Without a doubt, this was the worst Halloween Jon had experienced in his years at Hogwarts.
With Professor Alastor Moody on the run, the entire campus felt devoid of any festive spirit. Moreover, the vast majority of students did not accept the Ministry of Magic's claim that Mad-Eye Moody was a Death Eater.
"My grandmother wrote to tell me!" Neville Longbottom shouted at the Halloween feast. "Even if the entire Ministry of Magic has sided with You-Know-Who and become Death Eaters, Alastor Moody would still stand against the Dark Lord!"
That very night, poor Neville was summoned to Umbridge's office... only to return to the Gryffindor common room in the dead of night, dragging a bloodied hand.
"Use some Dittany, Neville," Hermione said sympathetically.
Many students shared Neville Longbottom's view, whether in Gryffindor or other houses—they simply lacked his courage.
...
Professor Dolores Umbridge had received that "Order of Merlin, First Class."
Now, whenever she traversed the grounds, she wore the golden medal engraved with the letter M pinned to her collar. Jon suspected she'd wear it on her face if she could.
The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher had remained vacant for several days, and classes had been suspended, giving everyone a few extra days off.
Students buzzed with speculation about who would take up the role.
Earlier in the corridor, Jon had overheard a conversation between Umbridge and Professor Snape.
"You applied to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts first, didn't you?" Professor Umbridge asked Snape.
"Yes," Snape murmured.
"But you didn't get it?"
Snape curled his lip. "Obviously."
"You've applied for the Defence Against the Dark Arts position multiple times since joining the school, haven't you?" Umbridge continued.
"Yes," Snape said again, his lips barely moving. He looked furious.
"Do you know why Dumbledore repeatedly refused to hire you?" Umbridge asked.
"I suggest you ask him," Snape replied curtly.
"I will," Professor Umbridge said with a cheerful smile.
"Then I am truly grateful to you," Snape said, his dark eyes narrowing.
After that unproductive conversation, Umbridge made her way to the Great Hall, clearly displeased.
However, at that morning's breakfast, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore rose from his seat for the first time in quite a while and announced to everyone, "I believe I need to introduce two new instructors..."
"New instructors?" Umbridge shrieked. "You've already hired... I remind you, Dumbledore, according to Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two—"
"The Ministry has the authority to appoint instructors only when the Headmaster cannot find suitable candidates," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "I'm pleased to announce that this time, I have found them. Shall I introduce them?"
He smiled warmly at Umbridge just as the Great Hall doors opened.
An elderly man with snow-white hair entered the hall, his face covered in freckles. Yet he looked not the least bit intimidating—on the contrary, he seemed kindly and gentle.
Jon froze. He had seen this old man before.
"Welcome, Newt!" Dumbledore strode forward and embraced the old man warmly. "Welcome back to Hogwarts!"
Students from all four houses immediately recognized who the newcomer was. He was a household name in the wizarding world.
Everyone burst into thunderous applause—especially the Hufflepuff students, whose cheers were the loudest.
Umbridge's expression turned sour.
"Let us welcome Professor Newt Scamander!" Dumbledore called out loudly.
A wave of cheers rippled through the crowd.
"Thank you, Albus... and thank you all for your support!" The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor smiled, nodding toward the four houses and the staff table. "I thought Professor Dumbledore wanted me to teach Care of Magical Creatures, but it seems he already found someone new. I had to settle for the next best thing—Defense Against the Dark Arts!"
"Found a new instructor?" Umbridge's expression darkened.
"No, Dolores," Dumbledore shook his head with a mischievous twinkle. "Actually, it's an old instructor."
"You haven't forgotten that you were only temporarily filling in for the Care of Magical Creatures position, have you?" Dumbledore winked playfully. "But now, you might find things a bit easier and can step down from that role for a while... because our true Care of Magical Creatures instructor, Professor Rubeus Hagrid, has returned!"
A tall figure, head bowed, entered the Great Hall.
Rubeus Hagrid grinned broadly at the students, though a patch of his beard had been plucked out and several fresh wounds marred his face.
The students clapped wildly. For the first time, Hagrid looked utterly endearing to them.
...
Professor Umbridge's face turned completely ashen, as if she had never endured such humiliation.
Jon followed Umbridge into her office, carrying a scroll of parchment.
"Oh, Patrick, what is it?" Umbridge forced a faint smile.
"It's about what you instructed us D.A. members earlier," Jon said quickly, placing the parchment on Umbridge's desk. "This details Potter and his friends' recent movements. As you anticipated, they do appear to have secretly formed an organization."
"Damn it!" But before Umbridge could examine it, a knock sounded at the door.
"Excuse me for a moment, Patrick," Umbridge said, hurrying over.
As soon as the door opened, Filch's voice came from outside. "Professor Umbridge, Professor Scamander has arrived at the castle. He wishes to use this office, which should rightfully belong to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Jon feigned boredom, glancing around the room. Then he spotted a document on Umbridge's desk.
The parchment contained a list of names: at the top was Albus Dumbledore, followed by Harry Potter, Arthur Weasley...
Jon scanned further down and found Alastor Moody's name. It was circled in red ink and crossed out.
Below that, another name had been circled, though not yet crossed out:
"Diana Greengrass."