Chapter 2: The Response

Word that Vanessa had brutally attacked Draco Malfoy spread around the school like wildfire. It was even more widespread than it had been with Hermione Granger had hit him, largely because Malfoy was encouraging this one. Vanessa had never been happier that they weren't in the same year. She was also glad that Professor Snape seemed to be staying out of it. She kept the salve he had given her though and avoided Umbridge as much as she could.

She only got two days of quiet before Toadface met her in the halls before dinner. "Could I have a word?" she asked sweetly. Vanessa decided to take her literally.

"Whether or not you could is up to you, but I'm only giving the one word."

"Come!" Umbridge turned around, clearly expecting Vanessa to follow. Vanessa continued on to dinner. "I said come!"

Vanessa gave her the look of an innocent deer. "All you said was that you had wanted a word, not that you had a request."

"You will come with me," Umbridge snarled. Snarling did not seem to suit her voice very well.

"I'll miss dinner."

"There will be some scraps left when we are done with our conversation."

"Very well, but why can't you say what you're going to say out here? Everyone's at dinner right now, so you won't be disturbed."

Umbridge opened the door of a nearby classroom. "In here," she commanded. Vanessa groaned but went inside, Umbridge closing the door behind them. "Now," she started pleasantly, "why did you disobey my very simple instructions?"

"Well, the moment I realized that that it was carving into my arm I realized that I would likely be scarred before too long. I'm sorry, but I am a proud Slytherin and well, it seems pointless to use a phrase like that when you in fact lying in what you are saying, automatically making it yet another lie."

"You admit you lie?"

"I'm a Sly…ther…in," Vanessa said slowly, not quite sure Umbridge understood. "I don't know where you went to school but Slytherins lie, it is part of what distinguishes us."

"You are being rather insolent."

"No, I am being rather realistic. Now, I would like to get to dinner."

Umbridge blocked the door. "Not until we have worked out your punishment, and it seems that it will need to be something more severe than some points taken away and detention."

"I can and will take anything you care to throw at me."

Umbridge grinned and Vanessa felt as though she would be swallowed whole by that huge mouth. "I have the perfect punishment for you."

"Well, don't just leave me hanging here, croak it out."

Toadface pulled out a small vial. "Do you know what this is?"

"No, but I have the feeling it's nothing pleasant."

Umbridge took out a small cup and put three drops of the potion inside. "I want you to drink every little drop and then we'll have a nice discussion."

"You're going to use veritaserum on a student?"

"Yes, dear, and I think it is a very good punishment."

"You can't do that."

"Oh, I think you'll find I can. Now, drink it all up." She moved the cup towards Vanessa.

Vanessa was used to weaseling her way out of things. Umbridge would win any fight between them and could undoubtedly force her to drink. She needed help. "Accio Severus Snape's Wand!" She had surprised Umbridge who was now charging her. Vanessa kept backpedaling. "Accio McGonagall's spectacles!" She felt like a sort of deranged poet, but she needed help. Her back rested against a wall. "Accio Madame Hooch's whistle!"

"Now, now, dear, you should just drink this up and stop trying useless spells."

Vanessa was out of room and running out of tricks. She had to find a way around Toadface and the potion from hell. "Engorgio!" Umbridge stopped her pursuit, her look of glee turning to a look of terror.

"You little snake," she hissed, dropping the veritaserum to get her wand in casting mode.

"And proud of it," Vanessa declared, running around Umbridge. "Expelliarmus!" Umbridge's wand went flying. Vanessa was beginning to think she'd make it out of the room on her own when the door burst open and Professor Snape and McGonagall came charging into the room.

"What is going on in here!" McGonagall asked sternly, holding her spectacles to her face. Her hand slipped when she saw the still growing Umbridge in the back of the room. The spectacles flew straight at Vanessa who caught them carefully and put on her best apologetic smile. One teacher was now glaring at her and her head of house seemed to be still taking in the scene.

"Oh, um, should I get her back to normal?" Vanessa asked as she handed McGonagall back her spectacles, looking over her shoulder at Toadface.

"That can be dealt with later, but first you need to stop strangling Madame Hooch."

Vanessa concentrated for a moment, willing the spell to end. "It should be done," she announced after a moment.

"Well then, you should go to dinner and…"

"A moment, Professor," Professor Snape said suddenly. Vanessa had almost forgotten he was there and turned around to see him holding the vial of veritaserum. "Vanessa, why did you two begin to fight?" His gaze bored into hers.

"She was trying to make me drink veritaserum," Vanessa replied. She met his gaze, letting him know that she spoke truthfully. She heard Professor McGonagall give a slight gasp behind her. Umbridge was now so overblown that she looked ready to pop.

"Professor, if you will deal with our High Inquisitor," the acid in Professor Snape's voice was now clear and he was sneering, "then I will take Miss Drumoir to dinner."

"Very well," Professor McGonagall glared at Umbridge, "I will make sure she is alright." Vanessa caught a hint of resentment and amusement in her voice.

"That little snake!" Umbridge spat as Professor Snape moved to escort Vanessa out. "Fifty points from Slytherin!"

Professor Snape closed the door behind them and began escorting Vanessa the short distance to the Great Hall. He leaned close to her when they got to the entrance. "One hundred points to Slytherin," he muttered in her ear. Vanessa knew better than to react and simply headed into the great hall without another word. No one seemed to notice that she had been gone or that someone was arriving later than usual, and with a teacher right behind her too. Deciding she was actually somewhat grateful for her anonymity, Vanessa sat at the far end of the Slytherin table, grabbed a sandwich, and ate in silence. All was normal with her world, but she had the feeling that Umbridge would figure out some sort of revenge.