For the next few days, Hogwarts enjoyed something it hadn't experienced in a while: peace.
Umbridge didn't appear in Defence Against the Dark Arts, nor anywhere else — no corridor patrols, no Great Hall sightings.
Nobody knew exactly what had happened to her, so naturally the students filled the gap with rumours. Some claimed the Ministry had taken her away.
Others said a witch she'd offended had cursed her. One particularly dramatic version had her dying in her office from the weight of her own sins. By breakfast that version had already splintered into several more.
Nobody actually knew the truth. What mattered was that she was gone.
Without her appearing around every corner with another decree or detention, Hogwarts felt noticeably lighter.
Students walked the corridors without wondering if they were about to be stopped for some ridiculous rule violation. Even the tension between houses had eased.
Hermione walked beside Victor through the corridor, hand in his, watching students laughing together. "It really is peaceful. I didn't realise Umbridge disappearing could make this much difference."
"Well, she made Hogwarts uncomfortable with all those useless rules."
"Banned half the things students normally did, interfered with the teachers, handed out detentions whenever someone disagreed with her, decided couples shouldn't be wandering around together—"
"You're still annoyed about that one."
"Of course I am. It was ridiculous."
"You weren't exactly obeying it."
"I don't remember agreeing to it."
Hermione smiled and shook her head. "What do you think actually happened to her? Why hasn't she come out of her office?"
Victor considered it. "Maybe she became ugly and doesn't want anyone to see her."
"Victor."
"What? She wasn't exactly pleasant-looking before."
"That's a horrible thing to say."
He shrugged. "I'm only guessing."
Hermione tried to suppress a laugh. "You're enjoying this far too much."
"I enjoy not having Umbridge around."
"That isn't quite the same thing."
"No," he admitted. "But it's close."
They passed a group of younger students trading the latest, increasingly ridiculous rumour. Hermione glanced back. "Do you think she'll come back?"
Victor's expression turned thoughtful. "Eventually."
He knew better than to assume she'd simply vanish from Hogwarts — in the original course of events she'd become one of the Ministry's most important weapons inside the school, and Fudge kept expanding her authority precisely because the Ministry wanted control over the castle. Her absence was only temporary.
He squeezed Hermione's hand. "Enjoy the peace while it lasts."
***
After a week, the modified Polyjuice finally wore off.
Umbridge returned looking perfectly normal, though considerably less cheerful about it. Days confined to her office hadn't done anything for her temperament.
Her first appearance back in Defence Against the Dark Arts made the entire class miserable.
She walked in wearing the pink cardigan and that same irritating smile. "Good morning, class. I trust you have all managed to behave yourselves during my absence."
Unenthusiastic murmurs answered her before everyone opened their textbooks.
She sat behind her desk and began the lesson, her high-pitched voice filling the room as she instructed them to copy another section from Defensive Magical Theory.
Victor sat beside Hermione, apparently following along.
He wasn't.
His consciousness had slipped into his Astral form, body sitting quietly at the desk while his spirit hovered near the ceiling. He noticed the large chandelier hanging directly above Umbridge's desk. Studied it for a moment. Waited.
"...and therefore, as responsible members of the wizarding community, students should understand that unnecessary use of defensive magic—"
He waited until she stood directly beneath it.
Then he snapped his fingers.
The chain gave way. The chandelier crashed down.
Umbridge looked up just in time to see it coming.
"AAAAAAAH!"
The class jumped. The chandelier struck the desk and buried her beneath the wreckage. Chairs scraped as several students shot to their feet.
Victor slipped back into his body, opened his eyes, and took in the chaos.
"Okay, class. Nobody do anything. This is the exact moment we can prove Professor Umbridge's teaching is useful. Everyone stay calm."
"Victor—" Hermione started.
"Someone go get a professor."
Neville looked at Umbridge struggling beneath the chandelier. "Shouldn't we help her? She looks like she's in pain."
Victor's expression stayed perfectly serious. "No. Why would we? We should follow her teaching. Someone get a professor, and until then, nobody touches Professor Umbridge or moves anything. We don't want to make her injuries worse."
Neville hesitated. "But—"
"Professor Umbridge spent months telling us students shouldn't interfere in dangerous situations," Victor said, keeping a completely straight face. "So let's follow the rules."
Hermione looked at him suspiciously.
Victor picked up his textbook and calmly turned back to the page. "Besides. A professor will be here shortly."
*****
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