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Honestly, Mad-Eye Moody's actions were nothing short of inspiring.
News of Dolores Umbridge's humiliation before the fourth-year students quickly spread throughout the school.
People were buzzing about it everywhere, so much so that Umbridge wore a grim face whenever she appeared in the corridors. Many kept their opinions to themselves, but behind her back, they often snickered at her. This only seemed to make the High Inquisitor even more irritable and short-tempered.
...
The fourth-year students' academic workload wasn't particularly heavy, and for Jon, it was quite manageable.
Unfortunately, Dumbledore's warning about Umbridge's surveillance throughout the castle meant Jon hadn't visited the Room of Requirement in weeks, fearing it might arouse suspicion. However, a better option presented itself—the Charms classroom.
During a Charms class in the third week, when Jon asked Professor Flitwick if he could use the classroom after class to practice the Summoning Charm and the Banishing Charm, Professor Flitwick generously agreed immediately. There were no portraits in the Charms classroom, so Umbridge's spies couldn't monitor what happened inside.
After class, Jon often came here to read and practice spells.
Jon didn't know whether the Triwizard Champions had formed "Dumbledore's Army," since Umbridge was no longer the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. But that didn't really matter to him—because another group had quietly invited him.
...
On a stormy night in late September, as Jon sat in the library researching potion ingredients, Draco Malfoy approached with his two henchmen.
"Chris, how's school treating you lately?" Malfoy greeted him warmly.
"Hello, Draco... It's been pretty good!" Jon smiled and nodded at him.
Malfoy gave a discreet nod to Crabbe and Goyle. The two chubby boys understood immediately and moved to the two side entrances, blocking others from approaching.
"You know, the first weekend in October, we're going to Hogsmeade!" Malfoy lowered his voice and added, "Hogsmeade is a village just for wizards. It's quiet and safe over there."
"We'll be having a small gathering there... just a few of our friends." Malfoy continued, "After I spoke on your behalf, we all agreed your talent and pure blood make you a worthy ally... so we've always considered you a reliable friend—worthy of joining our organization."
Pausing, Malfoy flashed Jon a faint smile.
"Come then, and we'll welcome you among us."
"I'm honored, Draco!" Jon's face lit up with flattered surprise as he nodded. "So, the exact time and place?"
"Nine o'clock in the morning, at the Three Broomsticks!" Malfoy gave Jon a light pat on the shoulder. "Don't be late."
With that, he waved to Crabbe and Goyle, and the three of them quickly exited the library.
Jon remained behind, propping his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
...
September gradually drew to a close, and the findings of High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge's inquiry into all Hogwarts instructors were finally released.
Nearly all instructors received clean slates—after all, Hogwarts boasted a fairly competent teaching staff.
Except for one: Professor Sybill Trelawney, the Divination instructor. Her results were marked Pending.
So, during the final Divination class at the end of September—
"No!" Professor Trelawney screamed upon seeing the results, her voice trembling with agitation. "I've been insulted! Innuendo... personal humiliation... baseless accusations..."
She drew a trembling breath, turned aside, and tears of fury glimmered behind her enormous lenses.
"This is outrageous..." she choked out. "Sixteen years of dedicated service... clearly unnoticed... but I should not be insulted, should not be treated this way!"
"But Professor, who is insulting you?" Ravenclaw's Teresa Baker timidly inquired.
Trelawney choked, unable to answer. Instead, she wiped her wet cheeks with the corner of her shawl while pulling a small embroidered handkerchief from her sleeve to blow her nose forcefully.
"Was it Professor Umbridge?" Teresa whispered.
"Don't mention that woman to me... that demon... that scum!" Professor Trelawney shrieked. "Class dismissed! Now get out!"
After that, she retreated beneath the trapdoor into her tiny room. Faint, quiet sobs could still be heard drifting out.
Not many students felt sorry for Trelawney—after all, she wasn't exactly a popular instructor.
However, the looks many students gave Jon were even stranger.
"Patrick's prophecy..."
"It mentioned Professor Trelawney's mortal enemy!"
"Is it really Professor Umbridge?" they murmured among themselves.
...
On the morning of the trip to Hogsmeade Village, the weather was clear but windy.
During breakfast, Jon received a letter delivered by a snow-white owl.
The message was simple: "Meet me at Madam Puddifoot's this morning!"
Jon knew exactly who had sent the letter.
He glanced toward Astoria's seat, and she was looking at him too.
Jon lifted his head and mouthed, "I'll be a little late." Astoria gave a slight nod, signaling she understood.
After breakfast, they lined up before Filch, who checked their names against the long list of students whose parents or guardians had permitted them to visit Hogsmeade Village.
Draco Malfoy brushed past Jon.
"Good morning, Chris!" Malfoy greeted him with a smile, then lowered his voice. "Don't be late later."
"Got it!" Jon nodded. "I'll be on time."
Malfoy led the way, passing Filch's inspection with Crabbe and Goyle in tow.
Jon, however, fell into brief contemplation—attending the Death Eater reserve gathering at nine, then meeting Astoria at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Parlor at ten... The timing seemed manageable.
"Is there a problem?" Jon couldn't help asking, watching Filch scrutinize her from head to toe with a Sneakoscope.
"Nothing!" Filch frowned. "But with someone trying to order Dungbombs into the school lately, I have to be extra careful!"
"You can go now..."