Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
"What in the world are you guys laughing about?" One of the seventh year Slytherins asked curiously.
"Nothing," Draco said as he tried to catch his breath, only to make eye contact with Harry and start snickering all over again.
Blaise's face was red with anger; he knew they were laughing at him.
A clinking sound got their attention and all the students looked up to see Dumbledore standing. "I am happy to see students having such a good time," He said brightly with an amused look at the Slytherin table.
"Guess we are being loud," Harry chuckled. He noticed his dads look of disapproval at their
table and pressed his lips together to stop his laughter.
"As we let that wonderful meal digest, I ask for a moment of your time for a few announcements." Dumbledore continued. "For our first-years, you must know that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to students. Perhaps some of you older students would do well to remember that as well." His eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes as well as numerous other things. You can find a list of them on Mr. Filch's office door. We have a change in staff and I ask you to welcome Professor Umbridge, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Harry joined the rest of the students in clapping politely, though most students were already looking restless and bored.
"Tryouts for Quidditch will take place on…" Dumbledore stopped and looked at Professor Umbridge.
At first Harry wondered why Dumbledore had stopped talking but then realized the new Defence teacher had stood up, short as she was not many people had noticed her at first. "Hem, hem," Professor Umbridge cleared her throat.
Dumbledore looked mildly surprised but then sat down and looked expectantly at Professor Umbridge. The other professor's also looked surprised at the interruption and even a little irritated by it.
"Thank you Headmaster," Professor Umbridge said in an airy, high-pitched voice. "For such a kind welcome. It is so lovely to be back at Hogwarts," She smiled. "And just look at these happy little faces looking up at me!"
Harry and his friends looked around and saw that no one looked happy. They looked bored. She began talking about how wonderful the Ministry of Magic was and how they wanted to help the students and that there would be changes at Hogwarts for the better. Harry lost interest as did the other students who were either sleeping or talking quietly to their friends.
"I wonder if I can frame this," Draco murmured as he held up the parchment of lines Blaise had written. "And make copies."
Theo put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud. "Can we pin it up so that everyone can read it?"
Before Draco could answer, Professor Umbridge finished her speech and Dumbledore was able to continue speaking, giving the details about the Quidditch try-outs.
"So what was the new professor blabbering on about?" Theo asked as they all stood up to leave.
Harry frowned when he noticed Daphne's concerned look. "What is it?"
"From what I gather, the ministry is interfering at Hogwarts," Daphne said in irritation. "But the question is why?"
Harry was confused at first before the answer hit him. "Voldemort," He whispered. "Fudge thinks I am trying to cause trouble by saying Voldemort is coming back."
Daphne's eyes widened. "Merlin, that must be it. So she's here to keep an eye on you…" Daphne trailed off, looking troubled.
"Great, so I'm already on the new professor's bad side," Harry sighed. He looked over at his dad who was speaking to Professor McGonagall and both of them were shooting scowls in Umbridge's direction.
"Don't worry mate, we have your back," Draco said.
"Yeah, we're on your side," Tracey added as Theo nodded in agreement.
Draco's eyes widened. "Daphne, we're supposed to show the first years where to go!"
"Oops," Daphne said guiltily.
Draco turned to where most of the first years were standing together uncertainly. "Alright you titchy lot, follow us."
"Draco!" Daphne rolled her eyes as she stepped towards the nervous students with a smile on her face. "Follow us please."
As they began leaving the hall, they could hear Ron yelling. "Hey, you midgets, this way!"
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "First years, this way please!" She noticed Harry and slowed her walk a little. "Are you all right?" Her gaze fell on his wrist and she gasped.
"I'm fine, it's nothing." Harry assured her.
"We'll talk later," Hermione said in slight admonishment as she guided the first year Gryffindor out of the Great Hall.
"Oi Ron!" Draco called.
"Yeah?" Ron looked over as he was trying to hurry the first years along.
"Remind Harry to tell you and Hermione about the lines," Draco grinned as he led the Slytherin first years towards the dungeons.
"See you tomorrow," Daphne said to Harry, gently touching his arm. "Be careful okay?"
"I will. Good night," Harry watched her leave and then followed Ron and Hermione as they led the first years to Gryffindor Tower.
After Ron and Hermione made their introductions to the students, well mostly Hermione did as Ron looked uninterested, she sent everyone to start getting ready for bed. Hearing groans, Hermione gave everyone an exasperated look. "It's been a long busy day, especially to the younger students." She said huffily. She ignored the mumbling and instead focused on Seamus who was walking up the stairs with Dean. "And a reminder that Ron and I will take points from anyone in Gryffindor if there is any fighting or bullying!"
Seamus shot her a dirty look and disappeared into his dorm.
Hermione whirled around. "Where do you two think you are going?"
Ron scratched the back of his head. "Uh, to bed?"
"No, you are staying here." Hermione said firmly. "Both of you are. Besides Ron, what if some of the first years come down because they have questions or are homesick?"
"What? How long do we have to stay here? I'm tired," Ron complained.
Hermione rolled her eyes and focused on Harry. "I heard what happened but didn't know you were hurt."
Ron finally noticed the bandaged wrist. "I didn't either."
"It's a minor sprain. Dad gave me a potion so by morning it will be completely healed." Harry said calmly. "It's no big deal."
"It is Harry," Hermione said gently. "Seamus shouldn't have said those things, or shoved you. As for McLaggen starting the rumors, well, he's always been a git."
"I told Seamus off good after you left," Ron said proudly. "So did Neville."
"Thanks mate," Harry grinned.
"I think we should tell Professor McGonagall about it so that she can speak to Seamus. He should have some consequences for injuring you," Hermione said.
Harry gave a rueful laugh. "I think I may have unknowingly let my dad know who shoved me so…"
Ron rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Brilliant! And we have potions tomorrow!"
"What do you think about Professor Umbridge?" Harry asked Hermione.
"I think she is here to spy and interfere on the orders of the Ministry," Hermione said seriously. "I don't have a good feeling about her."
"Me either," Harry admitted. "Daphne said the same thing."
"It can't be a coincidence that there is a rumor that you are claiming you-know-who is back and then Umbridge is teaching here. I asked around about her, she works at the ministry and will most likely be reporting back to Fudge," Hermione continued.
"Reporting what back to Fudge?" Ron asked. "Harry never claimed you-know-who is back."
"True," Hermione nodded. "But Ron said you told Seamus that he would be coming back."
Harry threw his hands up in exasperation. "Anyone with a brain should realize that."
"Yeah, but you made it sound like it would be soon," Ron spoke up.
Harry sighed. "I think it will be. I've been having some dreams and my scar hurts when I wake up," He admitted.
Ron visibly paled. "What does that mean?"
"He's getting stronger," Hermione whispered.
Harry nodded. "I think so, so does my dad and Dumbledore. Dumbledore has been trying to convince Fudge that they need to be prepared for Voldemort's eventual return but I guess Fudge doesn't want to even consider it."
"Fudge is an idiot," Ron muttered.
"Do you think someone is helping you-know-who?" Hermione asked uneasily.
"I don't know but…I think so," Harry said. "If my scar is bothering me then he has to have found someone. I haven't had any weird dreams or scar pains in awhile so maybe his helper wised up and ran."
"Merlin, I hope so," Ron said with a sigh.
"Well, defence class should be interesting yet again," Hermione said with a small smile.
"Can't wait," Harry laughed. "Who knows, maybe she won't be so bad."
"Maybe," Hermione agreed. "So…you and Daphne huh?" She asked slyly.
Harry grinned. "Yeah, can you believe she likes me back?"
"Well of course, it was pretty obvious Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
"Really? I was so nervous that she only likes me as a friend and nothing more," Harry said honestly.
"You were too nervous to see it," Hermione teased. "Draco wanted to start placing bets on when you would finally tell her how you felt."
"Did you all gossip about me?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"I didn't," Ron said. He stared at Hermione. "When did Draco say that?"
Hermione's face turned a little pink. "Over the summer in a letter," She said. She sighed when Ron scowled. "I wrote to everyone during the summer."
"How many times did you write to him?" Ron asked.
Hermione threw her hands up. "Why? What does it matter?"
"It doesn't," Ron snapped.
"Okay then," Hermione said with a sigh.
Ron looked away for a moment. "I wrote to Lavender over the summer," He admitted.
"You did? I thought she hated you since you ignored her at the Yule Ball last year," Harry said in surprise.
"Well," Ron looked embarrassed. "My Mum found out during the summer about that and insisted I write her and tell her I was sorry, even though months had passed since the ball. So I did and she wrote back and we exchanged a few letters."
Hermione looked amused. "How did your mum find out?" She asked curiously.
Ron made a face. "Ginny," He scowled.
Harry bit his lip but after seeing Hermione's grin he burst into laughter.
"It's not funny," Ron huffed, though he was smiling. "Lavender thinks I should try out for Quidditch." He said casually.
"You should!" Harry said. "Since Oliver graduated, the position of keeper is open."
Ron shrugged. "Maybe," He said slowly.
"Do it. You love the sport so why not?" Hermione pointed out.
"Hey, Draco said to ask you about the lines," Ron remembered. He looked at Harry questionably.
A slow smile spread across Harry's face. "Don't you remember that you assigned Zabini lines?"
Hermione gasped as Ron began shaking with laughter. "He actually did them?"
"All three hundred," Harry said cheerfully. "Draco has them."
"I can't believe the git actually believed I could assign lines," Ron said through his laughter. "Oh, oh do you think we could sell copies?" He gasped for breath.
Hermione tried to stay serious but ended up collapsing into giggles.
Harry laughed with them as they joked about future lines they could try to assign Zabini. Finally they calmed down, not wanting to wake anyone up.
Hermione cast a tempus. "I'm going to check on the first year girls and make sure they are in bed and then I'm turning in. Ron –"
"Yeah I know, check on the first years," Ron groaned.
"Make sure they are in bed, it's past their bedtime," Hermione instructed.
Harry snickered. "Have fun," Feeling tired, he went to bed as well and was grateful that his dorm mates were already asleep. He wasn't up to having another row with Seamus or anyone else for that matter.
He was practically asleep when he heard Ron walk in grumbling to himself about annoying first years. Harry fell asleep snickering to himself.
HP
The morning went relatively well for Harry as Seamus ignored him, which was fine with him. He was aware that some of the other Gryffindors were whispering about him, especially McLaggen, but he was used to that by now. There were other students doing the same thing in Ravenclaw and even Hufflepuff but Harry could shrug it off.
"How's your wrist?" Daphne asked as she slid into a seat next to him in their Defence class.
"Completely healed," Harry replied, bending his wrist to show her. He had taken off the bandage that morning.
"Good. No more injuries," Daphne instructed with a teasing smile.
Harry nodded ruefully. "Sounds good to me."
"Hey Harry, I forgot that Ginny wanted me to ask you something." Ron said from behind them.
Harry turned in his seat. "What is it?"
"She wants to try out for Quidditch and was wondering if you could coach her a bit," Ron said. He made a face. "I offered to coach her and she said…well it doesn't matter what she said."
Harry grinned. "Sure no problem," He said easily.
The classroom door opened and Professor Umbridge walked in, wearing a bright pink outfit that was almost blinding. She stood in front of her students and gave them a sickeningly sweet smile. "Hem, hem. Good afternoon children." She frowned when her students merely stared at her. "Do you not know the proper way to greet your professor? Let's try again, shall we? Good afternoon children." She looked at them expectantly.
"Good afternoon Professor Umbridge," Only a handful of students said, the rest were trying not to laugh.
Umbridge smiled. "Wonderful! Now, this is a big year for you." She waved her wand at the board and words formed. "Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations, more commonly known as OWLs. Those who study hard will be rewarded with high scores. Those who fail to study hard will face severe consequences." She giggled. "And we wouldn't want that would we?"
"Anyone else getting really creeped out?" Draco asked under his breath.
"I think she's bonkers," Harry whispered back.
Professor Umbridge didn't appear to notice them talking as she continued. "I understand your previous instructors in this class have been rather… alarming but you can now relax as you will be following a structured, Ministry approved course of defensive magic." Umbridge smiled brightly. "Now, put your wands away. You won't need them for this class." She ignored the shocked look on the students' faces at that announcement.
Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes Miss…"
"Granger. I read through this textbook over the summer and there is nothing in here about using defensive spells," Hermione said.
"My goodness, using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge said in surprise. She shook her head and giggled. "Dear girl, why would you need to use spells in my classroom?"
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "We're not going to use magic?" She asked incredulously.
"You will all be learning about defensive spells in a safe and risk-free way. That is what your textbooks are for, after all." Umbridge replied.
Harry couldn't keep silent any longer. "What use is that? If we get attacked, you can bet it won't be risk free."
Professor Umbridge regarded Harry with a smile, though her beady eyes hardened. "Students will raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr. Potter." She clasped her hands together and addressed the class. "The Ministry has decided that a theoretical knowledge will be enough to get you through your examinations. Isn't that what school is all about?"
"And how is theory supposed to help us for what is out there?" Daphne spoke up, her hand raised.
Professor Umbridge shook her head. "There is nothing out there. Who would ever want to hurt children like yourself?" She asked in amusement.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Gee, let's think. Hmmm…how about Voldemort and his followers?" He said sarcastically. He heard the gasps at him saying the name but ignored it.
Professor Umbridge's smile finally disappeared. She took a step closer to the students. "Let me set one thing straight. You may have heard that a certain dark wizard is back…"
"He is not back yet but he will be!" Harry shot back. "And we need to be ready for when he is!"
"Mr. Potter, you are nothing but a liar and an attention seeking child," Professor Umbridge said quietly. "That dark wizard is dead and gone and has been for a long time."
"Anyone who believes that is a complete moron," Harry snapped. "I'm not a liar; I would never lie about something like this."
"Detention, Mr. Potter." Professor Umbridge glared. "And you do not talk unless I call on you! I do not like my class to be disrupted."
"Enough Harry," Daphne whispered, reaching out to put her hand on his. She was angry too but didn't want Harry to get into more trouble.
"Honestly, with Professor Snape adopting you, I would think you would be more polite and well-behaved," Professor Umbridge sniffed.
"Polite? She obviously doesn't know Snape that well," Ron whispered, causing snickers from those around him.
Professor Umbridge sat down at her desk. "Please spend the rest of class reading chapter one."
Harry sat back in his seat, feeling angry at Umbridge and disappointed in himself. He shouldn't have lost his temper like that.
Hermione appeared to agree. "Harry, you should not have lost control like that," She said quietly.
"I know that Hermione," Harry said in an irritated voice.
"Quiet Mr. Potter! You already are facing detention with me," Umbridge said from her desk in a sing-song voice.
Harry ignored the apologetic look Hermione sent him and pretended to read the assigned chapter, all the while seething with anger and frustration.
TBC: Appreciate any feedback you can give =)