Chapter 1192 Umbridge Doesn't Know the Rules

The Great Hall was filled with laughter and joy, and Dumbledore threw his long silver beard over his shoulders to keep it out of the way of the plates in front of him.

A table full of delicious food appeared out of nowhere, much more abundant than last year.

"Great!" Ron picked up a large chicken drumstick. "The dinner hasn't been reduced in size. It's almost as good as the one Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had last year!"

In just a few seconds, his mouth was filled to the brim, as if it was about to explode at any moment.

Harry next to him had no interest in the delicious food in front of him. His mind was full of the new song that the Sorting Hat had just sung.

"Know the dangers, understand the signs. History warns us that Hogwarts is in danger, and enemies outside the school are watching covetously..."

Danger, enemies, and Voldemort's ugly and terrifying face suddenly occupied Harry's entire mind.

He shook his heavy head vigorously, picked up a piece of golden fried pork chop and stuffed it into his mouth.

After the students had eaten and drunk their fill, the auditorium gradually became noisy.

Dumbledore stood up again and the talking stopped.

"Well, now that we are digesting another incredibly delicious meal, I ask that you all be quiet for a moment while I go over the precautions for the new semester as usual."

His tone was the same as in previous years, "First-year students should know that students are not allowed to enter the forbidden forest in the hunting grounds."

He subconsciously looked towards the Gryffindor table, his eyes resting somewhat dejectedly on an empty chair.

Vincent is gone, but his place is still there.

Dumbledore turned his attention to Fred and George, who were whispering to each other. "Our senior students should know this by now."

The twins looked up with a hint of understanding, looking at the empty chair on the other side of the long table.

Dumbledore's voice continued, "Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, he tells me this is the four hundred and twenty-sixth time, to remind everyone that magic is prohibited in the corridors during class breaks. There are also a number of other rules listed on a long list posted on Mr. Filch's office door."

The twins looked at each other and immediately perked up again.

"This year, we have two changes in our teaching staff." Dumbledore turned to look at a witch with meticulously trimmed hair sitting at the staff table. "Welcome Professor Grubbly-Plank. She will teach you Care of Magical Creatures."

Then he looked at Umbridge beside him, and the students' expressions almost sank.

"We are also pleased to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

There was polite but not enthusiastic applause in the auditorium. It was obvious that the students did not welcome her very much.

The applause soon died down, and Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the House Quidditch team will take place at—"

Umbridge stood up suddenly, and if Dumbledore had not looked over, no one would have noticed that she was almost the same height when standing as when sitting.

"Ahem—" Umbridge cleared her throat.

It turned out that she was going to give a speech. Dumbledore was surprised for a moment, then sat back very smartly, looking at her expectantly, as if he couldn't wait to hear her speak.

The other professors did not hide their surprise as skillfully as Dumbledore. Professor Sprout's eyebrows were about to jump into his flowing hair, McGonagall's lips were pursed tighter than ever, and even Snape was rarely stunned for a moment.

No new professor had ever dared to interrupt Dumbledore in public. This was Hogwarts, not the Ministry of Magic, which wielded power.

Many students were laughing in their hearts. This short and fat pink toad obviously didn't understand the rules of Hogwarts.

Especially Fred and George, if they hadn't covered their mouths tightly, they would probably have laughed out loud.

"Thank you, Headmaster." Umbridge's fake smile and forced imitation of a little girl's voice made all the teachers and students feel sick. "Thank you for such a warm welcome speech."

Dumbledore twitched his eyes. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that no one in the school welcomed her, yet she still felt good about herself.

"Ahem—" Umbridge cleared her throat again, "Well, I must say, it's great to be back at Hogwarts!"

She grinned, showing her sharp teeth. "It's so nice to see all your happy little faces looking up at me!"

"vomit--"

There wasn't a single happy face in the entire hall. The students were very surprised. Did Umbridge treat them as five-year-old children?

This can no longer be explained by feeling good about herself. She is probably living in her own world.

"I'm eager to get to know you all soon. I'm sure we'll become very good friends!"

After hearing this, the students exchanged glances with each other, and some even showed an undisguised smirk on their faces.

Parvati whispered to Lavender, "I'll be her friend, just don't let me borrow her cardigan."

After saying that, they both chuckled silently.

Hermione on the side finally couldn't hold it anymore.

With this level of skill, he's still the Senior Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic?

"Ahem—" Umbridge cleared her throat for the third time.

George smirked and whispered into Fred's ear, "I think she has a lump of old phlegm in her throat."

"Pfft—" Fred covered his mouth tightly and nodded continuously.

If you speak with a choked voice every day, it would be strange if you don't have phlegm in your throat.

"Ahem—" Umbridge took a little longer this time. Her voice became much more normal, and she no longer spoke with a pinched throat.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young wizards to be of paramount importance.

Some of the precious talents you are born with may be of no consequence if they are not cultivated and exercised under careful and meticulous guidance.

The ancient arts unique to the wizarding world must be passed down from generation to generation, or they will be lost. The precious storehouse of magical knowledge accumulated by our ancestors must be protected, supplemented, and improved by those fortunate enough to engage in the noble profession of education."

At this point, Umbridge bowed slightly to the professors, but none of them returned her greeting.

Professor McGonagall's eyebrows were knitted together tightly, making her look like an eagle. When Umbridge coughed twice and continued her speech, McGonagall and Sprout exchanged a meaningful look.

"Every headmaster of Hogwarts has made innovations in the management of this historic school, which is entirely appropriate, because without progress, there will be stagnation and decline.

At the same time, however, progress for the sake of progress should never be encouraged. Our traditions have been tempered through thousands of trials and tribulations and do not need clumsy revisions.

I think it’s about striking a balance between the old and the new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation…”

The attention of all the teachers and students gradually became distracted. Umbridge's long speech made people drowsy, which was even more sleep-inducing than Professor Binns' History of Magic class.

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