The fifth year Slytherins and Ravenclaws filed into the Defence Against the Dark Arts room, curious of what this new teacher would bring, the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs from their year had already had Defence Against the Dark Arts. Needless to say, the reports were exactly that great, but the Slytherins had reasoned that it was just Potter exaggerating, and the Ravenclaws had decided that it was still a lesson, and there was plenty of things they could learn, so it shouldn't be too bad.
They sat down in the normal way, when Slytherins were with other houses, there was generally a divide between Slytherin and either Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, but it was widely accepted that it was okay to associate, or even be friends with people from Ravenclaw, a well respected house. Muggleborns tended to be in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff the most, so this made it even better. Crabbe and Goyle sat together. Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass sat together. Draco sat next to a Ravenclaw called Selena Chang, incidentally, Cho Chang's younger sister, and it was rumoured that Draco was trying to prove to Harry that he could get a Chang as well, but it also true that Draco wanted to get away from Pansy. Terry Boot and Tracy Davis sat together, another example of Slytherin/Ravenclaw interhouse mingling. Most of the other students just sat with someone from their own house, like Padma Patil who never willingly sat next to most Slytherins.
When they sat down, a small witch dressed entirely in bright pink, a colour that really didn't look too good on her, descended the stairs at the front of the classroom.
"Hem, hem," she said, louder than necessary, especially as they were already paying attention. If everyone hadn't already been looking at her, they were now.
"I am Professor Dolores Jane Umbridge," she said, in a somewhat snooty voice. "I will be your Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher for the next three years until you graduate. The Ministry appointed me when your Headmaster could not seem to find a suitable replacement, I daresay your previous and constantly changing teachers have not been up to standard at all. What did you have in third year? Oh yes, a werewolf. None of them seem to have followed the correct ministry approved curriculum, and, I'm afraid that this has left your year far below the stand we require for OWL year. You will be pleased to know though, that, I with the help of the ministry, will be able to fix these problems, and get you up to standard in time for your OWLS."
After everybody had copied down the course aims that had appeared on the blackboard once she tapped her wand on it, she then instructed everybody to begin reading the first chapter of the rather dull text book everybody had had to buy.
It continued like this in utterly dull and boring silence, until people started hearing hushed whispered from the back of the room. Umbridge, being near the front of the room, didn't really hear anything. Sitting at the back was Draco, more bored than most as his Father had instructed him to read all of his books so that he would be prepared for classes, unlike his house and classmates, thus gaining an advantage over them. Selena had done the same, and two very bored people ended up sitting next to each other.
"Merlin, this lesson is so boring. All of other teachers were much better," complained Selena.
"I know, it doesn't look like we're going to be doing any spells at all, just stupid reading," agreed Draco, trying to keep his voice down.
"What can we do about it though?" asked Selena, forgetting to whisper.
"I don't know, it looks like the old hag is going to stay this boring all year long," said Draco.
"Draco Malfoy. Selena Chang," yelled Professor Umbridge. "Detention for not doing the work, insulting a teacher, and talking in class. My office at seven pm, don't be late!"
Draco and Selena exchanged amused glances, it wasn't even that bad. Writing lines with each other might even be a bit fun; it was something they were prepared to do if it would annoy their new awful teacher.