The Truth and Lies of Dolores Umbridge
written by Maddy Salvatore
Dolores Jane Umbridge has always been portrayed as a villain; due to how people perceive her in later life. However, Dolores was once the normal young witch. That is until she defied her family and became the villain we all know today.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
13
Reads
919
Truth 2 - Learning the ways of magic
Chapter 4
I lie in bed for a few extra moments before getting out of my warm, cosy little cocoon. Once up I have a look at my timetable, which I collected from the male prefect the previous night. Great, it looks like I have History of Magic and Herbology first this morning; the most boring classes, so I have been told. I glance at the timetable for the rest of the day and week and am satisfied with what I will be learning this year.
Monday:
History of Magic
Herbology
Flying
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Astronomy (MIDNIGHT)
Tuesday
Charms
Potions
Flying
History of Magic
Wednesday
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Transfiguration
Flying
Herbology Astronomy (MIDNIGHT)
Thursday
Charms
Charms
Herbology
Transfiguration
Defence Against the Dark Arts (MIDNIGHT)
Friday
Potions
Potions
History of Magic
Transfiguration
Astronomy (MIDNIGHT)
Seriously, Astronomy at midnight? Can’t we just find out about stars and what they have to do with magic from a textbook? Stupid person who created the timetable. I also have Defence Against the Dark Arts at midnight on Thursday as well; they must want us to learn about night creatures outside or at least practice outside.
I leave the bedroom after changing into my new crisp, fresh uniform and leave to meet up with Lucius in the lounge. We walk to the notice board together to find out what other house our classes have been allocated with. Excellent, Gryffindor. Looks as if I will be seeing some of my childhood friends sooner than I had expected, and wanted to. At the bottom of the notice reads:
All Slytherin first-years are to meet with Gryffindor first-years at the front of the Gryffindor common room at 8:35am sharp, to travel to class together.
Professor McGonagall (Head of Gryffindor House/ Deputy Headmistress)
Lucius, Scarlett, some other Slytherin first-years and myself walk to the Great Hall for breakfast together. We try everything; the bacon, eggs, toast, cereal and fresh fruit. Somehow the fruit tastes better at Hogwarts than it did at home. Perhaps they sprinkle some sort of extra flavouring on it; perhaps even some magic!
I’m in the middle of my toast when the post arrives. Almost one hundred owls come soaring into the Great Hall, dropping envelopes and parcels to students whilst they devour breakfast. As I look at all menagerie of owls I notice my family’s midnight black owl, Serk, with a red envelope and bag; looking to contain three parcels. Serk flies over the Gryffindor table and drops the bag on top of Gideon’s plate of breakfast, then soars over to me and drops the red envelope.
I take one glance at the envelope and I immediately know what it is. It does not take long before everyone on the Slytherin table discovers what is in my possession; all thanks to a boy with dark chestnut hair yelling out “Look everyone Dolores Prewett’s got a howler!” I can feel my cheeks turning bright red from the embarrassment as I begin to open the seal of the howler.
As soon as the seal is opened my mother’s voice comes shrieking out form it. “DOLORES JANE PREWETT! HOW DARE YOU DEFY YOUR FATHER, SIBLINGS AND MYSELF BY WHAT YOU THOUGHT WAS WHISPERING TO THAT DAMN SORTING HAT THAT YOU ‘WANT TO BE IN SLYTHERIN’. WE ARE SO DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, YOUR SIBLINGS HAVE REQUESTED THAT THEY NOT HAVE TO BE ANYWHERE NEAR YOU WHEN YOU ALL COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK. NOW IF YOUR FATHER AND I DID NOT HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE, WE WOULD DISOWN YOU AND FORCE YOU TO CHANGE YOUR NAME. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THAT WOULD TARNISH THE FAMILY’S REPUTATION; WE HAVE COME TO THE DECISION THAT WHEN YOU COME HOME YOU WILL BE GROUNDED. YOUR ANNOYING CAT ROSY WILL BE GIVEN TO MOLLY TO KEEP. YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE PREWETT NAME.” Then at once it ignited into a ball of flame, burning into a pile of ash.
“Dolores, I am so Sorry. Would you like to take me up on my offer of staying with me and my family over Christmas break?” Lucius asks me not long after I had burst into tears from my mother’s scathing words. “Yes, please” I respond. I cannot comprehend the thought of going back to my parents’ house and having to be grounded with my beloved Rosy given to Molly, whop hates her.
After breakfast we go and wait outside the Gryffindor common room for the first-year Gryffindor’s; after waiting for five minutes we see the door open. Instead of the first-years coming out, it is my siblings and some of their friends. I smile at Molly, hoping she would smile back; in response she simply walks away without even verbally acknowledging my presence.
Not long after my siblings and their friends have walked away the first-years exit out of the common room door and we all depart for our first History of Magic class.
Once we arrive at classroom 4F, located on the first floor, we all walk inside and take a seat; with Slytherin’s on one side and Gryffindor’s on the other. Professor Binns, who happens to be a ghost who died and left his body at his desk chair, floats in the door and hovers at the front of the classroom.
“Welcome to History of Magic, I am Professor Binns. Today we will be learning about Emeric the Evil and Godelot; both of whom believed in and used Dark Magic. Now can everyone please get out their copies of A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot and turn to page 119” he moaned in a monotone.
Professor Binns began to recite what was written in the book, word for word. He used no expression what-so-ever and did not stop once to either breathe or explain anything he had just said; causing a majority of the class to fall asleep from the boredom.
“Emeric the Evil was a short lived wizard, yet was extremely aggressive. He was once the master and owner of the Elder Wand; which is famously known as one of The Deathly Hallows. Whilst in possession of the wand, he terrorised the South of England in the early Middle Ages. He was eventually killed in a ferocious battle against Egbert the Egregious, who in turn became the master of the wand. Not much is known about what Egbert did after claiming the wand or how/when he died; but considering that in the Middle Ages the life expectancy of medieval duellers was short, he was most likely murdered.
A century after Egbert defeated Emeric, the wizard Godelot came to be the master of the Elder Wand. Godelot considered the wand to be an instructor, using his knowledge of the wand to write Magik Moste Evile, a book which contained information on Dark Magic. Godelot later perished in his own cellar after his son, Hereward, locked him in there to gain ownership of the wand.”
After sitting through twenty agonising minutes of Binn’s monotone reading of this, he finally finished. “Now wasn’t that very interesting? We have around forty minutes left; thirty-five after I finish explaining what to do next. For the rest of the lesson you are to write a six-page essay on: The Elder Wand, The Deathly Hallows, Emeric the Evil, Egbert the Egregious, Godelot and Magik Moste Evile. I want more explanation of the Elder Wand, Deathly Hallows and Emeric. If you do not finish the entire essay in the remainder if the class it will become homework, which will be due at the very beginning of next lesson; which happens to be tomorrow fourth period. Now a note for you all to take into account is that if I read everyone’s essay and it sounds similar or directly the same as someone else’s, those people will have to re-write their entire essay and will also receive double-detention. I do NOT allow cheating and or copying in my classroom. Do I make myself clear?” Is this guy serious? Six pages by tomorrow! I seriously hope that we do not get anymore homework in our other classes.
I decide that I will begin writing on the Deathly Hallows; which will then lead into the Elder Wand and the people who owned and mastered it. By the end of the lesson I have completed the first two pages.
I leave History of Magic with Lucius and Scarlett and head to the greenhouses for our Herbology class. When we arrive at Greenhouse One, Professor Sprout is already there waiting for us.
“Hello everyone. Welcome to first-year Herbology. I am Professor Sprout, some of you might have heard of me from any elder siblings you may have. Just a little bit of information about myself; I am Head of the Herbology department and also Head of Hufflepuff house. Now that you know me a little bit better, you might listen and co-operate with each other. To begin with, I would like to find out where you all are and what you might already know when it comes to plants and fungi; so does anyone know what Devil Snare is?”
The greenhouse is silent; I know what Devil Snare is, however, do not want to raise my hand and be perceived as a know-it-all. A girl from Gryffindor house raises her hand, I recognise her from the sorting ceremony, her name is Leven Shellbark. A whisper in the ear from Lucius interrupts my train of thought, “That Shellbark girl is an absolute know-it-all. She is what you some would call a Mudblood; however, she knows all this is to about magic. I have already placed a bet with some of the others that she will end up being the top of the year-level.” Did Lucius really just call her a Mudblood? I cannot believe it, that is such an insulting and horrible thing to call someone; he should have just said she is Muggle-born.
Professor Sprout puts the poor girl out of her misery and allows her to answer the question, “The Devil Snare is a plant that has the ability to grab tightly on to something or strange anything that surrounds it or happens to be in its pathway.” The way Leven explained what Devil Snare is was much smarter than how I would have. “Yes, that is correct. Now if you were to ever get caught in a Devil Snare, you would not want to try to resist the snare or even so much as to struggle in its grasp; as this will make it exert a greater force of constriction. Now before we go any further, can you all please get out a piece of parchment and a quill and write down what has just been said; as there will be an essay given out at the end of Thursday’s lesson about what has been taught so far.”
I get my parchment and quill out and begin to write, yet I notice Lucius looking over my shoulder. “What are you doing Lucius?” I ask him, despite my brain screaming that he is copying my work.” I… I… I can’t really remember what has been said and when it comes time to write the essay I want to make sure that I do a good job. My father told me at Platform 9 and ¾ that if I fail in at least one subject then he will take my broomstick away from me over Christmas; and I will also note receive any Christmas presents. My parents are awfully strict when it comes to my education.” Wow, okay, so I thought my parents were strict; yet mine seem like cuddly teddy bears compared to Lucius’. “Alright, you can look at mine. Just this once. Next time, you need to ask my permission first or I could even simply help you when it comes to writing the essay.” I continue writing down the information that has been said. I would never normally allow someone to copy my work out of pity; however, because he is one of my only friends in Slytherin, I will allow it just this once.
“Now to continue on, everyone please open your copies of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore; and turn to page 56. Take notes on the information that is mentioned throughout the rest of the lesson; read along with the textbook in case you miss something important.”
Professor Sprout begins to read from the textbook, with a happy expression.
“The Devils Snare is not a common plant, though some herbologists have access to it. The plant is made up of soft, springy tendrils and vines that possess a sense of touch. The plant uses its creepers and tendrils to trap anyone who were to touch it; it does this by binding their arms and legs together after a lengthy period of time, it begins to choke the trapped person. The harder a person struggles against the Snare, the faster and more quickly it shall bind them. If you relax it will not kill you as quickly. Devils Snare likes to be in a dark, damp environment. The Snare will stop its movement if the environment that it is in, is near a bright light. The Snare will also recoil away from the heat of a fire. If you were to see a person trapped in a Devils Snare, a spell such as Bluebell Flames could be used to drive the Snare away from its victims. The Devils Snare bears a resemblance to the plant Flitterbloom.”
Professor Sprout is a much better reader than what Professor Binns is; she paused at all the commas and stopped at all the full stops. She even paused so all of us could catch up.
“Now, hopefully this will be a sufficient amount of information for you to base your essay on. Now the passage mentioned the plant Flitterbloom; if you turn to page 84, there is a little bit of information about this plant. We will read through this as a class so you can add a little bit of a comparison into your essay.”
“The Flitterbloom plant is a type of magical plant that has long, swaying tentacles. This plant bears a resemblance to the deadly Devils Snare, this plant however is harmless. This plant is a favourite amongst wizards and witches, to keep as a pot plant or to grow in the garden.”
I try to take note of as much information that has been said as possible. At the top of my piece of parchment I write the page numbers from the textbook, so that I can always refer back to them if necessary.
“Everyone, it is now unfortunately the end of class. Now I know that your next lesson is flying, which is at 3:30. So if everyone can make their way to either the Great Hall for lunch or back to your house common room and do homework/relax. Remember this time now is classified as lunch, so if you choose to go back to the common room you will miss out on eating lunch, and will; not get another eating opportunity until dinner time.”
I could go to the common room and attempt to complete my History of Magic essay or I could go and eat in the Great Hall. I decide to go and have some lunch; I am starving and if I cannot eat again until dinner, then I must eat now.
After lunch I begin to head to the Training Grounds, where we will have Flying class. Once I arrive I notice that the Gryffindor’s are already there; the only Slytherin’s are Lucius, Benjamin Goyle and Fletcher Crabbe. Scarlett runs up behind me and taps me on the shoulder, “Why didn’t you wait for me?” she asks; her face bright red with beads of sweat dripping down her face, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “I was going to wait, but I did not want to be late or all the Gryffindor’s would have beaten us. Unfortunately, this already happened.” I cannot believe that the Gryffindors have shown us up again. I should feel bad that most of my childhood friends got to class before me, considering when we were young I arrived everywhere before all of them. “Look, Dolores didn’t get here before all of us! Being in Slytherin must have made her lazy and irresponsible. She didn’t even do her homework at lunch, she just ate! What would her parents think? Or even better, her old self!” Lucius moves to stand in front of me, he is taller than any of the Gryffindor’s. Due to his stature, Lucius could pass as a third year. Before I even know what is happening, words come out of Lucius’ mouth that I never though would; well at least not in my defence. “Don’t you dare talk to her like that. You do realise that you Gryffindors are no better than us Slytherins, right? Dolores isn’t late, you were all just early. And she wasn’t being irresponsible. Who cares if she wasn’t doing her homework, she ate lunch instead; which in my opinion is more responsible because she is making sure that she has food in her body to ensure she keeps healthy. Don’t even try to argue with me further because you will not win.”
“Alright everyone, that is enough. Malfoy you will see me after class.” Madam Hooch booms; surprising everyone as she came towards us all so silently. Standing behind Madam Hooch is the rest of my Slytherin cohort. “Mam, I’m sorry for causing a fight on the first day but, they were being mean to my friend and I had to do something.” Lucius attempts to talk his way out of it, however, looking at Madam Hooch it will not work. “Mr Malfoy, trying to weasel your way past a detention will not work with me. I heard what they said and I will notify the head of their house who can decide on a punishment for them. Yet, the fact that you argued back at them and talked back to me is a sign of greater disrespect.” Okay, so I was right, trying to get out of something when Madam Hooch is involved will not work.
“Listening up, everyone please line up next to a broom; ensuring your right hands are hovering over a broom. Now with your right hand over the broom speak clearly, UP. Hopefully this will ensure the broom will hover into your hand.” I line up next to Lucius and Scarlett, placing my right hand over the broom. I clearly and directly say ‘UP’; however, after five attempts it finally flies up into my hand. “Now that all of you have brooms in your hands, I want you to mount the broom and just hover over the ground for a minute. I do not want anyone flying. If I see anyone more than a metre off of the ground, you will join Mr Malfoy in detention with me later.” Madam Hooch goes around and through the lines, making sure everyone is doing just what they have been told.
I mount my broom and begin to hover, just under a metre above the ground. I don’t like this, I really don’t like this. I feel ill in the stomach; as if there are butterflies angrily flying in there. I feel just like I did when I got sorted into Slytherin. Lucius looks over at me, “What’s wrong?” He asks me with a concerned expression on his face. “I don’t like flying, I’m scared. I have the same feeling in my stomach as I did at the sorting ceremony.” All I can wonder is when Madam Hooch will tell us to land. “Okay, everyone please land your brooms. Lean forward on your broom to land.” Madam Hooch is a legend, well besides for the fact that she actually made us fly in the first place.
The remainder of the class went pretty quickly after this. Next class was to be Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Merrythought just lectured us the entire lesson. She read straight form the textbook, talking about the curse of the bogies.
“Mucus ad Nauseam, also known as the Curse of the Bogies, is a curse that gives the victim a strong cold, which could make them collapse if it is not treated quickly and efficiently. It can also give the victim a runny nose. The counter-curse is Mucus no Nauseam, Bogies Away.”
Professor Merrythought gave us an essay on a curse of our choice, and if possible the relevant counter-curse. I decided to do mine on the Imperius Curse.
The Imperius Curse is one of the three Unforgiveable Curses. When the curse is cast successfully, the victim is placed under the complete control of the caster; however, if the victim has exceptional strength of which could aid them in resisting. When casting, the witch/wizard must say ‘Imperio’. The curse was created in the Middle Ages by some dark witches and wizards. It was created for the purpose of brainwashing others for the use and purpose of being slaves. The curse gets its name is from the Latin word IMPERIOSUS which means; commanding, mighty and powerful. IMPERIO means; to rule.
After Defence Against the Dark Arts there is a two hour break before dinner. I decide to go back to the Slytherin common room and start on some of the homework give to us today. Lucius and Scarlett join me in the common room; with both Scarlett and I helping Lucius with his History of Magic essay.
By the end of the two hours I had completed my History of Magic essay with around two to three paragraphs written on each topic.
After dinner we get our books ready to go for Astronomy. Once I have finished collecting my books, I decide to walk towards the Gryffindor common room in the hopes of spotting my siblings either entering or exiting. Whilst on the journey I notice Peter Parkinson and Arthur Weasley, my siblings’ friends, fighting. “Still like that Prewett girl Arthur? Huh? Huh?” Peter provokes Arthur. Prewett girl? Does he mean Molly or myself? “Of course I still like her. Why do you care anyway Parkinson?” Arthur answers back. I begin to approach them, yet before I reach them Peter yells “CRUCIO”; I stop dead in my tracks. Peter just used on of the unforgiveable curses on Arthur. I’m in a complete daze; but luckily I am able to snap out of it. I run up to them, “STOP! Peter, stop it. Don’t hurt Arthur. There is no need to do this. Please stop. PETER STOP.” I beg Peter to stop doing this. He ignores me and continues to torture Arthur. I know there is only one thing left to help Arthur, I grab my wand from my pocket and yell “EXPELLIRAMUS”; Peter’s wand flies out of his hand and into mine. “Oi, give me back my wand NOW little Prewett” he exclaims. Does he really think that I am just going to give it back? “I will only give your wand back if you promise not to hurt Arthur anymore.” This is the only deal/compromise I can think of. “Fine. Just give me my wand back”. I give him his wand and turn away, walking back to the Slytherin common room; I am no longer in the mood to possibly run into my siblings.
At a quarter to midnight, we begin the hike up to the Astronomy Tower. On the way I relay everything I saw, near the Gryffindor common room, to Lucius and Scarlett.
Monday:
History of Magic
Herbology
Flying
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Astronomy (MIDNIGHT)
Tuesday
Charms
Potions
Flying
History of Magic
Wednesday
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Transfiguration
Flying
Herbology Astronomy (MIDNIGHT)
Thursday
Charms
Charms
Herbology
Transfiguration
Defence Against the Dark Arts (MIDNIGHT)
Friday
Potions
Potions
History of Magic
Transfiguration
Astronomy (MIDNIGHT)
Seriously, Astronomy at midnight? Can’t we just find out about stars and what they have to do with magic from a textbook? Stupid person who created the timetable. I also have Defence Against the Dark Arts at midnight on Thursday as well; they must want us to learn about night creatures outside or at least practice outside.
I leave the bedroom after changing into my new crisp, fresh uniform and leave to meet up with Lucius in the lounge. We walk to the notice board together to find out what other house our classes have been allocated with. Excellent, Gryffindor. Looks as if I will be seeing some of my childhood friends sooner than I had expected, and wanted to. At the bottom of the notice reads:
All Slytherin first-years are to meet with Gryffindor first-years at the front of the Gryffindor common room at 8:35am sharp, to travel to class together.
Professor McGonagall (Head of Gryffindor House/ Deputy Headmistress)
Lucius, Scarlett, some other Slytherin first-years and myself walk to the Great Hall for breakfast together. We try everything; the bacon, eggs, toast, cereal and fresh fruit. Somehow the fruit tastes better at Hogwarts than it did at home. Perhaps they sprinkle some sort of extra flavouring on it; perhaps even some magic!
I’m in the middle of my toast when the post arrives. Almost one hundred owls come soaring into the Great Hall, dropping envelopes and parcels to students whilst they devour breakfast. As I look at all menagerie of owls I notice my family’s midnight black owl, Serk, with a red envelope and bag; looking to contain three parcels. Serk flies over the Gryffindor table and drops the bag on top of Gideon’s plate of breakfast, then soars over to me and drops the red envelope.
I take one glance at the envelope and I immediately know what it is. It does not take long before everyone on the Slytherin table discovers what is in my possession; all thanks to a boy with dark chestnut hair yelling out “Look everyone Dolores Prewett’s got a howler!” I can feel my cheeks turning bright red from the embarrassment as I begin to open the seal of the howler.
As soon as the seal is opened my mother’s voice comes shrieking out form it. “DOLORES JANE PREWETT! HOW DARE YOU DEFY YOUR FATHER, SIBLINGS AND MYSELF BY WHAT YOU THOUGHT WAS WHISPERING TO THAT DAMN SORTING HAT THAT YOU ‘WANT TO BE IN SLYTHERIN’. WE ARE SO DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, YOUR SIBLINGS HAVE REQUESTED THAT THEY NOT HAVE TO BE ANYWHERE NEAR YOU WHEN YOU ALL COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK. NOW IF YOUR FATHER AND I DID NOT HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE, WE WOULD DISOWN YOU AND FORCE YOU TO CHANGE YOUR NAME. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THAT WOULD TARNISH THE FAMILY’S REPUTATION; WE HAVE COME TO THE DECISION THAT WHEN YOU COME HOME YOU WILL BE GROUNDED. YOUR ANNOYING CAT ROSY WILL BE GIVEN TO MOLLY TO KEEP. YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE PREWETT NAME.” Then at once it ignited into a ball of flame, burning into a pile of ash.
“Dolores, I am so Sorry. Would you like to take me up on my offer of staying with me and my family over Christmas break?” Lucius asks me not long after I had burst into tears from my mother’s scathing words. “Yes, please” I respond. I cannot comprehend the thought of going back to my parents’ house and having to be grounded with my beloved Rosy given to Molly, whop hates her.
After breakfast we go and wait outside the Gryffindor common room for the first-year Gryffindor’s; after waiting for five minutes we see the door open. Instead of the first-years coming out, it is my siblings and some of their friends. I smile at Molly, hoping she would smile back; in response she simply walks away without even verbally acknowledging my presence.
Not long after my siblings and their friends have walked away the first-years exit out of the common room door and we all depart for our first History of Magic class.
Once we arrive at classroom 4F, located on the first floor, we all walk inside and take a seat; with Slytherin’s on one side and Gryffindor’s on the other. Professor Binns, who happens to be a ghost who died and left his body at his desk chair, floats in the door and hovers at the front of the classroom.
“Welcome to History of Magic, I am Professor Binns. Today we will be learning about Emeric the Evil and Godelot; both of whom believed in and used Dark Magic. Now can everyone please get out their copies of A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot and turn to page 119” he moaned in a monotone.
Professor Binns began to recite what was written in the book, word for word. He used no expression what-so-ever and did not stop once to either breathe or explain anything he had just said; causing a majority of the class to fall asleep from the boredom.
“Emeric the Evil was a short lived wizard, yet was extremely aggressive. He was once the master and owner of the Elder Wand; which is famously known as one of The Deathly Hallows. Whilst in possession of the wand, he terrorised the South of England in the early Middle Ages. He was eventually killed in a ferocious battle against Egbert the Egregious, who in turn became the master of the wand. Not much is known about what Egbert did after claiming the wand or how/when he died; but considering that in the Middle Ages the life expectancy of medieval duellers was short, he was most likely murdered.
A century after Egbert defeated Emeric, the wizard Godelot came to be the master of the Elder Wand. Godelot considered the wand to be an instructor, using his knowledge of the wand to write Magik Moste Evile, a book which contained information on Dark Magic. Godelot later perished in his own cellar after his son, Hereward, locked him in there to gain ownership of the wand.”
After sitting through twenty agonising minutes of Binn’s monotone reading of this, he finally finished. “Now wasn’t that very interesting? We have around forty minutes left; thirty-five after I finish explaining what to do next. For the rest of the lesson you are to write a six-page essay on: The Elder Wand, The Deathly Hallows, Emeric the Evil, Egbert the Egregious, Godelot and Magik Moste Evile. I want more explanation of the Elder Wand, Deathly Hallows and Emeric. If you do not finish the entire essay in the remainder if the class it will become homework, which will be due at the very beginning of next lesson; which happens to be tomorrow fourth period. Now a note for you all to take into account is that if I read everyone’s essay and it sounds similar or directly the same as someone else’s, those people will have to re-write their entire essay and will also receive double-detention. I do NOT allow cheating and or copying in my classroom. Do I make myself clear?” Is this guy serious? Six pages by tomorrow! I seriously hope that we do not get anymore homework in our other classes.
I decide that I will begin writing on the Deathly Hallows; which will then lead into the Elder Wand and the people who owned and mastered it. By the end of the lesson I have completed the first two pages.
I leave History of Magic with Lucius and Scarlett and head to the greenhouses for our Herbology class. When we arrive at Greenhouse One, Professor Sprout is already there waiting for us.
“Hello everyone. Welcome to first-year Herbology. I am Professor Sprout, some of you might have heard of me from any elder siblings you may have. Just a little bit of information about myself; I am Head of the Herbology department and also Head of Hufflepuff house. Now that you know me a little bit better, you might listen and co-operate with each other. To begin with, I would like to find out where you all are and what you might already know when it comes to plants and fungi; so does anyone know what Devil Snare is?”
The greenhouse is silent; I know what Devil Snare is, however, do not want to raise my hand and be perceived as a know-it-all. A girl from Gryffindor house raises her hand, I recognise her from the sorting ceremony, her name is Leven Shellbark. A whisper in the ear from Lucius interrupts my train of thought, “That Shellbark girl is an absolute know-it-all. She is what you some would call a Mudblood; however, she knows all this is to about magic. I have already placed a bet with some of the others that she will end up being the top of the year-level.” Did Lucius really just call her a Mudblood? I cannot believe it, that is such an insulting and horrible thing to call someone; he should have just said she is Muggle-born.
Professor Sprout puts the poor girl out of her misery and allows her to answer the question, “The Devil Snare is a plant that has the ability to grab tightly on to something or strange anything that surrounds it or happens to be in its pathway.” The way Leven explained what Devil Snare is was much smarter than how I would have. “Yes, that is correct. Now if you were to ever get caught in a Devil Snare, you would not want to try to resist the snare or even so much as to struggle in its grasp; as this will make it exert a greater force of constriction. Now before we go any further, can you all please get out a piece of parchment and a quill and write down what has just been said; as there will be an essay given out at the end of Thursday’s lesson about what has been taught so far.”
I get my parchment and quill out and begin to write, yet I notice Lucius looking over my shoulder. “What are you doing Lucius?” I ask him, despite my brain screaming that he is copying my work.” I… I… I can’t really remember what has been said and when it comes time to write the essay I want to make sure that I do a good job. My father told me at Platform 9 and ¾ that if I fail in at least one subject then he will take my broomstick away from me over Christmas; and I will also note receive any Christmas presents. My parents are awfully strict when it comes to my education.” Wow, okay, so I thought my parents were strict; yet mine seem like cuddly teddy bears compared to Lucius’. “Alright, you can look at mine. Just this once. Next time, you need to ask my permission first or I could even simply help you when it comes to writing the essay.” I continue writing down the information that has been said. I would never normally allow someone to copy my work out of pity; however, because he is one of my only friends in Slytherin, I will allow it just this once.
“Now to continue on, everyone please open your copies of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore; and turn to page 56. Take notes on the information that is mentioned throughout the rest of the lesson; read along with the textbook in case you miss something important.”
Professor Sprout begins to read from the textbook, with a happy expression.
“The Devils Snare is not a common plant, though some herbologists have access to it. The plant is made up of soft, springy tendrils and vines that possess a sense of touch. The plant uses its creepers and tendrils to trap anyone who were to touch it; it does this by binding their arms and legs together after a lengthy period of time, it begins to choke the trapped person. The harder a person struggles against the Snare, the faster and more quickly it shall bind them. If you relax it will not kill you as quickly. Devils Snare likes to be in a dark, damp environment. The Snare will stop its movement if the environment that it is in, is near a bright light. The Snare will also recoil away from the heat of a fire. If you were to see a person trapped in a Devils Snare, a spell such as Bluebell Flames could be used to drive the Snare away from its victims. The Devils Snare bears a resemblance to the plant Flitterbloom.”
Professor Sprout is a much better reader than what Professor Binns is; she paused at all the commas and stopped at all the full stops. She even paused so all of us could catch up.
“Now, hopefully this will be a sufficient amount of information for you to base your essay on. Now the passage mentioned the plant Flitterbloom; if you turn to page 84, there is a little bit of information about this plant. We will read through this as a class so you can add a little bit of a comparison into your essay.”
“The Flitterbloom plant is a type of magical plant that has long, swaying tentacles. This plant bears a resemblance to the deadly Devils Snare, this plant however is harmless. This plant is a favourite amongst wizards and witches, to keep as a pot plant or to grow in the garden.”
I try to take note of as much information that has been said as possible. At the top of my piece of parchment I write the page numbers from the textbook, so that I can always refer back to them if necessary.
“Everyone, it is now unfortunately the end of class. Now I know that your next lesson is flying, which is at 3:30. So if everyone can make their way to either the Great Hall for lunch or back to your house common room and do homework/relax. Remember this time now is classified as lunch, so if you choose to go back to the common room you will miss out on eating lunch, and will; not get another eating opportunity until dinner time.”
I could go to the common room and attempt to complete my History of Magic essay or I could go and eat in the Great Hall. I decide to go and have some lunch; I am starving and if I cannot eat again until dinner, then I must eat now.
After lunch I begin to head to the Training Grounds, where we will have Flying class. Once I arrive I notice that the Gryffindor’s are already there; the only Slytherin’s are Lucius, Benjamin Goyle and Fletcher Crabbe. Scarlett runs up behind me and taps me on the shoulder, “Why didn’t you wait for me?” she asks; her face bright red with beads of sweat dripping down her face, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “I was going to wait, but I did not want to be late or all the Gryffindor’s would have beaten us. Unfortunately, this already happened.” I cannot believe that the Gryffindors have shown us up again. I should feel bad that most of my childhood friends got to class before me, considering when we were young I arrived everywhere before all of them. “Look, Dolores didn’t get here before all of us! Being in Slytherin must have made her lazy and irresponsible. She didn’t even do her homework at lunch, she just ate! What would her parents think? Or even better, her old self!” Lucius moves to stand in front of me, he is taller than any of the Gryffindor’s. Due to his stature, Lucius could pass as a third year. Before I even know what is happening, words come out of Lucius’ mouth that I never though would; well at least not in my defence. “Don’t you dare talk to her like that. You do realise that you Gryffindors are no better than us Slytherins, right? Dolores isn’t late, you were all just early. And she wasn’t being irresponsible. Who cares if she wasn’t doing her homework, she ate lunch instead; which in my opinion is more responsible because she is making sure that she has food in her body to ensure she keeps healthy. Don’t even try to argue with me further because you will not win.”
“Alright everyone, that is enough. Malfoy you will see me after class.” Madam Hooch booms; surprising everyone as she came towards us all so silently. Standing behind Madam Hooch is the rest of my Slytherin cohort. “Mam, I’m sorry for causing a fight on the first day but, they were being mean to my friend and I had to do something.” Lucius attempts to talk his way out of it, however, looking at Madam Hooch it will not work. “Mr Malfoy, trying to weasel your way past a detention will not work with me. I heard what they said and I will notify the head of their house who can decide on a punishment for them. Yet, the fact that you argued back at them and talked back to me is a sign of greater disrespect.” Okay, so I was right, trying to get out of something when Madam Hooch is involved will not work.
“Listening up, everyone please line up next to a broom; ensuring your right hands are hovering over a broom. Now with your right hand over the broom speak clearly, UP. Hopefully this will ensure the broom will hover into your hand.” I line up next to Lucius and Scarlett, placing my right hand over the broom. I clearly and directly say ‘UP’; however, after five attempts it finally flies up into my hand. “Now that all of you have brooms in your hands, I want you to mount the broom and just hover over the ground for a minute. I do not want anyone flying. If I see anyone more than a metre off of the ground, you will join Mr Malfoy in detention with me later.” Madam Hooch goes around and through the lines, making sure everyone is doing just what they have been told.
I mount my broom and begin to hover, just under a metre above the ground. I don’t like this, I really don’t like this. I feel ill in the stomach; as if there are butterflies angrily flying in there. I feel just like I did when I got sorted into Slytherin. Lucius looks over at me, “What’s wrong?” He asks me with a concerned expression on his face. “I don’t like flying, I’m scared. I have the same feeling in my stomach as I did at the sorting ceremony.” All I can wonder is when Madam Hooch will tell us to land. “Okay, everyone please land your brooms. Lean forward on your broom to land.” Madam Hooch is a legend, well besides for the fact that she actually made us fly in the first place.
The remainder of the class went pretty quickly after this. Next class was to be Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Merrythought just lectured us the entire lesson. She read straight form the textbook, talking about the curse of the bogies.
“Mucus ad Nauseam, also known as the Curse of the Bogies, is a curse that gives the victim a strong cold, which could make them collapse if it is not treated quickly and efficiently. It can also give the victim a runny nose. The counter-curse is Mucus no Nauseam, Bogies Away.”
Professor Merrythought gave us an essay on a curse of our choice, and if possible the relevant counter-curse. I decided to do mine on the Imperius Curse.
The Imperius Curse is one of the three Unforgiveable Curses. When the curse is cast successfully, the victim is placed under the complete control of the caster; however, if the victim has exceptional strength of which could aid them in resisting. When casting, the witch/wizard must say ‘Imperio’. The curse was created in the Middle Ages by some dark witches and wizards. It was created for the purpose of brainwashing others for the use and purpose of being slaves. The curse gets its name is from the Latin word IMPERIOSUS which means; commanding, mighty and powerful. IMPERIO means; to rule.
After Defence Against the Dark Arts there is a two hour break before dinner. I decide to go back to the Slytherin common room and start on some of the homework give to us today. Lucius and Scarlett join me in the common room; with both Scarlett and I helping Lucius with his History of Magic essay.
By the end of the two hours I had completed my History of Magic essay with around two to three paragraphs written on each topic.
After dinner we get our books ready to go for Astronomy. Once I have finished collecting my books, I decide to walk towards the Gryffindor common room in the hopes of spotting my siblings either entering or exiting. Whilst on the journey I notice Peter Parkinson and Arthur Weasley, my siblings’ friends, fighting. “Still like that Prewett girl Arthur? Huh? Huh?” Peter provokes Arthur. Prewett girl? Does he mean Molly or myself? “Of course I still like her. Why do you care anyway Parkinson?” Arthur answers back. I begin to approach them, yet before I reach them Peter yells “CRUCIO”; I stop dead in my tracks. Peter just used on of the unforgiveable curses on Arthur. I’m in a complete daze; but luckily I am able to snap out of it. I run up to them, “STOP! Peter, stop it. Don’t hurt Arthur. There is no need to do this. Please stop. PETER STOP.” I beg Peter to stop doing this. He ignores me and continues to torture Arthur. I know there is only one thing left to help Arthur, I grab my wand from my pocket and yell “EXPELLIRAMUS”; Peter’s wand flies out of his hand and into mine. “Oi, give me back my wand NOW little Prewett” he exclaims. Does he really think that I am just going to give it back? “I will only give your wand back if you promise not to hurt Arthur anymore.” This is the only deal/compromise I can think of. “Fine. Just give me my wand back”. I give him his wand and turn away, walking back to the Slytherin common room; I am no longer in the mood to possibly run into my siblings.
At a quarter to midnight, we begin the hike up to the Astronomy Tower. On the way I relay everything I saw, near the Gryffindor common room, to Lucius and Scarlett.
