- In the Great Hall, everyone's eating when Dumbledore calls the room to order and introduces their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher—Professor Dolores Umbridge.
- Harry recognizes her right away. This is that little witch with the pink collar from his hearing.
- Professor Umbridge addresses the Great Hall with a creepy speech about how progress for progress sake isn't always a good thing. Certain practices might have to be prohibited in fact.
- Harry wonders what it all means and Hermione explains that it means the Ministry of Magic is going to be sticking its nose where it doesn't belong at Hogwarts.
- After dinner, in the Gryffindor common room, Seamus Finnegan confronts Harry over all the rumors from The Daily Prophet. Maybe Harry is a liar. After all, no one else saw You Know Who come back.
- Ron sticks up for Harry and the whole thing is over, but Harry is not thrilled about getting called out by his friends.
- That night, Harry dreams of a snake slithering down a long black hallway and sees flashes of Voldemort and a mysterious white orb. Ooh, creepy.