The Toad Reports for Duty

As soon as Sean stepped out of the closet, he saw Hermione's eager face and smiled easily.

"It's alright, and I've already arranged for someone to protect them; it's Mr. Lupin."

Hermione felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders, and after taking a deep breath, she looked at Sean.

"Should we just stay at Hogwarts and not do anything else?"

Sean shrugged helplessly. "At the moment, this seems to be the safest course of action, but I'm more worried about the Ministry of Magic."

He had just tried to contact Barty Jr. Crouch., but while he could sense Barty Jr.'s Dark Mark, the other party's Dark Mark did not react at all.

This can only mean one thing: Barty Jr. Crouch Jr. has been taken into custody.

What remains unclear is whether the person controlling Barty Jr. is his father, who broke free of the Imperius Curse, or some unidentified force behind the scenes.

If it's the latter, then the current composition of the British Ministry of Magic becomes a big question mark.

Furthermore, Sean cannot rashly contact other Death Eaters members at this time. These terrorists have different intentions, and after Vita Rosier cooperated with Sean to stage a play last semester, the identity of ' Voldemort ' should also be in a state of concealment.

If it weren't for the current turbulent situation, Sean would have even considered changing his identity and going out to investigate on his own, even if he were completely blind to the truth.

When the group left the Room of Requirement and returned to the Great Hall, most of the students had already left, but many were still waiting anxiously.

Those were students whose families were located at the epicenter of the accident.

"Hey Lee, what did the professors say?" Sean pulled Lee Jordan aside. He was a friend of the Weasley twins and the commentator for the House Cup Quidditch.

"He said a lot but it was all for naught," Lee Jordan shrugged. "In the end, he just told us to wait for news, but now even owls aren't allowed to fly, so a lot of people are unsure."

"Li, you have so many connections. Have you ever heard of the Ministry of Magic even banning communication methods for Hogwarts students?" Sean asked.

Lee Jordan frowned and thought for a moment, "It shouldn't be, at least not in all the years Filch has been in office— Fred, George, and I have sneaked into his office. Filch has a special filing cabinet to record major events at Hogwarts. For Filch, more than three students going out at night is a big deal, but there's no mention of anything like prohibiting communications."

The first ban... Sean frowned.

The very next morning, Filch took a hammer and nailed a new decree onto the bulletin board.

"Educational Decree Number Eighteen (in accordance with the emergency avoidance principle of the Statute of Secrecy)..." Sean read out the name of the ordinance.

"From today onwards, all extracurricular classes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are cancelled, and Hogsmeade Village is temporarily closed."

"In response to the escalating tensions, Owl Post has been immediately banned."

"At the same time, the Ministry of Magic and the School Board have unanimously decided to send Senior Undersecretary and personnel prohibited by regulations to Hogwarts to monitor any violations."

"Senior Undersecretary will have all the authority of those below the Hogwarts Headmaster..."

Below the bold, large characters is the Ministry of Magic's seal and a series of elegant, cursive signatures.

Sean frowned immediately. Could it be that pink toad from Umbridge again?

Moreover, has the situation become so tense? Isn't this approach sure it won't provoke a rebellious attitude among the students?

Especially for young wizards born into the Muggle Family, the Ministry of Magic's actions practically screamed "I don't trust you Mudblood."

As Sean had predicted, many young wizards born into the Muggle Family gritted their teeth, their expressions darkening considerably.

Hermione's expression was also grim. Suppressing her anger, she whispered, "They won't tell us about our family's safety, they won't let us contact the outside world, and they're even sending people to monitor us?! Good heavens! Doesn't Dumbledore care about any of this?!"

Sean looked up at the ceiling and silently shook his head.

This is one of the biggest differences Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

Although he is the most powerful wizard in the world, and there's no need to even mention "the most powerful" in the title, he is still subject to restrictions from various official institutions, such as the Ministry of Magic, the International Confederation of Wizards, and the Hogwarts School Board.

It wasn't that Dumbledore lacked the ability to overthrow these institutions, but rather that he was unwilling to break the rules.

The more you think and the more you care, the more constraints you will face.

However, the conflict came much faster than Sean had anticipated.

In the afternoon, a Gryffindor student and a Slytherin student got into a serious argument, and after the argument, they both pulled out their wands and pointed them at each other.

Before those around them could offer any further advice, they unleashed a torrent of curses upon each other.

The end result was that the Gryffindor student coughed up blood continuously, while the Slytherin student had a finger broken.

Both were taken to the Hospital Wing and will need at least a week to recover.

The incident began when the Gryffindor student complained to his friend that he couldn't write home to inquire about the situation. He came from the Muggle Family whose home was located in the epicenter of the attack.

As luck would have it, the Slytherin student who happened to be passing by couldn't resist the urge to mock him.

"Ha, well, I guess we were just unlucky."

These words were followed by a series of mocking laughs.

The Gryffindor students were immediately enraged, and after an argument, the Slytherin students angrily cursed the Mudblood.

The insulting words ignited the pent-up anger of the Gryffindor students, who immediately launched an attack with their wands.

"Adding to the trouble..." Upon hearing this news, Sean immediately frowned.

Some Slytherin students have maintained their foolish arrogance of superiority, losing even the most basic capacity for empathy.

Already agitated, Sean even considered whether to wait until the Slytherin student was discharged from the hospital before sending him back.

The only thing that made him somewhat gratified was that most of the students sided with the Gryffindor student. As passionate young people, they could naturally understand such impulsive actions.

The Slytherin House students did not show much indignation. On the one hand, since Voldemort had not gained power, the relationship between Slytherin and other houses was not as bad as it was in the original story. On the other hand, they felt ashamed that the guy who had taken the initiative to provoke them had failed to win. The professors also made their intentions clear.

Both students will be placed in solitary confinement after they recover from their injuries, but the Slytherin students' confinement will be much more severe than that of the Gryffindor students.

The Little Snakes, adept at reading the expressions of the strong, wisely kept their mouths shut.

Just when Sean thought the incident was over, Senior Undersecretary from the Ministry of Magic officially arrived at Hogwarts.

"What the hell..." Upon seeing the person who came, Sean felt a wave of S.P.E.W. and vomiting.

A tacky pink coat, a short and stocky build, and that sickeningly sweet, fake smile.

It was Dolores Jane Umbridge.

At the dinner party, looking at Umbridge sitting at the teachers' table, Hermione whispered to Sean, "That's the new Senior Undersecretary. To be honest, she looks a little unsettling—though it's a bit rude of me to judge her by her appearance, I'll apologize if she's a good person."

Hermione's sixth sense is so accurate...

Sean curled his lip. "I think you have a good eye for people. To be honest, we may not have many good days ahead."

Daisy asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why do you say that?"

"Well, you know, I have some connections in the Ministry of Magic, and this Umbridge has a pretty bad reputation."

Hermione was immediately shocked. "The Ministry of Magic all think this person is no good? Good heavens..."

"Clang, clang, clang." Just then, the sound of a spoon tapping on Golden Cup came from there.

That's usually how Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall get students to quiet down and listen to them, but Professor Dumbledore has been away from the school quite often lately.

The students looked up and saw that the person who had been tapping the cup had stood up and walked to the spot where Dumbledore had been giving his speeches.

"It's a pleasure to see you, the new generation of Wizarding World, the future of this country, children." There was not a trace of sincerity in his smile, only a perfunctory official one.

Professor McGonagall was already frowning at the teacher's desk.

"Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary for the Ministry of Magic. My missions include, but are not limited to, what you see on the bulletin board today." Umbridge strutted around, her short, thick fingers crossed at her hips.

With Dumbledore absent, Umbridge's behavior was a great disrespect to Professor McGonagall, the Vice Principal.

"Looks like an elegant toad..." Sean heard Fred's mocking laughter from the Gryffindor table.

He was usually most afraid of Professor McGonagall, but he also respected her the most.

The sound was a bit too loud.

Umbridge paused, still wearing that fake smile, but her tone was now even more irritating.

"Our new minister and the president of the International Confederation of Wizards both believe that the quality of students at School of Magic is worrying. At this tense time, in addition to enforcing the regulations," Umbridge chuckled, "The minister has also given me the authority to help Hogwarts students improve their personal qualities."

The students looked at Professor McGonagall with some confusion.

Professor McGonagall, however, only turned ashen-faced and did not stand up to object, clearly acquiescing to the other party's statement.

"Now, the student who was just now, please step forward. You will receive a small punishment for your rudeness," Umbridge said.

The Great Hall was completely silent. Fred just chuckled to himself in his seat without moving an inch.

Umbridge glanced around the Great Hall: "Aren't you going to stand up? I hope you won't spoil everyone's enjoyment of the dinner."

Still, no one stood up.

Umbridge gave a disgusting smile and clapped her hands. "Very well, that's settled then. If that student doesn't stand up, we'll just wait here."

Professor McGonagall stood up.

Umbridge turned and glanced back. "Professor McGonagall, this is the authority granted to me by the Minister. Please do not forget that Hogwarts is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic."

She turned to the students again. "Didn't you understand what I meant? I said, if that person doesn't step forward, then we'll just wait, yes, everyone."

An eerie silence fell over the Great Hall.

Behind the hypocritical Umbridge, Professor McGonagall had stood up with an ugly expression, was pulled back down to sit by Professor Flitwick.

As time went on, the atmosphere in the Great Hall became increasingly strange.

Sean's expression remained unchanged, though a flash of anger crossed his eyes.

This toad, it's trying to sow discord right from the start...

Before long, the Great Hall was filled with the students' noisy whispers, and many of them were secretly glancing at Fred.

Umbridge clearly noticed their gazes, but she pretended not to see them, maintaining her annoying stance and waiting for Fred to stand up on his own.

Clearly, Fred didn't want his momentary rudeness to affect others, so he readily stood up.

"It's me, Professor. I'm sorry, I apologize to you."

Umbridge quietly sized him up for a moment, then said, "No, what you need is not an apology, but punishment. Come to my office tomorrow afternoon after class and before dinner."

"Okay, I got it," Fred said casually.

After saying that, he prepared to sit down.

"No, sir, please introduce yourself first: your name, year, college, and then apologize to the others who have been affected by you."

Fred's face turned ashen, while Umbridge's eyes flashed with a threatening glint.

Fred finally answered stiffly, "Fred Weasley, fifth year, Gryffindor, I apologize to everyone."

A burst of jeering and laughter erupted from the Slytherin table.

"Not sincere enough, Mr. Weasley. Please eat standing up. The rest of you, please enjoy your dinner."

Professor McGonagall could no longer contain herself. "Professor Umbridge, Hogwarts never uses such humiliating methods of punishment!"

Umbridge simply handed over a piece of paperwork and gave a fake smile, "I don't want to either, Professor McGonagall, but this is the order from the department. You know, the students these days are too unruly, and the situation is tense. I have to make sure they mature quickly."

"To ensure that they will not do anything that would affect the secrecy of the Wizarding World after they enter society..." Umbridge drawled out the last syllable.

Professor McGonagall's expression shifted several times before she finally slumped down in dejection.

Dinner was served at the long table, but Fred, standing there, was so conspicuous that many people stared at Fred as they ate.

"This is an insult!" Hermione glared at Fred, who was trying to keep his expression normal, her anger barely contained.

"It's not just an insult, it's a divisive act." Sean took a steak and put it on his plate.

"Fred is definitely going to be sullen for a while. Although he's usually easygoing, he's actually very proud," Daisy whispered.

"Obviously." Sean said, as he placed some more food on Daisy and Hermione's plates.

Amid their questioning gazes, Sean stood up with his tray in hand.

"Let's try eating in a different position," he said, flashing a set of white teeth.