Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 218 Determination

That's how Harry is. Once he's made up his mind about something, no matter how much others remind or refute him, he won't waver.

So, when Harry decided to get the crystal ball that held such great significance, even though he had no idea what it was or how to get it, the decision was already made.

As for how and when to do it, that's Hermione's problem to consider. He's only responsible for setting a goal; Hermione will take care of the rest.

It had been like this since first grade, so he felt perfectly justified in going to find the twins. Compared to things that required a lot of brainpower, the twins' "freedom plan" was more appealing to him.

Shortly after the fireworks incident, the twins were caught red-handed by Umbridge. At the time, they had just turned the castle's entrance hall into a muddy swamp, and the investigation team members all sank in as they passed by.

The twins stood arrogantly by the swamp, watching the group struggle desperately. Their pathetic state amused them greatly, and they even brought out the last fireworks to set off.

The cries for help and the sounds of fireworks attracted the students, which is how the unfortunate group was rescued by the snakes. Umbridge, of course, also arrived at the scene.

"It was you! You did it all!" Umbridge said triumphantly, waving her short wand around excitedly. "Turning the school grounds into a swamp, illegally setting off fireworks to disrupt normal order... Don't you think it's fun?"

"Yes, it's really fun." Fred replied equally smugly, and he and George looked at Umbridge without the slightest fear in their eyes.

"Do you understand the consequences of doing this? No, no, no, I think you don't understand what you're going to face..." Umbridge said, gesturing wildly. "You don't know, do you? As the headmaster of Hogwarts, I have the authority to decide on the punishment for students who make mistakes."

"Now, I've decided it's time to bring back those abolished corporal punishment measures!"

"Congratulations, you will be the first to experience it."

"So, that's why your henchman Filch isn't here?" George looked around, then smiled at Umbridge. "Let me guess, did he go looking for his collection of torture instruments?"

"My God, this is absolutely terrifying!" Fred exclaimed, feigning fear. George trembled as well, but both wore bright smiles.

"Your plan is going to fail, you ugly pink toad!" Fred said. "Full-time school life is no longer suitable for us; there's a wider world out there waiting for us to explore!"

"That's right, that's what I think too," George agreed.

Before Umbridge could react, the twins simultaneously pulled out their wands and summoned their brooms.

Goodbye, no, never again!

The two of them mounted their brooms and flew high up before the investigation team could surround them, even circling arrogantly once.

"Goodbye, Hogwarts!" Fred shouted, while George yelled at Peeves, who had been watching the commotion, "Hey, Peeves! Teach them a lesson for us!"

"As you wish!" To everyone's astonishment, Peeves removed its hat for the first time and even gave the two of them a flamboyant bow. Then came the terrifying dung bomb attack...

On this day that the twins chased after freedom, it was also Umbridge's most embarrassing day since arriving at Hogwarts. Peeves' treasured dung bombs were incredibly powerful; the stench, strong enough to make anyone dizzy, lingered even after three or four days. Umbridge and Filch were even more exaggerated; a week had passed, and the stench still clung to them.

Umbridge was not going to let it go, but since the instigator had already left, she could only vent her anger on others.

Numerous harsh school rules were promulgated, severely restricting students' behavior. Students were forbidden from doing this and that, and any violation would result in Filch's whip and shackles. This unprecedentedly oppressive atmosphere at Hogwarts forced everyone to be mindful of their words and actions.

"It's practically a concentration camp!" Many young wizards from Muggle families commented, and after understanding what a concentration camp was, this statement immediately gained almost universal approval.

Yes, except for the little snakes, after all, they are the main force of the Umbridge Survey Team.

It was under these circumstances that the final Quidditch match took place – Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor.

With Harry suspended and the twins gone, Gryffindor was out of contention for the championship early on. The only point of interest in this match was whether Ravenclaw could secure a larger margin of victory, which would determine whether the Eagles could win the final championship.

The young lions were generally pessimistic about the game, but none of them missed the game.

"We couldn't get any worse, could we?" Harry said nonchalantly from the stands.

"Yeah, it couldn't get any worse..." Hermione chimed in listlessly.

As expected, Gryffindor quickly fell into a disadvantageous position as soon as Madam Hooch announced the start of the match. But the little lions still cheered loudly for their players, but unfortunately, even if they shouted until their voices were hoarse, they couldn't drown out the "Weasley Song" coming from the Slytherin side—a song specifically mocking Ron.

"Harry, Hermione..." A hoarse voice sounded in Harry's ear. The two looked in the direction of the voice and saw Hagrid's stubble-covered face, which seemed to have several new wounds.

"Can you come with me? Right now, while everyone's watching the game?"

"Could we wait a bit, until after the match?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"No, right now... please..." Hagrid said.

"Okay, let's go then."

Harry and Hermione struggled to squeeze out with Hagrid, mainly because Hagrid would look back at the Professors' stand every few steps to see if Umbridge had noticed them, even after they left the stand.

"Don't worry about Hagrid, her attention is all on the pitch. She probably thinks something's going to go wrong," Harry said.

"Yes, yes, I really hope something goes wrong, that would buy us more time..." Hagrid continued walking, his worried expression unchanged.

"What's wrong, Hagrid? What happened?" Hermione asked. Hagrid had been acting strangely this semester, and his current appearance gave her some clues.

"You'll see..." Hagrid said, "Soon, soon, almost there..."

As he spoke, he led the two into the forbidden forest.

(End of this chapter)