The entrance hall on the first floor was now crowded with numerous young wizards watching the spectacle, along with dinner attendees who had rushed out from the Great Hall upon hearing Umbridge's screams.
The previously vacant room to the right of the entrance hall, now converted into the new Divination Classroom, was completely surrounded.
"You beast! How dare you point an arrow at me!"
"Do you know who I am? The Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, Hogwarts Senior Inquisitor! How dare you assault a Ministry official?"
"Go on then, shoot that arrow if you have the nerve!"
Umbridge was screaming obscenities at Firenze, drawing disgusted looks from many students.
How could such a harridan be fit to teach them?
Whoosh!
Without any verbal response, the arrow left the bowstring. Umbridge's pupils contracted violently - she hadn't expected Firenze to be so ruthless as to attack without warning.
Her body couldn't react in time, leaving her to watch helplessly as the arrow flew toward her forehead.
Clang!
A clear metallic sound rang out as the arrow struck an invisible barrier, bouncing high into the air before falling powerless to the ground.
"Stop! Professor Firenze! Attacking fellow professors is absolutely forbidden at Hogwarts!"
It was Professor McGonagall who had blocked the arrow. However much she disliked Umbridge, she couldn't allow harm to come to her right before her eyes.
If one professor were to kill another, who would ever dare apply to teach here again?
Umbridge's face showed relief at having narrowly escaped death.
She retreated behind Professor McGonagall, shrieking hysterically: "You actually tried to shoot me?!"
"Was that not your request?" Firenze's expression remained unchanged. "I observed your calamity star stirring, already marked for death. I was merely offering you a merciful passage - no thanks necessary."
The toad-like woman nearly fainted from rage. Just as she prepared to retort, someone shouted:
"The Headmaster's here!"
The crowd automatically parted to create a passage. Wayne walked in with light steps, glanced between the confronting parties, then turned to Professor McGonagall:
"Minerva, what exactly happened here?"
Professor McGonagall's mouth twitched. Hearing that tone without seeing the speaker, one might think Dumbledore had returned.
But since Wayne was inquiring in his capacity as Headmaster, addressing her so familiarly was entirely appropriate.
Professor McGonagall recounted the events.
She hadn't been first on the scene—her information came from third-year students attending the Divination class.
The cause was simple enough: Umbridge, having been expelled from her classroom by Wayne, had used her authority as Senior Inquisitor to barge into the Divination Classroom demanding to observe.
Firenze hadn't initially shown anger; he continued his lesson at his own rhythm.
But Umbridge kept finding fault, mocking his astrological divination as pure fraud, claiming that results which took over a decade to verify rendered divination meaningless.
Finally, adding fuel to the fire, she questioned when animals had become qualified to teach humans, thoroughly enraging Firenze.
Regarding the arrow Firenze had shot, Professor McGonagall showed bias, describing it as a momentary emotional outburst that caused a bowstring mishap.
The observing young wizards glanced at Firenze's consistently calm expression and thought to themselves, 'This is what emotional loss of control looks like?'
After listening, Wayne showed no particular reaction, merely nodding calmly.
Then he turned his gaze to Umbridge.
"Umbridge, I recall that even if an inspector has the right to sit in on classes, they need to inform the professor in advance?"
"Correct." Umbridge didn't want to admit it, but the legal provisions were clearly written, leaving her no room for argument.
"Excellent. Knowing the rules yet deliberately breaking them makes the offence more severe." Wayne chuckled lightly. "Not only that, but you've also publicly insulted a colleague, creating a dreadful influence."
"You must now apologise to Professor Firenze. As for being Senior Undersecretary, you may temporarily step down from that role as well."
"On what grounds!" Umbridge exploded. "This is a Ministry appointment! What right does a mere Headmaster have to remove me!"
"On the grounds that this is my territory. At Hogwarts, no one can defy my will." Wayne crossed his arms and said coldly, "I'll file a complaint with the Ministry of Magic. Until I receive a definite response, you're not permitted to enter any professor's classroom."
Umbridge had calmed down by now. A temporary suspension didn't particularly worry her.
After the complaint reached the Ministry, Fudge would certainly find an excuse for her. It was just a matter of waiting a week or two—she could manage that.
Looking at the crowd around her, Umbridge wanted to leave quickly and didn't argue further. Adopting a simpering tone, she said to the Centaur, "Professor Firenze, I misspoke today. I hope you can forgive me."
Firenze didn't speak, simply watching as Umbridge gave a slight bow.
Wayne's eyes scanned the area and pulled Newt out from whatever corner he'd been hiding in to watch the drama. Addressing Firenze, he said, "Do it for my senior Newt's sake."
Newt was too embarrassed to even lift his head, while Firenze finally spoke.
"Since the Headmaster says so, and with Mr Scamander present, Umbridge, I forgive you in my personal capacity as Firenze."
Umbridge felt scornful internally, but still put on an affected smile before pushing through the crowd and hurrying away.
"Alright, everyone disperse now," Wayne called out, and the young wizards with no more drama to watch quickly scattered.
Professor McGonagall was quite satisfied with Wayne's resolution, which hadn't escalated the situation.
Only Newt... he felt something wasn't quite right.
Letting Umbridge off so easily was absolutely not Wayne's style.
The old man felt suspicious but didn't show it, picking up his suitcase and quietly leaving.
He was just a substitute professor—he didn't want to, nor was he interested in, getting involved in the school's messy affairs.
There was just one thing that slightly frustrated Newt.
He'd been promised it was only temporary teaching, but nearly a semester had passed, and Hagrid still hadn't returned.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore, who had invited him here, had been driven out.
Where was the justice in that?
Especially since Wayne had somehow become Headmaster... Old Man Newt was now worried that this temporary job might become permanent. Tina would be so angry that she might divorce him.
Hmm?
Wait, that didn't seem right either.
Tina disliked Dumbledore, but she liked Wayne more than her own grandson. He wondered if she'd heard the news about Wayne becoming Headmaster.
Perhaps if Tina were happy about it, she might even let him stay.
After spending several months at Hogwarts, Newt had started to enjoy life here. A purely retired life was boring him to death, while the school offered more opportunities to stay active.
Setting aside Newt's thoughts about making his position permanent, Wayne was currently discussing tomorrow's arrangements with Professor McGonagall.
"Come to my office tomorrow afternoon after classes, along with the other three Heads of House."
"Should other professors be notified?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Wayne thought for a moment, "Not mandatory. Those who wish to come may do so, but it's mainly you four. Though it's better not to invite certain people."
Professor McGonagall understood Wayne's implication perfectly.
"You'll need to take on more responsibilities at the school going forward," Wayne said sincerely, looking at Professor McGonagall. "Whatever duties you handled before will remain unchanged now and in the future."
"Actually, that's not quite right - there might even be more matters requiring your attention."
Professor McGonagall was deeply moved and left highly motivated.
Wayne was equally moved. With such a competent Deputy Headmaster, no wonder Dumbledore could comfortably disappear for ten or fifteen days at a time.
"What mischief are you plotting now?"
After everyone had left, Cho, who had been quietly observing, came to Wayne's side. As the person who knew him best—sharing his bed—Cho recognised Wayne's habit.
Whenever he was planning to trick someone, he'd unconsciously adopt an innocent, harmless appearance.
Wayne didn't answer, instead looking the girl up and down until she grew uncomfortable, before finally saying:
"Mischief... I do have something in mind..."
Wayne smiled as he took Cho's hand, "Classmate, your Headmaster is very concerned about your academic performance. Come to my office tonight and let me teach you about quid pro quo."
Cho's face flushed red. Having been with Wayne for so long, she understood exactly what he meant by "quid pro quo."
Even though their relationship was completely normal, why did everything sound so strange when this rogue said it?
"I'm not going," Cho pulled her hand back. This only excited Wayne more, who directly embraced her and whispered:
"Cho, you wouldn't want Ravenclaw's house points to be reset to zero tomorrow morning, would you?"
Cho rolled her eyes so hard they nearly reached the sky.
Is this why you became Headmaster?
In the end, for the sake of her house, the young girl gave in.
That night, Wayne had Cho try on each piece of clothing Tomoyo had just sent over, working diligently through the entire night.
The young lady's craftsmanship is truly improving; this silk...
...
On Friday, after the last Care of Magical Creatures class, Wayne returned to his office with Newt.
Wayne had temporarily rearranged the room, expanding the space and conjuring a large conference table.
After they entered, he complained, "The Headmaster's Office design is completely unreasonable. There isn't even a proper meeting room prepared. I really don't know where old Dumbledore used to hold meetings with the professors."
"Meetings?" Phineas pondered, "It seems... I never saw Dumbledore hold meetings with the professors."
"What about you?" Wayne gestured for Newt to sit, then asked.
"Not me either," Phineas shook his head like a rattlesnake. "I always spoke to each professor individually. If they had matters, they'd come to me separately. Meetings are too troublesome."
"I could handle everything needed in the Great Hall," Armando Dippet said the same.
"Completely unprofessional," Wayne scoffed, conjuring black tea and pastries to share with Newt.
Soon, other professors began arriving one after another. Wayne sat at the head, with the four Heads of House flanking him on either side, followed by professors of other subjects lining up behind them.
Although Wayne said attendance wasn't mandatory for professors, this was his first gathering since taking office, and it wouldn't be appropriate to skip.
Of course, Firenze didn't attend due to his mobility issues - Trelawney came instead.
The moment she entered, Trelawney eagerly asked about her situation, "Headmaster Lawrence, when will my position be restored?"
Wayne reassured her: "Sybill, trust me, it will be soon. Professor Firenze is only here to help temporarily and won't stay long."
Trelawney showed a satisfied expression and returned to her seat without another word.
Snape had kept his head down since entering, afraid of being noticed by Lawrence and subjected to more teasing.
When he was the professor and Lawrence was the student, he'd already been tormented enough frequently. Now that their positions were reversed, if Lawrence continued to be unreasonable, he would have to consider resigning.
Fortunately, Wayne had called the professors together both to give certain people room to operate and because there was genuine business to discuss.
Without excessive preamble, Wayne quickly got to the main point:
"Professors, as early as my first year, I noticed that while Hogwarts appears wonderful, it actually has many problems."
Professor McGonagall's expression shifted slightly, but she didn't immediately object; instead, she listened quietly to Wayne's speech.
A new broom sweeps clean - regardless of how young Wayne might be, he was the Ministry and school-recognised Headmaster, and Professor McGonagall wouldn't overstep her authority just because of her seniority.
Meanwhile, as the meeting began, rapid hoofbeats echoed from outside the castle.
Over a dozen Centaurs charged into the castle, brandishing spears and bows with menacing intent.