Under the soporific influence of this interminable monologue, many students began losing focus entirely. The respectful silence that had characterized Dumbledore's address crumbled, replaced by whispers emanating from every corner of the Great Hall. Students huddled together, murmuring in low, conspiratorial tones. Orli's gaze drifted across the room—she spotted Luna from Ravenclaw surreptitiously retrieving her copy of The Quibbler, while Cho Chang exchanged lingering glances with Cedric across the hall. Ernie Macmillan, seated beside Cedric, maintained his dignified posture but his eyes had glazed over completely.
The only people still genuinely listening were the teaching staff—though clearly not from support, but from a desperate need to decode the Ministry's true intentions through Umbridge's bureaucratic doublespeak.
Umbridge remained blissfully oblivious to the deteriorating attention around her, continuing her pompous discourse:
Umbridge "...some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."
She finally settled back into her seat with obvious self-satisfaction. Dumbledore began applauding graciously, the teaching staff following his lead, though Snape, McGonagall, and several other heads of house managed only a perfunctory clap or two before stopping abruptly. A handful of students joined in with bewildered uncertainty, but most hadn't even realized the speech had concluded—by the time they understood applause was expected, Dumbledore had already risen again.
Dumbledore "Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, for that most illuminating address."
He offered a courteous bow before continuing:
Dumbledore "Now, as I was saying, Quidditch trials will be held—"
Hermione "Yes, it was certainly illuminating."
Hermione muttered darkly.
Ron "Don't tell me you actually enjoyed that drivel?"
Ron shot Hermione an incredulous look.
Ron "That was the most mind-numbing speech I've ever endured, and trust me, I grew up with Percy."
Hermione "I said illuminating, not enjoyable."
Hermione clarified pointedly:
Hermione "It explained a great deal."
Ron "Such as?"
Ron asked, genuinely baffled.
Orli "Such as 'progress for progress's sake must be discouraged' and 'pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited.'"
Orli repeated quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ron "Right, but what does that actually mean?"
Ron remained thoroughly confused.
Hermione "Can't you see it yet?"
Hermione hissed through clenched teeth:
Hermione "It means the Ministry is planning to interfere with Hogwarts!"
Orli "Not just interfere—completely infiltrate and control every aspect of the school."
Orli added grimly.
Dumbledore announced dismissal from the platform, and Ron and Hermione hurried off to guide the first-years, cutting their conversation short.
Orli and Harry followed the crowd streaming from the hall, ascending the marble staircase while trying to avoid the pointed stares and whispered comments directed at Harry. Despite their efforts, they couldn't help overhearing Seamus and Neville's conversation.
Seamus "Me mam nearly didn't let me come back to Hogwarts this year..."
Neville "Why not?"
Seamus "Well, I suppose... because of you!"
The words hung in the air like a curse.
Neville "What d'you mean?"
Seamus "She reckons you were lying to everyone last year. She thinks you're going mad, and Dumbledore too. She believes everything in the Daily Prophet. She thinks you're both completely barmy. She doesn't believe You-Know-Who's back."
Neville "What about you?"
Seamus "I don't know what to believe anymore. She says they've even kicked you off the Wizengamot because you're mentally unstable—"
Orli felt her heart sink. The Ministry's propaganda campaign was working exactly as intended—turning friend against friend, sowing doubt and division throughout the wizarding community. Umbridge's arrival wasn't just an administrative change; it was the opening salvo in a war for the very soul of Hogwarts.
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