NOW

Chapter Ten Part Two

Percy was already sitting at lunch, a book in hand, the food in front of him abandoned, when the other Slytherins entered the hall. Pansy Parkinson wanted to sit down next to Percy and nearly squished Aria, who had lied down there long ago, in the process. The white cat-like creature opened one eye to look at her offender before closing it again and snuggling up to Percy's leg. Pansy now wanted to take Percy's other side but Draco was already occupying the space.

"You potion looked great, Percy. I really don't know what is wrong with Snape today.", said Daphne, who had taken place opposite the reading Slytherin. Percy looked up for a moment and send her a small smile before going back to reading.

"Oh look, we have our own little Granger now.", sneered Draco and the others laughed. Percy just ignored them and continued reading. One of his hands fell down to his friend on his side and began petting the smooth silk-like fur.

He didn't get interrupted again until it was time to go. The group split up as they had different subjects. While Draco and Blaise accompanied Percy to Ancient Runes. The rest of the group made their way to the north tower for Divination.

The next lesson went by quickly. Percy was far ahead in his sketching skills and only learned a few more Runes. He and Draco, who seemed to have a natural talent for Runes, helped Blaise get through the lesson. They had Ancient Runes with students from different houses, under them was Hermione and Percy had managed to talk to her a bit before the lesson. Draco had ignored him for the first ten minutes because of it but seemed to notice Percy wouldn't stop and learned to deal with it. And when Draco Malfoy deals with something, he ignores it.

After Ancient Runes came Defence Against the Dark Arts and Percy joined Hermione on the way to the classroom. Apparently she was the only Gryffindor out of her year that took Ancient Runes.

"What do you think of Professor Umbridge?", asked Percy watching the witch very carefully.

"I think we shouldn't underestimate her." Hermione looked straight ahead and her face hardened. Percy nodded, he also feared some students didn't take her seriously because of her size and favourite colour.

The entered the the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and found said professor already seated at the teacher's desk. Percy said goodbye to the witch and they went separate ways. He joined his housemates again and sat down next to Daphne. The class was silent and waited for the teacher to say something.

"Well, good afternoon!" Her high-pitched voice hurt Percy's sensitive ears and fought back a grimace.

A few people mumbled "Good afternoon," in reply and got out their books, ready to start the class. Instead the teacher Tut, tut-ed. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Um- bridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"

Percy raised an eyebrow and joined the "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge" chant.

"There, now," said Professor Umbridge in a false sweet voice. "That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please." Percy's eyebrow didn't gat a break as it shot up again. He follows the instructions and got out his writing supplies. He watched the witch pull out her own wand and tap the blackboard sharply with it. Words appeared on the board at once:

Defence Against the Dark Arts A Return to Basic Principles.

"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, turning to face the class with her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year." Apparently Percy's eyebrows wouldn't get much relaxing time in the next two hours.