Hogwarts: I am the White Demon King

The next day, during the afternoon's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the fifth-year students had just settled in when Professor Umbridge entered with a light step.

She still wore that fake smile, as if the chaos of the previous night hadn't affected her at all.

"What a thick skin," Ron muttered, lowering his voice to whisper to Harry beside him, "If I were her, I definitely wouldn't have the face to show up in class today."

Harry shrugged, noncommittal to Ron's words.

She was, after all, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, and had long since developed an impenetrable thick skin; mere criticism was nothing to her.

They stopped talking and watched as Umbridge walked to the podium, took out a short but sharp-looking wand, and gently tapped the blackboard.

Two lines of large characters instantly appeared on the blackboard:

【Defense Against the Dark Arts

Returning to Basic Principles】

She slowly turned around to face the entire classroom, interlacing her fingers and placing them neatly in front of her chest, her gaze sweeping across the face of each student, as she said in a sweet tone.

"Students, your teaching in this subject has always been scattered and disorganized, without a system, hasn't it?"

The classroom was silent; no student answered. Umbridge seemed pleased with the silence and continued.

"Frequent changes in professors have led to your current level being far from the O.W.L. requirements expected of fifth-year students."

"But don't worry, this year's course will be completely improved." She paused, the smile on her lips widening slightly.

"I will lead everyone in learning a Defense Against the Dark Arts course that is verified by the Ministry of Magic and focuses on theory."

"The main goals of the course include three aspects: learning the basic principles of magical defense, identifying legitimate places to perform magical defense, and using practical backgrounds to conduct relevant evaluations."

"If I were you, I would write down everything I just said."

The students exchanged glances and took out their quills, scribbling on their parchment.

When the last student had finished writing, Umbridge spoke.

"Very good. I believe every student has a copy of Wilbert Slinkhard's 'Defensive Magical Theory.' Now turn to page five and open chapter one: 'Basic Principles of Magical Defense and Its History of Development.'"

"Today, your classroom task is to recite this section five times and then copy it onto parchment, which you will hand in to me at the end of class."

"Also," she looked around at the students, smiling sweetly, "by next week's class, I need you to be able to recite this section fluently, understand?"

The classroom was silent. The students looked at her as if she were crazy, then quickly began to whisper to each other.

"Oh my god, the rumors are true. She really doesn't understand anything and can't teach this subject."

"I heard the seventh-year students complaining at lunch, saying they can't learn anything in this class, just memorize."

"Is this really a professor? I could do it myself. All I have to do is have the students read and memorize. I can sit on the podium all day and get paid. That's great."

"What about our O.W.L.s? Are we doomed if this continues?"

Whispering voices quickly rose in the classroom. Dissatisfaction and anger spread like tiny waves. No one took Umbridge seriously anymore.

This year was crucial. O.W.L. exam scores were directly related to future job prospects. This damn Umbridge wasn't teaching them any useful knowledge, just making them memorize theory?!

What was the point of having such a useless professor!

This was clearly to prevent everyone from getting good grades on the O.W.L. exams.

What was the Ministry of Magic up to?

Umbridge stood on the podium, looking at the whispering, disdainful students, the smile on her face gradually stiffening.

She obviously hadn't expected the fifth-year students to react with such disdain and even resistance, not giving her any face at all. The seventh-year class in the morning hadn't had such a big reaction.

"Quiet! You are the worst class I have ever taught. Don't you even know the basic rules of classroom behavior? Now start reading quietly. If you don't hand in the copied content by the end of class, none of you will go to dinner."

Circumstances were stronger than people, and students couldn't win against professors. Everyone sullenly opened 'Defensive Magical Theory' and listlessly began to read.

Only one person didn't do this. Hermione didn't even touch the book, but raised her right hand high, staring intently at Umbridge.

Umbridge pretended not to see her, sitting in her chair, staring in the opposite direction with her toad-like eyes.

Hermione had no intention of giving up. She held her arm high, looking determined to the end.

The intermittent reading gradually weakened and eventually fell silent. The students in the classroom also noticed Hermione, and they all put down their textbooks and stared at Umbridge with Hermione, making her face twitch.

Finally, Umbridge couldn't bear it anymore. She reluctantly stood up and looked at Hermione impatiently, asking, "Miss Granger, do you have any questions about the content of the textbook? Or is there something you didn't understand that you need me to translate for you?"

"Professor, I've already read this entire book," Hermione stood up without hesitation, stating bluntly, "But I found a big problem. The book doesn't mention using spells at all."

Without waiting for Umbridge to answer, she continued, "Also, there are big problems with the design of your course."

"Big problems?" Umbridge questioned in a shrill voice, "Miss Granger, are you an education expert recognized by the Ministry of Magic? Have you received any specialized professional training related to education?"

"No, but I'm a teaching assistant in Transfiguration class, and I know how to conduct classes and teach."

"Oh, a teaching assistant?" Umbridge mocked, "If that's all you are, then you probably aren't qualified to judge this course."

She held up 'Defensive Magical Theory': "This book was written by wizards who are older and much smarter than you, and the format of this course was designed by professionals at the Ministry of Magic. You will be learning this course in a safer way, without any risks."

"So, this course won't teach or practice any spells?"

"Of course not. That would be too dangerous. The Ministry of Magic doesn't want any student to be harmed by learning spells."

"What about the O.W.L. exams?" Ron stood up, loudly supporting Hermione.

"The O.W.L. exam for this subject is divided into theoretical and practical parts. What are we supposed to do during the practical exam, perform a textbook recitation for the examiner?"