-25-
Everyone in the room are looking at each other confused. I'm just staring at the woman in front of me in shock. Can't believe what I just heard. "I'm sorry..?" my weak voice echoes around the dead silent Great Hall. "According to the new school rule, Hogwarts hires only teachers with the rigth educational degree, which you do not have." Umbridge stated. My heart sinks. All of the students that are here starts whispering and glancing at each other. I know I don't have the right degree, but... Dumbledore himself was convinced I'm right for the job even he knew about my educational background. Too stunned to speak, I start to stutter:"B-but..- But I..-", "Professor (Y/L) is employed by Albus Dumbledore, who has the power to fire his own employees as he pleases... If he deems necessary, that is." deep monotonic tone says behind me. I glance over my shoulder and see none other than the Potions Master himself standing right behind me, having his eyes dark on Umbridge. Severus...
Umbridge gets visibly upset by the way Snape just outsmarted her. "But the Ministry has responded for my request, and as the rule says: The school needs to have professors with the right educational degree, so the students gets the right education and proper guidance." she's trying so hard to hold herself back from yelling at us in front of the students. Her eyes then goes back to me and she smiles:"Miss (Y/L)..-", "Professor (Y/L) has faultlessly taught the students everything they need to know about Herbology, as I recall it." Snape keeps his usual expressionless face. Panic hits since I'm not used to anyone standing up for me like this ever before. This is getting out of hand! So, I turn to him, fear in my eyes he's going to get a sanction some sort for speaking up:"Severus..-", the big doors opens as the Headmaster enters the room. McGonagall walking right behind him. We all turn to look at them. Dumbledore!
Headmaster sees we have been caught off guard. As he's walking up to us, he keeps his eyes on Umbridge the whole time:"Thought you might run in here as soon as you knew (Y/N) has returned, Dolores...". There are now even more some whispering from the students. As they both start discussing what's right and what's wrong when it comes to me, I feel like I can't breath. Like I'm about to faint. This is too much for me. Without thinking, I take a step back, but immediately stop when my back gets in touch with Snape's torso. "Oh..-" quickly I glance back at him, but he won't even budge. Somehow, seeing him standing there makes me feel calm. Minerva comes stand beside me and holds onto my shoulder. She gives me reassuring smile which I try to respond with one back, but it feels like I have forgot how to smile. Umbridge won't give up:"But the Ministry..-", "You can not banish someone who is under an apprenticeship." Dumbledore raise his voice so everyone in the room could hear. Surprised by his words, my head snaps right at him. I am?!
Silence descended to the Great Hall. Just when I'm about to gasp out of surprise:'What?!', Minerva puts her hand over my mouth. "What? Since when?" Umbridge frowns at the Headmaster. Tiny smile comes up to Dumbledore's face and he hands her a piece of parchment:"See for yourself.". She snatches it out of his hand and starts reading it. My heart keeps pounding fast inside my chest. What does it say? Umbridge's eyes keeps shifting from side to side as she's reading the contract. Clearly she's freaking out, but doesn't wanna show it. Carefully, I come near her to take a peek what it says. It's an official contract which tells I - (Y/N) (Y/M) (Y/L), am under an articles of apprenticeship which will lead into proper educational degree, therefor I can not be fired. There are even both of our signatures. But I never..- Lifting my head to meet eyes with Dumbledore's, who already had his eyes on me. He gives a quick wink that only I could see. Albus...
Won't take long before Umbridge leaves the room, looking all calm even we all know she's fuming. Headmaster take a look at the students around the room. "Go to your dorms. Nothing to see here." his strong voice echoes all over the Great Hall. Immediately the students gets up from their seats and rush out. Dumbledore and Snape makes an eye contact. Right after the Headmaster nudges his head, Snape goes after the children to make sure they'll actually are heading to their Common Rooms and not wandering around the castle. Cold breeze goes thru me when he leaves by my side. As I'm watching him getting further away while his long cape keeps flowing smoothly behind him, I feel this warmth in my heart. Thank you, Severus. Now it's only me, Minerva and Dumbledore in the room. We stayed in to chat what has happened while people were away spending Christmas.
Apparently, Umbridge has started to make all these insane rules, which Dumbledore himself can't say 'no' to. Such as;'Boys and girls are not permitted to be within 6 inches of each other', 'Any items deemed not of educational value are henceforth banned', 'Any literature by non-wizards or half breeds is banned forth with' and 'All Weasley products will be banned immediately'. Talking about taking it all too far... All of these rules are hang up right above and around on the wall of the Great Hall's entry. I was just too focused on talking to Snape, I didn't even realize they were there. "This is ridiculous!" I exclaim alone in my chamber. Sniffy looks at me confused why am I yelling at this hour. I keep pacing back and forth the room:"There must be away we can stop this madness.". Having no great ideas, I hop in the shower. While enjoying the hot water coming rushing down on me, can't help but think how Snape helped me today. Him emphasizing I'm a 'Professor' and not a 'Miss' to Umbridge makes me smile. I need to thank him somehow.
The next morning, right when I enter the Great Hall for breakfast, I get some glances here and there. As I thought, all of the students already knows about the last night's episode. Apparently, it takes only one night to tell the whole school what happened - with their own perspectives, of course. There is a Daily Prophet on the High Table for anyone who wants to read it. Normally, I'm not interested in reading it, but decided to take a look. My eyes widens after couple pages. 'Uneducated teacher teaching magic in Hogwarts' My heart keeps beating faster as I keep reading the article. "What the..?" whispering under my breath. Luckily, there aren't any pictures of me, but my name sure is. No mention anything about the apprenticeship. "Great..." I sigh while resting my head against my hands. "Good morning, (Y/N)!" Lockhart sits down right next to me with his usual bright smile. Great, more torture.
"I see you have read the news." he points out. "Interesting observation, Lockhart." I roll my eyes. Why am I being mean to him? He hasn't done anything. I lean back in my seat and take a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I'm just... Not used to this much of attention. It's quite overwhelming." trying to explain why I'm being so stiffy this morning. "No need to apologies, love. I for one, knows how fame can be a burden time to time." he chuckles and starts eating. Don't know what to say to that, so I just keep my mouth shut. "It'll be over in a week. So don't stress about it." he smiles. That must be the nicest and thoughtful thing he has ever said to me. Maybe I have misjudged him. Giving him a gentle smile and continue eating:"Thank you, Gilderoy.". Immediately it feels wrong for calling him by the first name. He noticed I called him by the first name and smiles:"Anytime, (Y/N). Anytime.". Then he places his hand on my thigh. Aaand the creeps are back.
Weeks goes by. Even the news has stopped pretty quickly like Lockhart said, the rumors haven't. People are making their own conspiracies about me and my past. Not only that, there are still some students who thinks I'm favouritism the Muggle borns and Half Bloods over Pure ones. What a mess... The discussion of what's my future in Hogwarts after Professor Sprout comes back is also yet to be seen, so I have been feeling pretty stressed and down over these past weeks. Avoiding Umbridge hasn't been easy either. That woman is everywhere! Or so it feels like. We barely talk whenever we happen to run into each other. The people pleaser side of me wishes for us to be in better place, but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. I don't know what to do.
It's a bright day and lunch time comes around. "Good job, everyone! I'll see you on next Tuesday, that's when we'll learn about the Mandrakes." I tell the whole class of first years. A light chatter fills the whole class as they start leaving the room. Just when I turn around to look down on some papers on the desk, Minerva comes in to the room thru the students:"Professor (Y/L), do you have a moment?". Turn to see her with a smile:"Professor McGonagall, nice to see you here. Hopefully this time more happier matter than last time.". She waits that all of the students gets out of the room, then turns to me:"Oh, yes. Yes indeed, (Y/N).". Wonder why she's all giddy about? She then puts two tickets on my desk. "What are these?" I wonder out loud. "We are going to go see the Qudditch World Cup this weekend! Peru vs Ireland!" she cheers.
My eyes goes wide:"Wha..-? How..-? Where did you got these tickets?". "Got them for Christmas present from my niece." she smiles. "But... Shouldn't you go with your husband?" I ask. "He doesn't care much people flying on brooms." she reassures. Lowering my eyes back to the tickets:"I... I don't know, Minerva. I don't really feel like going anywhere there are lot of peop..-", Minerva holds onto my shoulder and looks deep into my eyes:"You need this. We all do.". Frowning slightly confused:"We?". She lets go of my shoulder and smiles:"I've invited a few other professors to come with us.". "Who? Umbridge?" I tease, knowing how much she despises her.
Minerva rolls her eyes:"Goodness no. Luckily, she has to go see the Ministry this weekend and will come back on Monday morning.". Before I can say anything, she continues:"Lockhart is also going one of his book tours for the weekend. So he isn't able to come either.". For a moment I stay quiet and think what to do here. It might do good to go outside a little... After all, it's been quite stressful these past few weeks after the Christmas. Minerva is patiently waiting for my answer. Then again, why I should 'lock myself in the castle', since I haven't done nothing wrong? Then I sigh deep:"Fine, lets go see people flying on brooms.". Minerva smiles brightly:"Wonderful!".