A/N: Sorry for the long break. My internet had turned off and I don't use Google docs, and the library doesn't support the website.
Hailey wasn't surprised that the news about her shouting match with Umbridge traveled quickly. At dinner, people whispered to each other when she sat between Michael and Mandy at the Ravenclaw table, though no one seemed to care that she overheard them. It seemed as though they wanted her to get angry and yell at them, so that they can either hear the story first-hand or see her 'madness' in person.
"She claims that she saw Cedric Diggory get murdered…"
"She believes she dueled You-Know-Who…"
"Who does she think she's kidding?"
"Why do they all of a sudden think that I'm a nutter?" Hailey asked.
"Let's get out of here," Michael said.
Mandy looked at her cake and got up to follow them as they left. Mandy sighed and said, "You arrived back in the middle of the lawn holding Cedric's dead body…we didn't see what happened in the maze."
"All we had was Dumbledore's word that You-Know-Who came back, killed Cedric, and fought you," Michael added.
"Which is the truth!" exclaimed Hailey.
"I know that, so don't yell at me," Michael said.
"Sorry for yelling at you," Hailey muttered.
"It's okay," Michael replied.
"Then everyone went home for the summer, before the truth could sink in. They then spent two months reading about how you're going mental and Dumbledore's going senile," Mandy stated.
"Even though I never really did anything 'mental,' Hailey muttered. Michael and Mandy looked out the nearest window to see that a light wasn't on at Hagrid's house.
They got to the Ravenclaw common room door and Mandy knocked once using the knocker.
After answering the riddle, they walked in. Hailey noticed how some Ravenclaws looked up, and how they looked away quickly. Luna and Colton both smiled and waved at Hailey, before looking back to their homework.
The three sat down at a table and unloaded their homework.
After a bit, Mandy slammed her quill on the table, nearly knocking over her velvet red ink well, and said, "I can't believe this."
It almost startled Hailey, who was trying to focus on her homework and not on the fact that Michael had hooked his foot around hers.
Hailey blinked and asked, "That moonstone can do that in potion making?"
"No, that Dumbledore allowed Umbridge to teach us. Especially in our OWL year," Mandy said.
"Well, we've never had great Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, have we?" asked Hailey.
"Well, besides Professor Lupin," said Michael, "Yeah, one had You-Know-Who on the back of his head, another was a Death Eater, and another was a fraud."
"Hagrid told us that nobody wants the job because they say it's jinxed," said Hailey.
"But hiring someone who won't let us do magic? Hell, is forcing us to spy on each other?" Mandy said, "Who the hell is he playing at?"
"More like what Fudge is playing at," Michael muttered.
"Making sure that I'm mental, Dumbledore's going senile, and that Voldemort isn't back because he doesn't want to deal with it," Hailey said. She packed up things, "I'm going to bed." She stooped down and kissed Michael good night, before heading up to the dorm room.
The next morning, Ron talked to Michael and Mandy in private, before breakfast. Hailey could barely pay attention in classes, knowing that she had detention with Umbridge.
They had double Transfiguration the next morning. Professor McGonagall lectured them about how they can't pass an OWL without serious application, practice, and study. She said that she couldn't see why nobody in the class shouldn't achieve an OWL and then had them start Vanishing Spells, which were easier than Conjuring spells, which they wouldn't attempt until NEWT level.
McGonagall was right, because by the end of the double period, Hailey managed to make the shell of the snails, which they had to practice on, vanish.
She was the only one who ended up having to do homework, which was to practice the spell.
They had double Charms was where they revised some other Charms, which Flitwick said was bound to come up in their OWL, and rounded off the lesson with a large amount of Charms homework.
They had Care of Magical Creatures next, which they walked down to Hagrid's hut, which was at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Hermione and Michael had talked about Ancient Runes, and had seemed to avoid speaking to Ron all the way to Hagrid's hut.
"Hey, so what happened between you and Hermione?" Mandy asked having noticed that Hermione and Ron had avoided speaking to each other all the way to class.
"She got mad that I said that the hats that she knitted looked like woolly bladders," Ron said.
Hailey was confused, "Hats?"
"They're for house-elves," Hermione said. "I made[ them over the summer. I'm a really slow knitter without magic, but now I'm back at school I should be able to make lots more.
"Don't," Hailey started noticing how Ron opened his mouth to speak. She had a headache all day and didn't want to deal with the two Gryffindors argue.
Professor Grubbly-Plank was waiting for the class ten yards from Hagrid's front door. There was a table in front of her which was laden with twigs.
When they reached her, there was a loud shout of laughter behind them.
"I don't have to turn around to see that it was Malfoy and his 'friends.'" Mandy said using air quotes around friends. "I think Malfoy's dad is paying them to be friends with him."
Hailey, Ron, and Michael chuckled at that. Even Hermione looked like she was trying to fight a smile.
Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson sniggered at they gather around the trestle table.
Hailey noticed how they all kept looking at her and she knew that she was the subject of the joke. She rolled her eyes.
"Everyone here?" barked Professor Grubbly-Plank once the Slytherins, Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs arrived.
"Terry and Anthony aren't here," Michael said looking around.
Hailey looked at the twigs and saw that a few of the twigs were moving around.
"Okay, now, let's crack on then," Grubbly-Plank stated when the two boys arrived, looking out of breath. "Who can tell me what these things are called?"
The Ravenclaws', Hermione's, and a few Hufflepuffs' hands shot in the air. Hailey noticed how Malfoy did an imitation of Hermione jumping up and down. Pansy laughed and Mandy did a rude gesture at the two Slytherins, right behind Grubbly-Plank's back.
Pansy's shriek of laughter turned high pitched as she nearly screamed when the twigs jumped in the air. The twigs looked like tiny pixie-looking creatures that were made of wood. They had knobbly brown arms and legs, with two twig-like fingers at the end of each hands and a flat, barklike face with beetle-brown eyes.
"Ooh," Parvati and Lavender said, acting as if Hagrid hadn't shown them more impressive creatures. Sure the Flobberworms had been dull, but salamanders and hippogriffs were interesting. However the Blast-Ended Skrewts were too much to handle.
"Kindly keep your voices down, girls!" ordered Professor Grubbly-Plank sharply, scattering a handful of brown rice among the stick-creatures, who fell upon the food. "So—anyone know the names of these creatures?" She looked around at the Ravenclaws, Gryffindors, and Hufflepuffs. "Mr Finch-Fletchley?"
"They're Bowtruckles," stated Justin Finch-Fletchley. "They live in wand-trees and are tree-guardians."
"Five points for Hufflepuff," said Professor Grubbly-Plank. Hailey lowered her hand. "Yes, these are Bowtruckles and as Mr Finch-Fletchley rightly says, they generally live in trees whose wood is of wand quality. Anybody know what they eat?"
Mandy threw her hand in the air and Professor Grubbly-Plank called on her. "Woodlice, but they also eat fairy eggs, if they can get them."
"Five points for Ravenclaw," Professor Grubbly-Plank said. "So, whenever you need leaves or wood from a tree in which a Bowtruckle lodges, it is wise to have a gift of woodlice ready to distract or placate it. They may not look dangerous, but if angered they will try to gouge at human eyes with their fingers, which, as you can see, are very sharp and not at all desirable near the eyeballs. So, if you'd like to gather closer, take a few woodlice and a Bowtruckle—I have enough here for one between three—you can study them more closely. I want a sketch from each of you with all body-parts labeled by the end of the lesson."
They surged forward around the trestle table. Hailey maneuvered around the back so that she was next to Professor Grubbly-Plank. Hailey watched everyone chose Bowtruckles, and she asked, "Do you know where Hagrid's at?"
"Never you mind," replied the professor curtly.
Malfoy obviously heard because he was smirking, and in an undertone, loud enough for Hailey to hear, said, "Maybe the stupid great oaf's got himself badly injured."
"Maybe you'll get badly injured if you don't shut the hell up," replied Hailey quietly as she walked by him.
"Maybe he's been messing with stuff that too big for him, if you get my drift," Malfoy replied walking away, smirking at Hailey again.
Hailey suddenly felt sick. What did Malfoy know? Since Lucius Malfoy was a Death Malfoy, did he know something about Hagrid that the Order of the Phoenix hasn't? She hurried to where her friends were. They were trying to get a Bowtruckle to remain still long enough so they can be able to draw it.
Hailey pulled out some parchment and a quill. She crouched down at their little group and whispered to them what Malfoy said.
"Dumbledore would know if anything bad happened to Hagrid," Mandy said speaking over Hermione.
"It's just playing into Malfoy's hands to look worried," Hermione said, after glaring at Mandy for interrupting her. "It tells him we don't know exactly what's going on. We've got to ignore him, Hailey." She grabbed the Bowtruckle and handed it to Hailey, "Here, hold the Bowtruckle for a moment, just so I can draw its face…"
Hailey took the creature.
"Besides, isn't Hagrid on some top secret mission that Dumbledore put him on?" Michael asked. "I thought it was a top secret mission."
"Yes, Father was talking to the Minister just a couple of days ago, you know, and it sounds as though the Ministry's really determined to crack down on sub-standard teaching in this place. So even if that overgrown moron does show up again, he'll probably be sent packing straightaway," Malfoy said.
"You're going to hurt it," Michael said, prying Hailey's fingers so she can release the Bowtruckle before it hurt her.
Crabbe and Goyle were laughing at Malfoy said.
"Do they really find him funny or does Malfoy's dad pay them to laugh at Malfoy's 'jokes?'" Mandy asked.
"Or are they really that stupid?" asked Ron.
The bell echoed distantly over the grounds and the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors made their way to Herbology.
Hailey was seething, "If he called Hagrid a moron one more time, I'm going to punch him in the eyes."
"Hailey, don't go picking a row with Malfoy," Hermione started. "Don't forget, he's a prefect now, he can make life difficult for you…"
"Gee, I wonder what it'd be like to have a difficult life," said Hailey sarcastically. Ron and Mandy laughed at that
"I just wish Hagrid would hurry up and get back, that's all," started Hailey in a low voice as they reached the greenhouses. "And don't say that Grubbly-Plank woman's a better teacher!"
"I wasn't going to," Hermione said in a calm tone.
"Because she'll never be as good as Hagrid," stated Hailey firmly, but she was fully aware that she had a good Care of Magical Creatures lesson.
The door of the nearest greenhouse opened and some fourth-years spilled out, including Ginny.
"Hi," greeted Ginny as she walked by. A few seconds later, Luna and Colton emerged trailing behind the rest of the class. There was a smudge of earth on her nose and her hair was tied in a knot on the top of head. Colton had dirt on his chin and kilt.
They smiled at her and waved, or at least Hailey thought that Colton waved at her, he could've waved at Stephan, since she was sure that those two were dating.
"I forgot to tell you, I believe He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back and I believe you fought him and escaped from him," Luna said to Hailey. "Colton believes you, too."
"Er—right," Hailey said feeling awkward. She noticed that Luna was wearing what looked to be a pair of orange radishes for earrings. Parvati and Lavender were pointing at Luna's earlobes and giggling.
"You can laugh, but people used to believe there were no such things as the Blibbering Humdinger or the Crumple-Horned Snorkack!"
"Well, they were right, weren't they?" asked Hermione impatiently. "There weren't any such things as the Blibbering Humdinger or the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."
Luna gave Hermione a withering look, "Come on, Colton." She grabbed Colton's arm and dragged him away.
Parvati and Lavender, among a few other Gryffindors were laughing now.
Hailey looked at Hermione, "D'you mind not offending the only people who believe me?" They made their way into class.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Hailey. You can do better than Luna," said Hermione. "Ginny's told me all about her. Apparently she'll believe in things as long as there's no proof at all. Well, I wouldn't expect anything else from someone whose father runs The Quibbler."
"She's not that bad," Mandy said.
When they got at their spots for the lesson, Professor Sprout started it by lecturing them about the importance of OWLs. Hailey was beginning to get anxious every time she remembered her large amount of homework that she still had to do. At the end of class, Professor Sprout gave them an essay for homework. Tired and smelling like dragon dung, they trooped back up to the castle an hour and a half later.
"This is going to be one of those long days," Mandy said and groaned.
Since Hailey had her first detention with Umbridge starting at five, she headed to dinner, without even bothering dropping her bag off. She had barely reached the entrance of the Great Hall, when Roger Davies, the captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team stopped her. Mandy, Michael, Hermione, and Ron were there with her.
"Hey, Quidditch practice is tomorrow at six," Roger said.
"I have detention tomorrow at five," Hailey responded.
"Maybe you can see if you get Umbridge to change that," Roger responded.
"There's Cho," Hailey pointed out.
"Yeah, but I don't think she's in the right mindset of practicing, considering…" Roger had trailed off.
Hailey nodded, "Yeah." She had seen Cho around with Marietta Edgecomb. There were times that Cho looked fine but there were times when it seemed like Cho was going to start crying.
"All right, try to talk to Umbridge about moving your detention to a different timeslot," Roger said and went inside the Great Hall.
"I don't think Umbridge is going to reschedule detention to accommodate Quidditch practice." Mandy said sounding skeptical as they sat down.
"She might," Michael said. "You never know."
"The odds are less than zero," Hailey said, tipping lamb chops on to her plate and started to eat. "Better try, though. I hope she doesn't keep me too long. We need to write three essays, practice Vanishing Spells for McGonagall, work out a counter-charm for Flitwick, finish the Bowtruckle drawing, and start that dream diary for Trelawney."
Mandy looked at up at the ceiling, "And to top it all off, it might rain."
Hailey frowned, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing," responded Mandy. "Just thought you should know."
When it was five to five, Hailey told Mandy goodbye and kissed Michael goodbye, and set off for Umbridge's office on the third floor.
When she knocked on the door, Hailey heard Umbrige's sugary voice call, "Come in."
Hailey entered cautiously and noticed how the surfaces were all draped in lacy covers and cloths. There were several vases full of dried flowers, each one residing on a doily. On the walls was a collection of ornamental plates, each with a large kitten on it.
Have I died and entered hell? Hailey thought.
"Good evening, Miss Potter," Umbridge greeted.
Hailey looked around and finally spotted Umbridge sitting behind a lurid set of robes that had flowers patterns on it, which blended in way to well with the tablecloth on the desk that was behind Umbridge.
"Evening, Professor Umbridge," replied Hailey in a stiff tone.
"Well, sit down," stated Umbridge, pointing at a small table that was draped in lace beside a straight-backed chair. There was a blank piece of parchment on the table, waiting for Hailey.
Hailey told herself that it won't hurt to try. "Er, Professor Umbridge…er—before we start, I-I wanted to ask you a…a favour." She nearly winced at how she stuttered that out.
Umbridge's eyes narrowed at that. "Oh, yes?"
"Well, I'm…I'm in the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. And I was supposed to be practicing tomorrow, at six, and I was—was wondering if I could skip detention that night and do it—do it another night, instead…" She already knew that the answer was going to be a big, fat resounding no.
"Oh, no," said Umbridge, smiling so widely. "Oh, no, no, no. This is your punishment for spreading evil, nasty, attention-seeking stories, Miss Potter."
Oh, so the truth is considered evil and nasty? And I'm an attention-seeker? Hailey thought. It reminded her of Privet Drive, where she got in trouble regardless if she was lying or telling the truth.
Umbridge continued, "And punishments certainly cannot be adjusted to suit the guilty one's convenience. No, you will come here at five o'clock tomorrow, and the next day, and on Friday too, and you will do your detentions as planned. I think it rather a good thing that you are missing something you really want to do. It ought to reinforce the lesson I am trying to teach you." She had her head tilted slightly and was smiling widely.
Hailey felt that Umbridge knew what she was thinking or Umbridge was waiting for Hailey to start yelling. With effort, she looked away and dropped down in the chair, and set her schoolbag beside it.
"There," said Umbridge, "We're getting better at controlling our temper already, aren't we?"
Who is this 'we' business? thought Hailey annoyed.
"No, you are going to be doing some lines for me, Miss Potter," Umbridge said. Hailey reached down to grab her bag. "No, not with your quill. You're going to be using a rather special one of mine." She opened her desk and then closed it. "Here you are." She handed Hailey a quill.
Hailey looked at it to see that it was a long, thin black quill with an unusually sharp point. She wondered what type of quill it was.
"I want you to write, 'I must not tell lies,'" Umbridge said.
"How many times?" asked Hailey with a tone that was easily thought of as polite.
"Oh, as long as it takes for the message to sink in," responded Umbridge. She went to her desk and sat down. She leaned over a stack of parchment that was probably essays.
Hailey looked down at her blank parchment and looked at Umbridge. "You didn't give me any ink."
"Oh, you won't need ink," said Umbridge, sounding like she had a hint of a laugh in her voice.
Hailey looked back and wrote: I must not tell lies.
The words appeared on the parchment in what looked to be shining red ink. At the same time, the words appeared on the back of her hand, cut into her skin, which stung. Hailey stared at the words, even though the skin was healing over, though it was redder than usual. She turned to look at Umbridge, who was watching her.
Umbridge was smiling and she asked, "Yes?"
"Nothing," replied Hailey quietly and she turned back to the parchment. She wrote: I must not tell lies, and felt the searing pain on the back of her hand again. The words had been cut into her skin and then healed over once again.
She looked at the ink on the parchment and at her hand.
You're one sick person, Hailey thought, realizing that she was writing in her own blood. She continued writing, the cut on the back of her hand healing and reappearing. She didn't ask when she would be allowed to stop, and didn't even bother checking her watch. She knew that Umbridge was watching her for signs of weakness, and Hailey wasn't going to show any. It was like a battle of wills and Hailey was to going to win the battle, even if she had to sit there all night.
"Come here," Umbridge said after what was probably hours.
Hailey stood up, her hand stinging painfully. She looked down to see the damage, but it was red raw.
"Hand," Umbridge said and Hailey held it out. Umbridge took it and Hailey repressed a shudder at the touch. Umbridge tutted, "I don't seem to have made much of an impression yet," she was smiling. "Well, we'll just have to try again tomorrow evening, won't we? You may go."
Hailey left her office. The school was deserted, she was sure it was past midnight. She walked up the corridor and turned the corner. Once she was sure Umbridge wouldn't hear her, she ran.
She hadn't even got cracking down on her homework, so during the next morning, she skipped breakfast so she can write down made up dreams for Divination, which was their first lesson. She was surprised to see Mandy and Michael both looking disheveled. She was confused at them. Michael started in on some Ancient Runes homework and Mandy started in on the dream diary. "So, you both couldn't sleep or something?"
"Something like that," Mandy muttered as she wrote.
Hailey looked at Michael, who spoke, "It was Ron. He needed me to help him with something."
"There, that will do." Mandy said slamming the diary shut, before Hailey can ask what Ron needed help with. "I said that I was being chased by a book. What is the worst that she'll say about that?"
"That you probably have some book-phobia or something," Michael said.
With that, they hurried off to their classes.
"How did your detention go with Umbridge?" Mandy asked. "What did she make you do?"
Hailey wasn't sure why she didn't tell the truth, "Lines."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Mandy said.
Hailey shrugged.
"Did she let you off today so you can go to Quidditch practice?" Mandy asked.
"No," responded Hailey. They ran into Ron, who was looking equally disheveled. "Couldn't sleep?"
Ron muttered something and they continued on to Divination.
Hailey did poorly in Transfiguration, she had to give up the lunch hour to complete the picture of the Bowtruckle, although Michael had snagged some bread rolls for her for their next class. Professors McGonagall, Grubbly-Plank, and Sinistra had given them more homework, which Hailey knew she wouldn't complete because of the second detention with Umbridge.
At least Roger Davies understood but planned on having practice the next week.
"But at least she's making you do lines," Mandy said. "It's not that horrible."
Hailey wasn't sure why she wasn't telling the truth. Maybe she didn't want to see them look horrified, or maybe it was because she didn't want Umbridge to know that Hailey had complained about it, even though she was getting her hand sliced into by a quill.
The second detention was just as horrible as the previous one. The skin on the back of Hailey's hand got irritated quickly and was soon red and inflamed. Hailey thought that it was unlikely that it was going to keep healing. She was sure that the cut would be etched on her hand and hoped the Umbridge would be satisfied. She didn't want to gasp and let Umbridge know that the professor was getting to her.
Her homework situation was terrible. When she returned to the common room, she had opened her books and tried to finish Snape's moonstone essay, which she finished at half past two. She knew that she did a terrible job, but at least she wouldn't get detention. She had dashed off answers to the questions Professor McGonagall had given them, and slapped together something about proper Bowtruckle care for Grubbly-Plank. After that, she shuffled up to bed and threw herself down on her bed, falling asleep.
Thursday passed in a haze of tiredness. Ron, Mandy, and Michael seemed sleepy too. Maybe they stayed up late, attempting to do the homework load.
The third detention passed in the same way as the previous two, except 'I must not tell lies' didn't fade away, but remained scratched there, dripping droplets of blood. When the quill paused, Professor Umbridge looked up.
"Ah," said the professor moving over to examine Hailey's hand. "Good, that ought to serve as a reminder to you, oughtn't it? You may leave for tonight."
Hailey didn't bother asking if she had to show up tomorrow. She was sure that she still had too, anyway. She walked away, heading to the Ravenclaw Tower, she debated who she hated more, Snape or Umbridge.
Snape had the reason of hating her dad because he save Snape's life. Umbridge had no reason to act like this than out of pure—
"Ron?" exclaimed Hailey, as she spotted Ron lurking behind a statue of Lachlan the Lanky. Ron was clutching his broomstick. He jumped up, startled, and attempted to hide the Cleansweep Eleven behind his back.
"What are you doing?" asked Hailey confused.
"Er—nothing," Ron said. "What are you doing?"
"Getting back from detention," responded Hailey. "So, why are you hiding behind a statue?"
"I'm—I'm hiding from Fred and George, if you must know," replied Ron. "They just went past with a bunch of first-years, I bet they're testing stuff on them again. I mean, they can't do it in the common room, now, not with Hermione there." He spoke in a fast way.
Hailey blinked and looked at the broom, "So, you've been flying or something?"
"I—well—well, okay, I'll tell you, but don't laugh or get mad, all right?" said Ron in a defensive tone.
"I won't laugh," said Hailey. "And I won't get mad."
"All right," Ron said, taking a deep breath. "I—I thought I'd try out for Gryffindor Keeper now I've got a decent broom." He looked at Hailey, "There. Go on. Laugh or get mad."
"I'm not laughing," responded Hailey. She added, "Or getting mad. I think it's brilliant!" She was being honest. "It'd be really cool if you got on the team! I've never see you play Keeper, are you good?"
"I'm not bad," said Ron looking relieved. "Charlie, Fred, and George always made me keep for them when they were training during the holidays."
"So, you've been out practicing?" asked Hailey.
"Every evening since Tuesday…Mandy and Michael were helping me. Michael bewitched Quaffles to fly at me, and Mandy sometimes threw the Quaffles at me from all angles, to help," Ron responded, as they started walking to their common rooms.
"That's nice of them to help," Hailey said.
"Fred and George are going to laugh themselves stupid when I turn up for the tryouts. They haven't stopped taking the mickey out of me since I got made a prefect."
Hailey felt a little bitter that she wasn't allowed to watch the tryouts because she'll be stuck in detention with Umbridge. "I wish I can be there." She pushed her hair out of her face.
"Yeah, so do—what is the on the back of your hand?" Ron started.
Hailey pulled her hand away, "Nothing."
Ron grabbed Hailey's forearm and pulled her hand eye-level. Ron looked sick. "I thought you said she just giving you lines?"
Hailey wasn't sure why she hesitated, but she did. Since Ron was honest with her, she wanted to be honest with him, so she told him about the hours she spent in Umbridge's office.
"That old hag!" Ron whispered, sounding revolted, when they came to a stop in front of the Fat Lady. "She's sick! Go to McGonagall or Flitwick, say something!"
"No," replied Hailey. "I'm not letting her be satisfied knowing that she's got to me."
"'Got to you?'" Ron repeated, sounding incredulous. "You can't let her get away with this!"
"I don't know how much power McGonagall's got over her," responded Hailey, "And I don't know about Flitwick either."
"Dumbledore, then," responded Ron. "Tell Dumbledore!"
"No," replied Hailey.
"Why not?" asked Ron.
"He's got enough on his mind," started Hailey. She didn't want to go to Dumbledore for help, especially not when he hadn't spoken to her since June.
Ron started, "Well, I reckon you should—"
"Are you going to give me the password or will I have to stay awake all night waiting for you to finish your conversation?" interrupted the Fat Lady.
Hailey said bye to Ron and hurried down the corridor to get to the Ravenclaw common room.
Friday was the same as the rest of the week. At least it was almost the weekend, so she can catch up on the pile of homework and it was the final detention with Umbridge. At least the window offered a distant view of the Quidditch pitch, and she might be able to see a bit of Ron's tryout.
At five in the evening, she knocked on Professor Umbridge's office and was told to enter. She walked in and went to the table. She picked up the quill and looked out the window. She had to shift the chair a little, looking like she pulled closer to the table, and looked out at the Quidditch pitch. She watched the Gryffindor Quidditch team fly up and down the pitch, while half a dozen people stood at the foot of the goalposts. She couldn't tell which one was Ron.
I must not tell lies, Hailey wrote. The cut in the back of her hand opened and began to bleed.
As she wrote, the cut dug deeper, stinging and hurting, blood trickling down her wrist.
She took a look out of the window to see that whoever was defending the goalposts was doing really terrible job, because someone scored twice in a row. Hailey hoped that it wasn't Ron who was being the Keeper. She looked back to her parchment, which was shining with blood. She continued writing.
She looked up whenever she thought that she could risk it, when she heard Umbridge's quill or the opening of a desk drawer. The third person to try out was pretty good, the fourth was terrible, and the fifth dodged a Bludger exceptionally well, but fumbled an easy save. The sky was darkening and Hailey was sure that she wouldn't spot the sixth and seventh people.
She continued writing and noticed the parchment was dotted with drops of blood, from her hand, which was searing with pain. The next time she looked up, night had fallen and the Quidditch pitch wasn't visible.
Half an hour later, Umbridge said, "Let's see if you've got the message yet, shall we?" She moved towards Hailey, stretching out her hand for Hailey's arm. When Umbridge took hold of Hailey's hand, pain seared across the scar on Hailey's forehead. Hailey had a strange sensation somewhere around her midriff.
Hailey pulled her hand away and jumped to her feet. She looked at Umbridge, who smiled back at her. "Yes, it hurts, doesn't it?"
Hailey couldn't answer, because she wasn't sure if Umbridge was talking about her hand or the scar on her forehead.
"Well, I think I've made my point, Miss Potter," continued Umbridge. "You may go."
Hailey took her schoolbag and left the room as quickly as she could. She told herself to stay calm as she sprinted up the stairs.