Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

39

Cayden, Elias and Malia exit the Hogwarts Express and move quickly through the crowd of students to the carriages that would take them to the castle.

As they prepare to climb into one of the carriages, Cayden stops and stares towards the front of the carriage.

There is a large reptilian, horse-like creature harnessed to the front whereas always before there was nothing.

"Thestral?" Cayden questioned, pointing at the creature.

"What?" Elias asked, looking at where Cayden is pointing but sees nothing.

"They're Thestral." Cayden said, turning his head to look at Elias. "You see them when you've witnessed death." He said, clambering into the carriage.

It starts moving when they all sit down.

Cayden looks out into the darkness of the Hogwarts grounds. He looks at Hagrid's hut in the dark. All the lights are off within.

"Hagrid's cabin looks deserted." Cayden said, looking at Malia in front of him who is sitting on the opposite side of him.

"I hope he's all right..." Malia said.

"What if he were still on his mission from Dumbledore?" Elias asked.

"Yeah, could be." Cayden said, looking down at his hands.

≪ °❈° ≫

Hogwarts Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, a wizzened old man with a great white beard to his belt and long white hair, stands to address the school.

"I beg a few moments of your attention, as I have a few starts of term announcements. Right off, our caretaker, the good Mr. Filch, has reminded me for what he says is the four-hundred and sixty-second time that he had annually updated list of various banned items, usually introduced by our humour experts Fred and George Weasley..." Professor Dumbledore said.

Fred and George stand and take a bow to the cheering, laughter, and yells.

"... which are posted in an extensive list on the door to Mr. Filch's door."

Cayden shares a smile with Elias, who was grinning.

"Also, we have two staffing changes this year. Professor Grubby-Plank will be taking the post of Care of Magical Creatures post as Professor Hagrid is on... extended leave." Professor Dumbledore said. "Additionally, we have Professor Umbridge, who has kindly agreed to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts--"

At this, Umbridge stands and clears her throat. "Hem, hem, Headmaster, if I could address the school."

Professor Dumbledore looks taken aback. Professor McGonagall glares at Umbridge. Professor Dumbledore sits down and invites Umbridge forward.

"Thank you, Headmaster. Now, how are we all doing tonight? I thought I would just say a few words. I am here at the Ministry of Magic's bequest, under Educational Decree twenty-two, which states that if the Headmaster of Hogwarts is unable to fill any teaching post the Ministry shall select one for the position."

Professor Dumbledore inclines his head. There is murmuring from the students.

"The Ministry has always considered the magical education of our children to be of vital importance, and the passing down of this ancient and noble art must be given to the next generation, lest it be lost forever..." Umbridge said. "Without progress, stagnation. But progress for progress's sake is to be discouraged, for our art requires no tinkering." She said. "A balance must be attained, the new and the old, permanence and change, tradition and innovation, order and chaos." She said. "There are large changes coming soon, changes walking the fine line between order and chaos. Know only that these changes are for the best, and to prevent the destruction of our civilization from its own decay. Thank you."

Umbridge smiles at them all, but to Cayden and Harry, the smiles seem a little forced, a little fake. And Cayden has a feeling that he should be holding Harry back from speaking about Voldemort in front of her. Thankfully, the Hufflepuff house and Ravenclaw house believe that Voldemort is back.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden didn't turn around when the door was pushed open by Harry, already knowing this will happen.

"Sorry, Professor..." Harry said.

Umbridge smiles, toad-like, at Harry. "Hmm, let's see, five points from Gryffindor for coming in late."

Cayden watches Harry sit down next to Ron and Hermione, close enough for him to stop Harry if he starts speaking about Voldemort. Harry turns his head when he notices him looking, raising his eyebrows in question but Cayden looks away.

"Now, as I was saying before Mr. Potter interrupted with his antics, your Defense Against the Dark Arts education has been rather fragmented and disjointed in your last classes, hasn't it?" Umbridge said. "Know that this is about to be rectified. I will be following a pre-approved Ministry-prepared, theory-centered Defense lesson plan." She said, waving her wand at the blackboard and words are written down on it. "Copy this down."

Cayden opens his books and begins copying what was on the blackboard, except Hermione, who sits with her book unopened, her hand in the air. Frowning, when Umbridge ignores her.

However, within the next few seconds, nearly the whole class is watching Hermione.

Umbridge sighs. "Yes?"

"I wanted to know something about your course aims." Hermione said, placing her hand down.

"Well, they should be perfectly self-evident." Umbridge said.

"Well, I don't think they are. They say nothing about actually doing spells." Hermione said, confused.

Umbridge laughs. "I can imagine no circumstance in my class where you would need to use spells, my dear!"

"But surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is practical application?" Hermione said.

"Miss Granger, this class has been approved by Ministry experts. Are you a Ministry Expert?" Umbridge asked.

"No, but--"

"Then you have no business challenging those who are. We will be learning about spells in a safe, risk-free environment--"

"But we've got O.W.L.s coming up! You expect us to do spells with no practice?" Hermione questioned, disbelief.

"What good's theory in the real world?" Harry asked, not noticing Cayden taking a deep breath.

"This is school, not the real world, Mr. Potter. There is nothing out there waiting to get you." Umbridge said.

"What about Lord Voldemort?" Harry asked, causing the whole class, except Cayden, to flinch at the sound of the name.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter. Let me set the record straight." Umbridge said, standing behind her desk, leaning on her knuckles. "Some of you have been told that a certain dead wizard has returned. This is a lie."

Harry was about to stand up, but he was stopped by Cayden who dragged him back down to his chair. Harry turns his head to look at Cayden, face changing at the begging emotions in his twin brother's eyes. Harry looks at Umbridge, noticing the expectant look and leans back, not giving her the expectations to give him detention and probably do something horrible.

Cayden looks at the disappointed expression Umbridge tries to hide, letting go of Harry's hand and leaning back on his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. Just like he thought, Umbridge wanted to punish him and Harry for speaking out about Voldemort. He knows it's bad to wish people death, but he hopes Umbridge got killed.