Into The Light (Golden Trio Era) {2}

DADA Disagreement

They found that Professor Umbridge was already seated in her new desk as they entered the room. A fluffy pink cardigan draped itself over her torso and across her chest where it clung to a pink button on the other side. As they all took our seats, it was unusually quiet. No one had the slightest idea how strict she would be, so they did not dare step out of line.  "Well, good afternoon!" she breathed and smiled widely to the class, Mikayla felt uncomfortable at the sight, shivering slightly.  "Good afternoon." the foursome said weakly, along with a handful of other students.  "Tut, tut," she pouted. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"  "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted in voices that seemed so unlike their own.  "There, now," said Professor Umbridge sweetly. "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please." A few groans escaped some mouths across the room. Fun lessons never succeeded the command 'wands away'.

Umbridge returned to her desk and drew a rather short wand from her handbag. She tapped the board and a few curvy words appeared.

Defence Against the Dark Arts A Return to Basic Principles.

"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, who turned to face them with another smile painted on her curved lips. "The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year. You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory centred, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year. Copy down the following, please." She tapped the board again and new writing replaced the first.

Course aims: 
1.Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic.
2.Learning to recognise situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.
3.Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.

Mikayla pulled a bottle of ink out and some new parchment, then began to write down what she had easily conquered to the board.  "Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" she gazed at her class. There was a light murmur of 'yes' throughout the room.  "I think we'll try that again," said Professor Umbridge. "When ask you a question, I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"  "Yes, Professor Umbridge," sounded from everyone throats.  "Good," she sighed. "I should like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk." And they did so, Mikayla opened her book and began to read the paragraphs in front of her. It was quite boring, and she would have expected the same from the rest of the period if what happened next hadn't.

Hermione had her hand raised and was staring at Professor Umbridge, who did not seem to notice her. She had yet to read a single line of the chapter. Mikayla stared at her, Harry watched too, and as the reading became more unbearable, others chose to watch her as well. Minutes had past, it seemed rather unlikely at this point that Umbridge had no idea Hermione was waiting to speak. Her lack of recognition towards Hermione's hand seemed almost intentional.  "Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?" she finally asked, acting as if she had not noticed her raised hand before then.  "Not about the chapter, no," said Hermione.  "Well, we're reading just now," smiled Professor Umbridge. "If you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of class."  "I've got a query about your course aims," Hermione said, sitting as straight as she could in her chair. Her eyes were fixed upon Umbridge, who's eyebrows raised in surprise.  "And your name is-?"   "Hermione Granger."  "Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully," she gave another smile that barely seemed sincere.  "Well, I don't," said Hermione bluntly. "There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."  "Using defensive spells?" she laughed. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"  "We're not going to use magic?" erupted Ron. "Student will raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr.-"  "Weasley," He glared at her and raised his hand to speak again. She neglected his plea to speak and turned away from him.

Harry and Mikayla both raised their hands. Umbridge's eyes lingered on Harry for a moment then turned to Mikayla.  "Yes, and your name is?"  "Mikayla Black," I stated.  "Black..." the corner of her mouth twitched.  "Yes, Black. As in Sirius Black, I'm sure you know my dad." she glared, when she did not respond Mikayla continued to ask her question. "Isn't the whole point of Defence Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?"  "Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Black?" she smiled. Mikayla was taken aback.  "Are you?" she scoffed in response. She tried hid her reaction in another smile, her teeth grinding behind it.  "Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way-"  "What use is that?" Harry spoke up, ignoring her rule about raising hands. "If we'er going to be attacked it won't be in a-"  "Hand, Mr Potter?" She shouted and he thrusted his fist into the air as many others did. She turned away from them. "And what are you called?" she called to Dean.  "Dean Thomas."  "Well, Mr. Thomas?"  "Well, it's like Harry said, isn't it?" Dean started. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free-"  "I repeat, do you expect to be attacked during my classes?" she talked slowly as if he needed time to comprehend each word individually.  "No, but-"

"I do not wish to criticise the way things have been run in this school," she folded her hands together and showed her pointed teeth. "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed- not to mention," she held her hands to the base of her neck as if to suppress a gag. "extremely dangerous half-breeds." Mikayla felt rage fill her, her face turning red as she spoke out of turn, "If you mean Professor Lupin," Mikayla raised her voice to a level that was probably not appropriate to talk to a  teacher with. "he was the best we ever-"  "Hand, Miss Black! As I was saying- you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group, ad potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attackers every other day-"  "No we haven't" Hermione chimed. "we just-"  "Your hand is not up, Miss Granger!" Hermione responded with a furious hand high above her head, but she ignored it.  "It is my understanding that my predecessor not only performed illegal curses in front of you, he actually performed them on you-"  "Well, he turned out to be a maniac, didn't he?" said Dean Thomas hotly. "Mind you, we still learned loads-"   "Your hand is not up, Mr. Thomas!" she shrieked, the class fell silent. "Who bloody cares about hands being raise? We're just having a conversation with you." Mikayla spat, Umbridge didn't try to hide her displeasure she clears her throat, "Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about. And your name is?" she gestured to one of the Patil twins who's hand was raised.  "Parvati Patil, and isn't there a practical bit in our Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.? Aren't we supposed to show that we can actually do the counter curses and things?"  "As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions," she took a deep breath.  "Without even practicing them before?" Parvati said incredulously.