Ch. 26

Laughing at a Toad

Ginny didn't know what to expect when she walked into DADA class for the first time. Maybe she thought it would be pink, with pink on top, or a room with dead skeletons hanging from the walls. She didn't expect it to look completely empty.

There were desks and books, but not much else. Usually teachers changed their rooms to make themselves feel more at home, like the first DADA teacher she had ever had, Gilderoy Lockhart. But Umbridge had left the room dark, the walls free of any paintings. Her desk sat at the front, a chalkboard next to it, both of them dark and clean.

At least she didn't put up paintings of herself. Harry tried, shrugging over to his girlfriend. Ginny smiled back, but said nothing until they settled into their seats.

I doubt she'll be any better than Lockhart. She pointed out, leaning her elbows on the desk. Harry chuckled slightly, getting out his quill and some paper. What're you doing? Ginny looked over at him.

Doubt we'll do any hands on work today. She'll probably have us write rules or something. He explained, slouching in his seat. Where is the nutter anyway?

Hopefully she fell down the stairs, never to be seen again. Ginny smiled slightly, and Harry laughed beside her. The Ravenclaw in front of them turned around with a confused look, and Ginny suddenly realized that no one else could hear them and they were just randomly laughing in the silence. She hit Harry's stomach, making him stop laughing and suck in a deep breath.

People are staring. They can't hear us. Harry stayed silent after that, watching as the Patil twins lifted a paper bird in the air, it's wings carrying itself towards the ceiling. It glided around like a cloud, diving between candles and around some of the Gryffindors's fingers as they swatted at it. Then, without warning, it burst into flames, spiraling downwards and laying in front of Padma.

Umbridge lowered her wand, a small smile on her lips as the bird collapsed into ash. She looked at everyone in the room, straight in the eyes as she walked forward to stand at the front of the room, then gestured to behind her. A piece of white chalk wrote across the board, cursive OWL along the side; Ordinary Wizarding Level.

"Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations,O.W.L. better known as OWLs," Umbridge paced in front of her desk, leaning on the wood carefully, "Study hard and you will be rewarded." She flicked her wand, the books that had been perched on her desk rising to attention and floating towards the students. One slid in front of Ginny, and another in front of Harry. Umbridge folded her hands, "Fail to do so and the consequences may be severe." She gave another smile at her students her were staring at her apprehensively, "Your previous instruction of this subject has been disturbingly uneven."

You can say that again. Harry opened his textbook beside Ginny, speaking through the Bond. In the desk next to them, Hermione snapped her book shut and raised her hand, chewing on her lip.

"Yes, dear?"

"There is nothing here about using defensive spells?" She tapped the cover of her own book. Umbridge laughed, walking forward until she was in front of Hermione's desk.

"Well, I can't imagine why you would need to use defensive spells in my classroom!"

I can think of an instance... Ginny rolled her eyes and Harry chuckled slightly beside of her.

"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked, picking up his textbook, pure shock on his face. Umbridge turned to where he sat beside Hermione, giving a small smile.

"We will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk free way." There was a murmur as everyone processed this. Ginny felt apprehensive, glancing over to Harry.

"What use is that?" Harry asked, spreading his hands, palms up, clearly perturbed by this new information, "If we're going to be attacked it won't be risk free."

"Students will raise their hands when they speak in my class." Umbridge's face was turning pinker than her lacy bow as she glared at Harry. She started walking forward when she saw Ginny looking at her with wide eyes, her hand in Harry's. The woman's attitude had gone from bad to worse in a matter of seconds, "It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which after all, is what school is all about." Harry started to respond, but Ginny laid her hand on his wrist in a 'I've got this' sort of way.

"How is theory supposed to prepare us for everything that is out there?" Ginny said, feeling a sense of delight at Umbridge turned even redder, "Oh stop it now, you'll pass out."

"There is nothing out there. Who would attack children like you all?"

"Oh," Ginny raised her hand and started ticking items off on her fingers, "Death Eaters, Dementors, Voldemort, Insane Teachers with a flair for Pink-"

"Enough!" Umbridge shouted, leaning on the desk in front of Ginny.

"Oof!" Ginny pinched her nose, "Do us all a favor, lady, buy yourself some mints. Perhaps we'll get lucky and you'll choke." There was a surge of laughters and one 'Oooo' from somewhere in the corner. Umbridge bared her teeth slightly and leaned away, about to speak, "And some toothpaste while you're at it," Ginny added, waving her hand in front of her nose, "Industrial strength." Harry snorted, burying his face in his hands as he shook with laughter.

"Young lady..." Umbridge growled, "Detention, tonight at 7." She glared at Harry who was still shaking, "You too Mister Potter..." And she stalked back to the front of the class.

"Thank Merlin she's gone, I was about to die from suffocation." Ginny muttered, crossing her arms. Someone behind them barked out a laugh and Ginny spun around, giving them the heat of her Weasley Woman glare. Before she could turn around, Umbridge had assigned Ginny to another night of Detention, adding one for Harry as well.

Ginny groaned, shrugging at her boyfriend. I guess we'll have to suffer together.

Yeah, we will won't we?