Life Saver // Harry Potter // DISCONTINUED

seven: dolores umbridge

T H A L I A

The Great Hall was as beautiful as ever, the evening sky illuminated from the various candles floating around. I strutted over to the Gryffindor table and took my seat between Fred and George.

"This is gonna be a busy year boys, no slacking off. We've got pranks to do rules to break. It's your last year boys, you've got to leave Hogwarts with a bang" I said to the boys patting them on the shoulders before directing my attention to the teachers table.

"Oh Merlin-" Fred started

"-What is that?" George finished

"That my boys, looks like our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher" I said staring at the sight before me

The woman resembled a toad gone wrong. Her clothes were bright pink and contrasted horribly with her murky, wrinkly skin. Her hair was curled to be up to her shoulders and was hidden under a beret of sorts. It was a sight to behold.

"I think I may puke just looking at her" George choked out

"Yeah, right on that horrid cardigan" Fred said. I diverted my eyes from the woman, feeling sick and focusing on the sorting hat's new song

'In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the self same yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning
...
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you...
Let the Sorting now begin.'

"That was gloomy" Fred said

"Too right it was" I said, wondering about the meaning behind the song. Did the Sorting Hat detect Voldemort's arrival? Can it sense that he's back?

I watched and clapped as new Gryffindors were sorted. Finally. 'Zeller, Rose" was sorted into Hufflepuff and Dumbledore rose to his feet.

"To our newcomers, welcom! To our old hands - welcome back! There is a time for speech-making but this is not it. Tuck in!" Dumbledore said with a loud, booming voice.

I talked with Fred, George and Lee for a while about upcoming pranks and Weasley products

"No no, you have to use the valerian sprigs not the wolfsbane. If you use the wolfsbane instead of making canary creams we'll make bloody wolfing walnuts!" I argued "seriously guys, wat did you get on your potions O.W.L?"

As Fred opened his mouth to reply I interrupted him "that's a stupid question don't answer it"

I smiled as George rewrote the ingredients and straightened up. "Well boys, I'm off to sit with dear Ronniekins. It's about time I sat with people my age"

"See you Thal" They all said in unison

"Bye!" I called back befor taking a seat next to Hermione and across from Harry. "So, what rule-breaking is the golden trio getting up to this year?"

As Ron and Harry started to speak, Hermione cut them off with a stern voice. "Their will be no rule-breaking whatsoever, Ron and I are prefects now, I don't want to make a bad impression. Oh, and you can go tell Fred and George that too, if they do something stupid I won't hesitate to-"

"Yeah, yeah Hermione we get it" I said dismissing her. She glared at me but didn't get to retort as Dumbledore stood up.

"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," said Dumbledore. "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" We all exchanged smirks and I high fived Harry and Ron under the table.

"Mr Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four-hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you that magic is not permitted in hallways 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 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."

I clapped unenthusiastically, curious as to why Hagrid couldn't teach this year.

"Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the-" Dumbledore paused, looking at Professor Umbridge as she stood up and cleared her throat

"Hem, hem" and it became clear that she was intendidnt to make a speech

Dumbledore sat down after a momet of alamrm, offering Umbridge a moment to shine. I furrowed my eyebrows, no one interrupted Dumbledore's speeches, ever.

"Thank you Headmaster," Pfrofessor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."

Her voice was extremely high pitched, I felt a powerful rush of dislike thorugh me as I watched her stand there with a girlish smile on her face in her flffy pink cardigan. She gave anothe cough ('hem hem') before continuing.

"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!" At this, I snorted, none of the faces in the hall even looked remotely happy. "I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

"I'll be her friends as long as I don't have to borrow that cardigan" Lavender whispered to Parvati and I from her spot next to me. I smiled and high-fived her also underneath the table.

"The MInistry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance." Professor Umbridge announced, sounding more business-like. "The rare gifts with which you were orn ma come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient kills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching..."

I zoned out as she carrid on, playing with the hem of my robes beofre something stood out for me and I looked up listening intently.

"... There again, progress for progress' sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation... because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullnes of time, to be recognised as errors of judgement. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us ove forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

After slight clapping from a few students and staff, mostly Dumbledore, he carried on with his speech.

"Yes, it certainly was illuminating" Hermione said in a low voice

"You're not telling me you enjoyed it? That was about the dullest speech I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy." Ron replied

"She said illuminating, not enoyable. It explained a lot." I piped up

"Did it? Sounded like a load of waffle to me" Harry said in surprise.

"There was some important stuff hidden in the waffle" I said grimly

"Was there?" said Ron blankly

"How about: 'progress for progress' sake nust be discouraged'?" Hermione suggested

"How about: 'pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be discouraged'?" I added on

"Well, what does that mean?" said Ron impatiently

"I'll tell you what it means..." Hermione muttered

"It means the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts" I finished.

~~

IVE DECIDED TO JUST POST THE PARTS THAT ID ALREADY WRITTEN AND PUT THIS STORY ON HOLD OR MOST LIKELY DISCONTINUED COZ THERES NOTHING I CAN REALLY DO WITH IT SO YEAH BYE