Secret Reunion

Hey everyone! I think it's time for a new chapter, wouldn't you agree? Before we begin, I must ask: have YOU read 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' yet? I got my copy today and I have to say, it was not at all what I expected. If you've read it, let me know what you thought of it! Now, please don't expect anything too exciting in this one, but I can promise you that the next few will have a few surprises in store! So until they come, please read and at least try to enjoy this chapter. I own absolutely nothing in this story. Nothing whatsoever.

The first day of fifth year arrives at last. When I wake up, I see that Seamus and Dean have already left. Ron is still snoring his head, and Neville is tending to his weird new plant. I decide to refrain from asking him about his parents for a while, it just isn't a good time.

Eventually, Ron starts from his sleep, we get dressed and meet Hermione for breakfast. 'Feeling any better Harry?' she asks. 'I'll be fine.' I say, rubbing my scar. 'First lesson of Defence Against the Dark Arts today. I wonder what Professor Umbridge will be like.' she says. 'Well, judging by what we saw last night, I'd say that we're in for an exciting lesson.' I say sarcastically. 'You got that right mate.' agrees Ron.

Everyone chats as we wait for Umbridge to arrive for class. The Patil twins cast a charm on a paper bird they made and it flies around the classroom. Malfoy swats at it and tries to squash it as it flies past him. Just as it reaches the ceiling, it suddenly burst into flames and flutters back onto the Patils' desk.

'Good morning children.' says a voice behind us. Everyone turns around to see Professor Umbridge in the doorway. She walks towards her desk, pointing her wand at the blackboard. Slowly, three words are written.

'Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations. O. .' she states clearly. 'Study hard and you will be rewarded. Fail to do so, and the consequences may be… severe.' she giggles. Ron and I look at each other. Using her wand, Umbridge lifts a stack of books and passes them to each table. When mine comes, I look at the cover.

Dark Arts Defence: Basics for Beginners.

I flick through the book, confusion slowly turning to disgust. What the hell is this? This book has been written like a Muggle child's bedtime story. There's nothing useful in this at all! 'Your previous instruction in this subject has been disturbingly uneven. But you'll be pleased to know, from now on...you will be following a carefully structured, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic. Yes?' Umbridge stops her rambling as Hermione has her hand up.

'There's nothing in here about actually using Defensive Spells.' she says. 'Using spells?' Umbridge looks at her, astonished. 'Well, I can't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom.'

Ron and I stare at each other in shock. Is she for real? We're not gonna use magic?

'You'll be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way.' she is saying. 'What use is that? If we're attacked, it won't be risk-free.' I protest. 'Students will raise their hands when they speak in my class.' she snaps. 'It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations which, after all, is what school is all about.' Are you kidding me?

'And how's theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?' I ask. 'There is nothing out there, dear. Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourself?' she asks me sickeningly. 'Oh, I don't know. Maybe Lord Voldemort.' I answer sarcastically.

There is an eerie silence. Nobody dares say a word.

'Now, let me make this quite plain.' Umbridge says sternly. 'You have been told that a certain dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie.'

'It's not a lie! I saw him! I fought him!' I shout. 'Detention, Mr. Potter. My office. Tonight. Eight o'clock.' she announces turning away from me. Oh, this is all I need; and me and the others were supposed to reunite this evening!

'Now, let us all turn to chapter one.' Umbridge is saying. I can't take any of this stupid book in, I'm just burning with anger.

After class, Ron and Hermione catch up. 'Please don't say it.' I beg. 'I know, I shouldn't have talk back but-' 'It's alright Harry, it was going to happen anyway. If it hadn't have been you, it would have been someone else.' says Hermione. 'Did either of you learn anything in that class?' asks Ron. 'Yes actually. I learned that Umbridge is determined to keep everybody in the dark over everything.' answered Hermione. 'Yeah, that just about sums up that lesson.' agrees Ron.

At eight o'clock, I've gone to Umbridge's office. I've asked Hermione to tell the others that I'm sorry but I have to miss the practice. Alright, let's get this over with. I knock on Umbridge's door.

'Come in.' a voice calls. Taking a deep breath, I open the door.

'Good evening, Mr. Potter.' she greets me. 'Sit.' I take a seat at her table. 'You're going to be doing some lines for me today, Mr. Potter.' she tells me. I go to open my bag but she stops me. 'No, not with your quill. You're going to be using a rather special one of mine.' Umbridge gives me a new quill. I hold it awkwardly, waiting for what to do next.

'Now I want you to write, "I must not tell lies."' she instructs. 'How many times?' I ask. 'Well, let's say for as long as it takes for the message to sink in.' she says. Okay…

'You haven't given me any ink.' I say, suddenly realising. 'Oh, you won't need any ink.' Umbridge smiles sickeningly. Turning away from her, I start to write on the parchment.

Almost immediately, a sharp pain starts to spread through my left hand. Looking down, my eyes widen as the words 'I must not tell lies' appear in bright red across my knuckles. I let out a small grunt.

'Yes?' she asks, leaning forward. 'Nothing.' I say quickly. She smiles triumphantly. 'That's right. Because you know, deep down you deserve to be punished. Don't you, Mr. Potter?' she sneers. Who is this woman, seriously?

An hour later, Umbridge finally lets me go. My hand is bleeding badly now, the words almost mocking me. To be honest, I would have gladly swapped this for clearing out Snape's Potions office, or scrubbing down the whole castle without magic, instead of doing that. I glare down at the bloody words on my hand.

'You do know that students that are not Prefects are not allowed their dormitories at this hour of the night.' a familiar voice calls out behind me. Grinning, I turn around. 'Well, I have a good excuse.' I say. 'Detention - I ran into Hermione and she told me what happened.' says Cedric. 'How was it?' Raising an eyebrow, I show him my bloody hand.

'What the hell…?' he gasps. 'She made me write lines with a special quill, that's how this came about.' I explain. Cedric looks horrified. 'Seriously? I… I knew Umbridge was no saint, but this is ridiculous!' he hisses.

'Hem, hem.'

Oh no. Cedric and I turn and see Umbridge walking towards us. 'What are you still doing out in the corridors Mr. Potter?' she asks. Cedric quickly steps into Prefect Mode. 'I was just asking Potter the exact same question, Professor. I was about to escort him back to his dormitory.' he tells her.

Umbridge gives him that sickly sweet smile. 'Very well Mr. Diggory. I will let you escort Mr. Potter to his common room. I shall see you at you Defence Against the Dark Arts class tomorrow morning.' she says.

She heads off down the corridor and Cedric and I breathe a sigh of relief. 'Nice one.' I whisper. 'Come on, let's go somewhere she can't find us.' he says.

'Ferula.' says Fleur, pointing her wand at my bloody hand. Bandages appear out of nowhere and strap around it tightly. 'That should do it until tomorrow, Harry. Then I suggest you go to the Hospital Wing in the morning.' she says.

Cedric and I have escaped to the Room of Requirement where Fleur and Viktor have been waiting. 'I still cannot believe that a woman like Umbridge would stoop to such a level.' Viktor tells us. 'We'll be having her tomorrow afternoon and I don't know about you but I am dreading it.'

'Look on the bright side; at least, being a Slytherin, she'll shower you with praise, no matter what you do.' says Cedric. I say nothing, thinking about the whole situation.

'Do you think we should call time on the band? I mean if Umbridge can do this-' I point at my hand '- just for answering back in class, then what would she do if she found out there was a band in the school.

Fleur stands up and heads to the piano. 'Harry, let me play a song that may help you understand what we can do.' she says.

'Wait!' says Cedric. He picks up his wand and gives a quick wave. 'Silencing charm, just in case.' he explains. Fleur smiles, sits down and begins to play.

Jeanne d'Arc by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

(translated into French)

Fleur

'Si Jeanne d' Arc

Il y avait un coeur

Serait-elle donner comme un cadeau

Pour comme moi

Qui aspire à voir

Comment un ange doit être'.

Cedric, Viktor and I listen, mesmerised.

'Son rêve est de donner

Son coeur loin

Comme un orphelin sur une vague

Elle se souciait tellement

Elle offrit

Son corps dans la tombe.'

Fleur finishes her song with a flourish, turning to face us. 'That song was about a famous French heroine named Joan of Arc. She stood up to what she believed in and fought to the very end. She lost her life because of this, but even though she was staring into the eyes of death, she remained strong and never gave up in her beliefs.' she tells us.

'If a young woman like Joan of Arc, can do that, we can do it as well. We can stand up, and we can fight.'

Listening to this, I realise that Fleur is right. Umbridge and the Ministry may think they have brainwashed everyone, but we know the truth about what has happened. I don't plan to stop until everyone faces up to the reality and is ready to fight.

'What do you say now Harry?' asks Fleur.

'Bring it on!' I grin.

To Be Continued! Next chapter - things at school go from bad to worse and then comes the Hogs Head meeting! Until next time - you know what to do!