I'm back, with the other half of chapter two. I was amazed when I got actual reviews. I thank you guys so much for those. I wasn't having the best of days, but when I say them, it made my day so much better. In this part, a lot is from the book, almost directly from the book. There wasn't any other good way to put that scene, and I don't take any credit for J.K. Rowling's work.
Chapter 2, Part 2
"What do we have next?" Ron asked as they made their way from the Great Hall.
"First Defense Against the Dark Arts class," Harry answered gloomily.
They entered the room, noticing Karina in the very back and Professor Umbridge at the front of the room in her pink cardigan and black bow on top of her head. The three sat down in the middle row.
"There will be no need for wands in this classroom, so put them away and take your books out." Professor Umbridge said, in her irritatingly high- pitched voice. The class followed the directions glumly and Umbridge continued. "I should like you to turn to page 5 and read Chapter One, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk."
From behind the teachers desk, she observed them all closely. Harry turned to page 5 of his copy of Defensive Magical Theory and started to read.
It was desperately dull, quite as bad as listening to Professor Binns. He felt his concentration slipping away from him; he had soon read the same line half a dozen times without taking in more than a few words. Several silent minutes passed. Ron was absentmindedly turning his quill over and over in his fingers, staring at the same spot on the page. Harry looked right and received a surprise to shake him out of his torpor. Hermione hadn't even opened her copy of Defensive Magical Theory. She was staring fixedly at Professor Umbridge with her hand in the air.
Harry could not remember Hermione ever neglecting to read when instructed to, or indeed resisting the temptation to open any book that came under her nose. He looked at her questioningly, but she merely shook her head slightly to indicate that she wasn't about to answer any questions, and continued to stare at Professor Umbridge, who was looking just as resolutely in another direction.
After several more minutes had passed, however, Harry was not the only one watching Hermione. The chapter they had been instructed to read was so tedious that more and more people were choosing to watch Hermione's mute attempt to catch Professor Umbridge's eyes than to struggle on with 'Basics for Beginners.'
When more than half the class were staring at Hermione rather than at their books, Professor Umbridge seemed to decide that she could ignore the situation no longer.
"Did you have a question about the chapter, dear?" she asked Hermione, as though she had only just noticed her.
"Not about the chapter, no," said Hermione.
"Well, we're reading right now," said Professor Umbridge, showing her small, pointed teeth. "If you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of class, Miss..?"
"Hermione Granger. And my question is about what we're going to do in class."
"Well then, we shall be learning the principles underlying defensive magic, learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can be legally used, and placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use. Does that answer your question, Miss Granger?" said Professor Umbridge in a voice of determined sweetness.
"No, not really. What about using defensive spells?"
"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a little laugh. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during my class?" Professor Umbridge quickly glanced towards the back of the room.
"We're not going to use magic?" Ron exclaimed loudly.
"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr. - ?"
"Weasley," Ron said, thrusting his hand in the air.
Professor Umbridge, smiling still more widely, turned her back to him. Harry and Hermione immediately raised their hands. Professor Umbridge looked toward Harry for a moment before addressing Hermione.
"Yes, Miss Granger? You wanted to ask something else?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "Surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?"
"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?" asked Professor Umbridge in her falsely sweet voice.
"No, but —"
"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way –"
"What is the use of that?" Harry said loudly. "If we're to be attacked it won't be in a –"
"Hand, Mr. Potter!" sang Professor Umbridge.
Harry thrust his fist in the air. Professor Umbridge promptly turned away from him again, but now several other people had their hands up too. Harry turned around to see Karena had her hand raised as well.
"And your name is?" Professor Umbridge directed toward Dean.
"Dean Thomas. It's like Harry said, if we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free –"
"I repeat," said Professor Umbridge, smiling in a very irritating fashion at Dean, "do you expect to be attacked during my classes?"
"No, but –"
Professor Umbridge talked over him. "I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school," she said, and unconvincing smile stretching over her wide mouth, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed – not to mention," she gave a nasty little laugh, "extremely dangerous half-breeds."
There was an angry outburst of "Professor Lupin was the best teacher we've ever had"
"Hands! As I was saying – you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate for your age group, and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day –"
"No we haven't," Hermione said, "we just –"
"Your hand is not up Miss Granger!"
Hermione put up her hand; Professor Umbridge turned away from her.
"It is my understanding that my predecessor not only performed illegal curses in front of you, he actually performed them on you –"
"Well, he turned out to be a maniac, didn't he?" said Dean Thomas. "Mid you, we still learned loads –"
"Your hand is not up, Mr. Thomas," trilled Professor Umbridge. "Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about."
"Funny, I thought it was supposed to get you prepared for what's ahead in life." Karena said, almost sarcastically.
"I did not call on you, Miss Hart, or Miss Black, whichever you prefer." Professor Umbridge grinned mischieviously.
"Miss Black, thank you very much. You seemed to be ignoring my raised hand, so I called on myself for you. You also seem to be making it sound as though our well-being is no where near the Ministry of Magic's concerns."
"Again, do you think that you will be –"
"It not impossible, in fact, I believe that we will be attacked," Karena interrupted her. "Professor," --Professor Umbridge was glaring at Karena while grinning at the same time--, "don't you think we should be prepared for the attack? Shouldn't we be prepared for Voldermort?"
The class winced at the name. Professor Umbridge's grin faded, and she was glaring at Karena with pure hatred. "Ever since you father, Sirius Black, was arrested as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named biggest supporter, I've believed that you and your mother, Amy Hart, should have been locked up in Azkaban with him."
Karena, as well as the rest of the class, looked stunned. Karena quickly recovered, picking up her book bag and storming out of the classroom. She left her copy of Defensive Magical Theory on her desk.
As soon as she got down the hall, tears silently slid down her pale cheeks. They stopped as she got to Professor Dumbledoor's office.
The caretaker, Filch, walked from the door of Professor Dumbledore's office. "Headmaster," Filch called, "You have a visitor." The caretaker nodded to her, and she went inside.
"Professor," she said, her anger starting to spill out, "why is she our teacher? That heartless evil –"
"She was appointed by the Ministry," Dumbledore answered.
"Obviously! But why?"
"Because the school could not find a teacher willing to take the job. Rumor has it," he smiled, "that the position is jinxed."
"I'm positive that my mum –"
"I asked her. She, unfortunately, was unable to come." He sighed. "I have already put a lot of weight on Amy's shoulders, and I do not wish to trouble her any further. We shall have to endur Professor Umbridge for this year, and hopefully, Voldemort's threat will be lifted on the near future."
So, how was it? I know a lot was from the book.... I have some time off from school, so I'll do my best to write and upload more chapters more often. Please review.