"Thank you, Headmaster." Professor Umbridge, the pink monstrosity herself, simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."
Ed didn't bother to listen to her speak at all, and far preferring to draw circles and simple arrays on the table before him with the sweat of his cold drink and his gloved finger. He was even tempted to activate one just to see if the amplifying runes would work in such a faint medium. He noticed he was not the only one not paying that much attention as the hall soon filled with the chattering of gossip and snippets of conversations. Not to mention giggles. He heard Dumbledore's voice and looked over his shoulder, finger hovering just outside the containment circle made of water.
"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her, "Now, as I was saying, Quiddich tryouts will be held.."
"Yes..that was illuminating." Hermione said in a low voice.
"You're not telling me you enjoyed that?" Ron said, eyes looking glazed over to Ed. "That was the dullest speech I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy."
Ed snorted in amusement.
"I said illuminating, not enjoyable." Hermione said. "It explained alot."
"Did it?" Harry said in surprise. "It sounded like a lot of waffle to me."
"There was some important stuff in the waffle." Hermione said grimly.
"Was there?" Ron said blankly.
"How about 'progress for progress's sake must be discouraged'? How about 'pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited'?"
"She said dhat?" Ed said.
"Well, what does it mean?" Ron said impatiently.
"I'll tell you what it means.." Hermione said ominously. "It means the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts."
"Great.." Ed said. "Vwonderful... "
There was a great lot of noise, and Ed saw that most of the students were now getting up from the tables. Hermione looked about in alarm.
"Ron!..We're supposed to show the first years where to go.."
"Oh yeah!' Ron said. "Hey..Hey you lot! Mid--ow!"
Ed punched Ron hard on his shoulder on reflex with his left, and glared at him in annoyance. Ron looked down at him and rubbed his arm.
"Ron!" Hermione gasped.
"Well they are! They're titchy..!"
"Tell me..vwhat is 'titchy'?" Ed said, golden eyes narrowed. Ron frowned, and got up from the table. Quickly. Moving out of range Ed's immediate reach.
"I know, but you can't call them 'midgets'...First years..over here..!" Hermione called out. "This way, please..!"
A group of children soon walked up, and Ed was annoyed that they were indeed mostly the same height as he was. He glowered and grumbled, but nonetheless followed Hermione and Ron as they provided the tour of the Griffindor tower.
Harry looked up as Ron and Ed entered the dormitory. Harry was kneeling on his bed, wand pointed at Seamus, Seamus had his fists raised.
"What's going on?"
"He's having a go at my mother!" Seamus yelled.
"What?" Ron said. "Harry wouldn't do that! we met your mother, we liked her."
"That's before everyone started believing every word the stinking 'Daily Prophet' writes about ME!" Harry said at the top of his voice.
"Oh.." Ron said, comprehension dawning on his face. "Oh..right.."
Ed looked at both, and walked between them to the empty bed, his green knapsack already on top. Saying not a word, he began to unpack.
"You know what?" Seamus said heatedly. "He's right. I don't want to share a dormitory with him anymore, he's a madman."
"That's out of order, Seamus," said Ron, whose ears were starting to glow red, always a danger sign.
"Out of order, am I?" shouted Seamus, who in contrast to Ron was turning paler. "You believe all the rubbish he's come out with about You-Know-Who, do you, you reckon he's telling the truth?"
"Yeah, I do!" said Ron angrily.
"Then you're mad too." Seamus said in disgust.
"Yeah? Well unfortunately for you, pal, I'm also a prefect." said Ron, jabbing himself in the chest with a finger."So unless you want detention, watch your mouth."
:::
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