In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*Dumbledore's warning

Umbridge was continuing to ruin the lives of everyone at Hogwarts she could get in her reach, and that included the teachers. As 'High Inquisitor' she had been sitting in on lessons to examine the teachers, was controlling all school clubs including quidditch, and was implementing pointless rules

Her sitting in on the potions lesson had been particularly interesting

"Well, the class seems fairly advanced for their level," she had told Snape "Though I would question whether it is advisable to teach them a potion like the Strengthening Solution. I think the Ministry would prefer it if that was removed from the syllabus." Snape subtly rolled his eyes "Now...how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" she asked, her quill poised over her clipboard. 

"Fourteen years," Snape replied. 

"You applied first for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post, I believe?" Professor Umbridge asked Snape. 

"Yes," said Snape quietly. 

"But you were unsuccessful?" 

Snape's lip curled. "Obviously."

Professor Umbridge scribbled on her clipboard. "And you have applied regularly for the Defence Against the DarkArts post since you first joined the school, I believe?" 

"Yes," said Snape quietly, barely moving his lips. 

"Do you have any idea why Dumbledore has consistently refused to appoint you?" asked Umbridge. 

"I suggest you ask him," said Snape 

"Oh I shall," said Professor Umbridge with a sweet smile. 

"I suppose this is relevant?" Snape asked, his black eyes narrowed. 

"Oh yes," said Professor Umbridge. "Yes, the Ministry wants a thorough understanding of teachers's - er - backgrounds...Now, did you think it wise to allow a fourth year into this advanced class?"

"Yes," he replied curtly

"The Ministry may believe this could cause her additional stress, which may be a contributing factor to her, um...rebellious attitude" Umbridge said the last part quietly, but Briar could still hear it and she scoffed 

"As her professor I am sure of Ms Lupin's capabilities," Snape said with a tone that told Umbridge he wasn't going to say anything else

And Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Briar shared confused looks. Why had Snape defended Briar?

But that evening when Briar had heard that Umbridge still hadn't decided if Gryffindor should be allowed to have a quidditch team, she knew it was because of Umbridge's hatred of her and Harry and she hated it

What did cheer her up was watching Fred and George try their new joke products on other students. By the time they finished watching them count up their earnings, it was well past midnight so Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Briar were the only ones left in the common room

Ron, who was dozing lightly in an armchair, gave a muffled grunt, awoke, looked blearily into the fire and said, "Sirius!" 

The other three whipped around and saw said man's face in the fire "Hi," he said, grinning. 

"Hi," they chorused

"How're things?" said Sirius. 

"Not that good," said Harry "The Ministry's forced through another decree, which means we're not allowed to have Quidditch teams -" 

"- or secret Defence Against the Dark Arts groups?" said Sirius. There was a short pause. 

"How did you know about that?" Briar asked