Interstellar || Draco Malfoy

34 || Ministry Infiltration

Returning to Hogwarts had always been something that I looked forward to, and this term was no exception. I'd been eager to return to school, despite having all of this term's coursework completed. Of course, with the new change in Defense professors, I hadn't been able to get my hands on any of the coursework. But, it didn't bother me any; I'd already learned this year's defense curriculum.

However, returning to Hogwarts after the summer felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. A majority of my summer was spent shuffling around Malfoy Manor silently, hoping to keep out of Lucius's way. He'd been particularly busy over the summer, and would often bring people into his study for hours on end. Draco told me not to worry about it, but I had an uneasy feeling about the meetings Mr. Malfoy was holding.

Sitting beside Draco in the Great Hall was familiar. I'd realized over the last few years that Hogwarts was my home. Even though I despised sharing a dormitory with Pansy and her equally awful friends, even though I only had a handful of friends, even though a student nearly died before my eyes the year prior, Hogwarts was my home.

"I beg a few moments of your attention, as I have a few start of term announcements." Dumbledore spoke, drawing me out of my thoughts. "Right off, our caretaker, the good Mr. Filch, has reminded me for what he says is the four-hundred and sixty-second time that he has an annually updated list of various banned items, usually introduced by our humor experts Fred and George Weasley, which are posted in an extensive list on the door to Mr. Filch's office."

I tried to pay attention to what Dumbledore was saying, but a bright pink woman behind him was quite distracting. Dressed in pink from hat to shoe, the bright pink woman looked all too pleased to be seated with the rest of the staff.

"Also, we have two staffing changes this year. Professor Grubbly-Plank will be taking the post of Care of Magical Creatures post as Professor Hagrid is on... extended leave." Draco muttered something I didn't bother to catch, my eyes never leaving the woman dressed in pink. "Additionally, we have Professor Umbridge, who has kindly agreed to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts-"

The woman in pink stood then, clearing her throat rather rudely.I watched with wide eyes as she rounded the table and stopped beside Dumbledore. Again, she cleared her throat before speaking.

"Headmaster, if I could address the school?" The new Professor Umbridge asked in a sickly sweet tone. Dumbledore appeared shocked and McGonagall glared at the back of her head as she approached the podium at the head of the hall.

"What is she doing?" I hissed to no one in particular, not receiving an answer.

"The Ministry has always considered the magical education of our children to be of vital importance, and the passing down of this ancient and noble art must be given to the next generation, lest it be lost forever..." She paused, looking out at the sea of students. "Without progress, stagnation. But progress for progress's sake is to be discouraged, for our art requires no tinkering."

Another pause.

"A balance must be attained, the new and the old, permanence and change, tradition and innovation, order and chaos."

Another pause.

"There are large changes coming soon, changes walking the fine line between order and chaos. Know only that these changes are for the best, and to prevent the destruction of our civilization from its own decay. Thank you." Umbridge finished, flashing a very forced smile to the hall. I shared a look with Draco before rolling my eyes and focusing on the meal before us.