As Kael sat down in the seat Conna had saved for him, the sumptuous lunch appeared on the plate just in time.
"How did it go?" Conna asked.
"Just as we suspected, Umbridge... or the Ministry of Magic is targeting the professors," Kael said, "However, there was one thing I didn't expect."
"What?"
"About Professor Trelawney." Kael placed a piece of toast on his plate. "I think she might actually have a bit of prophetic talent."
"Who, Professor Trelawney?" Cedric said in surprise, then shook his head, "As far as I know, other than those aiming to earn every certificate, no one chooses to continue Divination Class after the sixth year. It's pointless; you learn nothing in her class."
"Yeah, you're right." Kael said with a smile, "Perhaps she just got lucky."
By the afternoon, Kael had to admit that he might have underestimated Umbridge's audacity.
The first class in the afternoon was Transfiguration Class, and when Kael entered the classroom, he saw Umbridge sitting in a corner with her clipboard.
However, when Professor McGonagall walked into the classroom, she acted as if she didn't see her and walked right past.
"Looks like Umbridge hit a brick wall this time." Cho, who was in class with them, whispered gleefully, "Professor McGonagall isn't one to be trifled with."
"Indeed." Kael couldn't help but laugh.
Professor McGonagall strode to the podium and turned around, making the classroom fall silent instantly.
"Alright, let's begin class." Professor McGonagall said, "After a month of learning, almost everyone has mastered the basics of Human Transfiguration, so now we'll increase the difficulty again…"
"Ahem, ahem." A coughing sound came from the back of the classroom as Umbridge stood up, appearing to want to say something.
But Professor McGonagall acted as if she didn't see her and ignored her completely.
"Advanced Human Transfiguration means not only changing appearance but also possessing corresponding abilities, just like in the second task of last year's Triwizard Tournament, when the Durmstrang Champion transfigured the upper half of his body into a shark in the Black Lake, it was a successful Human Transfiguration..."
"Ahem, ahem." Umbridge let out another bout of foolish coughs.
Annoyed by the interruption again, Professor McGonagall turned around, "What is it, what do you want to say!"
"I just wanted to ask if it's too early for them to be learning Human Transfiguration." Umbridge said, "As far as I know, this technique is very dangerous."
"I obviously disagree with you." Professor McGonagall said, "These are the best sixth-year students. If they're still learning how to turn teapots into rabbits at this stage, that would be truly dangerous.
"Besides, my advanced courses have always been like this, didn't you know?"
Umbridge looked as if she had been slapped in the face, her color changing between green and red.
When she was at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall was already teaching Transfiguration... but clearly, her grades hadn't qualified her for the advanced class.
So, Professor McGonagall's words were practically mocking her poor performance in front of everyone.
The classroom was filled with low murmurs of laughter.
Umbridge's expression darkened even more.
"Ahem, ahem." She coughed again.
But before she could say anything, Professor McGonagall spoke first: "Enough, if you want to observe my class, please don't interrupt repeatedly.
"Also, in my class, no one else is allowed to speak!"
Professor McGonagall made no attempts to be polite, making Umbridge feel as if the other side of her face was slapped. Enraged, Umbridge trembled, scribbling furiously on her clipboard.
Although Kael couldn't see what she wrote, he was sure it wasn't anything good; her crossed-out gestures were quite obvious.
But Professor McGonagall remained unfazed, showing no concern.
And for the rest of the class, Umbridge didn't embarrass herself further.
Only after Professor McGonagall announced the end of the class and the students filed out did Umbridge stand, her face stern as she walked towards the podium.
Kael let go, and the book and quill in his hand fell to the ground, forcing him to stop and pick them up.
Conna also turned back from the front to help.
"How long have you been at Hogwarts?" Umbridge asked.
Professor McGonagall closed her book with a snap and said stiffly, "It'll be thirty-nine years come December."
"Oh… nearly forty years…" Conna said in surprise, "Has Professor McGonagall been at the school that long?"
"Of course, don't forget many professors have taken her Transfiguration Class, like Professor Snape, and also..." Kael nodded towards Umbridge, indicating her.
While talking, Umbridge had just written something on her clipboard and looked up again to ask:
"By the way, I heard that many students have been injured in this class. Have you ever thought that maybe your teaching method is flawed?"
Professor McGonagall's eyebrows nearly knitted together as she replied in an extremely cold voice:
"I don't need anyone else to teach me how to conduct a Transfiguration Class.
"Furthermore, if you're referring to Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Finnigan, I must tell you that for them, even a simple Lighting Spell isn't completely safe."
"Oh?" Umbridge said, "Have you ever considered that for the sake of student safety, you shouldn't allow them to use wands, wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"I recall you fell down the stairs while running out of the school yesterday." Professor McGonagall retorted, "Why don't you just stay in your office?"
Umbridge said nothing, only jotting a few notes on her clipboard with a livid face.
"Very well." she said, "You'll get your investigation results in ten days."
"I can't wait," Professor McGonagall replied coldly, glancing at Umbridge, who was rubbing her hand with a seemingly concerned voice, she asked:
"How's your hand?"
"It's just a minor issue." Umbridge was slightly taken aback, misunderstanding it as an olive branch from Professor McGonagall.
"Maybe I touched something enchanted in the office while cleaning," she said, "I wouldn't be surprised; there was never a sane person in that office before, not even that deranged Moody, or the werewolf..."
Umbridge said with disgust, "I threw everything out, just like the unreasonable rules in this school should be discarded."
"Is that so." Professor McGonagall gave her a meaningful look but said nothing more, striding towards the door.
She waved her wand, and a piece of parchment flew from the ground into Kael's hand.
"It was here all along, thank you, Professor McGonagall." Kael said, "I couldn't find it earlier."
Conna looked down awkwardly.
After all, that piece of parchment was in the most conspicuous spot by the door... and Kael could still naturally say he hadn't found it...
"Hurry on, don't be late for the next class." Professor McGonagall said as she left the classroom.
Conna wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she thought she saw Professor McGonagall smile just a moment ago.