"Rennervate."
Without even glancing at them, Rowena waved her hand at the two people on the ground. With a sharp intake of breath, Fudge and Umbridge opened their eyes in a panic.
"Publicly attacking the Minister for Magic and the Undersecretary, Dumbledore, you…"
Fudge's angry voice was laced with weakness, yet before he could finish, his words came to an abrupt halt as he saw Rowena and Helga.
"This is impossible."
He murmured softly, then suddenly whipped his head to look at Headmaster Dumbledore, who had also just entered the Great Hall.
"Dumbledore, to deal with us, you actually went so far as to find people to impersonate the Hogwarts Founders!"
Fudge accused in a shrill voice; in his terror, his voice was actually starting to rival Umbridge's.
Headmaster Dumbledore shook his head with a smile, looking at Fudge with his usual gentleness, "Cornelius, I did not hire anyone to impersonate the Founders. Besides, the Founders lived a thousand years ago; who could possibly impersonate them? Without their hair or fingernails, Polyjuice Potion wouldn't work."
"Who knows? Perhaps you used some Transfiguration, didn't you?"
Fudge narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Headmaster Dumbledore. Regardless, he refused to believe that the Founders from a thousand years ago had returned to Hogwarts.
A Hogwarts with its Founders would absolutely, completely slip out of his and the Ministry of Magic's control.
"Tsk," Helga made a sound of disdain as she looked at Fudge on the ground, "Does burying your head like an ostrich make you happy?"
Whether it was disbelieving Voldemort's resurrection, or calling it impossible when faced with her and Rowena, or suspecting Dumbledore of hiring imposters.
This Fudge had truly mastered the ostrich mentality of "if I insist on not believing it, then it doesn't exist" to the extreme.
"No one can live for a thousand years without aging."
Fudge gritted his teeth, putting on a brave front as he looked at Rowena and Helga opposite him.
The two Founders looked at each other and shrugged helplessly. Rowena extended her right hand, and with a flash of white magical light, a book appeared in her hand.
"Everyone, look closely. This is the Book of Admittance for Hogwarts."
As she spoke, she showed the object in her hand to everyone present, even specifically letting the Aurors Fudge had brought along take a look.
The Aurors leaned in to take a closer look, then nodded at Fudge with pale faces.
It really was the Book of Admittance; it even had the names of the Young Wizards on it.
So, standing before them, without a doubt, were truly the two Founders of Hogwarts.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to hold the Book of Admittance directly.
"Cornelius Fudge. Dolores Umbridge."
The book in Rowena's hands flipped automatically, stopping rapidly once it found the specific people, settling on that page.
Looking up at Umbridge beside Fudge, Rowena smiled "kindly," "Ms. Umbridge, given your actions and the severe impact you have caused to the Young Wizards of Hogwarts, Helga and I, in our capacity as Founders, have decided to erase your name from the Book of Admittance."
"The number of Founders agreeing to this action is greater than one, and the number of those opposing is zero. From today on, your status and your academic credentials will no longer be recognized by Hogwarts."
As the words fell, the Book of Admittance left Rowena's hand and flew into mid-air. Under the gaze of everyone, Umbridge's name slowly vanished from the book.
Amanda watched this scene and couldn't help but glance at her two Mothers. Should she say as expected of her Mothers? Their methods were truly extraordinary.
In this way, they had very effectively announced their return while simultaneously striking a direct blow to Fudge and Umbridge.
Just think about it: the first and second students in history to be expelled after graduating from Hogwarts. If this news were exposed, what would happen to Fudge and Umbridge's reputations?
One had to know that in the hearts of the British Wizarding World, Hogwarts held a position that could be described as supreme.
Reaching out to catch the returning Book of Admittance, Helga narrowed her eyes as she looked at Fudge, who was sitting slumped beside Umbridge, stunned and unable to process what had happened.
"Cornelius Fudge," as her words fell, the flipping Book of Admittance stopped precisely on the page with Fudge's name, "You attempted to meddle with Hogwarts and interfere with its normal teaching. Given your actions and your offense against Hogwarts itself, Rowena and I, in our capacity as Founders, have decided to erase your name from the Book of Admittance."
"No, no, you can't do this, I am the Minister for Magic!"
"I graduated from Hogwarts!"
Fudge sat slumped on the ground, shouting impotently. However, the fact remained that other than shouting and screaming, there was nothing he could do.
"So he actually knows he graduated from Hogwarts," Cho Chang, sitting beside Amanda, mocked Fudge mercilessly, "Looking at his actions, I thought he had a grudge against Hogwarts."
Sending someone who looked so unreliable and was also his lackey to Hogwarts to serve as the defense against the dark arts professor, and demanding to arrest Amanda and Hermione the moment they opened their mouths—he really thought highly of himself.
"This is what a politician with power is like. They are never satisfied with the power they hold; they only keep asking for more."
Penelope crossed her arms and watched coldly as Fudge defended himself. Yet, not once did his defense leave out the words 'Minister for Magic.'
It was as if this status was his talisman; whoever heard those five words had to yield to him and do as he wished.
"If power cannot serve the public, then power and those who hold it are meaningless."
Hermione looked at Fudge with a determined gaze. She had always believed one thing: those who possess power should actually be the ones with the least power.
Because the power they possess is meant to be exercised for the broader public; the power they possess exists to protect the broader public.
In front of the public, the power holder themselves should be ranked last, or rather, anyone involved should be ranked after the public. The public is the true priority.
"If every power holder had your mindset, then perhaps the world wouldn't have so much strife."
Marietta Eckmore chuckled softly and reached out to stroke Hermione's back. Possessing such thinking, this junior of hers would surely become an excellent leader.
Amanda turned her head to look at Hermione, meeting her determined gaze just as she happened to look over. Smiling gently, Amanda reached out and lightly held Hermione's hand.
Feeling the grip from the person beside her, Amanda couldn't stop herself from looking forward to the changes Hermione might bring to this antiquated Wizarding World, and even to the antiquated British Wizarding World as a whole, once she stepped onto that "stage."
No matter how Fudge shouted or emphasized that he was the Minister for Magic, his name was ultimately erased from the Hogwarts Book of Admittance.
Watching his name vanish with his own eyes, Fudge's fat body, like Umbridge's, trembled uncontrollably with rage.
"I do not recognize this," he gritted his teeth viciously as he looked at Rowena and Helga, "The Ministry of Magic will not acknowledge this matter, and you are not the real Founders."
"Say what you will," Rowena waved her hand indifferently, and the Book of Admittance vanished instantly, "In any case, you are no longer recognized by Hogwarts."
"I also want to remind you two of one thing," Helga looked mockingly at Fudge and Umbridge, who were slumped on the ground, "Don't point fingers at Hogwarts, or we will go and 'guide' the Ministry of Magic as well."
"Since you are this year's defense against the dark arts professor at Hogwarts, then you stay."
Reaching out to point at Umbridge, Helga said casually. Letting such a person stay would just happen to serve as a target for the Hogwarts Young Wizards to practice on.
The practice content would be dealing with Umbridge.
All kinds of Potions and minor jinxes were within the scope of training.
Helga, who appeared gentle and harmless at first glance but was actually the most "rotten to the core" among the four Founders, thought happily to herself.
Rowena looked at her helplessly and dotingly, then turned back to look seriously at Fudge and the Aurors.
"Now, unrelated personnel may leave Hogwarts."
Fudge glared at Rowena and Helga one last time before being helped up by the Aurors and fleeing the Hogwarts Great Hall at top speed.
Coming in aggressively only to flee with their tails between their legs—with this, whatever little dignity the Ministry of Magic had left was completely gone.
With the show over, the Young Wizards no longer paid attention to the irrelevant Umbridge and turned back to eat their breakfast. They had to eat quickly; they had classes to attend after, who had the time to keep looking at that pink toad?
Meanwhile, Umbridge, who had stumbled to her feet from the ground, tried hard to conceal the overflowing venom in her eyes. She limped to the Staff Table, lowered her head, and ate her breakfast without a word.
Since she still had to stay at Hogwarts to teach, she would proceed according to her original plan, but… she would have to avoid that damned little girl.
At the thought of Amanda, the knife and fork she held tightened a little more.
Even though she was right in front of her, she couldn't take revenge because standing behind Amanda were the two Hogwarts Founders.
Yes, even if they didn't admit it out loud, in the hearts of Fudge and Umbridge, they had both confirmed that the two Founders must be real.
Otherwise, who else would have the authority to erase a name from the Book of Admittance, especially after the owner of the name had already graduated?
Being unable to take revenge on the person she wanted to most, this realization made Umbridge feel unbearable distress.
But it didn't matter. She had a more important point in coming here anyway, which was to weaken Hogwarts. She absolutely could not let a second Amanda appear at Hogwarts, or rather, she absolutely could not let the Hogwarts Young Wizards master the magic "they didn't need."
"Put away your wands, everyone. You won't need them in this class."
"A Defense Against the Dark Arts class that doesn't need wands—what a magical statement."
A Little Eagle muttered, having no intention of following Umbridge's instruction to put away the wands.
"Just as magical as she is," a Little Badger added silently from the side, "Clearly a person, yet she makes me feel like I'm facing a disgusting, smiling toad."
"Exactly, and this toad is also pink."
The Young Wizards whispered among themselves; not a single person actually put away their wand. Umbridge took a deep breath as she watched this scene before managing to maintain the smile on her face.
"Alright children, I said put away your wands, then open your books."
Still, not a single person listened. Umbridge gritted her teeth and gripped her wand tightly. However, Amanda's icy gaze made her realize quickly that she couldn't lose her temper; she didn't have the qualification to lose her temper.
"The first class of the school year is Defense Against the Dark Arts; what bad luck."
A Little Eagle sitting next to Amanda stroked her hair, tucked it behind her ear, and complained softly.
"Based on an analysis of the current situation, I agree with you."
Amanda added a sentence, making the Little Eagle beside her blush uncontrollably. Amanda had replied to her, and she had even said she agreed!
Seeing that the Young Wizards below had no intention of cooperating with her, Umbridge closed her eyes, struggled to keep a smile on her face, picked up the textbook, and began reading from it.
Anyway, as long as she didn't let the Defense Against the Dark Arts class have any practical content, her goal would be achieved.
However, her goal was clearly not Amanda's, nor was it the goal of the other Young Wizards.
No practical content in Defense Against the Dark Arts class? Are you kidding? What kind of Defense Against the Dark Arts class would that be? Might as well call it a reading class.
All the Little Eagles and Little Badgers turned to look at Amanda, waiting for her decision.
Back in their Second Year, it was Amanda who led them in learning Defense Against the Dark Arts, which had truly benefited them immensely. Now… could they look forward to it as well?!
Facing the expectant gazes of the other Young Wizards as they rubbed their hands, Amanda raised her right hand with an indifferent expression and pointed a finger at Umbridge.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts undoubtedly requires practice to be learned."
Her words abruptly interrupted Umbridge, who was reading from the book.
Looking up and seeing Amanda pointing at her, she subconsciously threw down the book and backed up against the blackboard.
Watching this ridiculous scene, the Young Wizards below unceremoniously unleashed a burst of enthusiastic laughter.
And amidst this laughter, Amanda's emotionless voice stood out distinctly, "In this class, you are to block all the spells I cast at Professor Umbridge. Begin now."
As soon as the words fell, a non-verbal, wandless Stupefy shot toward Umbridge. A Ravenclaw sitting by the podium reacted quickly and hurriedly waved the wand in their hand.
"Shield Charm!"
The Shield Charm barely blocked Amanda's Stupefy. The next moment, another Expelliarmus shot toward Umbridge. Hurricane Curse, Snowball Curse, and even a water cannon version of Aguamenti—various spells poured out from Amanda's fingertips.
Any everyday spell could become incredibly offensive in her hands. The Young Wizards in the entire classroom were waving their wands frantically. Shield Charms, Protego, Safe Garrison—defensive magic was piled onto Umbridge as if it were free.
Nearly thirty people in the room didn't stop for a second, just barely managing to block Amanda, who wasn't even being serious. As for Umbridge herself, she was covering her head and screaming frantically amidst the blinding flashes of magic, and even her own wand was frightened out of her hand and fell to the floor.
It could be said that she fully displayed the style of the Fudge faction.
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