Chapter Five of A Loyal Friend. Enjoy!
Scott made his way up to Dumbledore's office. It was the first
Friday of his fifth year at Hogwarts. A new Defense Against the Dark Arts
teacher, Professor Delores Umbridge, had taken the subject and turned it into
something completely useless. Umbridge believed that a supposed
"theoretical knowledge" of the course material should be enough to
get them through their exams, which, according to her, is what "school is
all about." Scott had decided when he received Dumbledore's message to
come to his office, that he would inform the Headmaster about his feelings of
Umbridge's "curriculum", if one could call it that.
"Sherbet lemon," Scott said when he reached the stone
gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office. Scott then rapped three times on
Dumbledore's door and as usual, waited for Dumbledore to say "Enter"
before going into the office. He stepped into the office and sat down in his
usual chair in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Ah, Scott, good evening, thank you for coming so
quickly," Dumbledore said, smiling pleasantly.
"No trouble, Headmaster."
"So, are you enjoying your classes so far?" Dumbledore
asked. Scott smiled and thought that Dumbledore had a shrewd idea of what he
thought about one particular class. As if reading his mind, Dumbledore said,
"I assume you are not enjoying Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"You would be right," Scott replied. "I believe
that what she is 'teaching' us is a load of rubbish."
"Quite right, Scott. And I have good reason to suspect why
Delores has chosen such a, forgive me, lax curriculum."
"And why is that?"
"I believe that the Minister fears that I am preparing to
raise an army against him. All nonsense of course, you know that he has been
using his influence over The Daily
Prohpet to spear both me and young Mr. Potter."
"I see," Scott said.
"Yes, well, of course I didn't merely invite you to my office
tonight to discuss your classes. I have to ask of your services again."
"Anything you require Headmaster."
"Thank you, Scott. I fear that I am beginning to ask too much
of you, especially since you have already begun the dangerous mission I
assigned to you. Are you sure I won't be asking you of too much?"
"Absolutely, Professor Dumbledore. I'm happy to help."
"Thank you again, Scott. Now, the task I'm about to assign
you deals with the very person we were just speaking about, Professor Umbridge.
I need you to watch her during your classes with her and make sure she does not
do anything to harm either yourself or your fellow classmates."
"I understand, Headmaster."
"Excellent, I knew you would recognized immidiately why I
need her to be watched; she is under the direct command of the Minister himself
and I cannot have him snooping around here, given the fact that he still
refuses to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned. Now, there is something
else too: I need you to keep an eye out for anyone looking to rebel against
Umbridge's regime."
"Rebel? I'm not sure I know what you mean."
"Look out for any students who are willing to openly rebel
against her wishes not to learn practical Defense Against the Dark Arts. I
highly expect someone to
step up to the plate and rebel against her and I strongly suspect that Harry
Potter will be the one to do it."
"Naturally," Scott said. "He is the top student in
Defense Against the Dark Arts in our year."
"Considering of course that you yourself don't show your full
potential in class so as not to alarm your classmates," Dumbledore added,
smiling. "Now, I need you to keep an eye out for anyone, but especially
Harry, looking to rebel against Umbridge and her so-called curriculum for
Defense Against the Dark Arts. Can you do this one service for me?"
"Of course, Headmaster, I will do as you ask. I will keep an
eye on Professor Umbridge and I will watch out for anyone looking to rebel
against her curriculum. You have my word, as always."
"Thank you very much, Scott. Now, you may return to dinner.
Good luck in your task. And as always, enjoy your classes."
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