"When you have time, you should take a good look at the educational order hanging on the notice wall instead of complaining to me about these problems. Even if you complain to me, I can't help you solve the problem. If you have any questions, go directly to the senior investigator. She has the power. If you want to beg our senior investigator to lift the ban on the Potter and Weasley brothers, I suggest you take the time to re-select new players."
Facing the Quidditch captain's request for help, Professor McGonagall's tone was very calm. She also knew Angelina's difficulties, but Professor McGonagall really had no other choice. Even though Toad had been miserable recently, she was still a senior investigator, and no one would openly violate the laws of the Ministry of Magic.
So, Angelina's attempt was doomed to fail.
"See you later!" After saying hello to Albert, Fred chased after Angelina and disappeared at the end of the corridor.
"Albert, wait a moment."
When Albert withdrew his gaze from the end of the corridor and was about to go to the Ancient Magic Pattern Classroom, Cedric appeared from behind him and walked side by side with him on the corridor, attracting the attention of many girls.
"What's the matter?" Albert asked.
"I've been in some trouble lately."
Cedric raised his hand and pointed to the corner on the right, and the two of them turned into the empty classroom next to them.
"What, Qiu wants to break up with you?" Albert teased.
"No, we have a good relationship." Cedric shook his head immediately.
"When are you getting married?" Albert continued to ask.
"Marry?" Cedric was a little embarrassed.
"Or are you just planning to play a love game?" Albert continued to tease the embarrassed Cedric.
"Of course not." Cedric said doubtfully, "But... isn't it too early to think about getting married now?"
"It's not too early. If you can find someone you like, you should cherish him/her."
"you're right."
Cedric seemed to be seriously considering the possibility of marrying Qiu Zhang, but was completely led astray by Albert.
"Tell me, what do you want from me?"
"Ahem, you almost led me astray. It's about Umbridge. I think you should know about the DA!" Cedric looked around and confirmed that there was no one around. He lowered his voice and said, "I suspect Umbridge already knows about the DA and is ready to take action."
"Hasn't the matter of Dumbledore's Army been a hot topic before?" Albert didn't care about the exposure of the DA.
"No, you know what I mean?" Cedric shook his head.
"She suspects you?" Albert raised his eyebrows slightly, probably guessing what was going on.
"I don't know, but I received a letter from home, which probably told me to be careful and not to confront Umbridge forcefully, so as not to be expelled and ruin my future." After receiving the letter, Cedric guessed the reason. It was nothing more than Umbridge putting pressure on her father.
"But why would Toad suspect you?" Albert was confused. Cedric didn't look like he had anything to do with the DA.
"Maybe a Slytherin student saw the Self-Defense Guide you gave me and told Umbridge about it." Cedric was a little annoyed. He didn't expect that. "I'm worried..."
Cedric didn't finish his words, but the meaning was clear.
"Are you worried that Umbridge might cause you trouble?"
"Yes, that woman is really..."
Cedric disliked Umbridge very much, but he was helpless in some things, just like other professors, so he chose to seek help from Albert.
Otherwise, once exposed, you will have to bear the price of betraying the DA.
"If Umbridge sets her sights on you, it will indeed be a problem." Albert nodded to show that he understood Cedric's concerns. "That guy will do anything to achieve his goals."
"what do I do?"
"If Toad invites you to tea one day, you have to be careful. Who knows if she will add a few drops of... potion to your drink."
"No way!" Cedric opened his mouth blankly, "It is illegal to use truth serum on others. She is the deputy minister, she shouldn't..."
"Who knows?" Albert reminded: "There has always been a saying in the wizarding world that as long as you are not discovered, it is not illegal."
"What's more, she is the deputy minister and Fudge's right-hand man."
"In order to achieve certain goals, do something illegal. As long as no one mentions it, it's fine. Don't forget those damn education orders. Do you think Fudge would prefer to find fault with Dumbledore or make trouble for Umbridge who has done a great job for her?"
"You're right." Cedric looked around and asked in a low voice, "How did you solve this problem?"
He had not forgotten that Albert had also been to Umbridge for tea several times.
“It’s very simple.”
Albert directly gave three solutions.
"You can find someone to mess with her, or make Umbridge forget about it, or carry an antidote to Veritaserum with you."
Cedric vaguely guessed how Albert solved the problem of Umbridge.
However, he had never used the Memory Charm, and God knew what would happen if he used it on Umbridge.
"Do you have an antidote to Veritaserum?" Cedric asked after hesitating for a moment.
"There's half a bottle left. I can give you some." Albert didn't refuse. He knew that if Cedric encountered truth serum, he would probably get into big trouble.
"Do you think we should stop the DA's activities?" Cedric frowned and said, "Umbridge will definitely continue her investigation if she wants to cause trouble for Dumbledore."
"If you can convince them, I have no objection." Albert didn't care, but he didn't think Cedric could succeed.
"That girl is so annoying. If you ever find a way to get rid of her, remember to let me know." Cedric stretched out his hand and swung his fist a few times, wishing he could beat the toad's face.
Before leaving, Cedric said, "Please tell Weasley and the others about this and ask them to remind Potter and raise their vigilance."
"I will."
Albert took out his pocket watch and checked the time, and found that he was going to be late.
…
"Where have you been? I haven't seen you all afternoon."
In the evening, Albert just returned to the common room and saw Lee Jordan greeting him with a smile. Fred and George were sitting in the corner fiddling with their boxes filled with various joke props.
George was holding a note, while Fred was distributing dung bombs and stink bombs to everyone. The things in the box were all small gadgets they used to deal with Umbridge, many of which were joke props developed by the twins themselves, such as the roaring ball and the screaming frog.
Of course, many students like to get quick skipping candy from them. No one likes Umbridge's classes, so if they can skip classes, that would be great.
"I'm teaching Luna, you forgot about her," Albert reminded George with a raised eyebrow, and he spent some time in the library answering some of Luna's questions about maintaining the Wizard Card Club.
"If you want her to be a suitable successor, you have to invest more time and energy in her."
"I've been so busy lately that I almost forgot about this." Lee Jordan has indeed been too busy lately. In addition to covering for the Weasley twins, he also has to spread all kinds of rumors and win over more students who hate Umbridge to deal with her together.
Nowadays, the Anti-Toad Alliance is very popular in schools, because no one wants a toad to become a principal, that would be a nightmare.
"Unfortunately, we still haven't been able to kick Umbridge out of Hogwarts School." Fred said regretfully.
"You can't drive her away."
Albert acknowledged everyone's efforts, but did not think they would succeed. It was obvious that Umbridge could not be scared away like this unless she was seriously injured and hospitalized.
"Last time, Harry suggested turning Umbridge into a toad." George walked over and said, "Let her disappear completely, and then all problems will be solved."
"This is not a good idea." Albert shook his head and rejected the proposal. To be honest, he was still reluctant to kill people, and he was also reluctant to let several people kill people.
As a last resort, he would rather let Umbridge accidentally become the next Lockhart and let her live "happily" forever rather than kill her.
"You can spread rumors that Dumbledore has a training base in the Forbidden Forest, where he trains his army." Albert said without hesitation: "Let the toad and the eight-eyed giant spider harm each other!"
"Do you think Toad would believe that?"
Lee Jordan thought the plan was unreliable because the likelihood that Toad would believe it was low.
"Isn't there Dumbledore's Army in the school?" Albert reminded, "Those Acromantulas were created by Hagrid. There's nothing wrong with Dumbledore giving orders to Hagrid and indirectly commanding those Acromantulas!"
"This rumor doesn't sound very reliable." Lee Jordan frowned again.
"Rumors are unreliable to begin with. It doesn't matter if Toad doesn't believe them after they are spread out. As long as everyone believes them, that's fine." George unscrupulously agreed with Albert's plan. "Fudge might send someone to take a look. As for what happens next, it's none of our business. Besides, even if they don't believe it, we won't suffer any loss."
"Letting the Ministry of Magic get rid of those giant spiders would be a good thing for the students of Hogwarts." Fred also supported Albert's suggestion. He had not forgotten the time when he was almost eaten by a spider. Besides, the plan was actually very simple. It was nothing more than spreading more rumors.
All three of them are actually very good at spreading rumors, and they have done so a lot in recent months.
If rumors are spread too much, even if you don't believe them, you will start to doubt them. Just having doubts is enough. Umbridge, who is anxious to find something to hold against Dumbledore, will definitely pay attention to them, and at that time he will naturally take the bait.
"Are you okay?"
Albert did not participate in the discussion between the three people and looked at Angelina, who looked tired.
"No, very no," Angelina pulled off her cloak listlessly and glared at Fred and George reproachfully.
"We found a replacement." Alia said sadly.
"But... it's just barely possible." Katie muttered.
"They just lack experience. You can't expect everyone to be a Quidditch genius." Albert comforted.
"You are the least qualified to do this." Angelina rolled her eyes at Albert and said impatiently, "If you are willing, we can save a lot of trouble. At least we will have a higher chance of winning the subsequent games."
"You know, I'm very busy and have no time to train." Albert said nonchalantly.
"Who are the substitutes?" Fred asked curiously.
"The new Seeker is your sister Ginny," Angelina said dissatisfiedly. "She is a good flyer. She was originally the substitute for the Chaser, but since we can't find a more suitable Seeker, we can only let her take over for now."
Angelina suspected that Albert recommended Ginny to her because he was worried that she would let him play ball.
It must be like this!
"Andrew Kirk and Jack Sloper are the new substitute batters." Alia was a little depressed. "They are both a little slow, but better than other wood. They are the best batters we can find so far."
"Ron has not been in a very good state. The last match was a big blow to him." Angelina found a chair to sit down and complained, "I doubt how I can lead everyone to win the Quidditch game."
The Gryffindor team was almost unable to hold on, which was why Angelina went to find Professor McGonagall.
It was hard enough with just Ron at first, but now there were three new players. Angelina couldn't believe how she was going to win with three burdens.
"How about discussing with other teams and just giving up the Quidditch game?" Lee Jordan suggested, secretly glancing at Angelina, who looked tired.
Not only him, but everyone else is not optimistic about the current team.
Everyone knew how bad Ron's performance was, but Angelina still patiently taught him, because they all knew that as long as they could help Ron overcome his nervousness and rebuild his confidence, they would get a qualified goalkeeper.
Now there are two more batsmen who are holding back the team. As for Ginny, she can only be said to be barely holding back the team.
Angelina was silent.
To be honest, she didn't want to give up. Even if Gryffindor was defeated in the end, she didn't want to give up. If she didn't play Quidditch for a semester, it would be hard for her to imagine how she would join the team after graduation.
However, today's training almost made her emotionally collapse, and Angelina seemed to see a disastrous defeat in the second game.
"Let me calm down. By the way, Albert, I have something to ask you. Shall we go over there and talk?"
"You want me to predict whether you'll be able to join a Quidditch club?"
"right."
After confirming that Angelina had asked him for a prophecy, Albert was a little surprised, but it seemed to be expected.
"If you want to join the Quidditch club, I think it should be no problem. After all, there are too many Quidditch teams in the UK and Ireland. Every year, the number of new students in Hogwarts is not enough to replenish their fresh blood. They always need new members to join, at least reserve members, but..."
"You haven't predicted it yet." Angelina looked at Albert, "It's just your guess."
"Yes, there is no need to predict some things. I am more curious about whether you will join the Quidditch team. After all, the British wizarding world will not be peaceful after we graduate from school. Moreover, I cannot guarantee that you can join a team that satisfies you."
"Well, thank you, Albert." Angelina turned and walked away.
"What does she want from you?" Fred, George and Lee Jordan appeared out of nowhere.
"Angelina wants me to help her predict whether she can join the Quidditch Club and become a professional Quidditch player after graduation." Albert explained to the others.
"What's the result?"
I think there's no problem with her joining. If she really wants to play Quidditch, there will always be a team for her to join. Your sister Ginny will probably also choose to become a professional Quidditch player, but girls' careers as professional Quidditch players won't last too long.
"Why?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.
"Why? Because they always get married!" Albert said as a matter of course: "They always have to make a choice between family and career. This is a problem that many girls will encounter."
"That's a problem," muttered Fred.
"Oh, by the way, Cedric asked me to tell you something."
"What's up?"
Umbridge seems to have set her sights on the DA.
"We know." The three said in unison.
"No, you don't know." Albert looked at the three people who didn't care and reminded them, "If she wants to find clues, she will definitely use any means necessary."
"For example?" Lee Jordan raised his eyebrows.
"Veritaserum."
"So, you think Toad might ..."
"It's not a possibility, it's a certainty, if Toad really makes up his mind."