"Honestly, Professor McGonnagall, at this point, literally anyone would be better than Umbridge. I'm not even going to call her Professor because she's not worth it!" said Hermione Granger angrily.
Minerva McGonagall sighed. That - that - absolute - oh, she didn't even have words for the annoying pink mosquito anymore. "I quite agree, Miss Granger," she said calmly. "And frankly, I've had rather enough. I will take it up with Professor Dumbledore."
Later that day, as she climbed up the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's office, she sighed again. This problem really was getting out of hand. Several times, she herself had wanted to change into a cat and attack that miserable excuse for a teacher. She couldn't believe that Dolores Umbridge liked cats. Minerva was utterly disgusted. She'd give that pink toad the fright of her life. What was it that Hermione Granger had said to Draco Malfoy? Oh yes. It was 'You foul loathsome, evil little cockroach!'. The girl really had a proclivity for insults. Whether that was good or bad…She was pulled out of her thoughts as she reached the landing to Dumbldore's office. She raised the knocker and knocked twice.
"Enter," came Dumbledore's calm voice.
Professor McGonagall's voice was anything but calm. "EXPLAIN THIS! I had visits from six prefects, twelve students and even three teachers. I have a petition from one hundred students!"
"What for?" asked Dumbledore.
"YOU KNOW WHAT FOR! UMBRIDGE! THAT FOUL, LOATHSOME, EVIL LITTLE COCKROACH!" she exploded. "She's a horrible teacher, gives out unfair detentions, takes even more points than Severus, and she LIKES CATS! The worst possible combination! You have to do something, Albus!"
He sighed deeply. "Yes, I have gotten several complaints as well. But the thing is, we don't have any more Defense teachers. Remus is out on a mission. Sirius would be well qualified, but as he's the most wanted criminal by the Ministry at the moment, it wouldn't be such a good choice. Most of the others who are even decent at defense are Aurors at the Ministry. Or Death Eaters. You know, I think that Bellatrix Lestrange or Regulus Black would've actually been good teachers if they hadn't gone over to the Dark Side."
The transfiguration teacher could only agree, at this point. "Well, let me know if you find someone." She walked out. "See you at dinner, Albus."
"You too, Minerva."
Unknown to them, a small drone with a mic was following her around.
Ten minutes previously, the same conversation was being heard outside the Headmaster's office. The speaker of the mic was in the Room of Requirement. Gathered around it were seven Gryffindors and a Ravenclaw.
Suddenly, a bout of shouting erupted out of it. 'THAT FOUL, LOATHSOME, EVIL LITTLE COCKROACH!' Hermione went red. Everyone else burst out laughing, but Harry and Ron were laughing the most. When it had already been a whole minute, everyone looked at them.
"Sorry," spluttered Harry.
"It's just that-" Ron was overtaken by a fit of giggles.
"-Hermione said the same thing to Malfoy-" said Harry, snorting.
"-in third year!" finished Ron. Everyone burst out laughing again.
"Okay, guys, let's hear the rest of the conversation," interrupted Hermione. Silence fell once more. They all listened to Dumbledore's reasoning for the lack of DADA teachers. As soon as their transfiguration professor left the office, they turned off the drone and the speaker. They were all deep in thought.
Ginny was the first to break the silence. "I wonder what Remus is doing. Do you think it's got something to do with werewolves?"
"Yes, I rather think so too," Hermione.
"We overheard something about Remus 'undercover' on the old Extendables," said Fred.
"Professor McGonagall said that Bellatrix Lestrange, of all people, would make a good Defense teacher!" said Neville.
"Do you think it's something to do with their pasts? I think that understanding the backgrounds of our enemies can be highly beneficial," said Luna softly.
"I wonder who Regulus Black is," said Ron curiously.
"We could ask Sirius," said George. "He would probably know."
And the eight curious Hogwarts students split up and went back to their common rooms.