𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 || h.potter

twenty-seven || Year 5 ✔️

They all arrive at the Great Hall, There was a large gap between Harry and the other students. Amelia was in front of him, beside Ron.

The high table, where the Professors Flitwick, McGonagall & Snape are all looking very uncomfortable.

"We have two changes in staffing this year." began Dumbledore. "We are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be talking Care of Magical Creatures whole Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave."

"...We also wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher—Professor Dolores Umbridge."

Amelia grimaces at the amount of pink she is wearing, she stands up and smiles at the students.

"I'm sure I'm not alone in saying good luck, Professor..." said Dumbledore.

"You know her?" asked Hermione, Amelia turns to them.

"She was at my hearing. She works for Fudge." replied Harry, frowning.

"...As usual, our Caretaker Mr Filch asked me to remind you—" Dumbledore was cut of by a very high pitched cough.

"Hem, hem." Umbridge rises, steps towards the podium. Momentarily taken back, Dumbledore yields the floor to a murmur of shocked surprise from both teachers and students.

Amelia shakes her head, "No one interrupts Dumbledore." She muttered, Ron nods.

"Thank you headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." Umbridge smiles, sweetly. "And how lovely to see all your bright happy faces smiling up at me..."

The students blink back, nonplussed, their faces bored and blank. Amelia snorted softly, earning a nudge from Ron on the ribs, Amelia muttered an 'Ow' as she nudges him harder, Ron glaring at her before he could nudge her harder, Hermione kicked him on his knee under the table making him stop, only glaring at Amelia, who smiled at him sweetly.

"I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends." She said, in a high pitched voice that could make your ears bleed.

'I hate her already' Thought Amelia.

Umbridge  briskly produces a parchment, reads in a sing-song voice. "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be vital importance. The task of passing down the ancient skills must be undertaken with the utmost seriousness. Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school..."

Umbridge gives Dumbledore a perfunctory nod. "...progress for progress's sake must be discouraged. A balance then, between old and new, between tradition and innovation."

The students think she is finished, they exhale but Toad face continued to speak.

"—let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected—and prune practices that ought to be prohibited."

Amelia reacts with a dawning alarm at this last...as Umbridge smiles primly, abruptly turns and goes, Dumbledore breaks the stunned silence by starting to clap, but the applause that joins him is meagre at best, and even sound sarcastic.

"Thank you Professor Umbridge; that was most...illuminating. As I was saying, Mr Filch has asked me..."

"Illuminating? What a load of waffle!" exclaimed Ron, whispering to them.

"There was important stuff hidden in that waffle." said Hermione, they look at her confused. "Progress must be discouraged?' 'Prune practices that ought to be prohibited?'"

Amelia nods in understanding. "Whats it mean?" asked Harry.

"It means the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts." replies Amelia. Hermione nods.

They all slowly look up at the smug, satisfied smile of Dolores Umbridge, as she carefully adjusts her bow.

/*

Amelia entered the Common Room, and sat down, grabbing the Daily Prophet and she saw Harry entering through the portrait hole and the talk in the room quickly died. Dean stands with Seamus, who holds the copy to the Daily Prophet.

"Dean. Seamus. Good holiday?" asked Harry, acknowledging their presence.

"All right. Better than Seamus's anyway." replied Dean, not too harshly.

Seamus looks uneasily at Harry: "Me Mam didn't want to come back."

"Why not?" asked Harry.

Oh, this isn't gonna end well. Amelia looks at them, uneasily.

"Well...I suppose because of you." answered Seamus. Harry looks at him, stunned. "The Daily Prophets been saying a lot of things about you, Harry—and Dumbledore as well..."

"And your Mum believes them?" Harry lifts a brow.

"Nobody knows what really happened the night Cedric died..." Seamus shrugs.

"Then I guess you should read the Prophet like your stupid mother—it'll tell you everything you need to know!" yelled Harry, angrily. Amelia stands up, walking between the two boys.

"Boys..." said Amelia, in a low voice.

"Don't you have a go at my mother!" yelled Seamus.

"I'll have a go at anyone who calls me a liar!" shouted Harry.

"Boys!" Amelia looks at both of them, and they stare at her. "Enough."

Ron enters the room. "What's going on?"

"He's mad is what's going on!" answered Seamus. "Do you two really believe the rubbish he's come out with about You-Know-Who?"

"As a matter of fact, we do!" scoffed Ron, "so unless you want a fistful of Weasley and Black you'll shut your mouth."

"Anyone else got a problem with, Harry?" asked Amelia, looking around the room. Seamus backs down.

"My Gran says it's the Daily Prophet that's rubbish." said Neville. "She canceled our subscription." He looks up at Harry, who manages an awkward nod.

"You should go, Harry." whispered Amelia. Harry looks at her then nods.

"Oh bloody hell. You all trust a daughter of a murderer?" scoffed Seamus. "The daughter of the man that has killed and tortured muggleborns and Muggles? The reason to why there are disappearances?"

Amelia stares at Seamus, her mouth agape, she didn't say anything, but Harry did.

Harry whirls around, angry. "Just shut up!" He brings his fist up and was about to punch Seamus but Amelia stopped him just in time.

"Harry. Harry, it's okay." Amelia puts a hand on his shoulder.

"No, Amelia. He called your father—"

"It's fine, it's okay. Ron—"

"Mate, lets just go." Ron takes Harry and they walk up the stairs, Harry casting one last glance to Amelia.

Amelia glares at Seamus. "Be thankful I didn't let him punch you. Because one more word out of that mouth of yours, u will be the one to punch you myself. Okay? Goodnight."

And she walks up her own dorm, plopping on her bed, letting out a sigh as she opened the heart Locket her father gave her. She puts her arm over her eyes, and she purses her lips.

/*

They all sat in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Amelia's beside Hermione. A paper swallow swoops and dives overhead, Amelia looks up, and her eyes follow the paper. Students buzz with chatter and horseplay, As the swallow banks around, it explodes in a ball of flame. Everyone becomes silent and all eyes turn to Umbridge as she slowly lowers her stubby wand, smiles a honeyed smiles.

Amelia doesn't know why, but each time she lay her eyes on that ugly Toad face, she grimaces.