Chapter 11: The Arrival Of Dolores Umbridge!
The next morning Kirsti, Clare, Amy, Harry, Ron and Rachel dragged themselves groggily to join the rest of the school for breakfast, although known of them particularly fancied eating.
"What a fantastic birthday present that was. All I know is that I'm never drinking again!" Rachel said quietly.
But before anyone could reply a squat lady with wobbling chins and bulging black eyes swept through the doors and walked up to stand with Dumbledore.
"Students, I would like to introduce Dolores Umbridge, the Senior Under-Secretary to the Minister of Magic." Dumbledore said.
"Good morning girls and boys,"
Rachel was now fuming at being patronised,
"I have been asked by the Minister of Magic to join the staff at this fantastic school after several students went AWOL from the school in the last few days."
Rachel gave Amy a startled look,
"I am also replacing Professor R. J. Lupin as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Please continue with your breakfast."
"She's what!" shouted Rachel a little too loudly causing everyone in the room to look up. She went to jump up but Amy held her in her seat for thinking that causing a scene in the Great Hall at breakfast was not a good idea as they were still slightly hungover.
"Why is she replacing Lupin?" Amy asked, sounding concerned.
"Look at this, it's appalling." Rachel replied quickly, looking at the Newspaper that an owl had dropped on the table for her. The front page of the Daily Prophet had a large photo of Umbridge and the headline: 'New Werewolf Decree!'
"I don't believe it, they're actually blaming our trip out on Lupin just because he's a werewolf." Amy said reading the front page.
"I know, I'm beginning to wish we hadn't gone. Don't they know that he wouldn't hurt anyone intentionally? Do you think Dumbledore would mind if I went over and blew her up? I am ready, willing and able." Rachel said but Amy wasn't really listening.
"It is my fault my own Godfather has lost his job. Yes you can blow up that stupid weed, looking at Dumbledore I don't suppose he would mind." They both glanced at Dumbledore, he was trying hard to look interested in Umbridge but was obviously bored and annoyed by her presence.
"Lets go and find Lupin." Rachel suggested.
They found Lupin packing in his office looking a bit upset,
"I'm sorry, it's my fault you've lost your job, it was my idea to take Rachel out." Amy said shakily.
"Where will you go now?" Rachel asked.
"I'm staying here, just not in this office. Dumbledore has insisted that I stay in case this Umbridge woman doesn't work out. I won't be teaching but will of course help you with any homework and will be continuing our extra lessons, which she doesn't know about. Actually you had better be going to your lessons or you'll be late." Lupin said.
They were the first to arrive at their first lesson with Umbridge, who was writing on the blackboard.
"That's what I like to see, eagerness to learn." Umbridge said happily. Rachel cringed.
"We're not eager, we just happen to be here by accident." Rachel hissed.
"Yes well. I think I would like you two at the front, I have heard that you two are troublemakers" Umbridge said calmly, but annoyingly sweet.
"You heard correctly." Amy said venomously under her breath.
The rest of the class arrived within the next few minutes, Umbridge was still trying to be sickly sweet.
"Well class, I think we'll be trying a different method of learning, there will be no practical magic and you will be learning from this book." Umbridge pointed to a new book called 'How to defend yourself against the Dark Arts' By Dolores Umbridge and handed them to everyone.
"Oh Merlin, it's another Gilderoy Lockhart, but in female form. They must be mass-producing them somewhere." Rachel muttered.
"Pray she doesn't start asking who wants autographs and setting us quizzes about herself." said Amy
It was now lunch time and Clare and Kirsti were sitting under a big oak tree on the Hogwarts grounds. They were shortly joined by a very quiet Amy and Harry and a very uptight and annoyed Rachel, who was cursing or swearing in every sentence.
"Do you know what that great, fat waddling toad has done? She bloody set us 10 hours worth of homework to do. Oh I oughta.." Rachel shouted.
"Will you calm down and shut up." shouted Amy.
"It gets worse, Dumbledore has gone to the Ministry to sort out that stupid decree. Umbridge has taken over, you should of seen the look on McGonagall's face, if looks could kill." said Kirsti.
"Bitch!" shouted Amy.
"Can I kill her now?" Rachel asked as they began to walk back to the Great Hall.
"No, regardless of how tempting you find it." said Clare.
"Pity." muttered Rachel.
It was now dinnertime and everyone was in the Great Hall waiting to start eating.
"Hhmm, hhmm." Umbridge made a noise as if she had a cold.
"Merlin, she makes me sick." seethed Rachel.
"I wish to inform you that Professor Dumbledore has gone to the Ministry of Magic to speak to the Minister, so, although I have not been made Headmistress of this school, I have been left in charge." said Umbridge and she gave a girlie giggle that made Rachel grind her teeth together.
"I've got an idea." Rachel whispered.
"I wish to inform you all." Umbridge had started as Rachel pointed her wand at Umbridge but out of her view and whispered "Legilimens"
"That I have a big saggy butt, that I like to scratch every hour, on the hour." declared Umbridge.The whole hall erupted into laughter as Umbridge turned red with embarrassment and fury. Over the next few weeks Umbridge managed to infuriate more students, to the point where most of the students in the school despised her and students were plotting tricks and pranks for her everyday.