The professor seemed to enjoy denial in all its forms. It was very uncomfortable to watch all of this, but Professor Flamel was making a point that Harry hadn't quite grasped in all of its complexities. She wanted to challenge the professor, of course. She did it by pointing to examples of Ministry interference at Hogwarts. She had succeeded at making the professor very angry and muddying what little reputation the Ministry possessed.
"Class, I think we're done for the day. Back up your belongings. We won't waste your time with the topics Madam Umbridge was interested in discussing. Houses..." Professor Flamel shool her head. "The class is on wizarding culture and traditions, not those of a few houses..."
"Class is certainly not dismissed," Professor Umbridge said, as the students were packing up.
"Off you go."
Harry left, but he hung around outside the open classroom door. The row between the professors were interesting and baffling. Some of the topics Harry had never heard of. Still Hermione was positioned in front of a wall scribbling with her quill. She was trying to catch all of the topics for later research, Harry was sure.
"Students, please return. Now. Students..."
"No, that is it, Madam Umbridge. I will not allow you to spread your ignorance in this class."
"I was hired by the Board of Governors..."
"Yes, they hired you to teach a set curriculum. Teach it and we'll have no troubles."
"It is not adequate."
"The Board approved it."
"Well, I will be speaking to the Board then."
"Until they change their mind, you will teach the topics on the syllabus. I will sit in the back of your class and make sure you do."
"You cannot. That's...that's interference."
"You don't have a track record as a teacher. I'd call it mentoring. It's actually done quite often at schools with larger faculties. Why the Board insists on running Hogwarts with such a small staff, I don't know," Professor Flamel said.
Madam Umbridge made to storm away.
"You won't be paid, Madam Umbridge."
That got her attention. "I can't help that you ended my class early. I was prepared to teach a full lesson."
"It's nothing to do with me. You haven't signed your contract."
"I was hired by the Board of Governors. You can't withhold my pay because you dislike my appointment. You also can't dismiss me."
"That is correct. The Headmaster cannot dismiss someone appointed by the Board of Governors who shows up and teaches their assigned classes. A new bylaw, it seems, passed shortly before they voted on your appointment for this class."
"See."
"However, we also are not permitted to pay anyone who hasn't signed a contract. So your lesson today has earned you no galleons. Nor any of the work you've done since the first of the month. We're not allowed to backdate your pay."
"What..."
"That's a very old bylaw proposed by one of your distant ancestors, a Cambric Selwynn, if memory serves."
Umbridge turned about the color of her own jacket. "Give it here."
"I would advise you to read it first."
The culture professor inked a quill and signed. Immediately she dropped the quill and began twitching. Harry could see the sweat forming on her face.
Professor Flamel rolled up the contract. She stared at the students who were still gathered in the hallway. "Miss Brown, would you mind fetching the Mediwitch from the Infirmary? It seems Madam Umbridge will need substantial care. For the rest of her life."
Professor Flamel unrolled the contract and looked at it. "I knew she was up to no good. This contract has proved it."
Harry watched the unpleasant woman twitch and sweat. She toppled over then and twitched on the floor.
"Let that be a lesson in culture, students. Study your magical contracts before you sign them."
Harry had never heard the term 'magical contract' before, but he was sure it was now on his list of necessary things. He could see Hermione underline the words three times on her parchment, too.
"Your former professor here – for she will never be suited to teach again, and when she fails to show up to her next few classes she can be dismissed for non-performance – has made a poor showing of the topic. I'll find you a better one or I'll teach the class myself. Please don't fear another appointment like this."
When this story got out, Harry doubted they'd have any applicants for the job, not if the contract was this onerous.
"The Board rarely asserts its prerogative to name professors, for if they don't work out, those who vouched for the quality and trustworthiness of the appointee traditionally resign their seats. That is one tradition that will continue. Madam Umbridge's supporters will soon be gone, which means we'll have a clean Board. So, please ignore today's lesson, students. We'll give you better tuition soon enough."
None of them would forget, of course. This was soon to become a major legend of the school. Don't anger Professor Flamel...
.....
Tired of waiting for new chapters? Head over to my website and read the entire book now!
📖 Read it here:
p*ayhip.com/CoolNainan [Remove the *]
✨ Bonus: Get 10 free advanced chapters just for subscribing!