Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 237 Collapse of Faith

The atmosphere at Hogwarts was like a bucket of water poured into a raging fire after the study groups were disbanded.

Useful, but not much.

Soon, the "three against one" situation at Hogwarts became tense again. Slytherin, who was already arrogant, naturally chose to fight back, and the other three houses were not to be outdone, so they picked up their wands and charged.

Umbridge also joined in the fun, taking advantage of her position as headmistress to blatantly favor Slytherin. In doing so, she even managed to gain the favor of a few Slytherins by sheer coincidence!

In this boiling, tense atmosphere, Thea's detached observation became all the more striking.

No one knew what she was thinking. She remained pale-faced, her body growing weaker day by day, as she went back and forth between the library, classroom, and dormitory.

Even though Draco and the others were also affected by the "battle," she didn't say a word, just tossed over a few training schedules, and then... plunged back into the library.

Those who don't understand might find Thea too cold, but it is precisely this exceptionally calm approach that has suppressed the slightly agitated mindset of the entire Slytherin group.

They could guess what Thea would say even with their eyes closed:

“You are students, not soldiers. There’s no need for you to run around like monkeys in heat every day, waving sticks around!”

"Is it because the library has too few books? Or because there aren't enough training programs? That's why you have nowhere to expend your excess energy?"

"Look at your recent report cards! If you had any shame, you should have emptied your brains of all that water, lest your already not-so-bright brains become even less useful from not thinking for so long!"

The biting sarcasm poured a bucket of cold water on Slytherin's head, leaving the other three houses completely baffled by Slytherin's sudden silence.

The atmosphere at Hogwarts became strangely calmer because of Slytherin's "divine intervention," but...

"—Weasley!"

The sharp, furious shout shattered the tranquility of Hogwarts. Umbridge's overly intense emotions even made Thea, who was far away in the library, pause in her tracks.

After confirming that she hadn't misspelled anything, Thea leisurely made her way to the scene of the incident—as the head of the investigation team, she couldn't very well be absent in this situation.

The scene before me was just like the night Trelawney was fired, with the students standing in a large circle on the outside, not only the students, but also the teachers and ghosts.

Upon seeing Thea approach, several members of the investigation team immediately moved closer to her discreetly and gave a brief, low-voiced report of what had just happened.

Before long, Umbridge spotted Thea, who had arrived late. She arrogantly waved to Thea—who felt as if several Gryffindors were piercing her with their gazes.

"Thea, the young wizard openly provoked and attacked the headmaster while at school—"

Umbridge's exaggerated use of language clearly provoked dissatisfaction among many, and whispers filled the air.

"Quiet!"

Umbridge's stern shout had an effect, and the scene returned to deathly silence.

Umbridge nodded in satisfaction, then asked Thea in an even sweeter voice, "Thea, according to the education decree, what punishment do you think they should receive?"

What does it feel like to be hated so much that people want to kill you with their eyes?

Thea understood this very well.

Perhaps because she had already prepared herself mentally, Thea was not intimidated.

At this moment of intense attention—Thea bowed slightly to Umbridge, replying with absolute respect: "According to Article Ninety-Eight of the Education Decree, the offender shall be punished with 30 lashes—"

Quiet.

Extreme silence.

Countless people stared intently at Thea's slight bow.

How dare she do this!

Umbridge is the enemy who drove Dumbledore away!

Why are you being so respectful to her?!

Where is Slytherin's pride?

What about the Black family's reputation?

Aren't these the things that you pure-blood families value most?!

Are you crazy??

Thea wasn't crazy; her decision to lose face was the best choice after weighing the pros and cons!

Umbridge doesn't want to see Slytherin's recent quiet state!

What do you do if your knife gets dull?

Umbridge's approach is what many people do: find a whetstone of good enough quality!

And Thea is the best whetstone!

Despite being born in Slytherin, she was so different from everyone else!

Not only is it the core gathering place of Slytherin, but it also has a large following in the other three houses!

Based on that alone, she's Umbridge's first choice!

Moreover, she believed that Thea was so smart that she would definitely cooperate with her.

Sure enough, seeing the girl bow slightly, Umbridge's excitement grew.

In a daze, the frustrations of my youth in Slytherin, the pain and resentment of being scorned for my humble origins, all seemed to vanish at this moment…

Look!

Even the "uncrowned king" of Slytherin has to bow down to me now!

Therefore, I'm on the right track!

Therefore, I am the ultimate victor!

You are nothing but stepping stones for me to climb higher!

“…Argus!”

Umbridge twisted and fanatically pointed his short, stubby fingers fiercely at the two brothers who stood frozen in the center of the crowd.

"Beat them!"

"Beat them hard!!!"

George and Fred were brought back to their senses by the shout. The two brothers exchanged a knowing glance and then said in unison:

"A broom is flying!"

The sound of chains scraping against the ground reached everyone's ears... and grew louder and louder.

We'll never see each other again!

Two spirited boys, riding broomsticks, pointed contemptuously at the dumbfounded Umbridge on the ground. "Any Hogwarts student who swears to use our products to drive away this toad can enjoy a special discount!"

"—Stop them!" Umbridge was furious, his body trembling slightly.

No one moved, not even the investigation team; they seemed stunned as well…

Finally, amidst a storm of cheers, the two boys, just as they had so many times before in Quidditch, ran towards freedom.

After the revelry subsided, the young wizards, regaining their senses, slowly turned their complex gazes toward a certain spot—where Thea slightly raised her hand to shield her eyes from the overly bright sunlight, gazing into the distance in the direction the two boys had left, her face still calm.

What the hell is she thinking?

Seeing the complicated looks the young wizards gave Thea, Umbridge's anger slowly subsided.

She looked at Thea's calm face with a half-smile, her malice growing stronger.

Thea, I really hate your calmness.

This calmness often makes me feel like a clown!

But... it's okay.

You won't be able to stay this calm for long.

How long can you withstand the backlash after your faith collapses?