I had to give Hermione credit for getting us out of there, and saving me from being at the receiving end of the Cruciatus curse. That was about as unpleasant an experience as anyone could have, painful to the extreme. And she had also bought everyone else a little more time, before they would have to suffer as well.

Yes, Hermione had saved the day, as usual.

The only question was . . . what in the bloody hell was she doing?

"How much further?" Umbridge demanded from her position behind us, as we weaved our way through trees and hills.

"Not far," Hermione replied, her voice shaky, but confident at the same time. "It had to be somewhere students wouldn't find it accidentally."

Umbridge didn't have a response to that, for she was suddenly attacked by some sort of insect. The manner in which she attempted to swat the thing away clearly demonstrated to me that she had a strong dislike for nature. I couldn't bring myself to feel the least bit sympathetic for the old hag. She was a nasty, cold-hearted bitch, and she deserved whatever unpleasantness she got here.

My curiosity couldn't be suppressed any longer. While Umbridge swatted and swerved, I moved closer to Hermione. "What are you doing?"

"Improvising," she whispered back.

That was when we reached the clearing where Grawp should be. The only problem was, he wasn't there. The rope which usually tied him down was broken and frayed, and there was no sight of the giant anywhere. How on earth could that be? He was a giant! Shouldn't he be incredibly easy to find? So where was he?

"Well?" Umbridge asked impatiently. "Where is this weapon?"

And suddenly, it was clear; Hermione had intended to use Grawp as the "secret weapon." A very effective strategy, except for the fact that he wasn't here. And now we were doomed. Hermione's embarrassment and fear was etched clearly across her face. I wanted to reach out and comfort her, but I knew there wasn't time. The foul beast of a woman standing before us might strike at any moment.

A sort of realization dawned on her face. "There isn't one, is there?" she asked. "You were trying to trick me?"

The sad part was, she was absolutely right. We had no weapon. Not even a fake one.

"You know," she whispered, "I really hate children!"

Gee, I never would have guessed.

A twig snapping in the distance caught her attention, and she whirled around. A herd of centaurs appeared through the trees, looking absolutely irate. Umbridge backed up slowly, moving between Hermione and me, until she was behind us. Cowardly bitch. You're the Ministry official! Get out there and face what you've caused!

"You have no business here, centaur!" she called out, obviously afraid, but refusing to back down. "This is a Ministry matter!"

Obviously, the centaurs didn't give a damn. They stepped forward, two of them pulling arrows out of the quivers on their backs, and taking aim. She continued talking to them, but they still didn't listen. Two arrows came zipping toward us with incredible speed. I ducked, but it proved unnecessary, as Umbridge cast a shield charm to block the arrows.

"How dare you!" she shrieked. "Filthy half-breed! Incarcerous!"

As she spoke, a rope shot out of the end of her wand, wrapping around the neck of the centaur in front. He let out a sort of whinnying noise, and collapsed to the ground, unable to breathe. The rope expanded, tying down his front legs. Hermione raced forward to help him, but to no avail.

"Please!" she cried. "Please stop it! Please!" I inched forward, wanting to help, but I didn't really see how either of us could. And Umbridge was watching with some kind of morbid satisfaction—no, more like sadistic pleasure—and she refused.

"No, enough! I will have order!"

And just like that, she was hoisted off the ground by Grawp, who had suddenly reappeared, just in the nick of time. As she struggled in his grasp, the centaur on the ground was able to free himself, and the others began to charge. I couldn't really tell if they were going after Umbridge or Grawp at this point, but either way, I didn't particularly want to be caught in the middle of this. I grabbed Hermione's hand and tried to make a break for it, but Hermione desperately attempted to stop them.

"Leave him alone!" she cried. "It's not his fault! He doesn't understand!"

Really, Hermione? I understand you have a soft spot for Grawp now, but I think he can take care of himself!

From the midst of the centaurs, a single arrow was shot, and it hit Grawp in the arm. I hated the look on Grawp's face, which reminded me of a small child who had just been mercilessly teased by some bully. Glancing once at the squirming woman in his hand, he loosened his fingers, and she fell directly into the circle of centaurs.

"Potter, do something!" she demanded, eyes wide with fear as they heaved her off the ground. "Tell them I mean no harm!"

She's kidding, right?

I gave her my best glare, and shook my head. "I'm sorry, Professor," I ground out, relishing this moment. "But I must not tell lies."

And the centaurs whisked her away.

That had to be one of the best moments of my entire life.

A/N: Again, not exactly Harmony-based, but a fantastic scene that had to be put in! :D Please review!