abcnovels
Chapter 285
Chapter 285: False Memories
In the corridor, Felix inquired, "Did that woman visit yesterday as well?"
"Twice," Professor McGonagall replied with a meaningful look. "That's why she moved out the Minister of Magic this time."
Outside the Deputy Headmistress's office, Tonks faced a shiny suit of armor, looking at her reflection. She held her breath, and her face swelled like a round, puffy ball.
Her hair, once bubblegum pink, swiftly turned deep brown.
"Tonks—"
Tonks turned her head toward the source of the voice, her eyes meeting McGonagall's. "Mc-McGonagall!" She jumped in surprise, hastily patting her own head to revert everything to normal. "I, uh... was a bit bored, needed some fresh air."
"I can tell, Tonks. Is she still in there?" McGonagall asked.
"She's still in there, which is why I felt breathless." Tonks said, spotting Felix by McGonagall's side. "Hello, Harp."
"Hello, Tonks." Felix nodded at her. "Shall we go in together?"
"Oh, no, you don't." Tonks declined, adding, "You might want to cast a Bubble-Head Charm on yourself beforehand—just kidding."
Felix pushed the door open, suddenly understanding Tonks' implication. The room was filled with a sickly sweet scent of perfume, and pink bubbles floated through the air one after another.
One pink bubble burst, releasing a cloud of fragrant mist, causing Felix to furrow his brow.
"Oh, Merlin's beard, you've turned my office—" McGonagall stared, Umbridge standing up, her wide mouth grinning. "Milverwa, I've waited too long, needed something to occupy myself. I told Corrie I had the latest Hooch fragrance—yet to be released." She giggled.
McGonagall wore a stern expression. "If you don't get rid of these bubbles, I'll take matters into my own hands." She briskly walked to the window, breathing in the fresh air outside.
Umbridge fetched a delicate bottle from her pocket, tapping the mouth with her wand, and the bubbles in the air floated into it. "I recommend you try it. Of course, you'll have to wait for three months..."
McGonagall rolled her eyes discreetly, deciding to ignore the situation. She left with the young staff member named Corrie.
The sweet scent lingered in the air. Felix waved his wand, conjuring a whirlwind that swept away the pink-tinted air.
"Madam Umbridge?" He sat across from her. "I heard you wanted to see me."
"Indeed, dear." Umbridge intertwined her hands, politely saying, "Where shall we begin? Minister Fudge has mentioned you several times, a young prodigy, the future of the magical world."
"Kindly convey my gratitude to him, Madam. Unfortunately, your timing isn't great; I have hundreds of students waiting for me."
Umbridge spoke gently, "You mean an intra-school little competition? Yes, Milverwa told me, one of the excuses to evade. Oh, Mr. Harp, allow me to finish. I bring Minister Fudge's directive, clearer than before, not mere words... Each sentence I utter represents Minister Fudge's personal intentions."
Felix's lips curved upwards. "So, what is it? You're here on behalf of Minister Fudge to issue me a command?"
"It's Minister Fudge, Mr. Harp," Umbridge corrected. "I believe you lack proper reverence for authority; it's a common ailment among Hogwarts folk. Oh, pardon my digression. I heard an interesting fact—Mr. Potter is still a children's author, one of the books..."
She retrieved a book from her pocket, her pudgy fingers flipping a page, a smug expression on her face. "A picture book? How childlike. Had I not checked, I'd be unaware that Mr. Potter had ties with the Ministry long ago."
"And so?" Felix smiled. "I am still a recipient of the Order of Merlin, a candidate for the Order of Helga Hufflepuff, a member of the Wizengamot, and I maintain correspondence with high-ranking officials of multiple countries..."
Umbridge's smile faded.
"...but that doesn't prove anything. I've willingly let go of some—so-called connections," Felix said, "all for the sake of reducing unnecessary interactions."
"Then, why did you come to teach at Hogwarts? If you want to—"
"No, I don't want to," Felix glanced at her. "That's my answer. Let's get to the point, shall we? I have about... seven minutes."
Umbridge's hand holding the wand trembled, a stack of old-fashioned rings on her fingers squeaked and creaked, not out of fear but anger. Her chest heaved, resembling a toad with a puffed-up belly.
However, she spoke softly, "Let's begin then, Mr. Harp."
"Where is Sirius Black now?"
"Who knows? Probably with his associates."
"You didn't apprehend him?"
"Apparently not."
"But someone saw you using Side-Along Apparition with him, can I deduce that he received your help? I've heard you're friends with Damocles Belby, a star pupil of Severus Snape, and have close ties with two Master Potioneers. You'd easily acquire the Wolfsbane Potion."
Felix chuckled, just a while ago he had told Professor McGonagall about using Wolfsbane Potion to interrogate the Ministry, and now he found himself in the hot seat.
So, he said, "I could have made you provide evidence, and if you couldn't, I'd give you a profound lesson on speaking responsibly. I'd be pleased to see your eyes widen." He was delighted to see Umbridge glaring at him. "But, perhaps it's better to show you the scene at that time, so you won't bother me again..."
Felix stared at her, images flashing rapidly through his pupils.
"Where is this—? I warn you, kidnapping a high-ranking Ministry official—" Umbridge shrieked, panic in her eyes as she looked around. They were in a clearing amidst a forest. She saw the scenes of 'Felix' and 'Sirius' battling from afar.
"You wanted to know what happened, didn't you?"
Soon, she saw a wizard's battle, not mere spell dueling, but a breathtaking display of magic—flames, lightning, and various magical lights intertwined in a spectacle.
Trees bent, boulders emitted heart-stopping wails as they flew past her, leaving sharp roars in her ears.
'Felix' held a bright flame in his hand, ancient symbols faintly visible. The next moment, a torrent of flames poured like liquid mercury, instantly engulfing the entire forest. Magic flames surged out hundreds of feet, turning trees and rocks into ashes. Almost in the blink of an eye, it appeared before them.
Umbridge let out a piercing scream, and then her entire being was swallowed by flames...
"Ahhhh—"
Umbridge screamed, jumping up. Before her was Professor McGonagall's office. False, all of it was false... She repeated to herself that the fiery scene was a reflection in her pupils.josei
She heard Felix's voice still going on, seemingly not noticing her distress. He was saying with a touch of awe, "Sirius is terrifyingly strong, isn't he? I suggest you send more enforcers..."
Umbridge swallowed hard. She sat back down, readjusting her posture, "I, cough, this is what happened at the time? If I wanted to have you testify—"
"I should remind you that memories can be fabricated. The Wizengamot doesn't consider memories as evidence. So, you could assume I was just having a bit of fun with you," Felix said.
Umbridge stared at him, flabbergasted. She heard him continue, "Now, the question is, do you believe I can accomplish the things in those memories?"
Believe? She didn't want to believe, but the sensation was too real. Every time she tried to mentally refute it, the image of being engulfed by flames would abruptly reappear.
She hurriedly concluded the interrogation, dragging her squat figure away. As she left, she muttered, "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Harp."
Now, she desperately needed her cute kitten teacup and colorful bows to soothe her wounded soul. She didn't want to do anything else today.
Felix kicked his legs up and couldn't help but think, "Who says the Room of Requirement has no offensive capabilities? It's quite effective for scaring people, after all."
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