Chapter 298 A Long Dinner

During dinner, almost all the staff heard about Umbridge's unsuccessful attempt to deduct points.

Professor McGonagall leaned over and asked Anthony kindly if he wanted some rosemary salt and pepper roasted crispy potatoes. Professor Bubbaji raised his glass when he brought the pumpkin juice, toasted with him, and then without explanation Sipping his sparkling water with a smile.

Umbridge sat next to Snape, and on her other side was Dumbledore's high-backed chair, which was still empty. She didn't seem to notice the commotion on Professor McGonagall's side at all. She just turned her head and talked to Snape, the bow on her head swaying slightly. Snape maintained a cool and polite demeanor, and it was unclear whether he was enjoying the conversation.

Anthony might have sympathized with Snape, but Lockhart walked in right after, gracefully pulled out his chair and sat next to him.

"Tsk, tsk, Henry, that's a big show, isn't it? A big show," Lockhart said, wagging his finger. "I've heard it all. Of course, I immediately understood why you did it. But I must say it. , this is too cruel to Dolores, and yes, it’s hard for people with privileges to resist showing off, especially in front of those who don’t have them…

"But, Henry, Henry, I feel the need to warn you, as your friend or brother, this behavior is really terrible! Look at me, Gilderoy Lockhart, adventurer and best-selling author ..." A long list of titles slipped out of his mouth smoothly, as if they were also coated in the shiny sauce on the steak, "But I will never brag about the little conveniences I get because of my fame - although I do often do it. I get freebies from restaurants, warm welcomes from hotels, and sometimes clothing stores offer me wizard robes, but I won’t talk about them.”

"You're right, Professor Lockhart," Anthony said calmly.

Professor Bubbaji sneered beside him, and just as Anthony was about to stop her from arousing Lockhart's already strong desire to talk, Dumbledore strode into the hall.

"Good evening, Minerva. I received your letter about employment counseling in the new semester. That is a good idea." Dumbledore pulled out his chair and turned to Umbridge with a smile. "Good evening, Dolores – Ah, yummy! I hope you tried this lamb chop and I’d say it probably tasted better than you remembered, given that we recently renovated the oven and stove in the kitchen. ”

Umbridge said in a pretentious scream: "Thank you, Headmaster. However, I may prefer the original taste... There are parts of tradition worth discarding, but there are also parts worth retaining. For example, in the "1873 School Standards and Framework" Article 47 of Part Three of the Law stipulates..."

"Of course, Dolores," Dumbledore said cheerfully but firmly, interrupting Umbridge. Professor McGonagall turned her head and looked at Professor Sprout.

Professor Bubbaji leaned over and said softly to Anthony: "Umbridge must be referring to the clause that no one has mentioned for a long time. Professors at Hogwarts are not allowed to organize students on campus to carry out activities against the Ministry of Magic. of."

"But there was no professor...oh, albacore."

Professor Boubaji snorted: "Obviously." She sat up straight and began to cut the lamb chops in front of her.

…

When everyone had eaten and drank enough, the lamb chops, steaks, baked potatoes, peas and carrots on the long table suddenly disappeared, replaced by apple puree, pudding and plates of cream in glass bowls. cake. The students made a murmur of satisfaction and complaint, and began to fill their already full stomachs with one or more desserts.

Eventually, the desserts disappeared too. Dumbledore stood up, and the lively conversation that echoed under the enchanted ceiling gradually stopped. The students stared at Dumbledore and occasionally glanced at Umbridge sitting next to him.

"No matter how reluctant we are to say goodbye, the Christmas and New Year holidays are still over," Dumbledore said. "Our second half of the semester starts tomorrow."

Anthony heard a murmur among the students. Dumbledore usually only gave this speech at the first-of-term dinner. More eyes drifted towards Umbridge. She maintained her smile and looked at the students below.

"Since you have already heard it, I will not repeat the words about the ban on the use of magic in the Forbidden Forest and corridors." Dumbledore continued in a low voice, "In addition, there are no restrictions on the west side of the Forbidden Forest. The open space is under construction and is temporarily prohibited from being entered by anyone except Professor McGonagall, Professor Kettleburn, Hagrid and Professor Flitwick."

"Well, I think he forgot to mention someone's name," Lockhart said to Anthony. "Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't want you to think I'm any more magical than them, but you know, Henry, Since they're building something, it's important to get help from the right people, and I happen to be..."

Anthony kept his polite gaze on Dumbledore through his hum, pretending that he hadn't deserted while the Headmaster was speaking. He was mentally counting the list of professors who had been excluded from the construction of the zoo, including Dumbledore himself. Professor McGonagall gave them a stern look.

Dumbledore said: "In addition, I am pleased to introduce Ms. Dolores Umbridge. As some of you may already know, she will be joining us as Senior Inquisitor."

Judging from the expressions on the students' faces, it was hard to tell how many knew Umbridge from newspapers rather than rumors. Gryffindors looked at her with general disgust, no doubt hearing of the house points she was trying to deduct. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw seemed calmer, just looking at the senior investigator cautiously or curiously, while Slytherin was simply delighted.

"My father knows her." Anthony saw Malfoy telling the person next to him clearly, "She is a good person."

"For the rest of the time -" Dumbledore paused suddenly, turned to look at Umbridge, and then sat down. Only then did Anthony realize that Umbridge had stood up and was about to deliver her speech.

The students looked at her in surprise, several of them opening their mouths wide enough to stuff a small piece of cake into them. Even Lockhart stopped chattering because of such a sudden change and turned his head to look at Umbridge.

Umbridge looked very pleased with the impact she had made.

"Thank you so much, Headmaster, for your welcome speech, that was so lovely." Umbridge said sweetly, "It feels great to be back at Hogwarts. In the past few days, I have I have had close conversations with many of you, and I believe I can become close friends with more of you in the future.”

A Gryffindor said very loudly, "I don't believe it."

Umbridge paused, tilted her head slightly, cleared her throat, and continued: "With our joint efforts, we will definitely ensure that Hogwarts becomes a safe, fair, and qualified magic school. The rationality, compliance, and legality of the education received by young wizards... The successive principals of Hogwarts have made their own revisions and interpretations of the school's internal regulations when managing the school. This is completely appropriate. With the times, With the continuous progress of the past system, if there are no reasonable revisions, additions and deletions to the past system, the rules will inevitably become obsolete shackles and hinder the development of the Magic Age. However, at the same time, we must pay attention to the rationality of the previous system and cannot do it for the sake of it. Revise for the sake of revision, abandon for the sake of abandonment, radically deny all traditions, cover your ears and not listen to outside suggestions... Of course, on the other hand, you should never blindly follow outside suggestions..."

As she expressed her high opinion, most of the students gradually lost their patience and started talking to each other in low voices. The people on the staff bench remained quiet, and Professor McGonagall's mouth was pursed tightly. Snape sat upright next to Umbridge, staring at the napkin in front of him. Professor Flitwick looked extremely serious, staring at Umbridge with his head sideways.

"...We are willing to affirm that with the cooperation of the Ministry of Magic and all those who care about the inheritance of the next generation of the wizarding world, Hogwarts, a prestigious ancient magic school, will surely usher in its transformation."

Umbridge finished her speech and sat down.

Dumbledore started to applaud, and then the professors - the students still didn't fully react, but some people started to join in the applause one after another - Umbridge put on a smile -

Just then, Lockhart stood up.

"Oh, you troublemakers!" Lockhart shouted with a cheerful face, immediately grabbing everyone's attention. "I noticed that some of you weren't listening at all! Dolores was right. Great, but because she's not as good at speaking as some people, you started to - well, you started to desert. I won't say how good my eloquence is -" He smiled brightly. He paused for a moment, as if waiting for rebuttal and cheers, but everyone was busy staring at him, and no one had this time, "——But if you are curious about how I improve my speaking skills, this Saturday' Lock Your Heart Club' activities continue as usual and my office door is open to all of you."

Umbridge looked at Lockhart coldly and then at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore leaned forward and looked up at the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor with the same interested attitude he had when listening to Umbridge's speech.

"Henry." Professor Bubaji whispered behind Anthony.

Anthony was also looking at Lockhart with a very curious expression. He leaned back slightly: "Huh?"

"I'm beginning to think that I should at least finish teaching Muggle Studies for this semester." Professor Bubaji said. "This may be an exciting half semester."

"It starts with a long dinner," Anthony said. "I want to go back to the office."