After a lavish dinner, the Great Hall grew increasingly lively with chatter. At that moment, Dumbledore stood up once more.
"Well, since we're all digesting yet another sumptuous feast, I ask for a moment of quiet to go over the new term's usual notices," Dumbledore said. "First years should know that the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to students—something that some of our older students would do well to remember."
"This year, we have two changes in our teaching staff. We are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will teach Care of Magical Creatures. We are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
The Hall erupted into polite, though unenthusiastic, applause. Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged slightly nervous glances. Dumbledore did not specify how long Grubbly-Plank would be teaching.
Dumbledore continued, "The selection trials for the house Quidditch teams will be—"
He abruptly stopped speaking, looking inquisitively at Professor Umbridge. As she stood, her short stature meant she barely rose above her chair, and it took a moment for everyone to realize why Dumbledore had halted. Then came her clearing her throat, a distinct "Hem, hem."
Lillian frowned slightly. "It seems Cornelius Fudge sending her to Hogwarts was a shrewd move. This woman shows no regard for the school's rules or respect for Dumbledore. Having her disrupt things here will certainly stir the pot."
"Judging by how some in the Ministry describe her, her greatest skill is exploiting opportunities," Thor added, shaking his head. "For someone as adept at maneuvering as she is, all she needs is the right stage to fully showcase her abilities. It's hardly surprising."
Augustus's gaze fell on the staff table. Dumbledore was a consummate actor, managing only a fleeting moment of surprise before cleverly sitting back down, as though eager to hear her speak. The other professors, however, were not as skilled at concealing their reactions. Snape's cold stare gleamed with disdain, and McGonagall pressed her lips into a thin, pale line. Clearly, this new professor's behavior was not well received.
Clearing her throat again, Umbridge began, her smile revealing her sharp teeth. "Oh, it is so wonderful to be back at Hogwarts! Seeing all your cheerful little faces looking up at me—it's just delightful!"
"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all. I believe we will become excellent friends!"
"Such a nauseating tone," Loki remarked, his amber eyes glinting with mockery. "How her Ministry colleagues endured her for years is beyond comprehension."
Augustus, however, wasn't concerned with her peculiar opening. What followed, he suspected, was the true purpose behind her speech—a motive that justified her risking discord with both Dumbledore and the other professors.
Sure enough, Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again. When she resumed, her tone grew far more serious and monotonous, as if the words were rehearsed.
"Every Hogwarts headmaster has brought their own innovations to this esteemed institution—a responsibility befitting their role. However, progress for progress's sake is not to be encouraged. Our traditions, refined through the ages, often require no clumsy revisions. Striking a balance between old and new, between stability and change, and between tradition and innovation is imperative..."
The Hall grew restless; many students seemed puzzled by her bureaucratic rhetoric. Augustus's lips curled into a faint smirk. Progress for progress's sake should not be encouraged. The message, though veiled, was clear enough for those who understood the Ministry's intent. This was no mere speech but a declaration of the Ministry's impending interference in Hogwarts' internal affairs.
Professor Umbridge, seemingly oblivious to her audience's discomfort, pressed on.
"Some changes yield good results, while others, in due time, are revealed as misguided decisions. Similarly, some old customs deserve preservation, while others, outdated and irrelevant, must be discarded. Let us move forward into an era of enlightenment, efficiency, and reason—keeping what we must, improving what we need, and abolishing what we ought to forbid."
Her words carried the weight of an impending battle—a battle for control over Hogwarts' direction, its traditions, and its future. Sometimes, the fiercest wars are fought without smoke or fire, their intensity hidden beneath cold, calculated maneuvering. Augustus's gaze shifted to Dumbledore, who sat silent amidst it all, his expression unreadable.
"What on earth is she even trying to say?" Malfoy yawned, his voice groggy. "Complete nonsense. Even Professor Trelawney's ramblings are more engaging than this."
"This speech has significant implications," Lillian replied, though her understanding seemed tentative. "The language is cryptic, but overall, it expresses dissatisfaction with Hogwarts' current state and hints at upcoming measures."
Augustus glanced at Lillian with mild surprise. "Impressive insight. Though slightly off the mark, you're correct overall. This is the Ministry's first statement of intent to assert control within the school. From here on, I doubt life at Hogwarts will remain as peaceful as it has been."
"Thank you, Professor Umbridge. Your words were truly enlightening," Dumbledore said, inclining his head toward her. "Now, as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be—"
The serene night breeze whispered through the castle, brushing away the weariness of the day. Enveloped in a soft blue glow, Augustus stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. The inky blue-black sky stretched infinitely, its countless stars a quiet reminder of the vast, desolate universe.
Friends, comrades, family—far away in another world—did they too gaze at the sky on such a tranquil night? This universe, with its countless coincidences and encounters, was vast and unyielding. Yet, at the edge of the galaxy, how could such boundless stars carry the weight of solitude?
It was a sleepless night.
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