In the defense classroom the students were all waiting for the defense teacher to arrive, some were playing and others were chatting. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were 'subtly' glaring at Adrian who was currently engaged in a conversation with Rose, Rose only said a few words but she didn't seem to mind his company so Adrian continued speaking.
Behind the two Daphne had her head resting on Harry's shoulder while he rested his own on her head.
"She probably won't be that bad" Daphne said optimistically
"Daphne, if she doesn't give you the desire to smash your head against the desk by the end of the classroom then I will walk around the school and say that 'Draco Malfoy is better than me' to every person I pass"
"Wow" Daphne whistled as she and Harry raised their heads and looked at each other "you're confident" She noted
"Well, seeing as all of our previous defence teachers except one were either evil, insane, a danger to children or all three, I think I'm being generous with my beliefs. I mean Lupin was classified as a 'dark creature' yet he was the only one who never actually tried to hurt us."
"What about Mad-Eye? The real one?"
"He falls under the insane category" Harry said "by the way, toad incoming"
At that precise moment Dolores Umbridge entered the room from the teacher's entrance, she started off by burning a paper bird that was flying around the classroom, effectively killing the happy mood at a speed that could only be beat by a dementor.
"Good morning class" She said in a sickly sweet voice
"Bet your glad you didn't bet money on me being right" Harry whispered to Daphne who gave him a small nod.
"Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations" Umbridge spoke as the words formed on the black board "more commonly known as owls. Study hard and you will be rewarded, fail to do so and the consequences may be severe" Harry noted she looked a bit too happy at that particular moment as did many others. Umbridge waved her wand and two books, one for each person, flew to each desk "Your previous instruction on this subject has been disturbingly uneven, but you'll be pleased to know that from now on you'll be following a carefully structured, ministry approved, course of magic. Yes?" She asked when Hermione raised her hand
"There's nothing in here about using defensive spells" Hermione said
"Using spells?" Umbridge let out a short laugh "I can't imagine why you'd want to use spells in my classroom"
"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked with disbelief
"You'll be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk freeway"
"What use is that?" Adrian asked "If we're going to be attacked, it's not going to be risk free"
"Students will raise their hands in my classroom" Umbridge turned around as if the sight of Adrian disgusted her.
"Adrian" Harry grabbed his shoulder before he could say anymore, Adrian looked at his brother and received a slow shake of his head. Understanding the message, Adrian nodded and fell into silence. Ron and Hermione were now glaring at both Potter boys.
"It is the view of the ministry" Umbridge continued as she turned back "that a theoretical approach will be more than sufficient in helping you pass your exams"
"How is theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?" Ron asked when it became clear that Adrian wasn't going to say anything "You-know-who is back and you're not going to teach us magic?"
"Can you teach us magic?" Harry interrupted, he made sure to raise his hand so she couldn't ignore him, the whole class looked between him and Umbridge
"What do you mean?" She turned to Harry as he lowered his hand
"Are you capable of teaching us magic?" He asked
"The ministry…."
"No" Harry cut her off "I didn't ask if you were allowed to teach, I asked if you were capable of doing so."
"I am more than capable, thank you very much, I…"
"What makes you capable?" Harry asked "So far the only two good teachers we had both had distinctions in their exams and one of them was an ex-auror, what makes you the best person to teach us? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you been undersecretary to the minister of magic for quite a few years?"
"I am but…"
"Well, that tells me that you've been sitting behind a desk and doing paperwork for the longest time. What makes you more qualified to teach us than any of the other ministry workers? Did you receive distinctions on your owl exams?"
"No" Umbridge admitted, truth be told she barely passed her exams at all, she was one mark off of failing. Another truth was the fact that she had no mind barriers so didn't notice Harry reading her thoughts "I am…"
"Didn't you barely pass your defence exam in the first place? Weren't you like one mark off?"
"How did you know that?!" She blurted out in shock.
....
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