Chapter 7
An Unforgivable Statement
Harry and Silvia paced their way, climbing the steps of the North Tower in silence. It was a bit awkward really, considering the boy's emotions were burning off some negative thoughts bottled inside him. Silvia tried to open her mouth but couldn't find the words to release him of his infuriated mood.
"So why didn't we see you when Professor Lupin was teaching here?" Harry all of a sudden inquired, breaking the silence.
"I uh…stayed somewhere while Remus moved here for the year," Silvia replied in a very hesitant way. She had suddenly remembered where she was held, but if she told him or the others, they might have been suspicious of her…problems. "He thought it would be best if I stayed somewhere instead at home."
"Did you stay with your parents?" Harry questioned. Silvia shook her head.
"Just…somewhere," she exhaled, regretting the lack of a better answer. Harry looked at her suspiciously but the bell rang, fortunately ending the conversation. The two of them entered through the open trap door into the North Tower; Ron followed who was a few moments behind them. Harry and Silvia sat down at a nearby table followed by Ron shortly after.
At first it seemed rather awkward until Ron spoke up.
"Hermione and me stopped fighting," he announced sitting beside Harry.
"Good," Harry replied, feeling not all that convinced.
"But she did say that it would be nice if you just stopped taking out your temper on us," Ron added with a bit of sternness in his tone. Harry was about to object but Ron interrupted by saying: "Just passing on the message."
"Good day," Professor Trelawney greeted with her dreamy tone and her enthusiastic smile. "Welcome back to Divination. I'm glad to see that everyone has returned to Hogwarts safely. Now, you will find on your tables copies of The Dream Oracle by Inigo Imago. Dream interpretation is the most important means of divination."
At first Silvia didn't think much of it until she began to sink deeper into the idea of "dream reading". Oh no! she thought anxiously. If she or anyone finds out what I dream, it'll be a disaster.
"Read the intro then divide into pairs. Use The Dream Oracle to interpret each other's most recent dreams. Carry on," Professor Trelawney instructed allowing the group of Gryffindor students to scatter about the room. Silvia didn't move; she remained at her spot next to the boys. Fortunately enough though, reading the introduction of The Dream Oracle took up most of the lesson; leaving only ten minutes left to actually interpret dreams. Silvia looked at the two of them with uncertainty. There was no way that she would tell these two of her daily nightmares.
"I never remember my dreams," Ron mentioned with uncertainty. "One of you has to say one."
"You must remember one of them," Harry commented. He too wasn't going to share his strange nightmares that have been haunting him since the death of Cedric last year. Silvia began to feel tense with uncertainty. Ron thankfully did throw out one after thinking for a long moment.
"I had one where I was playing Quidditch the other night," he pointed out but he seemed to be struggling on what to recall of it. "What do you think it means?"
"Probably that you'll turn into a giant marshmallow or something," Harry replied, uninterested in the boring subject. Silvia just shrugged.
"I don't suppose you have anything better?" Ron questioned her. As soon as he asked her eyes widened, suddenly feeling a lump in her throat and her mind racing. Harry's eyes just glanced at her dully, noticing her strange expression.
"I…uh…" she began looking around desperately. What bloody thing can I use? She exclaimed in her mind. She looked around but finally was saved by the ringing of the bell. She sighed in relief. Professor Trelawney announced that she wanted the class to keep dream diaries for a month as homework. The class filed out, making their way down the latter. Silvia took a little time to recuperate from her anxious mind, allowing Harry and Ron to leave without her. Well I guess I dodged a bullet there for now, she thought breathing deeply.
She left the strange fortune-teller's quarters, departing down the ladder of the trap door exit. She paced down the stairs behind fellow Gryffindors catching up to Harry and Ron at the end of the stairwell. She caught up with them after passing a few students throughout the corridors. She heard Ron complaining about the loads of homework that was placed amongst them. The three of them made their way towards Defense Against the Dark Arts, awaiting the questionable teachings of this new instructor.
Professor Umbridge's attire was rather questionable considering what she wore wasn't really reflecting the seriousness of the subject. Wearing a brightly shown pink cardigan that was fluffy on some parts of the fabric, she beamed at the students as they entered. As Silvia followed the pair, she sat behind them on an empty desk until another student decided to take the vacant seat beside her. The way Professor Umbridge's attention and greeting was, it made Silvia look at her with suspicious and a rather uneasy feeling at the pit of her stomach. Just by the fist glance of this woman made her think strange of her.
Her smile was too perky for such a serious and important subject. Her attire too bright and unusual and those eyes oh those piercing eyes. She was starting to feel that Snape was more tolerable to look at than her. Finally she began by yelling, "Good afternoon!" with great enthusiasm, her smile widening; although the class was not enthused as much as the new disciplinarian. She gave an unsatisfied expression forcing the class to repeat their greetings with more volume and enthusiasm.
"There now," she accepted with satisfaction and acceptance. "Wands away and quills out please."
The class looked at her with bewilderment and dull expressions, finding it hard to believe that they were about to participate the most serious class within the entire school and not have their wands out for defense. Even though Silvia was new at this school, she was even puzzled at the fact of not using magic and required just to write notes that were told by this strange woman. With a flick of her wrist, Professor Umbridge jotted down in neat, scribbled cursive:
Defense Against the Dark Arts
A Return to Basic Principles
"Now, your teaching has been rather divided. Considering your teachers year after year had been constantly changing. Many of which did not seem approved by the Ministry by their curriculum. Which I may point out is far below what we expect of your O.W.L. this year. But I have good news," Umbridge announced. "We the Ministry have found an approved curriculum that was carefully structured for the defensive magic for this year."
Silvia felt her insides fuming with disgust at this teacher. She was insulting her uncle by explaining that his curriculum wasn't "Ministry-approved". So just because he didn't follow this dull structure of writing pointless notes about Defense Against the Dark Arts by actually using magic, means that he wasn't an accurate teacher? Surely she must be out of her mind. At least he did something in this course that made some confident about defending themselves from dark magic. Silvia's mind was interrupted when she heard Professor Umbridge announce: "Copy these down."
With another flick of the wrist, the board erased, rewriting an introductory of what the course is supposed to accomplish. Silvia looked at the three "course aims" shaking her head in disbelief. Understanding the principles? Learning to recognize situations and use magic legally? Placing the use of defensive magic in context for practical use? Are we even in the right classroom? Silvia thought anxiously as she scribbled the notes in her notebook with dull enthusiasm and disappointment.
"Now does everyone have their couple of Defensive Magical Theory?" Umbridge questioned. The class just made a dreary moan of boredom. Umbridge's smirk faded with disapproval once again. "Now when I ask a question I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No Professor Umbridge'."
She repeated the question once again leaving the class to reply only slightly more loudly than the last. The class after that seemed very dull and tedious; her instructions were becoming pointless and the class seemed prolonged than needed. Hermione even, the one who followed all rules, didn't even glance at the pages that needed to be read. Suddenly everyone was staring at the 'brightest witch' within their group noticing her unusual behavior of not listening to the teacher's instructions.
Suddenly, Umbridge noticed Hermione's actions of being quiet but not achieving the task at hand.
"Did you have a question about the chapter dear?" Umbridge asked as if in a concerned tone but secretly annoyed that Hermione wasn't completing her instructions.
"No, not about the chapter," Hermione replied simply.
"If you have any queries about the chapter we'll discuss them at the end of class," Umbridge explained sternly.
"I've got a query about the course aims," Hermione answered honestly, causing the professor to raise her eyebrows with intrigue and question.
"And you're name is?" Umbridge asked.
"Hermione Granger," Hermione replied.
"Well Miss Granger the course aims are quite clear if you read them through," the professor told, her voice sweet and melodious. Silvia looked over at Hermione who sat diagonally from her, feeling a bit of uneasiness in the pit of her stomach.
"Well I don't," Hermione mentioned sternly with a bit of annoyance in her tone. "There's nothing written up there about using the defensive spells."
Here we go, Silvia thought with horror, knowing that this couldn't end well with Umbridge and the rest of the class. Umbridge just laughed as if a humorous joke was said. "Why I can't imagine any situation of arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"
"We're not using magic?" Ron questioned with disbelief.
"Students raise your hands if you wish to speak, Mr. -?" Umbridge asked.
"Weasley," Ron answered raising his hand into the air. Professor Umbridge just smiled. Silvia noticed that many of her classmates among her raised their hands with eager anxiety.
"Miss Granger, you wish to say something else?"
"Yes, surely the whole point of Defensive Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" Hermione pointed out in an obvious tone.
"Well if that were true it would be of a Ministry-trained educational expert to decide. Are you one of those experts Miss Granger?" Umbridge inquired with stern seriousness and also a mocking manner. Hermione just shook her head about to object but Umbridge stopped her from making any further conflicts with the situation. "Then I'm afraid you're not qualified to decide then. You'll be learning in a risk free way."
"What is the use of that?" Harry suddenly intervened.
"Hand, Mr. Potter!" Umbridge demanded, her patience running low. Harry obeyed with a disgusted expression but instead she went to another student instead of him. She called on Dean Thomas who seemed equally concerned with Harry's response.
"I repeat," Umbridge explained her tone becoming stern and impatient. "do you expect to be attacked during classes?"
"No," Dean replied also about to object but was once again interrupted by the professor.
"I do not wish to criticize but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed – not to mention," she gave a nasty laugh. Silvia was felt her fist tightening. She was just about to pass it off until Umbridge finished with, "extremely dangerous half-breeds."
"Now wait just a minute!" Silvia suddenly burst out amongst the class. She suddenly stood from her seat, her eyes fuming with anger. Umbridge was about to demand something until Dean interrupted grabbing her attention.
"Now if you're talking about Professor Lupin he was the best we," Dean was about to finish until he was interrupted.
"Hand! Mr. Thomas! As I was saying," she was about to continue but Silvia interrupted by instinct.
"Professor!" she announced in a loud tone. Her mind was becoming infuriated, feeling that she would really turn into a werewolf right now and show her a dangerous half-breed.
"Excuse me Miss, and who might you be to interrupting me while I'm teaching?" Umbridge questioned her tone becoming irritated.
"Silvia Lupin," Silvia replied sternly, feeling as if she was hissing through her teeth. The whole class looked at her with astonishment and curiosity, (at least those who didn't know her, which only excluded Harry, Ron and Hermione). Umbridge looked at her awkwardly then smiling, laughing lightly.
"And what made you have such an outburst Miss Lupin?" Umbridge questioned.
"I suggest that you take back what you said about my uncle," Silvia replied, feeling her voice harden, still standing firmly from her seat.
"Well I can't take it back, I just was saying my firm opinion is all, deary. I meant no offense," Umbridge informed unconvincingly.
"My uncle is a good man, and by the looks of it you'll see that my classmates, they said he was one of the best," Silvia continued.
"Miss Lupin I suggest you sit down unless you want to see me after class in detention," Umbridge warned.
"I won't do anything unless you apologize and take back what you said about my uncle," Silvia informed, feeling her legs shaking underneath her.
"Sit down Miss Lupin!" Umbridge demanded with a squeak of her voice. "Sit down or you shall spend the whole week in detention with me!"
Silvia hesitated but then knew she couldn't afford a detention with this crazy, insulting woman. She forced herself to sit, no matter how much it hurt to hear the woman ramble on about her uncle being an irresponsible wizard and a dangerous half-breed. This woman had no idea whom she's dealing with. The crazed professor called on Parvati who announced her name after being called.
"Isn't there a practical bit of Defense Against the Dark Arts on our O.W.L.? Don't we actually do the counter curses?" Parvati asked with curiosity and concern; although, the response didn't seem accurate to the question and seemed to make the class even more concerned.
"As long as you studied them in theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be capable of performing them," Umbridge replied passively. This woman couldn't be convinced of performing the defensive spells otherwise. It was driving the class insane and Silvia could see the look in Harry's eyes, which reflected fury and hatred among this pointless teacher.
"And what's good theory going to be in the real world?" he questioned rather loudly, finding it rather annoying that Umbridge was giving them pathetic and meaningless answers.
"This is school not the real world," the crazed woman corrected as if it were an obvious answer to know.
"So you're telling us not to be prepared for what's out there?" Harry questioned infuriated, his voice rising among the students.
"There's nothing waiting," Umbridge announced. "Who could you possibly imagine could attack young children such as yourselves?"
"There is plenty out there, Professor," Silvia intervened raising her hand. "Especially if you think there are dangerous half-breeds out there in the open."
"Oh and uh let's think," Harry added mockingly in a thoughtful tone. "How about Lord Voldemort?"
With that said, just about the whole class expressed their fear out in the open. Some gasped, others screamed and even Neville lost his balance and fell off his stool. Silvia stared at Umbridge seeing that her eyes were on Harry intently.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter," she announced. She suddenly stared at Silvia, who was glaring at the woman with great disgust. She never felt this much hatred in her life. "You have been told that a Dark wizard has returned from the dead."
"He wasn't dead! But he did return!" Harry exclaimed becoming frustrated.
"This is all a lie," Umbridge continued with a stern, confident voice.
"It is NOT a lie!" Harry objected so passionately finding it rather irritating and frustrating with this woman. "I saw him and fought him!"
"Detention Mr. Potter!" Umbridge screamed, having enough of this conversation at hand. Everyone was silent and staring at the two of them as they went at each other. "Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock in my office. And now if you continue your reading," Umbridge continued with a sweet voice after having that argument with Potter.
But it wasn't over. Harry stood up, not giving into the fight. Hermione protested of his behavior and everyone else stared at him with curiosity and caution. He mentioned Cedric Diggory's death causing everyone to remain as silent as the grave. Umbridge just replied that it was a tragic accident. After another comment, the professor beckoned him to her desk as everyone else remained seated. Silvia stared at Harry, praying that he won't have another emotional breakdown and that he would survive her will as hard as she herself was trying by force in her mind. Umbridge wrote something down then finally handed it to Harry ordering him to escort it to Professor McGonagall. Harry left without another word, his face fuming.
Silvia remained in her seat, watching Professor Umbridge as she gave a satisfied grin towards his direction as he left. Everyone else was continuing with their studies, not saying another word about the incident. Suddenly, Umbridge called her, causing her to flinch unexpectedly.
"Miss Lupin?" she called, beckoning her towards her desk with her one finger motioning towards her. Silvia hesitated, feeling actual fear to sweep over her. She stood from her place, making her way towards the woman's desk slowly. She leaned forward towards the girl who was anxiously trying to keep a stern but unreadable expression.
"I'm going to give you a warning Miss Lupin. Another outburst like that and you'll get more than just a few points from your house taken away," Umbridge warned. "And I am not looking forward to punishing you so please just be a good girl and listen to my instructions."
Silvia just nodded in reply then when back to her seat where she pretended to read until the bell finally rang for them to leave. She hastily took her books following Ron and Hermione out the door. Thankfully they could finally take a break from this nonsense they had faced with Professor Umbridge.
Ron and Hermione stared at Silvia as she caught up with them giving sympathetic looks. Silvia felt herself fuming inside and she couldn't help it.
"She shouldn't have said that about your uncle. He was a descent man and a great teacher," Hermione commented as they walked down the halls.
"The woman is twisted I tell you, I mean, we're not going to be learning any spells at all? It's bloody ridiculous!" Ron exclaimed with irritation.
"I've never felt this much anger towards anyone my entire life!" Silvia growled.
"Easy there, it's not like she was targeting you or something," Ron informed.
"You have no idea what you're saying," Silvia spat.
"He is right I'm afraid. I mean I understand you could be a little angry with her but you must've heard a lot of insults about Professor Lupin. Especially from the Ministry," Hermione explained. Silvia stopped in her tracks.
"Are you saying that I don't have a right to be mad at her? She insulted my uncle! And as a matter of fact she insulted me!" Silvia told them angrily.
"All right, all right," Hermione accepted nervous by the girl's sudden outburst. "You don't have to jump on us or anything."
"Why were you insulted?" Ron questioned. "Besides Professor Lupin I mean."
Silvia suddenly froze.
"You wouldn't understand," she replied.
"Well if you just old us maybe- " Hermione suggested.
"No!" Silvia suddenly burst with nervousness. Hermione and Ron looked at her wide-eyed. She softened her tone. "No, just lay off it all right."
"But –" Hermione intervened but Silvia held a hand up to silence her.
"I'm going to the common room to get some homework done. Tell Harry I'm sorry about the mishap at class okay?" Silvia mentioned leaving the two of them to nod in understanding. "See you at dinner."
Silvia departed from their company making her way through the halls. Ron and Hermione looked at each other.
"Brilliant now we have two people who like to have at our throats," Ron commented. Hermione just shook her head.
"She probably didn't mean it Ron," Hermione mentioned.
"Right," Ron answered unconvinced. Hermione just sighed, grabbing him by the arm and turning him in the other direction.
"Come on, let's go and find Harry," she suggested then they went off through the crowds of students, leaving Silvia alone and without company.