Neville led the group through the hall. He seemed taller, happier. He was transformed almost completely from the boy Harry had known for the previous two years. What had really happened on the Hogwarts Express? And what spells had Professor Flamel used on him?
Harry's eyes scanned the hallway ahead of him. He was always scanning now, always a bit on edge. He'd been attacked twice this year.
He had tied the handle of his wand to a string and fastened the other end around his wrist. If something strange happened now he would be ready.
"I can't believe I'm saying it, but I'd rather be staring at a bunch of stars," Ron said.
Harry agreed. But they'd had Astronomy last week. This was the second week of classes, so Harry and the others had the Culture part of the revised Astronomy and Culture course.
Harry walked through the door. An older witch, not very tall, though nowhere near as short as Madam Spurl had been, was dressed in pink. She stood at the front of the class. She had a very firm, very false smile on her face. Harry was something of an expert in false smiles from living in Little Whinging with his relatives.
This professor didn't often dine in the Great Hall. Harry knew she was called Professor Umbridge and he had heard bad things about her from several sources including Professor Flamel.
To Harry's surprise, Professor Flamel was also present, seated in the back of the room.
Harry sat and took out parchment and quill to take notes. He assumed this would be a lecture. The Ravenclaws had already taken the seats at the front of the room.
"Good morning, class," the witch said.
Was she talking to rather silly poodles?
"Good morning," some of them responded.
She seemed displeased. But the professor had her eyes on her visitor at the back of the room.
"This is your class on wizarding culture and traditions. My name is Professor Umbridge. I descend from the Noble House of Selwynn..."
Professor Flamel cleared her throat.
Professor Umbridge pursed her lips.
It was rather like watching the secret events that started a long war.
"Hem, hem. I will talk about the course aims today and spend a little time on our first topic. I should note that I have not been able to find an...acceptable textbook for the course, so please do take notes. I will assign essays, of course. There is no OWL exam at the Ministry at this time, but I dare say there will be in two more years. Questions?"
No, Harry thought. But his head hurt from listening to her sickly sweet voice. She was rather like that witch in the children's story, Hansel and Gretel. Did Professor Umbridge own a house made out of candy and an oven large enough to roast a child? Harry thought it likely.
"Now, the most important topic is that of your houses. Not your Hogwarts houses, but the house of your birth. There are a few Ancient and Noble Houses remaining, but there are few. Then there are the Noble Houses...
Professor Flamel stood up and walked to the front of the class. "This was not a topic on the approved syllabus," Professor Flamel said.
"Those were suggested topics. I am, as the instructor, permitted to add."
Professor Flamel did not agree. "Perhaps, Professor Umbridge, you might discuss why we needed to resurrect the culture class at all?" Professor Flamel said.
"I'm sorry?"
"Or something about the history of Hogwarts, how classes have changed over time?"
"I wasn't aware that they had."
Professor Flamel didn't seem surprised at that. "Well, can you inform the class when Astronomy became a core class for the first five years?"
"To my knowledge..."
"Yes, your knowledge."
As if she had none.
"Your knowledge is a relevant topic for the day. Tell us about how Astronomy went from an elective to a core class."
"I'm afraid that such a thing never happened, Professor."
"It's not a change that originated at Hogwarts. I thought you were formerly with the Ministry for Magic."
"I had that honor."
"Tell us about Minister Bolger."
"Minister Who?"
"Minister Bolger, a great fan of astrology, regretted how few astrologers he could consult. So he proposed a law that Hogwarts train students in astronomy for more years in the hope that some of them might consider becoming astrologers..."
"What a ridiculous story."
Harry didn't think so. He'd never wondered about why he studied astronomy until today. As he considered the question, Harry found he couldn't quite determine why. He didn't use his star- and planet-knowledge in any of his other classes, did he?
"Tell us about the specialties Hogwarts used to teach. Some of our students specialized in rune-based courses, others in the wanded subjects, and some in potions, herbs, and the healing arts. There were some other electives, like divination, but all students were able to specialize in what would serve them best. Though some were generalists, of course."
"No. I've never heard of this."
"The Ministry ended this tradition, too. It means Hogwarts no longer teaches enough Runes to its students to have a course in enchanting, a topic that is now a few lessons in the NEWT years. It means Hogwarts no longer teaches a course on Healing or covers many of the spells in Charms. Care to share why?"
"I'm sure these things never happened. The Ministry wouldn't harm its children as you're proposing."
.....
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