Take me to count the stars

Chapter four

Elizabeth waited impatiently for the trio in front of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

THe lessons had started a fw days ago and there was not much new, except the new Defense teacher, DOlores Umbridge.

That would be their first lesson together and she didn't want to be late; she decided she would just wait another five minutes and then walk in without them.

Draco Malfoy walked elegantly down the corridor and seemed to be headed rigth by her; but he stopped shortly before, leaning against the wall, speaking absently to a girl.

"What ar they doing together?" Elizabeth thought.

Her mouth was pouting, she looked angry, she spoke animatedly to him.

He silenced her with a kiss, looking in Elizabeth's direction. And she felt like and intuder between them, in that intimate moment.

She snorted and fored herself into the classroom, she would wait for harry and the others inside.

When she entered, she found Professor Umbridge already seated at her desk, wearing a fluffy pink cardigan.

Everyone entered in silence, Hermione sat down next to her, stroking her shoulder in greeting.

"Good afternoon!" the teacher said when finally everyone was seated. Some mumbled a vague answer.

"I would like you to say ' Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge'. One more time, pease. Good afternoon boys!"

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge!" tehy answered in chorus.

"Well!ake the wands and the feathers out, please"

Many boys exchanged dark glances; Elizabeth put away hers and pulled out the quill, ink and parchment.

"This year we will take a carefully structured, teory-based defenze magic course approved by the Ministry. Copy the following setences, please"

'Course objectives'.                                                                                            1. Understand the basic principles of defensive magic                      2. Learn to recognize situations in which defensive magic can be used legally                                                                                                     3. Put defensive magic in context for practical use.

Hermione stared hard at Professor Umbridge, her hand raised, but she ignored he, continuing speaking.

Only when more than half class was staring at Hermione instead of their books, the teacher seemed to decide she could no longer ignore the situation and motioned her to speak

"I have a question about the goals of your course" said Hermione.

Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrowns.

" And you are...?"

"Hermione Granger"

"Well, Miss. Granger, I think the course objectives are perfectly clear if you read them carefully" said the teacher, pointing to the blackboard.

"I really don't think so" Hermione objected " There's nothing written there about using defensive spells"

"Usig defensive spells?" repeated Professor Umbridge "I can't imagine a sitiation in my class tat requires a defense spell, Miss Granger. You don't expect to be attacked in class, do you?"

"Aren't we going to use magic?" Elizabeth asked aloud.

"The students do raise their hands when they wish to speak during my lesson, miss....?