Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [32]
“I would like to introduce,” continued Dumbledore, “two new teachers this year.” Harry just noticed the two people sitting next to Dumbledore. “Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher: Mrs. Arabella Figg!” The hall clapped loudly and Harry’s mouth opened wide. Why hadn’t she told him she’d be his new teacher? She stood up and waved. From the smile on her face Harry thought that the trial must’ve gone well. Even though she hadn’t old him, Harry was glad that Mrs. Figg was here, in case he had any more questions about the Order.
“And,” Dumbledore went on, “our new potions teacher, Mr. Mundungus Fletcher!” Harry’s jaw, if it was possible, fell even more towards the ground. Professor Snape, one of Harry’s only reasons, besides Malfoy, not to love Hogwarts, was gone! He looked up and down the tables for him, but there was no sight of him. Ron was looking ecstatic, and Hermione didn’t have any expression, she was still reading, oblivious to all around her.
This was turning into the greatest year of Harry’s life at Hogwarts. He was going to be with his mom, and Snape wasn’t going to be around to hate and punish him for no reason all the time!
Mundungus Fletcher stood up and waved like Arabella did. His robes were not black, but yellow and fluffy looking. He had long curly blonde hair, and pale skin. The applause for him was even louder than it was for Mrs. Figg, he even got a few standing ovations. Everyone was happy to be rid of Professor Snape. He was the most evil and unfair teacher Harry had. Everyone was happy, that is, except for the Slytherins. Snape was the head of the Slytherin House, and always favored them. Professor Fletcher sat down.
“Now that the announcements are out of the way,” said Dumbledore, “I invite you all to eat, drink, and make merry!” He smiled, and sat down. The second he sat down in his chair, huge bowls and plates of food appeared on each table. Harry took a little bit of everything, then a question came into his mind:
“Hey Hermione, how was you summer with Viktor?” he asked. Hermione looked up at him, slammed her book shut, and said, red in the face,
“I’d rather not talk about that right now Harry,” she retorted, with a stiffness in her voice. There was an awkward silence as they both stared at each other: Harry in shock, and Hermione glaring at him. Ron coughed loudly.
“Well then!” he said, trying to change the subject. “ Ahem… uh… Hermione… uh… so, where’s Crookshanks? I haven’t seen her so far this school year.” Hermione stopped squinting and looked at Ron.
“I packed him in a kitty cage,” she said. “She’s being brought up with the rest of the luggage, along with the rest of my books.”
“Hermione,” said Ron, “you’re going to burn yourself out from studying before the time comes that you really have to cram.”
“Oh, I’m not studying too hard now Ron, just building myself up slowly, I’ve decided on a little more than a book a day. Once the exams get closer, I’ll start really studying.”
“Hermione!” said Ron, “Not even Percy studied that much the week before the tests! And he got an almost perfect score!”
“Yes, well, he would’ve gotten a perfect if he’d started sooner,” she said. Ron turned away from her and rolled his eyes at Harry.
“She’s crazy you know, she going to drive herself insane,” he said.
“Hmph fa mph mf fum fa,” said Harry as he spoke with mashed potatoes spilling out of his mouth. Just then, a golden piece of parchment appeared in front of Harry. It was his schedule for next year. He folded it up, and put it in his pocket. Just then, he saw Fred and George leave the table and, remembering the meeting, he took a last swig of pumpkin juice, and ran off after them, spitting at Ron, “Shee ya tenite!”
Harry soon caught up with Fred and George and they walked the rest of the way to the Quidditch field. When they arrived, Harry saw the other three members of the team Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell. They were each standing there looking annoyed.
“What took you so long?” asked Angelina. “You told us to meet you here just before