HP: Azkaban's Outstanding Graduate

Even the Ministry of Magic had to take it seriously—but this time it wasn't Minister Fudge himself who came, but his right-hand man, Dolores Umbridge.

This short, plump middle-aged witch, who always wore pink cardigans, used her smooth-talking skills and flattery to rise from a lowly clerk in the Department of Magical Creatures Control to the position of Senior Deputy Minister of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in just a few years.

She was on this trip under the title of "safety supervisor," bearing the important responsibility of showcasing the image of the British Ministry of Magic to the international magical community.

Of course, in addition to this, she also had to be vigilant to prevent any uncontrollable or serious accidents from happening during the duel.

However, this so-called safety supervision is indeed somewhat superfluous, because the arena itself serves to protect the safety of both duelists.

After breakfast, everyone headed to the magnificent dueling arena under the professor's guidance.

As people walked on the suspension bridge, it felt like they were walking on clouds.

Although it wasn't the first time the students of Hogwarts had seen this magical place, they still couldn't help but gasp in awe at the magnificent sight before them when they stood there again.

The students and faculty at Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were deeply impressed.

They walked on the long, green vine-covered suspension bridge, their eyes filled with misty fog and colorful flower buds that shone brightly through it.

Only when the golden rays of the rising sun pierced through the thin mist did this dueling arena, suspended in the air, finally slowly shed its veil and reveal its full appearance.

The audience members took their seats in the pre-arranged locations, on comfortable chairs naturally woven from green vines.

Through the gaps in the vines, you can also overlook the panoramic view of Hogwarts Castle and even gaze at the vast edge of the Forbidden Forest.

The highlight of the day is the professors' exhibition match, designed to ignite the students' passion for dueling and also to allow time for Hogwarts to select eight participants.

These are the rules that the three principals decided on last night: each school will send eight elite students to compete in an elimination tournament; once the final three are determined, the tournament will switch to a round-robin format.

The rules are simple and clear, after all, this grand event itself carries a sense of haste and excitement from being decided on the spot.

However, the three principals had differing opinions on the arrangements for the professors' exhibition match.

Dumbledore insisted that the school's professors were competent enough to handle the exhibition match, while the other two headmasters had specially selected and brought their schools' best duelists in order to take this opportunity to showcase the strength of their professors to the wizarding world.

The three of them even had a small argument because of this.

"Professor Nikia, who accompanied us this time, is a dueling master recognized by all the teachers and students of our school."

Mrs. Maxim gracefully raised her chin, her silk-gloved fingers lightly tapping the list on the parchment. "It would be a pity for all the students if she couldn't play."

Dumbledore said gently but firmly, "But we should remember that the purpose of this gathering was to inspire students' passion for magic, not..."

"Instead of showing off military strength?" Karkarov suddenly interrupted, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Albus, you and I both know that in the current situation, demonstrating strength is the best recruitment brochure."

His sinister gaze swept across the list, his withered fingers tapping heavily on Professor Durmstrang's name: "Professor Buffalo represents our school's century-old dueling tradition. If he cannot step onto the stage..."

He drew out the word meaningfully.

After a heated discussion, the three principals finally reached an agreement: professors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would present the grand finale exhibition match for the event.

……

Once all the teachers and students were seated, Dumbledore rose from his chair and slowly walked towards the vine-covered podium:

"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice resounded clearly throughout the hall, "the duel is about to begin. Today, six distinguished professors will present us with a magnificent exhibition match! They are: Professor Severus Snape, Professor Philius Flitwick, Professor Minerva McGonagall, and Professor Sagles Greengrass from Hogwarts; Professor Welsh Nikia from Beauxbatons; and Professor Cud Baffroth from Durmstrang..."

Every time Dumbledore called out a name, a new wave of cheers would erupt from the stands.

As the last professor's name was called, the entire dueling arena transformed into a boiling ocean of magic, the atmosphere reaching its peak.

Just as Dumbledore was about to announce the exhibition match arrangements to everyone, a deliberate sound of high heels tapping on the slate, accompanied by an affected cough, came from the seats on the left.

Dolores Umbridge, wearing her unsettling pink cardigan, moved over like a poisonous pink mushroom.

She wore her signature cloying smile and held a roll of parchment covered in the Ministry of Magic's seal.

Good morning, esteemed principals, professors, and students!

She greeted me in a high-pitched, childlike voice that pierced the entire dueling arena, “What an exhilarating morning! To ensure that this momentous international exchange, representing the highest level of the British magical community, proceeds ‘safely,’ ‘properly,’ and ‘in accordance with procedure,’ the Ministry of Magic, of course, under the keen care of Minister Fudge, has entrusted me—Safety Supervisor Dolores Jane Umbridge—with the latest guidelines.”

Then, completely ignoring Dumbledore, she unfolded the parchment on the platform, cleared her throat, and began to read aloud in that drowsy, deliberately affectedly authoritative tone:

"Article 1: All participants, including the professors who will be participating in the exhibition match, must sign the 'Safety Responsibility Commitment' and the 'Duel Code of Conduct Confirmation' approved by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement before the match. Three copies shall be made, one for the Ministry of Magic, one for the school, and one for the individual. Those who have not signed shall be prohibited from going on stage."

Mrs. Maxime frowned slightly, rose from her seat, and stared sternly at Umbridge: "Mrs. Umbridge, Professor Nikia of Beauxbatons is not under the jurisdiction of the British Ministry of Magic. In fact, none of the students present, including myself, are British. Moreover, I believe that Professor Nikia's experience and reputation are the most reliable guarantee. Signing these cumbersome documents is a sign of distrust in her professional competence."

“Oh, dear Mrs. Maxim,” Umbridge’s smile remained unchanged, but her eyes were devoid of warmth, “trust is good, but rules and regulations are necessary. The Ministry of Magic must be responsible for all possible… well… accidents. This is procedure, for the safety of everyone.”

She emphasized the word "safety".

Karkaroff's face was so dark it could drip water: "Professor Bafferos's time is precious, not meant to be wasted signing a bunch of worthless papers here! No one understands the traditions of dueling better than Durmstrang!"

“Tradition is a precious legacy, Headmaster Karkaroff,” Umbridge’s voice remained as sweet as ever, “but times are changing, and the Ministry of Magic has a responsibility to incorporate tradition into a more modern management system. Please understand, this is a necessary procedure.”

She waved her wand, and a thick stack of documents, smelling of ink, appeared before the three principals.

Dumbledore looked at Umbridge through his half-moon spectacles with his deep blue eyes and said calmly, "Dolores, although this is rather redundant, I think we can work together to complete these paperwork in order to get started as soon as possible."

He was the first to pick up the quill pen and sign his name at the end of the document. Maxim and Karkarov exchanged a disgusted look, but could only helplessly do as he was told.

Chapter 130 The Principals with Maximum Endurance!

After finally getting the documents signed, Umbridge pulled out another list.

"Secondly: Regarding the dueling arena. Article 7, Section 6 of the Ministry of Magic's Safety Regulations clearly stipulates that any public magical arena must be equipped with an independent protective barrier generator certified by the Ministry of Magic. Hogwarts' original arena protection... well... lacks Ministry certification and regular safety inspection reports. Therefore, I have arranged for professionals from the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters to install the Ministry's latest model of 'Absolute Safety Shield' on the arena before the start of the exhibition match."

"Additional protection?" Karkaroff almost roared. "This arena itself is a masterpiece of modern magic, and it's just been completed! Last night, the three of us headmasters tested it, and its protection is ten thousand times more reliable than your junk!"

“Principal Karkarov, please watch your words.”

Umbridge's smile froze for a moment, but quickly recovered. "While it is newly built and has been inspected by you, modern magical engineering requires more meticulous testing from the Ministry of Magic regarding safety and controllability. Only the Ministry of Magic's standards are uniform, scientific, and repeatedly verified. For the safety of our international friends, namely your school's professors, this is an indispensable step. The installation process is expected to take... um... about two hours. Please be patient."

As soon as she finished speaking, several wizards with blank expressions, wearing work clothes with the Ministry of Magic emblem, carried several heavy instruments to the huge stone tablet in the center of the arena and began to install them with clanging and banging.

The audience could already hear hushed whispers and boos from the students.

As everyone suppressed their anger and waited for the so-called "safety shield" to be installed, Umbridge turned his gaze to the six participating professors in the preparation area.

“The third point,” Umbridge’s voice rang out again, with a gleaming scrutiny, “is about the content of the duels. To ensure a safe demonstration and to avoid any negative influence or dangerous imitation of underage students, the Ministry of Magic recommends that exhibition matches should be limited to demonstrating the application of basic protective spells and disarming charms. Any spells that are offensive, destructive, or may cause uncontrollable consequences, such as certain… well… more intense spells, should be prohibited.”

She looked specifically at Professor Baffroth of Durmstrang: "I've noticed that Durmstrang's approach to the use and teaching of magic might be... rather direct? So, just to be on the safe side, Professor Baffroth, please be sure to follow this guideline."

"what?!"

Karkaroff completely erupted, his withered finger trembling as he pointed at Umbridge, “You’re allowing a Durmstrang dueling master to use only ‘Ironclad Charm’ and ‘Expelliarmus’ in a highly anticipated exhibition match?! This is an insult! A trampling on Durmstrang’s century-old dueling tradition! Professor Bafferos is an expert in real combat! In suppression! In effective techniques to render opponents incapable of resistance! Not your childish tricks!”

Although Professor Bufferus himself did not speak, his tightly pursed lips and the burning anger in his eyes said it all.

He crossed his arms, his chest heaving violently, as if he were about to pull out his wand at any moment.

Umbridge, however, simply clutched his chest dramatically, feigning shock: "Oh my God, Principal Karkaroff, you're too excited! Safety! Everything is for safety! You see, Professor Nikia of Beauxbatons seems to understand perfectly."

She glanced at the elegant witch with long, silver-white hair, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes. "An elegant defense can also showcase the subtlety of magic, can't it? Excessive aggression only causes unnecessary panic, especially in front of so many children. The Ministry of Magic's guiding principles are 'harmony, safety, and control.' Please adhere to them."

The nightingale remained expressionless and silent, but a hint of coldness flashed deep in its eyes.

In the audience, the Hogwarts students were already bursting with excitement.

Who does she think she is?

Ron said indignantly to Harry and Hermione, "Professor McGonagall told us that even a dragon couldn't break that ring! What's the point of that ugly barrier she created? And she even wants the professors to use only the Disarming Charm? What's the point of watching that!"

"Typical bureaucracy!"

Hermione frowned, took a copy of the "Compilation of Current Regulations of the Ministry of Magic" from the bottle, and quickly flipped through it. "The clauses she cited were either taken out of context or were newly issued 'guidance opinions' with vague scopes of application, not mandatory laws at all. She is simply abusing the name of 'security' to interfere recklessly."

“Look at her in all pink, and that affected smile,” Ginny said with disgust, “she looks like a toad with lipstick on.”

Luna and Astoria did not refute, but simply sighed and comforted the furious Ginny.

“Hey guys,” George Weasley raised his voice deliberately to make sure everyone around could hear, “I bet a Galleon that Umbridge’s next move will be to mandate that only pink wands can be used in duels, and that everyone must recite the Ministry of Magic’s Code of Conduct before casting a spell!”

Fred immediately chimed in, "We also need to stipulate the criteria for determining victory: whose smile best conforms to the Ministry of Magic's 'harmony' standard!"

A suppressed snickering sound rose from the surroundings.

Although Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students couldn't understand everything, they could still fully grasp how unpleasant this "safety supervisor" was from the Hogwarts students' disgusted expressions and Umbridge's behavior.

The three principals stood together, all with grim expressions.

Dumbledore remained calm, but the gaze behind his glasses was no longer gentle. Madame Maxim straightened her back, her chin held even higher, as if enduring a profound insult. Karkaroff trembled with rage, his withered hands gripping his wand tightly, wishing he could immediately unleash a curse upon the other man.

This woman is wielding her authority too high, using the shackles of "safety" and "regulations" to gradually extinguish the brilliance that this grand event should have.

A suffocating sense of disgust filled the air, its target clearly fixed on the pink figure.

But Umbridge was completely oblivious, or rather, she thoroughly enjoyed this feeling of being "in control."

She wore that nauseatingly sweet smile, her eyes constantly scanning her "territory," ready to issue the next "for everyone's good" instruction at any moment.

But when Ministry of Magic officials handed Sargeras a thick stack of security responsibility pledges, the young professor's patience finally ran out.

He thought these three principals were truly remarkable, to be able to tolerate this pink toad jumping around so brazenly and disgustingly on the back of their hands... No wonder they were able to sit in the principal's position, their tolerance was indeed extraordinary.

However, he doesn't have the habit of "indulging" others.

With a blank expression, he snapped his fingers, and the thick stack of parchment was instantly engulfed by pale flames, turning to ashes in the blink of an eye.

Immediately afterwards, he casually pointed his wand at the "Absolute Safety Shield" in the center of the arena.

Amidst the terrified screams of several Ministry of Magic employees, the cold metal contraption instantly melted into molten iron. Then, it was roughly swept away by invisible magic, flung off like a snotty snot, and crashed into the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Chapter 131 You Lost Something

Umbridge's sweet, fake smile finally shattered, replaced by a distorted expression of shock and rage.

Like a pink salamander whose tail had been stepped on, she charged menacingly at Sagres, her short, stubby fingers almost poking his nose.

"You! What have you done?!" Her shrill voice rose in anger.

She stood with her hands on her hips, her index finger pointing at Sagres trembling slightly from the force she was using.

"How dare you openly damage Ministry of Magic property?! This is a blatant disregard for the Ministry of Magic's authority! I demand that you immediately..."

laugh!

A sharp cutting spell instantly tore through the air. Umbridge felt a gust of wind, followed by a chill on her fingertips.

pat!