Harry and Ron had volunteered to help tidy up the classroom after the lesson.
Normally, the two of them would have been the first to race out. Today, however, they thought there would be a good show.
After all, Professor McGonagall had shown Umbridge no consideration whatsoever during the lesson.
Now that class was over and the students were gone, she would probably show her even less.
Harry and Ron were rather looking forward to Umbridge flying into a humiliated rage, attacking Professor McGonagall, and then getting thoroughly thrashed.
As for whether Professor McGonagall could deal with Umbridge, they had never entertained even the slightest doubt.
The two walked to the door as slowly as they could, then spun around, intending to hide beside it and eavesdrop. That was when they discovered Hermione, Parvati, Padma, Seamus, and quite a few other Gryffindors, along with a handful of Ravenclaws, were all there.
Clearly, they were not the only two who were curious.
Hermione held a finger to her lips, gesturing for silence. Harry and Ron understood immediately and carefully hid beside the doorway without making a sound.
The classroom door had not been closed, and the voices inside could be heard clearly.
"How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Umbridge asked, her tone full of resentment. Clearly, she was still unhappy about Professor McGonagall's attitude toward her before the lesson.
"It will be thirty-nine years this December," Professor McGonagall said evenly.
Even without seeing her, Harry could imagine the contemptuous expression on Professor McGonagall's face.
"And you have taught Transfiguration throughout that time?"
"Yes."
"As I understand it, you have also devoted considerable effort to theoretical research in Transfiguration?"
"Yes." Professor McGonagall's tone remained calm.
Harry and the others had not understood Professor McGonagall's research in Transfiguration before, but over