CHAPTER 2
THE NEW TEACHER
Harry was the first one in his dormitory to wake that morning. His scar was sore, but he took no notice, it hadn't stopped since the summer before last. Harry decided to go for breakfast before his first Advanced Defense class which McGonagall had suggested. He now had two Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, which ordinarily he might have been elated about, but now dreaded these classes more than ever.
He arrived in the Great Hall to find Hermione already at the table, reading of course.
"Morning Hermione," Harry said sitting down and helping himself to a plate of sausages.
"Hello, Harry. I can't believe I've forgotten to do my Muggle Studies homework. It's all because I had to have you make up with Ron. Honestly you two are so immature," Hermione stated very quickly. Her quill was flying back and forth across a long piece of parchment. "I have no idea whatsoever as to how the engine of a car works!"
Ron and the post owls arrived at the same time. Ron took his usual seat next to Harry and looked up. Even though Harry had told Ron that he forgave him, he couldn't help but feeling angry towards him. A large barn owl landed in front of Ron and dropped the Daily Prophet on his golden platter. He paid the owl and unrolled the paper.
"Ha!" Ron laughed as he looked at the front page. "Serves him right."
"Serves who right?" Harry asked leaning over. Ron handed him the Prophet and Harry glanced at the headline:
Disgraced ex-minister Cornelius Fudge Forced out of ministry
The moving picture showed four wizards pushing Fudge out of a door marked "Minister of Magic". Harry read the article out loud to Ron and Hermione.
Disgraced ex-minister Cornelius Fudge was physically forced out of his office last night after receiving word that he had been fired. Fudge locked himself in his office only to be removed by Ministry security. He reportedly was screaming that he was "The best Minister of Magic we have ever seen". This incident comes after the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Fudge denied His return even after repeated testimonies from Albus Dumbledore and an eyewitness account from Harry Potter, the boy who lived. Story continues on page 27.
"They made it sound as if the were on Dumbledore's and my side," Harry snorted. The bell boomed through the Great Hall.
"Are you ready, Harry?" Ron asked.
"No," Harry replied.
"Me either," Ron said, stuffing the rest of his bacon into his mouth. "Coming, Hermione?" He asked to a ruffled looking Hermione.
"Yes, do you think 3 rolls of parchment are enough? He asked for two but I don't know if I explained it thoroughly enough," She asked.
"Sure," Ron replied, picking at his fingernails and apparently not noticing a word she had said.
"Well, come on then," Harry said looking sick. His head had just begun to throb painfully. He supposed it was because of the thought of spending nearly a whole day in Defense Against the Dark Arts with Transfiguration to look forward to in the afternoon.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked to the Defense classroom through the long stone hallway along with all the other students trying to get to class on time.
"Pity Fred and George aren't here…" Harry started. "I could definitely use one of their skiving snack boxes right about now. A bit of nosebleed nougat would hit the spot."
"Actually, I think that I have one in here somewhere…" Ron said digging through his bag.
"Ronald! Need I remind you that you are a prefect? That kind of behavior is strictly forbidden!" Hermione said sounding scandalized. "Hand them over."
"Oh… I seem to have left them in the Great Hall… I guess you won't need to confiscate them," Ron said unconvincingly.
"Fine. Come on, or we'll be late to class," Hermione said
They were at the door to the classroom by now. "Well? Go on Harry," Ron urged. Harry took a deep breath and swung open the heavy oak door. There stood the new teacher. He was wearing long black flowing robes and looming over Justin Finch-Fletchy's shoulder reading something he had written. As Harry Ron and Hermione entered, he stood and moved his long black greasy hair from his face.
"Potter, Advanced Defense? I hope you are more suited to this class than potions, otherwise I would insist you drop this class," sneered Snape.
