Ten Questions (Harry Potter x Slytherin reader)

Chapter 36

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices!"

The whole great hall begins to simmer down as the headmaster of Hogwarts speaks. After a long sorting ceremony, I was relieved that the night was finally beginning to end. Dumbledore continues.

"First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."

I look across to the Gryffindor table to see Harry and his friends smirking. I roll my eyes. Idiots.

"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

This is met with an unenthusiastic round of applause. However, when I look to my side, I notice that nobody seems happier than Draco Malfoy, who absolutely despises the Hogwarts gamekeeper due to what happened in our third year. Without meaning to, I catch myself looking over at the Gryffindor table, where Harry purses his lips. While I personally did not know Professor Hagrid very well, I knew that Harry did, and to my surprise, I felt myself feel sorry for him.

Dumbledore continues, "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —"

He isn't able to finish his sentence when the lady in pink, the new defense against the dark arts teacher, loudly clears her throat. Dumbledore falters for a moment, looking taken aback by the sudden action, then tentatively makes his way back to his seat. When my eyes scan her, I scoff at her outfit, which consists of all pink and an atrocious cardigan. She looks ridiculous.

"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." I wrinkle my nose when hearing her voice, which is pitchy and high. Despite being met with blank stares and complete silence, she continues, "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"

When I look around, there is not a single student smiling. Even Daphne, whose smile was usually permanently etched on her face, looks unamused.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

At this, everyone was trying to stifle their laughter. Even Blaise was beginning to smirk.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

Then, she sits down, looking very satisfied and pleased with herself. Professor Dumbledore is the first to clap, followed by a few hesitant and awkward claps from the rest of the students and professors.

"Merlin's beard," Blaise mutters, shaking his head in disbelief. "That was awful."

"It's about time somebody brought order to Hogwarts, after that lunatic from last year." I turn my head to see Malfoy speaking. Although I agree that Professor Moody was an awful teacher, I don't think Professor Umbridge will be a dramatic improvement based on her behavior. I roll my eyes and focus my attention elsewhere as Dumbledore continues his speech, talking about quidditch and other seemingly unimportant rules.