"Lupin, I think I must give you a warning. The notice will be posted on the school noticeboard soon. I hope you won't make this mistake again."
Umbridge held her head high, looking exceedingly pleased with herself.
Lupin froze, then stared at her in disbelief. If students weren't allowed to practise, what would they do when they faced danger?
Even setting danger aside, what would happen to their grades?
"This is Defence Against the Dark Arts." Lupin's voice grew firmer. "The whole point of Defence Against the Dark Arts is to teach students how to protect themselves when they face danger.
"They can't learn that from a textbook. They need practical experience."
Umbridge's bulging, toadlike eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Lupin, if you object, you may take it up with the Ministry of Magic. If you dare, of course.
"For now, I must put a stop to your lesson. Not only because of Ministry regulations, but because your teaching methods pose a serious safety risk."
"A safety risk?" Lupin raised his voice. "I was watching the students the entire time. How could there be a safety risk?"
"You are the safety risk!" Umbridge said maliciously. "Besides, the Ministry of Magic decides how lessons are taught.
"From today onward, if anything in your lessons violates the regulations, you can expect to be dismissed! Especially anything like what you were just doing."
"Then how am I supposed to teach? Read aloud from the textbook?"
"Exactly." Umbridge's smile widened. "That method of having students attack one another must stop at once.
"As you said, you can explain the textbook material to them in class, have them read, or assign essays."
"Students need to learn to protect themselves!" Lupin said. "After they graduate, after they leave Hogwarts, when they find themselves facing a Dark Wizard