Loving the support this story is getting, we reached 400 followers this week and I am so grateful to every single one of you! Let me know in the comments if you have brought/read Cursed Child yet! I brought it this morning and have started reading! This chapter shows the first day back at classes for students,
Enjoy :)
The weekend went quickly, filled with anxious essay-writing and stern talks from guardians about smiling too widely and acting too innocently. Harry's new study group had met on the Sunday as well, and helped each other prepare for lessons. Hermione had helped Jane and Harry had helped Graham, while Sophie helped Ron and Lisa helped Neville. They were all sharing their talents, within the group and not just their specific study partnering.
It was still quite warm, though the weather was cooling quickly so they had spent as much time as possible outdoors. Harry had asked Binky to bring them picnic food, which the kind house elf had done, so that even ate outside. The first day back in lessons brought them to reality, having enjoyed their weekend so much.
Not any of Harry, Ron or Hermione were in their study partner's lessons, but they still had each other, and wondered into double history of magic on the Monday morning together. Professor Binns started the lesson by welcoming them back, and asking them to hand in their homework. Once collected, he asked them to open their 'A History of Magic' books to the chapter describing the Giant Wars, beginning a very slow first lesson.
Harry tried his best to pay attention, and took a lot more notes than he usually would. Severus had made it clear how much his grades needed to improve by, and History of Magic was a class he often didn't bother in. Hermione noticed as much, and made a comment about it when they were walking from lunch to their afternoon lesson.
"It was a boring way to start the year, but it's good to be back in classes. You took more notes than usual Harry, almost as many as me in fact! I saw you writing away on your parchment." Hermione was looking rather proud.
"Well, Professor Snape has made it clear where my grades need to be improved." Harry shrugged, using the professional title for his guardian as there were a lot of students around them, "Anyway, how do you think this first lesson is going to go?"
They were on their way to Umbridge's first class of the year. Their reading list had not specified a book for the upcoming year, so they had no idea what to expect, except for Harry's hindsight of being told it was going to be theory based.
"Terrible." Ron said immediately, "I bet it's going to be bloody awful. The woman's ghastly enough. Her teaching won't be any better, especially if we're not allowed to get up and move around."
They arrived at their defence classroom and waiting outside. The rest of the class arrived, and also stood patiently. A few people crowded around the door, trying to hear if Umbridge was even in the room. Eventually, they opened the door and just walked in, sitting down in the places they had held since the beginning of last year (when the classes had changed).
Padma and Parvati Patil created a small bird made of paper, and started to levitate it around the classroom while people talked. A girl on the front row blew up at it to make it soar, and it passed over Hermione's head. Seamus, sitting behind her and egged on by a friend, reached up to hit it. It flew further into the air, through the chandelier and downwards. Vincent Grabbe produced a slingshot from his back pocket, aiming it at the bird. It hit the wing but kept flying, past Harry and Ron, back over the Patil twins heads.
Suddenly, it burned. It didn't go up in flames, just simply incinerated itself. It blackened and lost its ability to fly. It floated back down to the table, directly in front of Padma's hands. They all watched, disappointed.
"Good morning children." Umbridge said, lowering her wand. They all turned to look at her, as she was stood at the back of class, only having just come in. She started to move towards the front, and the chalk on the blackboard started to write as she flicked her wand, "Ordinary. Wizarding. Level. Examinations. O.W.L's.. More commonly known as, Owls."
Ron and Harry shared an unimpressed look between themselves. There was a snigger from the back of the room.
"Study hard, and you will be rewarded." Umbridge continued, in a sickly sweet and rather patronising voice, "Fail to do so and the consequences may be severe." She lifted her shoulders and smiled just a tiny bit while speaking the word 'severe', and it made the imposing word seem childish.
She flicked her wand towards the books laden on her table, and they started to move towards the students. Harry saw Hermione sit up a little further in her seat, as did the Patil twins in front of him. Even he was curious about the fifth year textbook, considering there hadn't been one specified on the reading list. Past years had used Wilbet Slinkhard's 'Defensive Magical Theory' in fifth year, but it had always been specified on the reading list.
When a copy of "Dark Arts Defence: Basics for Beginners" landed on his table, he could guess why it hadn't been listed. He ignored everyone else's horrified looks and focused on his own copy. It had a golden yellow border. The cover featured a witch and a wizard wearing pointy hats, reading their own copy of the same book, with the shadows of cats around them. It was the most childish school textbook he had seen since muggle primary school.
"Your previous instruction in this subject has been disturbingly uneven, but you'll be pleased to know, from now on you'll be following a carefully structured ministry-approved course of defensive magic."
Harry recognised those very words. It was the same speech Umbridge had given to the teachers, the one he had argued against, the night before the summer holidays ended. He rolled his eyes and bit his tongue, remembering Severus' lecture on behaviour. He knew Umbridge wouldn't hesitate to punish him if he spoke out. Severus had been trying to teach him to hold back his angry and argumentative side.
He looked over at Hermione, who already had her book open. Her fingers were twitching as she turned the pages quickly, her eyes skimming the pages with haste, and within a manner of seconds her hand was up.
"Yes?" Umbridge asked her.
"There's nothing in here about using defensive spells." Hermione stated.
Harry had already told his friends about the new ministry plan to practise a theory-based curriculum in defence, but he wasn't surprised that Hermione was challenging it anyway. They all guessed that this was because the minister was scared of an uprising. He chanted out propaganda at every chance he got, and considering he decided what was printed in the Prophet, it had become a daily occurrence.
"Using spells! Huh-huh!" Ron visibly cringed at Umbridge's high-pitched semi-laugh, "Well I couldn't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom!"
Hermione stayed silent, her face blank. Harry thought she was trying to process the response without her mouth opening to catch flies, and by the looks of it she was failing to do so.
Ron chipped in to back her up, leaning forward in his own confusion, "We're not going to use any magic?"
"You'll be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way." Umbridge pressed on, trying to reassure her students. Harry recognised that wording too, and he saw Umbridge's eyes skim over him, to see if he would argue back as he did before.
Ron beat him to it, "But the world isn't risk free."
"Students will raise their hands if they wish to speak in my class." Umbridge replied sharply. Her eyes narrowed further on Harry. She clearly knew that he had spoken of their argument to his friends, "It is the view of the ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which is, after all, what school is all about!"
The class all stared at her. She smiled back, and turned to the chalkboard.
"Professor Umbridge?" Hermione had raised her hand.
The pink devil turned back around, "Yes dear?"
"I have studied examination papers for the past year in preparation." Hermione stated, "Every single year there have been practical questions on the defence OWLS. Are you saying that these questions have been omitted to suit a new curriculum?"
"I am saying that you do not need to learn anything more than a theoretical basis to pass your exams." Umbridge told her.
"Wait," Dean Thomas interrupted, encouraged by Hermione's questions, his hand firmly raised above his head, "Does that mean there are no practical questions? Or that there are, but they are fourth year and below level spells?"
"Enough questions." Umbridge snapped, and then her face softened again, smiling, "Let us get on with the lesson. We will talk about the questions on the exam papers nearer to the time."
The fifth years then lived through the most condescending and demeaning two hours of their school careers. They read the first few chapters of the book. It used words like 'creepy' and 'spooky'. It told readers how to fire spells and run at the same time. Harry and Ron looked at each other from the corner of their eyes, shaking their heads slightly. This lesson had been worse than they imagined it would be. When Umbridge asked a question about the material, even Crabbe and Goyle knew the answers. When someone got it right, she maximised the humiliation by talking as if to a child, congratulating them and clapping on occasion.
When she dismissed the class, everyone got up hurriedly. They were all stuffing the book into their bags so no one else in the school would see their shame at holding such a childish book. Everyone would think them delinquents.
"Mr Potter?" Umbridge called out, just as Harry was heading towards the door, "Could you stay behind for a moment."
Hermione and Ron shot him uneasy looks, "I'll meet you in the common room." He told them, and they left. He turned to face his teacher, who was neatly making sure everything on her desk was in line.
"Mr Potter, I see you have shared your views of the new curriculum with your friends." Umbridge began, now looking up at him with a plainly-faked confused look, "I'm not sure why you felt the need."
"Well they're my –"
"Uh uh," Umbridge cocked her head and smiled, Harry stared at her, "I wasn't finished. I'm not sure why you felt the need to tell them such things before the start of the school term, but I will let it slide just this once. However, if you or your friends ever question the minister's new curriculum in my lessons again, the consequences will be unrelenting. Yes?"
Harry continued to stare at her.
"Mr Potter, I require a verbal response."
Harry deadpanned, "I didn't question the curriculum in your lesson, Professor Umbridge." He regretted it the second he had said it, but he couldn't take it back now.
The woman in pink startled for a second, then collected herself, "Detention, Mr Potter. Tomorrow, my office, seven o clock."
"Can you explain to me why I have gotten detention?" Harry asked through gritted teeth. Though he regretted saying it, he knew he had only told the truth. Plus, Severus would want a clear reasoning behind the detention, and he didn't think, 'telling my teacher the truth' would cut it.
"You mustn't ever tell me lies. You know what you have done." Professor Umbridge walked forward, and said to him, "Off you go." Harry went to leave, but again Umbridge called him back, "Oh wait Mr Potter, one more thing."
"Yes Professor Umbridge?" Harry asked, turning on his heel so his shoe squeaked against the floorboards.
The look his Professor gave him was almost sympathetic, "Don't go round spreading silly propaganda will you. It won't do you any good. Believe you me."
Harry didn't waste any more time. He practically ran out of the door and towards the Gryffindor common room, muttering obscenities on the way. He couldn't believe the gall of Professor Umbridge. He almost shouted the password at the Fat Lady, who said 'oh my, someone's angry!' before swinging the portrait open to allow him in.
Ron and Hermione were waiting for him, exactly as he had asked them too. He felt a sigh of relief escape him at having such loyal friends. Despite everything that had happened at the end of fourth year, his wardship under their potions Professor, and the system pairing them with Slytherin's, they had remained with him.
"Well?" Ron asked, watching as Harry dumped his bag on the floor and sat in his usual spot; on the carpet, back against the armchair while Ron and Hermione occupied the sofa.
Harry recounted the whole story to them, "She clearly knew I had spoken to you about our argument – mine and hers I mean." He began, right through to, "And then she warned me about spreading 'propaganda'. It is ridiculous how terrified the Ministry are that Voldemort has returned. Can you believe her saying that?"
"I can." Hermione told him, and at Harry's horrified gaze she added, "I'm sorry, I just mean I understand why she did it. You're a threat. A threat to her, a threat to the ministry, and a threat to what they are publishing and trying to get everyone to believe. Of course she wants to scare you, she will do everything she can to try and stop you."
"I hate to say it, but Hermione's right mate. To Umbridge, you're the main opposition. Like you're… like the two seekers on opposing Quidditch teams. It's not about playing nice, it's all about winning."
"Trust you to make a quidditch reference." Hermione muttered, "The point is Harry, you need to be careful. Professor Umbridge may be awful, and wrong, but she has the support of the Ministry. Promise me that you'll be careful."
Harry sighed, "I promise."
He got up to leave, and Hermione grabbed his arm, "Where are you going? It's dinner in a couple hours. We should get that research started for Professor Binns. Get it out of the way."
"Blimey Hermione, he's more study based than last year, but it's only the first day!"
"Actually," Harry said, "I need to go see Severus. I told you that Umbridge gave me detention for that comment; I want to tell him before she gets the chance to gloat about it."
"Ah alright," Hermione nodded, accepting it as a wise move, "We'll see you at dinner then. Or will you be back before then?"
"I'll probably be back, wish me luck." Harry said sarcastically, and his two friends gave his sympathetic looks. They have seen Severus' change from a cruel man to a slightly more attentive guardian, but neither of them wished to be in the same room as him and Harry when he learned of Harry's detention.
Harry meandered down the corridors, wasting as much time as possible. He had sent a small piece of parchment off to Severus, 'Where are you?', it had asked. He had not yet received a reply, so was slowly making his way down the changing staircases. There were many between the Gryffindor Tower and the dungeons.
The same piece of parchment he had sent off appeared next to him. His question written on one side, he turned it over to reveal the answer. 'I am in my classroom, beginning the dreadful process of marking summer homework's. Why?'
'I need to speak with you'. Harry wrote with a muggle pen that he kept inside his robe pockets. He sent it off, confusing a fourth year nearby as he watched the parchment disappear. Harry smiled at the boy and continued on his way. He did not get another reply from Severus.
The potions classroom was near to the entrance of the dungeons, so as to be quick to find for students heading to lessons. The common room (as far as Harry knew) was further into the cold demeanour of the stone walls. He had explored the school with earnest over the holidays, when he wasn't practised magic or redoing his homework. He had never felt quite comfortable enough to explore the dungeons, however.
He knocked on the door of Severus' classroom when he came to it, and then walked straight in. His guardian was expecting him. Severus was, as he had said, working at his desk. There was a high stack of parchment next to him, and a slightly lower stack on the opposite side of his desk.
"Almost finished or only just started?" Harry asked, jumping up to sit on the second row of desks.
"Only just started." Severus replied gruffly, still staring at the work in front of him, crossing out lines, "That smaller stack is already marked. Third year work. Quite frankly it is disastrous; I can only hope it improves throughout the year, before they start their OWL work next year."
Harry made a humming noise, and looked around the classroom as Severus finished the marking on the current piece in front of him. It had become an unspoken agreement between them throughout the summer; if Harry needed to speak when Severus was marking, he would wait patiently while Severus at least finished the essay he was on. Harry was thankful for the time, he hadn't quite decided what he would say to his guardian regards Umbridge's class and his detention.
At last, Severus cast a drying charm on his ink, and then placed the parchment on the smaller stack. He put his quill into his ink pot and folded his hands on his desk, "What is the matter, Harry? Have you not enjoyed your first day back in classes?"
Harry decided to go straight for the punch, "Umbridge gave me detention."
Severus leant back, his stare suddenly quite icy, "You received detention on the first day back in classes? Harry we spoke of this. Your behaviour must be kept in check."
"I know, but I couldn't help myself!" Harry jumped down from the desks and began to pace, "That woman is just so awful! The things she was saying!"
"Such as?" Severus asked calmly. After Umbridge and Harry's dispute at the end of the summer holidays, he had been more than expected his new ward to receive detention in defence against the dark arts. He had not expected it to be on the very first day, considering his talks with Harry, but he tried to remain calm.
"Well she told everyone about the theory based course, basically reciting the same drivel that she spouted during the summer."
"Harry." Severus warned.
"You can't disagree." Harry stated, "Then when people questioned her, she got annoyed and defensive. Seamus asked whether practical spells would still be on the exams and she couldn't clearly answer him. The class itself was a disaster."
"In what way?"
In response, Harry stopped pacing and reached inside his bag. He drew out "Dark Arts Defence: Basics for Beginners" and leant forward to show Severus. The potions Professor took the book and his face took on a look of utter distaste, "This is a children's introduction to defence." He told Harry, "Many purebloods give this to their children the summer before they start Hogwarts, to begin preparing them for their lessons."
"That," Harry pointed at the yellow cover, "Is our fifth year textbook."
Severus pursed his lips and handed the book back to Harry, "Continue."
Harry then told him about the way Umbridge treated them in lessons, how Crabbe and Goyle were capable of answering her most difficult questions. Then, he spoke of Umbridge keeping him behind once everyone else had left.
"She knew I had told my friends about the argument, because of something Ron said. She said she didn't know why I had done that, but if me or anyone of my friends questioned the new curriculum in her lessons again, the consequences for us would be 'unrelenting."
Severus leant forward, "Was that her exact wording? That it would be 'Unrelenting'?"
"That was her exact wording." Harry nodded, "When she asked for an response from me… Well, the response I gave got me detention."
"And what was your response?"
"That I hadn't questioned the curriculum in her lesson."
Severus sighed, "So you gave the indication that while you had questioned her curriculum previously, you certainly had not done so in this particular lesson."
Harry shrugged, "It was true."
"It was back-chatting." Severus rephrased, "I would have also given you detention. I asked you to stay out of her way, Harry. That woman will not stop until our entire world believes that Voldemort has not really risen."
"That was the other thing." Harry told him, "After she gave me detention, she dismissed me and then called me back. She warned me about spreading what she called 'silly propaganda'. Said it wouldn't do me any good. Hermione thinks that she is even more terrified of me than she lets on."
"Hermione is a very intelligent young woman." Severus complimented the young Gryffindor girl, as he never would in public, "And in this case, most likely right. You represent something very important to either side of this war; hope for our side, and incredible threat to the other. If Voldemort and his followers, of which I am sure Umbridge is one, persuade the whole world that you are a liar, than you will have a very difficult time coming back from that. A tarnished reputation is testing to come back from once it has been blackened. They are trying to split us between believers and deniers."
Harry pulled a stool out and sat, "You believe Umbridge is a follower of Voldemort? But she is so close to the Ministry, so close to Fudge, and so adamant that he hasn't returned."
"I believe that woman is a very clever manipulator, and a very good actress." Severus told him, "I do not know for sure how deep her darkness goes, but I do not want you to be on the receiving end of it. She promotes believes about halflings that are very prominent in Voldemort's ranks. Serve your detention tomorrow, and then stay away from her."
There was no question at the end of Severus' sentence. No ask for a promise or understanding, as Hermione had asked. He was giving an order, so Harry sighed and nodded, knowing the importance.
Severus leant back into his chair, satisfied, and began to ask him about his first day. How History of Magic had gone, what homework had been set in each class, how his study group meetings over the weekend had gone.
"You seem to be getting on very well with Miss Harper, Mr Pritchard and Miss Roper, in my house." Severus commented.
"Jane, Graham and Sophie." Harry rehearsed their first names back, "We're getting on really well. They are not like the other Slytherin's I have… encountered, so far."
"You were in the unfortunate positions of having very particular Slytherin's placed in your classes, and therefore you have formed a perception of my house based solely on those individuals." Severus said, "There are many like Miss Harper, Mr Pritchard and Miss Roper in Slytherin."
"I guess so. I have integrated with Ravenclaw's and Hufflepuff's more too. I've heard quite a few complaints from people. Seamus Finnegan is with a Slytherin he doesn't like, pureblood I think."
Severus narrowed his eyes, "I am under the impression that Mr Finnegan would complain no matter who he was placed with." At Harry's look he added, "But I shall investigate what you have told me. Thank you."
There was a knock at the door, and both their heads turned towards it.
"Enter." Severus told whoever was on the opposite side, his voice returning to its usual stern tone that he used with students.
The door swung open and Draco Malfoy entered, bright blonde hair shining under the light of the dungeon torches. Harry had only seen him a few times since school had resumed, once at the welcome feast and again in the library and the corridors, but never closely. The Slytherin prefect had seemed keen to keep his distance from his Gryffindor nemesis.
Draco seemed startled to see Harry in the potions classroom, sat happily on the desks with his legs swinging over the edge. He was over the confusion in a second, and he started to scowl at the boy. Harry took the hint, jumping off the table again and picking up his bag, with his defence 'textbook' neatly tucked back inside.
"I should be going. I promised to meet Ron and Hermione before dinner. I will see you later." He directed his words at Severus, who nodded in response. Harry nodded politely to Draco on the way out, but the other boy did not return the gesture, simply crossed his arms.
"Remember what I told you." Severus called out, before the door banged shut, leaving him with Draco.
Harry knew he still had lots of time before dinner, so his trip up the stairs was even slower than his trip down. He had to wait for several staircases to link into place. Talking to Severus had been easier than he had expected, though he was sure Severus would bring up the detention again another time.
He couldn't help but wonder what Severus and Draco were talking about. That being said, he had a pretty good idea.