A/N: For 17Hope!
As I do twice a week, I slide behind my desk in the classroom, take out my book, quills and parchment, and wait. This time though, I deviate from the routine slightly. Instead of putting my wand in my bag, as per instructions, I slide it up my sleeve.
"Hem, hem," Umbridge coughs from the front of the room.
Months ago, this silly titter provoked eye-rolls from almost all of the students. Now, though, the biggest reaction I notice is a slight sigh coming from Harry on my right.
"Chapter 29," she announces, "there will be no need to talk."
Harry doesn't put up a fight, which I assume is due to the fact we had a DA meeting last night. Even though I've already read the whole textbook, I flick to the correct page and pretend to read the words.
Under the desk, my hand clasps around my wand. With my eyes still trained on the book in front of me, I quickly levitate a piece of chalk and use it to silently write five words on to the blackboard. In my peripheral vision, I see the whole class shift their attention to the board, one by one. Harry glances at me, and Ron does the same from Harry's other side. They're both smiling.
Umbridge doesn't even notice until I risk underlining the words. The chalk makes a screeching noise against the board. The professor's pink-topped head snaps up to the class, and follows their attention to the board. I force myself to complete the line, and then add an exclamation mark for emphasis.
USE MAGIC TO FIGHT BACK!
As she takes in the words, Umbridge gets to her feet, her face an intense red. She scurries to the board to scrub them off. Whilst her back is turned, I slip my wand into my bag. Harry has other ideas, and uses the moment to snatch his wand out of his bag, wave it pointlessly and place it obviously on his desk. Both Ron and I attempt to grab his wand, but Umbridge turns just as he bats our hands away.
"Harry Potter," Umbridge snarls quietly, "how dare you spread this disgusting, traitorous language in my classroom, in my school!"
I open my mouth to take the blame, suddenly regretting my actions, but find myself unable to speak. Harry briefly takes his eyes off Umbridge to glance threateningly at me, and I realise he silenced me in order to take the blame.
"This is not your school," Harry says calmly, "it's Dumbledore's school."
Umbridge steps forward so she is stood directly in front of Harry. "I think you'll find I am headmistress here, insolent boy. Detention for the rest of the month ought to set you straight."
Harry nods and smirks. He knows the detentions are worthless, as we haven't planned more DA meetings until next month. Apparently he thinks getting his hand sliced up is worth this small victory.