stardust ⋮ george weasley

fifty-seven :

F I F T Y - S E V E N

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Based on what happened at the Welcoming Feast, everyone was anticipating to not have a fun time in Defense Against the Dark Arts that year. However, not a single person could have expected how truly terrible the new Professor was.

After greeting the class, Professor Umbridge shocked them all by instructing them to put their wands away in their bags and pull out their textbooks. "I would like you all to turn to page 5 and read 'Chapter One: Basics for Beginners'. There will be no need to talk."

As Estelle and Adeline shared an annoyed look over such a useless class assignment, Melanie's hand immediately shot into the air. "Professor Umbridge," She began, not caring whether she had been granted permission to speak or not. "I don't think these are the right books for us. We're N.E.W.T. students."

The short woman blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"

Melanie continued nonetheless, despite the look in Cedric's face next to her that look uneasy at challenging the teacher. "These are books that my parents would use to teach my brother about magic before he came to Hogwarts because they don't require wands and don't teach any actual defensive spells. Are we not allowed to use magic this year?"

Still with a sickly smile on her face, Professor Umbridge responded, "There's no need to be learning any defensive spells in my classroom. You'll be learning about magic in a safe and secure environment."

"But we're seventh years!" Angelina protested. "We have N.E.W.T.s this year!"

"Students must not speak out of turn!"

"But how is this going to help us prepare in any sort of way for the exams?" Adeline spoke up. "A major part of the N.E.W.T.s is the practical examination, which is incredibly complex and difficult. How do we even have a chance of passing that if you won't even let us use our wands in class?"

"How dare you question the Ministry's curriculum–" Professor Umbridge whipped her head around to see who was speaking, and an look of intense displeasure crossed her face as she snarled, "Ms. Reyes."

"Not only are we not going to pass our exams," Adeline continued, despite the fact she could see Professor Umbridge's face reddening with fury. "But we're not going to be able to actually defend ourselves against the dark arts! Isn't that the whole point of this class?"

"That's absolutely ridiculous," Professor Umbridge said with a strained laugh. "Who do you imagine is out there that would want to attack children?"

"Well, take a good look at me," Adeline shrugged, sarcasm seeping through her voice. "Do you think my eye just fell out of my head on it's own accord?"

Despite the tense situation, Fred couldn't help but let out a small snort of laughter. Everyone in the class could see that Professor Umbridge was just barely keeping her composure together, but Adeline couldn't help but notice a small twitch in her eye. "What happened to you was a tragic accident within the maze, nothing more!"

"How are you telling me how I lost my eye? I was the one who was there! Not you!"

"Ms. Reyes!" She snapped. Professor Umbridge then had to take a few seconds to calm herself down again. With a small laugh as to suggest Adeline was being completely ridiculous, Professor Umbridge said, "You don't even know what you're saying."

"I'm not crazy!" Adeline replied furiously, her voice beginning to rise with anger. "I know what I saw, and what I saw was You-Know-Who coming back."