Chapter 37:
Emily rushed out the front door of the castle to the large crowd outside. Professor Trelawney was getting sacked. She followed numerous students through the courtyard and fell in front of the twins. She watched as Umbridge came casually strolling through the front entrance. The very sight of that woman made her skin crawl, it was because of her Emily never liked the colour pink. She walked up to the sobbing professor with large bug eye glasses that made her eyes look enormous.
"sixteen years I've been here, Hogwarts is my home! You can't do this." She cried, begging the high inquisitor not to let her go. It wasn't any secret that Trelawney was a fraud, but nonetheless, people enjoyed her teaching methods, including Emily.
"Actually, I can." Umbridge smiled, holding up the small piece of paper that explained that she indeed could.
"That woman is rotten." Fred whispered to Emily, she leaned over.
"'m glad it doesn't end well for her." Emily whispered back, "She gets dragged off by centaurs, thanks to our brilliant Harry." Fred chuckled a bit. McGonagall rushed out to comfort Trelawney.
"Something you'd like to say dear?" Umbridge asked.
"Oh there are several things I would like to say." McGonagall spoke. Just then, the entrance doors flew open once more to reveal Albus Dumbledore. He kept storming out.
"Professor McGonagall would you please escort Trelawney back inside." He said. Trelawney thanks the headmaster and McGonagall walked her in.
"Dumbledore may I remind you that under the terms of educational decree number twenty-three as proclaimed by the minister-" Umbridge began.
"You have the right to fire my teachers, but you do not however have the power to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the headmaster." He said sternly.
"For now." She smiled wickedly. Dumbledore looked around the courtyard, his eyes landing on Emily's.
"Don't you all have studying to do?" He shouted, and left to go back into the castle.
The rest of that day was rather quiet. Emily had no class last block because there was no one to fill in for Trelawney. She sat on the couch in the common room and began to look through her potions book once more. She just didn't understand why the potion hadn't worked. It frustrated her to no end. She lost track of time in her book, and was startled to feel two arms wrap around her from behind. She jumped up off of the couch and looked at the person they belonged to.
"Fred, you almost scared me to death." She laughed, he joined in as well. He jumped over the back of the couch and plopped down onto it. She sat down next to him. "Why aren't you in class?" She asked.
"Because it was the last class of the week and the only thing I could think about was you." He said as he pulled her closer, he gave her a short kiss on the mouth, then broke off, and kissed down her neck. Emily dropped her book and wound her fingers into his bright red locks as his face was in the crook of her neck.
"Fred, what if someone comes in?" She asked.
"No one will come in." He assured her, pushing her down and laid on top of her. He switched sides emitting a small laugh from Emily.
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"Because class is still going on." He murmured. "Plus we haven't really had time together in god knows how long."He said coming back up. Emily pulled him in and kissed him again. She felt Fred's hands move from her neck, down to the hem of her shirt where he slipped one hand underneath, and trailed his way up to her breast. Emily's breathing was becoming hitched. He was absolutely right, it has been way too long since they've done anything like this. Before anything could go any further, they broke apart after hearing the portrait hole opening. Emily quickly picked up her book off of the floor and sat on the opposite side of the couch. They pretended nothing happened.
In came Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were talking amongst themselves about something as they came and sat down on the couch.
"What are you two doing in here?" Ron asked, looking between them.
"No class." Fred spoke, then cleared his throat.
"Trelawney wasn't there." Emily said. Emily didn't miss the smirk that Hermione has on her face when she looked between Fred the two on the couch. "So what's wrong?" She asked, trying to change the subject.
"We were talking about that wretched evil old gargoyle." Hermione said in a frustrated tone. "We're not learning how to defend ourselves, we're not learning how to pass our OWL's, she's taking over the entire school!" She exclaimed.
"I'm sure this will all blow over soon, we just need to give it some time." Ron said.
"No, 'Mione's right. She's going to end up taking over this blasted school if someone doesn't do something, and fast." She said looking over at Harry. "Things are getting dangerous, and not just out there, but here at the school as well. To me, this just feels like the calm before the storm."
"He really is out there isn't he?" Hermione asked, looking out the window at the dark, rainy sky. "We've got to be able to defend ourselves. And if Umbridge refuses to teach us we need someone who will." She turned to Harry.
"This is mad! Who would want to be taught by me? I'm a nutter remember?" Harry asked. Emily, Harry, Ron and Hermione were travelling down to Hogsmeade to have the first meeting of Dumbledore's Army. She was extremely excited, this was going to be an amazing experience! Everyone was going to sign up, though she already officially put her name on the list, wanting to be the first person. Just to say that she was the first. They walk towards Hogshead.
"Look on the bright side, you can't be any worse than old toad face." Ron assured him.
"Thanks Ron."Harry said.
"I'm here for you mate." Ron said, clearly not catching Harry's sarcasm.
"Who's supposed to be meeting us then?" Harry asked.
"Just a couple of people." Hermione answered. Emily opened the door to the Hogshead, it was smaller than she remembered.
"Lovely spot." Ron said.
"It smells like Troll to me." Emily said.
"I thought it would be safer somewhere off the beaten track." Hermione explained.
It wasn't long until people began to arrive and got the meeting started. Everyone was seated, and Hermione rose to speak first.
"Um, hi. So, you all know why we're here. We need a teacher- A proper teacher. One who's had real experience defending themselves against the dark arts." She explained.
"Why?" Zachariah Smith asked.
"Because 'you-know-who's' back you toss pot!" Ron sneered.
"So he says" Zachariah asked referring to Harry.
"So Dumbledore says." Hermione corrected.
"So Dumbledore says because he says?" Zach asked again.
"Shut up Zach." Emily rolled her eyes.
"The point is, where's the proof?" Zach shrugged. "If Potter could tell us more about how Diggory died..."
"Look I'm not going to talk about Cedric so if that's why you're here you might as well clear out now." Harry said, standing up. "Come on, they're just here because they think I'm some kind of freak." Harry whispered to his friends.
"Harry wait-" Emily began.
"Is it true you can produce the patronus charm?" Luna asked. Emily turned to the blonde haired girl and mentally thanked her.
"Yes; I've seen it." Hermione spoke up.
"Blimey, I didn't know you could do that." Dean stated.
"And he killed a basilisk, with the sword in Dumbledore's office." Neville spoke up.
"It's true!" Ginny said.
"And in third year he fought off about a hundred Dementors at once." Ron added.
"And last year he really did fight off 'You-know-who' in the flesh." Hermione spoke.
"Wait, it all sounds great if you say it like that... but most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time and I nearly always had help." Harry said.
"He's just being modest." Hermione chuckled.
"No Hermione, I'm not." He assured everyone. "Facing this stuff in real life, is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake you can just try again tomorrow. But out there when you're a second away from being murdered or watching a friend die right before your eyes... you-" Emily looked over at Fred, trying not to picture his horrifying death. "You don't know what that's like." He said. The room fell silent.
"You're right Harry, we don't. That's why we need your help if we're going to stand a chance against Voldemort." Hermione said.
The meeting had ended, and all the students got in line to sign up for Harry's class. It was no surprise to her, but to the rest of them, it was a miracle. They left Hogshead and Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Emily, Fred and George walked up to the castle together.
"Alright, first we need to find a place to practice that Umbridge won't find out." Harry said as they all began to cross the covered bridge.
"The shrieking shack?" Ginny suggested.
"No, that's too small." Harry replied
"The forbidden forest?" Hermione asked.
"No bloody chance!" Ron said quickly, thinking back to his fear of spiders
"Aw, what's wrong Ron, still afraid of spiders?" Emily taunted him. He scowled in her direction.
"Harry, what happens if Umbridge does find out?" Ginny asked.
"Who cares!" Hermione exclaimed. "I mean, it's sort of exciting isn't it? Breaking the rules."
"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" Ron said and they all laughed.
"Anyway, at least we know one positive thing that came from today." Hermione smiled.
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"Cho couldn't take her eyes off of you could she?" Hermione smirked. Ginny's smiled fell and they all continued on.
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