The Great Hall hummed with the excitement and chatter of students returning for the start of the year. Hundreds of floating candles cast a warm glow over the long tables, where plates and goblets gleamed in anticipation of the feast. Hermione took her seat at the Slytherin table beside Draco, scanning the head table as she did every year, taking stock of the familiar and unfamiliar faces. Her gaze lingered on a figure she didn't recognize: a small, squat woman in a garish pink cardigan, her smile unnervingly sweet and tight, like a badly drawn caricature of cheerfulness.
"Who on earth is that?" Draco murmured, following her gaze.
"I don't know," Hermione replied, her brow furrowing. "But she must be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
As the hall quieted, Dumbledore rose, welcoming them with his usual genial warmth. After the Sorting Hat had performed its song, and the first-year students were settled in their respective houses, he announced the new teachers. When he introduced Dolores Umbridge, she stood and gave a little bow, her face stretched in a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Thank you, Headmaster," she said in a high, girlish voice, her tone sickly sweet. "And thank you, students, for that warm welcome. I look forward to working with each and every one of you. I believe we have much to accomplish together."
The words, though simple, left an uneasy feeling that seemed to ripple across the Hall. Hermione noticed the way students from all tables exchanged glances, whispering to one another with raised eyebrows. Even Draco, usually unbothered by such things, looked uncomfortable.
When the feast concluded, and Dumbledore dismissed them, Hermione and Draco rose from the Slytherin table, talking quietly about their summer and their expectations for the year. They had nearly reached the entrance to the hall when Harry rushed up to them, his face tense, with Ron trailing close behind.
"Hermione," Harry said, pulling her aside slightly. "I need to talk to you."
"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
"That woman—Umbridge," he said, his voice a low whisper. "She was on the panel at my hearing this summer. She's deeply connected to Fudge and the Ministry. There's no way she's just here to teach."
Hermione felt a surge of anxiety but kept her expression neutral. "You mean to say she's a Ministry plant?"
"Yes, exactly. She was on the panel that tried to expel me over the Patronus Charm, and she didn't want to believe a word I said. She's completely on Fudge's side, Hermione. I have a bad feeling about her."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "So, Fudge sent her here to keep an eye on Dumbledore?"
"Looks like it," Harry said grimly.
Hermione felt a shiver of unease but forced herself to stay calm. "If she's that close to Fudge, she might be here for reasons other than simply teaching us Defense Against the Dark Arts," she admitted, trying to sound practical rather than alarmed. "But let's not jump to conclusions. We'll just have to wait and see how her tenure plays out. She could be… harmless."
"I wouldn't count on it," Harry muttered, glancing back at the doorway where Umbridge had just exited. "But I guess we'll see."
Hermione gave him a reassuring smile, squeezing his arm. "Let's keep our heads down, for now, Harry. If she's trouble, we'll deal with it when the time comes."
Harry nodded, though the worry in his eyes didn't dissipate. "Just… be careful," he said, before heading off to join Ron.
As Hermione and Draco made their way toward the Slytherin common room, Draco cast her a thoughtful look. "You think there's more to her being here, don't you?"
Hermione nodded. "Dumbledore doesn't seem entirely surprised by her presence, did you notice? It's almost as if he knew this might happen."
Draco frowned. "If she's tied to the Ministry, then her real agenda has nothing to do with teaching. She's here to interfere."
They both fell silent, the weight of Harry's warning lingering between them. The year was already off to a troubling start, and Hermione had a sinking feeling that Umbridge's presence would be the least of their problems.