Chapter 333 - 333
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Professor McGonagall almost repeated Flitwick's words verbatim at Transfiguration, except that the intonation was much more strict, and the look was severe. In these classes, we were analyzing a rather complex vanishing spell, Evanesco. They say that it is quite complex, and in general, it is one of the most difficult on O.W.L.s. What can I say? I have known this spell for a long time and sometimes clean up any obscenity with it. Although Tergeo and a stronger Scourgify are better suited for various cleaning.
As an object for training, we were given snails. If I didn't have a good sensitivity to magic, I would even think that they are real. No, they are certainly real and material, but they are the product of transfiguration.
Only a blind person would not have noticed how McGonagall glances furtively at Hermione and me, clearly expecting instant and phenomenal success because we have achieved a lot in the field of transfiguration — the same apparation is already an achievement! In general, after exchanging glances with the girl, we decided not to disappoint the professor. We made the transfigured snail disappear on the first attempt, immediately earning ten points to the House.
At Numerology, we were told that this year we will pay a lot of attention to quite ordinary mathematical operations, inequalities, various quadratic equations, sets, and systems. Of course, we will learn to interpret all this from the point of view of magic, while we will study real areas of application in the theory of creating new ones or justifying old spells.
At dinner in the Great Hall, I was surprised to learn that Potter managed to run into Umbridge at the big break in front of witnesses, argue with her, make her lose her temper, and get a week of punishment. I absolutely do not understand how this works for him… Well, he went all last night and today, whining, they say: "There is not enough practice on DADA. We will not learn anything, a stupid theory, a terrible toad teacher." I wouldn't be surprised if he ran into Umbridge at the very moment when he was complaining to Ron about life, and then it was just a matter of technique.
In fact, the manner in which Umbridge communicates is completely unsuitable for children, and especially for not particularly intelligent children. Of course, if Potter had a more intellectually developed environment, he would have been smarter, would have been able to control himself, and not succumb to cheap provocations, but alas...
In the evening, in the Gryffindor's common room, sitting with Hermione on our sofa and in the company of Dean, Seamus, Lavender, and Parvati, I had the opportunity to watch a very interesting scene — a famous Hero of All England was making a speech to a crowd of people, like Lenin from an armored car. "Prevent! Do not allow! Do not put the school to shame!" It's not that he started to make a speech on purpose — it just happened that way. One asked him "how are you?", the other - "What do you think?". More students were passing nearby, they heard a discussion of a burning topic, and this snowball began to grow, and a crowd of onlookers had already gathered around the discussing Harry, Ron, and the twins.
In general, the crowd decided that it could not continue like this, although "it" had just begun. Potter, by the way, periodically rubbed his right hand, which means that Umbridge's methods of punishment remained the same.
"Do you think it's a good thing?" Hermione asked when I traditionally rested my head on her legs.
"What exactly?"
"The others are clearly going to do something stupid."
"I have no idea" I closed my eyes. "It's worth remembering who Dolores Umbridge is. She is the Assistant Minister of Magic. Some call her the "Chain Dog of the Ministry." A tough careerist, but at the same time does not have any political point of view. Hmm... no, not like that. Umbridge has a very clear position on many issues, but she is the kind of person who keeps her opinions to herself. She is unconditionally loyal to the Minister of Magic, and if he says: "Burn the Pure-bloods!" - she will be the first to burn them. If he says, "Burn the Muggle-borns!" - Umbridge will again be in the forefront. She approaches her task with all the responsibility and enthusiasm of which she is capable. Her word is a minister's word."
"Max," Parvati, who was sitting at a table next to me, interrupted me. I opened my eyes and was surprised to find that now students of all ages are beginning to gather around us.
"Yes?"
"You keep saying 'Minister', but you didn't say 'Fudge'."
"Well done for noticing, Parvati. The point is simple." I settled my head more comfortably, and Hermione ran her hand through my hair. "Umbridge is loyal to the position, not to the person. If Dumbledore becomes a minister — she will act in his interests and say what Dumbledore says. If You-Know-Who becomes minister, the story will be exactly the same. Whoever becomes Minister of Magic, Umbridge will always follow his policies and goals faithfully, be it Merlin, Morgana, Mordred, Grindelwald, or Lockhart."
"Lockhart, yeah..." someone said, while the others chuckled. "He would have made a great minister, with his memory loss ...."