Darkness and Light - Snape's Daughter (Book 2)

Chapter 4

Lucy's POV

During the feast everyone seemed surprisingly cheerful, given the fact that the dark lord was back. Maybe they all believed that garbage that the ministry was claiming.

During his speech, Dumbledore announced that Hagrid was on temporary leave and this years D.A.D.A teacher would be a woman named Dolores Umbridge. I could already tell who the new teacher was without even needing Dumbledore to point her way because she stood out like a sore thumb, with her head to toe pink attire. I felt bad for Severus who had to sit next to her.

Even worse was that she interrupted Dumbledores speech by giving one of her own. And her voice, it sounded like nails against a chalkboard. It was extremely high pitched and she always added a squeaky giggle after each sentence.

Back in the common room, everyone was reading that article about Harry. Jennie and I both new it was false of course.

"You know that Umbridge woman, she works for the ministry." Jennie told me. "That means she works for the people who are spreading those lies about Harry."

"That also means the ministry is interfering in Hogwarts, now that she is a teacher here." I rolled my eyes at the thought. I missed Lupin as our teacher, during my third year was the only time I think D.A.D.A was actually taught properly. Well, the Moody imposter taught us some essential things I guess, but he definitely used the wrong teaching method.

The following day we had our first lesson with her.

I was sat in the back like always, next to Jennie. I enjoyed being in the back row the most during classes, it made me have the least chance to be called on and it also let me talk with my friends without being caught.

"Good morning children." Umbridge began the class.

"You will be having your O.W.L exams this year, study hard and you will be rewarded greatly." She said while scribbling 'Ordinary Wizarding Level' onto the chalkboard. I wasn't too worried about these, I knew if I put my mind too it I would definitely excel. Jennie too, both of us always seemed to get top grades in all our classes because we often studied together in the library. Hermione also joined us often for our study sessions. I wasn't so sure about how the boys would do. Harry was probably going to be okay, but Ron and Terence seemed to slack off here and there, Ron more than Terence though.

Umbridge then proceeded to levitate a stack of books across the room for everyone to grab one once it reached their desk.

"This doesn't look like the right book." Jennie mumbled beside me, she had gotten her book before I did. I peered over and saw her book read 'Dark Arts defence: Basics for Beginners'.

"From now on you will all be following a carefully structured, ministry approved course." Umbridge spoke, putting emphasis on the ministry approved part.

In front of me I saw Hermione raise her hand "There is nothing in here about using defensive spells."

I checked for myself and Hermione was right, it looked like an extremely watered down version of our previous books.

"You will not be using any spells in my classroom, we will only be analysing the theoretical aspect of defensive magic." Umbridge explained in that god awful high pitched voice of hers.

"She's like the opposite of Crouch's son." Terence remarked and I nodded at him, completely agreeing.

"Well what use is that, if we are going to be attacked?" Harry called out. Umbridge raised an eyebrow and strutted towards his and Ron's desk.

"There is nothing out there that will attack you dear." She spoke. "Who could possibly be out there that wants to attack children like yourselves?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe Voldemort." Harry said sarcastically. I mentally face palmed, already knowing he would get in trouble for saying that.

"Let me make this clear, this certain dark wizard is not back, the rumours are false. As for you Mr. Potter, detention." Umbridge raised her voice at Harry. We were then all ordered to read chapter one in our book.

While reading I thought for a second, if Umbridge was sent by the ministry then that means she must work for it. The same ministry that is trying to conceal evidence against Voldemort's return. If I was somehow able to sneak into her office, I could gather information about what the ministry knows and maybe even find something useful I could report to the dark lord. If I was going to be a double agent feeding him information, telling him things about the ministry instead of Harry could maybe shift the focus of my friend onto ministry matters instead, thus keeping Harry more safe.

I sighed, knowing the only way to sneak into her office was probably to get myself some detention too. I had never gotten any detention before, but in this case I knew exactly what to do to get myself some.

"This is bullshit." I said loud enough for everyone to hear, slamming the book closed.

"Excuse me?" Umbridge squeaked, turning around to look at me.

"This is more like a children's book than a defence against the dark arts book." I replied and pushed the book away from me.

"Lucy what are you doing." I heard Jennie whisper beside me.

Umbridge walked over to my desk, her heels clacking on the wooden floor. "I'm not done yet, I have a lot more to critique on this stupid book and whoever wrote it." I added.

"Well Miss Snape you can tell me all about that during detention with Mr. Potter tonight." She fake grinned.