Checkmate, I Couldn't Lose...
Delilah
Natalia and I hurried down the corridor towards the DADA classroom. From what we heard, you do not wanna make a bad impression on Umbridge so we decided that being late wasn’t an option. However, as soon as we walked in the door and saw her fake smile and horrendous outfit, I decided that a good impression was pretty much off the table. I mean, she was wearing the same cardigan as she was Saturday! That woman needs new clothes. And a new favorite color.
We picked a table towards the back of the room, setting our stuff by our feet. Pansy ran in a few minutes later, her tie hanging around her collar and breathing heavy.
“Delilah, we really need to figure out a shower schedule.” She said, trying to catch her breath as she slid into the open seat next to me.
“You showered right after me, how are you still late?” I asked.
“I am not late, I am simply running behind. I cannot say the same for Daphne.” She said, a small smirk on her face.
I sighed, starting to fix her tie and collar.
“Hem Hem.” I heard, and looked up to see Professor Umbridge standing at our table.
“Hello Professor, may I help you?” I asked.
What could this woman already want?
“I think your friend is perfectly capable of tying her own tie dear.” She said, her high pitched voice already putting me in a bad mood. I stared at her for a moment, trying to process why she felt the need to come over here and tell me not to help my friend.
“Professor, no offense, but I think I can decide what I can and cannot do. Today I am having a difficult time with my tie, so Delilah is helping me.” Pansy said, a hint of taunting in her voice.
Umbridge huffed and skittered off to start the lesson, and I gave Pansy a smile before finishing her tie.
I saw Harry, Hermione, and Ron walk in and take their seats, looking just as dreadful of the lesson ahead of us.
Soon enough, everyone had taken their seats and Umbridge began to speak.
“Good morning!” She said.
A few miserable replies could be heard throughout the room, but Professor Umbridge repeated herself and we all chanted a reply.
“There we are. Very well, wands away! Take out your quills please.”
Everyone was startled to hear the wands away request, but reluctantly, wands were placed in book bags and robe pockets while books were passed out.
“Defense against the dark arts, return to basic- what in merlin's name is this?!” Pansy sputtered.
“I knew hiring a ministry worker was a bad idea, does she not know we have a murderer on the loose?” I heard Ron whisper and I quietly laughed to myself.
I reckon she has no idea.
“Professor, pardon me, but what qualifications do you meet to be teaching us this subject?” I asked.
The room went dead silent, and I could hear chairs scraping to turn and look.
“Excuse me?” She asked.
“Well, I mean no disrespect ma’am, but you do understand we are in our fifth year. And this textbook is for first years. And even then, we were never instructed to put away our wands.” I explained.
“Well Miss…” She began.
“Nott.”
“Miss Nott. Your teachings over the past years have been very...fragmented, yes? Well, the Ministry decided to develop a safe and appropriate course this year. Now, if you all will copy this down for me.” Umbridge said, her smile never faltering.
She crossed the room to the blackboard and began writing.
COURSE AIMS:
- Understanding the principles of defensive magic
- Learning to recognise appropriate situations where legal defensive magic can be used
- Placing defensive magic into context for practical use.
Oh she has got to be joking.
I looked at Natalia and saw her looking at the board in shock, as well as Pansy.
I raised my hand high, and Umbridge’s smile tightened.
“Yes, Miss Nott.”
“I see nothing about using defensive spells, Professor.” I said.
“Well, I do not see why there would be a need to use defensive spells in my classroom dear.” she said.
“We’re not using magic?” Ron called out.
“If you have something to say, raise your hand please.” She said loudly, and Ron sunk in his seat with anger bubbling in his eyes. “We will be learning about the use of defensive spells in a secure and safe way.”
“What use is that?! When are we going to be attacked in a safe and secure environment?” Harry exclaimed.
“Mister Potter, do not yell out in my classroom.”
Pansy raised her hand, and I could see Umbridge’s patience starting to wear thin.
She nodded at her and asked, “And you are?”
“Pansy Parkinson.”
“Yes, Pansy.”
“Like Potter said, if we are ever attacked, it wouldn’t be in a-”
“Tell me Miss Parkinson, do you expect to be attacked in my classroom?” She asked tauntingly.
“No, but-” Pansy started but was cut off.
“Well that’s that then. The way things have been run here at Hogwarts have been very unsafe. Not to mention you have been taught by far more unqualified wizards, dare I mention even dangerous half breeds.” She looked at me while saying the last bit.
“If you are talking about Professor Lupin, he was-” Hermione started.
“HAND, please. What is your name dear.” Professor Umbridge asked, her voice tight.
“Hermione Granger. May I remind you there is a practical exam in our O.W.Ls, and you are going to send us in blind?” Hermione challenged, and I smirked.
Go Granger.
“Well, if you have studied the theory like you should-”
“What about defending ourselves against what’s out there.” Harry challenged.
“There is nothing out there dear.” Umbridge exclaimed.
“Oh really? What about, oh I don’t know, Voldemort.” He yelled and once again the room was silent.
“Ten points from Gryffindor. Now, let me make this quite clear. You have all been told a certain dark wizard is back from the dead-” Umbridge said, her voice sharp.
“He is back! I saw him!” Harry said.
“MR. POTTER I WILL NOT HESITATE TO TAKE MORE POINTS.”
Everyone was frozen to their seats, not even daring to blink.
“Now, as I was saying. What you have been told is a lie.” Umbridge started.
“It is not a lie!”
“Mr. Potter-”
“I saw him! I fought him!”
“ENOUGH.” She screeched. “Detention, Both Mr. Potter and Mrs. Nott.”
“What the hell?” I said, standing up from my seat. “I do not remember doing anything worthy of detention. And as for Potter, he is simply asking questions.”
“Delilah. Sit. Down.” Natalia hissed, but I ignored her.
“I am sorry Professor, but if this is how you plan on teaching this class I would think long and hard because I can guarantee if you proceed in doing so, you will be leaving before Christmas.” I said.
“Delilah…” Pansy warned.
“Miss Nott, go to your head of house. Now! I will be speaking with him and informing him of your behavior. I expect you, as well as Mr. Potter, in my office tonight at 8pm.” She said.
“Delilah, what the hell is wrong with you?” Pansy scolded as I packed up my things.
“Oh, this is nothing compared to what I have planned.” I said, and stormed out of the classroom.
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I walked to the Potions room and knocked on the door. Enzo answered it and looked at me with in confusion.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He asked.
“Mr. Berkshire, invite our guest in please. I’m sure they aren’t here to talk to you.” Snape said, and I heard Theo snicker.
Enzo moved out of the way and let me in before closing the door.
“Ah. Miss Nott, how may I help you?” Professor Snape asked.
“Hello Professor, may I speak with you in the corridor for a moment?” I asked.
He was silent for a moment before nodding.
“Please continue reading this page, I will be back.” He told the class.
Once we were in the corridor, Snape looked at me disapprovingly.
He definitely knows I did something.
Severus is my godfather, I’ve known him all my life. And now, with him being my head of house, I cannot keep anything from him. Ever.
“We have to get rid of Professor Umbridge.” I said, and Snape sighed.
“What happened?” He asked, and I told him.
I told him how she was nosy, and how she planned on teaching the class. I told him how I asked how she was qualified for this job and how she gave me and Harry detention. By the time I finished, I could tell he was conflicted.
“As your Professor, this is what I have to say. It is never appropriate to challenge a teacher, no matter what. You were very rude and out of line.” He said. “But, as your godfather, I say that you did a good job standing up for your education. And I’m glad you care about that. But then again, that was very wrong of you Delilah.”
I sighed, nodding because I knew he was right.
“Now, I have a class to teach. Please try to help your poor brother, I am afraid he’s hopeless.”
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By the time lunch rolled around, news of my outburst had reached the entirety of Hogwarts' 5th year class. I sat down at the table, grabbing a bowl and ladling spaghetti in it.
“Delilah, would you like to explain what the hell happened in DADA?” Mattheo said, who was sitting down across from me.
He was upset. I simply did not care, I was quite proud of myself actually.
“I yelled at Umbridge.” I said, shrugging.
“Delilah, what happened to lying low this year? Do you have any idea how important it is that we do NOT act out.”
“Save it Mattheo. I would like to enjoy my lunch and not think about your bloody father and his minions.” I snapped.
“Merlin’s beard, why do you always act like this when I try to help you.” He huffed.
“I do not need your help, ok? I will not just sit there and be dumbed down by some ministry idiot.” I said.
“Delilah, you do understand that if she works for the ministry, she reports anythingi and everything. Every. Single. Thing. You are being careless.” Matthew hissed and walked off.
“Damn It, Riddle.” I said to myself.