บท 241: Chapter 241: The Game
"Actually, the reason you can't see them isn't because they're invisible," Hagrid said with a hearty laugh. "I don't fully understand the principle behind it, but these creatures, called Thestrals, are indeed quite lovable."
"But they're very, very unlucky!" Parvati interjected, looking horrified. "Seeing them brings terrible misfortune! Professor Trelawney once told me—"
Augustus interrupted her with a gentle smile. "Thestrals are actually rather docile creatures. Most wild Thestrals can be tamed. You see, the carriages we ride every year are driven by them. If you insist on talking about their aggression, I'd say it only appears when they face genuine threats."
Hagrid nodded gratefully at Augustus and continued, "Exactly right! For humans, these creatures provide many conveniences. As for being unlucky, well, that's just superstition."
Two more Thestrals quietly appeared, one brushing past Parvati. She trembled violently, clinging tightly to a tree trunk.
"Don't be afraid; it won't hurt you," Hagrid reassured her patiently. "Now, can anyone tell me why some people can see them while others can't?"
Malfoy raised his hand.
Hagrid hesitated but eventually called on him. "Go ahead."
"If you'd said it was Thestrals earlier, I wouldn't have been so scared," Malfoy said nonchalantly, waving a dismissive hand. "They're just some invisible fools. If you want to see them, just visit a Wizengamot execution."
Hagrid's thick beard quivered slightly. He sighed and nodded. "Yes, to see Thestrals, one must have witnessed death firsthand. Actually—"
"Ah-hem."
Professor Umbridge had arrived. She stood just a few feet from Harry, still wearing her green hat and cloak and holding a clipboard. Never having heard Umbridge's signature cough, Hagrid glanced nervously at a nearby Thestral, seemingly suspecting it as the source of the noise.
"Ah-hem."
"Oh, hello!" Hagrid greeted her with a smile, realizing where the sound came from.
"Did you receive the note I sent to your hut this morning?" Umbridge asked, speaking slowly and loudly, as she had the last time she addressed Hagrid.
"Oh, I got it," Hagrid said heartily. "Glad you found the place! You see— I don't know— can you see them? We're talking about Thestrals today—"
"Sorry?" Umbridge cupped her hand around her ear, frowning. "What did you say?"
"Er— Thestrals!" Hagrid said loudly. "Big horses— er— with wings, you know!" He flapped his burly arms awkwardly.
Umbridge raised an eyebrow, writing as she muttered aloud, "Relies on clumsy gestures...?"
"Uh, right," Hagrid said, turning back to the students, looking a bit flustered. "Where was I?"
"Seems… poor memory?" Umbridge remarked loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Hagrid glanced uneasily at her clipboard but bravely pressed on. "Right, I was just about to explain—"
"Are you aware," Umbridge interrupted in her sharp voice, "that the Ministry of Magic has classified Thestrals as 'dangerous creatures'?"
"Thestrals are dangerous creatures?" Augustus suddenly asked Malfoy beside him. "If even Thestrals—key transportation animals—are classified as dangerous, shouldn't Dementors guarding Azkaban be labeled as an extinction-level threat to humanity?"
Draco gave a hollow laugh, playing along. "Exactly. Compared to those pests, Thestrals are no more dangerous than sheep."
Umbridge's steady hand trembled slightly as she held her notebook. Her face contorted into a forced smile, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Mr. Augustus, the classification of Thestrals as 'dangerous creatures' is a Ministry regulation. Also, as part of the new Educational Decree reforms, the High Inquisitor has been granted additional authority to discipline students and amend teaching practices. This was proposed by your father himself."
Many students turned to Augustus in surprise, evidently unaware of the new educational decree or its implications. The tension between Augustus and Umbridge was well-known at Hogwarts, but now, with this decree signed off by his father, the situation had grown even more intriguing.
Augustus smiled faintly, nodding. "In that case, congratulations are in order." Before Umbridge could respond with her trademark fake smile, his expression turned icy. "However, I've reviewed the educational reform decree. In the section regarding the authority over teachers, there's a specific clause about 'discretionary amendments.' You seem to have overlooked the term discretionary. Is it because you don't understand what it means? Perhaps you should consult Minister Fudge. A reform decree that fails to clarify its core principles? Excellent work as High Inquisitor."
Umbridge's artificial smile froze. Augustus had hit the mark. Indeed, the decree had expanded her authority over student discipline, but her power over teachers remained limited by "discretionary" oversight—a nuance she had either missed or ignored. Today, Augustus's pointed words hinted that she was merely a pawn in a larger political chess game, caught in the crossfire of high-level maneuvering.
Hermione, who had been attentively listening, was deep in thought. The reform decree had always seemed opaque to her, but now, Augustus's insights were shedding light on its intricacies.
For the rest of the class, Umbridge kept silent. Hagrid smoothly resumed his lesson, explaining the biological traits of Thestrals with increasing confidence. Many students, despite being unable to see the creatures, enjoyed feeding them enthusiastically. About ten minutes before the lesson ended, Umbridge hurriedly left the Forbidden Forest.
Once again, snow began to fall, the delicate flakes drifting from the sky. The world returned to its frozen, snow-blanketed stillness.
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