Danny came to the conclusion that he'd skip Divination from now on. Instead he floated through the castle switching between visibility and invisibility, allowing some students, but not many, to see him. He wanted to introduce himself carefully and gradually. Once Divination was over, Danny went to Umbridge's lesson as Dumbledore requested. He floated invisibly above the class as the students filed in. Danny watched as the class carefully obeyed the witch and sympathised when they were told to put away their wands and take out their books. Even though he'd only seen snippets of two lessons, magic seemed to be taught using highly interactive methods, which meant that a lesson without wands was rare and guaranteed to be boring.
Danny frowned as Umbridge assigned reading to the class and noticed Hermione put her hand up. Danny likened Hermione to Jazz, and he knew his sister wouldn't ignore an order such as Umbridge's without an important reason. Umbridge ignored her for several minutes, only feigning to notice her when the majority of the class were watching Hermione rather than reading.
"Did you have a question about the chapter dear?" Umbridge asked.
"Not about the chapter, no," Hermione replied.
"Well, we're reading just now. If you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of the class," Umbridge concluded, with an almost sinister grin.
"I've got a query about your course aims," Hermione interjected before the teacher could return to ignoring her. Hermione then pointed out there was nothing about using spells. Danny read the board, not having bothered before. She was right.
Ron then spoke up as Umbridge tried to reason that the students didn't need to use spells to learn them. Hermione began to debate with the teacher and unfortunately was cut off by the teacher making a point that Hermione wasn't in a position to make a judgement on how lessons should be taught. Harry joined the argument and Danny instantly saw the danger. Umbridge was from the Ministry and Harry was one of their main targets. Defying Umbridge gave Cornelius Fudge an opening. Umbridge however reprimanded the teen for not raising his hand and then ignored him.
However it was Umbridge's spiteful comment about half-breeds aimed at Lupin that had Danny restraining himself from firing a ghost ray at the witch. As a halfa, he fell into that category and Lupin was a friend. His first in the wizarding world despite their uncertain start. Gradually the class fell into disarray until Harry had enough of being ignored and loudly stated his point that theory wasn't enough for the real world, his fist firmly in the air.
The room fell silent once Harry mentioned Voldemort. Danny spotted the triumph on Umbridge's face. Harry had given her exactly what she wanted. Danny gulped as he realised the teacher had trapped Harry into getting detention as Harry argued his point across. Minutes later, Harry stood up. Danny once again had to restrain himself. Harry was giving the Ministry woman what she wanted, didn't he see that?!
"So, according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?" Harry asked, his voice shaking with rage and emotion. Danny instantly felt the room tense as this subject was broached.
"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident," Umbridge coldly answered.
"It was murder! Voldemort killed him and you know it," Harry exclaimed infuriated.
"Come here, Mr Potter, dear," Umbridge ordered in a sickly sweet, girlish voice that didn't match her toad-like appearance. Harry complied furiously. Danny watched from above, equally furious at what he had just watched. If Dumbledore hadn't ordered him to not get involved and stay away from Umbridge, the witch would have learnt already what a vengeful spirit could really do. Umbridge wrote a note and told Harry to take it to McGonagall. Danny debated what to do. Watch Harry, or watch Umbridge's lesson. Both were his orders. Danny sighed softly. He wanted to follow both so he'd use a trick he'd hoped to keep to himself. He duplicated.
The duplicate stayed in the classroom which resumed reading for the rest of the lesson. Danny flew after Harry. Harry marched angrily down the hall and had the misfortune to bump into Peeves. Danny would have intervened but he didn't want to have explain why Phantom was following Harry. So once again, Danny watched as Harry's limits were pushed but this time by a mischievous poltergeist who didn't understand that sometimes he really shouldn't get involved. Driven too far by Peeves taunting his mental health, Harry shouted at the poltergeist bringing attention to himself. McGonagall stormed out of her office and scolded him while Peeves flew off. Danny watched the poltergeist disappear around a corner resolving to try and help by occupying the ghost himself.
McGonagall brought Harry into her office and explained that he had detention all week and that he needed to be more careful. Harry was then excused. Danny sighed and made himself visible as the door shut, startling McGonagall.
"He was pushed Minerva. I was watching. That woman angered Harry beyond reason and he's been in a bad mood all day," Danny informed the witch, floating in a cross-legged position.
"That is no excuse!" McGonagall began. Danny put up a hand.
"I know it isn't. But honestly Minerva. I was close to doing something myself. She's good at getting under your skin. She pushed her entire class to near chaos to provoke and trap Harry. It wasn't entirely his fault," Danny interjected. McGonagall sighed loudly, slumping back in her chair.
"I understand Phantom. But if he's not careful," she trailed off, shaking her head helplessly. Danny nodded in understanding.
Danny left McGonagall's office and recalled his duplicate. He decided to get dinner and then report his findings to Dumbledore. He knocked on Dumbledore's door.
"Come in," Dumbledore called. Danny phased into the office.
"Evening Professor," Danny greeted with a smile. Dumbledore smiled at the halfa.
"Danny, I admit, I didn't expect a report so quickly," Dumbledore chuckled. Danny smirked.
"Yeah, well I wanted to tell you how Umbridge's lesson went," Danny admitted, noticing that Dumbledore didn't reprimand the halfa for his disrespect towards the Ministry woman.
"Harry has detention every night this week. I don't know if Minerva told you. But I was watching and I'd call it provocation. At first Umbridge told them the aims and then told them to read a chapter in their books. Hermione put up her hand and pointed out that there was nothing about using spells. A debate started between the students and Umbridge and Harry got angry and the debate turned into more of an argument. Harry challenged Umbridge about Cedric and she gave him detentions. After he left, the class read quietly until the end," Danny recalled. Dumbledore frowned.
"Hmm, you deem it provocation?" Dumbledore remarked softly.
"Hey, if he hadn't shouted at Umbridge and you hadn't ordered me not to, I would have gotten involved. She knows how to manipulate people. I know what I saw. Umbridge tricked Harry into a trap where she could give him detention. Harry's been having a bad day, and her tactics worked better than she expected, as he made a scene and mentioned Cedric," Danny confirmed. Dumbledore sighed softly.
"I understand Danny, but I need to wait until another source comes forward. You can't explain why you saw what you did," Dumbledore informed the halfa. Danny deflated as he realised Dumbledore was right. He couldn't give evidence without lying.
Danny woke up the next morning and got dressed in his Hufflepuff uniform with a slight scowl. Vlad's pet name echoing in his mind. He changed to his ghost half, having used a small bathroom magically installed in his room, and flew invisibly to the kitchens for breakfast. He pulled out the timetable and flew off to Harry's first lesson, charms. Danny watched each lesson for a few minutes to see how they worked and how Harry was faring before floating through the castle, revealing himself to small groups, never talking. Harry and Ron spent lunch in the library, clearly panicking over homework.
Danny zipped to the kitchens for lunch before following them to Care of Magical Creatures. Apparently that was Hagrid's class, but the teacher was MIA from talking to the giants. The order had no idea where the man had gone. Madame Maxime had already returned home weeks ago. But Danny actually found this lesson mildly interesting as it wasn't as magically based. However he didn't appreciate one blonde boy's imitation of Hermione. And Danny's growing dislike for the boy didn't stop there. The blonde teen seemed to know something about Hagrid's disappearance which Danny realised, after hearing the name Malfoy, was probably true. Lucius Malfoy was a known Death Eater. Danny frowned as he noticed that Harry, once again, had a very short fuse.
The class ended and the trio walked up to the castle for Herbology. Danny listened as a handful of students assured Harry that they believed him, even if one seemed a little nuts. Danny left the lesson early for dinner as he wanted to watch Harry during his detention and maybe interfere carefully to help out if possible. It would be going against Dumbledore but Danny didn't really care. He arrived at the office before Harry and watched Umbridge set up a table for Harry in the overwhelmingly pink room, humming pleasantly to herself. Danny glared at her while invisible.
Harry arrived minutes later. It started out well, Harry was polite, even if the words were clearly hard to say, he was doing well. Right up until the point he asked for a favour. Danny had to stop himself shouting out. Umbridge was the enemy. Never ask your enemy for anything unless you're desperate and even then, make it casual. Asking for a favour gave the enemy all the power. If they said no, it just made them happier while causing trouble. And if she said yes, Harry would owe her. Umbridge happily denied Harry's request using words designed to enrage him. Danny blinked in shock. Umbridge was acting like… like Vlad! Thankfully Harry didn't rise to the nudge.
Harry started his punishment of writing lines of "I must not tell lies" with a special quill. Danny scowled angrily as he realised what the quill did. It cut Harry and used his blood instead of ink! Danny gritted his teeth and restrained himself. If he did anything, either he'd get caught and have a lot of explaining to do for everyone, or he'd just get Harry into even more trouble. Both situations weren't favourable. Hours later, Umbridge dismissed Harry. Danny, enraged, reported to Dumbledore not caring about waking the wizard, but without Harry or someone on his behalf complaining, they couldn't act.
Yeah, unfortunately due to the circumstances Danny can't help Harry with his detentions.
Let me know what you think.
Until the next chapter.