Became good friends with the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 163 Prejudice

Hagrid opened the door and Umbridge walked in wearing a green cloak. She wrinkled her nose as if she had entered not a human residence but a lair of a magical creature.

Hiding in the dark, Aeris looked at the old witch Umbridge in silence. How much does she like green? Aeris secretly complained.

"So... you are Hagrid?" Umbridge spoke slowly and loudly. She looked at Hagrid with undisguised contempt in her eyes, as if she believed that Hagrid could not understand human language.

"I don't mean to be rude... Ma'am," Umbridge's look annoyed Hagrid. Hagrid stared at Umbridge and said, "Who are you?"

"Dolores Jane Umbridge," Umbridge said in the same uncomfortable tone, "This year's newly appointed professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts and senior inquisitor of Hogwarts..."

"I don't quite understand, ma'am," said Hagrid gruffly. "I don't think there's anything for you to investigate at Hogwarts..."

"I don't expect you to understand," Umbridge said in that disgusting tone, "I was instructed by the Minister of Magic to investigate whether the people in Hogwarts teaching positions are really qualified for the job. So, I appeared here..."

Umbridge began to look around the room carefully, and glanced several times at the corner where Aeris, Harry and their four companions were hiding.

"Were you speaking to anyone?" inquired Umbridge.

"No," Hagrid answered guiltily, "I was just chatting with my dog. You know, I'm a gamekeeper, and I spend more time with my dogs than with people."

Umbridge began to pace the cabin, obviously not believing what Hagrid said.

"Then what's wrong with you?" Umbridge looked at Hagrid's dirty body and asked, "The salary that Headmaster Dumbledore gives you is not enough for you to buy a decent set of clothes?"

"Oh! No, I just came back," Hagrid said a little weakly, "I'm just a little tired and fell on the road. You know, a big guy like me may have an accident when taking any means of transportation..."

"Then where have you been?" Umbridge suddenly asked, "It's been more than two months since the start of the school year. Your colleagues don't know your whereabouts, and you didn't leave your address. I really don't think disappearing without reason is something a good professor should do."

"Oh! Well... I... I... I went out to relax," Hagrid said stutteringly, "With Mr. Dumbledore's permission, I have been a gamekeeper here for more than fifty years, and in the past two years I became a professor of Care of Magical Creatures. Mr. Dumbledore thought it was necessary for me to go out... and breathe some fresh air..."

"It seems that the air in the Forbidden Forest is not fresh enough?" Umbridge asked teasingly.

Hagrid's face, which was not covered by beard and hair, turned red. "A change of scenery... Mr. Dumbledore thinks it will be good for... uh... good for... physical and mental health..."

"Mountain scenery?" Umbridge asked aggressively, making Aeris wonder how this vicious woman's intuition could be so sharp.

"No... I went to the south of France, the sunshine, the beach, the sea..." Hagrid answered without much thought. Obviously he had made some preparations before coming back, but his preparations seemed to be insufficient.

"Really?" Umbridge asked suspiciously. "Then why don't you have a tan?"

"I'm not dark enough now?" Hagrid asked oddly, which made Aeris almost laugh out loud.

"I will tell the Minister the truth," Umbridge said finally, coldly. "The fact that you are back so late . . . "

"What's the point of telling Fudge?" Hagrid said puzzledly, "I mean, I don't work for the Ministry of Magic, do I? I'm not Fudge's subordinate..."

Umbridge frowned unhappily, then said, "As a senior investigator, I will come to sit in on your Care of Magical Creatures class, so we will meet again soon."

Umbridge said, and suddenly turned and walked towards the door, but Hagrid understood something.

"You want to investigate us?" Hagrid asked.

"Yes, Mr. Hagrid!" Umbridge's hand was already on the door handle. She turned her head and looked at Hagrid, still with that disgusting tone, "The Minister is determined to clean up those... unqualified... professors."

"But what gives you the right? I mean..." Hagrid wanted to ask something else, but Umbridge had already walked out of the room without looking back, closed the door heavily, and walked towards the castle.

After waiting for a while and making sure that Umbridge would not turn back halfway, Aris, Harry and his companions reappeared in the cabin.

"This is weird," Hagrid said to himself, "She wants to investigate us too?"

"Yes," said Aris. "Professor Trelawney of Divination has been placed on probation. Please, Hagrid, don't bring out magical creatures like the Blast-Ended Skrewt again. If the Ministry of Magic knew that you were illegally crossbreeding different magical creatures, not only you but also Professor Dumbledore would be in trouble."

The others also looked at Hagrid worriedly.

Hagrid said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person who can't tell the difference. I have prepared some very special magical creatures for your OWls year. They will definitely give you a big surprise."

The four companions were no longer worried, but terrified. Hermione asked tentatively: "They... uh... what's so special about them?"

"There wouldn't be any surprises if I told you, would there?" Hagrid said with a smile.

Hermione said anxiously, "Oh, Hagrid, this is not a trivial matter. Umbridge is trying every means to drive away the original professors. If she catches you, and if your class is too dangerous, then..."

"Stop talking nonsense. Would I teach you about dangerous magical creatures?" Facing the strange looks from his four companions, Hagrid seemed a little annoyed. "Well, it's too late now. I don't allow you to stay here any longer. Now, go back to the castle!" Hagrid's voice was full of the majesty of a professor.

The four companions had no choice but to leave, but Hermione was determined to help Hagrid prepare for class.