The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 10: The New Professor

September 1st, 1995 - 7:30pm

"Just ignore him, Harry..." Hermione whispered.

"Well, if it was only Seamus, I wouldn't care," Harry spat, "But how am I supposed to ignore the entire school?"

The moment I walked into Hogwarts, all of my questions about what happened over the summer were quickly answered.

Word had gotten around about Harry's "encounter" with You-Know-Who last school year. The Ministry and the Daily Prophet called him a lying lunatic. The only adults who openly believed Harry were the Weasleys and Dumbledore, and it wasn't like their opinions were any more convincing than Harry's.

"They're all fools, Harry," I scoffed, "We believe you, and why would we trust the Ministry? Don't they control the dementors? Isn't it obvious what they were trying to do to us this summer? Well, I mean... you, but I just happened to be there."

Harry glared at me and rolled his eyes before facing Dumbledore on the podium. Hermione and I shared an awkward glance as silence filled our section of the Gryffindor table.

"Good evening students!" Dumbledore announced, silencing the Great Hall "We have two changes in staffing this year. We're welcoming back Professor Grubby-Plank, who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave."

"What did he say about Hagrid?" Ron whispered to me.

"He's on leave, apparently." I shrugged.

"We are also pleased to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Dumbledore continued, "Professor Dolores Umbridge."

"Well fuck me..." I muttered.

"Gladly," Fred replied from two seats over.

"Oh piss off, Weasley!" I spat, "You know that's not what I meant. We have another D.A.D.A professor? What happened to our last one?"

"You don't remember?" Hermione asked. I shook my head. "He was a deatheater!"

"Are you serious?" I questioned bewilderedly. Hermione nodded slowly, "Oh... must've missed that while I was too busy grieving my dead boyfriend, my apologies everyone."

Suddenly, the Great Hall silenced, except for a quirky, unwelcoming, giggle from the teacher's table. There was a flash of pink that stood up from its chair, and took its place next to Dumbledore.

"You've got to be kidding me..." Harry seethed, his fists clenching.

"What?" Ron asked, "Do you know her?"

"She was at my hearing and works for Fudge," Harry explained angrily, "She voted against me, and called Dumbledore and I mad for accusing the Ministry of ordering a dementor attack on a minor."

Pieces slowly fell into place as I learned more about last month. Contemplating Harry's comment, I turned towards the Minister worker, analyzing her. Dolores Umbridge wore a long pink dress, matching court shoes with a low heel that were entirely too small for her feet, and a pink bow in her hair. Even though it was quite rude to say aloud, her face resembled one of a frog.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Umbridge beamed, "For those kind words of welcome! And how lovely it is to see all your... bright... happy... faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very... good friends!"

"Yeah, that's unlikely." Fred scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Five galleons if I can make her quit by the end of the year?" George whispered to Ginny, leaning over the table.

"Ten galleons says I can do it within the first month!" Ginny replied enthusiastically.

"Is that a challenge, Ginevra Weasley?" George scoffed. Ginny shook her head, laughing at her brother, as she faced the front of the hall again.