Chapter 13

Educational Are-You-Kidding-Me #24

The next Monday morning arrived as unwelcome as ever, but this time it brought with it a bit of a shock. Lian had barely set foot in the common room, her mouth open in a large yawn when someone grabbed her sleeve and tugged her towards the bulletin board. Anticipating Theodore, she was surprised to see that it was Warrington. Her was tapping a large parchment that had not been there last night.

BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR

All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded.

An Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.

Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).

No Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.

Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with

Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four

Signed:

Dolores Jane Umbridge

High Inquisitor

Warrington gripped her shoulder tightly, until it started to hurt and she whacked him away. "You realize she means Quidditch teams?"

Along with a few other things I'm assuming, Lian thought grimly. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Theodore frowning at the sign. His blue eyes swept over her before he turned his back and left the common room. But in that moment, she could have sworn he'd sent her one thought: I kept my word. I swear it.

"C'mon, I bet if we get to Umbridge now," Lian snapped out of her thoughts and looked around at Warrington, who was talking to Malfoy. "She'll probably re-form the Quidditch team right away."

"You're probably right; between my father and yours, we've got a certain pull with Ministry officials." said Malfoy, nodding eagerly. "Come on, then."

Not entirely sure how she was important to this adventure, Lian found herself being pulled along by her teammates. She attempted to protest, convince the pair of them that breakfast was more important to her than Quidditch at the moment, but they refused to let her go. Even Malfoy. Quicker than she'd expected, the three of them were standing outside Umbridge's office. "Seriously guys, she's probably in the Great Hall, eating porridge or children."

"Quiet you," sneered Malfoy, knocking on the door.

There was a long pause, and just when Lian was ready to march away, they heard a soft, "Come in," from inside. Dammit.

Wearing a winning smile that made Lian want to vomit, Malfoy opened the door. "Good morning, Professor Umbridge," he said in a new, charming voice. Lian would've been distracted by it except she was busy being blinded by the High Inquisitor's office. The walls were pink, the furnishings were pink, the china plates were pink, the fluffy kittens adorning the china plates were thankfully not pink, but the carpet was unfortunately pink and Lian was pretty sure that the desk was made from a rose wood.

"Good morning indeed, Mr. Malfoy," replied Professor Umbridge, who was reviewing a piece of parchment on her desk. "I was just about to make my way to breakfast; what urgent matter brings you all to my office?" Her voice was so high pitched, and almost simpering as she addressed Malfoy. Lian definitely felt some bile creeping up her throat. Maybe breakfast wasn't such a good idea.

"We noticed the new Educational Degree, Professor," said Malfoy, continuing to speak in a charming way. "The three of us are on the Slytherin Quidditch team and we were hoping you might approve its re-formation."

Umbridge's eyes scanned over Malfoy, then Warrington, who was a few steps behind him, and then Lian who had remained just inside the threshold. "All three of you are on the team?" she repeated slowly. Judging by her emphasis, Lian sensed that this question was aimed at her. Before Malfoy could schmooze any more charm onto his voice, she answered.

"Yes. Malfoy's our star player; and his father just loves coming to the games." Malfoy's head whipped back to look at her so quickly Lian was surprised he didn't snap his own neck. Umbridge emitted what was supposed to be a girlish giggle, but actually sounded like a high-pitched squawk. "Warrington and I are just the white-noise Chasers. But we'd love it ever so much if we could play for the glory of Slytherin." Inwardly cursing herself, she added, "You were in Slytherin, weren't you, Professor?"

Umbridge appeared to preen at that, while Warrington gave Lian a confused look and Malfoy looked upset that he'd once again lost control of a conversation to Lian. It's called Legilimency boys. Learn it. ...Actually, no, please don't. Lian forced her expression into a mild one rather than the unpleasant gag that was wrestling its way up her throat. Umbridge was speaking again. "Well, as you are all so responsible to come to speak to me about it, I don't quite see how I can refuse!" She pulled out a new sheet of parchment and began scribbling across it vigorously. "Please deliver this to your captain, Mr. Malfoy. I'm happy to grant you playing privileges for the Slytherin Quidditch team." she handed Malfoy the note, he gave her his best grin, and headed out of the office at once. He spared a funny look for Lian before leaving, one that she would find the reason for later, even if she already knew why she'd received it.

"Thanks," she said curtly, trying to follow Warrington out of the room.

"Ms. Kowalski, a word, if you please." Lian stiffened, her hand on the door knob. No! I do not please! Just walk out! Just go! Shoo!

Turning back into the office, Lian tried to smile but failed miserably. It felt like her lips were melting off her face. "Yes, Professor?"

"Close the door," Umbridge said, nodding at the only chance of escape. Unless you counted the window, and one should always count the window. In any case, at least you know you can take her. Once the door was closed, Umbridge cleared her throat. "Hem, hem. Right then. I'm sorry to detain you from breakfast, but I have a few questions for you."

"About Quidditch?" supplied Lian. Please let it be that easy.

"No, I think we've settled that matter." said Umbridge smoothly. "Rather, I would like to inquire how you are finding Hogwarts in comparison to your other school?" She gestured to the chair opposite her desk. It was wooden and high-backed and looked to be about the least comfortable place in the entire office, other than in the limelight of Umbridge's attention. "Please sit."

Hesitantly, Lian sat in it, all her observations made correct, and she looked towards Umbridge. "You want me to compare the two schools?"

"Quite. I believe that Ilvermorny is quite a prestigious school with many graduated witches and wizards who have gone on to successful careers in the wizarding world; one just wonders how Hogwarts measures up?" she threaded her stubby fingers together as she leered at Lian.

"Well, while what you say is true, there are many things offered at Hogwarts that they do not offer at Ilvermorny." Lian focused on the black bow on Umbridge's head. It was the only thing that wasn't pink in the office and she could barely stand being trapped for another minute.

"Such as?"

Lian sniffed, gaining some of her spunk. It had fled in the other direction once it had spotted the interior of the office. "I do not think it much if any of your business to know what Ilvermorny does and doesn't have. You have never stepped foot in its halls, and you never will; so why don't you ask me what you really want to know instead of trying to gain my trust?" she bit her tongue, afraid she'd gone too far.

"You're quite perceptive," said Umbridge after a terrible pause. "Fitting characteristic for your House."

"My perception has nothing to do with my house; I had it before I boarded the Hogwarts Express." Lian interrupted.

Her smile seemed less girlish and more stiff now. Lian had entered onto thin ice as far as the High Inquisitor's patience went. "Ms. Kowalski, I wonder whether there is anything you feel you need say to me. Anything that perhaps...I ought to know?"

Lian bit her tongue again. Oh the things I could tell you that would also get me expelled or worse… "No, Professor. I don't believe I know anything more than yourself."

Umbridge peered at her, trying to stare into her soul, as though she fancied herself a Legilimens. Tsk. "Yes...I believe you're right." She took a deep, steadying breath, before returning to her breathy, girlish ways. "My apologies for detaining you. You may go."

Lian couldn't have left that office faster if she was astride her broomstick. She did not bother trying to make breakfast, her appetite had been effectively destroyed. Instead she made it to Charms just five minutes before the bell rang. She entered the classroom, chose a seat at random and flung her book bag under the desk as she ran her hands through her hair. Head bent over the desk, she didn't notice the persons standing over her until it was too late.

A pale hand with long fingers placed itself on the desk in her vision. "So. I'm the star player, am I?" Lian released her hair, which fell around her face unevenly, and looked up into the smug face of one Draco Malfoy.

"You know as well as I do that I only said that to get her to approve the team. If she wasn't so enamoured with whatever 'work' your father does at the Ministry, and if I hadn't reminded her of her previous loyalties, we wouldn't have a team." she huffed, dropping her arms and smacking his hand off the desk. Behind him stood Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson, who looked at her with loathing and pride, respectively. "What's this, the B team?"

"Speaking of Umbridge's previous loyalties," said Malfoy, ignoring her question. "How did you know she'd been in Slytherin?"

Before Lian could say something clever, several things took place. Theodore took the seat beside her and gave the B team a cool gaze, the bell rang and Flitwick called the class to order. Obviously disgruntled, Malfoy and Zabini found seats at the back of the class, while Pansy grinned at Lian and took the seat in front of her.

Theodore leaned over to whisper to Lian, under the pretense of pouring over their Charms book. "Does Umbridge know about the Hogs Head?"

Lian tilted her head as though deeply intrigued about creating legs on teacups. Under her breath she replied, "Maybe."

"So that's it then?" he muttered, sounding almost hopeful. "No more fuss over that group?"

Turning to face him, she blinked once, allowing a genuine grin to cross her face for the first time that morning. "What do you think?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You're the seer, you tell me."

Frowning good-naturedly, Lian turned back to the book. I'm not a seer. Not that it matters.

Malfoy at least waited until they were queued outside the Potions classroom to reveal the piece of parchment that Umbridge had given him that morning. The Gryffindors were just joining them as he was getting to the 'good' part.

"Yeah, Umbridge gave the Slytherin Quidditch team permission to continue playing straightaway, I went to ask her first thing this morning. Well, it was pretty much automatic, I mean, she knows my father really well, he's always popping in and out of the Ministry… It'll be interesting to see whether Gryffindor are allowed to keep playing, won't it?"

Lian watched Hermione whisper to Harry and Ron, who were watching Malfoy brag (and lie) all over the dungeons.

"I mean," said Malfoy, raising his voice a little more, his gray eyes glittering malevolently in Harry and Ron's direction, "if it's a question of influence with the Ministry, I don't think they've got much chance. From what my father says, they've been looking for an excuse to sack Arthur Weasely for years…" Lian shoved past Crabbe, who had previously been in her way. She grabbed Malfoy by the front of his robes and yanked him forward to give her access to hiss in his ear.

"Friendly reminder about what I said about taking cheap shots." she growled, not caring what the others thought, (and their minds were loud. Pansy in particular was begging her not to damage Malfoy's 'perfect face'). "Now put that permission slip away before I burn it."

"I could just get another, after all I am the st-kk!" he was cut off abruptly by his tie shrinking a few inches around his neck as Lian tugged on it. His gray eyes widened as he met her steely gaze.

The dungeon door opened, Snape appeared there. His black eyes swept up the line to where Malfoy was resisting Lian's grip. "What is this?"

Lian readjusted Malfoy's tie, stepping away from him with her hands up. "I was just fixing Draco's tie, that's all." she said innocently. Malfoy was still struggling to speak so Snape let them enter the dungeon without another word.

Pansy marched up and dragged Lian to a desk, sitting her down and slamming her bag down. "What is your problem with Draco? Do you even know the Weasleys? I don't care what you do half the time but that was over the line!"

Lian cleared her throat and nodded to Snapes desk. He was under inspection by the High Inquisitor today. Pansy waved a hand impatiently and lowered her voice. "Tell me what just happened and why."

"We've got to start brewing a Strengthening Solution," Lian began to reach into her bag for her potions book. "I'm not getting a detention because you need answers."

"Just tell me why you care so much about the Weasleys!" she whispered stubbornly.

"I don't!" Lian snapped. "I care that people stop dragging Slytherin House through the mud, its occupants included!"

"What are you talking about?" asked Daphne, who was sitting behind them with Theodore.

Turning back to her cauldron, Lian began adding the ingredients, speaking quietly. "I have wanted to come to Hogwarts since I was a little girl. Now I'm finally here and am chosen by a house that's ambitious, and sly and famous for its powerful members like the great Merlin himself and yet, everywhere I turn everyone's calling it the evil house, or the house of dark magic, or something to that effect. I refuse to be a representative of a house that just bowed down and obeyed the rumors and lies that everyone spread about it. If I am to continue my education here, as I hope I can, I'm not going to let anyone, even Slytherin students, believe that because you're a Slytherin, you're automatically evil. That you're not meant for anything other than cheap hits, dark magic and general misdeeds. Slytherin is a House of pride, so why does everyone in it continue to drag it down? Everyone in it is so much better than they let themselves believe, including you three. Including Malfoy and his grunts. Even Zabini."

Adding the correct amount of Salamander's blood, which turned her potion the exact shade of orange the potion called for, Lian lapsed into silence, letting her words sink in.

In front of her, Zabini spoke. "Quella passione. Hai più dentro un dito che tutta la casa." That passion. You've got more in one finger than the entire House.

"What'd he say?" asked Daphne from behind.

"Tempo per cambiarlo. Non sei d'accordo?" Time to change that. Don't you agree? Lian replied softly.

In the back of the classroom, they could all hear Umbridge quizzing Snape. "But you were unsuccessful?"

Followed by Snape's drawl, "Obviously."

Author's Note: Please review! I get better through your questions, objections, and just forethought's so fire away!