Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and am making no money from this.
Ron
There's a new notice up outside the Great Hall, something calling itself Educational Decree Number Twenty Four. It claims "Broomsticks may not be flown on school grounds unless during authorized Quidditch practice or games."
Well that absolutely sucks. The position of keeper is vacant this year and I tried out for the team. Somehow I made it, but the thing is, I'm not exactly great so I really was hoping to get some extra practice in before the season starts. The way I've played at some or our practices, I really need it.
"So what's up with the new rule?" I ask over breakfast.
"You'd think they could have the decency to make a rule about talking with a half open mouth full of food." Hermione mutters.
"I think the rule might be my fault." Harry offers, ignoring Hermione's comment.
"How's some weird new rule your fault?"
"Well, on my way to my date with Cho last night I sort of got impatient and just flew down the tower rather than waiting for the staircases."
"Really? Did you hit anyone or scare anyone or anything?"
Harry shrugs. "Not that I saw."
"Well there you go, mate. No way it was you."
"I'm not so sure." Hermione cuts in."Umbridge and the Ministry in general are out to get Harry."
"You're being paranoid, Hermione."
"Really? What else do you call a full trial for a simple case of underage magic?"
"I don't know. Maybe they all just wanted to see Harry to tell their wives they've met him. How am I supposed to know? Point is, he got off and it's over."
"I'm not sure it's that simple, Ron."
"Oh, come off it, Hermione. You've been seeing some big conspiracy there since summer."
"Ah, I take it conspiracy theories are only allowed if you and Harry form them about Malfoy or Professor Snape?"
"They aren't conspiracies if they're true. And speaking of those, we never did figure out why Parkinson was sitting with you yesterday in Potions." Ron looks up. "She's looking over here right now, just smiling. Now there's a real conspiracy for you, Hermione."
But of course I just get a dirty look from Hermione. I don't know what that girl's problem is. Complaining about the Ministry, about house elves, yelling at us to do our homework, it's like she's never happy. That or she's only happy if she's yelling. Merlin, that'd be a scary thought. I'd hate to be the guy that ends up hitched to her.
Hermione
I've thought long and hard about this, but as difficult as it is, I can't let it go. When we finish eating breakfast, Ron and Harry get up to head to class, but I go in the opposite direction; I go to the head table where the teachers all sit.
It's one teacher in particular, Professor McGonagall, the head of my house that I walk to. "Excuse me, Professor. I need to talk to you."
"Ah, Miss Granger, what can I do for you?"
"Um, it's something I really need to talk to you about in private." This is personal, no one else's business. And one professor in particular, one toad of a professor, it's none of her business at all.
"Miss Granger, classes are about to begin, I'm afraid a private chat will have to wait."
"I'm afraid this isn't the sort of thing that can wait, Professor."
"I see. Very well, then, we can discuss this in my office." For most any other student she'd probably try to tell them to wait, but since it's me she's leading me to her office where she sits facing me across her desk.
"All right Miss Granger, what seems to be the problem?"
"I think I've been put under the Imperius Curse, Professor." It must sound stupid; really stupid.
"That is a very serious charge, Miss Granger. What is your basis for making this claim?"
"It was during my Prefect duties last night, Professor. I believe I was placed under it then. Not long after I felt the same sensation as when Professor Moody demonstrated the curse on us last year."
"And what were you doing when you had this… sensation?"
"It was, well…. It was something that was going to be inappropriate."
"Inappropriate?"
This is the part of this I was most dreading. If they had me steal something or anything like that it'd be easier; that's less personal. I take a breath, trying to find the right words for this. "I felt compelled to become amorous with another student. One I have no feelings for or even friendship with. I managed to break the curse, but not before we, well, we kissed."
Professor McGonagall watches me silently for a bit. "Miss Granger, I'm sure you must know how this sounds. To say nothing of the fact that the Imperious Curse is an extremely difficult magical affliction to prove.
After Voldermort's first rise to power a lot of his Death Eaters claimed they'd been under the Imperious Curse. Personally, I think it was rather obvious they weren't, but there was no proof so virtually all are walking free to this day. "I understand that, Professor, but this really did happen."
"This is beyond a simple infraction of school rules. Use of the Imperious Curse carries a sentence in Azkaban, as I'm sure you well know."
"I know, Professor."
"And you know who did this to you? You know with enough certainty to make this accusation knowing what the consequences could be?"
"I do, Professor." I've got nothing against that Slytherin girl, well I didn't before now, but as far as I'm concerned she deserves to be in prison. This goes way beyond some school prank.
"I see. Very well then. I will speak with the Headmaster, and I expect that he will wish to speak with you as well. Until then, go to your classes please."
"Yes Professor. Thank you."
Cho
I'm not really sure what I want to do with my life. Last year during the career advice session I said I wanted to work in magical research and development, inventing new spells and potions and things like that. It's interesting work. Takes intelligence, research, analysis and creativity. My OWL scores were good enough that if I get NEWT scores to match next year I can go into the field.
The thing is, I really don't care about it. That's not to say I wouldn't do it. It really is interesting sounding work, but in the same way school is interesting. I like reading and learning, but I can't claim to have real passion for it. I'm good at school; I have been since I was a little girl. I'm smart (actually a test my parents had me take says I'm a genius) but I do well in school because of that, not because I really love it or work super hard. I'm just plain smart enough to remember the lectures the first time I hear them, recall books after the first reading, and school is just a matter of writing that all down for tests and homework. It's easy, really.
Research and development sounds like it would be mostly more of the same. Read books, memorize them, then piece them together in some ways that I haven't read in other books. It's sort of the same as school, but with a puzzle at the end instead of a test. Not a bad life, and just like school I'm sure I'd be good at it.
I imagine it'd feel a lot like school too; not particularly good, not particularly bad, just something I do. It fills the hours and occupies my mind, and it'd pay, so that's not terrible. On the other hand, a good math problem can occupy my mind just as well. I have about as much passion for both. That's the thing, as long as it's new, school, that job; it all feels about the same to me. Just as interesting as reading some Muggle math book that calls itself calculus. If it's new and engages my brain I'm ok with it.
Quidditch though, that's different. That's something I really enjoy. No, more than that, I love that game. Traditionally it's just the, well, the less smart Ravenclaws that are on the team. I only tried out for the team because everyone teased me so much. It was a big joke, the brainy Ravenclaw girl trying out for the team. I was supposed to make a fool of myself, everyone have a good laugh and we all move on. I just did it to shut them up, but somehow I was actually good at it.
Well, not just good; I was really good at it. Everyone was shocked (me especially). What really got to me was the fact that the game was fun. Not just new, not just the latest in the endless stream of content my brain needs to stay happy, this was something I really loved. It was fast and liberating, it took reflexes and quick eyes and it made me see things and think in ways schoolwork never did. After that first tryout they made me their starting seeker.
To be perfectly honest, ever since that day I've had this secret fantasy of going pro. My parents hit the roof when I told them I was on the team; it's so dangerous, it's unbecoming for a girl to play a sport like that, it takes too much time. All that, and more. If it was anything else I'd have done what they said and quit the team, but I liked this too much. So for about the only time in my life, I disobeyed my parents. They weren't thrilled I ignored them (no way was I going to tell them I was refusing to do what they told me), but when time went on and my grades stayed at the top of my class and I didn't get hurt they eased back on their criticism.
When Harry let me use his Firebolt though, well then all of a sudden my silly little secret dream came roaring back and it didn't look silly anymore. I was good on my Comet, but on that Firebolt I could do things I'd never dreamed of trying before.
I tried doing moves I'd seen the pros do in the Quidditch matches I'd seen, and I was able to pull them off, all on my first try. Harry and I flew through the stands, did stupid stunts, and came close to hitting everything on the pitch, just to see if we could. We were hugely reckless and on that broom. I could do it. I didn't have to keep thinking about what I wanted to do, making allowances for the performance of a broom, for the first time what I was flying could actually keep up with my mind.
I know it wasn't my broom and it was only for that one afternoon, but that date with Harry showed me a future I never thought was anything more than a fantasy. A future where I didn't just do what I was good at, it was a future where I did something I loved.
Dating Harry's a weird thing for me. I have some real conflicting emotions when it comes to him, Cedric, how both were interested in me and how I dated one and now he's dead and the only witness to it is my new boyfriend. It's pretty messed up. And I'm not sure why I wanted to go out with Harry now. I think it's partly because I like him, partly because I need to know what happened with Cedric. How much of one versus the other is something I haven't figured out, and that's been bothering me.
On that pitch last night I forgot all that though, forgot all about Cedric, forgot the fact he was dead, forgot all about everything but flying. It was pure bliss; the perfect date with my boyfriend.
The problem is, fantasies for the future or not, we don't live on brooms, and no matter how nice a date it was, it still was basically running from our problems. If Cedric hadn't died would we still be together? Now that he's gone is being with his rival betraying him?
After Cedric died I know some people were saying the whole He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named thing was lie; they said that Harry did it all himself. The reasons seemed to differ, but most came down to him either doing it for glory to win the cup, or doing it for jealousy to win, well, me.
I try not to listen to that sort of thing, but, let's face it: there's not facts either way, just Harry's word. Well, I guess it's only technically that. He told his story to Professor Dumbledore and he told the rest of the school what happened. As far as I know no one else has heard it from Harry first hand.
Any way I look at it, there's no way I can avoid asking Harry about this. He might not like it, but there's no getting past this otherwise. If he can't or won't answer then it leads to some conclusions I really don't like. I hope it isn't that, but I just don't know.
Hermione
Two days after I told Professor McGonagall that I'd been placed under the Imperious curse I'm called into the headmaster's office. It's late in the evening, just before I'd normally start my rounds that I find the head of my house outside Dumbledore's office, waiting for me.
"Right on time as always, Miss Granger" Professor McGonagall greets me. "I take it you have not changed your mind about this?"
"It really happened, Professor. I was placed under the Imperious curse, and I know who did it to me."
"Very well, then. Once we go inside the headmaster will want to hear your account of what happened, in full detail this time. Assuming he finds you credible he will have the accused student brought here so that a Ministry official can question them and determine what additional action, if any will be taken."
It all sounds simple enough. I'm sure I'll need to testify at whatever trial there is as well, but at least I'll have done my part to remove at least this small piece of filth from the wizarding world.
Professor McGonagall leads me inside, where as promised Professor Dumbledore is waiting. "Miss Granger. I wish I could say it's good to see you, but, well, we both know that is not the case today. Before you begin sharing your account with me, perhaps you would be so good as to tell us which student Professor McGonagall should retrieve for us?"
"Tracey Sheffield, Slytherin, my year."
"Minerva, if you would be so kind? I think it appropriate if you bring Severus here as well, please."
Professor McGonagall leaves to fetch the girl and I start telling Dumbledore what happened. It's awkward and almost as embarrassing as having actually kissed Parkinson. I'm sure whenever she decides to try and tell the school I'm a lesbian or whatever sophomoric game she's planning that will be almost as bad, but it's a problem for another day.
I tell Dumbledore everything (thank god I broke the curse when I did or this story would be way too embarrassing to repeat). He listens to my story, not saying a word until I'm done. "That must have been difficult to tell. But you were right to come forward, you were the victim of a serious crime."
Darned right it was a serious crime. And here's the criminal now, along with the head of her house, mine, and of all people, Umbridge. "What is she doing here?" I ask before I can stop myself.
"Why I'm here as a Ministry official, dear." As condescending as she is in class. "Why, were you expecting an Auror?"
"Well, yes…"
"Rest assured I can handle this just fine. There's no need to trouble an Auror for this. So you say you were placed under the Imperious curse, is that correct?"
"Yes." I answer a bit reluctantly.
"And what led you to this conclusion?"
"Professor Moody placed us under the curse last year in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. This felt the same."
"As I recall it was not Professor Moody at all, but rather a Death Eater."
"Yes, well, that's true, but still the curse was cast on us and this felt very much the same."
"The same as when a Death Eater cursed you?" Damn it, she's twisting my words.
"Ma'am, I'm not aware of the Imperious curse feeling different based on who casts it."
"This is not a forum to test your knowledge of the Unforgivable Curses, Miss Granger. It is one to address your accusations."
"I know that; I'm trying to explain that this felt the same, that feeling of contentedly floating along while compulsions come into your brain and your body acts on them unless you break the curse."
"And you claim to have done just that: broken the curse?"
"I do."
"I find that hard to believe. Similarly, I find it hard to believe that a fifth year could even cast the curse."
"It happened!"
"So you claim. A fifth year could not only cast an Unforgivable curse, but do so successfully. Are you sure your brain isn't a bit addled, dear?"
"I'm fine."
"I'm only asking because that is the effect of an improperly cast Imperius curse."
"Yes, I know the effects, professor. My mind is fine; the curse was cast properly."
"And do you have any proof of this besides your word? Another witness perhaps?"
"Well, no… But it did happen!"
"I'm sorry, but seeing as you have no real evidence to offer…"
"Her memories are admissible as evidence. As it happens I have a pensive in this office." Dumbledore offers with a smile.
"Yes, I'd be glad to offer my memories as evidence." I quickly agree.
The toad woman looks me over for a minute before speaking again. "Tell me, Miss Granger, you are Muggle born, is that correct?"
"I hardly see what my parents have to do with this."
"That's hardly surprising; you are only a fifth year after all. Many things are still above your head, I'm sure. But you did not answer my question. Are both of your parents Muggles?"
"Well, yes…" Uh oh.
"Ah, I see. Well in that case then afraid your memories are inadmissible."
"What? Why?"
"Well it's all rather complicated, you see. It has to do with magic in Muggle borns being a random mutation that could potentially affect other aspects of the mind, memory included. Obviously in pure blood families that have had magic in the line for generations that is not an issue."
"That's preposterous!"
"Manners, Miss Granger. I am a professor of this school as well a Ministry official. You will not raise your voice to me. And as for your assertion, it remains to be seen. The matter is being studied at the Ministry as we speak, but results could be years away. In the meantime I feel it would be inappropriate to allow questionable evidence in matters of law."
And just like that I'm reduced to practically nothing as far as the law is concerned.
"As there is no real evidence in this case, the Ministry will not be taking action." It was obvious already, but the toad apparently wanted to say it anyway.
"I see." Dumbledore takes over. "Then as this ends the Ministry's involvement this is now an internal Hogwarts matter. I think two hundred fifty points from Slytherin House is appropriate. Additionally, Miss Sheffield, the head of your house and I will hear your side of this and determine possible additional sanctions."
Good. She's guilty; I hope they throw her out.
"Hem, hem." comes Umbridge's annoying little cough. "I'm afraid I must stop you there, Headmaster. I do not feel these punishments are appropriate."
"While I do, of course, value your opinion Dolores, I am afraid you have no authority in this matter."
"Actually, you are mistaken there. You see, Cornelius was afraid this matter might be ill handled, and so Educational Decree Number Twenty Five was passed. I had just received word of it when I was notified I was needed for this meeting you see. It states 'The High Inquisitor will henceforth have supreme authority over all punishments, sanctions and removal of privileges pertaining to the students of Hogwarts, and the power to alter such punishments, sanctions and removals of privileges as may have been placed by other staff members.'"
"Now, I am afraid I will have to exercise this authority here." the toad continues. "I find no evidence of any wrongdoing here on Miss Sheffield's part, so of course she will receive no punishment. Miss Granger, however, well, I don't think I need to explain how serious this charge is. Why, poor Miss Sheffield could have found herself in Azkaban Prison potentially! I think a week's detention as well as a loss of one hundred points for your house is appropriate. Normally I would not be so lenient, but I think you are not beyond saving Miss Granger, so I hope you will see as an opportunity to change your ways."
A week's detention? For me? I'm the victim here! I was the one placed under the Imperius curse, and I was the one that did the right thing by coming forward. And what, she's going easy on my because she thinks I'll turn on Harry to avoid more of her version of justice?
"This is preposterous." McGonagall snaps.
"It is the law." Umbridge gloats.
"I will, of course, need to see this decree in writing, Dolores." Dumbledore calmly cuts in.
"Of course, headmaster." I guess hoping she made this up was a long shot; she has the stupid thing waiting in a pocket of her robes.
Dumbledore reads the law over, seeming to take forever. I guess he's reading it several times? Finally he looks up, giving me a sad look before turning back to the toad. "Yes, this all appears to be in order. So it seems we are done here. Minerva, Severus, if you could stay a moment please?"
"I believe you have you have your Prefect duties to attend to, Miss Granger." I take McGonagall's hint and leave as quickly as I can.
I start my patrols, looking for any students I can find. Normally I try to be fair, but today I'm looking for someone to take my anger out on. I shouldn't, but frankly, who cares? If I actually catch anyone the toad will probably just undo any points I take away.
Not that it matters; the only one I find Pansy damned Parkinson. She's leaning in a doorway, with that same smirk she seems to love so much. Wait, is she in the doorway of the same classroom I kissed her in? Damn it, how did I get here? Stupid body, taking me here of all places.
"Well well, fancy meeting you here, Granger." she greets.
"Not now, Parkinson. I'm really not in the mood."
"Awe, is that why you came to me? Hoping I'd kiss it and make it all better?"
Ugh, that's right; she thinks I kissed her because I wanted to. "Look, Parkinson, we need to talk." I lead Parkinson into the classroom, locking the door behind us.
"And here I thought that line only gets used when two people have actually dated a while."
"I'm trying to be serious here. That kiss, it wasn't me. I was under the Imperius curse."
The girl looks at me and breaks up laughing. "Seriously, Granger? The Imperius curse? That's the best you can come up with? Damn, I'm disappointed; I really thought you'd do better than that."
"What do you mean? It's the truth."
"Oh come on. I've watched you, sitting at meals, sweating, thinking, looking over at me to see if I'm watching. And the whole time I know exactly what you're thinking. Why hasn't Parkinson said something yet? Why isn't it all over the school? When she does say something what do I say about it? And all you could come up with is the God damned Imperius curse? That's pathetic. I expected more, a hell of a lot more."
"Well I'm sorry I didn't impress you!"
"You should be. You're supposed to be the smart one, the know-it-all, the Gryffindor princess. If I wanted to taunt an idiot I'd target Weasley. You're supposed to actually have a brain."
"I don't give a damn what you think, Parkinson. I'll have you know I was just in Dumbledore's office talking about this exact thing."
"And did he buy it?"
"Well, yes… but Umbridge was there and she didn't, and she had this new Educational Decree that gave her final say over all punishments, so the bitch who did this to me got off scot free and I got a week's detention."
Parkinson laughs at me. Again. "Well of course Dumbledore bought it; he'd buy anything your little golden trio sells."
"He bought it because it was true."
"Oh come on, Granger, this is just sad. Well, no, in a way I love the irony. When the Dark Lord fell the first time, what did all the Death Eaters claim? The Imperius curse. They didn't do it, evil dark magic made them do it! And here you are, the Gryffindor golden girl making the exact same claim."
"Hey, don't go comparing me to Death Eaters!"
"Why not? If you're using the exact same lame excuse it seems fair to me. If it works for Lucius Malfoy, why not Hermione Granger, right?"
"And your parents too?"
I see that smirk on her face vanish replaced with anger, but then just as fast as it was gone, the stupid smirk is back. "That's more like it, Granger. Quick on your feet and eager to fight back. But don't you dare try and go after my parents again."
"Oh, so you can compare me to a Death Eater like Malfoy but I can't talk about your Death Eater family?"
"That's right, Granger. You don't know a damned thing about pure blood families or my family either, so shut the hell up about it."
"Oh, are you mad, Parkinson? Good, now you know how I feel."
"What, the first time a teacher didn't believe you? Must have been tragic for you."
"She treated me like a moron! She said my memory was useless because I'm Muggle born. Like magic is some freak accident for me and must have scrambled my brain. I wanted to kill that idiot woman!"
"Oh, so that's why you came here. Not for another make out session but so the evil Slytherin could teach you the killing curse."
"No, of course not. Wait, you actually know it?"
"Of course I know it. The Unforgivables aren't hard, Granger; Half my house knows them."
'How?" I know I'm mad at her, but I'm more curious right now.
"Because those of us who come from proper wizarding families actually have parents who teach us magic."
"Your parents taught you the killing curse?"
"They taught me to take care of myself, Granger."
"What kind of parents teach their kids to kill?" I know she said not to ask about her parents, but I can't help myself.
"I told you my family's off limits, Mudblood. I damn sure didn't come here for that."
"No you came here thinking what, I wanted to have sex with you?"
"I figured you planed to try for a make out session and see where things go from there. Which by the way would have been a lot more fun than some lame line about being cursed."
"I don't want to kiss you, Parkinson. I didn't want to the first time it happened, and I assure you, there will not be a second time."
"Fine. I'll just make sure everyone knows what you did." she shrugs.
"And I'll tell them I was under the Imperius curse."
"Yeah, you do that, see how many people believe you; see how many people buy the story. Especially after no one goes to Azkaban, and the only one who goes to detention is you."
Damn it. She's right; the punishments make me look like a liar. "It's true though…"
"Isn't it about time you learned that life isn't about what's true, it's what you can make people believe, Granger?"
"Fine. What do you want?"
Parkinson laughs in triumph, like some cliché movie villain. God, there's got to be something I can do. I can't lose, not again, not after that toad beat me. "Wait,Veritaserum!" I interrupt her moment of victory.
"What was that, Granger?"
"Veritaserum. I could use Veritaserum to prove it."
"Have some on you, do you?"
"Well, no…"
"Oh, that's a shame. And it takes a month to brew. I'm a patient girl, Granger, but I don't think I'll be that patient with your little secret." she taunts.
"There isn't any around Slytherin house?"
"But Veritaserum is illegal to use, Granger. You should know that."
"Come on, we both know they teach how to make it in NEWT potions; there's got to be some around. You must be able to lay your hands on some."
"Now why would I do that? From where I'm standing things are looking pretty darned good. I've got something great on you, your defense is insultingly bad… Yeah, I don't see why I'd want to change things here."
"Because I'd owe you." I choke out.
"Hermione Granger in my debt? Well that certainly does sound tempting. Hmm, I might have to think about that." Parkinson grins. The bitch has me and she knows it.
"Can you get the stuff or not?"
"Of course I can, Granger. In a place like Slytherin house you don't think a truth serum is something we'd have around? Besides, like you said, it's taught to seventh years and the potions master is the head of our house. Do try using that much hyped brain of yours, please."
"Fine, so do we have a deal? You get the Veritaserum, I take it to prove I didn't kiss you of my own free will and I'm left owing you."
She makes a show of thinking about, pacing around with a finger to her lips. "Deal. Tomorrow, this same classroom."
"Fine." I try leaving, but Parkinson blocks the door. "What now?"
"I want a kiss." She grins at me.
"What? Absolutely not!"
"It's what I came here for after all. You finally found a use for that big mouth of yours I like; It just wouldn't feel right if I left disappointed."
"Don't push it, Parkinson."
"Push it? You mean like someone who kisses me out of the blue, then has some lame story that the teachers have already declared a lie? Like someone who just expects me to sit on such a wonderful story about my favorite Gryffindor? Like expecting me to come up with an illegal potion in a day? Is that the sort of thing you mean, Granger? Sorry, but you're out of indulgence today. So I want a kiss or no deal."
"But you already agreed to our deal!"
"Don't you ever listen to that idiot Weasley you're always with? I'm a Slytherin; we lie. It's what we do."
I sigh, defeated. "Fine." I lean in and give Parkinson a quick peck on the cheek.
"Oh come on, Granger! What am I, your grandmother? I want a kiss; a real one."
Right now I think I might actually hate Parkinson more than Umbridge. Unfortunately, I don't really have a choice here. I lean into Parkinson, kissing her. She wraps her arms around me, deepening the kiss as she pulls me close. I'm not really sure how or when, but at some point I took hold of Parkinson in my arms too.
Our first kiss felt good, but I just assumed it was the Imperius curse; it makes following orders feel quite pleasant, after all. But god help me, kissing this girl really does feel good. I hate her, and I kind of hate myself for how much I'm enjoying this, but I really like kissing Pansy Parkinson.
The kiss finally ends (I ran out of air) and Parkinson looks down at me, grinning. "Hmm, not bad, Granger. You've got some talent."
"Yes, quite nice, Parkinson." I reply, straightening my robes (and making darned sure to not look her in the eye.) "So tomorrow then."
"It's a date." I leave rather than take the bait.
Author's Notes:
Like always, thanks to that-fan for help with editing and development. I'd also like to thank the people who reviewed the last chapter. It gets a bit discouraging without them. Of course, new chapter so there's the obligatory request for me. Every author loves them, after all. So please, if you read and have something to say do leave a review. Thanks.
