Dumbledore's Secret Army

When Kyle arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, there was no one around.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in," Umbridge's voice came from inside.

Kyle pushed open the door and went inside.

Just like when I last visited, the place is filled with all sorts of exquisite handicrafts, but there seem to be even more cat-shaped plates on the walls now.

"I'm very disappointed..."

After the office door closed, Umbridge, who had been smiling, immediately gave Kyle a strange look that was hard to decipher—a look that was neither disappointment nor smugness.

"I was in this office all day yesterday, waiting for you to come and tell me something interesting, but you didn't come."

"This might prove that you are not as loyal as you claimed before, but are still on Dumbledore's side."

"I don't understand what you're talking about, Professor," Kyle said in surprise. "Is there something I should know?"

"Oh?" Umbridge chuckled. "Alright, I can give you a little hint."

"As far as I know, yesterday in Hogsmeade, dozens of people went to the Hog's Head Inn together. Can you tell me what they were doing there?"

"Is that so?" Kyle exclaimed in surprise. "How come I didn't know?"

"Liar!" Umbridge's voice grew colder. "As far as I know, many of those people were your friends. How could you not know? Perhaps you were there at the time."

"That's impossible." Kyle shook his head. "I've never been to the Hog's Head Inn, and I have no idea there are any parties there."

"It seems you're not planning on telling the truth." Umbridge's fake smile returned, and she said in a coquettish voice, "How about another week of solitary confinement for lying to the professor? I think you'll be willing to tell the truth then."

"I'm telling the truth." Kyle's expression remained unchanged. "Yesterday, after I arrived in Hogsmeade, I went to Gladrags Wizardwear, and Miss Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin can attest to that; she was in the shop at the time."

"And then!" Umbridge said. "I remember the party wasn't early; you could have gone there after you left the clothing store."

"After that, I stayed in the Three Broomsticks and didn't go anywhere else," Kyle said.

Umbridge looked at him with some skepticism. "Can anyone vouch for this?"

"Anyone who has been to the Three Broomsticks is welcome."

Kyle said, "I was sitting right across from the door, so a lot of people must have seen me."

Umbridge paused for a moment, seemingly surprised by Kyle's comment.

"You didn't lie?"

"Of course not," Kyle said. "And Madam Rosmerta can also testify that I hadn't left the house before noon."

"Or you could ask the people who were at the Hog's Head Inn that day if I was there."

Umbridge remained silent for a moment.

When she looked up again, her smile seemed even more fake, making anyone who saw it feel uncomfortable.

"No need, I definitely believe you." Her tone was strange, tinged with mockery. "However, your so-called friends don't seem to be like that."

"Ah, yeah." Kyle suppressed the urge to punch her in the face and said, "I didn't expect them to hide so much from me. It's really disappointing."

"Then I need you to help the Ministry of Magic investigate this matter," Umbridge continued with a smile. "Dumbledore chose to hold the meeting at the Hog's Head Inn, and those people also chose the Hog's Head Inn. Perhaps there's some connection between them?"

"Is it possible that this is just a coincidence?" Kyle said.

"Absolutely not," Umbridge said firmly. "I don't believe it's such a coincidence. Those people must be a secret force that Dumbledore has cultivated among the students."

Kyle didn't speak, mainly because he didn't know what to say... He had rarely spoken the truth, yet Umbridge still didn't believe him.

Dumbledore chose the Hog's Head Inn because he felt it was safe enough because everyone there was friendly. Cedric and his group went there simply because there were fewer people and they wouldn't be overheard by others.

So it really was just a coincidence, nothing more.

Did Dumbledore develop students into a secret army?

It has to be said that Umbridge and Rita Skeeter should get along well, after all, they both have unpredictable and outrageous ideas.

However, seeing Umbridge's unwavering belief, Kyle didn't say anything, but simply nodded and said, "Leave this to me, Professor. I'm sure I can find out."

"Then it's up to you," Umbridge said. "Don't let me down."

"I will investigate this matter," Kyle said, "For the sake of the Ministry of Magic."

Umbridge's expression immediately turned serious.

"For the Ministry of Magic!"

"So, you're going to report us?"

During the afternoon Quidditch practice match, Fred asked in the locker room.

This is Hufflepuff's dressing room. Normally, Gryffindor shouldn't be here, but since they're the only ones here, it doesn't matter.

"Theoretically speaking, I should do that," Kyle said, wiping his broom. "Hand you over to Umbridge in exchange for House Points."

"Tell Umbridge what we're going to do, and she'll give you a certain number of points."

"I don't know, but it shouldn't be lower than fifty points."

"So little?" George looked disdainful, seemingly thinking Umbridge was being stingy. "We're Dumbledore's secret force, and you're only worth fifty points? I thought we'd be at least a hundred."

"No wonder you didn't go to the Hog's Head Inn that day," Fred said. "Did you know all along that this would happen?"

"It's not exactly early," Kyle shook his head. "I only remembered it after I got to Hogsmeade."

"Haha, so you investigated our party?" George couldn't help but laugh. "She'll never know the truth."

"But I still don't understand," Cedric said. "Why would Umbridge contact you, and why do you seem to have to help her?"

Also, what did you mean yesterday when you said you wanted to stand against Professor Dumbledore?

"This is part of the plan, and it's hard to explain in a few words," Kyle said. "Just remember that we're now on opposing sides... or at least Umbridge needs to believe that."

George's eyes darted around. "So... does that mean we can beat you up right here? After all, that's what we did with Slytherin."

"You're right." Fred chuckled sinisterly. "It's three against one now. You have no chance of winning."