignant Harry.

"Mr. Potter, it's been a long time." She waved politely. "I wonder if you've seen your fugitive godfather?"

"You—" Harry couldn't help but get up to say something, but Hermione quickly pulled him back.

"Calm down, Harry!" she said, glaring at Umbridge, but clearly Umbridge just snorted and ignored Harry and the others.

Dumbledore watched her performance quietly, and only when she finished and was about to walk to her seat did he cough lightly and say, "Professor Umbridge."

"The reception work for new students," he said, bowing slightly. "Have you forgotten?"

"7

"The matter of Headmaster Dumbledore —"

"I remember you promised Professor McGonagall that you wanted to take responsibility for this, didn't you?" Dumbledore said softly, his calm words interrupting Umbridge.

Umbridge, who was about to sit down, suddenly lost her composure. She paused for a few seconds, then had to give an awkward smile before turning around and walking off the professor's seat again.

Seeing this, even Roy had to admit—currently, only Dumbledore could suppress Umbridge at Hogwarts—

Watching her retreating figure, Loila sighed uneasily.