Chapter 88: Approaching the City, Swords Drawn

Two days later, all classes for the day were temporarily canceled. The news that Hagrid was to be punished, Buckbeak was to be executed, and Dumbledore was to be dismissed had spread throughout the entire campus, and it had spread through the *Daily Prophet*.

Because of this matter, the atmosphere on campus had dropped to freezing point. Not to mention whether the students were willing to study, even most of the professors didn't want to teach.

The fuse that led to this matter—Malfoy—had also received hostility from almost everyone. Even the students belonging to Slytherin House looked at him with strange eyes. Dumbledore's prestige was still very high in the hearts of these students, and if Dumbledore left, could Hogwarts still be considered the number one magic school?

Under these circumstances, Malfoy could only ask for leave to go home.

At the school gate, a group of people from the Ministry of Magic and a small number of reporters arrived right on time.

Fudge walked out from behind the crowd, with Umbridge following closely behind his footsteps. Behind the two of them followed members of the Aurors, while several teams of Hit Wizards maintained a state of alert around them.

When Fudge walked in from the school gate and saw that it was Professor McGonagall waiting for him, his confidence increased a lot. Sure enough, Dumbledore was not at the school now, so no one could hinder his plan.

"Where is Albus Dumbledore? I am here to read the latest resolution of the Ministry of Magic," Fudge asked McGonagall, knowing the answer.

"The Headmaster is in seclusion solving a magical problem. For now, I will handle the affairs," Professor McGonagall stood in front of Fudge. She still hadn't been able to contact Dumbledore, so she could only step up herself.

"Oh, so you are the Acting Headmaster of Hogwarts," Fudge touched the ring on his hand and said coldly.

Before Professor McGonagall could reply, Umbridge stepped forward, pointed at McGonagall's nose, and raised her voice an octave. "Who gave you the authority?! Who appointed you?! Dumbledore? What does he want to do? Is this school his one-man show? Did the Hogwarts Board of Governors agree? Did the Ministry of Magic approve it?"

After a spray of words, Umbridge looked McGonagall up and down with an extremely impolite gaze. "And, you, acting as Headmaster? Are you even worthy?"

Once these words were spoken, McGonagall's face changed instantly. If it were any other time, even if Umbridge were the Minister for Magic's lackey, she would be lying on the ground now. Did she really think McGonagall had no temper? But she couldn't do that now; McGonagall could only endure it.

On the covered bridge, listening to Umbridge insulting their Head of House, many Gryffindor students were furious and had the intention of rushing over. It took the professors beside them a great effort to stop them.

Fudge acted as if he didn't see the students' dissatisfaction, looked up at McGonagall, and spoke slowly. "Someone reported that Dumbledore is seriously derelict in his duties, suspected of lining his own pockets and misappropriating school property. I don't believe it, but now it seems these words are not all rumors."

The back of McGonagall's hand, which was gripping her wand, bulged with blue veins. She really wanted to use a spell to knock Fudge, who was spouting nonsense, directly to the ground.

"Alright, since Albus's dereliction of duty has been caught on the spot, then according to the joint discussion of the Hogwarts Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore is temporarily dismissed from his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts, and Umbridge is appointed as Acting Headmaster," Fudge continued.

Umbridge shook her body at this time, looking arrogant.

Appointing Umbridge as Acting Headmaster?! Why haven't I received this news?! No! There's a trap!

McGonagall realized something was wrong. The secret communication from her friend might have been part of Fudge's plan. This guy had no ability to do proper work, but his ability to engage in these things was very strong.

Sure enough, after the announcement, Fudge immediately continued. "Professor McGonagall, please take us to see that beast that attacked students and almost caused serious casualties, as well as that gamekeeper suspected of instigation."

McGonagall didn't speak. They had indeed been tricked. Although Hagrid was still there, Buckbeak had indeed left. Lupin and the others had told her this.

"No way, those suspects haven't been let go, have they?" Fudge narrowed his eyes and looked at McGonagall, then walked back and forth beside her. "Look, how much I trusted Albus, but how did he repay my trust? This school has already become a place of filth and vice full of accomplices. Professor McGonagall, can you give me a reasonable explanation?"

Facing the silent McGonagall, Fudge clapped his hands, and several Aurors brought Hit Wizards up. "It seems we must thoroughly investigate the school. Fortunately, I brought experts in this area. They have many years of experience in finding contraband. Recently, magical creatures have attacked several wizard outposts. I suspect someone has controlled them and stolen many things. I hope we don't find them here."

Watching McGonagall remain silent, Fudge muttered to himself. This guy was really steady; she was not easy to deal with. It seemed he could only use heavy materials.

"Also, everyone, today we will focus on inspecting the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I always feel that there is a big problem with this class. Think about what has happened in this class in recent years, ladies and gentlemen." Fudge gave a lecture to the reporters behind him, then looked at McGonagall. "Maybe there is something hidden there that seriously threatens the safety of students!"

Fudge was going to take a knife to Lupin. If all these things were accomplished by Fudge, Dumbledore's prestige would probably plummet, and Fudge himself would instead become a "hero" who exposed evil phenomena.

*Whoosh! * A gust of wind blew by, and with a *thud*, a stone the size of a millstone smashed beside Fudge, the splashed mud wetting his clothes.

"I heard you're looking for me?!"

The huge voice made many students' ears buzz. Immediately after, Hagrid, over six meters tall, all red, and covered with strange patterns, walked in front of Fudge.

Two eyes, comparable to the size of human heads, stared tightly at Fudge. Hagrid half-squatted, his right hand resting on his knee, his wrist supporting his head. "If you have any farts, it's best to let them all out at once!"

*Swish, swish, swish*, several Aurors raised their wands at Hagrid. It was just a taller, stronger "Troll"; they still had the courage to fight.

Fudge's mouth twitched. Fortunately, he brought many people this time. What did this Hagrid eat to grow so big?!

"Are you resisting arrest?" Fudge said righteously.

"Is this all you want to say?" Hagrid stood up straight, blocking the sunlight shining on Fudge.

McGonagall silently raised her wand. She was prepared to stand beside Hagrid. Since things had reached this point, she would just have a good time for once. Anyway, she was almost exploding with anger.

Hagrid silently moved his right leg to the side, blocking in front of McGonagall. This time, he intended to fight a squad of Aurors and several teams of Hit Wizards by himself. After all, if he lost, he could still run to the Fire Dragon Queen's place. If McGonagall joined, what would McGonagall do later? ===== CHAPTER 89 =====