Disclaimer: (I hate this) I do not own Harry Potter! Now leave me alone!

Chapter 4: Sooner than Expected

A week later, Umbridge was entirely comfortable with her position at Hogwarts. Other teachers were not so happy. Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared every time Umbridge trilled a sickly sweet "Good morning!" and she refrained from answering. She also wished that her father hadn't taught her, as a little girl, never to punch people.

Professor Sprout grunted every time Umbridge said something to her.

Professor Slughorn pretended she did not exist.

Professor Flitwick avoided her like the plague.

Every time they were in the same hallway, Professor Trelawney sprinted past Umbridge, as if the Devil himself were after her.

Yes, Umbridge was as welcome as a hive of vicious wasps. But this did not bother her. She'd taken to fawning over Harry during classes, and cooing over the perfect hexes that he produced. So Harry had taken to pulling a Professor Trelawney whenever he saw Umbridge outside of class, and inside class, when he could get away with it.

But one day, the practical DADA lessons changed.

"Class, I know that Defensive Magical Theory was not on our booklist this year. But I think that you all have the idea of spells, and these spells should not really be performed in class, as they are extremely dangerous, as Harry should know. " She smiled sweetly at Harry, who grimaced back. "I'll be lending you copies…" The class looked depressed.

"So, wands away and quills out please."

The class groaned audibly. Umbridge did not appear to notice. Hermione was livid. What does that cow think she is doing? Dumbledore said that we have to practice magic! And the idiot is…I'll complain to Dumbledore…no I can't. He's hardly ever here! Okay, Umbridge…I'll complain TO her.

Hermione raised her hand without any hesitation. Umbridge called on her with some reluctance, remembering how Hermione had stood up to her in her fifth year and how she had set the Forbidden Forest's centaurs on her.

"Yes dear?"

"With the war against Voldemort," Umbridge shuddered, "shouldn't we be practicing the spells, not simply studying the theory?"

"Now, really, do you expect to be attacked in my class?"

"Actually, Professor Umbridge, it can happen. It did last year, when we all were in sixth year; Death Eaters did come to this school and attempted to kill Dumbledore."

"Now, dear, you needn't really…"

"Professor Umbridge, theory is really not going to help us at this point."

"As I have said countless times before, if you have studied the theory hard enough…"

"Professor Lupin would have seen the importance of practical magic."

"Dangerous half-breeds' opinions should not be taught to Hogwarts students."

"He was NOT a dangerous half-breed!"

"Miss Granger, do you control this class?"

"No, but—"

"Therefore, you will not criticize my decisions. I think that theory is good enough. And I should let you know," she looked very menacing at this point, "the war against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is a lie, no matter what Dumbledore tells you, or what stupidity the Ministry is spouting off." She broke off looking upset.

Hermione wasn't finished. "A competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would have realized the importance of practice, you know-nothing twit."

Umbridge turned red, then pale. "Detention, Miss Granger. Three days. Beginning tonight, you will come to my office at five thirty."

Hermione looked at her sternly, but said nothing.

As they left class, Ron and Harry were laughing hysterically, and Hermione was stomping and frowning.

Ron turned to Hermione. "That was awesome, Hermione! Didn't know that you had it in you!"

Hermione felt that this was a mixed blessing. On one hand, I have detention with Umbridge for three days. I never get detention! God, I'm so stupid; what was I thinking? On the other hand, Ron is impressed with something other than my academics. Maybe…maybe…maybe…oh, don't get carried away, Hermione. It may not happen!

She suddenly gasped and grabbed Harry and Ron by the elbows. "What?" they asked at the same time.

"I know why Umbridge got sacked. She's still disagreeing with them about the war against Voldemort. And they realized what she's been doing to the students…they kicked her out for that, and serve her right!"

The last time Harry had seen Hermione this angry was when she had attacked Ron with a flock of canaries.

Hermione continued. "What an idiot! She knows she's outnumbered, and she's still…wow, she's really dim!"

Draco joined them, looking disgruntled. "What?" they asked, seeing his face.

"That toad's just taken fifteen points off because I bumped into her."

Harry looked sympathetic. "Guess she doesn't like Death Eaters."

"No."

"How're you hiding, anyway?"

"Hogwarts is a lot safer than you would imagine. Voldemort can't even come here without being stopped. Plus, I've fixed a few things, just to be on the safe side."

"Like…?"

"Occlumency, putting Memory charms on Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle, breaking the Vanishing Cabinet, so no one can get in through Borgin and Burke's, Modifying Madam Rosmerta's memory, concealing my Dark Mark…"

Ron gave Draco a strange look. "How are you managing that one?"

Draco turned pink. "I stole some of Pansy's concealer, or the whole tube."

Ron stifled his laughter.

Hermione had a gleam in her eyes. It was the type of look she had when talking about S.P.E.W., or when thinking about Ron, not unlike the look that Hagrid had when looking at Norbert or Madame Maxime

Harry was apprehensive. "What's up?"

Hermione smiled at him. "You do have that coin I gave you in fifth year for the DA, don't you? And you too, Ron?"

Ron was extremely perplexed. "Y-yes I should, somewhere in the depths of my trunk, but why?"

"Think about it Ronald."

"It was fun last year…"

"And we know that we will have quite a few members so far, Neville, Luna, Ginny, and us three," put in Harry.

Draco was offended. "Us three? What about me?"

Hermione grinned. "In fifth year, Draco darling, you tried to expel as many DA members as you could, remember that?"

Draco blushed. "Yeah, I remember. But can I come? I hate Umbridge."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Since when?"

"She used to suck up to me a while ago. But now she hates me. She only likes the people who are influential. Even if she thinks that Voldemort's return is a lie, no one can deny the fact that my father is a Death Eater."

"Oh, so you hate her since she's hypocritical?"

"Basically, yes."

"Anyway, get your coins, and I'll notify as many DA members as I can. You guys go do that too."

She skipped away. This is great, save the fact that I have detention. Harry can do the whole speech thing, because I have detention, but we can still learn DADA properly. Those ridiculous educational decrees have been banned and it's not like she can bring them back again.

It seemed like the future was getting a little brighter.

A/N: Well, I think this chapter was much longer, if not extremely hilarious, but there was nothing really to laugh about here. I think the DA will be a little more interesting. Bear with me for a while, and I will have something more humorous. Yes, they are OOC, but I liked them that way. This is how I felt they should be like, so I changed them a little. Bye! Love from Naz.