Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 209 Ike in My Dream

Seeing this scene, everyone's hearts clenched. Even though Professor Trelawney liked to say scary things in class, she was indeed the professor who gave students the highest pass rate for elective courses.

For that reason alone, no one dislikes her.

Well... Hermione doesn't dislike her, she just dislikes Divination class a bit, and besides, she hasn't canceled the class, she's always been.

Sobbing could be heard from the crowd, and many of the little witches were crying. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd as Professor McGonagall pushed her way out. She was holding a handkerchief, walked to Professor Trelawney's side, gently hugged her, and carefully wiped away her tears.

"Alright, alright, Sybil, stop crying..." Professor McGonagall gently comforted her. "It's not as bad as you think. You won't be leaving Hogwarts..."

"Is that so, Professor McGonagall?" Umbridge's voice was still cloyingly sweet, but her face held a hint of malice and mockery. "Who gave the approval?"

"I!"

A voice rang out, and people naturally made way for him; it was Dumbledore.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Umbridge let out a shrill laugh, pulling a roll of parchment from her robes and opening it. "This is the dismissal order I signed with the Minister for Magic. According to Education Order No. 23, the Hogwarts High Investigator—that is, me—has the right to inspect, retain, and dismiss any teacher I deem unqualified for the Ministry of Magic's standards."

"I didn't think Trelawney was qualified, so I fired her!"

"You're right. As the Supreme Investigator, you can certainly dismiss my teacher, but you don't have the right to expel her from Hogwarts." Dumbledore smiled kindly. "That right belongs to the Headmaster—that is, me. I want Trelawney to continue living at Hogwarts."

Then, she looked at Professor McGonagall and said calmly, "Take Sybil upstairs, Minerva."

"Of course, it would be my pleasure," Professor McGonagall replied with a smile. "Let's go, Sybil..."

Professor Sprout stepped forward and took Professor Trelawney's other arm, while Professor Flitwick pulled out his wand, made the box fly, and then followed. They walked straight past Umbridge, completely ignoring the ashen-faced man.

"What will you do when I appoint a new divination teacher and need to requisition her room?" Umbridge said.

"That's no problem," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "I've found a divination classroom, and he's willing to live on the first floor of the castle."

"Found it?" Umbridge's voice turned shrill. "I must remind you, according to Education Decree No. 22..."

"...The Ministry of Magic has the authority to appoint teachers only when the headmaster cannot find a suitable candidate." Dumbledore interrupted Umbridge, reciting the full contents of the education decree. "But I have found one now..."

As Dumbledore spoke, the sound of hooves approached. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a handsome centaur slowly walking towards them.

"Frenzer," Dumbledore's smile widened, as he spoke to the stunned Umbridge, "You'll find him quite suitable as the new Divination teacher."

Umbridge's eyes were wide open, and even though she was still smiling, anyone could tell she was about to explode with anger. Without replying or saying a word, she simply glared fiercely at Dumbledore and Ferrenze before squeezing out of the crowd in her high heels.

As soon as she left, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted in the foyer, causing Umbridge to pause for a moment before continuing on her way.

Harry clapped enthusiastically, cheering for Dumbledore along with everyone else. Everyone loved seeing Umbridge get the short end of the stick; Dumbledore had done a fantastic job, and everyone knew centaurs were natural fortune tellers.

"We need to be on high alert, Harry." While everyone else was overjoyed, Hermione remained staring straight in the direction Umbridge had left.

"She's already defeated, by Dumbledore! Besides, she's already rotten to the core, she can't get any worse!" Ron shouted, which immediately drew whistles and cheers.

"She only failed this time; she's still a senior investigator at Hogwarts," Hermione said calmly. "Remember my words, Dumbledore hired a new teacher, a centaur, without consulting her; she'll definitely get her revenge!"

"Didn't you see the look on Dumbledore and Ferrenzer's faces as she left?"

Hermione's words made Harry a little wary, but he quickly forgot about it amidst everyone's cheers. After all, it was just a minor incident for him; he had plenty more to worry about.

For example, the brain shut-off procedure, which still has no progress.

Snape's teaching became more severe; he saw Voldemort's face and the corridors of the Department of Mysteries in Harry's mind. This shouldn't have happened, but clearly Harry hadn't listened to him. Therefore, the Occlumency became more rigorous; each time it ended, Harry felt as if his head was about to split open, and consequently, the dreams became more frequent and clearer.

Once again feeling dizzy and disoriented, Harry left Snape's place and went straight back to his dormitory. After exchanging a few words with Ron and the others, he drifted off to sleep.

As if being carried by clouds, Harry felt lightheaded, a sensation that made him uneasy. He struggled for a while, but to no avail; his limbs seemed detached from his body and wouldn't obey him at all.

Suddenly, he was freed from that feeling of powerlessness, but the next second he was horrified to find himself standing in a room with curtains drawn, a long table in the middle of the room, and a chandelier with dozens of lamps hanging overhead. He sat in an ornate chair, and kneeling before him was someone he had seen many times in his dreams.

"Looks like I've been tricked?" he said.

"Master, please forgive me..." the person on the ground said, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"I don't blame you, Lukewood." His voice was cold. "Can you guarantee the reliability of your information?"

"Reliable...reliable..." Lukwood's voice trembled. "Browder would never take it, Master..."

"He knew he couldn't, which is why he took over the fight against Malfoy's Poison Curse..."

After a long silence, he finally said, "Get up, Lukwood..."

"It's not your fault, you just wasted a few months. You can start over..."

"Master, thank you, Master..." Lukewood was very excited and slowly stood up from the ground.

"I need your help, I need you to provide me with information," he said. "And you also need to do something for me."

"As you command, Master." Lukewood knelt down on one knee again, head bowed, eyes fixed on his toes.

"Although we have to start over, this time I'm going to try a different approach..." he said. "Your limited perspective is preventing you and Nagini from finding the right place. It's happened far too many times already, and I'm not going to wait any longer..."

"So, I need you to send someone over there, just like you sent Nagini."

"Is there a problem, Lukwood?"

"No...no problem, Master," Lukwood replied immediately.

"Very good, very good..." he said, beckoning, and a person immediately appeared beside him.

"Go with him, little Ike. I hope you can bring me good news..."

Harry stared in horror at the young wizard before him. He was tall and thin, with clear, pale blue eyes. His hair was long, reaching his shoulders, and was dry and not greasy at all.

Suddenly, Harry felt himself being pulled violently, as if his body was plummeting downwards. The intense feeling of weightlessness caused him to let out a bloodcurdling scream. The next second, he sat bolt upright in bed, gasping for breath, his face filled with terror, while Ike's last answer still echoed in his ears…

"Yes, teacher..."

(End of this chapter)