Departing Potions, Ron and Hermione begin arguing over whose side Snape might be on, when Harry suddenly yells at them for their bickering and storms off, spending lunch hour sitting at the base of the North Tower.

Ron arrives to Divination with the news that he and Hermione have decided to stop arguing, but that they also think Harry's treating them unfairly. Soon, however, class begins, with boring work of trying to interpret dreams, not to mention a load of homework.

[Umbridge]'s first Defence Against the Dark Arts class begins with silent reading, but soon Hermione questions the idea that the class won't be using any spells, leading to a class uproar. It finally culminates in a showdown between Harry, who stands by his conviction that Lord Voldemort has returned, and Umbridge, who blatantly calls him a liar. She finally hands Harry a note for McGonagall and orders him out of the room.

Storming from class, Harry runs past Peeves and into McGonagall, who brings him into her office. Upon learning of his behavior in [Umbridge]'s class, she warns Harry of what his behavior around Umbridge could cost him, and sends him away.

Hermione explains to Harry why student aren't believing him or [Dumbledore] as they and Ron walk back to the common room together. After venting their frustration at [Umbridge]'s hiring, they settle in to do some homework.

Hermione looks up from her homework and spots Fred and George with some first years, testing their products. She marches up to them and demands they stop, threatening to tell Mrs. Weasley if it continues.

On her way up to bed, Hermione puts out some hats she's knitted for house-elves, in the hopes that they will find them and be set free. Harry and Ron finally give up on their homework, then, and go to bed themselves.

The second day of classes piles more work on Harry, Ron, and Hermione, with both Flitwick and McGonagall giving the fifth years lectures on the importance of [O.W.L.s], and Harry and Ron spend their lunch hour in the library focused on work.