Ophelia || Harry Potter

Chapter 74

Umbridge

"Ophelia" Luna gasped "You can't just say that"

"Well I am very, very sorry"

She rolls her eyes before laughing herself "Okay I agree with the pink"

"Thank you"

Once everyone had taken a seat the food appeared allowing us to begin our dinner. As usual the table was filled with all sorts of food from roasts to salads. We had our main meal before the food automatically changed to desserts. Now there was pies, cakes and other delights laid across the table

"It gets better and better" Luna commented having a slice of Victoria sponge cake

"That is something we can both agree on" I laugh also having the same

Towards the end of our dinner Dumbledore stepped forward to his podium looking at us all

"Good evening children" He said loud and clear attracting our attention "Now we have two changes in staffing this year"

Everyone looked across the teachers table

"We are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank who will be taking care of magical creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave"

I had just noticed that the half giant was not present despite him being massive and double my height

"We would also wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge" He introduced as she let of a quiet giggle that made Snape turn his head to her disgusted "And I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck. As usual our caretaker Mr Filch has asked me to remind you-"

The new professor disrespectfully places her bag on the table whilst interrupting "Ahem"

Everyone turned to her and even Dumbledore turned with a confused face obviously not liking the fact that she's disturbing his speech

Slowly the pink woman rose from her seat looking directly at the headmaster with a smug smile on her face. She then rounded around the table as all the other teachers, mainly Snape and Mcgonagle, giving her dirty looks

"Thank you headmaster" She said coming around "For those kind words of welcome"

"And I thought I was short" I whispered to Luna who had a small amused smile

"And how lovely to see all your bright happy faces smiling up at me" I took a quick peak around the hall to see no one amused. Everyone had their lips pressed into a hard straight line "I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends"

I think the twins made a comment that she heard so she looks to them before focusing back her attention on the rest of us

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance" She says "Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school" She then has the audacity to nod at Dumbledore who does the same in return "Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved. Perfect what can be perfected, prune practices that ought to be prohibited"

She then lets out an awful giggle with a smile plastered on her face as she looks at each one of us again. Thankfully she then starts to walk away so Dumbledore raises his hand to start clapping. Which we unfortunately have to follow

"Thank you Professor Umbridge that really was most...illuminating"

Dumbledore then carried on with the rest of his speech talking about the banned things in the school – which I directly know certain people, in particular, the twins will disobey

Afterwards he then sent us off to bed

As me and Luna stood up we walked past Ginny and everyone. We all gave each other the same faces. Each corresponding to the message 'This is going to be a long year'

However before we separated Ginny looked at us

"I heard the guys at the table say this new professor works for the ministry" She says

"Unbelievable" I sigh before going quieter "They're just doing this to dismiss the rumours of Voldemort's return"

"Exactly"

~~~

A few days later we're sitting in the great hall when we get a copy of the daily prophet. I gasp reading the front cover

"What happened?" Ginny questioned

"the Ministry has now [passed] Educational Decree Number Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor. This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the falling standards at Hogwarts. The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post and we are delighted to say that she has accepted" I read from the front cover

"Unbelievable" Luna and Ginny gasp

Suddenly we hear loud banging noises coming from outside the great hall. Us along with many other students head out to see Filch hanging up a board which has the same proclamation as it did in the daily prophet

Towards the side we see Umbridge smiling as she watches it go up. I lean to the girls ear

"Scrap the year being long, it's going to be a nightmare"