Chapter 615 Let's Leave!!
Phelps was a student of Slytherin.
He always liked to bully Darren.
Last time, no one knew who had pushed Phelps into Fred and George's cannon fire, causing him to stay in the school infirmary for a long time.
He had only been released two days ago.
He must have come in to look for something.
Sure enough, he rummaged through Umbridge's desk and found a document.
"Decree Number Twenty-Seven. It allows the use of black magic on students. This was ordered by the Headmistress herself!"
When Phelps found the document, he ran off excitedly. The whole time, he didn't notice Darren or Harry at all.
Harry quickly checked his bag to make sure he hadn't missed anything, then came out of the office.
He saw Darren looking curiously in the direction Phelps had run. Harry laughed.
His mood was much better now. At least there was no need to worry that his father had forced his mother to marry him.
"Let's go. Let's follow him and watch the fun."
He grabbed Darren, and the two of them quietly followed Phelps.
Phelps was overjoyed and completely failed to notice them.
Harry also noticed that there were several scorched black holes in Phelps's clothes.
Obviously, Fred and George's handiwork.
When they reached the landing downstairs, Harry and Darren decided there was no need to stay quiet anymore.
Because at that moment, the terrace downstairs was packed with students, just like the day Umbridge tried to drive Professor Trelawney away.
The professors were standing among the crowd. Even the ghosts were present.
They squeezed their way forward, only to discover that in the very center was a huge swamp.
Umbridge was covered in dungbomb filth.
So were the members of her Inquisitorial Squad.
Umbridge glared furiously at Fred and George and shouted, "You two! Do you think it's funny to create a swamp inside the school?!"
Fred and George nodded solemnly.
Peeves, floating above their heads, looked thrilled.
Phelps hurried forward and handed the decree to Umbridge.
He shouted loudly, "Headmistress! I found it! I found the decree! We can use black magic!"
Umbridge laughed.
She raised the parchment high and showed it to everyone.
"Very good, Phelps. Then you shall all see what happens to those who cause trouble in my school!"
She lifted her wand.
But Fred and George were already laughing.
"George, I think we're grown up now. No need to be taught by this idiot toad anymore!"
"That's right. Let's leave!"
The two shouted together, "Brooms, here!"
Two broomsticks shot toward them.
They mounted their brooms and shouted at Umbridge, "Goodbye, Toad! By the way, do you know your mouth stinks?"
"Oh my Merlin, Fred, have you smelled it?"
"Then I might throw up!"
They laughed loudly.
The curses Umbridge fired missed them completely as they shot up into the air.
They called down to the stunned students below, "Anyone who wants to buy our Portable Swamp can place an order at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!"
"And if you write to us calling Umbridge a toad, you'll get a twenty percent discount!"
Then they flew higher, straight out through the windows.
As they left, they turned back and shouted to Peeves, "For us, send Umbridge to hell, Peeves!"
Peeves almost never listened to anyone.
But this time, he actually took off his hat and gave a salute in the direction Fred and George had flown.
Their laughter echoed into the sunset outside, and the setting sun seemed drunk on the sound of croaking frogs.
The next few days.
The entire castle was buzzing with talk about Fred and George.
People repeated the scene of them charging into the sunset over and over, never getting tired of it.
Some were even using Fred and George as an example of ultimate freedom.
"If I have to write homework again, I'll follow Fred and George and ride a broom into the sunset!"
"If Snape treats me like this again, I'll grab a broom and leave!"
"What if…"
Whispers filled the corridors.
Umbridge wanted everyone to forget about Fred and George, but she couldn't deal with the swamp they had left behind.
Every day, she had to stand there herself, using a small boat to ferry students and professors across.
The professors all claimed they were afraid to use magic outside of teaching duties, leaving Umbridge to deal with it alone.
This made Umbridge even more furious.
And Fred and George had left a supply of Skiving Snackboxes, which continued to torment her.
Every time Umbridge started class, students would suffer nosebleeds, fainting, boils, sudden rashes, vomiting, or high fevers.
Umbridge trembled with rage.
But the students insisted they were suffering from "Umbridge Syndrome."
After locking up several classes, Umbridge had no choice but to line everyone up and send them to the school infirmary.
Peeves was another nightmare for Umbridge.
He faithfully carried out Fred and George's instructions.
He constantly caused chaos in the corridors or ran wild inside Umbridge's office.
He followed Umbridge everywhere, and whenever she spoke, he made mocking noises.
He even set off fireworks during her lessons, making it impossible for her to teach at all.
No one helped Umbridge.
Even Professor McGonagall, when she once saw Peeves dismantling Umbridge's desk, kindly reminded him of the correct way to do it.
Naturally, all of this made life very comfortable for Harry and the others.
But Hermione kept reminding Harry that he had to practice Occlumency. Even if Snape refused to help him, he still had to pay attention.
Darren said the same.
But every time the topic came up, Darren seemed strangely hesitant.
Harry suspected that Darren's talent in Occlumency was probably just as "good" as his own.
Maybe neither of them could really stop others from probing their minds. Hard brothers indeed.
Harry was still being tormented by dreams.
Every night, he dreamed of crystal balls in a corridor. He desperately wanted to reach them, but never once succeeded.
He had thought about practicing Occlumency, but with less than a month left before exams, he had to memorize so much every day that he couldn't summon the energy.
In the past, during times like this, Harry would have had Quidditch to help clear his mind.
But this year, even though there was Quidditch, he couldn't take part.
And honestly, Quidditch this year wasn't very exciting to watch.
After all, most of the good players were gone, and even Professor McGonagall no longer had much hope for Gryffindor.
What's more, just as Quidditch was starting, Hagrid came to find Darren and the others.
He was covered in wounds, his face bloody and blurred as he stood before them…