Chapter 1087 Conspiracy, conspiracy
Umbridge attached great importance to the information "pried" from the mouths of Harry and Ron, and reported the "good news" as soon as possible, which was highly praised by Fudge.
However, it is quite difficult to nip the danger in the bud.
It is impossible for Fudge to let the elite Aurors of the Ministry of Magic go to the Forbidden Forest to exterminate the Acromantula. Even if he really dared to issue an order to exterminate the Acromantula, the Aurors would not accept it. In a ghostly place like the Forbidden Forest, those Acromantulas are even more dangerous than dark wizards, and even the most elite Aurors may lose their lives.
So, catching Fred and George and prying them into the secret base of the Order of the Phoenix is the best solution at present, which is more reliable than destroying the Acromantula's nest.
Umbridge was therefore appointed by Fudge to handle the matter with full authority.
“What if Albert Anderson steps in to stop it?”
Before leaving, Umbridge did not forget to mention her worries.
“After all, Anderson and Weasley are very good friends. I suspect that Weasley’s actions are supported by him. As we all know, the Weasley family is not rich.”
Even though there is no evidence, years of work tell Umbridge intuitively that Anderson is suspicious and may be doing something secretly behind the scenes.
"If that guy tries to prevent you from capturing Weasley, then arrest him too. I believe that spending a few months in Azkaban Prison will completely calm down his smart mind." Fudge said coldly, He would never tolerate someone trying to oust him.
No one can do it!
"I'll take care of it." Umbridge returned to Hogwarts in a happy mood.
Such a good mood did not last long, because the plan to capture Fred and George did not go as smoothly as expected. Even the twins were not seen. On the contrary, the anti-toad movement became more and more powerful.
With the Marauder's Map, Fred and George can easily evade capture and play with Umbridge's group in the palm of their hands.
The unlucky Filch became one of the special targets of the Anti-Toad League because he had taken refuge with the toads. He had to go to the school hospital every day, and it almost became his new home.
“Damn, deserve to die.”
At this moment, in the Defense Against Dark Arts office, a furious Umbridge was breaking things to vent her anger.
It was really hard for Umbridge to imagine that she was unexpectedly attacked by those despicable and shameless people. When she woke up, she found that she was covered in a layer of smelly mud, squatting like a toad on the platform of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. On the blackboard behind it were the slogans of the Anti-Toad Alliance and the symbol of Umbridge's toad spitting out snakes.
What made Umbridge the most angry was that she stood in that position on the podium for an entire class, but no one helped her to remove the body-binding spell from beginning to end.
"Ma'am, I'm afraid we have to think of another way." Filch said listlessly: "Ordinary methods can't catch those two little beasts."
The administrator had given up on catching Fred and George through conventional means. Just a few days ago, he encountered Fred and George wandering around late at night. Not only did the two beasts use a spell to lock them in their original place. The ground was wet and his clothes got wet, causing Filch to catch a severe cold.
"You're right, we have to find other ways." Umbridge was also tired of this cat-and-mouse game.
She found that the methods used to deal with students could not deal with the Weasley brothers at all, and they should be regarded as the most vicious dark wizards.
That's right, in Umbridge's eyes, Fred and George are more hateful than the dark wizards.
Because they are trying to overthrow the Ministry of Magic.
It’s just that Umbridge has nothing to do for the time being.
At this moment, there was a rapid knock on the door outside.
"Come in."
Umbridge regained her composure and put on her fake smile again.
“Headmaster Umbridge, someone is spreading unfavorable rumors about you in the castle.” Malfoy got straight to the point and talked about the latest news he had just heard.
“What rumors.” Umbridge had a bad feeling.
"Many people are spreading rumors that Fred and George will return to school next month with a secret weapon...and while driving you away from school, they will send you to Azkaban." Malfoy said from other students. After learning about this, he immediately came to inform Umbridge.
"I will not let their plot succeed." Umbridge gritted her teeth and said, "Absolutely not."
"By the way, it seems that someone threw a few gas bombs into Mr. Administrator's office. You can smell the stench when you pass by." Malfoy glanced at Filch and continued, "There is also a cat hanging in the office. On the wooden door, this should be a good thing done by that group of people."
“Damn, my cat.”
Filch immediately realized something and rushed out of the office.
Looking at Filch’s leaving figure, Umbridge frowned slightly.
"Headmaster Umbridge, you seem to be in trouble." Malfoy asked knowingly.
"Mr. Malfoy, if it were you, is there any good way to catch the little beast of the Weasley family?" Umbridge looked at the young Malfoy in front of her. She had some friendship with Lucius Malfoy. .
"It is said that they know the secret passages of the Ministry of Magic better than anyone else. It is not easy to catch them using ordinary methods." Malfoy raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he was seriously thinking about the so-called method, "Perhaps, we can start with resistance. Organize to take action. Harry Potter is undoubtedly one of the masterminds of this conspiracy. You can try to catch them and claim that they are the creators of these conspiracies and force the Weasley twins to show up."
Forcing the Weasley twins to appear?
Of course not.
Malfoy just wanted to put the blame on Harry Potter so that Umbridge could find an excuse to expel Harry Potter from Hogwarts.
“However, even if the Weasley brothers appear to take all the blame, it will not be easy to catch them.” Malfoy did not forget to remind him.
Although they are reluctant to admit it, Fred and George's duel level is indeed much higher than that of the members of the investigation team.
Two days ago, most of the members of the investigation team were attacked by Fred and George and were admitted to the school hospital.
Just when Umbridge and Malfoy were discussing the feasibility of the plan, there was suddenly a rush of footsteps in the corridor outside, and Filch broke into the office holding the stiff cat.
“Madam, please save my cat!”
Mrs. Norris was petrified again, her body as stiff as a stone.
Umbridge looked at the cat on the table and frowned slightly. Finally, under Filch's expectant gaze, she pretended to try several ways to break the curse. After confirming that it had no effect, she could only take Filch with her. Go find Snape.
No matter what, Filch is the only helper Umbridge can win over at Hogwarts, and she will not give up on him easily no matter what.
“A very powerful petrification magic.”
Snape poked the cat on the table lightly with his finger and gave his own judgment.
“Can it be cured?” Umbridge asked directly.
“Should be able to.”
"should?"
"If the method to break the curse doesn't work, you can only try to use mandrake to make a potion to break the spell." Snape picked up the wand and tried to break the curse on Mrs. Norris.
He tried several ways to break the curse and found that one of the methods worked, but the effect was very poor.
After using it several times in a row, the cat on the table finally broke free from the petrification magic and recovered.
"thanks, thanks."
Filch held Mrs. Norris in his arms and kept thanking Snape.
"It must have been those two little beasts." Umbridge said through gritted teeth.
"It is difficult for students at Hogwarts to master such advanced dark magic." Snape did not agree with Umbridge's words.
At least, he didn't think Fred and George could do that.
“You mean Anderson?”
Snape raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Umbridge. He felt that the guy in front of him wanted to cause trouble.
“Yes, that’s him.”
"Anderson does have such an ability, but the probability of him doing that is actually not high." Snape shook his head. He felt that Umbridge was completely running towards death.
Although it seems that Albert is easy to get along with, in fact, it is just an appearance. He was a very vindictive guy. Although Snape didn't like Albert, he never denied his abilities.
“Why?” Umbridge asked suspiciously.
"Because Anderson is not an idiot." Snape said directly. "A smart guy like that would never do something stupid where you can guess who did it at a glance. If he really wants to do something, you can't find him." It’s time for the cat.”
Umbridge was speechless and took the initiative to change the topic, "I hope you can brew the veritaserum as soon as possible. I will need it soon."
"You have to wait at least another half month, unless you want to poison the user." Snape felt that Umbridge really wanted to cause trouble, he frowned and reminded: "There is one more thing I have to remind You, Veritaserum actually has an antidote, and with Anderson’s level of potion, it’s not difficult to brew the antidote to Veritaserum.”
From the beginning, Snape had no intention of giving Umbridge the real Veritaserum, so here is a reminder.
Veritaserum doesn’t work?
That is naturally the antidote to the other party’s use of truth serum.
Throwing the blame to Albert, Snape didn't have any psychological pressure. Anyway, both sides disliked each other, and he didn't think Umbridge could do anything to Albert.
Even the Dark Lord crumbled in front of that guy, let alone Umbridge.
After asking about the use of the Veritaserum antidote, Umbridge left Snape's office gloomily. In her mind, she kept recalling the previous process of using Veritaserum to torture students. Did anyone in that group use the antidote to Veritaserum?
After being reminded by Snape, Umbridge was sure that the **** Mudblood must have secretly prepared the antidote to Veritaserum.
As for the others, Umbridge found no trace of them using the antidote after taking Veritaserum, but it was difficult to say.
As for how to lead out Fred and George?
Umbridge did not make a decision immediately, but planned to discuss it with someone first.
Even if you succeed in luring people out, you still have to find a way to catch them. Once they are run away, it may be difficult to get another chance.
To this end, Umbridge told Fudge about her plan, and Fudge gathered his own people to discuss how to take down the secret base of the Order of the Phoenix in the Forbidden Forest in one fell swoop and destroy the secret weapons carefully prepared by Dumbledore.
Kingsley, who was called to the meeting urgently, was stunned after hearing Umbridge's plan.
The Order of the Phoenix actually has other secret bases?
How come he doesn’t know?
The secret base is hidden in the Forbidden Forest, with a large group of Acromantulas guarding the entrance?
Are you sure you're not kidding?
Who would use a swarm of Acromantulas to guard the door?
The whole thing just sounds outrageous.
What shocked Kingsley the most was that someone actually believed it, and it was the Minister of Magic Fudge. He seemed to have made plans to lead people to destroy the secret base that never existed from the beginning.
Oh my God, this is so magical.
Kingsley couldn't help but wonder if the so-called secret base was a scam created by Fred and George, right?
“Isn’t this...a bit of a fuss?”
Kingsley carefully considered his words: "In any case, they are just two children who have not yet graduated. Moreover, if the Ministry of Magic uses Veritaserum on students, it is likely to cause big trouble."
"They are not students now, but accomplices trying to subvert the Ministry of Magic." Umbridge looked at Kingsley with a fake smile on her face.
"I mean, this may be an excuse for others to attack the minister, and I've heard some bad news recently." Kingsley did not continue to argue, but just fulfilled his duty. He still needs to stay Fudge's side continues to work undercover.
"That was all Dumbledore's conspiracy." Fudge said angrily. He would never let Dumbledore get his wish, let alone allow the so-called "secret weapon" to destroy his career.
“I need the cooperation of the Aurors.” Umbridge looked at Stringer.
"I will ask the Aurors to cooperate with you, but they need the minister's order." Stringer reminded.
“No problem,” said Fudge.
That evening, all members of the Order of the Phoenix learned the news.
Except for Mrs. Weasley who was very angry at what Fred and George had done, everyone found the whole thing inexplicable.
“We still have such a secret base in the Forbidden Forest?” Sirius cast a doubtful look at Mad-Eye.
"How is it possible? Even if there is one, it cannot be hidden near the Acromantula's lair." Mad-Eye Moody put down his fork and curled his lips. "By the way, who is the Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest who is Hagrid's pet?" I figured it out.”
“I don’t think it’s strange that Hagrid raised a big spider.” Bill couldn’t help complaining, “I remember Charlie said that Hagrid also secretly raised a fire dragon.”
"So, what is going on and why does it involve Fred and George?" Mrs. Weasley asked irritably.
"Don't worry Molly, Fred and George are very smart." Arthur comforted softly, "Maybe they just wanted to find a reason to fool Umbridge, but the other party believed it."
"If they are really caught by the old witch." Mrs. Weasley was still very worried about her son, "We have to find a way to remind them."
"I dare say they were prepared for it, and the whole thing was even a scam they deliberately set up." Sirius felt that Molly's worries were unnecessary.
"They are not your sons, of course you are not worried." Mrs. Weasley glared at Sirius dissatisfied.
"They are adults and have their own ideas." Sirius shrugged, "Besides, Anderson is more reliable than most people here. Even if Fred and George are really in big trouble, he will definitely be able to solve it easily. , so you don’t actually have to worry.”
He actually wanted to say that Mrs. Weasley's worries were unnecessary from the beginning, but in the end he held back.
"Okay Molly, you should trust Fred and George." Lupine added, "I will send a message to Minerva. She will definitely have a way to inform Fred and George."
“So, the whole thing is a scam?”
Tonks, who had been silent since just now, couldn't help but ask, "Is the secret weapon to subvert the Ministry of Magic also a fake?"
"I'm afraid you should ask Fred and George." Sirius shrugged and changed the topic, "I heard that they plan to open a store in Diagon Alley. Have they found the location of the store?"
“It seems they are still negotiating the price.” Bill said with a smile: “They think the price is too expensive, and they seem to think the price will drop again, so they plan to wait.”
"Where did they get the galleons?" Mrs. Weasley looked at Bill in confusion, "The rents of the shops in Diagon Alley are not cheap."
"Rent? No, they want to buy the store." Bill shook his head.
“Buy the shop,” Mr. Weasley repeated in surprise.
"It must be Albert who paid for the Galleons. That guy is richer than you expected." Sirius was not surprised at all.
"I heard he comes from a Muggle family." Tonks asked curiously.
“That guy not only won a lot of world championships, he also likes to bet on himself to win. He charges hundreds of galleons every time he gives fortune telling, what do you think?” Sirius believed that Albert must have other ways to make money.
That guy is more reliable than myself and James.
If they had been half as reliable as Albert, maybe things wouldn't be like this.
Revised
(End of this chapter)