Past Present

"So where's Viktor this fine morning?" Ron teased, looking around the Great Hall.

"Partial staff meeting. Umbridge has called one. He looked about as thrilled as if he were attending an execution," Hermione said, reaching for a slice of toast. "I gather that evaluations are back. Fleur, McGonagall, Hagrid and Viktor. What a way to start a new year. Two weeks in," Hermione sighed.

Inside the staff room, Dolores Umbridge paced the room in front of the rest. "Hem, hem. The Ministry agrees with me that there need to be some changes around here. For a start, Headmaster Dumbledore is on probation," Umbridge said smugly.

"Probation! And what exactly would prompt that?" McGonagall said sternly.

"Primarily, the performances of some of the people in this room and his actions regarding the classes they teach," Umbridge replied, pausing and rocking back on her heels.

"Explain please," McGonagall said, arching a thin brow.

"For a start, while you are a fine teacher, Professor McGonagall, you seem to have a problem with authority, as you showed when I sat in on your class. Authority other than Dumbledores's, that is," Umbridge said, lifting her chin.

"If your evaluations were anything beside a crup and hippogriff show, perhaps I could take them seriously," McGonagall replied, pressing her lips together tightly.

"I rest my case. Nevertheless, you are a more than competent teacher, and I am willing to let your insubordination pass. Defense Against the Dark Arts has been a disgrace in years past. Incompetent teacher after incompetent teacher, one a dangerous werewolf, one an insane imposter. Teaching the students the Unforgivable curses, putting the Imperius on them in class, teaching them material that is far above their level... Remus Lupin might have thought that precocious. The Ministry finds it dangerous. Luckily, Professor Delacour agrees with me and has adjusted her class accordingly," Umbridge said with a horrible smile.

"Oui," Fleur interjected.

"I see," McGonagall replied coldly.

"As to his actions regarding Mr. Krum, I hardly know where to begin. Hiring another teacher who has failed to graduate," Umbridge said, giving a pointed look at Hagrid before continuing, "It is most unusual, even with a substitute. And letting him live in such close proximity to a student he is seeing, letting him accompany her home, I'm surprised her parents aren't after the headmaster's head on a pike," Umbridge added, crossing her stubby arms.

"We can hardly advise the students on what company they choose to keep off of school grounds!" McGonagall said indignantly. "That is a job for their parents!"

"They did not seem to haff a problem with it. Or her visiting my home. Twice. They seem to trust both of us. In fact, the only people who seem to be concerned are people from the Ministry. Who do not know either of us very well. Unless I missed the issue of the Daily Prophet that announced otherwise, I thought her parents would still be primarily responsible for raising her, just like mine were for me, not the Ministry. And Dumbledore seems to think my behavior is honorable enough. I take it you do not agree?" Viktor said in a low tone, crossing his arms across his chest and glowering at her.

"Let's just say that I question Dumbledore's judgment," Umbridge said, tenting her fingers together.

"I suppose you question the judgment of the Grangers too? Dumbledore has the best judgment of anyone I haff ever met. I can think of a few more people who need their judgment questioned," Viktor said simply.

"You say that even after last year?" Umbridge said, surprised.

"Especially after last year. He was the only one with enough courage to call a spade a spade. Still is," Viktor said in a reproving voice, raising both brows significantly.

"You say zat even after he hired Crouch masquerading as Moody? Let four wizards into ze Triwizard Tournament? 'E could 'ave gotten us all killed! Mon Dieu! And zese ridiculous stories about the death of Diggory. All to protect 'is pet," Fleur said in an exasperated tone.

"Some of the students have trouble understanding you when you teach," Umbridge insisted.

"Let me guess. A couple of Slytherins named Crabbe and Goyle? They haff trouble understanding English period. Grunts and stick figures are more their speed," Viktor retorted.

"Let's be honest. Your English is not perfect..." Umbridge began.

"Neither is yours I bet. And I do not hear you complaining about Miss Delacour's accent," Viktor muttered.

"You can 'ardly compare my Eenglish to yours," Fleur said haughtily, tossing her hair.

"Oh, really? And why iz ze fact zat you talk like zis any different zan my ackzent? Or do zey not need to underztand because zey just read ze book?" Viktor mocked, his brows drawing together.

"Well, you can 'ardly compare the music of the French language to zat...zat guttural Bulgarian!" Fleur sniffed.

"As a part-veela, you must be Bulgarian somewhere in that family tree of yours, sister," Viktor said through gritted teeth.

"French for generations. I cannot believe zat you would be loyal to an old fool who goes around spreading fairy tales. You are blinded by that girl and 'er friendship with Potter," Fleur said airily.

"Quite a change from your tune about 'Arry at the end of last year!" Viktor shot back.

"I 'ad several months to come to my senses. And ze Ministry does not believe your precious 'Arry Potter! Nothing 'as 'appened, and Dumbledore still insists You-Know-'oo is back! Where is ze evidence? All you 'ave to go on is words. Ze word of a dotty old man and 'is pet pupil, 'oo probably did break ze rules to get into ze Tournament! And Dumbledore let 'im! You are twice ze fool 'e is if you believe it... this... this nonsense!" Fleur said loudly.

Viktor arched a brow. "Well, you can kiss my guttural Bulgarian..."

"....As an individual, Professor Delacour," McGonagall interrupted hastily, "you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But I will remind you that you owe a certain amount of loyalty to Professor Dumbledore while he remains headmaster. And I will thank you to watch your language, Mr. Krum," she added with a subtle twitch at the corners of her mouth.

"And speaking of incomprehensible teaching, Hagrid has neither graduated nor taken much caution when teaching his students. Half the students in his observed class had trouble understanding him. He has brought dangerous animals into his lectures, there has been at least one injury to a student in the past, and I am investigating rumors as to, well... the dangerous nature of his parentage," Umbridge finished triumphantly.

Hagrid opened his mouth to defend himself, but McGonagall cut in instead. "Hagrid has done nothing wrong, and you could no more call him a danger than a flobberworm nest. And no one is more knowledgeable about magical creatures. Professor Dumbledore would trust him with his life, as would nearly any of us here at Hogwarts. Some of us already have. Many of the longtime residents could tell you several stories, and some of the recent arrivals could add one or two. Anyone who wouldn't just doesn't really know him," McGonagall announced. Hagrid drew himself up proudly at that remark.

"Nonetheless, he is on probation too. Mr. Krum has a week to complete the requirements for his graduation, else he will be placed on probation as well. If three people from Hogwarts go on probation, Dumbledore will be removed as headmaster. I remind you that Dumbledore himself is on probation as well. The Ministry agrees," Umbridge pronounced, then swept out of the room, Fleur close behind with her nose in the air, slamming the door.

"A week. Can we even get the examiners here in a week?" Viktor asked faintly.

"We'll get the examiners here if I have to go drag them here by the collars! Can you do it in a week?" McGonagall asked in return.

"The practical exam is not a problem. The paper... if I do not travel or fill in and do not sleep much... maybe. The written exam, also not a problem. It is the thesis they added on because I am not actually taking the class here...I was expecting more time..." Viktor trailed off.

McGonagall's nostrils flared. "Well see that you get it done! Live in the library if you have to! And Viktor..."

"Yes?"

"For heaven sake, do not nearly make me laugh in front of Dolores again. She hates us all enough as it is."

"Sorry. I lost my head," Viktor said with a sheepish grin.

"Besides, it's not the French farce you should be cursing at. It's Dolores we should be inviting to kiss a certain part of our anatomy," McGonagall said, pressing her lips together tightly.