The classroom buzzed with the usual mixture of chatter and laughter as the Gryffindors and Slytherins filed into Defense Against the Dark Arts. Draco strolled in alongside Hermione, casting a sideways glance at Harry, Ron, and the other Gryffindors as they took seats across the room. It was the first class of the term, and the students prepared themselves for yet another tedious lesson with Professor Umbridge, bracing for lectures on "theoretical defense" and no actual spell work.
But the sight awaiting them in the front of the room was anything but the expected. Instead of Professor Umbridge's usual pink-clad figure and her saccharine smile, a tall, graceful witch with dark hair and intense eyes stood at the chalkboard. She wore deep blue robes and had a wand held casually in her hand, her expression calm but watchful as she observed the students filling in the seats.
Hermione's eyes widened as she nudged Draco. "Draco… that's not Umbridge."
Draco looked at her, equally surprised. "I noticed. But who—?"
The last student had barely taken a seat when the witch at the front cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. She held herself with a quiet authority that settled the room.
"Good afternoon, everyone," she began, her voice smooth and warm. "My name is Professor Vance—Emmeline Vance—and I'll be taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts for the time being."
A hush fell over the room as her words sank in. Whispers rippled among the students.
"Where's Umbridge?" Ron blurted out from across the aisle, earning him a sharp look from Professor Vance.
"Professor Umbridge is… occupied with other Ministry responsibilities," Vance said, a slight, polite smile on her face. "In the meantime, I am here to ensure you learn how to defend yourselves." She glanced meaningfully around the room. "This will be a practical class."
The murmurs increased in volume. Harry exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Hermione. Practical defense? That was unheard of under Umbridge's regime.
"But why'd the ministry pull Umbridge already?" Pansy Parkinson demanded, a look of confusion and distrust in her eyes.
Professor Vance's gaze flickered over Pansy, a hint of something steely in her expression. "As I said, Professor Umbridge's obligations have called her elsewhere, and I'll be here to handle Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Harry, looking wary but intrigued, raised his hand. "So… you're an Auror, aren't you?"
Vance nodded with a faint smile. "Former Auror, yes."
Before any further questions could fly, Professor Vance clapped her hands, and her smile grew. "All right, everyone. Wands out. We're going to start with some basic shield charms—Protego, if you're already familiar. There will be no reading assignments today. We'll be focusing solely on practical defense."
The students scrambled to pull out their wands, some of them looking downright thrilled at the change in pace, while others remained apprehensive. Hermione felt a surge of excitement bubble up within her. After weeks of frustration under Umbridge's passive lectures, here was a professor ready to let them actually cast spells, to defend themselves as they'd been hoping to learn since their first year. She glanced at Harry, who was grinning.
"Now, pair up," Vance instructed, moving down the rows as students partnered off. "We'll be working on controlled spells today, blocking and redirecting attacks. And remember—your defense will only ever be as strong as your focus."
Draco turned to Hermione, raising his eyebrows. "Care to duel, Granger?"
She smirked, feeling a spark of competitive energy. "You're on, Malfoy. Try to keep up."
As the class got underway, Hermione couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease beneath her excitement. Lucius's visit to the ministry must have been successful, however, she suspected that this wouldn't be the last they heard of Umbridge. But for now, she decided to let herself enjoy the moment, knowing that they finally had a professor who was teaching them skills they might actually need.
That night at dinner, the buzz of conversation in the Great Hall quieted as students craned their necks toward the staff table, eyes fixed on the conspicuously empty chair where Professor Umbridge once sat. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd, curiosity and relief mingling in equal measure as they speculated about her abrupt departure. The usual noise of clinking plates and laughter was subdued, replaced with a restless, barely contained anticipation.
At the Slytherin table, Hermione glanced at Draco, who was watching the staff table with a mixture of amusement and suspicion. A slight scuffle next to her signaled Harry slipping into a seat beside her, his brow furrowed as he leaned in to speak.
"She's Order," he muttered, his voice so low only Hermione and Draco could hear. "I recognized her from the meetings this summer."
Hermione nodded, glancing cautiously at Professor Vance. While she was relieved to see that Lucius's visit to the ministry had ridded them of Umbridge she didn't know if someone aligned with Dumbledore and not the Ministry, was really in Harry's best interest either. Harry's lingering distrust of authority figures was clear in his wary gaze.
"Well, she's hopefully not the sort to be handing out detentions with blood quills," Draco murmured dryly, earning a small scoff from Hermione.