What happened in the Hufflepuff Common Room quickly spread throughout Hogwarts.
Especially with Dolores Umbridge's shadow hanging over the entire school, Professor Sprout's willingness to stand up for her students and openly confront the toad was like a beam of light in the darkness, earning the support and respect of most of the school.
Umbridge's response came as no surprise. Another Educational Decree was soon nailed to Hogwarts' notice board by Filch.
"The High Inquisitor has supreme authority over all punishments involving Hogwarts students." Lee Jordan read the contents of the new decree aloud from the crowd. Just as he was about to discuss it with the others, he heard several students nearby complaining loudly. "Has Dumbledore gone mad? He actually lets the toad run wild like this."
Without a doubt, once the new Educational Decree came into effect, Umbridge held Hogwarts' power of life and death in her hands. If she wanted to, she could even find an excuse to punish students unwilling to obey her.
"It is rather mad. Let's go." Albert turned and left.
"I think Umbridge is trying to drive everyone mad!" As the four turned into an empty Secret Passage, Lee Jordan lowered his voice. "Isn't this happening a little too fast?"
Many of Umbridge's Educational Decrees had been forced out of her by them. They all knew perfectly well what would happen if Umbridge kept issuing them in bulk.
Watching Umbridge find ever more inventive ways to court disaster and suffer misfortune was quite enjoyable.
They just felt that if they let her keep courting disaster, this source of amusement would soon be ruined altogether.
"Don't worry. As long as Dumbledore keeps standing aside, Umbridge can hold out at Hogwarts for quite some time." Albert was not worried in the slightest. He knew Dumbledore's