The day had started off pretty well, all things considered. Yeah, Seamus had been a bit of an idiot last night, but that was his own problem. His friends believed him and that was enough. This morning though was pretty good. Binns had been dull as always, but Harry had been able to take a small nap. Potions had even been tolerable since he got his potion right. Once one sets themselves on fire because they didn't read the instruction correctly, they tend to double or triple check directions. Heck, he even got to talk to Cho for a moment without looking like an idiot! That is, before Ron ruined it by being a git about Quidditch.
Defense though, is where things went to heck. The class started off with the toad-like woman instructing them to put away their wands, never a good sign. Assigned reading isn't exactly a bad thing, but in a classroom, there should at least be discussion, if not practical application. It is something you tell the students to do on their own time so that you can actually expand upon and explain it in class. Then the statement that a person should be able to cast a spell on the first try just by reading the theory? That there is a load and she should know it. They were in Fifth Year, and it still takes even Hermione a couple of tries to get a spell to work properly, not something that would be acceptable for their OWLs. With all of this in mind, he raised his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Umbridge asked him in her sickly sweet tone, ignoring the hands and questions of several students to do so.
"So, if I am to understand correctly, you believe us capable of all using a spell we had only read about on the spot whilst under stress for the exams, correct?" he asked in as neutral a tone as he could manage. Normally, he wouldn't be able to stay this calm, but using the Ring System helped him burn a lot of excess energy, which, mellowed him out quite a bit.
Smiling, she responded, "Why, yes, there is no reason none of you shouldn't be able to do so."
"I see. Silly question, but a person as qualified as you knows about a plethora of defensive spells, correct?" Harry asked, only barely managing to make it sound as a form of praise.
"Why, yes, that's exactly why the Minister chose me to teach this class," She responded, enjoying the 'compliment.'
"Then you know all about the Patronus Charm, correct?" he asked, his trap set.
"But of course I do." She responded, now wary of where this was going.
"Can you cast the charm professor?" And the trap was sprung.
Fidgeting, she responded, "I have never, uh, had the need to cast such a spell. As you know, all Dementors are under Ministry control, so there is no reason for me to be able to cast such a spell."
"Well, why not cast it right now then?" He asked.
The professor could now see the trap. "Mr. Potter, there is no reason to cast such a spell. Why would I cast such a spell if it is not specifically needed?" she tried, hoping to evade this word trap.
"Well, yes, that's true Madam, but, would it not be a great example to prove the exact point you were trying to make earlier? If you could cast such a complex piece of magic after having only read about it, would probably put the worries of the class to rest." Harry said, a smirk sneaking on to his face.
Furious, Umbridge almost yelled, "Now, see here Mr. Potter, I will not allow you to sit there and question my methods."
Hands raised in surrender, Harry responded, "I apologize professor. I just thought with all of the skeptics currently in the room, claiming that your methods aren't effective, I though you might have appreciated a way to prove to them your point."
Looking around the classroom, she realized that her credibility to the class hinged on the outcome of this conversation. Clearing her throat, she straightened up and said, "Very well then." She pulled her stubby wand out, and after a moment of preparing herself mentally, raised it and said, "Expecto Patronum."
Only a pearly wisp of mist left her wand in response.
The strained look of 'victory' covered Umbridge's face as she explained, "See class? That would be sufficient in order to repel a dementor."
Harry though gave her no room. "Not to question you, but I know for a fact that is only the first stage of the Patronus charm. A fully mastered Patronus takes the form of a corporeal animal." Harry then palmed his wand under the desk before continuing, "A properly performed Patronus should look more like this." Umbridge tried to tell him to stop as he raised his wand, but it was too late. "Expecto Patronum." Prongs then pranced around the room, careful to not hit any of the desks or students in the small classroom. Harry though, couldn't keep the smirk off of his face. "I believe it took me several weeks to learn to be able to do that, instead of the wisps like you produced. Practice makes perfect though, as they say."
At this point Umbridge looked a color of red reminiscent of Uncle Vernon and was shaking with rage. "Detention, Mr. Potter. Tomorrow afternoon at five for refusing to listen to instructions and using your wand."
Harry wanted to yell. Merlin did he ever want to, but he knew that it would just lead to him having more detention, so he would take his victory and his loss for now. So for now, he held his tongue.
Class carried on after that without much happening. Umbridge did realize, though, that Patronus marked the end of her credibility. So, now she needed a new strategy to deal with the troublemakers inside of this school.