In fact, Harry and Ron didn't need Hermione's reminder; they were already prepared to leave immediately. What else could they do? It's not like they were going to stay and comfort Umbridge while she was twitching in pain.
That would have disgusted them to death.
Carelessly placing the quills back on Umbridge's desk, the two boys looked at her slumped figure—unable to even lift her head—and struggled to suppress their laughter, trying not to burst out right then and there.
"Cough, Professor Umbridge, detention time is up, so we'll be going now."
"Yeah, sweet dreams. Also, if you want to give us detention again next time, we'd be more than happy to come."
Harry and Ron coordinated their words with perfect chemistry. Their remarks made the five girls watching the projection feel that if they were Umbridge, they would have been fuming to the point of death.
"Mm... mm..." As expected, Umbridge, slumped over the desk, struggled in her rage. However, the intense pain made it impossible for her to say a word; she could only manage a couple of muffled grunts from her throat.
Ignoring Umbridge's unintelligible grunts, Harry and Ron turned and left her office.
Amanda watched the two boys walk out of Umbridge's office with a calm and indifferent expression. "Hurry back to the Dormitory. Goodnight, Harry, Ron."
After everyone said their goodnights, Amanda immediately shut off the projection and the sound.
Cho Chang raised her hand to rub her temples. Staring at the projection for nearly three hours had left her feeling a bit lightheaded and heavy-browed.
"Umbridge is using black magic items in Hogwarts and using them to punish students," she said while rubbing her temples. "This is a serious violation of school rules, and it might even be illegal, right?"
"Yes," Penelope nodded in agreement beside her. "I will go inform Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall."
And then the two Professors would likely notify Headmaster Dumbledore.
"But after today, Umbridge probably won't dare to use those quills of hers again," Marietta Eckmore said, resting her chin on her hands with a complex expression on her face. "It's really a pity; such a good suffering, and she only gets to taste it once."
"Don't worry," Amanda said, her hands clasped, appearing peaceful and steady. "As long as Umbridge wants to continue punishing everyone at Hogwarts, she will continue to reap what she sows and bring trouble upon herself."
"True, after all, we still have you, right?" Hermione smiled as she reached out to wrap her arms around Amanda's waist, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on her cheek.
"Mm..." Amanda closed her eyes, nuzzling against Hermione's chest in a spoiled and enjoying manner.
Hermione's face flushed red, and the hand around Amanda's waist gave a gentle squeeze. This girl, did she know how to take advantage of her so unconsciously? If she recovered her emotions later and became conscious of these things, what would she be like then?
Watching the interaction between their two juniors, the three seniors looked at each other and simultaneously broke into gratified yet mischievous smiles.
At breakfast the next day, before Umbridge could even make it from her office to the Great Hall, Penelope had already clearly explained what happened to Harry and Ron yesterday to Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall at the Staff Table.
Upon hearing that Umbridge actually dared to use a black magic quill against her students, Professor McGonagall's face turned red with rage. Her lips trembled slightly as she glared at the Great Hall doors, seemingly waiting for Umbridge to enter so she could ruthlessly hit her with a Transfiguration Spell.
Using black magic items to punish students? Did she really think they, the Professors, didn't exist?!
Professor Flitwick also tightened his grip on his cutlery as he listened. However, after seeing Professor McGonagall's state beside him, he silently loosened his hand. Even if they really had to come to blows later, it probably wouldn't be his turn.
Seeing that the two Professors were clearly angry, Penelope hurried to mention the protective badges Amanda had given Harry and Ron, and how the protective badges had reflected the damage of the black magic quills back onto Umbridge. Hearing this, the expressions of Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick finally softened a tiny bit.
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath and looked toward Amanda, who was chatting with Hermione while eating breakfast at the Ravenclaw Table. Her gaze was soft and filled with admiration.
"Miss Amanda is truly worthy of being one of Hogwarts' most outstanding students. To be honest, I rarely give such high praise to a Young Wizard."
She withdrew her gaze and shook her head with a smile. "I'm usually afraid they'll become arrogant, but Miss Amanda gives me absolutely no such concern."
"Please thank her on my behalf, Miss Penelope. Thank her for her help to Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. At the same time, I must thank you all as well. I know you five girls have been helping Potter. Thank you."
"And thank you, Filius. You've taught a wonderful group of students."
"Minerva, I don't think we need such a formal thank you between us." Professor Flitwick blinked, teasing his friend.
"We were just helping our friends; it's what we should do." Penelope also shook her head. Helping friends was only natural, wasn't it?
The conversation between Penelope and the two Professors was naturally overheard by the other Professors at the Staff Table. Except for Headmaster Dumbledore, who was away for some reason, all the other Professors teaching at Hogwarts heard what she said.
Not a single Professor at Hogwarts could tolerate Umbridge's behavior. Even Professor Snape's face turned ashen after hearing Penelope's words, though his gaze toward the Ravenclaw Table became a fraction warmer.
When Umbridge hurried into the Great Hall and sat at the Staff Table, all the Professors simultaneously moved their chairs away from her. Only Professor McGonagall stood up abruptly and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Dolores, I think we need to talk. Shall we take it outside, or right here?"
Professor McGonagall's face was taut. If one looked closely, they could see veins bulging on the hand she had placed on Umbridge's shoulder.
If she hadn't retained her rationality, she really would have wanted to cast a few permanent Transfiguration Spells on this pink toad.
"Minerva," after a night's rest, Umbridge had clearly returned to her high-and-mighty state. She turned her head and looked at Professor McGonagall with a sickly sweet smile, answering in a slightly hoarse voice, "I don't quite understand what you want to talk to me about?"
"Since you choose to talk here, Dolores."
Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze piercing through her glasses as she stared at Umbridge, making Umbridge feel an instinctive shiver down her spine.
Even someone as hypocritical as her had to admit that being stared at by the second-best master of Transfiguration and a renowned Witch in the Wizarding World was truly terrifying.
"I believe Hogwarts does not permit us to use black magic items to punish students." Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly grew louder. The Young Wizards who were whispering and chatting instantly fell silent, turning their heads toward the Staff Table.
"You brought black magic items into Hogwarts and used them to punish students. Such behavior is a serious violation of Hogwarts' regulations and also a violation of the Ministry of Magic's laws, Dolores."
Professor McGonagall sternly denounced Umbridge. Sitting on the other side, Professor Snape silently reached into his wizard robe pocket and gripped his wand. If Umbridge made any suspicious move, an offensive spell would hit her in the back without hesitation.
The current defense against the dark arts professor of Hogwarts? The current deputy head of the ministry of magic? What did that have to do with him?
"Minerva, I don't understand what you're talking about." Umbridge maintained her smile, stubbornly refusing to admit it.
The Young Wizards in the Great Hall, however, began whispering among themselves, and the hostility already present in their eyes toward Umbridge deepened even further.
"You wouldn't want to make an enemy of all of Hogwarts, Dolores." Professor McGonagall's voice didn't weaken at all; she did this specifically so the Young Wizards below could hear everything clearly.
She wanted the students to understand that Hogwarts and its Professors were on their side. No matter what harm they suffered from Umbridge or anyone else, they could go to a Professor without hesitation—though, of course, that 'Professor' did not include Umbridge.
"Minerva, are you threatening the deputy head of the ministry of magic?" Umbridge's originally hoarse voice suddenly turned shrill, and a hollow cold laugh rang out behind her.
Professor Snape looked straight at her with hollow eyes, saying word for word, "I thought you already understood. At Hogwarts, no one cares about the Ministry of Magic."
"Correct," Professor Flitwick chimed in without hesitation. "The only thing that matters at Hogwarts is our students. The Ministry of Magic—you are not the ones Hogwarts serves!"
Bang!
A sharp sound made Umbridge flinch violently.
Professor Sprout had slammed her wand directly onto the table. Hailing from the Hufflepuff house, she was usually the most gentle Professor, but when faced with trouble, she could sometimes be even more 'direct' than Professor McGonagall.
"If the Ministry of Magic insists on interfering with Hogwarts, or even harming the students of Hogwarts," she said, tilting her head high, her confidence and pride as a Witch fully on display, "then let's do it. Before Voldemort comes to Hogwarts, we can have a round with you first. We have absolutely no objection to that."
Hearing their Dean's speech, the Little Badgers below clapped excitedly to support her. The Young Wizards from the other three houses also kept their eyes fixed on the Staff Table in various states of attention.
In this moment, Hogwarts truly became a solid block, a fortress tightly united from the inside.
The speeches from the four Deans and the collective gaze of the students made the fear in Umbridge's heart grow deeper. She had come to Hogwarts to teach and seek promotion, not to suffer.
"I'm sure there must be a misunderstanding, Minerva, Severus, Filius, and Pomona. Everyone, calm down."
She said this while looking pretentiously at the watch on her wrist. "Oh, time's up. Sorry, I think I should head to the classroom now."
She stood up and quickly walked away from the Staff Table. Professor McGonagall watched her fleeing back with a cold laugh, the disdain and contempt in her eyes completely undisguised.
A brave Lion King would naturally despise a 'wretch' who only dared to bully the weak.
Looking at the Young Wizards below the Staff Table, Professor McGonagall's expression softened. She waved her hand at the students. "Everyone, please continue enjoying your breakfast."
Breakfast at Hogwarts continued. Amanda also turned back and lowered her head to finish the food on her plate. Merlin knows she had wanted to take action herself just now.
After all, compared to having the Professors act against Umbridge, it was clearly more appropriate for a Young Wizard to do it.
There was no other reason than the vigor of youth. Because they were young, they dared to resist when faced with oppression; because they were young, they dared to be impulsive when faced with injustice. Such impulsiveness and resistance felt more fitting for young people than for Professors.
Flutter, flutter... a massive sound of flapping wings came from outside the Great Hall windows. The Young Wizards inside looked up and were instantly frozen in place by the sight outside.
Usually, Owls came to the Great Hall every day to deliver things, but never had there been as many as today... The Owls outside were so numerous they formed a dark mass that almost blotted out the sky. Even more surprising was that they flew in orderly fashion, dropping packages one by one in front of the Young Wizards.
The Young Wizards who hadn't bought anything looked at the packages in front of them in confusion, wondering what they could be.
It wasn't until a student opened a package and saw the protective badge inside, along with a product manual and the large words: 'Inventor and patent Owner: Amanda,' that they realized what was happening. One after another, they put on their protective badges.
"The lion on here actually moves." A Gryffindor student curiously poked the golden lion on the protective badge with a finger, causing the golden lion to bare its claws and teeth in an attempt to bite the meddling finger.
"It can defend against and reflect all black magic and curses except for the Three Unforgivable Curses. Moreover, it has no usage limit and can slowly absorb a Wizard's magic power to recover on its own."
"This alchemical product is a bit too powerful. As expected of Amanda. But what is a 'patent'?"
Not only the Young Wizards, but even the Professors at the Staff Table each received a protective badge. Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout pinned them onto their robes with smiles.
Professor Snape reached out and put the protective badge into his wizard robe pocket, drawing out his words slowly. "I hope that with this thing, those little trolls can still continue to study Defense and Charms seriously."
"Don't be so harsh, Severus," Professor McGonagall said cheerfully to him. "The students are good children; they won't let themselves slack off too much."
"Why not put the badge on? It's not just a layer of protection, but also a token of Miss Amanda's goodwill. If you don't wear it, she might be sad, you know."
"I don't think there's anything to be sad about." Professor Snape's dark eyes swept over the Ravenclaw Table, but in the end, he took the protective badge out again and pinned it onto his wizard robe.
The other Professors looked at each other and silently shook their heads with knowing smiles.
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