Chapter One
Hermione Granger, known for her love of learning, eagerly anticipated the upcoming Defence Against the Dark Arts class. However, she was also an attentive observer. At the Start-of-Term feast, the new Defence professor gave a speech in which she indirectly announced the Ministry would now be deciding what happens at Hogwarts.
Hermione was aware of the recent claims made by Headmaster Dumbledore and Harry Potter, a Slytherin student, that Lord Voldemort had returned. She struggled to understand how the Dark Lord could have come back from death. No spell can reawaken the dead. And all the books she had read about the First War said that Lord Voldemort died that night.
As Hermione stood outside the Defence classroom 10 minutes before the class started with her best friend, Fay Dunbar, there was only one thing on her mind. It was their O.W.L. year, and Defence was the only class in which Hermione had never achieved an Outstanding grade, despite her strong essay writing skills. She knew that practical magical ability, not just knowledge, was crucial in defence. Determined to improve, Hermione planned to ask the professor for extra lessons to help her cast spells more powerfully.
"Don't worry, Hermione. I'm sure the professor will give you extra lessons once you show her why you are the brightest witch of our age," Fay said after a brief silence.
"Am I answering too many questions? Is that why you're making fun of me?" Hermione replied.
"Of course not! Your best friend would never mock you," Fay said with a wink. "I know you get that worried look whenever you're concerned about your Potions essay grade."
Hermione remained silent for a moment before saying:
"I wish the professor were more like Professor Lupin. He was a wonderful teacher, and I would have asked him for extra help if he hadn't been affected by lycanthropy or so busy with Harry Potter and that man with long black hair."
"Well, if I recall correctly, you didn't ask Lupin for extra lessons because you didn't want anyone to think you needed help, and your schedule was a mess in third year," Fay reminded her.
Hermione sighed before responding, "Whatever, but it's our O.W.L. year. I will not take any chances this time."
Silence fell as other fifth-year Gryffindors arrived in the corridor, waiting for Professor Umbridge. Hermione wondered why the Slytherins hadn't arrived yet. Moments later, she heard footsteps and turned to see the Slytherins approaching from the opposite end of the corridor.
Harry Potter led a group of Slytherin fifth-years, one hand in his pocket and the other hanging by his side. He seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the portraits lining the walls rather than the path ahead. To his right, Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass conversed in hushed tones. On his left, Draco Malfoy engaged in a heated discussion with Blaise Zabini. Pansy Parkinson's hand was intertwined with Draco's. Bringing up the rear of the group were Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Millicent Bulstrode, and Tracey Davis.
Hermione noticed Pansy nudging Draco and gesturing towards the Gryffindors. Draco immediately stopped talking and cleared his throat loudly, causing all the Slytherins to fall silent. This caught Harry's attention, and he looked at Draco with a slightly annoyed expression. Draco then subtly motioned towards the Gryffindors. Harry understood the message and returned his gaze towards the portraits.
Before Hermione could consider the Slytherins' discussion topic, the classroom door opened on its own. They heard Professor Umbridge's girlish voice say, "Enter." If asked to describe Professor Umbridge's appearance, Hermione would say that it's unwise to judge someone solely on looks. However, she would personally describe the professor as a short, plump woman who resembles a large, pale toad, with a broad, flabby face and a very wide, slack mouth.
As they entered the classroom, they found Professor Umbridge already seated at the teacher's desk. She was wearing the same fluffy pink cardigan and black velvet bow from the previous night. Hermione thought the bow perched atop Umbridge's head resembled a large fly resting on an even larger toad.
The class was quiet as it entered the room; Professor Umbridge was, as yet, an unknown quantity, and nobody knew how strict a disciplinarian she was likely to be.
"Well, good afternoon!" she said when finally the whole class had sat down. A few people mumbled "good afternoon" in reply.
"Tut, tut," said Professor Umbridge. "That won't do now, will it? I would like you, please, to reply, 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"
"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted back at her. "There, now," said Professor Umbridge sweetly. "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please."
Many of the class exchanged gloomy looks; the order 'wands away' had never yet been followed by a lesson they had found interesting.
Hermione realised that her reputation as the "brightest witch of her age" was undeserved. She had not even looked at her new Defence Against the Dark Arts textbook. Instead, she had been focused on her Ancient Runes studies, reading the first 10 chapters and writing several essays that she expected Professor Babbling would assign in the future. As Hermione examined her copy of 'Defensive Magical Theory,' she became concerned. The new professor seemed to be emphasising the theoretical aspects of the subject, rather than the practical application. Hermione couldn't understand how one could learn effective defence without hands-on practice. Flipping through the pages, she found no diagrams illustrating wand movements, dashing her hopes of learning to properly power her spells and excel at the practical side of Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Professor Umbridge opened her handbag, extracted her own wand, which was an unusually short one, and tapped the blackboard sharply with it; words appeared on the board at once:
Defence Against the Dark Arts A Return to Basic Principles
"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, turning to face the class with her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your OWL year."
"You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory-centred, 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 the 'Course Aims.'.
Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic.
Learning to recognise situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.
Placing 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 asked, "Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"
There was a dull murmur of assent throughout the class. "I think we'll try that again," said Professor Umbridge. "When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply, 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.'" So has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"
"Yes, Professor Umbridge," rang through the room. "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."
Hermione's dream of achieving outstanding grades in every subject had been shattered, but she refused to lose hope. Perhaps the excessive focus on theory was only temporary. Still, she remained uncertain. Glancing around the classroom, Hermione noticed her fellow Gryffindors dutifully following the professor's instructions to read the assigned material, which she privately dismissed as "a load of crap." Fay had settled into their usual spot on the last bench of the Gryffindor row. On their left on the last bench of the Slytherin row, Blaise Zabini sat with Draco Malfoy, who regarded the book with disdain, as if it were 'a piece of centaur shit stuck in his shoe.' In front of them, Harry Potter sat with Theodore Nott, his attention focused not on his Defence Against the Dark Arts book but on the sixth chapter from Advanced Rune Translation. Hermione couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, realising that he must have resized and disguised the book as the new Defence book.
She could no longer hold back. She raised her hand and stared directly at Umbridge. After a brief pause, Umbridge finally asked, "Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?"
"Not about the chapter, no," Hermione replied, noticing that all eyes were now on her except Harry's, who was still reading his book.
"Well, we're reading now," said Umbridge, flashing her small, pointed teeth. "If you have other questions, we can deal with them at the end of class."
"I have a query about your course aims," Hermione said, summoning her Gryffindor courage. Umbridge raised her eyebrows.
"And your name is?" "Hermione Granger." "Well, Miss Granger, I believe the course aims are clear if you read them carefully," Umbridge said in a sickeningly sweet tone.
"Well, I don't," Hermione said bluntly. "There's nothing about using defensive spells."
A brief silence fell as many students turned to look at the three course aims written on the blackboard.
"Using defensive spells?" Umbridge repeated with a small laugh. "I can't imagine any situation in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell. Surely you aren't expecting to be attacked?"
"We're not going to use magic?" Fay exclaimed loudly.
"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Miss—?"
"Dunbar," said Fay, thrusting his hand into the air. Umbridge turned away from Fay, her smile widening. Hermione immediately raised her hand as well.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" Umbridge asked. "Surely the whole point of Defence Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" Hermione pressed.
"Are you a ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?" Umbridge asked in her false, sweet voice.
"No, but—"
"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide the 'whole point' of any class. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way." She turned away from her, but now several students had their hands raised as well. Hermione noticed that they were all Gryffindor.
"And your name is?" Professor Umbridge asked Dean.
"Dean Thomas," he replied.
"Well, Mr. Thomas,"
"If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free."
"I repeat," said Umbridge, smiling irritatingly at Dean, "do you expect to be attacked during my classes?"
"No, but—" Dean began, but Umbridge cut him off. "I do not wish to criticise the way things have been run in this school," she said unconvincingly, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible and dangerous half-breeds as teachers."
"If you mean Professor Lupin, he was the best we ever had," Dean said angrily.
"Mr. Thomas, as I was saying, you have been taught spells that are complex, inappropriate for your age, and potentially dangerous. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to face dark attacks on a regular basis."
"No, we haven't; we just—" Hermione said, but Professor Umbridge cut her off. "Your hand is not up, Miss Granger!" Hermione raised her hand, but Umbridge turned away from her. "I understand your previous professor not only performed illegal curses in front of you but also used them on you," Umbridge said.
"Well, he was a maniac, wasn't he?" Dean replied hotly. "But we still learnt a lot from him."
"Your hand is not up, Mr. Thomas," Professor Umbridge said sharply. "The Ministry believes that theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to pass your examination. After all, that is the purpose of school." She turned to Parvati, whose hand had just shot up. "And your name?"
"Parvati Patil. But isn't there a practical component to the Defence Against the Dark Arts OWL? Aren't we supposed to demonstrate that we can perform the counter-curses and other spells?"
Professor Umbridge responded dismissively, "As long as you have studied the theory thoroughly, there is no reason you should not be able to perform the spells under controlled exam conditions."
"Without ever practicing them beforehand?" Parvati said incredulously. "Are you telling us the first time we'll use the spells will be during the exam?"
"As long as you have studied the theory thoroughly," the professor repeated.
"But how will the theory be useful in the real world?" Harry interrupted loudly, setting down his book and raising his hand slightly. The room fell silent for a moment. Hermione noticed that the Slytherins, who had been ignoring the exchange up until now, were suddenly showing interest and amusement as Harry spoke.
"This is school, Mr. Potter, not the real world," Umbridge said softly.
"So, we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting for us out there?" Harry responded calmly, with a hint of sarcasm. At this point, everyone except Umbridge and Harry was talking, as the Gryffindors had never heard Harry speak so much in a class, and the Slytherins did not want to miss it. Hermione was sure the end result would be disastrous.
"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr. Potter," Umbridge stated.
"Oh," Harry replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Hermione was certain everyone had noticed the sarcasm in Harry's responses.
"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?" Umbridge enquired in a sickeningly sweet voice.
"Ah, a very good question," he replied, as if he were the professor and Umbridge the student. He paused for a moment, then turned towards Nott and asked loudly, "Do you remember his name, Theo?"
Theo raised an eyebrow at Harry, who winked in response. "Tom something, if I remember correctly," Theo replied.
"Perhaps Daphne can help us," Harry said, turning to the Slytherin girl. The other Slytherins were struggling to suppress their laughter, while the Gryffindors looked confused. "I only remember the middle name, Harry," Daphne replied. "I think it was Marvolo."
"Don't worry," he said to her. "Draco might be able to provide some information about the last name." He then turned to Draco.
"Riddle," Draco said, sneering at Umbridge.
"The name of the professor, the wizard I was referring to, is Tom Marvolo Riddle," he said calmly. "His father was a Muggle, and his mother was a pure-blood witch." The Slytherins were now laughing maniacally, while the Gryffindors remained oblivious.
"There is no threat from a wizard named Tom Marvolo Riddle," Umbridge replied sweetly, but with an underlying edge. "I believe you have been confounded, as the Ministry would know if any wizard posed a threat to children like yourselves." After glaring at the laughing Slytherins, she added, "Furthermore, no respectable pureblood witch would marry a Muggle."
"I apologise if my explanation was unclear," Harry said, standing up. The sarcasm in his tone prompted further laughter from the Slytherins. He then took out his wand and, with a flick, cleared the blackboard of the 'course aims.'.
"Mr. Potter—" Professor Umbridge began, but Harry cut her off.
"If everyone would kindly look at the board, I believe the confusion will be cleared." With another flick of his wand, the name "Tom Marvolo Riddle" appeared on the board. Hermione was certain she had never heard that name before.
"This is a crucial point, so please pay attention," Harry said, giving his wand a slight flick. The names rearranged to form another name, which to the horror of everyone in the class except the Slytherins, was:
Lord Voldemort.
"I was referring to Lord Voldemort," Ron and Fay gasped; Lavender Brown uttered a little scream; Neville Longbottom slipped sideways off his stool. Professor Umbridge, however, did not flinch. She was staring at Harry with a grimly satisfied expression on her face—"or, as he is more commonly known, 'He-who-wants-to-be-fucked," Harry continued. The Slytherins roared with laughter. Umbridge cleared the board and then turned to face Harry and said
"Twenty points from Slytherin, Mr. Potter."
Harry just stared back at Umbridge with a small grin on his face. The Slytherins had stopped laughing but were still looking amused. Hermione noticed that her fellow Gryffindors were glaring at Potter.
"Now, let me make a few things quite plain." Professor Umbridge stood up and leaned towards them, her stubby-fingered hands splayed on her desk. "You have been told that a certain dark wizard has returned from the dead—"
"He wasn't dead," said Harry in his normal voice, "but yeah, he's returned." Harry was back in his cold demeanour.
"Mr. Potter, you have already lost your house twenty points; do not make matters worse for yourself," said Professor Umbridge in one breath without looking at him. "As I was saying, you have been informed that a certain dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie."
"It's not," Harry replied coldly. The Slytherins had grown tense, and Hermione knew it was not because of the sudden change in Umbridge's voice but rather because of Harry's.
"Detention, Mr. Potter!'" said Professor Umbridge triumphantly. "Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock. My office. I repeat, this is a lie. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any Dark wizard. If you are still worried, come and see me outside class hours. If someone is alarming you with fibs about reborn Dark wizards, I would like to hear about it. I am here to help. I am your friend. And now, you will kindly continue your reading. Page five, 'Basics for Beginners'"
Harry opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by three voices at once.
"Harry"
"Harry"
"Harry"
Harry glanced at the three speakers, moving his head in a semi-circular motion. Umbridge watched, her eyes flitting between Daphne, Theodore, and Draco before settling back on Harry, who had now settled into his seat. Hermione noticed Theodore whispering something to Harry, causing him to visibly relax. Harry then began reading chapter 7 of Advanced Rune Translation.
The rest of the class proceeded as usual. While the other students read, Hermione was deep in thought about the new information that had been revealed. She was unsure of whom to trust. In the first year, Harry had saved Hermione's life, but since then, he had never paid her much attention. Dumbledore was a highly respected wizard. Hermione couldn't decide whether to trust Harry and Dumbledore or the Ministry. Ultimately, Hermione concluded that if anyone would have the answers, it would be her head of house.