Disclaimer: Don't own or profit . . . only Pippin/Emma/Society mine!

Chapter 9: Round One (aka School goes Ever on)

Umbridge continued with her half-breed ramblings. She also showed favoritism towards the Slytherins, nor was she rude or mean to the children of ministry officials or the rich, well connected parents. Emma wanted nothing more than to explode at her like Harry did. Maybe I've been in the same room with Harry too often. He's starting to rub off on me, Emma thought with a laugh.

This week, however, Umbridge talked about werewolves and gloated over the legislation she had passed. She was so short sighted she didn't noticed that the majority of the class was disgusted with her. They had all liked Lupin.

Emma wrote to Lupin once in awhile, always addressing the letters with "Uncle" instead of his name.

Students were really upset towards Umbridge when she started cancelling teams. "Surely she will allow us to practice again, right? I mean, three out of four houses can not have quidditch teams. That is completely unfair!" Katie said during practice the next week.

"Everyone has a quidditch team except us," Alicia said. Emma, whom Angelina had asked to start attending the regular practices, listened on.

"What did she say when you asked her?" Fred asked.

"Simply that she needed time to consider it," Angelina said.

"Stupid Malfoy, prancing around because his father has money and influence in the ministry," Ron said.

Emma got up and walked back towards the castle. "Where are you going?" Angelina called out. "To talk to Umbridge," Emma hollered. She headed straight towards Umbridge's office.

"Come in," An overly-sweet voice called out. "Oh, Miss O'Neill. Certainly a pleasure. What can I do for you."

Emma gave her an overly sweet smile. "I am confused, Professor."

"Over what my dear? Surely someone has not been able to persuade you to believe these aweful rumors?"

"Oh no. I know the truth," Emma said grinning. "You see, I have just received a letter from my father," Emma started. She enjoyed watching Umbridge's reaction. "He said he was sure that, while you latest educational decree was an innovative idea, he reassured me that my house quidditch team would be restored. After all, the ministry wants to do what is right and fair, and you, representing the ministry would also wish to be fair. In his letter I received just this morning, though, he seemed most distressed that we were the last team to be reinstated. My problem, Professor, is that I have no idea how to write to my father saying that the Gryffindor's are being discriminated against. That would truly distress him, and we know my father is under a lot of ministry work right now."

"Why, that is an absurd idea . . ." Umbridge said faltering. Emma saw her inner turmoil over being able to hold this over Harry and keeping her reputation.

"Of course it is. Why, I can only imagine what would happen if it became known within the ministry that their prized High Inquisitor was being discriminatory. It would shock the ministry and the daily prophet," Emma said. "That is why I came straight to you."

"Yes, as you should my dear," she said. "This is nonsense. Of course I will allow the Gryffindor to practice. Why, how would it look if only three of the four houses had teams?" she said overly sweet.

"Yes, of course, so if I could get you to put it in writing that we are a team, that would go along way to keep my father happy. Why, right now he is meeting with the Spanish Minister. And quidditch and children's school teams are a favorite topic of discussion among dignitaries you know," Emma said. Emma highly doubted Umbridge knew what was talked about amongst dignitaries.

Emma walked out five minutes later. Angelina was waiting for her along with the rest of the team inside the common room. "What did you do?" Angelina asked worriedly. Emma handed her the paper. Angelina jumped up and down and hugged Emma.

"You are starting our first game," she declared.

"How did you do it?" Fred asked.

"What? You don't think being the daughter of the Foreign Affairs minister is helpful? Everyone in the ministry, including Umbridge, knows that my father is the one who keeps the other countries happy with us. My father is extremely well liked, here and abroad," Emma told them.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next two weeks went by quickly for Emma for a change. When she wasn't in class or quidditch practice, Emma was in the library reading. Draco would try to go there when she was so that he could point her to the same books he saw.

Emma checked out a book to show Draco that night.

"What is it?" he asked as he walked into the RoR.

"I found the one that goes into detail about ritual bonding."

Draco read through it. "The potion seems difficult," He said. "The potion is used to loosen the soul from it's bodily confines. Slightly dramatic," he drawled.

"It's at least NEWT level, but we can do it," Emma said. "If you still want to." Draco gave her a look that said 'of course.' "It takes about a week to do, so when?"

"How about next weekend. With the quidditch game this weekend, both of us will be busy," he said, "And it gives us the week to make the potion."

Emma nodded. "So, the potion acts to separate the soul from the body for the bonding. The rest of the ritual serves to bond us bodily and mentally," Emma read to herself. "Hmm, we can each make an exception. Ah, how sweet! This guy made his exception so that if he was beheaded during the revolution his wife would only die of a broken heart and her head would remain firmly on her shoulders. Sweet," Emma said with a grin.

"For the record, I would like to keep my head," Draco joked. "Even if it is a bit late for my heart," he said as he leaned forward and kissed Emma.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Emma was furious after the game. How could the toad go and ban students! What a wretched woman Emma thought for the seventh hundred time. She was mentally keeping track. She motioned for Draco to follow her after dinner. She lead him to Myrtle's bathroom. "What are we doing here?" he asked.

"It is where the trio brewed their polyjuice potion in second year. No one comes to the bathroom," Emma said. "Hello Myrtle," Emma said as Myrtle swooped out of the stall.

Emma set up the cauldron and her and Draco started the potion. "How are the DA meetings going?" he asked.

"Alright. So far, nothing new that we haven't done," Emma said with a smile. "We all have to dodge Neville's attempts at stunning. The only safe person is whoever he is aiming for. Poor guy, he just tries to hard! He needs to relax more."

"I shall refrain from any snide remarks," he said grinning. "How long did it take your mom to become an animagous again?"

"It took her a year. It took the marauders about two since they started when they were younger," Emma said.

"We've been at it for over a month, and I have no idea what I am yet," Draco said. "At least it's not a rat," he smirked. "All I know is it is something big. I can feel my spine trying to stretch."

"I know. Me too," Emma said. "I'll be really happy when I know. I hope I'm not a giraffe."

"I thought you liked Giraffes?"

"I do! I just don't want to have that long of a neck," Emma said. Emma put the potion in one of the stalls to brew until they needed to add some more stuff tomorrow.

Tuesday Emma was happy to see Hagrid was back, even if he looked worse for the wear. The class walked into the forbidden forest (most unwillingly, Emma noticed). Emma watched as the Threstrals arrived. "Now, who can see them?" Hagrid asked.

Neville, Emma, Harry, and a slytherin boy raised their hands. Emma knew Draco could see them too, but he didn't raise his hand. "Four. Who can tell me why some people can see them and some can't?"

"Only people who have seen death can see threstrals," Hermione said. Neville caught Emma's eye.

"Neville, who did you see?" Hagrid asked.

"My grandad," He said.

"Emma?" Hagrid asked softly.

Before Emma could say anything, though, everyone heard the dreaded "hem, hem." Emma sighed. That deplorable woman is everywhere!

By the end of the lesson, Emma wanted to strangle the woman. "Let's just say, I could care less if she ran into Voldemort any time soon. Do you think Snape will sacrifice her to him for me?" Emma asked hopefully as she and Draco finished adding the last ingredient to the potion that night.

Draco laughed. "If only."

"I know you saw them," Emma asked.

"Yeah, but I didn't want to explain I can see them because I saw your mother's death through the memories you have. That would be hard to explain," he said. "Besides, this way I could antagonize Hagrid when Umbridge came. She likes to always ask me and Pansy our opinions in class."

"So I've noticed." Emma said. They finished adding the last ingredient and put it back to stew for the next two days.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Author's Notes:

Professor Epona-- I have planned for the bonding since I started writing year 1 :-) I liked to sneak the little clues in as I go (makes me feel more like JK!)

Childofthkng-- Yup, the deeping of the relationship :-)

Potter Fan Bo-- Hilarious! Although, Luna doesn't curse Hermione (would be interesting though, I'd support it!)

AnimeCrazy-- I"m glad you like it! I'll admit I was nervous putting it up. And it's explosive when everyone finds out . . .

Amarthiel-- Here is the first Umbridge-Emma moment (Round one goes to Emma :-) I think Draco will continue to be a git around Harry and the trio simply because it is what people expect him to do. He can't change how he acts because it would make people suspicious.

KRP-- so true, so true :-)

Iceball-- I loved the Dept of mysteries in the book. Hopefully I did it justice.

Year1989-- Thanks! I'll update again soon (i hope!)

Kathleen-- Huge, HUGE thank you! I'm humbled! I'm glad the death affected you that way, it was what I was going for. Thanks!!!