Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 212 Harry's Training Camp

The news that the study group could continue quickly spread throughout Hogwarts, coupled with the sounds of conflict coming from Umbridge's office that day... In short, Thea gained unprecedented popularity at the school.

Despite the praise, Thea remained true to herself, continuing her busy work as always, even leaving a thin layer of dust on her bed in the dormitory.

But today was an exception. She sat at the desk in the dormitory, contrary to her usual behavior, with a thick stack of letters in front of her.

She needed to inform Fudge about the honorary editorship, cultivate relationships with Crouch and Bagman, and issue intelligence-gathering tasks to other Death Eater moles within the Ministry of Magic.

Umbridge's strange silence these past few days made Thea uneasy; she had a feeling that the fool was plotting something wicked again!

Indeed, Umbridge has made some big moves.

This story begins with Harry receiving a letter from Hedwig. Unlike the usual smooth sailing, Hedwig's wing was injured!

Harry hadn't initially thought this was related to Umbridge; he had only tentatively suspected the Death Eaters.

But the conversation with Sirius that night, which was abruptly interrupted, made Harry realize the mastermind behind it all!

“Ron, I’m going to deliver a message from your mother.”

Sirius became serious. "She told you under no circumstances to join the illegal Defense Against the Dark Arts group."

Ron's face paled, and the expressions of the two people around him weren't good either. "She said you'll definitely be expelled and your future will be ruined. You'll have plenty of time to learn defensive magic later..."

Sirius's gaze slowly shifted to Harry and Hermione. "She also advised Harry and Hermione not to start this study group. Although she admitted she wasn't in a position to make that demand, she was doing it for your own good..."

The more Sirius spoke, the more silent the three of them became.

"So, you want me to state that I won't join the defense team?" Harry finally asked.

"How could that be?!" Sirius exclaimed in surprise. "I think that's a great idea!"

"Really?" Harry suddenly perked up.

"Of course! Do you think your father and I would obediently listen to that old hag Umbridge?" Sirius's tone was full of disdain.

"Great!" Harry and his two friends exclaimed again.

"So, have you decided on a location for the meeting?"

Sirius looks eager to try.

“No,” Harry shook his head, “we couldn’t think of a suitable place.”

"How about the Screaming Shack?" Sirius excitedly suggested.

"...That probably won't work. The place is too small; it can't hold more than 20 people, and we also need to practice magic..."

Hermione shook her head and rejected the suggestion.

“Oh, right,” Sirius began to worry as well. Suddenly, he turned around warily to look at the bricks in the fireplace.

The next second, a thick hand covered with ugly old-fashioned rings suddenly appeared in the fire.

The three of them were so frightened that they ran away as fast as they could.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

“Umbridge read your letter, Harry!” Hermione said sternly. “I’m almost certain!”

“But what can we do?” Harry said, unusually dejected. “She has the right to do this, and we can do almost nothing but take the beating!”

Harry's outburst surprised Hermione, but Ron quickly put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Dude, we're not powerless to do anything, like, the Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"Ron!" Hermione immediately stopped him when she saw that Ron was about to portray the formation of the group as a means to fight Umbridge. "We decided to form the Defense Against the Dark Arts Group so as not to waste time!"

“Okay, okay!” Ron shrugged, and Harry relaxed as well.

A few days later, just as Harry and his friends were worrying about where to practice, Dobby brought them good news.

The House of Requirement, where their needs can be met.

That very night, Harry and his group of over 20 people held their first gathering.

At this gathering, they officially appointed Harry as their leader and changed the organization's name to "DA," meaning the Defence Association.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Hey!" Draco nudged Thea beside him and whispered, "Is Potter used to being bullied by Umbridge? Normally, shouldn't he continue to fight against Umbridge?"

Thea, intrigued by his words, also turned her head to look at Potter.

Sure enough, Potter could even make a smiling face when he saw Umbridge!

"Right, right, he must have lost his mind!" Draco said with certainty.

Thea had a guess in mind. She gently tapped Draco's table and said in a low voice, "You've been so busy these past few days, you haven't even bothered to find out anything about Zabini?"

"What news?"

Draco was completely bewildered. He had been busy making the monitoring bracelets these past few days and hadn't had time to chat with Zabini at all.

“Okay,” Thea also noticed the dark circles under Draco’s eyes. “I’ll have Zabini compile a list of recent news for you later, so take a look.”

“Okay!” Draco readily agreed.

Then Thea turned her gaze to Potter over there. Was forming a defense against the dark magic team really something to be happy about?

She formed a study group in first grade, but she still couldn't resist Umbridge's greasy attacks!

------

It's unclear where Potter and his friends angered Umbridge again, but the Twenty-Fifth Educational Order was issued.

Meanwhile, Potter and George were disqualified from continuing to play Quidditch and were banned for life.

Thea and the others didn't have time to go to the stadium that day. It was a rare time to rest, and even sleeping a little longer in the dorm was more comfortable than going to the Quidditch stadium and being exposed to the cold wind!

It's hard to imagine that these words came from Draco, a Quidditch fanatic, which also shows that Draco has been really tired lately.

"Don't worry, once you've finished developing the bracelet, I'll definitely give you a long vacation!" Thea made this promise with great enthusiasm.

Draco was about to agree, but seeing the dark circles under Thea's eyes, which were even more pronounced than his own, he ultimately refused.

"...It's okay, I quite enjoy making these things anyway!"

Draco's insincere words successfully amused everyone present, and for a moment, a joyful atmosphere filled the conference room.