Professor Umbridge looked at Hermione for a moment.

"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a chuckle, "Gee, I can't imagine a situation in my class that would require you to use defensive spells, Miss Granger. You don't think you're going to be attacked in class, do you?"

"Can't we use magic?" Ron shouted.

"In my class, students have to raise their hands if they want to speak, and you're—"

"Weasley. Ron said, quickly raising his hand.

Professor Umbridge smiled more kindly, turning his back to Ron. Harry and Hermione immediately raised their hands as well. Professor Umbridge's puffy eyes lingered on Harry for a moment, then she said to Hermione, "What, Miss Granger?

"Yes," said Hermione, "the overall goal of Defence Against the Dark Arts should certainly be to practice defensive spells, right?"

"Are you a specially trained educator for the Ministry of Magic, Miss Granger?" Professor Umbridge asked in her sweet, faux falsetto.

"No, but—"

"Well, I don't think you're in a position to judge what the 'overall goal' of any one course is. Our latest learning program has been designed by wizards who are much older and smarter than you. You will learn defensive spells in a safe, risk-free way—"

"What's the use?" Harry asked aloud, "if we're attacked, it's certainly not going to be—"

"Hands up, Mr. Potter!" Professor Umbridge said in a singing voice. Harry hurriedly raised his hand in the air. Professor Umbridge repeated the same old trick and immediately turned his face to look elsewhere, but now several other students raised their hands.

"I'll press a bottle of leprechaun to make wine, and Potter will be locked up!" said Phoenix, in a small voice, but everyone around him heard him.

"Hey, okay. I'm betting on Gryffindor for twenty points. Draco was refreshed for the first time since he entered the classroom. "Greece, tequila. ”

"Red wine from Rosmerta," Nott joined, "confinement and copying sentences." ”

"Whoever it is, I hope you're the loser, Nott. Brace recorded their bets. If you don't guess anything correctly, you can keep it for later celebrations of Quidditch matches, and whoever guesses correctly will get something else.

"What's your name?" Professor Umbridge asked Dean.

"Dean Thomas. ”

"Say it, Mr. Thomas. ”

"Well, like Harry said, isn't it?" said Dean, "and if we are attacked, it is impossible to be without risk. ”

"I repeat," Professor Umbridge said, smiling at Dean in that particularly irritating way, "do you think you're going to be attacked in my class?"

"No, it won't. But—"

Professor Umbridge's voice drowned out Dean's.

"I hate to criticize some of the ways this school is run," she said, with a fake smile on her face and a wide-mouthed grin, "but it's really irresponsible that you've come into contact with a few very irresponsible wizards in this class - not to mention," she let out a shrill laugh, "and the particularly dangerous half-human, half-beast." ”

"If you're referring to Professor Lupin," Dean said angrily, "he's the best teacher we've ever met—"

"Hands up, Mr. Thomas, as I said earlier - the magic they introduce you to is complex, not suitable for your age, and potentially harmful. You're so frightened that you think you're going to be attacked by the dark magic in three days—"

Professor Umbridge said in a trembling voice, "Well, the Ministry of Magic thinks that theoretical knowledge will be more effective in helping you pass exams, and after all, getting students to pass exams is what schools are all about. What's your name?"

"Parvati, isn't there anything practical about our Defence Against the Dark Arts exams, are we supposed to show that we can indeed cast spells and other spells?"

"As long as you have a very solid grasp of the theory, there is no reason why you should not cast spells under tightly controlled examination conditions. Professor Umbridge said contemptuously.

"Don't you need to practice beforehand?" Parvati asked incredulously, "Are you telling us that the first time we cast those spells was during the exam?"

"I repeat, as long as you learn the theory very solidly-"

"What is the use of theory in the real world?" Harry raised his fist in the air again and asked aloud.

Professor Umbridge looked up.

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

"So don't we need to be ready for whatever awaits outside?"

"Nothing waiting outside, Mr. Potter. ”

"Oh, is it?" said Harry. His anger had been secretly churning in his heart all day, and he was about to reach the breaking point.

"Who do you imagine would attack a child like you?" asked Professor Umbridge in a terrifyingly affectionate voice.

"Well, let me think—" said Harry in a pretended thoughtful tone, "maybe—Voldemort?"

Ron gasped, Lavender Brown let out a low scream, and Neville stooped off the bench, but Professor Umbridge didn't look scared. She just stared at Harry with a vicious, satisfied look on her face.

"Gryffindor deducts twenty points, Mr. Potter. Draco smiled happily and spread his hands to look left and right.

There was silence and silence in the classroom. Everyone is either staring at Umbridge or staring at Harry.

"Alright, let me figure out a few things. ”

Professor Umbridge stood up, leaning forward, his palms pressed against the podium with his two short fingers.

"Someone told you that a certain dark wizard had come back from the dead—"

"He's not dead," Harry said angrily, "but yes, he's back!"

"Mr. Potter, you've already made your house lose twenty points, don't make things worse," Professor Bird Ridge said in one breath, not looking at Harry, "As I said, someone told you that a certain dark wizard is out again. This is nonsense. ”

"This is not nonsense!" Harry said, "I see him." ”

"Shut up, Mr. Potter!" Professor Umbridge said triumphantly, "tomorrow evening." Five o'clock. in my office. I repeat, this is nonsense. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you will not be in danger from any dark wizards. If you still have doubts, be sure to come to me after class. If anyone were to scare you with the story of the Dark Wizard coming back from the dead, I'd love to hear it. I am always ready to help you. I'm your friend. Alright, please continue on page 5, 'Getting Started Fundamentals'. ”

Professor Umbridge sat down behind her podium.

"That's what a count. "Brace was a little dumbfounded.

"Well, or we'll wait," Phoenix said uncertainly, "what if she does punish Potter for copying sentences?" )