Chapter 19: Umbridge's First Lesson, Version 1
"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" enquired Professor Umbridge in a horribly honeyed voice. "Hmm, let's think…" said Harry in a thoughtful voice. He knew saying "Voldemort" would instantly cause problems, but there were plenty of other dangers in the world. "Maybe… paedophiles?" "Paedophiles?" repeated Professor Umbridge. "Yes, professor, paedophiles. People who for whatever sick and vile reason, are… er… intimately attracted, shall we say, to children like ourselves." Harry was pleased to see from the expression on Umbridge's face that she hadn't expected him to say that. "And then, of course, there's thieves, murderers, and other criminals." "Racist extremists," added Dean Thomas, raising his hand so Umbridge wouldn't snap at him. "People who want people who look like me, or Parvati and her sister, to "go back where we came from" or dead, because we don't have white skin." "Rapists." supplied Lavender Brown.
Surprisingly to Harry, Malfoy was the next to raise his hand. "Azkaban escapees, professor, "he drawled. "The fact that Sirius Black managed it proves the security measures are inadequate. It could happen again. And besides which, this is our O.W.L year. A critical year in our educations, especially since we'll start thinking about our future career options eventually. Lack of practice in practical defence could mean a failure in the exam. A failed OWL in any class means we can't take the N.E.W.T. And the NEWT in Defence is a requirement for becoming an Auror, among other positions."
"That is as maybe, Mister…" started Umbridge, but she didn't finish. "Malfoy – "Malfoy said. "I'm sure you've met my father, especially since he's a good friend of the Minister." Umbridge's face paled. Harry could guess at what she was thinking. All it would take is for Malfoy to send a letter to his father complaining about Umbridge, and she'd be gone. He glanced over at Malfoy and gave him a short, polite, nod. Malfoy blinked in surprise before returning it. The rest of the class went surprisingly well, and the next morning, Professor Umbridge was nowhere to be seen. The rumours circulated around the Great Hall, but when copies of the Daily Prophet landed on the tables with the post, the front page bore the news that she had resigned after a single day, claiming she had "come to the realisation that she was unsuited to a teaching position of such importance". In her place, Professor Dumbledore would teach the class himself, until he could find a suitable replacement.