Elara Malfoy

02

     "Good evening, children. Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank who'll be taking Care of Magical Creatures. While Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave."

     Professor Dumbledore had just begun his welcome speech after the meals had been cleared. I was sitting across from the twins, next to Alicia, drawing runes on her palm with my finger. The dark headed girl giggled at the sensation of my nails tickling her skin. Angie reached out and kicked my shoe, telling us to pay attention to the headmaster. Sticking out my tongue at her I turned to face the front of the room.

     "We also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher... Professor Dolores Umbridge. And I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck."

     Professer Dolores Umbridge was shockingly... pink. From head to toe the short woman was dressed in garish bubblegum pink. Her short brown hair curled towards her pinched face which was hosting an incredibly fake smile. As Dumbledore continued talking about something to do with Mr. Filch, the toady woman set down her (obviously pink) hand bag and cleared her throat. I couldn't help the eyebrow that shot up at the new professor.

     "Thank you, headmaster, for those kind words of welcome.", her voice was very high and shrill, I'm not sure how we're all going to make it through classes without a headache.

     "And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."

     Fred and George in sync both said, "That's likely."

     I shot them a smile before turning back to the pink lady.

     "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something... new to this historic school, progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be prohibited.", her voice trailed into a stage whisper on the last word, followed by an obnoxious giggle, and my gut twisted.

     This Dolores Umbridge had obviously been sent here from the Ministry to continue the lies that He Who Must Not Be Named has not returned. It's easy for Fudge to say. He wasn't here when we all had to see Cedric Diggory's body and listen to Harry and Amos' screams. He hadn't had to live in a house full of secrets and screams echoing hallways all summer. No matter what her intentions of being here were, I can tell that it was going to be a long year with Umbridge around.

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     "Oh Georgie! I can tell we're going to be SUCH great friends!", walking to DADA the next morning, I dramatically hung myself from the gingers arm, pretending to swoon.

     George and a few other students in the vicinity chuckled at my dramatics. It appeared that the hallways were filled with talk about the new professor. Unfortunately I was the only one of my friends with her class this morning. As George and I stopped in front of her room, I turned to face him, my blonde ponytail swishing behind me.

     "This is where we part ways kind sir, thank you ever so kindly for escorting me to class.", I exaggerated a posh accent and dropped into a curtsy.

     Playing along seamlessly George reached for my hand as he bowed at the waist, "The pleasure is mine, fair lady."

     He maintained eye contact with me as he brought the back of my hand to his lips. This time there was no train to blame the butterflies on. I tried to fight back the smile as he returned to his full height, my hand still in his.

     "You better get going, I don't think Snape will appreciate you being late on the first day."

     "It'd be worth it", our grins matched as George began to walk backwards away from me, "have fun with the newbie."

     The smile was still on my face as I slid into an empty seat next to a Ravenclaw boy I hadn't spoke to before. After introducing himself as Benton Holloway and making some small talk, we were interrupted by a familiar throat clearing.

     "Good morning class, let's get started shall we?", with a flick of her wand Professor Umbridge sent stacks of books down the aisles.

     As a copy dropped itself in front of me I couldn't help but to furrow my brow. The book in front of me had a childish depiction of a young witch and wizard holding their wands and smiling. The title however is what caught my attention, Basic Defense for Beginners. Flipping through the book I grew even more confused. These were spells we learned in second year; Expelliarmus, Rictusempra, and Petrificus Totalus among others. Thinking perhaps there had been a mistake I raised my hand.

     "Yes dear, you had a question?", Umbridge's fake smile was unnerving.

     I sent a fake smile right back and said, "I'm sorry miss I think there must be some kind of mistake, these spells are ones we learned ages ago. We should be doing much more advanced work. And there's nothing in here about using the spells?"

     My jaw clenched as she stepped closer to my desk, her voice condescending, "There's been no mistake dear. Due to the past record of professors in this class the Ministry feels as though it would be better for all students to have a refresher in case they missed anything."

     "Even so ma'am, wouldn't practicing the spells be better for that?"

     "Practicing spells is not the purpose of this class, the only reason you need to know these spells is to pass your exams. After all, that's why you're in school."

     My mouth gaped open slightly, looking around I tried to see if I was the only one stunned at what I was hearing. The majority of the class looked confused and a few were muttering to each other, but it appeared nobody else was going to speak up.

     Turning back as she began to walk away from me, thinking she had the last word, I continued, "I'm sorry but knowing the technical uses of a spell and actually being able to perform it, and perform it well, could be life or death for us in the real world."

     Umbridge looked at me as if I had grown an extra eye in the middle of my forehead, "Life or death? Well I can see you're one for dramatics," she continued, "there's no one out there who would want to hurt you dear, so I'm not sure what 'life or death' scenarios you're thinking of."

     Turning to Benton next me I asked him, "She's joking right?"

     Not waiting for his response I turned back to Umbridge, who I could tell was beginning to lose patience with me, I said, "Tell me you're joking. Who would want to hurt us? How about a couple of deranged deatheaters?"

     "Enough! Those radical groups have long since been eradicated."

     I let out an incredulous laugh, "Eradicated? Do you know who I am?"

     "I know very well who you are, Miss Malfoy.", The way she said my surname it was as if it pained her, as if she knew where I was taking this.

     Very calm I told her, "Well then you know who my family is. Professor, I grew up with Death Eaters, and I can assure you that they have very much not been eradicated. Especially now that You-Know-Who has returned."

     She was silent for a moment before turning her back on me and saying very quietly, "Get out."

     "Excuse me?"

     "You need to leave my classroom Miss Malfoy, I will not tolerate these lies and disrespect you show towards authority. Perhaps by next lesson you will have learned. Now please take your things and go before I change my mind and assign you detention."

     By her not looking at me as I stood I assumed there was no arguing with her. Gathering my things, and leaving the children's book, I left the classroom, making sure to slam the door behind me. Apparently she and I were not going to be very good friends after all.