Hogwarts: A little lion in the skin of the Eagle School

John was speechless after hearing Umbridge's inexplicable words.

No wonder she seemed so kind to me from the very first lesson.

So, it turns out you're here to recruit me.

"This...isn't that a bad idea?"

John was speechless, but his refusal was still quite tactful.

However, Umbridge took his tactful words as hesitation and continued to speak with a smile.

"Don't be afraid~" She tapped the table lightly with her fingertips. "You need to understand, this is all for your friend's good."

"He has been deeply misled by Dumbledore and cannot extricate himself. As his friend, you should help him escape his misery and face reality."

Listening to Umbridge's persuasive words, John frowned, fell into deep thought, and then...

"...That makes sense!"

John abandoned his previous hesitation, slammed his fist on the table, and stood up, his expression filled with righteous indignation.

Even Umbridge was taken aback by his reaction.

"Dumbledore talks nonsense all day long, but never gives anything concrete!"

"I've put up with him for so long!"

"Professor! Give me some special treatment, and I'll strip Dumbledore bare!"

Upon hearing John's words, a triumphant smile flashed in Umbridge's eyes.

However, she continued speaking.

"No, child, I can't give you any special privileges right now, because I need to infiltrate their ranks and gather information about them for me."

"If they know you're one of my people, they won't let you come near them."

However, after hearing Umbridge's words, John immediately became dejected again.

"Oh—that's such a shame..."

This reaction baffled Umbridge again. Why was the child's mood so unpredictable?

She was about to speak to comfort her.

But John simply crossed his legs, leaned back in his chair, and casually tapped his knee with his fingertips, adopting the demeanor of a local gangster.

"Sigh, but Professor, if you don't offer even this little bit of incentive, it's hard for me to do anything for you."

It was a world of difference from his well-behaved and sensible demeanor just moments ago.

"..."

Umbridge's face darkened immediately. So, after all this time, he wanted something in return?

And why do they have to be so blatant about it? They're not even pretending anymore?

But since she'd already been so blunt, she decided to stop pretending.

"Okay, if you can provide useful information, I'll give you one Galleon, how about that?"

"Only one? That's like giving a beggar a free meal!"

John immediately transformed into a fierce and menacing gangster, shouting and cursing in a harsh voice.

The scene transformed from a heart-to-heart talk between a good teacher and a well-behaved student into a standoff resembling a gang shootout.

Umbridge's lips twitched slightly, but he maintained a stiff smile.

"Those 5." They continued to increase their bets.

"It's not about the money, Professor."

"Don't you know that Harry Potter is my brother, my dearest friend—betraying him would be like tearing my flesh out, bleeding me dry!"

John wasn't swayed by the extra money she offered; instead, he launched into a long lecture.

"How can you call it betrayal? You're helping him escape his suffering..."

Before Umbridge could finish speaking, John interrupted her.

"Whether he escapes the Bitter Pass or not is none of my business. What I mean is..."

"You'll have to pay more."

Umbridge: "..."

"Ten Galleons, that's the most I can offer."

This time, Umbridge didn't even bother to maintain a fake smile and said coldly.

"Deal made, but with one condition."

John readily agreed, but then made one condition.

"What?"

"You have so much power, right? Give me some of it. Let me investigate Snape's workshop. I seriously suspect Snape is helping Dumbledore develop some kind of special potion!"

?

Do you think I haven't heard about how Snape kicked you out of the classroom and publicly humiliated you?

You're not trying to help me investigate Dumbledore; you're clearly using my name to get revenge on Snape!

But Snape and Dumbledore are indeed very close, so maybe we can actually get something out of him.

Moreover, given his strong dissatisfaction with Snape, it's clear he's not entirely aligned with Hogwarts, and we can continue to exploit him.

Umbridge tapped his fingertips three times slowly on the edge of the table, a calculating glint in his eyes.

Finally, she slowly said, "I can give you a note to go to Snape's office for an inspection in my name, but you're just a messenger in name only, which doesn't mean I'm giving you that authority."

"Because I need you to continue to infiltrate Dumbledore's inner circle. Once I have gathered enough evidence, I will naturally give you your due recognition."

Umbridge thought for a while before offering a relatively acceptable solution.

"good!"

To everyone's surprise, John readily agreed, seemingly without any concern about being ungrateful or betrayed.

Although the situation was completely beyond her expectations, she believed it was an excellent opportunity to break through.

She quickly signed the note, handed it to John, and watched him leave.

The reason I called John over alone today is...

I just wanted to try and win him over.

After observing John for a week, she found him to be a law-abiding person.

He was exceptionally attentive and obedient even in her classes, unlike Harry Potter and his friends who constantly argued with her.

Although I sometimes cause myself trouble in class.

So she changed her strategy towards John, shifting from pressure to favor and subjugation, hoping to develop John into her pawn.

Looking back now, it seems that my impression of him was seriously misjudged.

But they still managed to win them over, and it went even more smoothly than they had imagined.

However, what she didn't know was...

John talked to her for so long, but ultimately he only had one purpose...

......

the other side.

Professor Snape is teaching a class to fifth-grade students.

boom! !

Suddenly, the classroom door was kicked open with a loud bang.

The students inside were startled and turned around in unison. Even Snape raised an eyebrow, slowly straightened up, and looked at the doorway with a murderous gaze.

John swaggered in, hands behind his back, like a lion surveying its territory.

"Professor Umbridge has granted special permission—for a routine inspection!"

"Hey, Xiao Pu, please cooperate with the work."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

John ignored Snape's murderous glare, simply pulled a slip of paper from his pocket with one hand, swung it around smugly, and then burst into laughter.

???

Upon hearing John's words, the entire class was stunned.

Even Snape, who was in a fit of rage, was taken aback when he saw the note in John's hand and tilted his head.

Even someone as calm as him couldn't quite process what was happening for a moment.

"John??"

Just then, a familiar exclamation rang out.

Hermione jumped up from her seat, and Harry and Ron, who sat at the table in front of her, stared at her in disbelief.

So this is their potions class.

"Hey, you should use job titles when you're at work."

"Call me Inspector Merrick. Thank you for your cooperation."

But John didn't let Hermione get close to him; instead, he stood with his hands behind his back, looking completely businesslike.

Hearing John's words, Hermione was even more confused.

That morning she was reminding John to be more obedient in Umbridge's class.

But I didn't expect you to be so obedient!

How come you've become one of Umbridge's men after all this time?

Although John's feigned seriousness seemed more like a clown act to her...

But what about that special approval note from Umbridge in his hand?

"Oh dear, Professor, it seems you have a lot of illegal and prohibited potions stored here. This won't do; you could easily get punished."

John didn't continue looking at Hermione, but turned and walked straight to Snape's podium, pointing at the cabinet of potions behind him.

Snape stared coldly at John's expression without saying a word.

"However, considering our teacher-student relationship, I won't make things difficult for you."

"I've taken these potions. I'll pretend I didn't see them, hahaha."

John then simply waved his hand and put Snape's entire cabinet of potions into a pre-prepared sack.

Snape's face immediately darkened.

If he still can't understand John's meaning by now, then he's wasted all these years.

This is clearly an attempt to blackmail Umbridge through blatant revenge!

Even Hermione noticed something amiss.

"Alright, alright, everything else is fine."

"Professor, you must set a good example for your students."

After John took away the cabinet full of potions, he even made a show of patrolling the classroom and giving some leadership-style speeches.

As I passed Draco, I casually fiddled with the potion he was brewing, which was only half-finished, and then made a casual comment.

"What kind of rubbish is this? It looks like poop."

This blatant humiliation turned Draco's face ashen, turning a deep purplish-red, yet he dared not utter a word of anger.

Harry and Ron suppressed their laughter and lowered their heads. Although they didn't know what was going on with John, what he said was indeed satisfying.

Then they passed by Hermione's cauldron and took a look.

"Look at this, now that's what potions are all about, now that's what professionalism is! Everyone should learn from Hermione."

Hermione: "..."

She finally realized that John was definitely up to something.

But she couldn't say anything in this situation.

"Alright, I won't disturb your class anymore. Good luck everyone, and I wish you all the best on your exams!"

After making his rounds, John waved goodbye with a smile, then walked out of the classroom with his hands behind his back, like a big shot.

Only after he disappeared from everyone's sight did the classroom finally become active.

"What's going on!?"

"I don't know!"

"That damn Mudblood..."

A cacophony of voices erupted, creating a huge uproar.

But before things could fully explode, Professor Snape spoke coldly.

"Shut up, all of you!"

The classroom immediately fell silent again.

"Now, empty all the garbage from your pots and start studying."

Professor Snape coldly gave them his orders, then flicked his robes and strode quickly toward the classroom.

Clearly, he hadn't interrupted John at all.

But actually, I was furious.

He's probably going to settle accounts with John now, right?

Hermione looked outside with some concern, wanting to follow them out, but afraid of disturbing John's plans.

Of course, this is all on the premise that he really does have a plan...

The way she just looked, it seemed like she was purely there to disgust and get revenge on Snape...

John had only walked a short distance out of the classroom when he heard a series of heavy footsteps behind him in the hallway.

Looking back, one could see a figure shrouded in a black robe, exuding a low-pressure aura, surging towards them from the dark underground corridor.

It was Professor Snape who had come chasing after them.

His face was covered in frost, no, it was more like murderous intent!

"Uh... Professor... Ahaha, let me explain..."

......

Meanwhile, in Umbridge's office.

Meow~

A meow came from the cat, startling Umbridge who was drinking tea.

What do you mean John is fleeing for his life to her right now?

She had just seen John off not long ago, so what is John up to now?

boom!

Before she could even figure out what was going on...

John burst into her office, ran in, and shouted at her in a panic.

"Teacher, professor! Help!"

Umbridge was startled by John's sudden intrusion and asked in surprise.

"...What, what's wrong, child?"

John immediately began to cry and plead with her.

"That Snape, he doesn't know what's good for him!"

"He, he, here he is."

Professor Snape was already standing at the door of Umbridge's office. John tried to escape inside, but Professor Snape grabbed him by the back of his collar.

"Professor! Help! He's trying to assault a government official!"

John screamed like a pig being slaughtered in terror.

However, Umbridge was completely bewildered by the scene before him.

"Ms. Dolores Umbridge".

Professor Snape looked at Umbridge and spoke coldly.

"You allowed Merrick to barge into my classroom without permission; can you give me a reasonable explanation?"

?

Umbridge's fake smile froze instantly.

She glanced at Snape, then at John, who looked like a little chick in Snape's hand.

I told you to investigate Snape, not to go and cause trouble!

However, before she could explain, John spoke up angrily.

"That's right!"

You're kidding me!

Umbridge screamed inwardly.

"It is the esteemed Professor Umbridge who has granted me the authority to investigate you!!"

Shut up!

Umbridge wanted to stop John from going on his rampage.

"Professor Umbridge believes that your long-term abuse of power, favoritism towards students, and misconduct in teaching have seriously undermined the fairness of Hogwarts education!"

When did I ever say those things?!

"Oh, really?"

"Ms. Dolores, I have indeed received your accusations."

This time it was Professor Snape who spoke, still staring coldly at Umbridge.

"I will truthfully report to the principal how you blatantly slandered a senior professor."

Umbridge was already pale with anger. Although she wanted to explain, she was terrified by Snape's final threatening words.

This triggered her sensitive nerves, and she suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up.

"Mr. Snape, as a senior investigator dispatched by the Ministry of Magic to Hogwarts, I possess absolute supervisory and discretionary authority!"

"Even if I were to request Mr. Merrick to investigate you, that is my right!"

However, Professor Snape was not intimidated by Umbridge's words. Instead, he revealed a cold smile, lightly stroking his sleeve with his fingertips, his voice as low as a snake's tongue.

"Oh? Is that so? Well then..."

"Merrick trespassed into the potions classroom, stole teaching materials, disrupted the teaching order, bullied students, insulted professors, and even stole my potions—did you allow these actions?"

"Can I assume that this is the real manifestation of the Ministry of Magic's improvements to Hogwarts education, as you so confidently proclaimed at the opening ceremony?"

???

Umbridge, who had been so aggressive just moments before, was stunned by these words and looked at John in disbelief, as if to confirm whether what Snape said was true.

John, very proudly, gave him a thumbs up.