After being thoroughly taught a lesson by Peeves, Umbridge returned from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries seemingly much more "well-behaved." She no longer dared to trouble everyone or mention what had happened last time. It was as though that lesson had made Umbridge "docile" and harmless, no longer as aggressive as before.
What left everyone even more dumbfounded was that Umbridge had actually ordered Filch to take down the pile of Educational Decrees hanging on the Notice Board.
Many students could not believe their eyes, let alone Umbridge's transformation. Even Hermione hesitated over their earlier plan to discredit the toad and came to ask Albert whether they should continue. Harry, on the other hand, remained convinced that everything Umbridge was doing now was merely an act.
"Even if a venomous snake hides its fangs, it is still a venomous snake. She is only patiently waiting for the chance to bare them again, rather than stupidly taking a beating. That's called advancing by retreating—a very easy tactic to understand." Albert had never believed that nonsense about laying down one's butcher's knife and instantly becoming a saint.
"Hermione, don't let the toad's appearance fool you." Harry raised a hand and looked at the faint scar on the back of it. "Don't forget that I was banned from playing, and don't forget that my Firebolt is still with her. Rather than trust her, I'd rather trust Anderson's judgement."
"I'm not... I just find it strange." Hermione stared at the now-empty Notice Board and fell briefly silent. "Maybe she's plotting something again."
Several days passed, and no new Educational Decrees appeared on the Notice Board. Umbridge also kept a low profile. Aside from teaching students, she hardly did anything else.
Hogwarts returned to its usual peace and comfortable routine, as though