Mysterious Journey

Chapter 1057 Brainwashing and Defiance

The world of adults is not black and white; it often involves ambiguous compromises.


However, in the world of fairy tales, black and white must be distinct.


When Umbridge and others, blinded by greed, chose to raid the werewolf community and indiscriminately establish "werewolf concentration camps," the "old world" she represented was marked as the party that must be defeated in the Great Arcana's meeting, with no room for compromise or turning back.


For several worlds, the magical world had long concluded that werewolves were irreversible, incurable, and eternally dangerous dark creatures.


However, with the appearance of Eileen and the inclusion of non-magical medicine, everything began to change.


They found multiple controllable and reversible healing paths...


When Eileen described the future scenario to Dumbledore, even Dumbledore himself admitted that if the reversibility of werewolves could be completely resolved—even if there was only one path—then the magical world's attitude toward the werewolf community would undergo a tremendous change:


An incurable terminal illness and an irreversible mutation have essential differences in people's eyes.


Of course, it is still in the theoretical stage for now... Using the Philosopher's Stone to reshape the body cannot be considered a conventional method.


Healers in Salzburg and Muggle medical experts are locating the "werewolf inducer" based on clues such as "bodily fluid transmission" and "lycanthropy," while microscopic positioning for "Wizarding Woe" is also being carried out simultaneously—when they find an operable "surgical range" in the field of "magical medicine," then whether it is "Wizarding Woe," "Rabid Lycanthropy," or even more diseases, there may be an epoch-making victory.


"Hermione," Eileen said softly, nudging Miss Justice's leg.


"What's wrong?"


"Don't ask questions in this class."


Her gaze lingered on the beaver girl's stubborn eyes for a moment, and she gently shook her head.


"If we cannot win in one blow, then it will turn into a long tug-of-war—it is simple to carry out personal justice, but pursuing absolute justice requires enduring pressure and suffering... Don't delay the dawn of those who sacrificed along the way."


"I know, I'm just a little—"


Hermione lowered her eyes, looking at the ferocious werewolf roaring and snarling in the iron cage on the newspaper.


As a "reserve Great Arcana," Hermione had seen his information in the report submitted by investigator "Code Name - Beetle":


Jonathan, one of the community maintainers in the Cotswold area of Coombe, the werewolf community's only "doctor."


Due to his ugly appearance and ease of control, he is now imprisoned in the Ministry of Magic's underground interrogation room, as the subject of photos for the Ministry's external propaganda. In exchange, Umbridge promised to provide the most basic "medical security" to other "controlled werewolves"—verbally, of course.


Those community members imprisoned in the "werewolf concentration camps" can only get raw meat and bread, slightly better than the standard for dispatching stray dogs.


Hermione's eyes flickered for a moment, vaguely flashing the photo of the doctor in a white coat she saw in the file.


"...Uncomfortable."


"Well, don't worry, she doesn't have much time left."


Eileen slowly flipped through the book, looking around at the somewhat excited young wizards.


In Gustave Le Bon's *The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind*, he described a social psychological characteristic: under certain inducements and incitements, people may often exhibit characteristics such as "blindness," "impulsiveness," "fanaticism," and "credulity" after gathering together—forming the so-called "mob."


Since ancient times, countless rulers have tried to establish and consolidate their rule and interests according to this characteristic.


However, this is a very sharp double-edged sword—as time goes by, it will become even sharper.


When people discover that they have been deceived, they will frantically seek revenge on the "liar" to prove their innocence.


At this time, Umbridge, standing on the podium, obviously did not realize that she and her Ministry of Magic "officials" were actively stepping into their graves.


"Quiet, I think the students now realize how amazing the Ministry of Magic's usual work is."


Umbridge said in a pretentious voice, a smug look appearing on her pale, drooping face, piling up a false smile.


"In terms of combating dark magic and maintaining social stability—I am not questioning the teaching of other professors—I think that perhaps they may ignore certain essences based on their respective positions and limitations. The focus of Defense Against the Dark Arts is not on spells, but on identifying those bad guys..."


"Well, there's some truth to that statement." Hermione raised her eyebrows and muttered softly.


"—Professor Lupin and Professor Dumbledore have a high opinion of you, so I think we can skip the Red Cap content and start learning some more dangerous, more hidden, and more important content. That's right, what we're going to learn today is—"


Umbridge quickly flipped through the book *Dark Arts Defence: Self-Defence Guide*, all the way to the last chapter, and said with a sweet smile.


"—Werewolves."


"Now, open *Dark Arts Defence: Self-Defence Guide* and turn to page three hundred and ninety-four!"


Umbridge looked around the classroom, suppressing a certain delight, revealing her small, pointed teeth.


"I hope you can take this class seriously. Even though the Ministry of Magic is working hard to 'eliminate' those dangerous dark creatures, no one can guarantee whether there are still any that have slipped through the net. Even in Hogwarts Castle, it is best not to relax your vigilance—"


The whole class exchanged fearful and somewhat excited glances, opening the textbook according to Umbridge's instructions.


"So, who can tell me how to distinguish a werewolf from a real human?"


Most of the students sat silently in their seats, motionless. Generally, only Hermione and Eileen could answer this kind of question.


However, to everyone's surprise, Hermione and Eileen did not raise their hands this time.


The only arm raised in the classroom belonged to someone else.


"Mr. Malfoy?"


Umbridge raised her eyebrows with interest.


She knew the boy who raised his hand, Lucius Malfoy's son.


"Compared to ordinary wolves, the muzzles of werewolves in animal form are slightly shorter, and their pupils are slightly smaller, making them look more like humans."


Draco Malfoy obviously didn't expect that he would be the only one raising his hand, and he glanced nervously at the two witches in front of him.


"In addition, the hair on the werewolf's tail will be tufted and will unconsciously attack humans. In the time when they are not transformed, they look just like ordinary people, but they will appear older and paler as the full moon approaches."


"Hmm..."


Umbridge glanced at the textbook spread out on the lectern, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.


"A very accurate and wonderful explanation, please sit down, Mr. Malfoy. Five points to Slytherin!"


Compared to Miss Granger, a Muggle-born, and Miss Kaslana, whose background is questionable, Draco Malfoy is obviously a natural helper for the Ministry of Magic to "control" Hogwarts. Originally, Lucius had only mentioned it casually, but now Umbridge is starting to seriously consider this issue.


Professor Dumbledore's "prefect" system is very interesting, and perhaps she can make a fuss about it.


Of course, even if the Headmaster rejects this proposal, the Ministry of Magic can take the opportunity to install "eyes" among the students.


Sure enough—


"...Memory method? That's great."


At the same time, Hermione glanced at Eileen, who nodded lightly, and sighed with envy.


Now she certainly knows the essence of that "Lockhart Memory Method"—using memory magic to implant knowledge, like marks engraved on a tree trunk, that can be touched and perceived at any time, and Draco Malfoy is the "enlightened" observer.


However, as time went by, this memory inheritance still exposed many problems, to the point that it cannot be widely promoted for the time being.


And the most fatal of these is undoubtedly the enormous burden and pressure that "false" memories place on the wizard's body and spirit.


On the other side, Dolores Umbridge's lecture continued.


"As I said before, werewolves are not people. They are evil monsters, half-human and half-beast—more accurately, their deceptively human appearance makes them even more dangerous. Never believe in any 'good werewolves'. In front of us wizards, werewolves may be friendly like normal people, but the evil in their hearts is beyond redemption, just like wild dogs on leashes in front of people."


Umbridge said with a sweet smile, but her toad-like eyes were full of chilling indifference.


"Under the latest regulations, any wizard can use any spell when encountering a werewolf—unless it gives up resistance and accepts control."


"But werewolves are transformed from people, aren't they?"


At this moment, a somewhat abrupt voice suddenly rang out in the classroom.


Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows and said unhurriedly.


"In my class, students must raise their hands before speaking, Mr. Potter—"


"Professor."


Harry quickly raised his hand as he spoke.


Professor Umbridge smiled more kindly, her puffy eyes lingering on Harry for a while.


"They are not people. But considering what you said, the Ministry of Magic has thoughtfully planned specific settlements for them—we have many experienced magical animal experts and Aurors, and as long as they don't roam around in society, we won't do anything to them."


"In fact, if you read the *Daily Prophet* at hand carefully, you will know how noble the Ministry of Magic is."


Umbridge paused slightly and continued with a chuckle.


"So, Mr. Potter, do you have any other questions to ask?"


"Yes..."


Harry swallowed nervously, ignoring Malfoy, who was secretly tugging at his robes.


"What if an Auror or an innocent person is bitten by a werewolf? - The textbook says that people bitten by werewolves will become new werewolves."


A brief silence fell as many students turned to look at Harry, the uneasy atmosphere instantly extinguishing their excitement.


"We are wizards, not beasts..."


Umbridge said contemptuously, a cold smile appearing on her pale, fleshy face.


"As long as you study according to the Ministry of Magic's standards, there is no reason why you can't deal with a dirty beast."


"But, if an accident happens—"


"I'll say it again, a qualified wizard can easily deal with werewolves—there are no accidents."


Professor Umbridge's voice drowned out Harry's, her expression beginning to become impatient.


"What we are discussing now is the identification and expulsion of werewolves, not issues about the treatment and ethics of werewolves... These matters are decided by professionals at the Ministry of Magic. You don't need to, and you are not qualified to, care about or discuss these for the time being..."


"...What about unqualified wizards?"



Hermione couldn't help but speak, she ultimately failed to completely control herself.


"Raise your hand first, Miss Granger!"


Dolores Umbridge said in a sing-song voice.


Hermione quickly raised her hand.


"If you strictly follow the Ministry of Magic's established learning plan, then there is no reason to be unqualified—"


Umbridge replied in her sickly sweet false voice, glancing threateningly at the young wizards in the classroom.


"Also, if you continue to ask questions that are unrelated to the class, then... in addition to losing points, perhaps you will also receive a detention—I believe no one wants that, right? Now, please focus your attention back on the textbook, we will begin discussing werewolf habits..."


It must be said that, compared to Professor Snape, Umbridge's false threat was more spine-chilling.


No one made any noise in the classroom after that.


Everyone sat, making corresponding notes in the *Daily Prophet* and *Dark Arts Defence: Self-Defence Guide* according to Professor Umbridge's explanation during the lesson, but the original blind excitement gradually took on a shadow in the silence.


In Umbridge's hair-raising high-pitched voice, Hermione felt as if she was soaking in dirty things.


"Werewolves are extremely evil... They have no moral concepts... The Ministry of Magic has arrested most werewolves... This is an action initiated by myself, and is emulated by various Ministries of Magic internationally... Half-human half-beasts should not engage in social activities... Hang up a sign and lock them up..."


The bell finally rang.


Professor Umbridge finally returned to her hoarse, indifferent voice when assigning homework.


"Everyone write two essays and hand them in to me, one on how to identify and kill werewolves, and the other discussing the benefits of the Ministry of Magic restricting the scope of werewolf activities and managing them centrally. Hand them in before class next Wednesday—no excuses will be accepted!"


"As for the grading of today's lesson..."


Umbridge narrowed her eyes, a hypocritical smile appearing, and said meaningfully.


"Except for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, everyone else is Satisfactory, Draco Malfoy is Outstanding. I think I may also have to appoint a class representative, Mr. Malfoy, please stay behind for a moment, I have some follow-up course tasks to arrange for you!"


Hermione, Eileen, and Harry left the classroom with the other students.


On the way to the Great Hall, they received their respective grades.


Just as Umbridge had said, everyone except Harry and Hermione received "Satisfactory."


And the two who contradicted Professor Umbridge in class received—Poor—followed by a doubled workload requirement. Their homework was required to fill two rolls of parchment. Umbridge's speed of understanding how to punish students was very fast.


However...


"So, Eileen, do we have to write this homework?"


Hermione turned her head and looked at the dumpling beside her quite seriously, "Does Professor Umbridge have time to check the homework next week?"


"Well, since you asked that, then probably not..." Eileen replied casually.


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Yay!