Chapter 6: First day of classes

Hello guys, gals and non-binary pals. Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out, I've been busy as per usual. I only had half a week to write last week and still got two chapters done. This week I've written four chapters for my Percy Jackson story and I still want to get ch7 of this story done. Next chapter should be out on Saturday or Sunday.

This chapter, oh, it's a doozie. I changed up a lot of Harry's first class with Umbridge, I hope y'all like it. The changes in this chapter will affect the greater story as a whole, so pay attention and keep them in mind. If it is even possible, I think I made Dolores even more despicable.

Remember to leave a Review letting me know what you thought of this chapter. They're free, only take a second to write and fill me with more joy than I get from my regular life.

Please consider supporting me by becoming a Patron. Patrons get Early Access to ALL my chapters.

Chapter 6: First day of classes

[Recap]

"We have three changes in staffing this year; …I would also like to introduce Madam Umbridge," Dumbledore uncharacteristically stressed the word. "Who will be our Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor this year-"

"Hem, hem."...

…He looked at the pink woman with an unreadable expression.

"May I say a few words, Headmaster?"

"I think that I will allow it," he said with a smile that could have almost been interpreted as a joke, but Harry knew better, as did many other students. Dumbledore didn't like this witch, so, automatically, none of them did.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Umbridge's voice was like a four-year-old's. "For those kind words of welcome. For those that did not hear, I am Professor Umbridge, your new Defense Against the Dark Arks professor."…

…"Hem, hem!" She cleared her throat again, a sound that was making Harry's ears buzz. "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare, and gods-gifted abilities and rights with which you were born with may result in nothing if they are not properly nurtured, cultivated and taught by approved Ministry instruction." Her squinty eyes shot to Fleur for the briefest of moments.

"Hem, hem!" She continued, no need to clear her throat again. "Because of this, the ancient skills, rights and privileges unique to the Wizarding community must be properly passed down from generation to generation, lest we lose them forever and diminish and degress as a society. The wonderful treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our honored ancestors must be guarded from those that envy it, replenished lest we lose it, and polished by those of us who have been called upon to become teachers."

Umbridge paused to give a little bow to her fellow staff members, but none bowed back. As if to counter it, several exchanged glances between each other.

Umbridge gave another, "Hem, hem," continuing with her speech. "Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to this grand institution, and that is as it should be, for without progress, there would be stagnation and decay and rot. There again, progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged, for our tried and true methods and traditions require no alterations nor change, for you cannot perfect what has already been perfected. A fine balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation must be found. For our culture, our methods, our traditions, require no change.

"We must also be cautious about where we gather our sources of change from." Umbridge continued. "For Wizarding kind is the most advanced, most just, most civilized and most perfect population anywhere on earth, and out of the entire world, I dare say, Wizarding Britain is the best. And we have no need to take inspiration or lessons from those below us, no matter how much they seem to advance."

Hermione openly scoffed at this, but Umbridge didn't seem to hear. "Wizards are better than Muggles, she means."

"Because some changes will be for the better," Umbridge continued with stride. "While others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as great errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old traditions will be retained, and rightly so, for they are inscrutable, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned at once. Let us move forward together, where we rightly should be, then, into a promising new era of openness, effectiveness, loyalty and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what ought to be perfected, and casting away any thoughts, practices, misguided opinions and beliefs that ought to be prohibited."...

…"Professor Delacour," Dumbledore continued, once the hall was silent again. "Will be taking up the post of Hogwarts' newest class, Nonhuman Cultures and Magical Societies of the World, which, will be required for every student of third year and up." He turned to Fleur with a slight tilt of his head, gesturing to the spot where he stood. "Professor? Care to try to up our last speech?"

Fleur's eyes nearly shined. "Wi'z pleasure, 'eadmaster."...

…"In my class, you will learn from 'zose you 'ave never learned from before. Races and Cultures and Societies 'zat know more about certain branches of magic 'zan all of wizarding kind. You will learn 'ze foundations of predicting 'ze future 'zrough 'ze stars like 'ze centaurs, 'ow 'ze basics of ari'zimancy were developed by goblins. 'Ow to 'arness your own inner magic to perform astonishing acts, even wandlessly, from 'ze Fey. But most of all, you will learn 'ow to appreciate magical races and cultures, 'ow to interact and communicate wi'z 'zem, and you will learn 'ow to take from various cultures around you to improve and perfect yourselves." She said this looking at Umbridge, the pink-clad woman wearing a furious scowl.

Fleur continued with stride. "'Zoughout your years 'ere, you will learn to appreciate, understand and respect all other races, and 'ow to share teachings and practices amongst each o'zer, for no race is perfect or without need of improvement."

She bowed her head low to the crowd before taking her seat again. The great hall broke into applause, but Harry wasn't confident that they were all clapping because of her words.

~Recap End~

(September - Hogwarts)

The first day of classes wasn't even done and Harry was already ready for it to be over. Potions with Snape was dreadfully mind numbing as always, and Binn's repeated lecture from last year was so boring half the class fell asleep. At least his nap was nice. The homework that had been piled on was already enough to dampen his good mood. It was the first day of classes, and the professors were already drowning them up to their ears in homework.

Now, they were headed to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class, and Harry could tell everyone was eager to learn about their new professor. They had all heard her dreadfully boring speech the night before, and from her audacity to interrupt Dumbledore, many already had a pretty low opinion of her. Would she be as boring as Quirrell? Useless as Lockhart? Fantastic as Lupin? Or as mad as Mad-Eye?

"Hem hem. Well, good afternoon, class." Umbridge said when the last of the students sat down.

She received a few subdued "Good afternoon"s, in reply.

"Tut, tut," Umbridge said with a wave of her hand, rising from her seat and making her way to her podium, though, due to her height, you couldn't have noticed the difference. "That will not do, not do at all. I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' Once again, please, with feeling. Good afternoon, class!"

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge." They chanted in dull unison.

"There, now," Umbridge said sweetly. "That wasn't too hard, now was it? Wands away and quills out, please."

The entirety of the class groaned inwardly; the order "wands away" had never been followed up by an interesting lesson.

Umbridge stepped in front of the blackboard, giving it a tap of her wand, words appearing on it:

Defense Against the Dark Arts, A Return to Basic Principles.

"Well now, your instruction in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, has it not?" Umbridge started, turning to face them with a sickly sweet smile. "The constant changing of professors, many of whom, I have found out, do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has regretfully resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your most critical year.

"You will be pleased to learn, however, that these problems are now to be rectified by yours truly." She giggled. "We will be following a carefully structured, theory-centered, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic created by none other than myself." She gave a little twirl, like she was a three year old proud of making a mud pie.

She tapped the blackboard again, and new writing appeared in her loopy scrawl:

Course aims:

1. Understanding the basic principles of underlying defensive magic.

2. Learning to recognize precise situations in which defensive magic can be legally used.

3. Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.

4. Rebuilding the basics of theoretical knowledge and expanding on it.

5. Learning if and when to properly and effectively counter Muggle and non-Wizarding technology and magic.

Quills scratched down the course aims for several minutes, with Umbridge looking mighty proud of herself as they did so. Once everyone was done, she stepped forward again.

"Now, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

No one replied.

"Now now, I think we'll try that again, if you would," Umbridge said, tutting. "When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge', or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, once again, has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge." Everyone said, all but Hermione, Harry noticed.

"Lovely," Umbridge smiled her sugary smile. "Now, I would like you to please turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk."

The class began to read the chapter, realizing it was incredibly dull and basic. As Harry shifted in his seat, he saw Hermione had yet to even open her book, and was instead looking directly at Umbridge, hand in the air.

After the class was mostly finished with the chapter, they had seemingly noticed Hermione's attempt to get Umbridge's attention, though, the pink-clad witch didn't seem to notice her.

It wasn't until the class was nearly over and the entire class was looking at Hermione when Umbridge turned and acted like she had just noticed her. "Did you have a question about the chapter, dear?"

Hermione put her hand down. "Not about the chapter, no."

"Well, we are reading now," Umbridge said, showing her flawlessly white teeth. "If you have other queries, we can discuss them after class-"

"I've got a question about your course aims." Interrupted Hermione.

Umbridge's teeth showed more like a snarl. "And your name-"

"Hermione Granger." Hermione cut her off again.

Umbridge seemed to bristle on the spot, the signs of a frown forming. "Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read through them carefully." Umbridge said with a voice of fake sweetness.

"Well, I most certainly don't." Hermione said firmly, her voice tipped with a hint of venom. "Point five: 'Learning if and when to properly and effectively counter Muggle and non-Wizarding technology and magic'." She read the aim off as if she had memorized it already. She regarded Umbridge with a look that practically begged for her to reply.

There was a brief silence when the entire class looked between their notes and the board, as if seeing the course aim for the first time. Harry realized that he hadn't even paid what he was writing any mind, merely going through the motions of class.

"And your question is?" Umbridge prompted.

"Since when is the Ministry training us to fight Muggles and magical races?" Demanded Hermione bluntly, her eyes narrowed and her voice raised. A stream of whispers drifted through the class, everyone turning to their neighbor to talk. Harry heard Dean Thomas swear from down the aisle.

Umbridge took a strong step forward, the fakest smile on her face. "Now, now, my dear girl, you are being silly." She said sweetly, a slight tilt of her head. "The Ministry is doing no such thing-"

"Then why are you teaching us how to "properly and effectively counter" them? Especially when your course aims and book gives no indication that we will be using or learning any other magic?" Hermione interrupted her again. "That's sounds like you're teaching us how to fight Muggles to me-"

"I know that this might be hard to comprehend for one such as yourself," Umbridge cut her off this time, giving her a diminutive look. "A Muggle. But we must protect our way of life-"

"From who, Muggles?" Dean Thomas demanded.

"Students will raise their hand in my class." Umbridge sang. "Mr.?"

"Dean Thomas." He said.

"Well, Mr. Thomas," Umbridge said. "Did you have another question?"

"Yes." He said quickly. "Why are we being trained to fight Muggles-"

"I will say this again," Umbridge cut in. "The Ministry is doing no such thing. We merely seek to protect our way of life from those who threaten it."

"And that's Muggles?" Asked Harry.

"Hand, Mr. Potter!"

Harry threw his hand into the air, but Umbridge didn't call on him.

"Now, now, I think we have gotten a little off-topic, haven't you?" She said with a voice dripping of sweetness that would make a dentist revile. "Hem hem, as I was saying, I know that many of you in attendance are Muggles, and that you do not understand the intricacies of our culture-"

"We are Muggleborns." Hermione said firmly, with strength in her voice. "Not Muggles. We can do magic-"

"There is little real difference." Unbridge cut in quickly, batting her hand like Hermione was an annoying gnat. She looked at the whole class this time. "You have all been tainted with lies and deception while at Hogwarts. Such lies incorrectly telling you that Muggles are our equals and harmless." Her sickly sweet smile turned up to eleven. "This is a lie. Muggles and magical races pose a tremendous threat to our way of life-"

"How can Muggles pose a threat to Wizards if they don't know about us or magic?!" Hermione yelled, on her feet before anyone could fathom what they were seeing. Hermione had just yelled at a teacher. Hermione.

Umbridge's sweet smile dropped, and she slowly stalked down the aisle to stand face to shoulder with Hermione. "You are a threat for no other reason than you do not know about or have magic." She said deathly calm. "It makes you envious. And that makes you dangerous. Muggles outnumber us ten-to-one, and, if they were ever to learn of all our accomplishments and abilities through magic, they would seek to take it from us-"

"They would do no such thing-"

"Do not interrupt me, Miss Granger!" Umbridge yelled, stepping closer as if to intimidate Hermione. But Hermione was only getting angrier with every passing second.

"Hermione," Ron whispered, trying to pull her back into her seat. "Sit down-"

"Listen to your Pureblood friend," Umbridge said with vile. "Even if his family has fallen from grace-"

"So that's what this is!" Hermione suddenly yelled. "You're trying to force your bigoted Pureblood beliefs on us!"

Umbridge's eyes went ablaze with fury. "The Pureblood ways are the natural order of the world-"

"They are cruel and barbaric and old fashioned! They look down on people for no reason!" Hermione countered, several Muggleborns in class mumbling in agreement.

"They teach us that a natural pecking order exists." Umbride said, "Nothing more, nothing less. Now, let me repeat; the Ministry is not teaching you to, how this girl said, "fight Muggles", instead, we are aiming to teach you how to preserve our history, culture and gods-gifted rights and protect them from those who wish to taint them."

"And Muggleborns taint them?" Hermione demanded.

Umbridge opened her mouth to speak, but shut it firmly, her squinty eyes scanning the room as if she was noticing for the first time she was surrounded by students. "You all seem to forget that this is a classroom. Please, sit down and continue to read the chapter. If you have any questions, I would advise reading it again."

Hermione didn't sit down, instead choosing to glare at the witch.

"Sit down, silly girl."

"No." Hermione said firmly.

Umbridge's eyes went wide with fury. "You dare defy me? I am your professor!"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but was saved by the proverbial bell, signaling the end of the class. The class hesitated for a few seconds before rising to their feet and grabbing their things, still silently watching the display in front of them.

Umbridge looked to the students before composing herself, brushing back a strand of hair that wasn't there. "For future reference," she said sweetly. "You will wait for my permission to leave. But, for now, class is over. Please read the next three chapters between now and our next class. Your assignment for this evening is one foot of parchment on the fundamental seven forms of wand movement and their uses. Due next class." The class gave a subdued groan, they had learned this their first year.

Umbridge and Hermione continued to glare at one another, as if seeing who dared to back down first. Once all the students but her, Ron and Harry were gone, Umbridge stepped up to Hermione again, who merely stared the older witch down, unflinching. A sick, wicked smile crept onto Umbridge's pink-stained lips.

"You are lucky, Miss Granger," her voice was low and vile, free of any of her fake sweetness from before. Making Harry wonder if this was her real voice, and she merely put on the sweet one to sound more pleasant. "Though, the next time you decide to speak out in my class and prattle nonsense about Muggles, you will receive a weeks' worth of detention-"

Hermione's eyes lit with fury. "I will gladly-"

"Hermione!" Ron whispered under his breath, though there was no need with Umbridge so close. He grabbed her hand and tried to pull her away. "You're smarter than this, come on."

Hermione continued to stare down the witch for several more seconds, before throwing her belongings into her bag and throwing it over her shoulder. She didn't pack up Defensive Magical Theory. "If you will excuse me, Madam Umbridge," Hermione said with fake civility. "I don't want to be late to my next class."

Umbridge glared at the slight. "While in this school, you will address me as 'Professor'-"

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but Ron gave her a fierce look, and she closed her mouth and, without another word, stormed out of the classroom.

Ron and Harry followed after their bushy haired friend, trying their best to leave as quickly as possible. As they passed through the door, Harry heard Umbridge cry, "Miss Granger, you forgot your textbook!"

In the corridor and out of Umbridge's hearing, Harry heard Hermione tell Umbridge a creative place she could shove her textbook. Even if Ron wasn't familiar with the Muggle expression, he seemed to understand the saying and broke into a chuckle. Harry felt like he wanted to smile as well, but after that class, he couldn't. Not after finding out how Umbridge, and, by association, the Ministry and Minister, thought of Muggles and non-human magical races.

It was a sobering realization.

Harry had always known that Wizarding Britain viewed Muggles and other races as slightly lesser, House Elfs and Goblins were a good example, but he didn't know the depth of their distaste and hatred for them. It made Harry worry for Hagrid, Flitwick and Fleur, as they were three half-human— or not even human, in Fleur's case— professors now teaching with a woman like Umbridge that hated their very existence. It made Harry worried about how the Ministry was going to go forward, would they try to push their biggoted Pureblood beliefs this year to the students? Would they not stop until they were as biggoted as most of Slytherin? And what of the Muggleborns and half-bloods like himself? If the Ministry viewed them so poorly, would going to the DMLE or another Ministry department help if the students were to come forward and report what Umbridge and the Minister were saying?

Harry didn't know, and that not knowing made him worried.

"Barbaric!" Hermione nearly shouted as they hurried to their next class. "How the Ministry and school ever let a cow like that in this school as a professor, I can't believe it!"

"I don't think Dumbledore or the school had any say," Ron chimed in. "It seems to me that Fudge assigned her here himself. And not even Dumbledore can go against the Minister."

"Don't get me started on that bigot!" Hermione fumed. "Training us to 'properly and effectively counter Muggle and non-human technology and magic', they're trying to train us how to fight Muggles and non-human magical races, no matter what that old bag says!"

Harry opened his mouth to join in, but found his voice dry and no air in his lungs. He stumbled, before righting himself.

That was odd.

"I should go right to Dumbledore," she continued with stride, not noticing Harry. "But I'm sure he is already aware, and I have no doubt that old cow has already thought of a way to counter- Harry?" Harry stumbled again, suddenly knocking into a couple passing by. "Harry!"

Harry slammed into a wall, deaf to the couple yelling insults at him. In his muddled state, he barely recognized Ron and Hermione kneeling over him. He could hear them shouting, but couldn't make out what they were saying.

Suddenly a voice that was not his own spoke with his mouth. "...Bring it to me…" the voice hissed, high and soft and barely human. "I do not care what you must do…, bring it to me at once…" Harry collapsed to the ground, winded and exhausted and drained.

"Harry!" Hermione cried. "Harry! What's wrong? Ron, run to the Infirmary and get Madam Pomfrey-"

"I- I'm okay…" Harry's throat felt like he had screamed himself hoarse for hours. "D-don't go."

"Harry!" Hermione was wrapped around him in a second, checking him over for injuries that weren't there. In his state, Harry noticed the corridors were thankfully empty, a result of them being late to class. "What happened?"

"I… I think I heard… Voldemort." He said, replying what he heard in his head. "I… I think he wants something."

"You didn't just hear it, Harry." Hermione said, she looked worried. "You, um, well you said it out loud, though, it wasn't your voice."

"It had to be him." Ron said, despite having never heard him speak before. "He spoke through you."

"But- but how did that happen?" Harry asked. "I mean, why?"

Hermione regarded him for a few seconds. "...I don't know," she admitted. "But I think we should tell Dumbledore right away."

"No," Harry said firmly.

"Harry-"

"No," Harry said again. "Dumbledore made it clear he doesn't want to talk to me. At headquarters, and last night after dinner, I tried to talk to him, but he ran off like he didn't hear me." Harry shook his head. "No, he's avoiding me. I'm not telling him anything."

"Mate," Ron began. "This is big, you should at least tell someone."

"I'll mention it to Serius." He lied, saying whatever it took to get them to stop.

"Harry," Hermione said. "I still think-"

"Come on," he said. "We're already late for our first class with Fleur. I doubt she's going to be happy." And before Hermione or Ron could say another word, Harry started off down the corridor.

to be continued

(Author's Note)

It was short, I know, but I had very little time to write this story the last two weeks. See you then!

Audible recommendation of the day: 'Dreadnought' by April Daniels, narrated by Natasha Soudek. A coming of age, superhero book about a trans teenager trying to make her way in a world that doesn't accept her, while also saving it? Sign me up! But seriously, I've listened to several Audible originals now, many about superheroes, and Dreadnought is by far my favorite. It's 11.5 hours, but I listened to it in under two days at work. Seriously, it's that good. If I was some big YouTuber, I'd have an affiliate link for you to earn 3 months free or whatever, but I'm just some asexual smuck writing on an $100 Chrome Book in a cabin built in 1905 with no internet, cell service, and the landline down. So I can only recommend it. If you have Audible, check it out. If you don't, find some recent deal to get some months free and check it out. (Edit: I've since finished the sequel and I'm halfway through book 1 again. The sequel is somehow even better than the first!)

QOTD: Who is your favorite professor/Hogwarts staff in canon? Lupin? Minerva? Any Madam Hooch stans out there? Lemme know.

Next time: Please see me after class, Mr. Potter