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:

Course aims: the principles underlying defensive magic. to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used. 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 said, "Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge" we all said. There was no point in us refusing to act as if we were five, despite how embarrassing it was.

"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 us all with those pouchy toad's eyes. I turned to page five of my copy of Defensive Magical Theory and started to read.

I had barely finished the first page however, which was exceptionally dull, when Demelza sat back in her chair and raised her hand. "

"Yes, Miss?" she said

"Robins. I've just noticed that there doesn't seem to be anything in the course aims about actually using any defensive magic" Demelza said

Umbridge pretended to do a little jump, as if she was taken aback.

"Why, I can't see any reason why that would be necessary" she said. "Do you expect to be attacked in this class?"

"No, but-"

"Then there is nothing for you to worry about. Please continue reading Chapter One: Basics for Beginners"

"What do you mean there's nothing to worry about?!" yelled Amy

"Your hand is not up!" Umbridge said. Amy raised her hand in exasperation.

"Yes?" said Umbridge

"Amy Bagman, and obviously there's things to worry about, there are plenty of dark threats out there!"

"Yeah" added Joseph Renalds, raising his hand "and anyway, to pass our exams, there's a practical, we need to know what we're doing first"

"In exam conditions, which will be very carefully controlled, you will be able to produce the magic required" said Umbridge

"So, are you telling us, that at no point, while you are teaching this class, which is called Defence Against the Dark Arts, will we actually practice defending against the Dark Arts?" I said hotly, banging my fist on my desk.

"Miss Weasley, raise your hand if you wish to speak!" Umbridge said, and once I had done so, with great annoyance, she added "why do you need any practice? The theory, as I have said, will get you through your exams, if you study it hard enough!"

"Just theory isn't going to help us against what's going on outside these walls! In case you weren't aware, Lord Voldemort returned in June!" Several people jumped and gasped at the sound of the name. I was now on my feet, seething. Demelza tried to get me to sit back down, but I shrugged her off.

"No" I hissed through gritted teeth to her, and she complied.

Umbridge also stood up, and said in a very dangerous tone " Ten points from Gryffindor. Let me be clear about one thing. The story you have been told about a certain dark wizard's return is a lie"

"Is it fuck!" I shouted "Harry saw him come back, he fought him! Voldemort is out there, we need to be trained in defence against him!"

"Fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention Miss Weasley! I highly recommend you sit down right now, or it will be worse! I repeat, the story you have been told is a lie!"

But I did not sit down

"Cedric Diggory was murdered!" I said, slamming my hand on the desk again "or do you believe Harry had something to do with that too?!"

"Make that a whole week of detention!" Umbridge said "and believe me, Potter will join you if he acts in this manner! I have his class next, I do hope they have a bit more common sense than you do! Cedric's death was a tragic accident, nothing more! Now, please, return to reading Chapter One, Basics for Beginners!"

I slammed myself back into my chair, causing Umbridge to take 10 more points from Gryffindor for "excessive noise". I looked back down at my book, but defiantly did not read, only pretending to turn the pages. I was angry beyond belief, who the fucking fuck did this bitch think she was?! Calling Harry a liar just like the rest, giving me a whole week of detention for backing him up! Well, there was one thing that gave me the tiniest bit of comfort. I knew that Harry would do exactly the same thing that I just had, standing up for himself defiantly. Fuck this woman and everything about her, I thought. We'll be proven right in the end, if she's one of Voldemort's victims, she can hardly complain!

"I mean, there's acting foul, and then there's her" said Demelza as we walked backed to Gryffindor tower afterwards. It was a free period for fourth years, but really, that name was rather pointless, as we had McGonagall's homework to get started on.

"For once, I can't blame you for losing your temper Ginny. She was another level of awful! It took every last reserve of my self control not to lash out with you!"

Suddenly, Matilda walked up to us.

"I just wanted to say, and I'm telling everyone this, that Umbridge woman reminds me so much of Miss fucking Trunchbull! I would not be surprised if they're somehow related. I really feel like some similar punishment to hers might be about to be introduced here at Hogwarts. I thought I had escaped that kind of tyranny, but no, it's followed me here!" She stamped her foot in anger.

"You've had a lesson with her then?" Amy asked

"Yeah, first thing this morning! How are we supposed to learn just by reading the bloody textbook?!"

"Merlin knows" I said "You doing alright though?"

"Apart from that, yeah, not bad. You?"

"Well, Harry's my boyfriend, so I'm around so many deniers, and the rest of my group are his mates too, so they're no better off. You do believe Harry though right?"

"Course I do, I'm not stupid enough to think he'd lie about that kind of thing. I'm ready to fight as soon as I'm needed"

"Glad to hear it. Well, it's good to see you anyway Matilda, see you later"

"I feel bad for her" Demelza said. "at least we've only had someone like her once, she's had to go though it twice, the poor thing"

"Well, she dealt with it before, and she was only five then" said Amy "she's so much more powerful now. If it comes to it, maybe she'll be able to do it again"