Hello everyone! Welcome back to another fic! The first few chapters are short (as always unfortunately) but I promise it will pick up! This takes place in a combination of GoF and OotP; using plots and characters from both.
Disclaimer: From now until the end of time, I, Inspired178, do not own any recognisable characters, plots, magical objects, etc.
Big thanks to my wonderful beta-reader: Princess Twila!
Critique and questions encouraged! Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Umbridge
Another year, another train ride. Once again, Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione were going back to Hogwarts for another 10 months of spells, potions, and duels. And as usual, Defense against the Dark Arts had a new teacher as it did every year. As Ron sat down in the Great Hall, waiting for the Feast, he snorted. "Bit of frilly grandma, isn't she?"
Harry looked to see where Ron was nodding his head. The new teacher was dressed head to toe in pink: very frilly, and very girly. Her short brown hair was curled under a pink hat. Her pudgy fingers were clasped around a goblet, toad face scanning the tables.
"She was at my hearing!" Harry exclaimed quietly.
"What's she doin' here?" Ron asked.
Before Harry could answer, Dumbledore got up from his seat and made his way to the owl stand in front of the head table.
"Good evening! Welcome new students, and welcome back old. Another year, another feast! First years are reminded that the Dark Forest is out of bounds. A few students can vouch of its dangers," Albus peered over his half-moon spectacles at Fred, George, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The twins smiled back. "I'd like to introduce our newest staff member, Professor Umbridge."
Standing up, Umbridge made her way to the podium. No one clapped.
"Hem hem. Good evening," she said in a very girly, high voice. "It is wonderful to see you all smiling back at me." Harry looked around; no, no one was smiling at her. "This year will be a little different than most…in fact, very different. This year, the Triwizard Tournament has been resurrected and will take place here. Now, because of the death toll, only Years 5 and up are allowed to participate and be chosen. Other details will be discussed later," Umbridge gave a quick fake cough as the chatter rose. No one heeded her until Dumbledore stood up and gave a warm smile. "That is all," Umbridge said, sitting down as the chatter rose again. Hagrid and Dumbledore were the only ones to clap. Everyone else was either discussing the wild Tournament ideas, or staring at Umbridge in disgust. Umbridge, however, sat down in a sickly pleasant manner, and surveyed the students with interest, as though they were all untamed beasts that needed to be suppressed and conquered.
"Two last words for you all," Dumbledore said loudly. "Tuck. In!"
"Finally!" Ron said hungrily. He shoveled food onto his plate, and from there to his mouth.
"Why is she here?" Harry asked Hermione through bites of potatoes.
"The Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts," Hermione replied.
"Iee?" Ron asked after a bite of steak.
"I don't know, Ronald," she said turning to him, "but whatever it is, Dumbledore is not happy about it."
Harry looked at Dumbledore. He seemed happy, talking to McGonagall, but as Harry looked closer, he saw a slight slump in posture, the twinkle was faint in his eyes, and Dumbledore looked tired.
Soon, dinner turned to dessert, and the evening turned to night. Classes would begin tomorrow, and Harry had Defense against the Dark Arts first.