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Professor Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, was already sitting on the teacher's desk when Marina entered the classroom.

A little birdy had told her that the new professor was, in fact, a Slytherin, which made her even more excited for her lessons.

"Well, good afternoon!" Umbridge said sweetly once everybody had found their seats. Few responded. "Tut, tut! That won't do, now, will it? Let's reply, please, 'good afternoon, Professor Umbridge'. One more time, good afternoon, class!"

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge."

"That wasn't too difficult, was it?" She threw her hands to her side and smiled wide. "Wands away, please!"

The Professor opened her enormous handbag and reached for her surprisingly short wand. She tapped it against the blackboard, and words appeared few seconds later:

DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS, A RETURN TO BASIC PRINCIPLES

"Now, has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" There were a few moments of silence before the woman turned to face her class. "We will try that again. When I ask you a question, you shall reply 'yes, Professor Umbridge' or 'no, Professor Umbridge'. So, has everyone a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge," the young witches and wizards shouted back in unison. Marina noticed how Umbridge's voice became a little darker for each time they ignored her questions.

"Good! Page five. Chapter one. No talk."

Marina found her book, opening it carefully, and read: CHAPTER ONE. BASICS FOR BEGINNERS. However, she didn't get far in the reading before the Professor spoke again.

"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?"

"No, Professor. Not about the chapter," the familiar voice of Granger spoke. Marina turned around quickly to look at her; she hadn't even touched her book. "I've got to ask you about your course aims, Professor."

"And your name is-?"

"Hermione Granger."

Umbridge looked down at her pink heels, snickered, then looked back at her student. "Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them carefully." She pointed at the board, which now had new words upon it:

COURSE AIMS

1. Understanding the principles underlying defense magic

2. Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used

3. Placing the use of defensive magic in context for practical use

Marina had already earned a headache from the Professor's handwriting. She was definitely unlike the other Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors they had had.

"There is nothing about using defensive spells on there," Hermione acknowledged.

"Using defensive spells?" Umbridge laughed. "I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"

Marina couldn't hold herself; she jumped and turned to face her new teacher. "What? Aren't we going to use magic?"

Still smiling wide, Umbridge put her hands together. Her eyes landed upon Marina. "Students raise their hands when they wish to speak, Miss-"

"Black." Marina was used to people flinching or dropping their jaws when hearing her last name - she was a part of the noblest pureblooded family, after all - but Professor Umbridge didn't even blink. "I thought that the whole point of this class is to practice defensive spells."

"Miss Black," the elder woman laughed again, without moving an inch, "are you a Ministry-trained educational expert? No, you are not. I am afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. You will be learning about defensive spells in a risk-free way, so I suggest you get back to your reading, Miss Bla-"

"What is the use in that?" said Harry from behind them. Marina turned, and, for the first time in months, their eyes met. Warmth spread in her chest. He had changed over the summer: he had grown, becoming taller and more muscular, his hair longer and messier.

"Hand, Mr. Potter!"

"If we are going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free," he explained, and his focus turned back to the professor.

"I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school," Umbridge stated, still not moving from her spot. "But you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class - not to mention extremely dangerous half-breeds."

"If you are talking about Professor Lupin," Ron joined in, "I suggest you shut-"

"Hand, Mr. Weasley! I say, we study the theory to correct your previous teacher's learning methods, and your O.W.L.s will go just fine."

"And what about the practical bit?" Harry spat. Marina watched him turn red with anger. "How are we preparing for the real world?"

"This is school, Mr. Potter, not the real world."

"We are not supposed to be prepared for what is waiting out there?"

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr. Potter. Who do you imagine would attack children like yourselves?"

Marina let out a sigh. She covered her face with her hands, and then closed her eyes for a split second. This woman could not be serious...

"Hmm... Let's think, Professor," Harry looked at the ceiling for a moment, before standing up, looking Professor Umbridge in the eyes. "Maybe Lord Voldemort?"

Ron gasped; Neville slipped sideways off his stool; Draco choked; Marina smirked. This was a new side of Harry. Professor Umbridge's smile faded quickly.

"Ten points from Gryffindor." The woman suddenly started walking towards Harry, and he quickly found his seat again. "Now, let's make a few things clear. You... have been told... a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead."

"He wasn't dead." Harry corrected her, his arms crossed. "But yeah, he's returned!"

"As I was saying, you have been informed that a certain Dark Wizard is at large once again. This is a lie."

"It is NOT a lie," Harry cried.

"Mr. Potter-"

"We saw him! You're the one telling lies, Professor," Marina interrupted her. She was more than tired of ignorant teachers, and her hope for finally getting a good Defense-teacher was beyond broken.

"Detention, Miss Black! My office after class!"

"You can't give her-"

"I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my class! I repeat: it's a lie. You are all safe! Please come to me if you doubt it. Remember - I am your friend - I am here to help. Now, will you kindly continue your reading?"

Everyone was silent for a second, then, Harry acted.

"Harry, no!" Hermione whispered in a warning voice, tugging at Harry's sleeve as he stood up for the second time that class. He quickly jerked his hand out of reach.

"So, according to you, Voldemort did not take control over Marina, leaving her badly injured?"

Marina shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She could feel her stomach begin to ache.

"Miss Black is still here today, Mr. Potter. She doesn't look too hurt in my eyes."

For a moment, the world stood silent. The Slytherins were looking at Marina, the Gryffindors at Harry. His shaking hand found its way to his wand, just inside his pocket, and without a word, he drew it and pointed it at Umbridge.

"We won't have that, Mr. Potter. Put that away."

Harry's eyes met Marina's, who was sitting just behind the new Professor. Her eyes were glistening. The world stood still for a moment. Then, Marina carefully shook her head, and he lowered his wand.

"Detention, Mr. Potter."


That day went by horribly fast. At the dinner table, Marina was not able to press any food down her throat. Feeling more nauseous for each minute that passed, she wished to lock herself inside the safe walls of her Dorm Room, and never go out again.

A teacher wasn't supposed to make her feel this sick...

When almost every student had gone back to their Common Rooms after a long day of hard work, Marina waddled to Umbridge's office. Harry was standing outside it, waiting for her because he didn't want to enter the office alone. They didn't exchange any words, but simply nodded to greet each other.

Marina felt as if she were to throw up. Her first Defense Against the Dark Arts class of the year had gone horribly, and she was sure that the rest of the year would be just as bad if she had to look at Umbridge every day.

Draco, being the over-dramatic boy that he is, had threatened to jump out of the Astronomy Tower's window if they did not get a new teacher immediately. And Blaise, whose favorite class had been Defense Against the Dark Arts, had complained loudly in the hall, making Snape shoot him an ugly look.

"Are you ready?" Marina asked. Harry shook his head. "Funny thing how we fought dragons, merpeople, and gigantic spiders, but are nervous to meet a pink toad."

Harry reached out his hand and knocked on their Professor's door. A sugary voice commanded the pair to come in, and they carefully stepped inside. Marina had to stand still for a minute to take it all in - all the walls of the office had been painted pink; there were pictures of kittens and bows everywhere, and she could count at least ten vases with dried flowers stuffed inside. All of a sudden, the young girl missed the time when the office belonged to Junior.

"Good evening, Miss Black, Mr. Potter. Sit down," Professor Umbridge spoke, Marina hardly noticing her because she was wearing a horrible dress that matched with the walls. In front of her was a table, with two pieces of blank parchement.

"Er," said Harry, without moving, while Marina found a pink and white chair to sit on. "Before we start, I-I wanted to ask you a favor, Professor..."

"Oh yes?"

"Well... I am on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I was supposed to be at tryouts at this hour, and I was wondering if we could... Might move the detention till tomorrow?"

"Oh," Umbridge simply said, straightening her back and smiling wide. Marina clenched her fist - there was no way she was going to have detention alone with the pink toad. Why had Harry not told her about this?

"You see, it is important..."

"No. No, no, no. This, Mr. Potter, is your punishment for spreading evil, nasty, attention-seeking stories and threatening your superiors. Punishments cannot be adjusted to suit the guilty one's convenience." She was watching him with her head slightly to one side. Harry gritted his teeth and sat down next to Marina, dropping his schoolbag to the ground. "We are getting better at controlling our anger, aren't we, Mr. Potter? And Miss Black, do you play Quidditch?"

"No, Professor Umbridge. Never liked it much."

"Today," Umbridge began, completely ignoring Marina's answer, "you are going to be doing some lines for me. No, not with your quill, Mr. Potter."

Harry had already found his quill in his bag, but let it drop to the ground at once. Umbridge handed him a long, thin, black quill from one of her drawers, and he carefully accepted it.

"What shall I write, then?"

"I want you to write 'I must not tell lies'."

"How many times?"

"Oh, as long as it takes for the message to sink in."

Marina was growing tired of Umbridge's wide, ugly smile. Harry nodded before the woman handed Marina another quill.

"Miss Black, I want you to write 'I shall not pride'."

"Excuse me, Professor?" She let the quill fall to the table.

"You are a Black, aren't you? Then you shall write 'I shall not pride.' Do I need to repeat myself, Miss Black?"

"What does my last name have to do with anything?"

"Oh, little girl," Umbridge said and suddenly got to her feet. She put her hands together. "You are a Black. Need I say more?"

Marina gritted her teeth. "Ink," she spat, clenching her fist under the table.

"You won't need any ink," Umbridge giggled, bringing a hand to her face to cover her mouth. Marina grabbed the black quill, still eyeing Umbridge, and wrote 'I shall not pride' on the paper in front of her. Instantly, she let out a gasp of pain. The words she had written down on the parchment appeared in shining, blood red ink. At the same time, the four words had been cut into the skin on the back of her right hand.

She turned to face Harry - and found him gasping as well, grasping his right hand. He had closed his eyes. But just as Marina looked down at her hand again, her skin had healed, and the words had disappeared.

"What the-"

"Ah! No, Miss Black. Get back to the writing. Wouldn't like to tell your Head of House that the Prefect is denying detention, now, would I?"

She placed her quill upon the parchment again. 'I shall not pride'. With sharp pain, the words cut into her skin again.

And again.

And again.

And each time it healed.

"That should do it. Will you come here?" Umbridge asked, after what seemed like hours. Marina stood up first, her hand stinging painfully. Her cut had healed, but her skin was red raw. Umbridge reached for it and took it in her own. She pressed her thick, stubby finger against the skin, making Marina wince. "Doesn't seem to have made much of an impression yet! We will just have to try again tomorrow evening, won't we?"

Harry stood up. 'I must not tell lies' had been carved into his hand. Umbridge let go of Marina's hand, and grabbed Harry's. She shook her head and looked at him with a nasty smile.

"Doesn't seem like you have understood my message yet," she said cheekily, and let Harry's hand fall. "I can't wait for tomorrow."

Marina grit her teeth. There was nothing she wanted to do more than yell and knock the table over, but that would get her in even more trouble. She needed to keep her Prefect badge - to protect her house. She turned around and walked out of the door quickly without saying a word. Harry came stumbling after her with his gigantic bag in his hands.

They walked in silence. None of them was sure how to start the conversation. Harry followed her to the dungeons and the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room, but all they exchanged was a glance and weak smiles.

"How was it?" Draco Malfoy was sitting on a couch in the Common Room, tapping his foot with his head resting in his palm. Marina hadn't realized how late it was until she noticed that all the other Slytherins had gone to bed. Draco was wearing his uniform, meaning that he had sat there waiting for her long. "The detention?"

"I-" she paused. She carefully pulled the sleeve of her uniform over her hand. "We had to write lines. Not too bad."

"Good," Draco said, letting out a sigh. "I was worried she would be a monster."

"I'm just really tired, Draco. I'm going to go to bed."

He nodded, and she found the stairs to the dorm room. All the Slytherin girls were asleep. She quickly found her bed, shifting into her pajamas. She kept her head high, until the moment her head met the pillow.

Then, she broke down crying.

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