When Kael arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, there wasn't a soul around.
He knocked on the door.
"Come in." Umbridge's voice came from inside.
Kael pushed the door open and walked in.
The place was just as it was last time he came; filled with all kinds of exquisite handicrafts, though it seemed the cat plates on the walls had increased.
"I'm disappointed..."
Once the office door was closed, Umbridge, who had been smiling, immediately changed to a strange expression, unclear if it was disappointment or smugness, as she looked at Kael.
"I waited in this office yesterday, expecting you to come share some interesting news, but you never came.
"This might prove you're not as loyal as you claimed and still stand by Dumbledore."
"I don't understand what you're saying, Professor," Kael said in surprise. "Should I know something?"
"Oh?" Umbridge laughed lightly. "Alright, I'll give you a little hint.
"From what I know, yesterday several dozen people went to the Hog's Head Pub together in Hogsmeade. Can you tell me what they went there to do?"
"Was there such a thing?" Kael asked in surprise, "I had no idea."
"Liar!" Umbridge's voice grew colder, "From what I know, many of those people are your friends. How could you not know? You might have even been there."
"That's impossible," Kael shook his head, "I've never been to Hog's Head Pub, nor do I know about any gatherings there."
"It seems you're not planning to tell the truth." Umbridge's fake smile returned, speaking sweetly, "Lying to a professor? How about a week of detention? I believe by then, you'll be willing to speak honestly."
"Everything I said is true," Kael's expression remained unchanged, "Yesterday when I arrived in Hogsmeade, I went to Gladrags Wizardwear; Miss Daphne Greengrass from Slytherin can testify as she was in the store too."
"And after that!" Umbridge said, "I remember the gathering wasn't early; you could have attended after leaving the clothing store."
"Afterward, I stayed at the Three Broomsticks, I didn't go anywhere else." Kael said.
Umbridge looked at him with some suspicion, "Can anyone vouch for that?"
"Anyone who visited the Three Broomsticks can,"
Kael said, "I was sitting opposite the entrance, many people must have seen me."
Umbridge hesitated for a moment, seemingly not expecting Kael's response.
"You didn't lie?"
"Of course not." Kael said, "Also, Ms. Rosmerta can confirm I didn't leave before noon.
"Or you could ask those who went to the Hog's Head Pub if I was there."
Umbridge fell silent for a moment.
When she raised her head again, her smile became even more fake, making it uncomfortable to look at her.
"No need, I certainly trust you," she said oddly, with some mockery in her tone. "However, your so-called friends seem not to."
"Ah, indeed." Kael restrained the impulse to punch her, saying, "I didn't expect them to hide so much from me, truly disappointing."
"Then, I need you to help the Ministry of Magic investigate this matter." Umbridge continued to smile, "Dumbledore chose the Hog's Head Pub for meetings; perhaps there's a connection."
"Could it just be a coincidence?" Kael said.
"Absolutely not," Umbridge said firmly, "I don't believe in such coincidences; those people must be Dumbledore's secret force among the students."
Kael remained silent, mostly because he didn't know what to say... It was rare for him to speak the truth, yet Umbridge still didn't believe him.
Dumbledore chose the Hog's Head Pub because he thought it was full of trustworthy people, safe enough. Cedric and the others went purely because it was less populated, making it less likely for others to eavesdrop.
So it was truly just a coincidence, nothing more.
And as for Dumbledore recruiting students as a secret force?
One cannot deny that Umbridge and Rita Skeeter might get along well, given their unfathomable absurd ideas.
However, seeing Umbridge so convinced, Kael didn't say anything, just nodded, "I'll take care of it, Professor, I'll be sure to find out."
"I'll be relying on you then," Umbridge said, "Don't let me down."
"I'll thoroughly investigate," Kael said, "For the Ministry of Magic."
Umbridge's expression immediately turned serious.
"For the Ministry of Magic!"
...
"So you're going to report us?"
During the afternoon's Quidditch practice match, Fred asked in the locker room.
This was the Hufflepuff locker room; technically, Gryffindor shouldn't be here, but since it was just them, it didn't matter.
"In theory, I should," Kael said as he wiped his broom, "Turn you all in to Umbridge for house points."
"How many points would Umbridge give you for telling her what we're planning?"
"I don't know, but it probably won't be less than fifty."
"Only fifty?" George seemed dissatisfied, feeling Umbridge was stingy, "We're Dumbledore's secret force, only worth fifty points? I thought it would be at least a hundred."
"No wonder you didn't go to Hog's Head Pub that day," Fred said, "Did you already know this would happen?"
"Not exactly," Kael shook his head, "I only remembered after arriving in Hogsmeade."
"Haha, having you investigate our gathering." George couldn't help but laugh, "She'll never know the truth."
"But I still don't get it." Cedric said, "Why did Umbridge find you? And you seem obligated to help her.
Also, what did you mean yesterday about opposing Professor Dumbledore?"
"It's part of the plan; it's hard to explain in a few words," Kael said, "Just remember, we're currently opposing each other... At least convince Umbridge we are."
George's eyes darted. "So... can we beat you up here? After all, that's how we handle Slytherin."
"Exactly," Fred said with a sinister grin, "Three against one, you stand no chance."
...