Lupin knew early on that Umbridge was a rather unpleasant character.

This Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic had always been at the forefront of the Ministry's opposition to "part-humans, part-beasts" and "dangerous creatures." Since her promotion, Umbridge had repeatedly made related remarks in public, such as herding merpeople together and hanging signs on them.

Just last week, Umbridge even led a secret raid and arrest operation targeting the werewolf community.

With the publication of the "Werewolf Restriction Act," werewolves could hardly find any legitimate means of livelihood in the wizarding world.

Professor Dumbledore had been quietly supporting and defending the rights of werewolves, but he was, after all, only the headmaster of a magic school.

Dumbledore had tried everything to ensure Lupin could receive an equal magical education, defying opposition to provide Lupin with a teaching position. Whether in his personal stance or in his actions, there was nothing to complain about or criticize.

Unfortunately, in Britain, there were at least two hundred werewolves—and that's not even considering their family members.

Over the centuries, the wizarding world had produced hundreds of outstanding wizards. Among them were great wizards like Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore, who were just, compassionate, and full of wisdom, but no one had ever found a proper way to solve the werewolf problem.

And the arrest operation a while ago was undoubtedly a bad sign: the Ministry was running out of patience.

"I learned about your shocking achievements last week from the newspapers, Professor Umbridge—"

Professor Lupin said gently, not at all bothered by the smugness and provocation in Umbridge's tone, his voice calm.

"It seems you have quite a few unique insights in the practical field of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I've been waiting for you to resubmit the revised Defense Against the Dark Arts syllabus—after all, in the O.W.L.s assessment, the score for practical spells is quite significant."

"Professor Lupin, I am using the teaching methods approved by the Ministry of Magic, and I don't think there is any need for revision..."

Umbridge's gaze turned cold. She didn't expect this down-on-his-luck werewolf professor to try to make things difficult for her.

Clearly, from Professor Lupin's words, if she failed to provide a satisfactory Defense Against the Dark Arts syllabus, then as the current head professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, Lupin intended to use his position to indefinitely suspend her subsequent course arrangements.

The Senior Undersecretary's own course failing to pass the school's review would be an even bigger scandal than her failing to find any problems in the review.

"Oh, yes, but I remember you once expressed such a view in class—"

Professor Lupin first smiled and nodded at Hermione, Elena, and others, signaling them to distribute the assignments first.

Then, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor recalled a suggestion from a certain castle caretaker, and continued clearly.

"You said, 'The school's purpose is to ensure that students pass the exams.' And according to the current O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s exams for Defense Against the Dark Arts, pure theoretical knowledge is not enough for students to achieve better results. Most importantly, the textbooks you have chosen do not seem to be included in the scope of these certificate exams... This is a very bad thing, time is precious, isn't it?"

"Hmm? So, you're saying—"

"Unless the Ministry of Magic releases the latest exam syllabus changes, your previous teaching plan will not pass my review."

Remus Lupin smiled slightly, looking at the Senior Undersecretary from the Ministry of Magic, saying gently.

"According to the Educational Decree Number Twenty-One passed some time ago, the subject head of Hogwarts has the right to reasonably adjust the overall content of the course. Professor Umbridge, you are such an outstanding anti-Dark Arts expert, I believe with your abilities you will soon be able to return to the teaching position."

Professor Lupin calmly looked at Umbridge, whose expression began to become狰狞, without a trace of fear or regret in his eyes.

Last weekend night, when he was leaving the Headmaster's office, he happened to meet Professor Apocalis coming from the other end of the corridor.

To Remus Lupin's surprise, the old man, who usually didn't communicate much with them "young people," suddenly stopped him that day and gave him a piece of advice from an "elder" that was still echoing in his mind from time to time.

"Well, Professor Lupin, let me give you a piece of advice."

The old wizard said, his turbid eyeballs flashing with profound wisdom.

"Never forget who you are, because the world won't. You must turn resistance into assistance, so that there are no weaknesses. If you are smart enough, then use your weaknesses to arm yourself, so that no one can use it to hurt you and the people around you."

With Professor Apocalis's guidance, Lupin finally understood completely.

From the current situation, the opposition between Umbridge and werewolves cannot be eased in the short term.

The previous approach of blindly retreating and enduring could not satisfy Professor Umbridge and make her stop voluntarily.

Unless she personally sent Lupin to Azkaban, Umbridge's hostility towards him would never disappear. Every step he retreated would make the other party more and more unscrupulous—allowing the other party to stir up trouble in Hogwarts' classrooms was a truly irresponsible act.

"I see, it seems you have studied the Educational Decree and Hogwarts school rules very carefully and seriously."

Professor Umbridge said softly, taking a deep breath and writing a few strokes heavily on her clipboard.

Hogwarts would not sit idly by while she investigated other professors in the school. Dumbledore would definitely set some restrictions.

Obviously, this part-human, part-beast hired by Dumbledore against everyone's opposition was a means to deal with her—judging from Professor Lupin's different responses and wording before and after, he probably received some promises and instructions from Albus Dumbledore.

With the past one or two years of getting along, the Ministry of Magic officials clearly felt Dumbledore's ease and experience in politics.

As the most knowledgeable, wise, and powerful wizard in the wizarding world today, his occasional displays of inhumanity and rigidity were only because he felt there was no need to take their feelings into account, but that didn't mean Dumbledore didn't understand political codes and political means.

The other party... was prepared!

Dolores Umbridge crossed out the review plan for Professor Flitwick on her notepad.

Having been in the Ministry of Magic for so many years, she could naturally think of the subsequent measures—the Senior Undersecretary's own course failing to pass the review, this alone could invalidate all her reports and investigation results. This was a brazen scheme, and the longer it dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for her.

"Rest assured, Professor Lupin, I will carefully revise the syllabus... and return to the Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom as soon as possible."

Professor Umbridge's face still had that amiable smile, and her eyebrows raised.

"Compared to the practice of defensive spells, I think students are somewhat lacking in theoretical knowledge about dark creatures. Of course, I will also supplement some spell teaching appropriately. Regarding the subject head's review ability, this is also one of the Senior Undersecretary's responsibilities."

A moment of silence. Professor Lupin's expression remained unchanged.

"Of course," he said softly, pointing casually to a row of empty seats in the corner of the classroom at the back. "Alright, we're going to start class, you can find a seat in the back at random... as an auditor. After all, according to Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two, the Senior Undersecretary should notify the professor in charge of the course in writing in advance of the date and time when reviewing the school's courses. I don't want you to break the rules because of me—"

After speaking, Professor Lupin ignored Umbridge and turned to look at the students in the classroom who had finished eating melons.

"Now, please take out 'The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection' and turn to page ninety-four..."

Professor Umbridge stood there for a few seconds, her chest heaving violently.

Hermione quietly turned her head and gave Elena a look, seeming a little worried.

She knew that Professor Umbridge was a nail sent by the Ministry of Magic to Hogwarts. Professor Lupin's non-fiery rebuttal sounded very relieving, but on the other hand, Umbridge's rights as a Senior Undersecretary were not ordinary. She was a little worried that Professor Lupin would be retaliated against.

However, with Professor Lupin's lively and interesting course content, she quickly put aside these unnecessary worries.

"Very beautiful Knockback Jinx, five points to Gryffindor."

Professor Lupin shouted, nodding approvingly to Harry, who had performed well in spell practice.

"So, next, Miss Granger. The requirements are still the same, stand five meters away and hit the moving cushion next to the podium in order."

When Hermione lost to Harry once again in the practical operation of Defense Against the Dark Arts—she was always weak in this aspect, whether it was the spell duel last year or the moving fast casting, she rarely got high scores in these sports-oriented assessment content—her worries about Professor Lupin instantly lessened a lot. She should worry about her end-of-term exam for Defense Against the Dark Arts this semester first...

During this time, Professor Umbridge was unexpectedly quiet.

She sat in the corner of the classroom, writing non-stop in that notepad, not even doing basic patrols or asking questions.

When the class bell rang, Umbridge was the first to walk out of the classroom, seemingly regaining confidence.

…………

Just as Elena guessed at lunch, Umbridge would not miss Care of Magical Creatures after its name change.

When "Minna" and "Nana," "Nini," and other little girls gathered together and arrived at the farm next to the Forbidden Forest, following the grass to attend their first Care of Magical Creatures class at Hogwarts, Umbridge's figure appeared in their field of vision again.

When they arrived at the farm, they happened to see Umbridge standing next to Professor Beorn, humming a little tune with a sweet smile on her face, holding her notepad.

"I heard you plan to retire in the next year or two, is that right?"

Elena heard Umbridge ask this question. At this time, they came to the temporary wooden fence. A dozen or so reddish-brown, horse-faced creatures were curled up on the hay in the center of the fence, chewing on the pulled-over young grass while fearfully looking at the surrounding wizards who were becoming more and more numerous.

"More accurately, I will retire after this semester."

Professor Kettleburn said, looking at the creatures in the fence with a gentle expression.

"There are enough old guys at Hogwarts. I have to give the young people a chance. So I plan to take a long vacation for myself in the remaining time, so that I can have more time to be with my little rascals."

"Oh, is that so—"

Umbridge shrugged her shoulders noncommittally, her eyes sweeping over the aging Care of Magical Creatures professor.

Undoubtedly, Professor Kettleburn was an extremely enthusiastic and even somewhat reckless person.

He loved the dangerous magical creatures he studied and cared for so much that he not only often hurt himself but sometimes even had the potential to hurt others.

And the most direct result was that Professor Kettleburn now only had one arm and half a leg left.

Due to problems in magical creature breeding and research, he had set a record of no less than 62 detentions during his tenure.

This record is still the highest number among Hogwarts professors - roughly six times that of the second place.

Therefore, at the beginning, Umbridge originally planned to use this old professor to make an example and establish authority.

However, after learning about Professor Kettleburn's retirement plan, Umbridge immediately changed her mind.

Other subjects at Hogwarts were too difficult to break through. Dumbledore had been running this school for nearly a century.

However, if there was an opportunity to insert another new professor close to the Ministry of Magic into the school, it would undoubtedly greatly alleviate the pressure she would face in the school later.

"Well," Professor Umbridge lowered her voice, but Elena could still clearly hear what she was saying.

"So, this course must have a new professor to take over, right? As a senior professor of Care of Magical Creatures, your opinion in this regard is obviously extra important."

Umbridge carefully considered her tone and said softly.

"I mean, you know, there are many excellent wizards in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures of the Ministry of Magic—if possible, could you help recommend one?"

Hmm? Is the pink toad preparing to摇人?

Elena lightly raised her eyebrows, pretending to casually lean a few steps closer to Umbridge and Professor Beorn.

"I'm afraid not," Kettleburn said in a light tone. "As far as I know, Professor Dumbledore seems to have scouted a candidate in advance, but it seems there are still some scheduling issues—of course, we still have Professor Grubbly-Plank now. If there is indeed a conflict in time in the end, she has agreed to help teach the class for a while."

"Scouted in advance... a new professor?"

The smile on Umbridge's face gradually disappeared, and she frowned, curiously asking softly, "Who?"

"Oh, he's a good lad. Recently, he's been coming here to serve as a temporary teaching assistant to help out whenever he has free time. Look, here he comes..."

Professor Beorn said, waving behind Professor Umbridge.

"Hey, good afternoon, Hagrid!"

————

————

Hooray!