Chapter 474: What is the Ministry of Magic’s intention?

The next afternoon, during the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the fifth-year students had just sat down when Professor Umbridge walked in with brisk steps.

She still had that fake smile on her face, as if last night's chaos had no effect on her at all.

"How shameless," Ron lowered his voice and muttered to Harry beside him, "If I were her, I would definitely not have the face to show up in the classroom today."

Harry shrugged, not commenting on Ron's words.

He is the Deputy Minister of Magic and has developed an impenetrable thick skin. A few criticisms are nothing to him.

They stopped talking and watched Umbridge walk up to the podium, take out a short but sharp wand, and tap the blackboard lightly.

Two lines of large characters instantly appeared on the blackboard:

Defense Against the Dark Arts

Back to Basics

She slowly turned around, facing the entire classroom, crossed her fingers, and placed them neatly in front of her chest. She glanced at the faces of every student and spoke in a sweet tone.

"Students, the teaching of this course has always been scattered and disorderly, without a system, right?"

There was silence in the classroom, no student responded, Umbridge seemed satisfied with the silence and continued.

"The frequent changes of professors have caused your current level to be far from the OWL requirements for fifth-year students."

"But don't worry, the curriculum will be completely improved this year." She paused, and her smile widened slightly.

"I will lead you to learn the magical defense course which is verified by the Ministry of Magic and focuses on theory."

"The main objectives of the course include three aspects: learning the basic principles of magical defense, identifying places where magical defense can be legally carried out, and using actual backgrounds to conduct relevant assessments."

"If I were you, I would definitely write down everything you just said."

The students looked at each other, took out their quills, and began to write down their thoughts on the parchment.

When the last student finished recording, Umbridge spoke.

"Very good. I believe every student has a copy of Wilbert Slinka's 'Magical Defense Theory'. Now turn to page 5 and open the first chapter [Basic Principles of Magical Defense and Its Development History]."

"Your class assignment today is to recite this part five times, then copy it onto parchment and hand it in to me at the end of get out of class."

"Also," she looked around at the students and said with a smile, "I need you to be able to recite this part fluently when you start class next week. Do you understand?"

There was dead silence in the classroom. The students looked at her as if she were a fool, and then quickly started whispering to each other.

"Oh my god, the rumors are actually true. She really doesn't know anything, let alone how to teach this subject."

"During lunch, I heard seventh graders complaining that they couldn't learn anything from this course and that it only made them memorize things."

"Is this really a professor? I can do that too. I just need to let students read and recite. I can get paid for sitting on the podium for a day. It's really nice."

"What about our OWL? If we continue like this, won't we be doomed?"

Whispers soon rang out in the classroom, dissatisfaction and anger spread like small waves, and no one took Umbridge seriously anymore.

This year is a crucial year. The OWL exam results are directly related to future job hunting. Umbridge, that bastard, doesn't teach us useful knowledge and only makes us memorize theories?!

What use is there for such a rubbish professor!

This is purely because Chun Chun doesn't want everyone to get good grades in the OWL exam.

What exactly is the Ministry of Magic's intention?

Umbridge stood on the podium, looking around at the students who were talking in low voices with disdainful expressions, and the smile on her face gradually froze.

She obviously did not expect that the fifth-grade students' reaction would be so disdainful and even resistant, and they did not give her any face at all. There was no such a big reaction in the seventh-grade class in the morning.

"Be quiet! You are the worst class I have ever taught. Don't you even know the basic classroom discipline? Start studying quietly now. If you don't hand in your copy by the end of get out of class, none of you will be able to have dinner."

The situation was stronger than the people. The arm could not overcome the thigh, and the students could not overcome the professor. Everyone felt frustrated and opened the "Magic Defense Theory" to read it listlessly.

Only one person did not do so. Hermione did not even move the book. She just raised her right hand high and stared at Umbridge.

Umbridge pretended not to see it. She sat in her chair and stared in the direction away from Hermione with her toad-like eyes.

Hermione had no intention of giving up. She raised her arms high, looking like she was determined to persevere.

The intermittent reading sound gradually weakened and finally fell into silence. The students in the classroom also noticed Hermione's appearance. They put down their textbooks one after another and followed Hermione to stare at Umbridge, making her face twitch.

Finally, Umbridge couldn't bear it any longer. She stood up reluctantly, looked at Hermione and asked impatiently, "Miss Granger, do you have any questions about the content in the textbook? Or do you not understand something and need me to translate it for you?"

"Professor, I have read the entire book," Hermione stood up without hesitation and said bluntly, "But I found a big problem. There is not a single word about using spells in the book."

Without waiting for Umbridge to reply, she continued, "Also, there are big problems with the design of your course."

"Is it a big problem?" Umbridge asked in a shrill voice. "Miss Granger, are you an education expert recognized by the Ministry of Magic? Have you received any professional training related to education?"

"No, but I'm the teaching assistant for Transfiguration. I know how to teach."

"Haha, teaching assistant?" Umbridge said sarcastically, "If that's all you are, you're probably not qualified to judge this course."

She held up the Magical Defense Theory in her hand. "This book was written by wizards who are older and smarter than you. The teaching format of this course is designed by professionals from the Ministry of Magic. You will learn this course in a safer way without any risk."

"So, there won't be any spells learned or practiced in this class?"

"Of course, that would be too dangerous. The Ministry of Magic would not bear to see any student get hurt because of learning spells."

"What about the OWL exams?" Ron stood up and loudly supported Hermione.

"In the OWL exam, this course is divided into two parts: theory and practice. What should we do when the practical exam comes? Should we recite a text for the examiner?"