PROFESSOR DUMBRIDGE
Hermione jumped out of bed in the best mood ever. She had a whole new attitude and nothing was going to get in the way of her and her studies. She put on her robes and pulled her hair back so it wouldn't be a distraction on her first day. She was just about to leave the common room when she ran into Draco again. He was a parasite at this point. He nudged her in an attempt to get her out of his way. Hermione turned around and scoffed.
"Excuse you." She didn't bother to make eye contact until he did. His stare pierced her when he glared at her.
"I wasn't the one in the way." He pulled an apple out of his sleeve and took a bite. She hoped he'd choke on it.
She went to her morning classes and immediately earned the role of teacher's pet in every single one. After lunch was Defense Against the Dark Arts. She wondered what the new professor would be like. Her speech at dinner was very unsettling but she was confident she would win her over just as well as the others. All she wanted was to actually learn something useful this year. The past teachers have been incredibly unpredictable and haven't taught them anything important. Well, besides Professor Lupin but even he would miss class for a week every month so it wasn't all that consistent.
Hermione passed her fellow fifth years messing around and passing notes as she made her way to the front of the classroom. She didn't need to buy a book for this class at Diagon Alley. It wasn't in the letter. She prayed it would be more hands-on this year. She wanted to start practicing defensive spells. They would come in handy when Harry got himself into trouble. She knew her prayers would go unanswered when Harry told her she worked at the Ministry with Fudge. Hermione knew there was something fishy going on at the Ministry after Voldemort returned.
Hermione sank in her seat as Professor Umbridge entered the room and shot down a note that had been flying above her head. She was wearing shades of the most unappealing pink Hermione had ever seen. Her voice was shrill and her face was rat-like. Hermione prepared for a long year and looked around for any available desks in the back rows she could move into tomorrow.
She went on about the O.W.L.s and shot her wand at a stack of books. The books floated their way to each student's desk. Hermione knew exactly what level they were. She already read it before she was even enrolled at Hogwarts. It was a beginner's guide to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Everyone groaned and Hermione rolled her eyes. This class was going to make her stupid by the end of it.
Harry was even more upset than her. He has been under so much pressure, he was quick to talk back. After watching it go down, Hermione stuck her face in the book and pretended to read. She really didn't need a lecture today. She snuck glances at Harry who looked like his head was about to explode. She has never seen him so fired up before.
***
A few months had gone by with that horrid teacher and Harry had gotten one too many detentions with her. Every time he came back from her office, he looked worse than before he went in. Harry was getting tortured in there and Hermione wasn't going to stand for it. Harry disagreed with all of her ideas so she decided to take matters into her own hands.
She invited students to Hogsmeade one evening and had to practically drag Harry there. Luckily she and Ron were on the same page. They all gathered at Hog's Head and Hermione gave her speech. With just a little convincing, Harry was all in. He realized they all needed to be educated on the subject. After a handful of signatures, Dumbledore's Army had been born.
On their way back to the castle, they discussed potential secret places they could practice in. Hermione was walking with a pep in her step as she gave suggestions. She has never broken any rules like this before. Actually, She's hardly broken any rules at all. She was thrilled by her newfound rebellion. This year was going to be different for her in a lot more ways than she thought.