Innocence | Severus Snape x Reader

45 - Educational Decree No. 23

I was having a wonderful time being a teacher.

Though Ancient Runes was not the most interesting subject, I still found ways to try to make it interesting and on days we were most productive I always gave the incentive of playing classroom games and treats. It was wonderful. They were having fun and so was I.

I felt lucky to have the class that I did. I was worried that I'd get a class of children who were difficult to work with. The only one who was was Miss Parkinson, who even she eventually let down her guard and became an enjoyable person, which I never would have expected considering she spent so much time with Malfoy.

I was also able to spend a lot of time with the twins and the lot of them when it wasnt during the normal school day, which was great. Every day that passed I was able to strengthen my bond with them. Lately, I had been getting closer with Ginny, who seemed to look up to me.

And Severus, well I was right in the fact that we had to sneak around, especially with Umbridge, but it wasn't too terribly difficult. Most nights we would part ways after dinner and then go to our separate chambers, though we sometimes go to mine, sometimes go to his. We refrained from any intimate acts.

I was sitting with Hermione, Ron, and Ginny during breakfast this morning. Apparently, Harry had been growing increasingly distant, and I could understand why. He was in the position of everyone thinking he was crazy, much as I.

I watched as Ron took a bite of sausage while reading the Daily Prophet, and I was done with my food.

"Do you ever stop eating?" Hermione said to the redheaded boy. 

"What I'm hungry." He dismissed her. 

Hermione turned as someone approached. "Harry," She said. 

"Can I join you?" He asked. It sounded like a stupid question but remembering what the two had told me reminded me that this was him mending his previous hostilities. 

Before anyone could say anything, there had been that squeaky annoying little voice from the hall, and everyone was quick to see what it was about, including me. 

"Pardon me Professor, but exactly are you insinuating?" Umbridge said from atop a few stairs above Professor McGonagall who was looking up at her.

"I'm merely requesting that when it comes to my students you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices," McGonagall said with a bit of edge to her voice. I had never quite heard her like that.

"So silly of me, but it sounds as if you are questioning my authority in my own classroom Minerva." Umbridge took a single step up. 

"Not at all, Delores. Merely your medieval methods." McGonagall took a step up as well to meet with the other woman.

"I am sorry dear, but to question my practices is to question the Ministry, and by extension the Minister himself. I am a tolerant woman but the one thing I will not stand for is disloyalty."

"Disloyalty," McGonagall spoke as if Umbridge should be questioning her own self instead of the wise leader of the House of Gryffindor. Umbridge turns to the crowd of us that had formed.

"Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared. Cornelius will want to take immediate action!"

The next day, on the wall to the Great Hall, Educational Decree Number twenty-three had gone up. This meant that Umbridge was given the right to reform the school however she saw put. 

At first, it started with a few added and adjusted rules, but then she started making her rounds to every classroom to observe the teachers. Even Severus. 

I was glad she had gotten to him first though. It gave him time to warn me and me time to prepare. Unfortunately, that meant I had to come up with the most boring, textbook lecture for classes until she came, which was today. 

I stood in front of the class with an extra chalkboard than I normally had, borrowed from a neighboring classroom, with runic words displayed and their translations. I just rambled on while she observed the class, occasionally throwing in a fancy word or speaking a spliced sentence in runic to make it seem like I was really making these kids work. 

Thankfully, the class got the memo and played along. I was so lucky to have the students that I did. 

"Can I ask you a question?" Umbridge said, cutting off my lecture to the class. 

"You may," I said, folding my hands. I had to do what Severus suggested and appeal to her better nature. 

"You are how old?" She asked. 

"Twenty-two," I responded. She scribbled something down. 

"And how long have you been familiar with this subject?" She asked. 

"Five years." I lied, she wouldn't know the difference. 

"And you taught here once two years ago?" 

"That is correct." She scribbled something else.

"Perfect. Have a lovely day." She said with a particular tone that made it sound so insecure and sarcastic, before walking out of the classroom. 

I waited until she left and I knew for a fact she was gone before dropping the act. 

"I think we made it." I said to the class, they all laughed. 

I hadn't gotten fired in the next few days. However, the Prophet and the Minister were praising this woman for what she was doing, and what she was doing was robbing the students of their freedoms. 

No music during study hours, banned Weasley products, proper dress at all times, the list went on. 

And then there was the situation with Sybil Trelawney, a saint that woman is, where Umbridge fired her and tried forcing her to leave. Thankfully Dumbledore was allowed to keep her stay, but it posed as a warning to all other teachers. 

On top of that, the Ministry pinned the disappearances on Sirius. As much as I did;t like my uncle, even I was upset by that. It was embarrassing, and once Voldemort made his appearance, the Minister will lose much trust. 

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Classes had just been dismissed for the day and I made a hot break for it to get to the Great Hall. As I was walking I had been consumed in a book, though I was incredibly aware of my surroundings. 

"Professor L/N!" I heard someone call as I walked. As much as I didn't want to stop, I did. I saw Harry jogging towards me from behind. 

"Yes, Harry?" I asked, hoping everything was alright. 

"Can I talk to you for a second, in private?"