Tuesday morning. A garish, Ministry-branded carriage, pulled by two skeletal Thestrals, clattered to a halt before the gates of Hogwarts. The door opened, and out stepped the toad-like form of Dolores Jane Umbridge, swathed in eye-watering pink, a black velvet bow perched on her mousy brown hair.
"Ah, Hogwarts," she simpered in a high, girlish voice that set teeth on edge. Her small, protruding eyes swept over the ancient castle with disdain. "Such a… historicinstitution. Pity it seems to be fostering such… unrulyelements."
She was followed by two dour-faced Ministry officials, clutching clipboards and radiating bureaucratic self-importance.
Professor McGonagall met them at the entrance, her lips a thin, severe line. "Dolores. You're… punctual."
"Minerva, dear!" Umbridge's smile was saccharine and utterly false. "One must be punctual when dealing with matters of such… gravitas. Now, I understand there is a student, a certain Zhang Ming, conducting unauthorized pedagogical activities?"
"The Science and Cultivation Research Club is a duly recognized student organization, approved by the Headmaster," McGonagall stated coldly.
"Approved by Dumbledore? How… quaint," Umbridge trilled, brushing past McGonagall without waiting to be led. "We shall see about that. The Ministry's standards are quite clear."
Headmaster's Tower
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, the very picture of calm as Umbridge barged in.
"Albus," she said, dispensing with pleasantries. "We have received disturbing reports. Regarding a Zhang Ming. Spreading dangerous, non-standard magical theories. Operating an unsanctioned group. Employing unapproved magical techniques. And intimidating students of upstanding wizarding families." She slapped a file onto his desk. "Under Educational Decree Twenty-Two, I am authorized to investigate and administer appropriate disciplinary action."
Dumbledore steepled his fingers. "And your evidence, Dolores?"
"The sworn testimony of Draco Malfoy, and a detailed report from his father, Lucius—a respected member of the Board of Governors," she said smugly.
"Lucius Malfoy," Dumbledore mused. "A man with a… complicated history. One might question the objectivity of his testimony."
Umbridge's smile tightened. "The Ministry considers the Malfoys to be upstanding citizens, Albus. Your… prejudices… are noted. Now, summon the boy."
Minutes later, Zhang Ming entered. He bowed politely. "Headmaster. You wished to see me?"
"Zhang Ming, this is Dolores Umbridge from the Ministry," Dumbledore said. "She has some questions."
"Miss Umbridge," Zhang Ming nodded, his demeanor unflappable.
Umbridge looked him up and down, her expression one of pure contempt. "Let's not waste time. Your 'Science and Cultivation' club. It lacks Ministry approval."
"It has the Headmaster's approval, as per Hogwarts charter, clause thirteen. That is sufficient," Zhang Ming replied evenly.
"Your curriculum deviates from Ministry standards! This 'wave-frequency' nonsense! 'Spiritual sense'! It's heresy!" she shrieked.
"Science is not heresy," Zhang Ming countered. "Magic is not a mystery to be feared, but a force to be understood. Obscurantism only hinders progress."
"How dare you! The standards are set by the Ministry!"
"And who sets the Ministry's standards?" Zhang Ming's voice was dangerously calm. "Scholars who understand magic? Or bureaucrats in offices?"
Umbridge turned purple. "You insolent—! And you threatened Draco Malfoy!"
"I issued a warning to a student who filed a false report in an attempt to slander me. I was defending my reputation."
"Proof?"
Zhang Ming waved a hand. A shimmering, three-dimensional projection appeared in the air, displaying the exact contents of Draco's letter to his father, word for word.
Umbridge gaped. "This is an invasion of privacy! A forgery!"
"The content is verifiable. It is libel. My response was proportionate."
"I've heard enough!" Umbridge screeched. "I will attend your little club meeting tonight! If I find a single violation of Ministry standards, I will shut it down and have you expelled!"
A cold smile touched Zhang Ming's lips. "Excellent. I welcome the scrutiny. The Room of Requirement. Seven o'clock. I think you'll find it… enlightening."
That Evening, The Room of Requirement
The room was packed. Not just with the 87 club members, but with over 150 students, all buzzing with nervous energy. The staff was there in force: Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape, and even Hooch sat in the front row, their expressions grim.
At seven-ten, Umbridge arrived, her two flunkies in tow. "Good evening, children," she simpered. "Let's all be on our best behavior, shall we?"
Zhang Ming stepped onto the central dais. The room fell silent.
"Welcome, Miss Umbridge, professors, students," he began, his voice amplified and calm. "Tonight's lesson is entitled: 'The True Nature of Magic: From Theory to Practice'."
He looked directly at Umbridge. "I hope by the end, any… misconceptions… will be cleared up."
Umbridge sniffed, settling into a chair with a smug, dismissive air.
"First," Zhang Ming said, "a fundamental question. What is magic?"
He paused, letting the question hang.
"Some say it is blood. Some say it is a gift. Some say it is a miracle beyond comprehension." His voice sharpened. "These are lies."
Umbridge shot to her feet. "How dare you!"
"They are lies," Zhang Ming repeated, his gaze locking with hers. "Magic is not mysterious. It is the application of energy. The utilization of natural laws. The power of knowledge!"
He swept his hand through the air. A wave of pure, resonant energy washed over the room. Every student felt their own magical core hum in sympathetic vibration.
"This is magical energy. It is not sacred. It is not unknowable. It is a form of energy, like heat or light. Understand its laws, and anyone can master it!"
"Blasphemy!" Umbridge screamed.
"Is it? Tell me, Miss Umbridge, why does the Wand-Lighting Charm require the incantation 'Lumos'? Why not 'Illumino'? Why must it be in Latin?"
Umbridge sputtered, unable to form a coherent answer.
"you cannot answer," Zhang Ming said, "because you have never asked 'why'. You merely repeat. I will show you the answer."
A complex frequency diagram appeared in the air. "The incantation is a sonic key. 'Lumos' produces a specific vibrational frequency—432 Hertz—that resonates with magical energy, tuning it to produce light."
He then displayed frequency analyses for the word 'light' in ancient Chinese and the Egyptian word 'Ra'. Their frequencies were nearly identical. He then spoke each word in turn.
"Lumos!"
"Guang!" (Light
"Ra!"
With each utterance, his wand tip lit up brightly.
"The word is a vehicle for the frequency! The Ministry's 'standard' spells are just one set of keys! Not the only set!"
The room erupted in excited whispers. Umbridge looked like she'd been slapped.
For the next ninety minutes, Zhang Ming delivered a masterclass. He dismantled magical dogma with crystal-clear logic and breathtaking live demonstrations. He explained magical theory, wandless casting, potion optimization with a clarity that was revolutionary.
Then came the finale.
"I would like to demonstrate the progress of some of our members. Potter, Granger, Weasley, Boot, Longbottom. The stage, please."
The five students stepped forward, looking nervous but determined.
"They have trained for one week. Observe."
As one, the five raised their hands. No wands. No words.
A moment of tense silence.
Then—five distinct beams of light shot from their fingertips. A steady Lumosfrom each.
The room exploded. Cheers, gasps, cries of disbelief. Neville Longbottom had tears streaming down his face, a brilliant light shining from his own hand.
Dumbledore was on his feet, his face a mask of profound shock and admiration. Snape looked… intrigued. McGonagall had her hand over her mouth.
Umbridge was ashen, trembling, her carefully constructed world of rules and decrees shattering around her.
Zhang Ming turned to her, his voice cutting through the din.
"Well, Miss Umbridge? Do you still believe I teach heresy? Are my methods 'sub-standard'? Do you still intend to shut us down?"
Every eye in the room turned to the woman in pink, waiting for her answer.