The Re-sorting Hat - Remastered edition!

The Worst Lesson

Harry woke up groggily, he barely got any sleep last night; just when he was falling asleep his body would jerk him awake again with the haunting scenes of the recurring dream. His reflection didn't look that good either, he looked tired with dark bags under his eyes which didn't surprise him at all, he was after all, exhausted. However exhausted he was, he had a feeling he would get more tired, after all he had D.A.D.A with Umbridge first thing. He was dreading it.

The morning chatter was streaming in and out of the opening doors of the great hall when the Slytherins glided into breakfast. He walked ahead of the them, with only one goal in mind; talk to Hermione and Ron.

"So you had to share a bed with the ferret, Merlin... And I thought hanging around Fred and George was torture" Ron said while stuffing toast into his mouth and chewing with his mouth open.

"Tell me about it" Harry muttered, bringing a hand up to shield a yawn. His breakfast was practically untouched, he felt sick still from the memories of his nightmare.

"What's that on your hand?" Hermione asked, then added "did Malfoy do this to you?"

"Oh it's nothing" Harry replied hastily pulling his hand down quickly, a little to hastily for Ron's or Hermione's liking. They narrowed their eyes and gave him THAT look.

"Let me see" Hermione's voice was gently unlike the harsh commanding tones of Draco Malfoy from last night, so Harry did, after all they were his friends. "That looks bloody sore mate, who did it? I swear I'll kill them"

Harry sighed "You can't kill her, it's Umbridge and in case you haven't noticed she basically just took over Hogwarts"

Hermione brow was furrowed and the hand lifting the cup of tea to her lips faltered, she put it down quickly "Umbridge can't get away with this, it's abuse! You should go tell Dumbledore Harry"

Harry shook his head "What's he going to do? Kindly ask the minister of magic's inquisitor to bugger off? He can't do anything. He's got other things to deal with"

"But Harry.." Hermione pleaded

"No, it's not going to do anything" He knew from personal experience speaking up about something like this often led to further and more complicated issues, it was easier to stay quiet and hope for the best. The word abuse stuck to him uncomfortably, he pushed his breakfast away feeling even more sick.

"You should still go and say to him mate" Ron pushed.

Harry sighed heavily, tugging at his stubborn hair. Despite being told he had limited observation skills he was actually very perceptive about certain things, especially adults behaviors and body language. This had served him well in previous years, he had a feeling this year would be much the same if not worse "He's too busy, tell me you hadn't noticed how often he's been away recently. He hasn't even talked to me once this year. Obviously I'm not important right now"

"Harry, just because he's busy doesn't mean you're not important" Harry looked up and saw truth shining in her eyes, she really was the brightest, kindest and wisest person he had ever known.

"We should get to class" He said changing the subject entirely after checking his watch.

-

"Welcome to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts class!" Umbridge said as the students were sat rigid in their seats, looking forward apprehensively. "now in previous years the teachers taught dangerous spells that you only needed to be taught theoretically, not practically. After all what is out there that you would need to defend against?" Umbridge said in that high squeak again.

Harry was furious with her, she had not only forced him to sit next to a Slytherin but she had forced him to sit next to Malfoy. Looking at him now Harry wouldn't even be able to imagine him being nice, not with that smirk on his face, maybe it was a dream. Umbridge had also just said the most infuriating statement "What would you need to defend against?". Oh I don't know maybe a dark evil crazed killer who had killed not only his own mum and dad but also Cedric he thought to himself bitterly. Even if he wasn't around the wizarding world was dangerous, there were creatures and monsters out there which could do real harm, like that bloody troll in first year - defense was incredibly important. What would you need to defend against he mocked in his head...honestly, well Harry knew what, he was going to tell her exactly what the ministry of magic was ignoring when there was a tight grip on his wrist.

He looked to his left to see Malfoy looking back at him mouthing "don't do it" As if Malfoy could stop him, Umbridge needed to pay for words she said, they didn't know what it felt like to see Voldemort kill Cedric. They didn't know how close to death he had come that night or how Voldemort got away. They couldn't tell him that Voldemort wasn't alive when Harry had seen it with his very own eyes. Malfoy moved closer and whispered frantically.

"Don't do it Potter, do you want more detentions? Do you want to loose house points? You have to control yourself"

"Control myself?" Whispered Harry furiously "were you there when Cedric was killed in front of me by.."

"No." Malfoy interrupted "I wasn't but trust me I could tell when you came back with his body that your tears did have a real reason. And look ... off the record I think he's back too. Come on she's not worth it"

The speech from Malfoy calmed him down and surprised him into silence. He was correct that she was not worth his anger at least but it didn't stave off the anger that had built over the last few minutes. Who would have thought that Malfoy would believe him, of all people Harry would have never suspected that. But he supposed he could have been lying, but his stormy eyes seemed to shine truth. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all...It was impossible to tell with him.