Future Nostalgia / Harry Potter Fanfic

Inspections and the Birth of an Idea

The next day, Estella found herself sitting in Transfiguration, quite uncomfortable as Professor Umbridge sat in the corner with a clipboard, glaring daggers at her.

"Why is she glaring at me? I didn't even do anything!" Estella whispered-yelled to Hermione who looked questionably in Professor Umbridge's direction.

"I genuinely have no idea. But there's no doubt that she hates you and doesn't trust you because of your relation to Dumbeldore," whispered Hermione hesitantly.

Estella huffed. "I've been nothing but pleasant and nice to her," she said.

Hermione couldn't bite back the laugh that escaped. "Estella, you call her Professor Umbitch," she laughed.

Estella shrugged again. "That's because she is one! I stand by that. I'd say it to her face too," quipped Estella.

Hermione hit her arm. "I know you can and would, but you shouldn't. You know the harshness of her detentions," Hermione said concernedly.

"I know," she whispered. "I already promised Harry that I'd try to stay out of her way and do my best not to irritate her."

"Good," whispered Hermione.

Professor McGonagall marched into the room without giving the slightest indication that she knew Professor Umbridge was there.

"That will do," she said and silence fell immediately. "Mr. Finnigan, kindly com here and hand back the homework-Miss Brown, please take this box of mice-don't be silly, girl, they won't hurt you-and hand one to each student-"

"Hem, hem," said Professor Umbridge, employing the same silly little couch she had used to interrupt Dumbeldore on the first night of term. Professor McGonagall ignored her. Seamus handed back Estella's essay; she took it with a smile and to her pleasure, saw that she'd gotten an O. Transfiguration and Charms were both her best and easiest subjects. They just came naturally to her.

"Right then, everyone, listen closely-Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again I shall put you in detention-most of you have successfully vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have the gist of the spell. Today we shall be-"

"Hem, hem," said Professor Umbridge.

"Yes?" said Professor McGonagall, turning around, her eyebrows so close they seemed to form one lone, severe line.

"I was just wondering, Professor, whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspec-"

"Obviously I received it, or I would've asked you what you were doing in my classroom," said Professor McGonagall, turning her back firmly on Professor Umbridge. Many of the students exchanged looks of glee, including Estella and Hermione. McGonagall was a badarse. "As I was saying, today we shall be practicing the altogether more difficult vanishment of mice. Now, the Vanishing Spell-"

"Hem, hem."

"I wonder," said Professor McGonagall in cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, "how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."

Professor Umbridge looked as though she had just been slapped in the face. She did not speak, but straightened the parchment on her clipboard and began scribbling furiously. Looking supremely unconcerned, Professor McGonagall addressed the class once more.

"As I was saying, the Vanishing Spell becomes more difficult with the complexity of the animal to be vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. This is not, therefore, magic you can accomplish with your mind on your dinner. So-you know the incantation, let me see what you can do..."