A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

56: The Lion, the Witch, the Audacity of This Bitch

Reposted: December 23, 2021

Reusing a chapter title because why not?

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Summary: Umbridge is (unsurprisingly) a menace; Remus shows his Slytherin side

"Who the hell is that?" Pansy asked.

Harry had a feeling he knew who she was referring to, but he looked up anyway. Sitting at the High Table was a short woman with mouse-brown hair and a fluffy pink cardigan.

"Dolores Umbridge." He didn't hide his distaste. She had been extremely reluctant to allow Remus to return teaching both last year and this one and provided alternatives. Thanks to the increase in marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts across students from every year, her suggestions were shot down.

"My father mentioned she'd be here," Draco whispered. "She'll be inspecting the classes throughout the first term."

"The entire first term?" Harry didn't think it would be that long. "This is going to be a long year."

The Sorting Hat was placed on the stool. It opened its mouth and burst into song. Unlike the past years, it didn't just focus on the houses and their qualities; it gave a thinly veiled warning and advice about the houses uniting. Harry glanced at Dumbledore to see his eyes were not twinkling.

Nevertheless, after the first years were Sorted and the feast ended, he stood with his usual confident air. If he was disconcerted by the lack of warmth and awe in the students' eyes, he did a good job hiding it.

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore after the meal was finished. "First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students— and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too."

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four–hundred–and–sixty–second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.

"We have had one change in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons."

With his mind mostly focused on Umbridge, Harry had failed to notice Hagrid's absence despite his enormous size.

"Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the—"

"Hem, hem." Umbridge had gotten to her feet, although she was hardly any taller standing than she was sitting.

Dumbledore simply took his seat and let her speak.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome." She cleared her throat again— Harry quickly found he would rather listen to Tom play piano for a week— and continued. "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"

One glance around showed no one looked happy. Neither was the staff, and when she made a little bow toward them, her gaze seemed to linger on Remus for a fraction of a second.

Progress for progress's sake must be discouraged? he thought in dismay as she continued. She was acting like she was the headmistress!

When she retook her seat, Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead, though many of them only clapped once or twice. Most of the students were only just coming out of their stupor when Dumbledore stood back up and continued his announcements.