Disclaimer: Nope, just checked, still not mine.

AN: Thanks again to those who reviewed, it means a lot! Since this story is AU there will but some changes, but the main things that happen in the books will remain the same. Hope you enjoy!

Hogwarts-Gryffindor Common Room-September 3-12:30am

Bloody hell. That's all I have to say about today. Remember what I said about that Umbridge woman? About how she looked like an octopus? Well, I realize now that I may have been a bit too kind. Honestly that...that...bitc-! No. I won't say it. No one can get me mad enough to use that word. But, seriously Darcy, she is unbelievable. We had our first Defence class this afternoon and I for one feel that it was one too many.

It started off all right. Only because the old hag was late, so we didn't even see her for the first ten minutes of class. So, the nutcase walks through the door LATE and says;

"Oh, I am ever so sorry, dears. I was just talking to the Minister of Magic and Cornelius so loves to go on about things. But, I don't suppose any of you can relate so we'll leave it at that shall we?"

She said all this in a sweet, sugary, little girl voice that made me want to cause her physical injury, but I somehow restrained myself.

Naturally we just all looked at her as if she were barking at us instead of speaking.

"Right then," She simpered. "Let's move on to our fascinating lesson. "If you'll all open your books to page four and read the first chapter. There will be no need for talking."

With a heavy sigh the class collectively opened their books and began to read.

Now as you know, Don (urg, too much like Ron) I love books of every kind. I have yet to pick up a book- Divination related books notwithstanding- and not enjoy it. But this book was a snore fest as my little cousin would say. It droned on and on about the theory of Defence but said nothing about actually USING magic.

Being a fast reader I finished before everyone else and decided to say something about this small fact. At first I put my hand in the air, like any good student would, but the cow refused to acknowledge me. My hand was in the air for a good ten minutes before I got fed up.

"Excuse me Professor, but my arm is getting tired. May I ask you something please?"

She looked up, pretending to be surprised. "Oh of course dear. I didn't even see you there. What is it you want to know?"

"Why aren't we learning any magic? All our book goes on about is the theory. Aren't we going to practice with actual defensive spells?"

"Why in the world would you need to learn defensive spells in a classroom?"

I opened my mouth to speak but found that I was at a loss for words at her ridiculous question.

The rest of the class took over the argument after that. They were all appalled that we wouldn't be using any magic and worried about the practical part of our OWLS.

Then Harry brought up that fact that we won't be prepared for what's waiting for us in the real world and Flabby Face asked who would want to attack school children. I knew exactly what Harry was going to say and wanted to stop him. But I was too late and he said, very sarcastically might I add, that Lord Voldemort would.

The whole class erupted into small cries of shock at the name, but I just sighed, fearing what was coming next.

Umbridge said it was a lie and Harry argued quite forcibly with her until she gave him detention. She then claimed to be our 'friend' and told us to come to her if someone started talking about Voldemort's return and told us to open our books again.

Then Harry stood up. Again, I tried to stop him, but the words that came out of his mouth shocked me into silence.

"So, according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?"

The whole class gasped. Then that FOUL woman had the gall to say that Cedric's death was an accident! They argued again, until Squidward sent him to see Professor McGonagall.

After Harry had left, the class immediately began to talk about what we had just witnessed.



"That is enough!" Umbridge shouted. "If I hear one peep about what happened here, you will join Mr. Potter in detention!" She took a deep shuttering breath and I swear the flab on her neck rippled like she had gills. "I will say this one last time. The Dark Lord has NOT returned. This is all a lie to stir up trouble. Mr. Diggory's death was not a murder. It was a terrible accident that could have been prevented had caution been used."

I couldn't stop myself and I burst out. "I beg your pardon?" I hissed.

"Miss. Granger. You WILL put your hand up in my class-"

"Did you just insinuate that Cedric's death was his own fault?" I interrupted.

"Well, my dear, perhaps had he been more prepared for the task he would still be with us."

My jaw dropped and tears jumped to my eyes. "How dare you! Cedric was more than prepared for the tasks. He was in first place! He could have won if he hadn't been murdered by-"

"Hermione!" Ron hissed. "Stop!"

I was breathing deeply at this point, desperately trying to stop the angry tears from escaping.

"I think it would be best if you left, my dear. Go cool off before you say something you'll regret." Toad Face said in a cold voice.

So, I angrily gathered my things, stomped to the door and slammed it as loud as I could on my way out.

Ooh, I was so MAD. I was practically seething as I stormed down the corridor, wiping away my tears. I was so out of focus that I ran head on into someone and was knocked to the floor.

"Bloody hell." Said a wonderfully familiar male voice. "What are you-" Fred stopped as he recognized that it was me. "Hermione?" He said helping me to my feet. "What are you doing out of class?" Then he saw my tears as I hastily tried to hide them. "What's wrong?" He asked concerned.

"It's that...that SODDING TOAD!" "I yelled, more anger tears running down my cheeks.



He raised his eyebrows, surprised at my screaming. "Come on." He said, taking my books from me. "Let's get you calmed down."

Checking to make sure no one was around; he took my hand and led me up a couple floors and down many unused corridors until we stopped in front of a tapestry. Muttering a password, the fabric moved aside to reveal a small and blissfully abandoned room.

He pulled me inside and for a moment I forgot my anger. "What is this place?"

"Just a little something Forge and I put together. No one knows about it. It's not even on the Map. So, we won't be bothered." We sat down on the red couch that was tucked into a corner. "Now, tell me. What's got you so upset?"

"It was that foul, loathsome, evil, manipulative, egotistical, arrogant-"

"Wow, okay. Enough adjectives, love. Who are so eloquently describing?"

"Umbridge." I seethed. "Harry got into this huge argument with her over Voldemort and Cedric. She said that Voldemort was not back and that Cedric's death was an accident and could have been prevented! She basically said that it was C-cedric's fault that he got k-killed. Th-that he should have been more prepared." I sniffed and angrily brushed the few tears that forced their way out.

Fred put his arms around me and held me tight as I tried to calm myself down. "Don't listen to anything that toad says Hermione. She's only trying to get you mad to she can get you in trouble."

I sighed as I began to relax into his embrace. "I know. But she just...Merlin, I don't think I was ever so mad in my life. That's why I started to argue with her. In the end she kicked me out of class."

Fred couldn't help but laugh. "You got kicked out of class?" He asked, clearly amused. "Looks like the old pranksters rubbing off on you."

"Merlin forbid." I giggled as I snuggled closer to him. "Thanks Fred. I don't know what I'd do without you."



"That's what I'm here for, love."

I sighed. "Now, I'm worried though. Because everyone is going to hear about Harry's argument. It'll spread through the school like wildfire."

"Oh I think there is something much bigger that everyone will be talking about." Fred stated.

I pulled away slightly to look at his grinning face. "And just what might that be, dare I ask?"

"The newly appointed Prefect Hermione Granger getting kicked out of class for telling off a teacher. That's even bigger news than You-Know-Who returning."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You are impossible." I told him fondly.

"Yeah, but you still love me." He said with a smile.

I snorted. "You're pretty sure of yourself there, Mr. Weasley."

"Why, yes. Yes I am. And do you want to know why I am so sure?"

"Enlighten me, please." I said in a dry voice.

"Cause I love you too."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, though I did it with a smile. "You're such a romantic sap. I never would have pegged you for it."

"Yeah, well, just don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold."

I laughed. "Your secret is safe with me."

All too soon we had to part to go to dinner and I didn't get a chance to be with him for the rest of the day.

Maybe...maybe it's time we tell people. What do you think, David?...You know, I'd really appreciate any kind of feedback from you someday.

Anyway, it's time for bed. Hopefully things will look brighter in the morning.

Good night and sweet dreams!