Harry rubbed his hand, looking at Hermione pleadingly. "I'm fine. Let it go." he said harsher than he intended.

Hermione bit her lip. Harry should report it, but, she couldn't force him. However, when Ginny came in, also rubbing her hand, he immediately went to her side, taking it gently in his.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

Ginny nodded, holding back tears. "Fine. Doesn't hurt much."

"You're lying." he said softly, his gentle tone belying the fury in his eyes, and he gently kissed the large bruise on the top of her hand.

"You are too," she said back.
She took his hand and kissed it herself. Harry pulled back a bit surprised and embarrassed.

"This is ridiculous," Hermione said. "Are you going to report this? She is not going to stop. And now it is not just you. Someone will have to believe you!"

Harry nodded.

"Yes."

He turned to Ginny. "Let's go."

Ginny stalled.

"Nu-uh... Mum made me promise I wouldn't get into trouble. And, it's my fault. I was mouthy."

"You're always mouthy." Ron mocked. "C'mon, doesn't mean you deserve that."

"Please..." Ginny said softly, "It's embarrassing?"

Hermione sighed. "You're a pair, you two are! Come on, now... if you don't, I will!"

"But, no one has power here now--- no one. She's made sure of it... Even Dumbledore has to listen to her..."

"But she is abusing students," Hermione stressed. "Power or not, it is not right. And it won't hurt to report it."

"Yes it might!" Ginny protested. "My father is part of the ministry, and my brother. I am going to cause trouble!"

"There is already trouble," Hermione shouted, embarrassed immediately of her outburst. "So now are you coming or not?"

Ron looked over to Ginny. "Don't worry what do you think is more important to Dad?"

Ginny paused for a moment and then sighed. "You are right. Okay Hermione, Harry, I am ready."

The walk to Dumbledore's office was solemn, but, Harry swallowed hard and entered, his arm around Ginny's waist without even realizing it. To his dismay, Umbridge was there, bitching to Dumbledore, who looked weary.

"...and, another thing--"

"Professor Dumbledore, we must speak to you." Harry said boldly.

"Young man, grown ups are talking, and you don't have an appointment. Shoo."

"Someone should drop a house on ya." Ron muttered under his breath.

"What was that, young man?" she demanded shrilly.

Instead, Harry stepped forward. "She needs to be removed. Now. She's keeping us from learning what we need to know, and she's mistreating the students."

"Mr. Potter, you are out of line, I could have you expelled for libel!" she snapped. "I have free reign to discipline students as I see fit. You, Mr. Potter, are a pathological liar. And, Miss Weasley... well---"

Harry growled low. "Come near Ginny again, and I'll use one of the curses Professor Moody taught us."

"And then you will not only be expelled, but will be in prison," she said.

Dumbledore raised his hands.

"What is going on?" he asked.

"She's hurting students. She is doing some kind of torture with our hands. She is the one that should be in prison. And we are not the only ones."

"I see," Dumbledore said.

"What do you say about this?" he asked Umbridge.

"Where are the other students? They are lying."

"I am not lying. I wasn't lying when Cedric died. Or when my hand was cut up, or now. And if you need the proof, I will bring them to you."

Harry brought Ginny forward, and showed her hand to Dumbledore, who sighed softly.

"A quill that uses your blood as ink... I remember those..." he said softly, letting go of her hand, and looking directly at Umbridge. "And, I also remember outlawing them, Delores, when I took over this school years ago."

"To question me is to question the minister of magic himself, Professor." she said sharply. "Are you questioning the minister, Abius?"

"Children, I would suggest going back to your rooms now, please?"

Slowly they nodded and made their way out of the office, the door closing on it's own behind them.

"This isn't over." Harry said bitterly. "Nothing will happen to her."

"Maybe, maybe not..." Hermione said gently, "But, we need to at least try to stop her..."

"Well, I should probably be getting back to the girls' dorms, huh?" Ginny whispered, though it was obvious she really didn't want to.

"Right..." Hermione said quietly.

"No!" Harry said, pulling Ginny tighter to him.

Ron frowned slightly.

"Harry... they can't come to the boys' dorms with us. 'tisn't proper. Not to mention, not allowed."

"Besides, what about Seamus and Neville?" Hermione pointed out. "We will be fine."

"I don't... I don't want you to." Harry said softly. "I don't care if it's unreasonable, I just... it doesn't feel safe."

Ginny felt a rush of warmth go through her entire body, and looked at Harry carefully.

"Well, if you really want us to, but... where would we sleep?" she asked timidly.

"Ginny! I said no!" Ron said, exasperated. "You two can't go 'round in your nightdress in front of all those boys!"

"Like you wouldn't like to see Hermione in her nightdress!" Ginny said bluntly.

Ron blushed brightly, dropping his head into his hands, and Hermione's blush nearly matched.

"Ginerva Weasley!" she said, sounding so much like Molly at that moment, Ginny flinched.

Harry, however, was unable to hide his smirk.

"Come on, it's no big deal. They won't tell."

"Well, who sleeps where? There are no empty beds..." Ron fidgeted.

"Well, it would have to be in our beds, then, because they certainly can't share with Neville or Seamus."

"Ey! You can't sleep with my sister!"

"Fine, then she can sleep with you." Harry said smoothly. "I guess that means I bunk with Hermione."

"The hell you do!" Ron said wrathfully, looking only more annoyed when Harry burst out laughing.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We're not sharing with either of you two; you are taking the floor."

Ron looked slightly disappointed. "But---"

"Ronald Billius Weasley, I will not have a reputation. Come along, Ginny, we'll go get ready for bed and meet them in their rooms."

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When Hermione came to meet Ginny in the hall, she had a slight feeling that she'd taken her wand to her nightdress, as the young girl wasn't likely to own a pale pink penguior. Her own nightdress was very old-fashioned, looking something like Clara from "The Nutcracker Suite" might have worn. Hermione knew the game, but, wisely decided to say nothing.

They walked into the boys' room, and were immediately greeted by hoots from Seamus. Neville looked like he wanted to join in, but, was too shy. However, Ron stepped up and stood in front of them.

"Oi! Eyes in your heads!" he said grouchily.

"Hey, you're the one bringin' girls in here..." Seamus said plainly. "Showin' off what'cha got, are ya?"

"This one's my sister, and Hermione is... she's my friend, and you'll treat them both with respect!" Ron growled.

Hermione looked increasingly uncomfortable, but, Ginny could only see Harry, who seemed only able to see her, and came up, putting his hands on her hips, looking into her eyes.

Ron made a face at this. "Harry, what the hell?"

Harry blushed and started coughing.

"Nothing... ah, come on, Ginny, here's where you sleep. Made up the floor."

"You got women in here, and you two lunkheads are takin' the floor?" Seamus hooted.

"Because they're both gentlemen, something you know nothing about!" Hermione yelled. "Now, shut up and stop looking at me!"