The Dementors were driven away by the Patronus, but McGonagall did not lift the state of emergency.
The teachers and students were gathered in the Great Hall, seemingly planning to spend the night there.
With something this big happening at Hogwarts, the Ministry of Ministry of Magic will definitely send someone to check it out.
10 p. m.
Umbridge, who had been promoted to Senior Deputy Minister, arrived at the school, followed by two tall, senior Auror.
They wouldn't say they were arrogant, but they certainly walked with a light step.
Seeing the grand spectacle in the Great Hall, she not only gave McGonagall, who was there to greet her, a cold reception, but her tone even carried a hint of accusation:
"Vice Principal McGonagall, aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill?"
Umbridge was dressed in a bright pink outfit, making her look like a Pink Toad.
Not only do they have a high opinion of themselves, but they are also particularly annoying.
It's one thing to flaunt one's official power in front of students, but at least one should understand the current situation.
But since she was, after all, Senior Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Magic, McGonagall had no choice but to respond humbly:
"Please forgive our concerns. Although the Dementors have been driven away, no one can guarantee that they will not return."
Umbridge demanded sharply, "Isn't Headmaster Dumbledore here too?"
"He has important matters to attend to, and it will probably have to wait until—"
"What!?" Umbridge's voice was unusually loud. "Such a big thing happened, and he's not at school?"
McGonagall pressed her lips tightly together. "I'm sorry, he needs to deal with more important things."
"This is a serious dereliction of duty!" Umbridge, standing tall and straight, seemingly trying to overwhelm the other party with his imposing manner.
McGonagall took a deep breath. "Your Excellency, the Dementors appeared after he left."
"Hmm?" Umbridge scoffed. "Are you implying that the Dementors did it on purpose? While Headmaster Dumbledore was away on business?"
"I'm not implying anything, I'm just stating the facts."
"Facts?" Her voice rose again. "Nonsense! There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Ministry of Magic's administration!"
Goodness, he's only been in office for less than six months, and he's already throwing around a whole bunch of accusations.
McGonagall clearly had no suspicions, yet she was quick to distance herself from the situation.
Is this the kind of person Senior Deputy Minister is?
Fudge wasn't much better, but at least he could accurately assess the situation.
"Your Excellency, I have never—"
"Alright," Umbridge waved his hand impatiently. "Let the students go back to their dorms. The Dementors won't be coming back."
McGonagall's tightly pursed lips trembled slightly.
Everyone's titles have the word "deputy" in them, and she's really had enough of this Pink Toad's pretentious attitude.
"Your Excellency, I am relieved to have your assurance."
Umbridge turned around with what she considered elegance. "No need to see me off. We need to investigate why the Dementors are behaving strangely."
Her repeated emphasis only made her seem more guilty.
Yes, that's right. The Ministry of Magic's consistent principle is to downplay major issues, but it shouldn't be so forceful as to shift the blame right off the bat.
Having followed Fudge for so long, I haven't learned even the slightest bit of tact.
If this continues, the British Wizarding World will either be ruined by Voldemort or by its own people.
It took McGonagall quite a while to see Umbridge and the other two off; she probably went to compose herself.
However, she still pursed her lips when she returned to the Great Hall.
"The castle is safe now. Prefect, please take everyone back to the dormitories. The student council presidents and vice presidents will follow up."
After most of the students had gone upstairs, the professors gathered together to discuss the next steps.
With Dumbledore gone and the Ministry of Magic unreliable, they'll have to be the ones to keep an eye on the Dementors.
Investigation?
Given Umbridge's attitude just now, it would be a miracle if they could find out the reason.
Fortunately, there are quite a few professors who know the Patronus Charm, so it shouldn't be a problem to keep Dumbledore until he returns.
Snape glanced at Lupin, whose face was unusually pale. "Thanks to someone, it seems we have someone to guard two floors."
Lupin wasn't angry; he simply nodded slightly to McGonagall.
"Severus, do you have any good suggestions?"
It's not bad for one person to guard one floor, but it can make things too scattered.
Dealing with Dementors is no problem, but the real issue is those nocturnal rascals.
If one professor can't catch them, what about two?
Even if they can't catch them, can they just deny it afterward?
Snape's lips curled into a slight smile of excitement. "I think we can hold out on the Seventh Floor, which is the highest point in the castle, and we can spot the Dementors' arrival immediately."
Personal grudges? Not at all.
The professors' expressions were quite amusing, especially Hagrid's, whose face turned red.
As is well known, Professor S has always been at odds with a few students.
The newly revised Hogwarts Staff Code was designed to target him, and now that a good opportunity has presented itself, of course it's time to retaliate.
McGonagall stopped pursing her lips.
After a month or so of peace, what was bound to happen eventually did happen.
She didn't favor either side, saying, "It's a good suggestion, let's decide on it this way."
It's good to learn from a mistake and grow up with it.
Besides, those students aren't stupid; they must know that tonight isn't a good time for a night out.
So, all that Snape went to for nothing will probably just be a nuisance in the end.
But he's in high spirits right now, so it's best not to tell the truth.
After holding it in for a while, Hagrid suddenly covered his mouth and gasped for breath.
Lupin parted ways with them on the third floor, and laughed out loud the moment he turned around.
He was lucky.
Not only do they not need to keep watch at night, they can even laugh freely.
At 2 a. m.,
Gryffindor Common Room
Four Little Lions sat around a round table.
Fred and George slumped in their chairs, looking dejected, like two salted fish who had lost their dreams.
The Ministry of Magic's findings are not important.
Whether Sirius Black actually summoned the Dementors or not is irrelevant.
The most important thing now is whether the professors are staying outside.
"Don't even think about it." Vincent, sitting across from me, gave a helpless, wry smile.
"I dare say Snape is outside, maybe he's brought a stool and is sitting by the door, or maybe he's even called other professors to keep watch with him."
The Marauder's Map is with Astoria; you can't even sneak a peek through the door.
The twins suddenly straightened up, a mischievous grin on their faces.
"Dude, you're so agile, why don't you climb out the window and check what's going on?"
Vincent decisively refused their request.
"Wait, you're the headless knight who can jump from the fourth floor..."
"You're still Batman who can scale walls and leap across rooftops..."
Vincent was being tossed around by the twins, and Hermione, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up in defense:
"Even if the professors aren't guarding the door, and even if we can get out safely, how many places are actually safe to go?"
Invisibility Cloak? Disillusionment Charm?
If there were even the slightest footstep, Snape would probably chase after him like a mad dog.
"Aaaaaah!!!" Fred and George were in utter despair.
It's absolutely disgusting, like a door opened for disgusting things. It's disgusting to the extreme.