𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦 | 𝐃.𝐌

𝟎𝟎𝟑 - 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

《❁》

𝐙 𝐎 𝐘 𝐀 𝐉 𝐔 𝐋 𝐕 𝐑 𝐈 𝐗

Zoya sat at the long, wooden table in the bustling breakfast hall, surrounded by the cheerful chatter of her friends. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, enticing her senses. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the room.

As Zoya sipped her steaming cup of tea, she glanced at her elegant watch, a treasured heirloom from her grandmother. Her emerald eyes widened in realization as she noticed the time. Defense Against the Dark Arts class was about to begin, and she couldn't afford to be late again. With a sense of urgency, she nudged her best friend Rosalie, who sat beside her.

"Rosalie, it's time for our Defense Against the Dark Arts class!" Zoya exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and urgency.

Rosalie's eyes widened in response, and she quickly swallowed the last bite of her buttery croissant. "You're right, Zoya! We can't keep Professor Umbridge waiting," she replied, her voice filled with determination.

Leaving their half-finished breakfast behind, Zoya and Rosalie hurriedly made their way through the bustling corridors of the magical academy. They weaved through the throngs of students, their footsteps echoing in the grand hallway.

Finally, they reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom just in time. Zoya pushed open the heavy oak door, and they slipped inside, taking their seats among the eager students.

At the front of the classroom stood Professor Umbridge, a stern-looking woman with a tight bun and a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. As Zoya settled into her seat, Professor Umbridge began her introduction, her voice laced with an artificial sweetness.

Zoya and Rosalie sat side by side in their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, their attention focused on Professor Umbridge as she lectured about the upcoming OWLs exams. The atmosphere in the room was tense, with everyone feeling the weight of the approaching tests.

Just as Parvati Patil proudly presented her paper bird creation, a symbol of her hard work, Professor Umbridge's face twisted with a malevolent grin. Without hesitation, she snatched the paper bird from Parvati's hand and held it up to her lips, her wand poised above it.

"No need for such distractions," Umbridge sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "This... thing is not going to help you pass your exams. In fact, it's nothing but a nuisance." With a flick of her wand, she sent a small flame bursting forth, igniting the delicate paper bird. The room filled with the sound of crackling fire as the bird turned to ash, Parvati's face falling with a mix of disbelief and anger.

"Ordinary Wizarding Levels more commonly known as OWLs." Professor Umbridge began. The mention of O.W.L.s sent a shiver down Zoya's spine. The Ordinary Wizarding Level exams were a daunting challenge for any student, and the pressure to perform well was immense.

"Study hard and you will be rewarded, fail to do so and the consequences may be severe." Umbridge's self-satisfied voice echoed through the classroom. What exactly did she mean by "harsh consequences"? Before I could dwell on it further, her voice broke the silence once more.

With a wave of her wand, the books on the professor's desk levitated in the air and distributed themselves to each student's table. "Your previous instructions in subject has been disturbingly uneven," Umbridge's voice echoed once again. One of the books landed right in front of me, and as I flipped it open, I found myself puzzled by its contents.

"But you'll be pleased to know, from now on you will be following a carefully structured ministry approved course of defense against the dark arts." The book seemed to focus solely on theory, lacking any practical aspects. Confusion painted the faces of my classmates. Then, Hermione raised her hand and asked the question that was on all of our minds.