stardust ⋮ george weasley

fifty-six :

F I F T Y - S I X

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Even though it didn't feel the same as the past years, Adeline still felt relived to be sitting back in the Great Hall again. It was more awkward than usual sitting down at the Ravenclaw table, with so many of the people she had become friends with over the past six years avoiding her and greeting her awkwardly if they even acknowledged her. Adeline was thankful to have Estelle at her side for the meal, and with her, it felt like things were at least going a little bit back to normal.

"Good evening, children," Professor Dumbledore greeted, his voice cutting through the crowd of students and causing them to quiet down and pay attention. "Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back Professor Grubby-Plank, who'll be taking Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on...temporary leave. We also wish to welcome Professor Dolores Umbridge, and I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck. Now, as usual, our caretaker Mr. Filch has asked to remind you all–"

"Hem hem."

Adeline's jaw dropped slightly as she stared at the woman dressed head-to-toe in pink stand up and interrupt Professor Dumbledore of all people.

"Oh, Merlin, it's her," Estelle muttered darkly.

Before Adeline could ask what she meant by that, Professor Umbridge spoke up again. "Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." She looked over the crowd of students and seemed to ignore all the students staring at her with either a look of disdain or boredom. "And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."

Adeline cringed at the fake sugary-sweet tone of voice as Estelle whispered, "I heard my parents fighting over something about some sort of new Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum. And I already hated her before this anyways, so this is probably going to be awful."

"We've had some pretty awful teachers, hopefully we can handle her for a year," Adeline quietly reassured. She then looked back up to the front of the Great Hall, and happened to catch Professor Umbridge's gaze. The woman in pink's face darkened for a brief second, and Adeline felt a chill run through her body.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance," She continued after the glare left her face and was replaced with that same fake smile. "Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school...progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what must be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be prohibited."

Another small giggle left her mouth as Professor Umbridge slowly made her way back to her seat. Adeline couldn't help but notice the dark glare cross Professor McGonagall's features and how even the usually beaming Professor Flitwick was looking at her with a look of disgust.

"Thank you, Professor Umbridge," Professor Dumbledore eventually said with the rest of the Great Hall staring at her awkwardly. "That was most...illuminating."

He then dismissed the students to go back up to their Houses. Adeline said a quick goodbye to Estelle before standing near the head of the Ravenclaw table to she could take care of the new students.

"First years gather here!" Adeline called out. "First years gather here, please!"

A few of them seemed nervous to be called over by Adeline, but they still grouped together anyways. Adeline caught a few of them sneaking glances at her scar, but she didn't want to deal with that right now, so she instead went through her usual routine whenever she gave the first years the introduction to Hogwarts and the Ravenclaw house.