Chapter 306 February

As we enter February, the last bits of snow and ice melt. Although the cold wind still mixed with the tide and got into every gap, more and more people were walking by the black lake. The air was extremely humid, and the wet lake shore shone slightly in the pale sunlight. The giant squid swam lazily in the water, picking up the bread thrown by the students.

These days, not only professors but also students' patience with Umbridge has almost reached its limit. She would always show up in class, try to prove that they had learned nothing useful at school, and then accuse the professor of not teaching at the pace recommended by the Ministry of Magic.

In a seventh-year Muggle Studies class, she said to Professor Bubbaji in front of the students: "Seriously, Caredi, you should understand me. If I remember correctly , my dear, how long has it been since you complained that students at Hogwarts don't understand what they are studying and don't think about it? 'Professors should be allowed to take O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts with students so they know what they are doing. Taught something. 'That's what you said, right?"

Professor Bubaji was furious. She asked Professor Kettleburn after class if he really threw the hedgehogs into Umbridge's office, if she could throw some real hedgehogs in there as well.

"I don't mind actually taking exams with the students," she said dryly, "but I don't like it when someone takes a syllabus and tells me how to teach Muggle Studies. For Merlin's sake, that syllabus is I wrote it! To be honest, I'd like to question how much she knows about Muggles, probably just enough to spell the word correctly..."

Professor Kettleburn interjected: "I've seen her writing board and she misspelled 'five-legged monster'."

Anthony consoled him: "She also accused me of not following the syllabus, especially those extracurricular practical activities. I guess she thought that was a provocation to the Secrecy Act."

Professor Boubaji said: "Wait, when did she investigate you?"

"The day before yesterday, you happened to go to the Wizengamot." Anthony said, "Fourth year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. She didn't ask too many questions - maybe like you said, she really didn't understand. Muggle studies, so I don't know what she should ask - mainly talking about what has been taught and the follow-up teaching plan. "I guess it's at least passed."

Professor Boubaji said skeptically: "That sounds polite."

"Yes," said Anthony, "I thought she was going to be a little more aggressive, but other than asking Mr. Davis if he would like to come into her office after class and talk about his Dark Arts injuries, she No questions were raised that were outside the scope of the course.”

"No more personal questions?" Professor Bubbaji asked, "Similar to how long have you been teaching and why did you choose to teach at Hogwarts?"

"Ah, she asked," said Anthony.

But after Anthony points out that she should know why she became a professor, she angrily skips the topic. The students who heard their conversation seemed a little curious, but then Umbridge started asking the students about the difference between "subway" and "train" with the exam syllabus, so those furtive glances immediately disappeared, and almost everyone stared Textbook, remained silent, trying his best not to draw her attention to him.

Anthony recalled: “She also asked the students what they thought of my class, and everyone said it was great—seriously, what else could they say? I thought this was the kind of question I should at least avoid, and it should be Answered anonymously.”

"They can tell you that your lectures are terrible, that you don't understand anything, and that they are dangerous," said Professor Kettleburn, who nonchalantly scratched the place where his prosthetic leg connected to his thigh with his good hand. "Quoted from Fifth-year Gryffindor and Slytherin’s Care of Magical Creatures. By the way, that lesson was about Bowtruckles and Turtles.”

Anthony said honestly: "To be honest, I think my students are more reluctant to cooperate with her than I am. She must have appeared in front of them too many times recently."

"Because there are no Slytherins," Professor Kettleburn said smugly, "so I bet my rating is lower than both of yours." He sounded as if he thought it was an honor.

"It's hard for me to argue with that," Anthony said, "but I haven't received a rating yet, so I still have a glimmer of hope."

Professor Bubaji shook his head and finally smiled.

"It's a long shot," she said. "Besides, I bet my rating is lower than yours, Henry."

…

A week later, they all received the results of the investigation. Professors Anthony and Bubbaji both get an "E", and Professor Kettleburn gets another piece of parchment for his fireplace.

Professor Trelawney has received two "P"s in a row before. She was so offended by this result that she directly accused "people blinded by earthly power" in class of being unable to understand "the subtle omens of the future." She saw through her Third Eye that "terrible doom will strike the user. Utilitarian comments insult the fortune teller." Her prophecy earned her a "D".

Umbridge had surveyed all the classes, even astronomy. Everyone was waiting to see what else she would do. Anthony heard several students in the corridor speculating expectantly whether she was finally returning to the Ministry of Magic.

"And I never want to work at the Ministry of Magic again." The student said to her friend. "I told Percy yesterday that if he ever mentioned joining the Ministry of Magic with him after graduation, I would go with him. separate."

Anthony looked in surprise and saw that it was Penelope Crevat, a fifth year Ravenclaw. He had never known she was in a relationship with Percy, and he doubted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley knew either.

In any case, apart from Filch and some Slytherins, there was no one more welcoming to Umbridge in the castle.

Although Umbridge could not deduct house points, she still had the power to ask other professors to place students in detention. And she never hesitates when using her powers.

Most of the professors still tried to maintain a cold politeness, but no one except Lockhart would take the initiative to invite Umbridge for a small talk. The scenes often seemed a little dull and irritable in her presence, and she was clearly very pleased with the impact she was making.

In contrast, some people really dislike this lifeless atmosphere.

"Listen, the long winter is coming to an end!" Lockhart started with this sentence, which immediately woke Anthony up from staring at Bacon.

It was Saturday, and there were far fewer people having breakfast in the hall than usual, making it seem even emptier. For a moment, all murmurs ceased, and only Lockhart's words echoed from the ceiling.

"People should be happy," Lockhart said loudly. "The ice and snow are melting, the weather is getting warmer, but look at you, your faces are so gloomy-"

Several students looked at him gloomily and yawned. Before Lockhart stood up, they were complaining about why the merman only wanted to come up to the surface in the early morning and practice merman with them.

"Tsk, tsk, this is not good. I can see what you are thinking." Lockhart smiled at everyone, "You must be thinking, this Gilderoy Lockhart, five-time winner of "Wizard Weekly" He said the award for the most charming smile easily. Even if he was facing a female ghost named Wan Lun, he could still smile. Of course, he would not understand what an ordinary winter would do to people.

"Of course, I know that not everyone has the same good mentality as an adventurer and can still maintain an optimistic attitude in the face of countless dangers. But, don't worry, I am already prepared. I have a good way , can help you get rid of the coldness and depression of winter.

"However, I won't tell you what the method is now. You can guess, but it will definitely be a surprise. Well, with expectations, be happy and inject some energy into the new semester!"

He sat down.

After a few seconds of brief silence, the auditorium was filled with the hum of chatter that was much louder than before. The students were all asking each other what Lockhart was going to do. Anthony turned his head and glanced at Professor McGonagall. It was easy to see from her stern face that no matter what Lockhart's solution was, he had not discussed it with the school in advance.

"I want to know what he said." Anthony whispered to Professor Bubaji, for fear that Lockhart would hear this.

Professor Bubaji said uninterestedly: "Maybe it's a special autograph session at Hogwarts."

"Maybe a two-hour speech." Anthony said.

…

It soon became clear that they had guessed wrong.

On February 14th, the entire castle hall was decorated. Pink flowers were placed in every corner, and heart shapes were pasted on the walls with petals, surrounding the long tables of the four colleges and the seats of faculty and staff.

Colorful heart-shaped confetti kept falling from the sky, mixed with gold powder and petals. All the table legs are tied with bows made of pink satin ribbons, and large flowers are decorated between the bows. The rich aroma floats in the air, almost making you want to sneeze.

Snape sat next to the resplendent Lockhart, his expression extremely ugly. Professor McGonagall was on the other side, the muscles on her cheeks twitching slightly, and she seemed to be biting her back molars tightly. Professor Flitwick sat a little shorter than usual, almost completely obscured by the table.

"I guess I don't have to ask what happened." Anthony whispered as he pulled up a chair and sat down next to Professor Sprout.

"Yes," said Professor Sprout. She seemed to have accepted the decorations and was picking out confetti and petals into her oatmeal.

Anthony took two pieces of fried eggs, tried to distinguish whether they were the reflection of grease or gold powder, and finally decided to leave it alone. He slowly ate the omelette while watching the students carefully. Almost everyone who walked into the hall was stunned for a moment, and then most of them were divided into two groups with sharp attitudes: those with frowns and those with silly smiles on their faces.

When all the long tables were filled, Lockhart stood up. He was wearing a bright pink wizard robe today, which looked particularly dazzling against the light pink petals and hearts behind him.

"Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!" he shouted. "I think you have discovered the little surprise I have prepared. Yes, in order to celebrate this wonderful holiday, I took it upon myself to decorate the castle a little bit. Adjustment……"

The confetti kept falling down. Anthony dusted them off his omelette. He turned his head and saw Professor Sprout letting a small saucer float on top of the oatmeal to block Lockhart's "little adjustments".

He quickly floated a saucer on the dinner plate and forked the omelette awkwardly with his left hand.

"In addition to these decorations, I have prepared more surprises for you! The roses that are absolutely indispensable for Valentine's Day are already here, and a better Valentine's Day cannot be without the God of Cupid——"

He clapped his hands, and twelve dwarfs carrying golden wings walked into the hall.

They all held harps in their hands and bows and arrows at their waists, and all the arrows turned into red hearts. They stood in front of Lockhart, looking at the students below gloomily, as if they were actually holding real bows and arrows, and they had already vowed to shoot someone unlucky today. Next to them, Snape sat motionless, looking even more sullen than they did.

"Don't tell me it's Cupid," muttered Antony.

Just then, Umbridge walked into the hall. If she hadn't suddenly strode to the staff table, people wouldn't have realized she was here. Her pink wizarding robes seemed too in harmony with today's décor.

"What is this?" she asked in a sharp voice, standing behind Lockhart and Snape, pointing her stubby finger at the little cupid in front of her. Cupid stared at her gloomily.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Dolores!" Lockhart said cheerfully, "That's what I was about to say! My little cupids will be more than happy to help you convey your feelings, just put the card in their hands On top of that, they will ensure that the person you love receives this heartfelt and sincere letter! In addition, these friendly and lovely guys can also help you deliver the message to your little cupid that you are embarrassed to say in person. Well, they will help you convey it! Enjoy this sweet and romantic day!”

Umbridge's mouth opened and closed twice, like a fish left to dry on the shore. She didn't say anything, she just stared at the dwarf in disgust, her chest heaving violently, as if she were seeing a mysophobic patient of a mouse family in the kitchen.

Lockhart clapped his hands happily: "Don't hesitate, act quickly! Write a greeting card and prepare a message - there is only one Valentine's Day in a year, and it should be lively and romantic!"