Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 221 Holiday Ends, Back to School

Their efforts finally paid off. Before they returned to school, Thea's Apparition success rate had reached 90%, and Draco's had reached 85%.

"What a pity! If only Hogwarts had a place where we could practice Apparition!" Draco exclaimed excitedly. "If I had two more weeks, I could definitely master this spell completely!"

“Besides Hogwarts, we can also practice at Hogsmeade,” Thea pondered. “As long as we cast an enhanced banishment charm and a warning charm, it can definitely support our training.”

"Great!" Draco exclaimed, his cheeks flushing with excitement.

"What are you two talking about?" Daphne's voice came from afar. The next moment, the carriage door was pushed open. "I thought you two were in the prefect's box, but it turns out you're here..."

“We’ll go over there in a bit,” Thea said gently.

"By the way, do you know where Gella went?" Daphne asked, puzzled. "I asked her before, but she didn't say. I thought she went back to Malfoy Manor!"

“She went back to France,” Draco said succinctly.

He knew about it; Lucius had mentioned it to them before.

“Oh,” Daphne exclaimed in realization.

Just then, Zabini and Theodore arrived. After a brief chat, Draco and Thea went to the prefects' box.

Later that evening, the train arrived at Hogwarts, and they officially began their second term.

First, the first challenge facing Thea is dealing with Umbridge!

Perhaps Thea had gone too far last time… Anyway, before Thea even entered the hall, Umbridge informed her of her decision to go to her office that evening.

That's right, it's a notification, not a discussion.

Looking at Dumbledore on stage, smiling kindly as if he knew nothing about Umbridge's invitation, Thea couldn't help but bend the fork in her hand, earning strange looks from Daphne and the others.

Fearing she might vomit in Umbridge's office, Thea ate only a few bites of bread before leaving the lobby early that evening.

"The patrol tonight is yours." Before leaving, Thea patted Draco on the shoulder and said softly.

"I understand," Draco replied softly in return.

Would you like a hot coffee?

Compared to their first conversation, Umbridge's attitude was much better; at least the coffee was at a more suitable temperature.

"Thank you, Professor."

Despite not wanting to drink it, Thea took a small sip.

Seeing Thea take a sip, Umbridge's smile grew even more greasy.

“Thea,” Umbridge smiled, “what do you think the Overseer Group should be most responsible for?”

"Probably... maintaining discipline within the school?"

Thea knew that the person in front of her had ill intentions, so she could only deal with him carefully.

Upon hearing this answer, Umbridge's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "...Indeed, the most important thing in a school is the rules!"

"If there are no rules, what's the difference between a school and a gladiatorial arena?"

"Thea, think about it again. If everyone could follow the rules, wouldn't the wizarding world be more peaceful?"

"At that time, killing, war, and tyranny will all be gone from us..."

"But all of this is predicated on being at school!"

"If we cultivate good students who follow the rules while they are in school, they will definitely become good citizens in the future!"

Listening to this pile of words that looked beautiful on the surface but were filthy on the inside, Thea was glad she hadn't eaten much for dinner.

What does it mean to follow the rules?

Thea does not object to this concept; rules are the foundation of society.

But what exactly are the rules?

Was it Fudge who set the rules?

Or were these rules set by you, Umbridge?

With your training method, won't future Hogwarts graduates be natural followers of you and Fudge?

Not content with the infighting within the Ministry of Magic, they had to extend the conflict to Hogwarts!

Can't you see that even Voldemort is now playing it safe and farming stealthily?

Can't you see Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of all time, rubbing his hands together in anticipation?

Are you afraid that the Ministry of Magic won't be destroyed?

Thea's inner turmoil went unnoticed, while Umbridge continued her long-winded speech.

“I have a deep affection for Hogwarts, especially Slytherin… I had a wonderful time studying there…”

"But Hogwarts now..."

Umbridge shook his head with great regret, and Thea's brow twitched, and she promptly played the straight man.

What's wrong with Hogwarts these days?

"It's utterly rotten!" Umbridge exclaimed, standing up abruptly. "It needs a reform!"

Umbridge's two earth-shattering announcements stunned Thea.

That's incredibly bold...

Thea's exclamation was interrupted by Umbridge a second later. She suddenly grabbed Thea's shoulders, shook her violently, and said in an extremely agitated tone,

"You!" Thea was shaken until her head was spinning. "You are the hope I've found!"

"Only you can save Hogwarts! Save this sinking ship!"

Umbridge was as excited as a cult follower, while Thea, whom she was holding tightly, was having her mind racing:

"This dress is no longer acceptable..."

"It's dirty..."

Her saliva splashed on my face!

"Help! I'm dirty too..."

"...I will destroy everyone!"

In just a few minutes, Thea's emotions went through a transformation from calm to screaming in despair, to utter despair, and finally to going berserk and hacking people to death.

Fortunately, at the last second, Thea's faltering rationality restrained her wand, and she slowly raised her head. In Umbridge's eyes, this action was definitely a harbinger of success!

She looked at the girl in front of her, her eyes filled with growing anticipation.

As expected, Thea did not disappoint her.

“Professor,” Thea’s voice was a little hoarse. Thea was forcibly suppressing her urge to kill, but to Umbridge, this was an overreaction!

"What do I need to do next?"

It worked!

Umbridge, barely containing his elation, exclaimed excitedly, "Go and build your own team! Build a team dedicated to Hogwarts! Build a team that can remain calm like you!"

One that belongs to me,

A group dedicated to "Hogwarts"

A team that can remain calm.

With these three conditions in mind, Thea also had a plan in mind.

She slowly raised her eyes, looked directly at the middle-aged woman in pink before her, and whispered, "As you wish..."