19: Ron's Promise

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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 come 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 cough she had used to interrupt Dumbledore on the first night of term. Professor McGonagall ignored her. Seamus (with great difficulty) handed Y/N his essay. A approving black E stared back at him as he looked to check his grade.

“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 now 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 round, her eyebrows so close together they seemed to form one long, 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 have asked you what you are doing in my classroom,” said Professor McGonagall, turning her back firmly on Professor Umbridge.

Many of the students exchanged looks of glee. Y/N, who was usually very good at hiding his emotions behind a poker-face, couldn't help but curl his lips into a smug smile.

“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. Y/N almost clapped.

Something was bugging him though. How could McGonagall lecture Harry about keeping his temper around Umbridge when McGonagall herself clearly couldn't keep herself from doing the same?

“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...”

As they filed out of the classroom after the lesson, Y/N lingered to see Professor Umbridge approach the teacher’s desk; Harry apparently also wanted to see what would happen, as he nudged the other two and the four of them deliberately fell back to eavesdrop.

“How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?” Professor Umbridge asked.

“Thirty-nine years this December,” said Professor McGonagall brusquely, snapping her bag shut.

Professor Umbridge made a note.

“Very well,” she said, “you will receive the results of your inspection in ten days’ time.”

“I can hardly wait,” said Professor McGonagall in a coldly indifferent voice, and she strode off toward the door. “Hurry up, you four,” she added, sweeping Y/N, Harry, Ron, and Hermione before her.

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