When the boys were all assembled at the Great Hall the next morning, Professor McGonagall handed out their schedules. Over a glass of pumpkin juice and a bowl of cereal, the group examined their schedules. "Looks like it's Charms, Transfiguration, D.A.D.A, lunch, Potions, and History of Magic," Peter read off.

"Charms starts in twenty minutes. That's too early," Sirius whined.

"It's not bad. I heard in America the muggle kids have to start at seven," Remus pointed out.

"That's just a rumor," Sirius responded.

"Well, they start earlier than us." Sirius had nothing to say to that.

"Today we will be starting on cheering charms," Professor Flitwick informed his class.

"We need them now that school's started," James whispered sadly. After an hour of Charms, they moved onto Transfiguration.

"I don't expect you to manage anything we will be doing this year first try," Professor McGonagall stated to the class, "but I do expect you to follow the rules. Silly wand waving or foolish incantations will not be tolerated in this class. Nor will the idiocy of action or behavior." Professor McGonagall looked around at the students sharply. Sirius raised his hand. "Mr. Black?"

"Would there be another kind of idiocy that will be tolerated?" Sirius asked.

"No, Mr. Black. If it wasn't the first day of classes, that would result in a detention. However, I will let it slip for just this once. Understood?" Sirius nodded and there was no more mention of the idiocy restrictions.

An hour later, the Second Year Gryffindors were trooping into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The toadlike Professor Umbridge sat in front of the rows of desks, smiling sweetly as her class marched in, chatting about their previous lessons. When everyone had taken a seat, Professor Umbridge gave a little "hem, hem" and the room fell silent.

"She need a cough drop?" James whispered to Sirius, pretending to sound concerned.

"Well, mate, good thing I brought some," Sirius replied quietly. The teacher looked at them, silencing them with a look.

"Hem, hem," she repeated, glaring at the two boys. "I am Professor Dolores Umbridge," she told the class, writing her name on the board. "I will be your teacher this year, and possibly, next." The class stared at her, silent with anticipation. "Well? Take out your books, page 1. Please read the first chapter. No talking will be necessary." The class fumbled for their books, digging around in their bags. When the books were out, most of the class started their assignment, except for Lily Evans, a girl with long, red hair. Lily raised her hand, watching the Professor. "Yes?" Professor Umbridge asked her quietly.

"I was wondering what the course would be. I mean, what are we going to be talking about," she asked.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts, of course," Umbridge told her, laughing slightly. Lily did not appear to be satisfied with this answer. Nor did James.

"That doesn't tell us anything," James pointed out.

"Please raise your hand when you speak in this class," Umbridge sweetly scolded.

"You aren't raising your hand, Professor," Sirius pointed out, raising his hand.

"Names?"

"Sirius Black."

"Ah. And you?" Umbridge asked turning to James.

"James Potter."

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, please do not disrupt this class again."

"Ok." The boys went back to pretend reading. Umbridge made to walk away, but was stopped by Lily Evans.

"You didn't answer my question, Professor. I mean the area of subject. Like defensive spells and such." she said, quite clearly. Umbridge pursed her lips, then nodded.

"Defensive spells, dark creatures, and types of dark magic."

"Alright," Lily said and went back to her work. The class was silent, and when the bell rang, everyone was quite to stuff their books in their bags and sprint out of the room to lunch.

"Summary of the first chapter, to be handed in Wednesday!" Umbridge called after them.

"She's mental," Sirius complained, brushing his hair out of his face. "The whole chapter? What are we, slaves? What doesn't she read it herself?"

"She's checking for understanding, Sirius, honestly," Remus told him. Lunch was uneventful, as was potions and History of Magic, in which Peter and James both fell asleep in twice, only to be prodded awake by Remus. When History of Magic ended, the boys rushed upstairs to complete the essays assigned to them.

"I hate homework," James said bluntly.