Chapter 4- Professor Umbridge
The next morning Harry woke to Seamus getting dressed at top speed and had left the dormitory before Harry could even pull his socks on
"Thinks he'll become a nutter if he stays in the same room as me" Harry said
"Don't worry about it" Dean muttered "He's just" but Dean failed to finish his sentence as he also finished getting dressed and left the room. Harry, Ron and Neville put on the rest of their uniform and made their way down the stairs in tense silence.
"What's the matter?" Hermione asked, trying to catch up to them as they made their way across the common room. She had been staring at Fred and Georges sign advertising their new joke products and she did not seem to pleased if her flustered expression was anything to go by
"Seamus is being a git, causing a row in the dorms. He believes the Prophet" Said Ron a touch of anger seeping into his voice
"Oh. Did you see the sign" Hermione said, quickly changing the topic of conversation. Ron nodded
"We have to talk to them Ron!" Hermione said
"Why"
"Because we're Prefects!" Hermione said as they climbed through the portrait hole. "It's up to us to stop this kind of thing." Ron said nothing, just looked glum at the thought of dealing with Fred and George as they continued their way done the corridor
"Anyway, how was your night?" Harry asked
"Not great, Lavender had a similar reaction as Seamus." Hermione replied
"Been having a nice little chat with her about whether or not i'm a lying, attention-seeking prat, have you?" Harry said loudly
"No" Hermione said calmly "I told her to keep her big fat mouth shut about you, actually. And it would be nice if you stopped jumping down our throats, Harry in case you havent noticed Ron and I are on your side." Harry was still irritated, he glanced at Ron from the corner of his eye and noticed he was slowly nodding his head in agreement
"Sorry" Harry said meekly
"That's quite alright" said Hermione with dignity "Dumbledore was right, we must stand together. It's already the start of the year and we're already fighting, amongst ourselves. The sorting hat said the same thing. Stand together, be united-"
"And Harry got it right last night," Retorted Ron "Fat chance"
They had reached the foot of the marble staircase. A line of fourth-year Ravenclaws was crossing the Entrance hall, they caught sight of Harry and hurried to form a tighter group as if they were frightened he might reach out and strangle one of them
"Yeah Ron, we're meant to be making friends with people like that" Harry said sarcastically. They followed the Ravenclaws into the great hall and instinctively looked at the staff table. No Hagrid. They took their seats and began to chat amongst themselves until, a tall black girl with long braided hair had marched up to Harry
"Hi, Angelina"
"Hi" she said briskly "good summer?" before he could utter his reply she continued "Listen i've been made quidditch captain"
"Nice one" said Harry grinning at her, he had a feeling Angelina's pep talks wouldn't last as long as Olivers
"Yeah, well we need a new Keeper now Oliver is gone. Tryouts are on Friday at five o'clock and i want the whole team there so we can see how the new person will fit in"
"Ok" Harry replied, Angelina smiled and quickly departed back to the end of the table joining the Weasley twins
"I had forgotten wood had left" said Hermione vaguely as she pulled a plate of toast towards her "i suppose that will make quite a difference to the team?"
"I s'pose" Said Harry putting an egg on his plate "He was a good Keeper"
"Still can't hurt to have some new blood, could it?" Ron asked, Harry made to reply but a sudden whoosh cut him off and made its way through the great hall as hundreds of owls came in through the open windows and began delivering mail. Harry carried on eating, after all only Sirius would send him something, but he doubted Sirius would have anything new to tell him after only 24 hours apart. Hermione moved a jug of orange juice out of the way as an owl dropped the Daily Prophet down in front of her.
"Why are you still getting that for?" Harry said irritably as Hermione put a knut in the owls leather pouch "I'm not bothering"
"It's best to know what the enemy is saying" Hermione said darkly and she unfurled the newspaper and disappeared behind it, not emerging until Harry and Ron had finished eating
"Nothing" she said simply, rolling the newspaper up and putting it next to her plate "Nothing about you or Dumbledore." Harry sighed at least there was some good news. Professor Mcgonagoll moved down the Gryffindor table handing out timetables before reaching Harry and passing his over.
"Look at today!" groaned Ron "History of magic, double potions, Divination and Defence against the dark arts… Binns, Snape, Trewlawney and that Umbridge women all in one day. I wish Fred and Geoge could hurry up with their skiving snack boxes…"
"Do my ears deceive me?" Said Fred with George who had made their way down the table and squeezed in beside Harry. "Hogwarts prefect surely doesn't want to skive of lesson"
"Look at what we have got today" said Ron grumpily shoving his timetable under Freds nose
"You can have a Nosebleed Nougat cheap if you like" Said George after scanning the parchment
"Why is it cheap?" Ron asked suspiciously
"Because you will keep bleeding until you shrivel up, we haven't found an antidote yet"
"How much to put one in Malfoys cup" Harry grinned
"Harry! That's a horrible thing to say" Hermione admonished
"The git does deserve it" Ron defended
"Still!" Hermione finish defiantly
"We could but if it was traced back, it would be bad for business, you see our future lies outside the world of academic achievement" Said Fred
"Come on Fred, if we leave early we could sell a few extendable- ears before Herbology" They took their leave. Hermione clenched her fists.
"I'm going to give them so many detentions, that way they won't have time to sell their despicable products"
"You're not supposed to abuse your position, Ron!" Ron said in a mimicking voice of Hermione, laughing but stopping immediately as she turned her glare to him. Harry smirked.
History of Magic was by common consent the most boring lesson ever devised by wizard kind. Professor Binns, their ghost teacher, had a wheezy, droning voice that could cause extreme drowsiness within the first 10 minutes of the lesson. 5 in warm weather. He never varied the form of their lesson, but lectured them without pausing while they took notes, or rather, gazed sleepily into space. Harry and Ron had only narrowly scraped pass, both because they copied Hermione's note before an exam, she alone could resist the drowsiness caused by Binns voice. Today they suffered three quarters of an hour droning on the subject of giant wars. If it were any other teacher, the subject could at least be mildly interesting, but then his brain disengaged, and he spent the remaining thirty-five minutes playing hang-man on the corner of his parchment with Ron, while Hermione shot them dirty looks out of the corner of her eye.
"How would it be," She asked them coldly, as they left the classroom for break "If i refused to lend you my notes for this year."
"We'd fail our OWLS" said Ron "If you want that on your conscience, Hermione"
"Well you deserve it," she snapped. "You don't even try to listen, do you?"
"We do try!" Ron said defensively "We just haven't got your brains"
"Oh don't give me that rubbish" she said though she looked slightly mollified and she led them out into the damp courtyard. They chose a secluded corner underneath a heavily dripping balcony, turning up their collars against the chilly air.
"Hello Harry!" It was Cho chang, what was more is that she was on her own again, this was most unusual: Cho was always surrounded by giggling girls, Harry still remembered the agony of trying to ask her to the yule ball last year, and couldn't help but cringe
"Hi" said Harry keeping his voice friendly
"Got that stuff off then?"
"Yeah" said Harry trying to grin at the memory but coming off more as a grimace "So…er did you have a good summer" Harry instantly regretted his words as the memory of her ex boyfriend flashed before his eyes
"Oh, it was alright, you know…"
"Is that a Tornado badge… you dont support them do you" Ron demanded suddenly
"Yeah, i do" Cho replied
"Have you always supported them, or just since they started winning the league?" Ron said in an almost accusing voice
"I've supported them since I was six." Cho replied coolly "anyway.. Bye Harry" she walked away.
"Your so tactless" said Hermione
"What, i only asked her if-"
"Couldn't you tell she wanted to speak to Harry on her own"
"So, she could have done it. I wasn't stopping–"
"Why on earth were you attacking her, about her quidditch team"
"Attacking her? I wasn't attacking her, i was only-"
"Who cares if she supports the Tornados"
"Oh come on, half the people wearing those badges only started wearing them last season" Hermione opened her mouth to reply
"That's the bell" said Harry listlessy, because Ron and Hermione were bickering too loudly to hear it. They did not stop arguing all the way down to Snape dungeon, even to the point they lined up outside. Harry's heart thumped in his chest. Harry scanned the queue but Daphne was nowhere to be found. Hermione noticed and smirked at him as the dungeon door opened and the students began to filter in, Harry instantly made his way to a table at the back, Ron and Hermione followed and together they filled the seats. Harry made sure to leave at least two open incase someone took the one he was holding. The class began to mutter amongst themselves as more students began to make their way in, Draco sneered at Harry as he made his way past and chose one of the seats at the front of the class
"Ignore him," Hermione said, nudging his shoulder.
"Shes, right he just wants a reaction out of you" A flowery aroma made its way to his nose and the familiar angelic voice to his ears. He turned to his right as he saw Daphne and Tracy beginning to take their seats
"Hi" said Harry shyly his face turning a familiar red
"Hi" Daphne's face took on the same appearance as they brushed shoulders while she took her seat next to him
"Hey Harry" Tracey said breaking the moment up
"Oh, hey Tracy" Harry replied flustered "This is Ron and Hermione"
"So you must be the slytherins, Harry has told us so much about." Hermione said. Harry's eyes widened, He couldn't recall a single time bringing them up. That had been Neville. He glared at Hermione and promised to exact revenge later.
"Ohh, really harry? That's sweet, what have you been saying?" Tract asked excitedly
"Ohh ummm well that your in Slytherin and that you are girls" Ron burst out laughing while Hermione shook her head in exasperation even Daphne give a little smile while Tracey looked like someone had drowned her puppy "Well there was also-"
"Settle down" whatever Harry was going to say was cut off by Snape, who shut the door behind him "before we begin today's lesson" sweeping across the classroom and standing behind his desk and looking over at the class. "I think it's appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an acceptable in your O.W.L, or suffer my displeasure… his gaze lingered on Neville, who gulped. "After this year, of course, some of you will cease studying with me. I only take on the very best in my N.E.W.T class which means that some of you will most certainly be saying goodbye. His eyes rested on Harry, his lips curled. Harry glared back, feeling grim pleasure that he would be able to drop this class next year. "But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell" Snape said softly "Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at ordinary wizarding level: the draught of peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: if you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and in some cases irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing, the ingredients are in the cupboard and the method is on the board..begin"
—-
Harry began to sweat profusely and looked desperately around the dungeon. His own cauldron was issuing copious amounts of dark grey steam; Rons was spitting green sparks and Seamus was feverishly prodding the flames beneath his cauldron as they seemed to be going out. Hermione's potion however was a shimmering mist of silver vapour. He looked at Daphne who's potion was exactly as Snape had described although when they made eye contact she sent a concerned look his way and before he could question, Snape glided in front of him and looked down at his potion, with a horrible smirk on his face
"Potter, what is this supposed to be?" Most of the Slyherins looked over eager to hear
"The draught of peace" Harry said tensely
"Tell me potter" Snape said softly "can you read" Malfoy laughed
"Yes, i can" said Harry his hand clenched as his nail dug into his skin drawing blood
"Read the third line of instructions on the board for me Potter" Harry squinted, finding it hard to read with all the different coloured hazes filling the room
"Add powdered moonstone, stir three times counter-clockwise, allow to simmer for seven minutes then add two drops of syrup of hellebore-" Harry's heart sank, he had not added the hellebore and had skipped straight the fourth instruction
"Did you do everything on the third line Potter?"
"No" Harry said quietly "I forgot the hellebore"
"Well that means this mess is utterly worthless. Evanesco" the contents of Harry's potion vanished and he was left seething wishing nothing more than to curse the greasy haired git
"Those of you who have managed to read the instructions, fill your flask and leave them on my desk, with your name clearly labelled" Snape said. The class moved about doing as they were told while Harry stared at his empty cauldron and felt a wave of rage and sorrow hit him. Everything he did was always wrong: in the eyes of the Dursleys, in the eyes of the Ministry and most certainly in the eyes of Snape.
"You know you were doing pretty well, if you hadn't forgotten the hellebore i'm sure it would have been perfect" Harry looked up seeing Daphne stood there, her potions book clutched to her chest and shy look across her face.
"Yeah well, it could have been a perfect potion. It wouldn't matter he would still fail me"
Said Harry gloomily
"Just goes to show that you're not the problem, he is. No such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher" she smiled shyly at him but still managed to hold up an air of confidence
"Well, next time there's a task that requires a partner, I'll choose you. I could do with the supervision, after all." Harry said rushing the last bit
"I would like that" Daphne replied, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and giving him a smile that showed her perfect teeth and plump lips. Harry quickly moved his eyes up. "I better get going, don't want to keep Tracey waiting"
"Yeah okay. I'll see you later" Harry said, watching her leave. Ron and Hermione flanked his sides trying to console him
"That was so unfair. Your potion was nowhere near as bad as Goyles, when he put his in the flagon, the whole thing shattered and set his robes on fire. Said Hermione consolingly as they entered the great hall and took their seats
"Yeah, well when has Snape has ever been fair" Harry said irritably
"I did think it would be better this year… now he's in the order and everything…" said Hermione
"Poisonous toadstools don't change their spots" Said Ron "I always thought Dumbledore was cracked for trusting him, i mean how do we know he really stopped working for you-know-who"
"I think, Dumbledore has got plenty of evidence, even if he doesn't share it with you Ron" snapped Hermione
"Oh, shut up the pair of you!" said Harry heavily. They both froze and looked at him, their mouths still open "you're always having a go at each other, and it's driving me mad!" He stood up quickly ditching his shepherd's pie and swinging his school bag around his shoulder and left them sitting there. He made his way up the marble staircase, the anger that had flared so unexpectedly still blazed inside him, he felt grim satisfaction remembering their shocked faces. He spent the rest of his lunch sitting alone underneath the trap door at the top of the North tower. Consequently he was the first one up the ladder that led to Trelawney's classroom when the bell rang. Divination was Harry's least favourite class, which was mainly due to The professor predicting his death every lesson. A couple minutes later the students began to filter in, Ron spotted him and made his way over
"Me and Hermione have stopped arguing" Ron said taking his seat around the oval table
"Good" Harry grunted
"But Hermione said it would be nice if you stop jumping down our throats-"
"I'm not"
"I'm just passing on the message" said Ron putting his hands up defensively "but, i reckon shes right"
"That's because you don't have to constantly listen to each other bicker" Harry retorted "seriously the headaches you two give me, wil get to me before voldermo-"
"Good-day class" Trelawney spoke in her usual, misty voice. Her voice began to fall off as Harry started to think about what he said. He felt ashamed and yet justified in his reaction, he had been on edge ever since the Third task and the arguments his friends had, seemed so small and petty compared to the problems that lay ahead. The whispering, pointing and staring just made him want to stay in his dorm all day. He would much rather be stuck in his cupboard playing with the chunky spiders that had once been his friends. At Least they were quiet.
"...Divide into pairs. Use the dream oracle to interpret each other's dream" Harry caught the end of Trelawney's speech. Harry sighed, at least this wasnt a double period he thought gratefully
"I never remember my dreams" Said Ron "you say one…"
"You must remember one of them" Harry said impatiently, he wasn't going to share his dreams with anyone. Flashes of the graveyard, Cedric's lifeless body and the memory of seeing all of those he cared about shimmered before his eyes and tried he to hide his face not wanting Ron to see any form of weakness.
"Well, i dreamed i was playing quidditch once" Ron said, his brows creased in concentration "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're gonna be eaten by a giant marshmallow or find a lock of Snape's greasy hair in your morning pumpkin juice." Harry said sarcastically. Ron grimaced. Finally the bell rang and Harry and Ron made their way down the ladder, Ron gurgling loudly.
"Do you know how much homework we've got already? Fred and George were not wrong about O.W.L year. This Umbridge woman better not give us any."
They entered the Defence Against The Dark Arts class to find Professor Umbridge sitting behind her desk looking positively toad-like. The class was silent. The students did not know how strict their new teacher would be.
"Good morning class" Professor Umbridge said when everyone had taken their seats. The students returned her greeting unenthusiastically "tut, tut. That won't do. I said good morning class" They returned it a little louder, satisfying the tiny woman "That's much better. Can everyone put their wands away and take out their quills." The class exchanged gloomy looks
"From what I understand, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" Umbridge said in her girlish voice "That problem has now been rectified, we will now be following a carefully, structured theory-centre, ministry approved course of defence magic this year." Professor Umbridge began writing on the chalkboard, the noise making the class cringe from the sound. "Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" The students affirmed " Good, chapter 1, Basic for Beginners."
The class began to read from the textbook, but it was exceedingly dull and Harry had read the same paragraph fifthteen times and had taken none of the words in. He turned to see Ron rolling his quill between his fingers. He turned to look at Hermione and was shocked out of his stupor. Hermione hadn't even opened her book, her hand was raised in the air waiting for Professor Umbridge to acknowledge her. Harry could not remember a time where Hermione had neglected an instruction from a teacher or left a book that was beneath her nose unopened. Professor Umbridge was resolutely looking at anywhere but Hermione, but after a couple minutes Harry wasn't the only one staring at Hermione, which made it impossible for Professor Umbridge to ignore.
"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?"
"Not about the chapter, no!"
"Well, we're just reading now. If you have any other queries, they can be dealt with at the end of class"
"I've got a query about the course aims" Professor Umbridge's eyebrows raised
"And your name is?"
"Hermione Granger"
"Well miss Granger, i think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully"
"Well i don't, there's nothing about using defensive spells"
"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge replied with a laugh "why i can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use them Miss Granger"
"Were not going to be doing Magic?" Ron exclaimed loudly
"Students will raise their hand if they wish to speak, Mr?"
"Weasley," Ron said, thrusting his hand in the air. Umbridge turned her back on him, Harry and Hermione's hand shot up.
When she turned back round, her beady eyes lingered on Harry For a second before she addressed Hermione
"Yes, Miss Granger"
"Surely the whole point of defence against the dark arts is to learn how to use defensive spells."
"Are you a qualified ministry official?"
"Well, no but-"
"Well, then I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. You will learning about defensive spells in a safe, risk free way "
"What use is that!" Harry shouted out "If were going to get attacked it won't be-"
"Hand, Mr Potter" Harry thrust his hand in the air but Professor Umbridge ignored it. Several other people had their hand raised in the air as well now
"And your names is" Professor Umbridge said irritably
"Dean Thomas"
"Well Mr Thomas."
"Well it's like Harry said isn't it, if we get attacked it won't be risk free"
"Do you expect to be attacked while you are in my class?" Professor Umbridge said
"Well, no but-"
Professor Umbridge talked over him "You have been exposed to many irresponsible wizards in the past. Not to mention extremely dangerous half-breeds, i unders-"
"If your talking about Lupin, he's the best we've had" said Dean
"Well it is from my understanding that my predecessors not only performed illegal curses in front of you but even on you. Your wariness is well-founded but you can all relax whe-"
"Well he turned out to be a maniac didn't he! Mind you we still learned loads" said Dean
"Yes, miss?" Professor Umbridge asked moving on from Dean
"Parvati Patil, what about the practical side of our exams?"
"As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, you should have no trouble" Said Professor Umbridge
"And what good is theory going to be in the real world?" Harry said loudly
"This is school Mr Potter, not the real world"
"So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's out there?"
"There is nothing out there, Mr Potter"
"Oh, yeah" Harry said seething, his anger reaching just below boiling point
"Who do you imagine wants to hurt children such as yourselves"
"Hmm… let me think" Harry said in a mock thoughtful voice "maybe Lord Voldermort" Ron gasped, Lavender screamed and Neville fell of his stool sideways
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr Potter" the classroom was completely silent and everyone stared between Harry and Umbridge
"Now let me make things quite plain" Said Umbridge "You have been told a certain dark lord has returned from the dead-"
"He wasn't dead" Said Harry angrily "But yeah, he's returned!"
"Mr potter you have already lost your house point, do not make matters worse!... as i was saying you have been told that a certain dark lord has returned … this is a lie!"
"It is NOT a lie" said Harry "i saw him, i fought him"
"Detention Mr Potter!" Umbridge shouted "Tomorrow evening, 5 o'clock, my office" she took a few calming breaths before reassuring the class that Voldermort was not back and to continue on reading. Everyone was staring at Harry even Seamus who looked half scared and half fascinated
"So, according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?" Harry asked, his voice shaking. People gasped and their eyes widened. Professor Umbridge stared at him without the fake smile she had on previously
"Mr Diggory's death, was a tragic accident" Professor Umbridge said coldly
"It was murder! Voldermort killed him and you know it" Harry said his voice began to tremble as he grasped his wans tightly. Umridges face was completely blank, for a second Harry thought she was going to scream, before she said in an extremely girlish voice
"Mr, Potter please come here" Harry stood as she began to write on a piece of pink parchment. He made his way up and stood next to her, dwarfing her which is saying something considering he was quite small
"Please, take this to Professor Mcgonagoll" Harry took the parchment and stomped out of the classroom (kicking his chair over) as he did so and slamming the door shut behind him. He opened the note, scanning the contents
"Detention, every day this week!" Harry mumbled to himself. Harry tore up the note and vanished the piece. He walked past Professor Mcgonagolls office and out towards the Hogwarts grounds, breathing in the calming air and quelling his shaking hands. He sat under the tree next to the black lake and watched as the giant squid splashed around, giving Harry a wave as it Sunk into the chilly depths. He massaged his head feeling a headache coming on as the bell began to ring indicating the end of lesson…he was going to get an earful from Hermione and maybe a pat on the back from Ron…might as well get it over with