How's Your Memory Charm?

Seemingly to prove his loyalty to Fudge, Umbridge immediately took action after receiving the title of High Inquisitor.

Of course, she wasn't stupid; she didn't immediately target tough opponents like Professor McGonagall or Professor Flitwick to establish her authority, but instead chose a relatively softer target.

Professor Sybill Trelawney, Divination Class.

However, she chose to audit the fifth-year Divination Class. At noon that day, Kyle arrived at the Great Hall and happened to see Ron sitting at the Gryffindor table, vividly describing the scene.

"Umbridge was sitting at the back of the classroom, quill in hand, constantly scribbling on the whiteboard. I'm sure she was grading Professor Trelawney..."

Ron was surrounded by a large crowd from various colleges, all seemingly eager to know what the purpose of being a so-called High Inquisitor was.

Kyle was also quite curious, but because the last Herbology Class, he arrived a bit late and couldn't squeeze in at all.

Just then, Hermione walked in from outside carrying several books, with an angry Harry beside her.

"I think Professor McGonagall is right," Hermione said as they walked. "You need to control your temper and stop going against Umbridge all the time; it won't do you any good."

"I can't stand it," Harry said angrily. "She's talking bad about Sirius, and am I wrong? Voldemort is stuck to Quirrell's head, I'm just stating the facts."

"But that's not the truth she wants to hear," Hermione said. "And she can lock you up anytime, so you'll be the one who suffers in the end."

"I don't care!" Harry said. "I won't let her get away with it. I don't care how she punishes me... and I'm not the only one doing this. Don't forget Kyle argued with her too!"

Actually, I don't want you to be like me.

Hermione and Harry were startled by the sudden sound, and when they looked up, they found Kyle standing right next to them.

Harry looked a little embarrassed, but quickly recovered.

"Kyle, when did you get here?" Hermione asked.

"I've been here since you came into the Great Hall," Kyle said, "But you don't seem to have seen me."

"Sorry, I didn't notice," Harry said quietly. "I didn't mean to mention you being in solitary confinement; I was just so angry."

"Angry?" Kyle asked. "What happened?"

"It was Defence Against the Dark Arts this morning... She said that apart from Quirrell, all the other Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, including Sirius, are incompetent."

"But we all know that Quirrell was the most incompetent one... because he let Voldemort stick to the back of his head."

"So you got angry and argued with her?" Kyle said.

"That's right!" Harry's voice suddenly grew louder. "But it seems like everyone thinks I was wrong to contradict Umbridge, whether it's Professor McGonagall or anyone else. They all think I should just ignore it and let her spout nonsense..."

"What's wrong with that?" Kyle said. "They just don't want to see you punished, and I think you should do the same."

Harry froze, looking at Kyle with a blank expression. "But didn't you also disagree with her...? I thought you would understand my thinking, that we should let everyone know the truth."

"These are two different things," Kyle said. "Understanding doesn't mean supporting, and people won't change their attitude just because of your two sentences. Neither you nor I have that much power."

"Furthermore, as I just said, I don't want you to follow my methods. It will only cause you a few more days of physical pain, and it won't change anything else, unless..."

Kyle paused for a moment at this point.

"Unless what?" Harry pressed.

Kyle thought for a moment and said, "One more question: how well did you use the Memory Charm?"

Harry blinked, not understanding why Kyle suddenly asked this, but after hesitating for a moment, he stammered, "It's... it's alright."

Even so, Kyle already knew the answer from his evasive eyes.

Harry's statement that things were "okay" was probably just a polite way of putting it; the reality was most likely a complete mess.

"The Memory Charm... what does that have to do with being put in solitary confinement by Umbridge?" Harry asked.

"It's alright, I was just asking casually, don't worry about it." Kyle shook his head, then changed the subject, "By the way, you were in the fifth-year Divination Class, right? What did Umbridge, the High Inquisitor, do?"

"I don't know," Harry said, "But I guess she was grading the professor, and she kept asking Professor Trelawney questions during class...how long she'd been in that position, and about her background."

Kyle nodded; these were all methods the Ministry of Magic used regularly, nothing new.

Harry thought for a moment, then continued, "Oh, by the way, Umbridge also had Professor Trelawney give her a Prophecy at the end."

"Prophecy?" Kyle asked curiously. "What is it?"

"It's the same old story," Harry said in a low voice. "You probably know that Professor Trelawney, that big liar, can't do any Prophecy except scare people, so she's trying to use the same trick again."

She told Umbridge that she was walking into a trap and that she would encounter terrible danger.

"However, Umbridge didn't seem to believe it and even expressed doubt about Professor Trelawney's Prophecy abilities."

"A trap?" Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"That's what Professor Trelawney said," Harry said nonchalantly, "But it's definitely not true. I hear similar things three times a class."

"That's not necessarily true..." Kyle muttered to himself.

"What did you say?" Harry didn't quite hear him because his voice was too soft.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to say thank you." Kyle patted Harry on the shoulder. "In return, I can give you a sneak peek at what's going on in Umbridge's confinement."

"What is it?" Harry asked eagerly.

Kyle calmly said, "Carve words on your hand with a knife."

Before Harry could react, Hermione exclaimed, "She can't do that! Even in the last century, Hogwarts never had such a cruel punishment as solitary confinement... No, I have to tell Professor McGonagall!"

"Don't rush." Kyle stopped Hermione, who was about to run away, and continued, "I'm just offering one possibility. What if she tries something else? It's all possible."

"Besides, no matter what the punishment is, Umbridge can't do it openly. Even if Professor McGonagall goes, it might not be effective. So there's only one best way."

Kyle looked at Harry again, "When you're in solitary confinement, don't say anything. Just admit your mistake, and you might get away with it."

"Kyle is right," Hermione agreed. "Umbridge is a professor; you can't go against her."

"No way, I absolutely will not apologize to her!" Harry said, his neck stiff.

"Don't talk nonsense, it won't do you any good."

"But I clearly didn't say anything wrong..."

Harry and Hermione started arguing again, just like when they first came in.

However, by this time, Kyle had already returned to the long table in Hufflepuff.

If even Hermione can't persuade Harry, then having one more won't make a difference.