Nothing Without You (That Special Something sequel)

Chapter 19: Umbridge the Dumbridge

5th January 1996. 10:00.

As I heard class begin, I groaned. Umbridge was inspecting me today. I wasn't nervous, I just hated her. The students made a very amusing name for her, which I was fond of using when she wasn't around. I opened the door to let my fifth year class in, and purposely almost shut the door on Umbridge as she walked in. She made a little groaning sound, but I ignored it.

"Good morning!" I said chirpily as my students sat down. I ignored Umbridge as she sat near my desk. "I would like to have your worksheets back, please." The class russled inside their bags and got out a piece of parchment. I waved my wand and they flew towards me in a nice neat pile. "I'll mark them later. You'll get them tomorrow." I stood up and picked up a piece of chalk.

"Eh-hm." I heard Umbridge cough in the corner. I ignored her.

"Now," I said, sketching some equations on the blackboard. "Who can tell me what we learnt last lesson?" I didn't even need to turn around. "Hermione." The class laughed.

"Last lesson we learnt about using dates in algebra." Hermione said from behind me.

"Yes." I said, finally turning around. "Now, because this subject is particularly hard, we will be concentrating on it for quite a few lessons." I expected the class to groan a little, but they kept smiling. I knew why. Because Umbridge was in the room. "We'll do the first equation together and then we'll-"

"Eh-hm." Umbridge said again. I groaned and turned to her. She was smiling, almost smirking.

"I am trying to teach a class!" I groaned.

"This will only take a second!" She squeaked happily. I folded my arms. She nodded and smiled. "You've been in this post for how long?"

"Two years." I told her. She nodded, and I turned back to my class. "and then we'll do the rest in your books-"

"Just one more little question." She said. I sighed and turned again. The class giggled. "You have been to azkaban. Is that correct?"

"I was innocent." I snapped. "Don't you read the papers?"

"No need to be rude, Dorothy." she giggled, with an annoying stern look. "And one more question." I rolled my eyes. "You're in love with Sirius Black, aren't you?"

"Yes." I hissed.

"Are you still?" She added, smiling froggishly at me. "In love with Black?"

I scowled at her. I wasn't afraid of her. She couldn't have got me fired with Dumbledore as headmaster. But she could have got me in trouble with the Ministry. But to be honest, I didn't care what the ministry thought of me anymore. The only people I cared about was the order of the phoenix. Including Harry and his friends. And they knew Sirius was innocent.

"Yes." I hissed at her. "I love him more than you love destroying people's happiness." The class laughed. I smiled. "Can I continue with my class, now?"

Before she had a time to answer, I turned back to my class, a little happier than before.

The class was leaving, and break was starting. Snow was still on the grounds, so I put on my cloak and headed out. Whilst I was sniffing and walking to the icy cold grounds, a pair of running high heels behind me stopped me. I rolled my eyes and turned.

"What?" I groaned, facing the toad, Umbridge, scowling at me.

"I would just like to remind you that I am a ministry official." She said. Her voice was shaking a bit. "All of this information will go straight to the ministry."

I stepped towards her. I thought I was short, but I towered over her. "I don't care what information the ministry has of me, Umbridge. I have nothing to hide."

"Oh really." She chuckled. "Then you wouldn't mind telling me where Sirius Black is hiding?"

I scowled at her. "Even if I knew," I spat at her. "why on earth would I tell you?"

Her face reddened in anger. "Watch yourself, Dorothy."

"You don't scare me!" I laughed. "You have no power. You can't fire me."

She let out a sickening giggle. "For now."

And she skipped away.

I sipped a cup of tea in the staff room, sniffing in harmony to the other teachers. The icy cold weather of that morning had turned into a bitter january in just a few hours. The castle had become too cold, so lessons had been cancelled. Everyone was expecting a snow tornado.

"I need to sneeze!" I told professor Flitwick. "But it's not coming out."

"Me too." He mumbled, rubbing his nose.

I looked around, leaned in and lowered my voice. "How was Dumbridge for you today?"

"She measured me." He said. I gasped. "I know! It's a bit prejudice."

"More than a bit." I said. "She tried to threaten me today. And she kept asking me about Sirius."

"That little-"

"Eh-hm."

We both groaned. I didn't even turn around.

"Shouldn't you be in your office torturing students who wear pink and red?" I said through gritted teeth. Flitwick snickered.

"I don't know what you mean?" She said angrily, stepping into my view. I stood up and towered over her again.

"Harry's my godson, Umbridge." I snapped. "I saw his hand. And I can see those marks all over my students. There's only one teacher who would physically hurt students. And that's you."

"Oh, Dorothy." She patronised. "Surely you're not accusing me of-"

"Yes I am." I said. I sat down and ignored her.

"Miss Groff." Her voice shook again. "I-"

"I'm not listening." I told her. "So shut it."

"Miss Groff." She repeated.

I stomped on her foot and slammed the door behind me. I know I shouldn't have, but it seriously felt good.