Chapter 6: First Day Highs
Seras was running late on her first day as the DADA professor. But NOT because of anything that she did.
Earlier, Mr. Filch had informed her that Dumbledore wanted to speak with her before her first class. Seras found it strange since she was with the Headmaster at the faculty table during breakfast earlier. Nonetheless, she complied and made her way up to Dumbledore's office.
But when she got there, Dumbledore had informed her that he had given Mr. Filch no such instructions to call Seras up to his office. This instantly made the ex-policewoman suspicious. Whoever gave Filch his instructions wanted to stall her for some reason and since the Headmaster's office was furthest away from the classrooms, it only made sense that they'd use that excuse since they believed it would take time for her to get back to her class. Enough time for them to do whatever it is that they had planned.
Seras had a suspicion on who the culprit is but wasn't about to blow the opportunity to gather more information. If anything, Seras wanted to thank the culprit for underestimating her.
Looking around to make sure nobody was watching, Seras reaches out towards the shadows in the hallway and watches her arm disappear through it before she enters the shadows herself. The castle was supposedly warded against any sort of unauthorized incursion through teleportation from the outside but her powers worked differently. Seras had the ability to instantaneously transport herself from one place to another using the shadows as a sort of gateway and it was through this method that she brought herself to her classroom.
Seras was not surprised to see Umbridge already inside passing out what seemed to be textbooks and decides to hide a little longer to find out what the Ministry observer was up to.
As expected, Umbridge gave a short lecture in her sickeningly sweet and insincere voice about the 'proper' things to teach eager, impressionable young minds while criticizing the way that the current staff of Hogwarts have been educating the students. She even made vague claims that the Ministry might see it fit to seize control of the school to 'protect' the youth's minds from being poisoned. And when asked by Harry about the return of Voldemort, Umbridge had dismissed the claims as lies and even went so far as assign to assign him detention with her.
Having enough of Umbridge little display, Seras decides to end whatever illusions of grandeur that the woman may have of her position in the school and put her in her proper place.
"Belay that Mister Potter. I don't believe that Miss Umbridge has the authority to assign detention." Seras stated as she melted out of the shadows behind the ministry official causing her to almost shriek in surprise.
"P-Professor Victoria. I... I didn't know you were there." Umbridge stammered out.
"You weren't supposed to." Seras said, briefly flashing her a smile which had FAR too much teeth in it before her expression turns cold. "As I was saying, you're not authorized to assign detention. As a matter of fact, you're not even authorized to teach anything. So would you mind telling me what you're doing here?"
"W-Well... I found out that you were going to be a little late so I decided to fill in for you and impart a little of my experience with the students while waiting for you to arrive." Umbridge answered, managing to regain a bit of her composure.
"You 'found out' I was going to be late for class? Is that right? That sounds awfully coincidental to me. Almost TOO coincidental." Seras stated, watching the woman squirm.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Umbridge said, managing to sound offended at being implicated.
"I'm sure you don't." Seras drawled as she picks up one of the books Umbridge was distributing. "And what about these books?" She asks.
"Ministry approved study materials that you may find indispensable for your classes." Umbridge answered, looking a little smug despite herself.
Seras hummed thoughtfully as she flips through the book before dropping it unceremoniously back to the table. "While I commend you for your initiative Miss Umbridge, your assistance is as unnecessary as these books you have provided because everything I have to teach these kids comes from my own experience in fighting users of the dark arts." Seras said.
"Your own experience?" Umbridge asked incredulously. "Surely you jest. You don't look much older than a student yourself not to mention that you are unfamiliar with our ways. What can you possibly teach them?"
"Have you forgotten who and what I am Miss Umbridge?" Seras asks dangerously. "I am a vampire employed by the Hellsing Foundation. I am not one to brag but very few others in this country has the same experience and expertise that I have in battling dark creatures. And in an organization that does that for a living, that's saying quite a bit."
"Yes... Your identity is one point that still needs to be studied by the ministry to determine your suitability as an instructor. Besides, there is no need to teach such skills to these children." Umbridge argued. "Voldemort does NOT exist so they are perfectly safe where they are."
"I think it should be noted that not once have I mentioned Voldemort's name in our conversation Miss Umbridge. And it's rather naive to think that just because Voldemort allegedly doesn't exist anymore, its already so safe there is no need to train in defending yourself." Seras stated.
"But that's not allowed!" Umbridge insisted. "The ministry..."
"...Does NOT have any say in Hogwarts's curriculum. That's the faculty's responsibility and last rime I checked, you're NOT part of the faculty." Seras finished for her. "Now I've got a class to teach and I'm already late as it is. If you have a problem with how I do things, take it up with the Headmaster. Good day Miss Umbridge." Seras said as she turns to the class, clearly dismissing the toady woman whose smiling facade transforms into a mask of barely restrained rage.
"This isn't over Professor Victoria." Umbridge hissed angrily as she turns her heels and storms away.
"No... I don't believe it is." Seras mutters, turning her head slightly as she watches Umbridge leave before she turns her attention to the class.
...
Harry's gut feeling about Umbridge had proven to be true. The woman was obviously sent to Hogwarts to intervene on the ministry's behalf and it showed with the way she attempted to take over the DADA class while their real instructor was absent.
Fortunately, Professor Seras showed up just as he had finished arguing with Umbridge about Voldemort's existence and the ministry representative was about to assign him detention which, apparently, she had no right to. Seras had rebutted her arguments in short order and sent her packing. Lucky for them too because if the books that Umbridge had distributed were an indication of how she taught, then they would have learned nothing at all.
Speaking of the books Umbridge had distributed, their new DADA instructor was currently studying the contents of the said publication.
"Defensive Magical Theory? I'm not a wizard and even I think that this book is absolutely useless." Seras said with a scoff as tosses the book away. "Well then... Now that the comedy show is over, let's get down to business."
Drawing herself up to her full, if unimpressive, height and managing to look like a professional in her policewoman's uniform (replacing the skimpy skirt with a pair of pants for the sake of decency), Seras introduces herself to the class. "My name is Seras Victoria and I am your new instructor for Defense Against Dark Arts. I'm a former policewoman and agent of the Hellsing Foundation. And as you also may have heard, I'm also a vampire."
This causes the entire class to break out in whispers which may as well have been a loud uproar given how sharp a vampire's senses were. "Don't worry. I'm not THAT kind of vampire. Your headmaster wouldn't have hired me if I were." Seras stated, deciding to address their concerns. This causes the class to shut up instantly, much to Seras's amusement before she continues.
"And as I've also mentioned before, the things I'll be teaching you will be based on my own experience and will be mostly practical and hands on." Seras stated. "Not to say that this class won't have any theoretical aspect because there will be. But it will have to be theories that you are prepared to back up with practical application. And by the time you've completed my course, you WILL be well rounded individuals capable of adapting to different situations as needed. Now then, are there any questions? Yes? You with the prefect's badge from Slytherin. Whats your name?"
"Draco Malfoy ma'am." He identified himself imperiously, waiting for the expected look of awe on the professor's face. But all he got was an expectant expression which was waiting for whatever question he had. "You said you were a vampire but I find that difficult to believe because from what I know, vampires are nocturnal creatures. You're teaching us in the middle of the day so how can you be one?"
Though the question sounded rude, Seras gave no indication of being offended. "A relevant question Mr. Malfoy though you could have been a bit more tactful about it. Five points to Slytherin nonetheless." Malfoy sat down with a superior smirk on his face as Seras continues her lecture.
"Lets begin with this very simple concept. Information. Depending on its source and the way it's used, it can be your best friend or your own worst enemy. If you had up to date information on an enemy, then you'll be able to prepare for him in an appropriate manner. But if your information is wrong or horribly outdated, then you'll have problems. BIG problems." Seras said. "Mr. Malfoy was prudent to doubt my claim of being a vampire so we'll use that to test your knowledge. Can anyone tell me what are the common traits of a vampire? Miss Granger?"
"Vampires have no reflections Professor Victoria." The bushy haired Gryffindor prefect answered. In response, Seras walks in front of a cabinet mirror which reflected... Nothing. "Huh... I guess you're right Miss Granger. Five points to Gryffindor. Anybody else?"
"Vampires are supposed to be shapeshifters." A dark skinned male wearing the colors of Slytherin stated. Seras suddenly transforms into a strawberry blonde bat and flies over to the student before transforming back to Seras. "Excellent Mr...?"
"Zabini. Blaise Zabini Professor Victoria." The dark skinned Slytherin supplied.
"Thank you Mr. Zabini. Five points to Slytherin." Seras said before calling another dark skinned student, this one wearing the red and gold of Gryffindor because he was raising his hand and baded him to identify himself.
"Dean Thomas Ma'am. Vampires are supposed to be very strong and fast." Just as Dean said this, Seras was already in front of the dark skinned Gryffindor and lifting him up effortlessly with one hand.
"Does this answer your question Mr. Thomas?" Seras asks pleasantly and all Dean could do was nod. He didn't even see the Professor move from her spot across the room and despite him being taller than her, she was lifting him up like he weighed next to nothing. "Excellent Mr. Thomas and thank you for your cooperation. Five points to Gryffindor." Seras said as he puts Dean down before she starts walking around the class while continuing her lecture.
"Those ARE well known traits of a vampire along with superhuman endurance, an insane healing factor, the ability to influence another's mind, communicating with creatures of the night such as rats, owls, cats and certain canine breeds and even limited control over the weather." Seras said. "There are also well known means of destroying vampires such as beheading them, driving a wooden through their heart, exposing them to sunlight, attacking them with blessed items, immolation by fire or if you're really THAT paranoid of the vampire surviving any of those means, then feel free to utilize multiple combinations of those methods."
Seras stops just short of one of the large windows in the room where the sun was shining through. "As I said at the beginning of the class, information can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Today you have demonstrated your knowledge of a possible enemy. Whatever information you have may work on ordinary vampires but happens when…." Seras reaches out and puts her hand out in the sunlight where it remained unaffected before she herself walks in front of the window and exposes herself to direct sunlight to emphasize her point. "…..Your opponent is no ordinary vampire like me? What if your entire strategy revolves around say exposing the vampire to the sun and it DOESN'T work? What will you do then?"
Nobody deems to answer Seras which she takes as a sign to conclude her lecture. "In a war, not having the proper knowledge and information to base your decisions on can be a fatal mistake for your cause which will lead to defeat. It's something that each one of you should consider as you go through this war called life. Class dismissed."
Author's Notes: Next chappie's up. R&R pls.