The Healer | Part 1: The Hogwarts Years

Defensive Theory

Edith

Cho did not say much during the first few days of term. I couldn't blame her, it must be hard being back at Hogwarts where she had spent so much time with Cedric. I couldn't even begin to imagine her pain.

We received our timetables at breakfast the following morning and poured over them to find out which classes we would be taking together. Everyone had a free period right after breakfast except me, I would be going to Ancient Runes, and then we would all have Defence Against the Dark Arts before lunch and double Potions after lunch.

The woman who had taken over the post was about as opposite as anyone could get from our teacher the previous year, Professor Moody. I suppose he hadn't even been Moody, he had been a Death Eater in disguise in the end.

Professor Umbridge was a short, plump woman with mousy brown hair and wore pink from head to toe. I had thought it had just been a special outfit for the start-of-term feast the night before, but no, I could see her at the staff table like a beacon wearing even more pink. She certainly didn't look very dangerous. She didn't even look like she would be particularly useful in repelling dark magic, especially with that ridiculous bow on top of her head. Maybe she would surprise us, she did hold a high position in the Ministry. She had to have come by it somehow.

Mia had filled me in on the news from the wizarding world. The Ministry was vehemently denying You-Know-Who had come back. They were saying very nasty things about Dumbledore being off his rocker and Harry Potter being a disturbed boy who was only seeking attention. I laughed at that, Harry Potter could have attention whenever he wanted, he didn't have to go looking for it.

I stood by how I felt at the end of the last term. Harry Potter, of all people, had nothing to gain from You-Know-Who returning. If anything, he had the most to lose, and it looked like it was already starting. The Ministry of Magic and the Daily Prophet were discrediting him at every turn. Already, half the school thought he was mad.

I suppose it made sense that the Ministry wanted one of their people at Hogwarts, from what Mia was saying, they didn't trust Dumbledore with so much as an ink bottle, let alone all of Hogwarts. They were being smart, appointing one of their own for an open post instead of sacking Dumbledore directly and taking his position.

For the first time in a year, I did not have homework assigned to me at the end of a class. I could have kissed Professor Babbling. I met up with Mia, Cho and Marietta outside of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom along with the rest of the sixth-year Ravenclaws and, to my disappointment, the Slytherins. Shortly after, the door was opened and Professor Umbridge stood outside to watch us all file in.

I couldn't help but shiver as I walked by, her beady little eyes were scrutinizing every student. There was something about her I didn't like, I couldn't put my finger on it though, she certainly seemed harmless enough.

I almost cried out in dismay when I spotted the desks. They were arranged in groups of two and all of them had names on them. She had assigned seats for all of us.

Several other students also cried out in outrage, but Professor Umbridge raised a hand for silence and it fell immediately.

'It is my belief that students are more productive in a controlled environment. You will please find your seats and remove your copies of Defensive Magical Theory as well as some ink, a quill and a fresh roll of parchment. There will be no need for wands today.'

There was much grumbling as we all turned to find our seats. No good lesson had ever started with no need for wands. No one seemed to have a seat next to anyone from their own house, at least the Slytherins were suffering too. I found my seat near the back of the class next to Alice Jones, a large girl who seemed to be always grinding her teeth. Ugh, I suppose it could have been worse.