2 September, 1995
Classroom of Dolores Umbridge

My dear Minerva,

          I may call you that, may I not? I am sure we shall be such very good friends and colleagues. It would be a shame if you and I were to get off on the wrong footing, as it were, at the beginning of this school term.

          The Headmaster has been so kind to permit me to share my knowledge and experience with his little pupils. I imagine they are quite good children as a rule, but I do have just a few misgivings about their education thus far. I had thought that the students of your House would be rather better behaved, but I imagine that is simply a passing flaw in their development. I am sure a word from you will help clear up these little misapprehensions that silly schoolboys and girls will find themselves under. They will learn their places quite soon. I have no doubt of that.

          These children do have considerable imagination, which of course is to their credit. But little minds must learn that imagination and fairy stories will not take them far in class. Young Mr Potter became quite incensed at the thought that a certain Dark wizard or other might return and put him and his school friends to some dreadful torment, or whatever he had chosen to imagine. Of course this is quite wrong, and I informed him so.

          I am afraid his behaviour grew insolent after my instruction. He vehemently and repeatedly contradicted me to my face, in the most disagreeable tones, in front of the entire class. I cannot let Mr Potter get away with such dreadful falsehoods as he has insisted on spreading. I have had to assign him detention. It is a pity that I must begin correction so early in the school year, but foolish Rumours must be eradicated at the root before they begin to sprout and choke the branches of Truth, mustn't they? I am sure that you are entirely of my mind in this.

          The girls were also somewhat less polite than I would have wished them; indeed I fear all the fifth-year students showed a distinct lack of courtesy toward their instructor. In point of fact, Miss Granger showed not simple hastiness, which might be excused in a child of her years, but positive rudeness. She seemed to feel that neither the Ministry-approved texts nor my personal teaching style—which has the entire backing of the Ministry, as I am sure you know—met with her personal taste in pedagogical methods. I am amazed that my fellow staff members have allowed their students such impertinent freedoms, but then I have noticed that the Hogwarts standards are rather inferior to those set by the Ministry at this time. I am sure they will tighten up to their proper enforcement quite soon.

          But it was Mr Potter I was speaking of, not the other students, however ill-judged their deportment might be towards their instructor. No student may call a teacher a "liar" to her face, nor shout in her presence. This is an appalling breach of discipline, and we, as staff members, must unite to stamp out these vicious untruths which certain students have whispered in the innocent ears of pure-hearted children. It is our responsibility, to our Ministry and our beloved school, to keep a sharp eye on Mr Potter and those like him. I understand he has been quite delusional in the past, and it would be a dreadful shame for him to come to a bad end.

          To come to the point, please inform Mr Potter that his foolish attempts at attention-getting will do him no good at all, and that he is to serve his detention promptly and in full. I believe that an evening of quiet reflection and writing lines should be enough to incise the full awareness of his erroneous behaviour into him. I am sure this afternoon was simply an aberration, however dreadful, and that we will see no more instances of this sort.

          Do be sure to keep in touch with me, dear Minerva, and inform me of any unwise speech among the pupils which might catch your attention. If you know of any bright, obedient students who might be inclined to pass on their own observations, please let me know at the earliest possible opportunity. One can never begin these matters too soon.

          Cordially yours,

---------------------------------------

Written by Teka Lynn
Written July 20, 2003

All rights to the characters and setting are held by J K Rowling and whoever else holds them, including, but not limited to, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, and Warner Bros. This fanwork was created solely for fun and has no legal or financial connection to the Harry Potter novels.