Chapter Twenty: A Light In Disguise
Ms Smiles apologises most profusely for not being able to produce an episode quickly, for she has been suffering from a bout of writer's block. Despite this, she has not abandoned this story. Please understand that she has been very busy lately, but will try her best to produce more episodes quickly.
I have a message from Ms Smiles that the last part of our favourite Hogwarts students' fourth year has been moved to the previous episode, titled 'Heartbroken'. To those who have already watched the 19th episode and wish to know what happened to the Tournament's champions, go back to the previous episode and scroll to my usual signing off in bold. Underneath, is the last part to Hermione Granger's fourth year.
And once more without further ado, I present the beginning of a new school year at Hogwarts.
"And may I introduce to you all, our new Defence against the Dark Arts professor. Everyone, may I present to you, Professor Umbridge."
There were immediate whispers of anxiety, notably at the Ravenclaw table, where most of the intellects sat and discussed new theories and problems regarding the issues in the wizarding world.
"The Ministry is spying on us!" Eva whispered in an indignant huff.
"They're going to try take control of Hogwarts!" Padma hissed angrily. "Fudge is so insecure! He's insane!"
All chatter ceased when the feast began.
Many people blinked, several times, as if they were frogs. It didn't seem as though anyone understood what the new professor was babbling on about.
"Miss Granger. Could you explain this concept to the rest of your… counterparts?" The short woman sighed with exasperation tinged in her chubby cheeks. It seemed as though Professor Umbridge was having a hard time in concealing her displeasure in having to teach some of the students in the class she was currently and 'supposedly' teaching.
This year, the Ravenclaws were with the Hufflepuffs for DADA. The new professor had taken a liking to Hermione, and did not mask her clear dislike for all the other students in the class for she thought they were all extremely dim. Now, this class was different. Instead of doing the practical side of DADA class, which entailed getting up and physically doing spells, Professor Umbridge insisted on following the new Ministry protocol, which involved sitting at a desk and reciting from the new Ministry textbook.
No practical work seemed to be required at all.
Hermione reluctantly spoke, her mind whirring about all the extra work that the class would have to do to pass their DADA OWLs.
"Now, if you would turn to page 8…"
Frustrated by everything, Ravenclaw Josh Knightley stood up and voiced his opinion… much to the displeasure of the professor.
"Detention straight after dinner, Mr. Knightley." Professor Umbridge said quietly, smiling with an eerie gleam in her eyes.
Eyes narrowing, Josh sat down in a slight huff, masking most of his emotions, though he was clearly irritated by the new DADA professor. Many others flinched, but were in agreement with the Ravenclaw, and were simply too afraid to say anything.
It was a repeat of the Harry Potter incident earlier that morning.
"As I was saying, you have been wrongly informed that a certain Dark wizard is at large again. It is a lie."
"It is NOT a lie!" Harry snapped, though he didn't notice. "I saw him, and I fought him! Why is it so hard for you to believe that Voldemort is BACK?"
"Detention, Mr. Potter!" Professor Umbridge said in a simpering voice, almost triumphantly.
Silence reverberated through the room, echoing.
"So according to what you've just said… Cedric Diggory just… dropped dead at will?" Harry asked coldly, his voice shaking.
A collective gasp travelled through the room. Professor Umbridge was staring at Harry with immense dislike, and her ears seemed to be turning a darker shade of pink. Despite this, if one looked closely, her nose was twitching slightly, as if she was about to laugh.
A strange phenomenon, isn't it not?
Composing herself, Professor Umbridge said coldly. "Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident. Accidents happen during the Triwizard Tournament."
"It was murder." Harry could barely speak at all. "Voldemort killed him and you know it."
"Detention at 8:00 tonight, Mr. Potter."
It was a few days later before anything interesting happened. Hermione simply happened to have a bit of spare time, and so she lay in her bed, relaxing, contemplating over everything that had happened.
It was after dinner, when it was still light, Harry, Hermione and Neville were walking along the path of the Lake that Hermione suggested her idea.
"You know, I was thinking today… with Umbridge and everything…" Hermione trailed off, not knowing how to begin.
"Don't remind me of that vile woman." Harry muttered darkly, obviously irritated by the Ministry and their new spy currently at Hogwarts.
Neville glanced at Hermione with knowing eyes, Hermione having told him of her idea a mere few hours ago. Nodding to each other, Hermione took charge of the conversation.
"We need a proper teacher to show us how to use spells, and tell us how to improve." Hermione said forcefully.
Harry frowned at her. "Lupin…?"
"No. He's too busy with the Order." When she saw that Harry still had a distinct frown on his face, she sighed deeply. "I'm talking about you, Harry."
Harry didn't seem to react to her suggestion at all and instead, he was just staring at her blankly.
Neville waved a hand in front of Harry's eyes, but Hermione continued. "You're the best in the year at the subject, Harry."
Harry's eyebrows had risen and hidden under his unruly mop of hair. He clearly didn't believe them.
At least he hadn't shouted at them.
Yet.
Ever since the end of fourth year, with the Last Task of the Triwizard Tournament, Harry had been profoundly affected by the events and was prone to shout at them, even at the tiniest of comments.
Deciding that the Ravenclaw was hopeless at persuading the green-eyed teenager, Neville took the matter into his own hands. "We need somebody… we need to know what it's really like… facing… V-V-Voldemort."
"Do think about it Harry, won't you?" Hermione said in a quiet tone, almost pleadingly.
They had arrived in front of the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. "Well, I'm off to bed now."
And a small click of the brass door indicated that Hermione had left them standing outside, leaving them to their own thoughts.
A few days later…
"All in favour of Dumbledore's Army then?" Hermione called loudly, her authoritative voice having taken over her normal calm and collected demeanour.
The majority seated in the room nodded enthusiastically.
"Wonderful." Hermione muttered, conjuring a piece of parchment and quill, indicating to everybody to sign on it.
"That's what the Ministry's most afraid of. Fudge especially." Eva said, smiling. "Oh, this is so rebellious!"
"And so unlike you," Susa smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes.
This was necessary… for the future.
Hermione gasped.
Umbridge is truly a vile witch.
This was after the first meeting for their defence lessons with Harry. It had been a success so far, though many still doubted Harry's credibility, with what had happened the year before.
BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS
All student organisations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.
An organisation, 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.
No student organisation, 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 organisation, 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 by Dolores Jane Umbridge, the High Inquisitor
A long and slender hand reached to untie the strings around the brown owl's leg, and brought the crisp, white parchment up to read.
ATTN: Miss Hermione Granger, Ravenclaw Tower.
Dear Miss Granger,
I have the pleasure of informing you that you have been selected to be the Deputy Head Student, as part of the new Inquisitorial Squad in Hogwarts.
There will be a meeting on Tuesday to collect badges, discuss expectations and responsibilities for this academic year.
Sincerely,
Dolores Jane Umbridge
The High Inquisitor
Only one thought immediately came to mind: Umbridge seems to really like pink.
Tuesday soon arrived.
Eight students were seated at the front desks. The room was segregated into two sections, one side accommodating Adrian Pucey, Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy and Theo Nott. On the other side sat Daphne Greengrass, Hermione Granger, Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson. The group was a rather intelligent bunch, though both sides were not particularly fond of each other, despite the majority of them being in the same house.
Take Daphne and Adrian for example. She was known as the Ice Queen at Hogwarts (many were eerily reminded of Narcissa Black, now Malfoy). And he was a notorious playboy. Wizard. Or whatever you want to call him. Despite being a playboy, he was constantly attempting (and failing, badly) to woo and win over the Slytherin Ice Queen.
It was always amusing to watch.
"Students. You have been given a big responsibility, where you must act accordingly. Hogwarts students have been led astray by the events of last year. The purpose of this squad will be to restore Hogwarts to its full prestige once more, to make Hogwarts the best wizarding school in the world again." The High Inquisitor began in a clear voice.
Hermione inwardly rolled her eyes. She despised the woman who was a 'spy' for the Ministry.
"Now, the Head students of the Inquisitorial Squad are Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson." Professor Umbridge indicated to the two students on either side of the room. A small but polite applause ensued.
"Deputy Head Students – Blaise Zabini and Hermione Granger."
Hermione pursed her lips together, nodding curtly at everyone in the room who clapped politely.
It wasn't long until Hermione began to tune off the babbling woman, who evidently thought herself to be a large authority figure at Hogwarts, when she wasn't.
Obviously. Nobody took her seriously.
Adrian Pucey noisily stood up, with a squeaking chair and all, much to the annoyance of the woman from the Ministry, who blinked when she noticed everybody standing up.
It was the next day when the two head students of the Inquisitorial Squad called a meeting.
Grudgingly, Hermione parted from her friends, who were not pleased by the fact that Hermione was to be surrounded by a complete Slytherin group. However, it was only a slight relief to them, that the Slytherins were not particularly nasty to the Ravenclaws, instead to the Gryffindors, for they were a neutral house in the Hogwarts' system.
Seated in one of the older Charms classrooms, Hermione sighed inwardly, wondering what she had gotten herself into.
"Guys, we are here today, to discuss tactics and strategies as to how to catch people. Any suggestions?" Pansy Parkinson started, straight and to the point.
Draco Malfoy was casually lounging on one of the sofas in the corner as if he was an emperor, superior to everybody else, much to the girls' dismay. However, they ignored him, and proceeded on with the meeting as if nothing was happening.
"Patrol rotations, perhaps?" Hermione suggested. Pansy nodded in agreement.
"Any nights in particular that anyone can't make it to?" Pansy asked, having already taken a refillable quill and parchment out to scribble notes on.
When nobody replied, Pansy took matters into her own hands, and said that she would choose the rotations at random. When Draco began to protest, for he knew that Pansy would 'randomly' choose according to what would be of advantage to her more. Pansy rolled her eyes in exasperation, sarcastically asking him what he would suggest they did.
What he replied with, was not what the girls expected.
"We could draw names out of a hat."
"You're joking! That is such a first year method!" Adrian Pucey pursed his lips in disapproval.
Hermione hadn't said anything for she had been staring into space for quite a while since the beginning, and soon all the Slytherins were glancing at her.
"What?" She asked, eyes narrowing, as though she knew what had been happening.
"What do you think of the method?"
She sighed, taking all the point of views into account. "It is quite a fair way…" With this statement, Draco glanced triumphantly to everybody else, who groaned.
"But whoever casts the spell must be impartial." With that, Draco's face fell, much to everybody else's amusement. "There are a variety of other methods that could be used, however."
Knowing they all had to be honest, they all gestured towards Hermione to cast the impartial spell.
And so they did.
There were two sets of pairs, for after they had picked the first pair, Draco had protested (again), and so began the second drawing of names. Pansy agreed, for she had insisted that they had different partners, so as to put different people together, and build up good teamwork. Hermione noticed Adrian roll his eyes, evidently in disbelief at what he called Pansy's nonsense.
Hermione smirked inwardly. Who knew that the Slytherins could be this opinionated, and so democratic? Hermione remembered many events from the past few years at Hogwarts. The Slytherins mainly kept up their rivalries with the Gryffindors, and kept to themselves, constructing a mental barrier to protect themselves from anything bad happening, which could potentially lead to the damage of reputation. Image seemed to be everything in the Slytherin house. There also seemed to be a dictator-type 'leadership' in Slytherin, with Draco Malfoy being at the top of the hierarchy.
It was true.
Eventually, when everyone was content with the arrangements, Hermione had been paired up with Blaise and Pansy and was quite relieved. The drawing of names could have been worse, after all.
It had been a long time since Hermione and her friends were able to just sit and chat. Homework, DA and Squad meetings took up the majority of her time, leaving not much left for socialising and fun.
Today, Eva was at the Ravenclaw Quidditch practice (against Slytherins on Saturday), Susa was with her girly friends, and Padma was obviously somewhere (either with Parvati and Lavender or the Hufflepuff girls) gossiping away about what they had each picked up from the scandalous grapevine that was Hogwarts.
Hermione was spending some friend-time with Ginny that day, and the girls were walking across the meadows that surrounded the Great Lake.
Laughing and chattering like she had never before, Hermione felt relaxed, and wished that they did not have a war looming across the horizon, waiting to strike at them, when they were unaware.
A week later, Dumbledore's Army had officially started, for they were up and casting spells.
"Er, so today, I was thinking that we should do Expelliarmus, you know, the Disarming Charm-" He was cut off by Zacharias Smith, evidently dismayed by Harry's suggestion.
"Expelliarmus? Fat chance it's going to help us against You-Know-Who, don't you think, Potter?"
Harry's eyes narrowed at him. Hermione squeezed his shoulder gently in comfort, and warning him not to say anything. Harry heaved a breath, and said in his most quiet voice, so that the whole room could hear – "I used it against him last year in the Last Task. It saved my life."
Zacharias Smith's eyes widened slightly, in disbelief that such a simplistic charm would work against a dark wizard like Lord Voldemort.
"Look, Smith. If you think that all of this is beneath you and your abilities, I suggest that you should leave. Immediately. Anybody else who also feels this way leaves immediately." Hermione broke in, her voice sounding extremely exasperated and irritated at the same time.
Eva smiled. It wasn't unlike Hermione not to be like this.
Harry instinctively felt better after Hermione's defensive retort against the mouthy Hufflepuff, who seemed to only want to see what the club was all about and listen to the Boy-who-Lived himself.
The Hufflepuff said nothing, and just sat there, slightly open-mouthed. An awkward silence swished across the room, and it seemed as though one could cut through it with a steak knife, as nobody knew what to say.
"Shall we begin then everyone?" Harry asked, in a slightly more jovial mood once more. "Pair up!"
Hermione threw her hands up in the air impatiently. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Eva seemed to materialise by her side. "What's wrong?"
"Look at this!" She said disgustedly. She could not understand why her school life was littered with everything to do with squad responsibilities.
ATTN: Miss Hermione Granger, Ravenclaw Tower.
Dear Miss Granger,
You will be excused from your morning classes tomorrow and on Friday in order to join me on my lesson inspections.
Please arrive promptly at my office straight after your breakfast.
Sincerely,
Dolores Jane Umbridge
The High Inquisitor
"What can I say, 'Ne?" Eva asked, stifling a giggle. "Professor Umbridge has clearly taken a liking to you."
Hermione could only roll her eyes. You don't say I haven't noticed.
Hermione sighed the next morning for the umpteenth time.
"Will you stop that sighing! If I were you, I'd be extremely happy at being able to miss classes!" Padma said in a resigned voice.
Eva was laughing. "Have fun."
Hermione rolled her eyes and went to the High Inquisitor's office after breakfast.
"Ah. Miss Granger! Do come in." Professor Umbridge smiled a genuine smile, not the usual leery ones she usually gave.
At Hermione's silence, the Professor glanced up, and motioned for the Ravenclaw to sit and to speak.
"I was wondering Professor… as to why you chose me to be a part of the Inquisitorial Squad. I mean, I'm not being disrespectful or anything – after all, it was your choice. I can't criticise that. But… forgive me, Professor, you chose a Ravenclaw, who cavorts around with Gryffindors, to be in that Squad of Slytherins. Muggleborn and Pureblood differences…?" Hermione trailed off, not knowing how to continue.
This question had been drilling a hole into her brain for weeks, and if this were literal, her brain would be singed, black like coal. Hermione was determined to know why and didn't mind facing punishment for her 'insolence', as Professor Snape would put it, in doubting the Professor's choice of Squad members.
Professor Umbridge raised one eyebrow and sighed. "The truth has to come out some time. First of all, I chose you to put points back into the house system, after the Slytherins deducted them. And I wasn't surprised that you would notice this so quickly. You aren't the most intelligent witch in your year for nothing, after all."
Hermione seemed to be confused. "Forgive my asking, Professor… but what truth?"
"Let's get to the point." The Professor cast a silencing spell around them, locked the door and continued her confession. "I spy in the Ministry… for the Order."
"For the Order?" Hermione asked in distinct disbelief. "But I've never seen you come to meetings!"
"Really, Miss Granger. Must you mistrust me so much?" Professor Umbridge asked, with clear amusement written all over her face. "I'm a Metamorphagus. I can change my appearance at will."
Hermione still had an expression of disbelief written all over her face.
No. It can't be.
She's at Grimmauld Place!
"With all due respect, Professor... the marks left behind on Harry's hand-"
Professor Umbridge dismissed this with the flick of her hand. "Oh, that. Just a simple charm to prove to the Minister that I've been supposedly giving the Harry Potter a hard time."
"The Minister requested for you to give Harry Potter a hard time?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"That, my dear, is a story for another time." Professor Umbridge sighed. "I suppose you'll want proof?"
Hermione nodded slowly, seemingly unsure of what to do.
Then, it was truly magic. The supposedly short and stout Professor Umbridge became taller, thinner and much younger.
Dark hazel eyes became a familiar deep sea blue; and the perfect brown coif became long, dark and feminine...
"Oh! You are a very good actress."
Umbridge laughed. "Now that the truth is out, we must get to work. First… it seems that the Minister wants me to torment… Trelawney."
"Hem-hem."
This was after Trelawney's lesson, where the Divination professor had stormed out of the classroom in a flood of tears. They had arrived at Hagrid's lesson later that morning, just one of the lessons that Hermione would be missing for the morning. Not that she minded, of course, for she was always concerned for her own safety during the Care of Magical Creatures class.
Hermione looked extremely haggled, with her hair all frizzy and haywire. With Professor Umbridge, however, there was not a hair out of place.
"Oh hello!" Hagrid said, smiling.
"You received the note I sent to your cabin this morning?" The Professor asked, in a loud, but slow voice, as though she was addressing someone foreign and slow. "Telling you that I would be inspecting your lesson?"
"Oh right!" Hagrid grinned brightly. "Glad you found the location of our lesson today. You see, we're doing Thestrals today-"
"I'm sorry? What did you say?" Professor Umbridge cupped a hand around her ear, frowning, as though she was talking to a young child who was a little dense.
"Thestrals!" Hagrid said loudly. "Big… winged… horses… you know?"
He flapped his overly large arms, attempting (and failing) to mime one.
Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows disapprovingly, as Eva, Susa and Padma glanced at Hermione, as though trying to tell her to stop Umbridge from doing anything. Draco Malfoy was grinning from ear-to-ear, as though Christmas had arrived early for him.
"Has… to… resort… to… crude… sign… language." She muttered, loud enough for the whole class to hear, as she scribbled away at the clipboard.
Hermione sighed. Just because the woman was part of the Order, she still had to act the part of a spy. She knew she had to think of something quickly.
"Well anyway, class. What was I saying again?" Hagrid asked, scratching his head and looking a little flustered.
"Appears… to… have… poor… short… term… memory…"
Draco Malfoy was barely stifling his chuckles as he stood next to Crabbe and Goyle, who were chortling like buffoons. Theo and Blaise stood behind them, with blank but neutral expressions on their faces.
"Oh, would you look at the time, Professor!" Hermione exclaimed with fake-surprise. "We're late!"
The audacity of it! The whole class turned to glance at the Deputy Head Student in surprise. Many had thought that Hermione was turning into a dark witch, through her association in the squad that was full of Slytherins and evil.
"We really must be going to the next class. What was it? Professor Flitwick? We must hurry to the Charms classroom!" She smiled, looking extremely harried as she attempted to usher the High Inquisitor towards the Hogwarts castle.
"Of course, Miss Granger." Professor Umbridge began to walk, and Hermione glanced behind, with the grateful faces of Hagrid, Harry, Neville and the rest of the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws smiling. As for the Slytherins, Hermione noticed Blaise and Theo nod in respect to her, Pansy grin at her for standing up for the half-giant and Draco Malfoy looking at her with something akin to respect, despite the scowl plastered all over his face.
A few days later…
A collective sigh rippled through the room like the Mexican wave. It was clearly obvious that Umbridge wanted the Head Students to lead the meeting, and it was evident that Draco was not going to do anything. This left Pansy to do all the work, and as unwilling as she was, her father told her to stay on Umbridge's good side, so as to be able to collect favours from her in the future.
"So how do you suggest going about catching people?" Pansy asked, obviously not keen to be present at the meeting at all.
Adrian was drooling on the ancient wooden table he was sitting at and Theo's eyes were drooping, only for some random sound to jolt him awake again.
"Why don't we just focus on Potter?" Draco piped up suddenly. "Isn't he supposed to be notorious for causing trouble anyway?"
"Excellent idea, Mr. Malfoy. 10 points to Slytherin. And Miss Granger? Would you stay after the meeting please?" Professor Umbridge asked sweetly, after an Inquisitorial Squad meeting.
Hermione sighed inwardly when she heard Blaise whisper in teasingly, "Ohh, someone's in trouble…"
She decided to ignore him, and slowly packed up her things when they were dismissed. Umbridge walked up to her slowly and solemnly, as if there was something wrong. Hermione glanced up, and blinked at the short and toad-like woman carefully. Despite the fact that the toad-like woman had revealed her true identity, Hermione knew that she should never cross her. Ever.
So she made the decision to just stay out of trouble. But her curious instincts prevented her from doing this, for she asked "Whatever is the matter, Professor?"
Professor Umbridge heaved a sigh.
"I know about the DA, Hermione. I'm not catching you yet. It's a matter of time until people (the Slytherins in particular) suspect that Harry Potter and co are up to something. Then they will insist on your group being caught and so this is about keeping up appearances, Hermione. We will have to stage something."
"And by the way, Hermione… do remember to return 100 points to Gryffindor, won't you? I do believe the Slytherins have been mercilessly deducting points all day long." Professor Umbridge winked at her.
Hermione smiled. "Of course. 100 points to Gryffindor."
Dun, dun, dun! Professor Umbridge is not as she seems. A very good actress, she is!
As always, we all want to know what YOU think! Share the love by writing a quick review!
Until next time.
Xoxo,
Gossip Girl
"I see that Carter, Lang and Patil were in the group too. Would I be correct to assume that… you are perhaps, a traitor to our squad?"
Could it be… her?
No. Her eyes darkened.
She's dead.
Who are they? Tune in to Wiz-V to find out, next time on Gossip Girl.