Declaimer:I don't own them
Author's Notes: Umbridge like lockhart is shown as back in time, she may or may not have been brought back again during Harry's years at Hogwarts. Some parts like the speech given by Umbridge or the first class and detention description are taken from the Harry potter books directly. Keep Reviewing ^_^
Minerva had had a hard time staying with her uncle and aunt this summer. With constant worries about the war that everyone thought was a muggle war but was not, Sally's brother, the new DADA teacher and above all Albus, she had a hard time keeping her temper in check and it made life very hard. She had come close to threatening her aunt one morning when she had turned off the news at the moment they had started about the war. Her uncle had nearly blown over with rage but had kept his mouth shut as he did not want to stir Minerva any more. She had tried everything in her power, but her temper seemed to be under the very surface of her skin, ready to jump out at the drop of a hat. So, when September 1st arrived, her uncle dropped her promptly to kings cross station thankful to get rid of her at last.
She had told them that she would not be returning to them at all again as she had turned of age that summer and hence was moving out of their house. At first she had thought she would rent a flat but Poppy's parents had made her promise to move in with them even offering to adopt her legally. Minerva though touched had refused the offer though agreeing to moving in with them. The OWLS results had arrived in the summer and Minerva had passed with flying colors. She had slit it open quickly and unfolded the parchment inside.
Ordinary Wizarding Level Results
Pass Grades:
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades:
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)
Minerva Athena McGonagall has achieved:
Astronomy O
Care of Magical Creatures O
Charms O
Defense Against the Dark Arts O
Divination E
Herbology O
History of Magic O
Potions O
Transfiguration O
The journey to Hogwarts had been strangely uneventful as all of them sat brooding quietly except for the time they discussed their OWLs results.
The Entrance Hall was ablaze with torches and echoing with footsteps as the students crossed the flagged stone floor for the double doors to the right, leading to the Great Hall and the start-of-term feast. The four long house tables in the Great Hall were filling up under the starless black ceiling, which was just like the sky they could glimpse through the high windows. Candles floated in midair all along the tables, illuminating the silvery ghosts who were dotted about the Hall and the faces of the students talking eagerly, exchanging summer news, shouting greetings at friends from other houses, eyeing one another's new haircuts and robes. Again, Minerva noticed people putting their heads together to whisper about the war raging on; she gritted her teeth in frustration wishing people would stop whispering and speak up more openly. Terry and Jeff drifted away from them at the Ravenclaw table. The moment they reached Gryffindors, Minerva, Ro, Poppy and Sally found seats together about halfway down the table between Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor house ghost.
Minerva found more important things to worry about, however: she was looking over the students' heads to the staff table that ran along the top wall of the Hall. "He's not there." Ro, Sally and Poppy scanned the staff table too, though there was no real need; Albus's presence made him hard to look over by mistake. "He can't have left," said Ro, sounding slightly anxious. "Of course he hasn't," said Minerva firmly. "You don't think he's: hurt, or anything, do you?" said Poppy uneasily. "No," said Minerva at once. "But where is he, then?" There was a pause, and then Minerva said very quietly, "Maybe he's not back yet. You know - from his mission - the thing he was doing over the last year." "Yeah: yeah, that'll be it," said Ro, sounding reassured, but Poppy bit her lip as Minerva was looking up and down the staff table hoping for some conclusive explanation of Albus's absence.
"Who's that?" she said sharply, pointing towards the middle of the staff table. Ro, Sally and Poppy looked up at once, eyes following hers. They lit first upon Professor Dippet, sitting in his high-backed golden chair at the centre of the long staff table. Dippet's head was inclined towards the woman sitting next to him, who was talking into his ear. She looked, Minerva thought, like somebody's maiden aunt: squat, with short, curly, mouse-brown hair in which she had placed a horrible pink Alice band that matched the fluffy pink cardigan she wore over her robes. Then she turned her face slightly to take a sip from her goblet and she saw, with a shock of recognition, a pallid, toad like face and a pair of prominent, peachy eyes.
"It's her Umbridge!" "Who?" said Poppy. "She was the one who was against the war the most, she works for the minister of magic!" explained Minerva "Nice cardigan," said Ro, smirking. "She works for the minister!" Poppy repeated, frowning. "What on earth's she doing here, then?" Minerva scanned the staff table, her eyes narrowed. "No," she muttered, "no, surely not:" Poppy, Ro and Sally did not understand what she was talking about "What do you mean Min?" asked Ro impatiently. "Do you remember me telling you what Professor Dumbledore told me about our new DADA teacher?" she looked at her friends who nodded in assent, "I think it's her." at that moment though, the doors from the Entrance Hall opened. A long line of scared-looking first-years entered, led by Professor Dumbledore, who was carrying a stool on which sat an ancient wizard's hat, heavily patched and darned with a wide rip near the frayed brim. Minerva felt a wave of relief surge through her. He was there at school, unhurt; at least he looked all right. She let out a breath she did not know she had been holding.
The buzz of talk in the Great Hall faded away. The first-years lined up in front of the staff table facing the rest of the students, and Professor Dumbledore placed the stool carefully in front of them, and then stood back. The first-years' faces glowed palely in the candlelight. A small boy right in the middle of the row looked as though he was trembling. Minerva recalled, fleetingly, how she had been dazed by her first glimpse of Albus when she had stood there, waiting to be sorted. She blushed as she thought how much she had appreciated him even at first sight and now, well she was now even used to the fact that she loved him more dearly than she had ever felt she could. Minerva found herself smiling in months making it seem an alien expression. As she looked at him, Albus turned and caught her eye, smiling he touched the rim of his hat in greeting. Minerva smiled back at him. It felt great to be back home again, back in her school with her friends, with him.
When all the students had finished eating and the noise level in the Hall was starting to creep upwards again, Dippet got to his feet once more. Talking ceased immediately as all turned to lace the Headmaster. Minerva was feeling pleasantly drowsy now that her concern and worry had lessened a bit. "Well, now I need a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of term notices," said Dippet. "First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students." "We have a change in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome Professor Umbridge, our new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher." There was a round of polite but fairly unenthusiastic applause, during which Minerva, Sally Poppy and Ro exchanged slightly panicked looks. Dippet continued, Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the -" He broke off, looking enquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dippet had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge cleared her throat, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
Dippet only looked taken aback for a moment, and then he sat down and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair and Professor Filtwick's mouth was as ashen as Minerva had ever seen it. No new teacher had ever interrupted the headmaster before. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts. "Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome." Her voice was high-pitched, breathy and little-girlish and, again, Minerva felt a powerful rush of dislike that he could not explain to herself; all she knew was that she loathed everything about her, from her stupid voice to her fluffy pink cardigan. She gave another little throat-clearing cough ("hem, hem") and continued. "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!" Minerva glanced around. None of the faces she could see looked happy. On the contrary, they all looked rather taken-aback at being addressed as though they were five years old. "I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!" Students exchanged looks at this; some of them were barely concealing grins.
"I'll be her friend as long as I don't have to borrow that cardigan," Parvati whispered to Lavender, and both of them lapsed into silent giggles. Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again ("hem, hem"), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them. The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching." Professor Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom bowed back to her. Professor Sinstra's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawk like, and Minerva distinctly saw her exchange a significant glance with Professor Sprout as Umbridge gave another little "hem, hem" and went on with her speech. Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation:"
Ro found her attentiveness ebbing, as though her brain was slipping in and out of tune. The quiet that always filled the Hall when Dippet was speaking was breaking up as students put their heads together, whispering and giggling. Over on the Ravenclaw table Cho Chang was chatting animatedly with her friends. A few seats along from Cho, Terry had got out The Quibbler again. Meanwhile, at the Hufflepuff table Ernie Macmillan was one of the few still staring at Professor Umbridge, but he was glassy-eyed and Ro was sure he was only pretending to listen in an attempt to live up to the new prefect's badge gleaming on his chest. Professor Umbridge did not seem to notice the restlessness of her audience. Ro had the impression that a full-scale riot could have broken out under her nose and she would have ploughed on with her speech. The teachers, however, were still listening very attentively, and Minerva seemed to be drinking in every word Umbridge spoke, though, judging by her expression, they were not at all to her taste. ": because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."
She sat down. Dippet and Albus clapped. The staff followed their lead, though Minerva noticed that several of them brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dippet had stood up again. Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her. "Now, as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held:" "Yes, it certainly was illuminating," said Minerva in a low voice. "You're not telling me you enjoyed it?" Ro said quietly, turning a glazed face towards Minerva. That was about the dullest speech I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy." "I said illuminating, not enjoyable," said Minerva. "It explained a lot." "Did it?" said Poppy in surprise. "Sounded like a load of waffle to me." Commented Sally, shaking her head in disapproval at her friends behavior. There was some important stuff hidden in the waffle," said Minerva grimly. "Was there?" said Ro blankly. "How about: 'progress for progress's sake must be discouraged'? How about: 'pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited'?" "Well, what does that mean?" said Ro impatiently. "I'll tell you what it means," said Minerva through gritted teeth. "It means the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts."
There was a great clattering and banging all around them; Dippet had obviously just dismissed the school, because everyone was standing up ready to leave the Hall. Minerva jumped up, looking flustered. "Ro, I'm supposed to show the first-years where to go!" "Oh yeah," said Ro, who had obviously forgotten. "Well, alright, we'll go ahead you join us later Min." It was late when Minerva made her way up her dormitory after showing the first years about, helping the new prefects understand their duties and avoiding bumping into Umbridge. When she reached the dormitory she found Poppy, Ro and Sally waiting impatiently for her. "Min, where have you been? You are not the only prefect so you need not do all the tasks alone you know." Poppy it seemed had been worrying about her. "What did you mean when you said that the ministry was interfering at Hogwarts min?" Ro looked at her friend anxiously. Minerva sighed and stared at her friends before she started to explain.
"Ro, like I told you all Professor Dumbledore had received a formal letter of warning from the minister of magic. He had not told me though that the minister was sending up a spy here." Minerva was looking sick and agitated. "A spy Min? We have to be very careful then." Sally commented but Poppy was more aggrieved about Albus and the muggle war. "Min, that would make leaving the castle undetected impossible for Professor Dumbledore and we all know very well the muggles would have no chance without his help!" she exclaimed. "I know, that is what has been haunting me from after that speech, what will he do? And what will happen to the muggles? God knows what kind of classes she will give us." It was clear that concern for her favorite Professor was driving Minerva to the edge. "Relax Min, don't worry its Dumbledore we are talking about. He will find a way if any or make a way if not. Trust him like you always do." Ro said as she looked at her best friend with sudden concern. Minerva looked up from her brooding and smiled, Ro was right of course.
The next morning they sat at the breakfast table waiting for Professor Dumbledore to descend from the high table to hand out the timetables. Jeff and Terry had not joined them at the Gryffindor table as they were needed to receive their time tables at the Ravenclaw table with the rest of their classmates. The distribution of class schedules was more complicated than usual this year, for Professor Dumbledore needed first to confirm that everybody had achieved the necessary O.W.L. grades to continue with their chosen N.E.W.T.s. Poppy was immediately cleared to continue with Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Potions, and shot off to a first period Ancient Runes class without further ado. Ro took a little longer to sort out; her sharp face was anxious as Professor Dumbledore looked down her application and then consulted her O.W.L results.
"Herbology, fine," he said. "Professor Sprout will be delighted to see you back with an 'Outstanding' O.W.L. And you qualify for Defense Against the Dark Arts with 'Exceeds Expectations.' But the problem is Transfiguration. I'm sorry, Ro, but an 'Acceptable' really isn't good enough to continue to N.E.W.T. level. Just don't think you'd be able to cope with the coursework." He looked at another of his preferred students, a little sad himself. Ro hung her head. Professor Dumbledore peered at her from above his half moon glasses. "Why do you want to continue with Transfiguration, anyway? I've never had the impression that you particularly enjoyed it except Minerva and my company in the class if I may say so." Ro looked miserable and muttered "you have almost become like my friend, I didn't want to give up your class." "Humph," snorted Professor Dumbledore. "It's not needed Ro, we will be friends regardless of whether you take my classes or not. You are one of the better people I have met and I do not need you in my classes to share correspondence. Visit me in the office anytime you please." Ro turned very pink and blinked confusedly; Professor Dumbledore had never called her his friend even though he always called her Ro in private and acted friendly. "I'm sorry, Ro, but I cannot let you into my N.E.W.T. class. I see that you have an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Charm however - why not try for a N.E.W.T. in Charms?" "Wow that would be great!" mumbled Ro. "Take Charms," said Professor Dumbledore, "and I assure you your friends won't run away." Smiling slightly and winking at the look on Ro's face, Professor Dumbledore tapped a blank schedule with the tip of his wand and handed it, now carrying details of her new classes, to Ro.
Professor Dumbledore turned next to Parvati Patil, whose first question was whether Firenze, the handsome centaur, was still teaching Divination. "He and Professor Trelawney are dividing classes between them this year," said Professor Dumbledore, a hint of disapproval in his voice; he did not think the handsomeness of the teacher had anything to do with the subject taught. "The sixth year is being taken by Professor Trelawney." Parvati set off for Divination five minutes later looking slightly crestfallen. "So, Minerva, Minerva . . ." said Professor Dumbledore, consulting his notes as he turned to Minerva and smiled. "Charms, Defense against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration ... all fine. I must say, I was very proud when I got your result, Minerva, very pleased. Now, why haven't you applied to continue with Potions? I thought it was you were pretty good in the subject?" "It was, but well you know very well that Professor Slughorn has been trying to collect me for ages. I really don't think I can put up with it any longer Albus." "And so you decided to give it up tabby? I hardly expected that from you. You will continue to take potions." He said leaving no space for argument and looking very stern. Minerva looked at him ruefully already dreading the class. "Yes," said Minerva, "but I didn't buy the books or any ingredients or anything-" "I'm sure Professor Slughorn will be able to lend you some," said Professor Dumbledore sounding a little towards his edge. Minerva quieted down at once; she knew Albus did not entertain slugging when it came to her future. "Very well, tabby, here is your schedule." Handing it to her he left without another backward glance. Minerva sighed; she had a lot of explaining to do.
As Minerva made her way out of the hall, her friends joined her. "What ever happened to you Minerva? You look as though you lost your favorite book" remarked Terry who had joined the four girls now along with Jeff. "I got a telling to from Professor Dumbledore" Minerva said looking miserable. "I told you giving up potions were not a good idea. You have to agree Min; it is one of the most important subjects. How did you expect Professor Dumbledore would let you get away with quitting it I can't understand" said Poppy who had reminded her of the importance of potions every living minute they had spent together. Minerva dropped her head in resignation, she would have to see Albus and explain. Of course that meant another scolding but she would rather he scolded her than ignore her like he had at the end of their discussion. Although Minerva had got a great control over her feelings for Albus, the idea of him not speaking to her was worse than death.
When they entered the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom they found Professor Umbridge already seated at the teacher's desk, wearing the fluffy pink cardigan of the night before and the black velvet bow on top of her head. Ro was again reminded forcibly of a large fly perched unwisely on top of an even larger toad. The class was quiet as it entered the room; Professor Umbridge was, as yet, an unknown quantity and nobody knew how strict a disciplinarian she was likely to be. "Well, good afternoon!" she said, when finally the whole class had sat down. A few people mumbled "good afternoon" in reply. Tut, tut," said Professor Umbridge. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge". One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!" "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted back at her. "There, now," said Professor Umbridge sweetly. That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please."
Many of the class exchanged gloomy looks; the order "wands away" had never yet been followed by a lesson they had found interesting. Minerva shoved her wand back inside her robes and pulled out quill, ink and parchment. Professor Umbridge opened her handbag, extracted her own wand, which was an unusually short one, and tapped the blackboard sharply with it; words appeared on the board at once:
Defense Against the Dark Arts, A Return to Basic Principles "Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, turning to face the class with her hands clasped neatly in front of her. The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your NEWTS year. "You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory-centered, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year. Copy down the following, please."
She rapped the blackboard again; the first message vanished and was replaced by the "Course Aims".
. Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic.
. Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.
. Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.
For a couple of minutes the room was full of the sound of scratching quills on parchment. When everyone had copied down Professor Umbridge's three course aims she asked, "Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" There was a dull murmur of assent throughout the class. "I think we'll try that again," said Professor Umbridge. "When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply, "Yes, Professor Umbridge", or "No, Professor Umbridge". So: has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" "Yes, Professor Umbridge," rang through the room. "Good," said Professor Umbridge. "I should like you to turn to page five and read "Chapter One, Basics for Beginners".
"There will be no need to talk." Professor Umbridge left the blackboard and settled herself in the chair behind the teacher's desk, observing them all closely with those peachy toad's eyes. Ro turned to page five of her copy of Defensive Magical Theory and started to read. It was desperately dull, quite as bad as listening to Professor Binns. She felt her concentration sliding away from her; she had soon read the same line half a dozen times without taking in more than the first few words. Several silent minutes passed. Next to her, Sally was absent-mindedly turning her quill over and over in her fingers, staring at the same spot on the page. Ro looked right and received a surprise to shake her out of her torpor. Minerva had not even opened her copy of Defensive Magical Theory. She was staring fixedly at Professor Umbridge with her hand in the air. Ro could not remember Minerva ever neglecting to read when instructed to, or indeed resisting the temptation to open any book that came under her nose. She looked at her enquiringly, but she merely shook her head slightly to indicate that she was not about to answer questions, and continued to stare at Professor Umbridge, who was looking just as resolutely in another direction.
After several more minutes had passed, however, Ro was not the only one watching Minerva. The chapter they had been instructed to read was so tedious that more and more people were choosing to watch Minerva's mute attempt to catch Professor Umbridge's eye rather than struggle on with "Basics for Beginners". When more than half the class was staring at Minerva rather than at their books, Professor Umbridge seemed to decide that she could ignore the situation no longer. "Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?" she asked Minerva, as though she had only just noticed her. "Not about the chapter, no," said Minerva. "Well, we're reading just now," said Professor Umbridge, showing her small pointed teeth. "If you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of class." "I've got a query about your course aims," said Minerva. Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows. "And your name is?" "Minerva McGonagall," said Minerva. "Well, Miss McGonagall, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully" said Professor Umbridge in a voice of determined sweetness. "Well, I don't," said Minerva bluntly. There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."
There was a short silence in which many members of the class turned their heads to frown at the three course aims still written on the blackboard. "Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a little laugh. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss McGonagall. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?" "We're not going to use magic?" Ro exclaimed loudly. "Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Miss-?" "Hooch," said Ro, thrusting her hand into the air. Professor Umbridge, smiling still more widely, turned her back on her. Poppy and Minerva immediately raised their hands too. Professor Umbridge's peachy eyes lingered on Minerva for a moment before she addressed her. "Yes, Miss McGonagall? You wanted to ask something else?" "Yes," said Minerva. "Surely the whole point of Defense against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" "Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss McGonagall?" asked Professor Umbridge, in her falsely sweet voice. "No, but -" "Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the "whole point" of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way-" "What use is that?" said Minerva loudly. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be in a -" "Hand, Miss McGonagall!" sang Professor Umbridge.
Minerva thrust her fist in the air. Again, Professor Umbridge promptly turned away from her, but now several other people had their hands up, too. "And your name is?" Professor Umbridge said to Terry. "Terry Boots." "Well, Mr. Boots?" "Well, it's like Minerva said, isn't it?" said Terry. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk free." "I repeat," said Professor Umbridge, smiling in a very irritating fashion at Terry, "do you expect to be attacked during my classes?" "No, but -" Professor Umbridge talked over him. "I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school," she said, an unconvincing smile stretching her wide mouth, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed - not to mention," she gave a nasty little laugh, "other classes were worse." "If you mean Professor Dumbledore," piped up Terry angrily, "he is, was and always will be the best we ever -" "Hand, Mr. Boots! As I was saying - you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day -"
"No we haven't," Poppy said, "we just -" "Your hand is not up, Miss-" "Pomfrey" said Poppy. "Yes, Miss. Pomfrey" completed Umbridge. Poppy put up her hand. Professor Umbridge turned away from her. "Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about. And your name is?" she added, staring at Parvati, whose hand had just shot up. "Parvati Patil, and isn't there a practical bit in our Defense against the Dark Arts NEWTS? Aren't we supposed to show that we can actually do the counter-curses and things?" "As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions," said Professor Umbridge dismissively. "Without ever practicing them beforehand?" said Parvati incredulously. "Are you telling us that the first time we'll get to do the spells will be during our exam?" "I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough -" "And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" said Minerva loudly, her fist in the air again.
Professor Umbridge looked up. "This is school, Miss McGonagall, not the real world," she said softly. "So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting for us out there?" There is nothing waiting out there, Miss McGonagall." "Oh, yeah?" said Minerva. Her temper, which seemed to have been bubbling just beneath the surface all day, was reaching boiling point. "Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" enquired Professor Umbridge in a horribly honeyed voice. "Hmm, let's think:" said Minerva in a mock thoughtful voice. "Maybe: the war is invisible to students isn't it?" Ro gasped. Professor Umbridge, however, did not flinch. She was staring at Minerva with a grimly satisfied expression on her face. Ten points from Gryffindor, Miss McGonagall." The classroom was silent and still. Everyone was staring at either Umbridge or Minerva. "Now, let me make a few things quite plain."
Professor Umbridge stood up and leaned towards them, her stubby-fingered hands splayed on her desk. "You have been too involved in a war some people would have you believe is ours." "It is ours," said Minerva angrily, "Miss-McGonagall-you-have-already-lost-your-house- ten-points-do-not-make-matters-worse-for-yourself, " said Professor Umbridge in one breath without looking at her. "As I was saying, you have been too involved in pursuing information about a war some people would have you believe is ours. This is a lie."It is NOT a lie!" said Minerva. "Detention, Miss McGonagall!" said Professor Umbridge triumphantly. Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock. My office. I repeat, this is a lie. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any wizarding war. If you are still worried, by all means come and see me outside class hours. If someone is alarming you with fibs about the war, I would like to hear about it. I am here to help. I am your friend. And now, you will kindly continue your reading. Page five, "Basics for Beginners"."
Professor Umbridge sat down behind her desk. Minerva, however, stood up. Everyone was staring at her; Terry looked half-scared, half-fascinated. "Minerva, no!" Poppy whispered in a warning voice, tugging at her sleeve, but Minerva jerked her arm out of her reach. "So, according to you, the muggle war that has been raging on for these many years is only that? A muggle war?" Minerva asked, her voice shaking. There was a collective intake of breath from the class, for none of them, apart from Ro, Sally and Poppy, had ever heard Minerva talk about the war openly. They stared avidly from Minerva to Professor Umbridge, who had raised her eyes and was staring at her without a trace of a fake smile on her face. "The length of the muggle war is tragic but it still remains a muggle war," she said coldly. "It is not. It is a wizarding war, our war," said Minerva. She could feel herself shaking. She had hardly spoken to anyone about this, least of all thirty eagerly listening classmates. "You know it as do I." Professor Umbridge's face was quite blank. For a moment, Minerva thought she was going to scream at her. Then she said, in her softest, most sweetly girlish voice, "Come here, Miss McGonagall, dear."
Minerva flinched at being called dear by her. She kicked his chair aside, strode around Ro, Sally and Poppy and up to the teacher's desk. She could feel the rest of the class holding its breath. She felt so angry she did not care what happened next. Professor Umbridge pulled a small roll of pink parchment out of her handbag, stretched it out on the desk, dipped her quill into a bottle of ink and started scribbling, hunched over so that Minerva could not see what she was writing. Nobody spoke. After a minute or so she rolled up the parchment and tapped it with her wand; it sealed itself seamlessly so that she could not open it. "Take this to Professor Dumbledore, dear," said Professor Umbridge, holding out the note to her. She took it from her without saying a word, turned on her heel and left the room, not even looking back at Ro, Sally, Jeff, Terry and Poppy, slamming the classroom door shut behind her. She walked very fast along the corridor, the note to Dumbledore clutched tight in her hand, and turning a corner walked slap into Peeves the poltergeist, a wide-mouthed little man floating on his back in midair, juggling several inkwells. "Why it's a student!" cackled Peeves, allowing two of the inkwells to fall to the ground where they smashed and spattered the walls with ink; Minerva jumped backwards out of the way with a snarl. "Get out of it, Peeves."
Minerva walked briskly to Dumbledore's office and knocked. The door opened up to her revealing Albus looking grim and slightly harassed. "Why aren't you in class Minerva?" he asked looking at her quizzically. "I've been sent to see you," said Minerva stiffly. "Sent? What do you mean, sent?" She held out the note from Professor Umbridge. Professor Dumbledore took it from her, frowning, slit it open with a tap of his wand, stretched it out and began to read. His eyes zoomed from side to side behind their half moon spectacles as he read what Umbridge had written, and with each line they became narrower. "Come in here, tabby." He followed her inside into his study. The door closed automatically behind him. "Well?" said Albus, rounding on her. "Is this true?" "Is what true?" Minerva asked, rather more aggressively than she had intended. "Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?" "Yes," said Minerva. "You called her a liar?" "Yes." "You told her that the war raging is a wizarding war?""Yes." Albus sat down behind his desk, watching Minerva closely. Then he said, "Have a chocolate frog, tabby." "Have - what?" "Have a chocolate," he repeated impatiently, indicating one lying on top of one of the piles of papers on his desk. "And sit down."
She sank into her usual chair opposite him and helped herself to the chocolate frog offered, feeling just confused. Albus set down Professor Umbridge's note and looked very seriously at Minerva. "Minerva, you need to be careful." Minerva swallowed her mouthful of chocolate and stared at him. His tone of voice was not at all what he was used to; it was not soft and caring but brisk, crisp and stern; it was low and anxious and somehow even more authoritative than usual. "Misbehavior in Dolores Umbridge's class could cost you much more than house points and a detention Minerva." "What do you -?" "Minerva, use your common sense," snapped Albus, with an abrupt removal completely from his usual manner. "You know where she comes from, you must know to whom she is reporting." The bell rang for the end of the lesson. Overhead and all around came the elephantine sounds of hundreds of students on the move. "It says here she's given you detention every evening this week, starting tomorrow," Albus said, looking down at Umbridge's note again. "Every evening this week!" Minerva repeated, horrified. "I am sorry tabby" he replied returning to his previous manner and looking very worn out all of a sudden "I am really helpless. I am already having a hard time tabby, if you get punished due to me it is all I could do to keep myself from openly revolting."
Minerva dropped her head understanding the depths of his words. "She is your teacher and has every right to give you detention. You will go to her room at five o'clock tomorrow for the first one. Just remember: tread carefully around Dolores Umbridge." "But I was telling the truth!" said Minerva meekly. "The war is ours, you are doing the right thing-""For heaven's sake, tabby!" said Albus, straightening his glasses sounding exasperated "not everyone in the world goes about worshiping me like you think. Many people do not believe me at the moment, the minister of magic included. Your open show of affection for me could land you in trouble my dear, and if it does, I-"he sighed not willing to think what he would do. Minerva peeked at him not lifting her head yet, but the amount of emotions in his words had taken her breath away. Nodding mutely she left not speaking another word.
Dinner in the Great Hall that night was not a pleasant experience for Minerva. The news about her shouting match with Umbridge had travelled exceptionally fast even by Hogwarts' standards. She heard whispers all around her as she sat eating between Ro, Sally and Poppy. Minerva had not spoken to anyone at all after her meeting with Albus and as the day was commencing, it was getting harder for her friends to keep their patience. Deciding suddenly that she did not want Minerva to lapse into one of her states like the second year Ro cleared her throat and addressed her stubborn friend sternly, "Min, if you are so very effected by your told with Dumbledore, for God's sake speak about it to him, you have been friends for so long and you can't go about hanging your face whenever he says something that is not exactly to your liking." "He did not say anything against my liking Ro, but I never thought me getting punished would affect him so badly. He was so…" "Dumbledore," said Ro Minerva looked up at her friend, "he is always caring for you Min, if you are blind that does not mean he was doing anything different. He was being just Dumbledore, what he usually is. The problem it seems is that you noticed that the first time. So, talk to him and stop brooding.
Minerva made her way to Dumbledore's office once again after dinner. She had a lot of explaining to do- her behavior in class, her dropping potions. She reeled at the thought, but having made up her mind tapped tentatively on the door. "Come in tabby" ,came a call from the other side of the door. Startled, Minerva pushed open the door to find Albus reclining in his couch. "How did you-" "Only you tap that way tabby- two knocks pause two knocks and over that I knew Ro would push some sense into your head over dinner" he chuckled. Minerva turned a deep shade of crimson- he had noticed how she knocked, although she knew it was nothing she could not stop herself from feeling elated. Smiling at him, she took her usual seat. "Albus, I am really sorry, for two reasons, first giving up potions, I should have known better than running away and I really feel ashamed when I think of it now, second for my behavior in the class which although I still think she deserved, I did not want to cause you trouble. I will really try to keep out of her way and out of trouble but Albus, I will not be able to tolerate if she insults you, in which case I am asking your forgiveness from beforehand for being rash and illogical." Having addressed her whole speech at his shoes, she peeked at him once more.
Albus was looking at her a smile gracing his lips, his eyes though were misty. "Tabby, I really-"he gulped once as though to swallow back his tears "-I really appreciate your respect for me and I will understand if you are unable to keep your temper in certain circumstances. But you must exercise caution otherwise and both your apologies are accepted." He then chuckled once before adding, "Do you find my shoes that very interesting my dear?" Minerva looked up at him at once to see him grinning impishly. Shaking her head she smiled back. She felt much better now that she had talked to him and felt she could maintain her temper better as well. "Albus, I also wanted to ask you something. You know very well that the war is real and very close to home." He nodded peering at her looking interested. So, she continued, "I was thinking about our lesson plans in DADA. There is no space for practical defensive magic. With your permission I would like to reform our earlier study group and train them in more practical defense than just reading books." She looked at him expectantly.
Albus seemed immersed in thoughts. After one whole minute he looked up at her. "Tabby, for now I do not have any problem with your reforming the study group although I do not know how long you will be able to continue. I wish I had more students like you in my other years so that I did not have to worry about their safety either. Tabby, could you allow a few juniors as well as seniors in your group on my request? Everyone deserves a chance at protecting themselves, at least learning to as long as they have the chance." Minerva smiled widely at him "What would I not do for you Albus," she said it dramatically but in her heart she knew it was the biggest truth she had told him ever. He smiled back at her "Then I will thank you in advance. Goodnight tabby." Minerva's smile never faltered as she got up and left his office now feeling better than ever after having made her apologies and finding solutions to problems that had been plaguing her.
Minerva made her way to Umbridge's office feeling much more relaxed. When she entered the rooms there were several vases full of dried flowers, each one residing on its own doily, and on one of the walls was a collection of ornamental plates, each decorated with a large Technicolor kitten wearing a different bow around its neck. These were so foul that Minerva stared at them, transfixed, until Professor Umbridge spoke again. "Good evening, Miss McGonagall." Minerva started and looked around. She had not noticed her at first because she was wearing a luridly flowered set of robes that blended only too well with the tablecloth on the desk behind her. "Evening, Professor Umbridge," Minerva said stiffly. Their detention began, Umbridge told her to polish every visible ornament in her room without magic. Minerva set to work controlling her urge to smile; the toad did not know that she was an expert at wand less magic. Rather, her wand less magic was almost as good as her wand based magic if not better. Soon to the surprise of Umbridge, Minerva had polished everything. Not having any new excuse to torment her she let her return to the dormitory.
Her friends it seemed had not been expecting her so early as they looked up startled as she entered. Placing her bag on the floor, Minerva sank into a comfortable chair and spoke after a small sigh. "I have decided to reform our study group, this time for practical DADA. What do you think? And well, inform anyone you think is trustworthy and tell them to feel free to join us." Minerva's idea about the study group had found more support than she had even dreamed of. When she had entered the Quidditch stadium where Ro had suggested they meet so as not to attract attention, she had been startled to see almost the whole school there from the juniors to the seniors minus most of the Slytherins. Her jaw dropped in amazement. "Everyone seems to have heard about your dueling sessions with Dumbledore though nothing more" Ro informed her in a whisper. "Also, most of them know about the confrontation between you and Lockhart" Poppy informed her. Nodding Minerva turned to the group she had formed. She sighed heavily; it was almost going to be like teaching a class.
The term seemed to fly by after that. Minerva had avoided any further confrontation with Umbridge as she had promised Albus. The study group had been scheduled to meet thrice every week for each class. It had been a hard task for Minerva to accommodate teaching time for so many classes in her schedule. She had even requested the seventh years to teach each other but they had been very adamant. So, giving in at last Minerva let everyone know that they would meet year wise and practice DADA in accordance to the course. Minerva had managed to keep only the Thursday nights free which she had adamantly refused to give to any class as it was a day when she and Albus had their ritual of chess matches. All in all the term was a very busy one even for Minerva's taste. Studying for herself teaching almost the whole school, coping with Umbridge she was surprised she was still sane. Albus had been more than happy with her study group, elated actually. "I can at last rest in peace that my students are safe" he had said one night while playing chess. Minerva shook her head at the one man who had kept her sane through all this turmoil smiling.
It was almost mid February when trouble broke out. Minerva had been having her astronomy classes with her friends when they heard a commotion from the grounds. Taking her eyes off her telescope, Ro glanced at the grounds once and blanched at once. Minerva felt her arm being gripped tightly by Ro and abandoned her telescope to look at her. "Look Min, look at the ground, headmaster and Dumbledore…" she squeaked out struggling for her breath. Wasting not another second Minerva trained her telescope on the grounds below the tower. Dippet and Dumbledore were surrounded by about twenty men, Umbridge at their head. Dippet was holding out his wand but Dumbledore seemed to have left his own wand behind. The men surrounding them started firing curses at the two of them; Dippet tried to dodge and was soon hit by two stunning spells at a time, he slumped to the ground unconscious, his wand flying from his hand. Minerva let out an audible gasp. Albus was now standing without a wand defending himself and the unconscious headmaster from the flying curses.
The astronomy teacher it seemed had joined their vigil at the window and was almost screaming with indignation. Minerva grasped the arms of her friends and pulled them away from the window. "Ro," she started, "what did Olivander say about your wand? Is it yielding to other witches and wizards?" seeing her nod she continued "Now, I want you to concentrate fully on your wand and think how you want it to work for me in the duel. I am joining Dumbledore down there he obviously needs help and a wand. I will give mine to him, but I will need yours Ro" she said to her staring friends. Ro nodded meekly and closed her eyes in concentration. Minerva started firing instructions to the rest of her friends. "You, Poppy and Sally, aim at Dumbledore and cast a shield each encircling him. When I fire red sparks from my wand, only then let them drop, clear?" the two girls nodded at once and went to the window again pulling out their wands. Minerva turned to the boys now. "Jeff you and Terry steady me when I jump from the tower" she turned from them as Ro pulled at her sleeve. Handing Minerva her own wand, Ro looked at her friend with concern, "I asked my wand to work for you at its best even better than what it does for me Min. I hope you will be safe."
Minerva nodded mutely and made for the window followed by Jeff and Terry who were looking white as ghosts but very determined. Sighing, Minerva heaved herself onto the window sill and nodding at her friends jumped. "Arestro momento" Jeff and Terry shouted together. Minerva felt her fall break and she landed softly on the grass. Looking up she surveyed the ground. The people on the attack were still firing curses but Dumbledore was enclosed in a cocoon of white light from the shields cast by Sally and Poppy. Never more thankful for her knowledge of muggle gymnastics, Minerva steadied herself before she started to cartwheel in Albus's direction. Within seconds she was behind him. Standing upright she stood back to back with him at once and felt him jump. "Albus, it's me" she called to him over the roaring of the curses that bounded off the shields now encasing both of them. "MINERVA WHAT THE DEVIL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING HERE!" he shouted at the top of his voice. Minerva blanched at his tone but kept her cool, "Helping you of course, here take this" she said thrusting her wand at him, "It will work fine for you I think, its mine. I have Ro's wand. When I give the signal my friends will drop this shield, I will take the headmaster to safety and return later to help you" she said. "How will you take him? The castle is protected from apparition, forgot?" his voice was still snappish. "I have a plan, and please don't snap at me Albus, if you had not left your wand behind, these men would have been down by now and I would not have needed to intervene. Now, on the count of three" she cautioned him and pointed her wand at the sky. Swallowing the bile rising in her throat she cried "Nox" a jet of red light sprang from the tip of Ro's wand. The shields went down at once and the fight began.
Minerva started towards the unconscious headmaster firing curses and conjuring shields as the situation called. When she reached him she bent over him and found blood oozing from his mouth. Making her decision she called, "faux" in a blast of fire the phoenix appeared in front of her. Minerva had grown very close to the bird in the past years and the idea had made itself clear in her head as soon as she had thought of a way for getaway. "Faux, we need to go to St. Mugos immediately, will you take us please?" she asked not knowing what to expect. Faux turned round and to her amazement Minerva found the tail feathers of the phoenix glowing. Bending low over Dippet, she grabbed him with one hand and faux's tail in her other hand. One moment she felt a warmth surge through her and the next she was standing in the reception of St. Mugos. Gathering herself together she walked straight over to the help desk levitating the unconscious headmaster behind her. One look at who she was escorting and the healers set to work faster than she had ever seen humans react.
After seeing to it that the headmaster was safe, she turned to faux again. At once the tail feathers started glowing. Throwing a last look at Dippet, she grabbed them. Within moments she was standing in exactly the same spot from where she had left. Quickly she surveyed the battle field. The toad it seemed had fled; Albus was still fighting with her wand which seemed to be working for him as good as it did for her. Suddenly she saw something that made her heart stop. One man, who had been sent flying back by Albus, got to his feet and fired a jet of green light at him. Minerva did not need to hear the incantations to know the spell it was; it was the worst unforgivable and it was aimed at Albus. Forgetting everything else she ran towards him as he was standing with his back to the curse. She grabbed him by the shoulders, turning him; but her momentum had been too much and the two of them toppled over rolling off on the ground. Quick as a lightning Minerva cast a stunner at the attacker as soon as they had stopped rolling and pulled up a shield with her hand.
When she glanced down she was surprised at how close to Albus she was lying. He was staring at her looking aghast. "A killing curse" she explained shortly getting up and helping him up as well. The two of them stood back to back once more, Albus having taken his inspiration from Minerva had a shield drawn in his wand free hand as well. Within minutes the remaining men were lying either unconscious or dead on the ground. The two of them pulled down their shields as Ro, Poppy, Sally, Jeff and Terry came rushing down the ground and embraced them both forgetting for a moment and giving up all their inhibitions at Dumbledore being their teacher. They loved him as much as they loved their friend and could not have been more thankful. "Ouch!" the cry left Minerva's mouth before she could stop it. Albus had grabbed her hand and turned her round roughly which had made her head reel. Not caring about her cry Albus looked like he could have burst with the rage boiling within him.
"Into my office" he ordered in a low voice but the chill emanating from it was beyond terrifying. Minerva turned and nodded at her friends who understanding went away at once as she started to walk with Albus or rather followed him. Once inside the office Albus did nothing to hold back his temper. "So, just because I left behind my wand you thought it necessary to endanger your life? What if something happened to you, did you even stop to think how I would feel? What did you think you were doing, jumping at me when a killing curse was aimed? You could easily have called. Was it some kind of attempt at showing your prowess at dueling?" he shouted at her.
Minerva felt numb as the last of the words slipped from his tongue. She had just been worried for him and had not even given a thought as to what it might do to her at that moment. That time she had only one thing in mind, if one person was to come back alive, it must be him. Now hearing those harsh words from him, tears sprang to her eyes which she blinked back furiously. "I did not care about my life at that moment nor was I in the condition to think properly at that time. I jumped to move you from the killing curse not to take it myself" she replied speaking in a dull monotone. Not looking up at her professor once. Albus stepped forward suddenly and embraced her "I am sorry my dear tabby, I am very very sorry. I was just shaken at the great risk your life had been in, I did not even think before I spoke, please forgive me, please" he crooned to her holding her tightly to himself. Forgetting the chill that had descended on her moments back, Minerva raised her hands and encircled Albus in them, returning his embrace in full measure. It could not have mattered less what he said; he was safe and it was all she cared about. Moments later she felt his hold on her loosen and she reluctantly let her hands drop to her sides. Nodding silently to him she made her way back to her dormitory not taking her eyes off his all the while till she was out of the door.
When Minerva reached the dormitory, she was engulfed at once in a bone crushing embrace by her friends. Jeff and Terry were present in the Gryffindor common room as well which was filled with students. When Minerva was released by her friends who had inspected her thoroughly for any sign of damage, she was stunned to find all her students there. The news it seemed had flown through the school. Everyone took their turn at expressing their concern and it was nearly two o'clock when they left. Drooping with exhaustion Minerva slumped onto her bed and was asleep at once still fully dressed. Albus sat staring at the fire in his room. The white hot terror that had raced through him when he had found her fighting with him was hard to get rid of. The evening came back to his mind again and again, how she had jumped to his help, how he had instinctively embraced her when she had been hurt by his words, how she had returned his embrace and held his eyes till she left. Albus, to his dismay found himself reliving the embrace again and again. He banged his fist onto his head in frustration. She was his student and she trusted him so blindly, how could he think of her like that? How could he even let the thought form; he seethed with anger at himself as he slouched on his bed falling asleep as his body gave in to its exhaustion.
The months after the attack flew away in a furry of activities. Umbridge was removed as soon as the attack was revealed; Dumbledore's warning had been removed as well when Dippet had told the minister that Albus being his employee was within his power, not the ministers. Dippet had returned from the hospital, a changed man. He had called over both Albus and Minerva to his office. First he had apologized profusely at his behavior towards Albus from the previous year and then thanked both of them for risking their lives to thank him. Minerva had opened her mouth to tell him that she would have done anything for Albus, but Albus had caught her hand and squeezed it so she had left the office thanking the headmaster for his kind words. Now, as they walked down from the office, Albus looked at Minerva and said, "You do not have to go about telling anyone and everyone about your loyalties to me tabby. The headmaster though benign would not respect the thought that you cared for him only to save me" he chuckled at her furious expression. "I am looking forward to having you back for a calmer year next year" he said as he stood waving to Minerva as she left for the holidays.