Exactly! Does she not have a mirror? - agreed Ron. Everything in pink! Ugh!
- And the walls are full of cats. Did you see them in class, right? There are even more of them in her office! - added Harry. Everyone cringed and nodded in agreement that it was terrifying.
- You see? It's so bad that everyone agrees with it! Hogwarts united through Professor Umbridge's awful style! Right, Ed? - They turned to the last member of the group, who looked as if he wanted to be anywhere else. The blond boy looked at them from the book he was reading.
- What? He asked rudely.
- Do you agree that Umbridge has awful taste? - Luna repeated the question, even she looking slightly more interested than usual.
- Well… Edward hesitated before finally answering.
- I respect her style. His words were met with amazed and outraged exclamations, but the boy continued undeterred.
- It's about liking one color. And so what if it's pink? If she liked navy, would it change anything? Each of us has a favorite color and should respect the colors of others to expect them to respect ours. Equivalent exchange. That was the truth. Everyone laughed at how he dressed, but it didn't change his wardrobe. So he respected Umbridge's determination to be faithful to her style. Of course, he himself would sooner die than wear pink, but he decided that pink is similar enough to red to be a completely justified reason to like it. Especially if someone is a woman.
- And as for cats, half of the students have cats, and yet you don't complain about them. - He pointed out honestly before taking a bite of Muggle chocolate, which he took out of his coat pocket. And as for cats… well. He liked cats, so anyone who liked these furry creatures should be respected. Although in Ed's opinion, Grindylows were still a better addition.
- Mr. Erlic! - an annoying voice came from behind the group, causing a few people to jump and Ron to choke on his own saliva. They turned around to face a pink toad. - Is it true? - She demanded in a squeaky tone.
Only now did Edward turn lazily, looking at her from top to bottom with frighteningly golden eyes.
- What is true? - He raised an eyebrow. - That students have cats? I'm afraid, Professor Dolores, that if you have to ask students such questions, you should seriously reconsider your career as a teacher. - he lifted the chocolate bar to his mouth again and bit off a piece in such a way that a chocolate streak remained on his cheek.
Dolores Umbridge had heard part of the students' conversation long before she approached them. She wasn't stupid. She knew that not everyone shared her taste. She also knew that students could talk about her, especially if those students were stupidly brave Gryffindors. And yet, looking into the golden eyes of the student in front of her, she found no disgust, no hatred, or mockery. nothing but boredom and deeply hidden sadness. She cleared her throat.
- I suggest that instead of spending time talking about animals, you focus on defense against dark magic. After all, in a year, you'll be taking tests on your current knowledge, and I hope you won't disappoint me. And she left, leaving a group of students with wide-open eyes and Ron, who only now dared to cough.