Before the start of the new term, the professors gathered in the staff room to discuss the upcoming year, a meeting that now included Dante Malfoy. As they settled into their seats, Dumbledore addressed the gathering, his eyes twinkling with a knowing look as he turned towards Dante.
"Dante, I believe you should be aware of the curse that lingers over the Defense Against the Dark Arts position," Dumbledore said lightly, though the underlying warning was clear. "No professor has managed to keep the post for more than a year."
Dante, unfazed, merely inclined his head. "That is fine. I will be the professor of that class again."
Dumbledore nodded, his expression relaxed. "If at any time you find yourself in peril, Let us know."
To everyone's surprise, it was Severus Snape who spoke next. "Headmaster, I would like to take over the Defense Against the Dark Arts position this year," he announced smoothly, his dark eyes unreadable. "I propose that Dante takes over my Potions class."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Dumbledore studied Snape carefully, as though attempting to gauge his true intentions. Before he could respond, Dante turned to Snape, a curious look on his face. "Why the sudden interest in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" he asked evenly.
Snape met Dante's gaze without hesitation. "I have always been interested in the position, but the headmaster has often refused, citing the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for Potions. Now, however, that problem is solved."
Dante considered this for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "I don't have a preference for which subject I teach. If you wish to switch, I have no objections."
The other professors exchanged glances, somewhat bewildered by how casually the two of them were discussing swapping their subjects, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Dumbledore, however, raised a hand. "Let us postpone this for now. I am quite curious to see whether Dante can break the curse that plagued the position for decades. If he succeeds, then next year, the two of you may switch as you please."
Dante shrugged indifferently. "That works for me."
Snape was silent for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Next year, the Defense Against the Dark Arts position is mine."
With that settled, the meeting moved on to other matters. As they reached the final point of discussion, Dumbledore addressed the room once more. "One last thing. An inspector from the Ministry of Magic will be coming to re-evaluate Hogwarts' educational performance. They will be presenting some additional materials and suggestions that they believe may benefit our students. I trust that all of you will keep an open mind and review what they provide."
The professors nodded in understanding. This was not the first time the Ministry had sent recommendations, and such visits usually resulted in new editions of textbooks or revised curriculums being suggested as alternatives.
With that, the meeting was adjourned, and the professors dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts about the year ahead.
___________
The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as the Sorting Ceremony concluded, the last of the first-years making their way to their respective house tables. Dumbledore rose from his seat, a warm twinkle in his eye as he regarded the assembled students. The hall slowly quieted, eager ears awaiting his words.
"Another year begins at Hogwarts, and with it comes new opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge yourselves. This year, however, marks a rather special occasion. For the first time in many years, our esteemed Defense Against the Dark Arts professor remains unchanged."
A wave of cheers and applause erupted throughout the hall, students from all houses clapping enthusiastically for Professor Dante Malfoy. Despite his unorthodox methods and relentless expectations, his students deeply respected him. His lessons, though demanding, were always engaging and practical, and above all, he treated them with fairness.
Dante, seated at the staff table, merely inclined his head in acknowledgment, his usual composed expression unchanged. Beside him, Professor McGonagall gave a small smile at the students' reaction, while Snape simply scoffed, though he didn't comment.
Dumbledore let the applause linger for a moment before continuing. "In addition to this wonderful news, we have a visitor from the Ministry of Magic who will be assisting in reviewing our educational materials and student performance. Please join me in welcoming Dolores Umbridge."
A woman in an all-pink ensemble strode confidently into the hall, her tight-lipped smile and peculiar sense of fashion immediately catching everyone's attention. Students exchanged puzzled glances, some suppressing laughter, while others looked away as if her garish attire physically hurt their eyes. Even the ever-stoic Dante and the normally composed McGonagall raised their brows in mild surprise.
Among the students, Luna Lovegood tilted her head, seemingly intrigued, though even she, with her penchant for odd fashion choices, seemed unsure what to make of Umbridge's appearance. Dante, observing this, thought to himself that Luna's eccentricity at least carried a sense of uniqueness. This, however, was a crime against aesthetic sensibilities.
Umbridge approached Dumbledore and stood in front of him with a smug smile. The headmaster prepared to continue his speech, but Umbridge did not move. Instead, she gave a small, deliberate cough.
Dumbledore blinked, slightly taken aback. Nevertheless, he continued, "As I was say—"
Another cough, this time louder and more high-pitched, cut him off. The noise was so exaggerated and unnatural that it caused several students to shift in their seats uncomfortably. Dante, now openly staring, narrowed his eyes slightly in silent contemplation. He was rarely surprised by people, but this was pushing the limits of even his expectations.
Dumbledore, realizing that Umbridge was demanding the floor, gave her an apologetic smile and took a step back. "Ah, my apologies, Madam Umbridge. Please, the floor is yours."
Umbridge's smile widened as she cleared her throat once more, launching into a speech that was filled with empty pleasantries, sickly-sweet condescension, and thinly veiled threats disguised as cooperation.
"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me.
I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends.
The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance.
Although progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged, a balance must be maintained between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation.
Because continuous progress is ensured only through vigilance, students must raise their wands if they wish to speak.
Thank you."
When her speech finally concluded, a scattered and half-hearted applause followed. Most students exchanged skeptical glances, while a few already seemed uneasy about what her presence would mean for the coming year.
Dumbledore, maintaining his ever-calm demeanor, resumed his speech briefly before officially dismissing the students. As each house made their way back to their common rooms, hushed discussions about Umbridge and her speech filled the halls. Meanwhile, the professors quietly retreated to their quarters.
___________
It did not take long for the students to realize that the Ministry's so-called inspector was not at Hogwarts with good intentions. Dolores Umbridge wasted no time in beginning her so-called evaluations, and the first professor she targeted was none other than Professor Flitwick. For an entire week, she sat in his classroom, attending every lecture from first-years to seventh-years, constantly scratching away at her notebook with an obnoxious quill. Whenever Flitwick would begin to demonstrate a spell or explain a concept, she would interrupt with her less-than-helpful opinions, often undermining his expertise with passive-aggressive remarks. The usually cheerful and patient Charms professor was visibly struggling to keep his composure, his tiny hands tightening into fists at his sides. More than once, students swore they saw his fingers twitch towards his wand as if he was barely restraining himself from jinxing her.
Once she was done with Flitwick, her attention turned to Professor McGonagall. Another week of constant interruptions, rude remarks, and condescending commentary followed. Students noticed how their stern but fair Transfiguration professor took deep, steadying breaths whenever Umbridge spoke, her lips pressing together tightly. At one point, after yet another unnecessary interjection, McGonagall had to pause for a moment, clenching the edge of her desk before forcing herself to continue her lesson. The students in her class sat on edge, watching with bated breath, wondering if their beloved professor would finally snap.
Professor Sprout, known for her patience and kindness, was next in line. Even she, who rarely let anything ruffle her, was growing visibly frustrated. By the end of her inspection, she had started muttering under her breath whenever Umbridge made a remark, her fingers gripping her gardening tools tighter than necessary. More than once, she 'accidentally' splashed dirt onto Umbridge's pink robes while tending to the plants, much to the amusement of the students.
Then came the moment no one had anticipated—Umbridge inspected Professor Snape. If there had ever been a time when the students thought Snape looked terrifying, that moment was nothing compared to the absolute fury darkening his expression now. Never before had he looked so utterly livid. Every time Umbridge interrupted his lectures with her infuriatingly sweet tone, students noticed how his grip on his wand tightened, his lip curling in barely suppressed rage. The dungeons, already an intimidating setting, became a place where students dared not even breathe too loudly, lest they draw Snape's ire as he endured the most frustrating week of his life.
But no one suffered more than Professor Trelawney. From the very first day of her inspection, Umbridge zeroed in on the Divination professor with cruel precision. She openly mocked Trelawney's methods, dismissing her as a fraud in front of her students. The fragile professor, already prone to dramatic outbursts, could barely hold herself together as Umbridge continued her relentless attacks. The woman's condescending tone, her scoffs, and her dismissive remarks chipped away at Trelawney's confidence until she was a trembling mess.
Then came the worst of it—Umbridge, seeing weakness, decided to push further. She outright declared that Trelawney was unfit to teach and attempted to have her expelled from Hogwarts. It was only through Dumbledore's intervention that she was able to remain. When Umbridge made her grand declaration in the Great Hall, smugly informing the students that Trelawney was to leave Hogwarts immediately, the headmaster stepped in, his tone as calm as ever but carrying an unmistakable authority that left no room for argument.
"She will remain at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said simply, his blue eyes twinkling dangerously. "As long as I am Headmaster, she will have a home here."
Though Trelawney was allowed to stay, the damage had already been done. The students, having witnessed Umbridge's cruelty firsthand, now knew beyond any doubt—Dolores Umbridge was not here to help Hogwarts. She was here to control it.