Snake Tooth (A PJO/HP Crossover)

Chapter Four- Umbridge and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

The wizards watched with interest as the exchange students were sorted. Hermione didn't miss their panicked glances at each other as they realized they were being separated.

"I hope one is sorted into Gryffindor." whispered Ginny. "I'd like to ask questions about what's going on in America with you-know-who. Do they know he's back?"

Not two seconds after, the hat decided "GRYFFINDOR!" for the boy it was sorting.

The boy stood and started walking down the table, clearly having no clue where to sit. As he passed them, Ginny said "You can sit here." pointing to the spot besides Ron, and the boy gladly accepted. Before they could question him, Dumbledore stood to speak.

"To our newcomers," He said in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old hands — welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"

Food appeared on the tables. Everyone laughed and began filing their plates.

Ron turned to the new kid. "What's your name?"

"Percy."

Ron nodded. "I've got a brother named Percy. He's a complete git."

"That's... um..." Percy didn't seem to know how to respond to that.

"Ron!" chided Hermione.

Harry decided to take over with introductions. "I'm Harry, that's Hermione, that's Ron, and there's Ron's little sister, Ginny, that's Neville and that's Lavender."

Percy nodded, looking completely lost.

"And Ron and I are the Gryffindor prefects this year, so if you need help finding anything or otherwise adjusting, you can talk to us." Said Hermione. Percy nodded again.

Then everyone dug into the food.

Once all the students were done eating and cheerfully talking to one another, Dumbledore stood to give a speech.

"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," he said. "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." (Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged smirks.)

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.

"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."

There were some polite applause, but Hermione looked at Harry and Ron to find their faces equally panicked- when would Hagrid be back?

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

He broke off and looked at Professor Umbridge. The students followed his gaze to find the woman had stood up, and seemed to be trying to make a speech. Dumbledore sat down abruptly, easily concealing his surprise.

The other teacher didn't have such mastery over their expressions; Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair, and Professor McGonagall's mouth was as thin as Hermione had ever seen it. No new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts.