This will be a nice long chapter of the exam week and a few events during it. I don't really have a lot to say besides thank you for all the fantastic reviews and support I've been getting these past few weeks – I really appreciate it guys, thank you so much!

Enjoy!


Chapter 52 – OWL Droppings


"If I were to die tomorrow, do you think I'd be exempted from the OWLs?" I asked my brother when he met me at the broom cupboard in the dungeons. "Because it's a distinct possibility. I think that if my brain expands with any more information, it will explode. That's usually a cause of death, isn't it?"

"Usually," Harry nodded, sighing dismally. "To be honest I don't know if I want you to clear my mind...if you take out everything I've already learned, I'm going to fail tomorrow."

"Theoretically clearing your mind should help," I informed him with a frown. "But then again, we've never really been one to follow regular methods and predictions, have we?"

He grunted his approval, sitting down heavily onto the cool flagstone in front of me. I didn't ask permission and I didn't wait for him to prepare himself – this was such a ritual now that there was no need for such formalities. Still, no matter how well things had been going with our morning and evening meetings in broom closets, I couldn't say that I was ever excited while spending my energy draining my brother of his own headstrong emotions. I loved him and all, but I didn't like being in his head. And even more, I didn't like having to be because he still couldn't figure out the process for himself.

I saw a younger version of myself calming down one of Marge's dogs after it had chased Harry up a tree...Gryffindors studying for the OWLs...the Dementors attacking us last summer...the graveyard...Umbridge telling my brother that he'd never be an auror...Tom Riddle's diary writing back to him...Hermione's disturbingly organized study-guide for the OWLs...seeing all of us petrified in the hospital wing...

"You're not focusing," I told him in a huff, taking my hands off his head and rubbing them irritably. He sighed, shaking his head hopelessly.

"I'm telling you: my brain's too full."

"Well empty it," I told him moodily. "I know you're good at that. Besides, I have places to be."

I placed my hands on either side of his head again, feeling all his memories as they began to fade into the background of his consciousness, becoming less of an issue and more of a passing thought, almost as if...it weren't a big deal that Ron had won them the last Gryffindor game, or it wasn't an issue that he had words carved into the back of his hand...

Finally, after minutes of him mastering and numbing his worries about Umbridge, exams, and the orbed room from his dreams, my brother's mind was clear. And it was not due to him calming himself, may I add. It was due to my magical coersion that life wasn't actually that bad. I should have a career in talking people off the edge of bridges, considering how well I can make my brother forget his problems each morning and night.

He looked almost drowsy, as he usually did after our sessions, and all I could hope was it would last longer than a few hours this time – even though I doubted it.

"How do you feel?"

He blinked at me slowly, looking at me and taking a longer moment than usual to register what I had asked him before shrugging. "Tired."

"Perfect," not really, but it was better than feeling anxious. "Now, what's the incantation used to silence someone?"

He blinked again. "Silencio?"

"Good, seems like you're still smart enough to get through the exams today," I told him seriously. He smiled to himself a little and I could almost see him begin to run his spells over in his mind before I stood. "I have to go."

"Wait, why?" He asked, scrambling clumsily to stand as I was already on my feet.

"I finally have my careers session. You know how Snape and Umbridge are about tardiness," I sighed, dusting off my skirt. Not that they should have gotten mad at me for tardiness; my careers advice had been rescheduled twice thanks to Inquisitorial Business that I barely had any part of besides barking off numbers and houses to lose points. "So I have to go."

"Don't you want to talk about exams, or your own problems?"

"That's one of the sweetest things you've ever offered, but I really have to go," I assured him before I took the time to rush off and head up one floor to get out of the subdungeons and up to the regular dungeon level that held Snape's office. I knocked three times before I entered – normally I would not have bothered, but with Umbridge around I didn't want to seem too comfortable in any particular person's presence.

"Enter," Snape's voice sounded, echoing through the dusty corridor. I took a deep breath before entering, my rucksack bouncing oddly against my hip. It was virtually empty today besides multiple extra quills and ink bottles; there was no need for parchment or textbooks today. Not for the first day of our OWLs.

"Right on time," Umbridge smiled as I entered. She was wearing a powdered blue today – a strange deviation in her regular ensemble and the hat – which looked of dyed, dead minx – sat unsteadily on top of her head. It was a ghastly effect. "Thank you for meeting with us before your first examination, Miss Potter. It's very nice of you to fit us into your schedule."

"I don't think my mind can stretch much more than it already has, professor," I said as sweetly – yet still honestly as I could – before I nearly fell into the seat across from the Head of house and Headmistress. Umbridge didn't seem pleased by my casual behaviour, but she seemed to think better than to mention it.

"Yes, I know that it's been a very busy time, studying for all your OWLs these coming weeks," she sighed, I think she was trying to be sympathetic but the warty smile on her face did not give off the same impression. "But I would like to talk to you about your options for next term."

"Yes," I said slowly. This was not really my favourite topic of conversation – my marks weren't as impressive as most and I didn't like when teachers spoke to other teachers about them and compared. Sadly, that was all this quarter hour was supposed to be. Snape caught the anxious glance that I casted him, but was working hard to look impassive, so I tried to redirect my nervousness. "About the NEWT level courses to begin next year, correct?"

"Correct," Snape decided to take over for the toad and I was thankful. Even with the toad looking over his shoulder, I felt much more at ease with the illusion that it was just he and I having our bi-daily lecture of my future endeavours. Even if he tells me that I'm hopeless, at least I knew he was being honest about it. Umbridge had ulterior motives coming out her toes. "I'm going to hope with every fiber of my being that you will not be daft and wish to doom us as your brother does?"

"Er," I muttered, furrowing my brow. "Depends what he wants to be."

"An auror," Umbridge answered with a scoff.

"Harry wants to be an auror?" I asked, raising my eyebrows skeptically. "He wants to drag on the idea that he's the saviour of the wizarding world post-education and for the rest of his life?"

"That is what he informed Minerva and I," Umbridge said bitterly, nodding her head down to her clipboard. "Though I assured him he would not be accepted into the program."

"Well, I don't have any interest being an auror," I said and though the thought of saying that I did passed through my mind just to spite her, quite honestly besides those last seconds that career had never crossed my mind. In fact, no career really had. I'd always thought that something terrible was going to happen ahead of time, or worse, that I'd never be able to figure out how to use my magic and would be cast out of this kind of criteria. It was still a likely risk. "I don't really know what would be a good fit for me."

"Well, Miss Potter," Umbridge said, flipping over a piece of parchment on her clipboard. "Your potions, Care of Magical Creatures, and Astronomy marks are exemplary. Your Divination and Defence Against the Dark Arts, of course, also hover at a decent height. Marks such as Herbology, History of Magic, Charms and Transfiguration, however..." she paused, giving a sour look at the sheet in front of her. "Are dragging down your possibilities."

This, of course, was a load of shite. But not in a positive atmosphere; as soon as I was forced to take these examinations the true nature of my inability towards magic would come to light: my Defence marks would plummet, and all the marks that were already 'dragging my possibilities' would cross out entire categories of later work. I'd be left with low marks and a Longbottom's chance in hell at some sort of magical career.

"Well, I really like Potions, Headmistress. Also Care of Magical Creatures...or at least," I stuttered when I saw her lips purse as she thought of Hagrid. "The idea behind Care of Magical Creatures. As much as I enjoy other classes, I'm not as well equipped to them as I am to those."

"After looking after test scores and – of course – your personality traits, Miss Potter," Umbridge began with a disgustingly faux-grin. "I would highly encourage you to consider a job with the Ministry of Magic."

"The Ministry?" I repeated, trying hard not to laugh. What a joke – was this some sort of prank, or game that she was playing? My intention with the Ministry was not hidden, even if my relationship with her seemed strong. I would consider working for the Ministry when magic was dead. That was a more likely that scenario than me ever working in some desk job with a bunch of political, Potter-hating ponces.

"Miss Potter," Snape began slowly, almost as if he could hear the laughter I was trying to cover. "I would rather encourage you towards the idea of becoming a Potions Mistress."

My inner laughter died at that as I blinked at him. "Er – what?"

"You show decent enough skill; though your methods and lack of discipline are regrettable, you also show the potential needed for someone of a high calibre job such as brewing. I would consider that a viable option, if you have no others in mind."

"A Potion Mistress?" I repeated again, trying it on the tip of my tongue. It felt light and almost as if it weren't there, weren't real. "What kind of jobs come with that?"

"You could always work at the Ministry," Umbridge poked in again. Snape rightfully spoke over her.

"The Ministry is always looking for Masters to create new potions. As we have seen that you have that ability, you could test and create new products or work for hire. There is always teaching, a route I obviously pursued. And you could, of course, work for yourself as a private inventor – but that comes with instability in job offers and payment."

"I never really considered it an option," I said honestly, looking between the two of them with a frown. "But thank you...you've given me a lot to think of."

"Any time my dear," Umbridge smiled, standing as Snape and I did so. She was hardly taller standing than she had been when we were sitting down. "And please remember that the Ministry would be glad to have someone of your credentials."

Harry-hater with insider-information was clearly what she meant. You know, as my grades are shite.

"Well thank you, I think that I'm going to head to breakfast before my Charms OWL."

"Good luck today, Potter," Snape said as the door opened with a flick of his wand. It was almost like the end of his sentence rang with an unsaid you'll need it...and oh Lord, did I know it.

Today was my first Ordinary Wizarding Level test and I was glad that my careers advice had given me reason to skip breakfast. By the time I made it into the Great Hall, it was already set up for the first half of examinations: rows of single desks, all facing toward the large windows behind where the head table stood an hour before. Our names were on our desks – we were to sit in alphabetical order. I sat to the left of my brother, to the right of Parvarti – the less annoying of the Patil twins – and prepared my ink and quills for a long morning of writing. My hands were already starting to shake and I was anxiously running through the entirety of my Charms textbook in my head.

Oh, I was getting a troll on this one...

Question One:

I nearly read it aloud when we were allowed to flip the exam over. The parchment was thicker than regular parchment: Ministry paper. More crisp and thick to show all your mistakes and make it look official. As if you were officially condemning your soul if you fail the theory or practical examinations as I was...

Focus, Audrey!

Clenching my fists I forced myself to take another deep breath and continued reading.

A) Give the incantation and B) Describe the movement to make objects fly.

I smirked. Then again, maybe I really was a theory-witch after all...


"So, the theory wasn't terrible," I said as soon as the House tables had been replaced and we were all sitting and eating as quickly as we could. All any of us seemed to want to do was try to get some form of revision in before the Practical portion of our Charms exam at 1:00.

"Speak for yourself," Daphne groaned, holding her head in her hands. Her curls looked more messy than I had ever seen them – she was as stressed as every fifth year, it seemed. "Did you even remember that there was a charm for hiccoughs? Oh, please tell me it was a trick question..."

"It's not," Tracey said with a sigh. "But I forgot it too."

"I feel like my brain is going to explode," I growled, cradling my head in my hands as well. "How hard do you think the Practical will be?"

"Imagine the theory exam," Theodore said slowly. "Multiply it by five."

"Ten for Audrey," Lillian corrected. "Since she's shite with a wand."

I made a face at her but didn't bother trying to defend myself in any way. It would have been a waste of breath and everyone knew it – even me. I didn't say anything for the rest of Lunch, or while we filed out to the Entrance Hall to wait to be called in to the same side-chamber that I had been called into last year – as a Triwizard champion. I tried focusing, thinking of charms and little, old Flitwick going through all the different wand movements.

"...Hopkins, Wayne...Granger, Hermione...Goldstein, Anthony...Goyle, Gregory...Greengrass, Daphne..."

"Good luck," I mumbled to her while she walked mechanically into line behind Goyle. Luckily for her, no matter how horribly she did she would look good in comparison to the dunderhead in front of her – but I'm sure if I told her that it wouldn't be of much comfort. They didn't come back out the same door they had left, so we did not see them by the time the next names were called. And another group after that, where again our group was splintered.

"...Li, Su...McDougal, Morag...MacMillan, Ernie...Malfoy, Draco...Nott, Theodore..."

"You can do this," I told Theodore while he and Malfoy began forward. My eyes traitorously looked over to Malfoy, who didn't look the least bit concerned with the circumstances. His eyes caught me looking – they always caught me looking – and as I was too nervous to feel bitter, I nodded as supportively as I could. He acknowledged it, but otherwise ignored me as he walked into line.

Typical.

I couldn't hear the spells being shouted in the next room while my whole being vibrated. I had more energy than ever thanks to my nervousness – but of course, that wouldn't help whatsoever with my wand-work. This nervous energy was perfect for Magnuse. The only problem was that Magnuse was not to be used during examinations...I'd asked.

"...Parkinson, Pansy...Patil, Padma...Patil, Parvati...Potter, Audrey...Potter, Harry..."

I went and stood in line with my fellow alphabetized students. We were to wait while the others who had been called in front of us finished their tests and an examiner was freed.

"Professor Kegg can take you, Miss Potter," Professor Sinistra called when we had entered the chamber. In front of me I could see that others were finishing up their own examinations – Nott and Malfoy were both up and performing some Charm that I couldn't see from my placement in line. MacMillan had just finished and was passing to the other end of the Hall with a horrified look on his face – I was immediately worried over whether that was due more from his performance or if it had to do with his particular examination judge.

"Potter, is it?" The man – Professor Kegg – looked up over his notes to raise his eyebrows upon seeing me. He had greying brown hair and a fully gray goatee. He also had strangely purple eyes that were boring their way toward my infamous scar. Subtly I tried to turn so that he wouldn't be gawking at my deformed neck – I had a feeling I would be doing this for a majority of the next two weeks.

"I've heard all about you..." He said to himself, sounding not only arrogant but upsettingly interested, despite himself. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I walked past him to the section marked off for me to perform my charms in. As I was walking forward, something two sections down from me crashed. It was loud enough to make me jump and I turned my head in shock to see that Malfoy was sending my brother the eye of death with something shattered at his feet. Harry looked smug.

They were so juvenile. All the time.

"Now, can you take this egg cup and make it do some cartwheels for me?" he asked, pointing off in the general direction of an egg cup in the middle of my section. He didn't bother looking at it, but rather down at his paper before meeting my eyes again.

"Er – no," I said simply. "I mean, you could ask, but I wouldn't perform the spell. Shall we move on to the next?"

He raised his eyebrows, clearly unimpressed. I wondered if it had more to do with the fact I had already written off a mark, or the fact I had been rude about it. He held up his clipboard as a sturdy surface, looking at me expectantly.

"Could you levitate the egg cup to land on my clipboard, please?"

At least this I could do. I was able to perform it on the first try, even though I wasn't able to put it down on his clipboard, but rather half a foot from his knees. It was easier when he told me to focus on the incantations as I pleased – meaning that I didn't speak the incantations at all. It was a little bit closer to Canated magic rather than Incantated magic, and that little boost of preciseness helped me more than a few times. Overall, it wasn't as terrible as I thought, even though most people around me did better and took much less time.

Harry and my meeting was quick that night and to be honest, I doubt I did much good. Tomorrow was Transfiguration and we were both worried about our markings. I cleared his mind as best I could – though not entirely thanks to both of us being so worked up with nerves – and eventually I headed back to start reading through my Transfiguration textbook from the beginning...just in case.

The only saving grace from my studying was the fact that the group of us Slytherins were never bothered by anyone. No one would dare what with my reputation and any of the others. Also, thanks to my own silent form of sacrifice, Malfoy was sure to keep the others away. It meant that I was forced to be in the same room with him as he and Parkinson were glued by the mouth – but it made it much easier to keep my eyes on my notes.

I woke up with the textbook over my face and my hair somewhat reminiscent of a bird's nest. I did as best I could with it: combing it through with the enchanted brush Daphne had given me, patting it down with product, and finally throwing it into a disorganized ponytail before I rushed off to meet my brother. It was always easier clearing his mind in the mornings, thanks to the help of exhaustion and today was no exception; even though I still felt anxious for my first, indefinite, fail.

It was much the same process that day – during the Transfiguration theory, I would have bet I'd done decently. Even though I mixed two answers – I mean, the heart should be the first thing to vanish because it pumps blood through the body, not the last! The questions hardly made sense in the first place – and though I was sure my writing was barely legible, I was sure I would pass that portion.

For the Practical I was not so certain. I unable to fully vanish my eguana – I'd hoped that it would just close its eyes and lay on its unvanished foot, but I had no such luck – and by the time I was asked to turn Circe back into a kneazle from a bat, she turned into some very volatile rodent-mix who wouldn't stop hissing and pawing at me until she was set straight by the examiner.

Herbology the next day had been horrendous – I tried to convince the judge, Professor Tofty, that I worked with dead, dried, or dismembered plants only. He didn't really agree. Apparently he believed that my being a Potter meant I should have been better in my examinations – and I proved him wrong. Oops.

I had cleared my brother's mind with a bit of resentment that night.

And then, on Thursday, came Defence Against the Dark Arts. Harry, that morning, had not been nervous at all. And once I easily squashed the smugness radiating off of him, he was able to clear his mind more easily than ever before.

The written questions were a breeze – they had been taken right out of the textbook and were in the exact order of our exam questions – but by the time I was sent off to my area for the Practical, I was not so easily assured. It was a good thing that Umbridge was too busy watching Harry to pay any attention to me, considering I was sure I would fail these spells I'd never performed. Malfoy and Nott, however, were watching me – and likely Parkinson – intently. They had just finished their examinations and taking their time to walk out of the hall.

For this Practical I had a more enthusiastic examiner, Professor Crook – an enthusiastic woman with plump, rosy cheeks, who was much more patient with my inability to do all the counter-jinxes and defensive spells properly, even if she was a little too sweet about it. I managed to achieve a good banishing of a boggart – which I had managed to get rid of before I could tell whose drowned body it was about to take form of – and also a rather impressive stunning spell after two tries, but that was nearly the extent of my skills.

Right as I was about to finish off with my multiple failed attempts at a protective shield, I was distracted – and in consequence hit with a round of flying rubber balls – by the silver misted stag that was galloping around the room. It seemed that my brother, who was standing quite proudly, had decided to cast his patronus charm for all the judges to see. Of course.

Calm down, a voice that sounded much like Snape's said in my head. My eyes flickered to the side of the hall to see him ushering in the next row of students at the door. Focus.

I was warmed by the sentiment, right before...

"Oh, look! Look! Well done," Professor Crook, my own instructor, congratulated my brother from afar with rather ridiculous applause. His instructor was doing the same. "Can you do that?"

Suddenly my round-faced examiner was not as appealing to me. And my anxiety was replaced with a searing bitterness. Still, I smiled at her as sweetly as I could.

"No, only my brother can."

"Pity," she nearly pouted, moving to give me an exaggerated X somewhere on my examination paper. A Patronus charm wasn't even supposed to be in a NEWT level – how the bloody hell did I get an X on my sheet by refusing to cast it? I clenched my fists together, a flagstone under my foot seemed to groan under the power and pressure of my frustration as I tapped my toes.

"Yes. But if it would impress you, I can make your quill stab you without touching it," I said with the same viciously sweet smile. The witch blinked at me completely dumbfounded and unsure of how to respond for a long moment. I shrugged innocently. "Would that get me bonus marks?"

"I think we're finished here," she said nervously, shifting in her seat and folding up my exam as if that was what made her words final. I shrugged.

"Pity," I echoed, giving her another smile – which I hoped was unnerving – before I trotted out to join my finished friends and interpret how we think it had gone: if I had managed a passing grade after that performance, I would think of being a con-woman before a Potion Mistress.

Friday held no examination for me, so I was sure to sleep through until lunch and only ended up clearing my brother's mind before we went to bed. The weekend was supposed to be full of studying as well, so said Theodore, but it found the group of us Slytherins trying to relax in the common room and avoid anything to have to do with work. I'd had to work hard to convince Theodore that I was past the point of learning and at this point, trying to drill more answers into me may be more jeopardizing than anything. He had let me off on the condition that I quiz him once a day on Potions. It was an easy trade.

Harry, so sure that he would perish during the Potions exam, looked about ready to piss himself as met that morning and walked into the Theory portion in the Great Hall. It was not as simple for me as I would have hoped, only because I didn't think in the same step-by-step way the exam was written – but I know I fared better than most. It was during the 94th question, however, that an examiner – Kegg – looked down on me with an exaggerated frown.

"Miss Potter, do you have a question?"

"Er," I looked up at him and around at the other students – all of which were trying to ignore me so taht they could continue scribbling. "No."

"Then why do you keep looking up?" He asked me. I simply shook my head in confusion, ready to deny that I had been before he continued. "I've been noticing your eyes wander off the page and around the room. Do I need to worry about you cheating off of other's papers?"

I blinked, jaw slacked before I actually laughed bitterly. This was not happening.

"Are you joking?"

"I feel no reason to joke. Do I need to speak to the Headmistress about this?" He asked, looking between the people I was standing near. Clearly I had offended him during my Charms exam when I refused to try certain things. Or maybe he just expected that I was doing so well on this exam because if I was bad in one subject I had to be bad in them all – either way, I was beyond insulted. "Do any of you believe she may be cheating?"

I let out another bitter snort.

"I know I seem a likely candidate," I said with as much condescension as I could manage. "But I'm fairly certain that if anyone's cheating, it's those sneaking peaks at my paper."

"What?"

"I've seen eyes looking toward my paper all class, which you would have missed because you would rather pay attention to Professor Sinistra, over there," I nodded up to the front where the stern witch was standing. "And potions happens to be my best subject. So, maybe you should look at other people...not me. Or, maybe you should just stop looking at Professor Sinistra. Can I get back to my exam, now?"

By the time we got to the Practical that afternoon, it was like Professor Kegg had made sure that he was free to watch me brew a Draught of Peace. He seemed pleased every time I didn't follow the step-by-step way to brew it and almost looked ready to curse me by the time I handed him a perfect, textbook-example vial of the finished potion, 20 minutes before any other students had theirs brewed.

Care of Magical Creatures that next day was as much of a joke as Potions had been. It didn't even have a theory part of the exam, but rather was all hands-on work that I not only thrived in, but was able to give some of my friends helpful hints as we weren't all separated as we would have been in the castle. Instead of sitting in desks, we walked down to Hagrid's hut that afternoon to identify the Knarl hidden in a pile of hedgehogs, before we worked on handling a Bowtruckle, then properly cleaning a Fire Crab, and lastly choosing the proper diet used to nurse a sick unicorn foal.

I'm sure I passed that with as many colours as Neville was burnt by his improper cleaning of the Crab.

"How do you think you did yesterday?" Harry asked me as I met him at our dungeon-broom cupboard. I shrugged my shoulders. He had decided to miss last night's meeting in a pointless preparation for our Astronomy and Divination OWLs this morning, evening, and night.

"Saying I received a passing grade would probably be an understatement," I told him honestly, feeling just as smug as he must hafve done during his Defence Against the Dark Arts Practical. "By the way, you handled your Bowtruckle all wrong."

"I caught that," he mumbled bitterly. "I think everyone did when it took a swipe at me."

"Hopefully Professor Crook wasn't paying attention," I told him lightly. "And at least you dodged it."

"Yeah," he sighed, moving to sit on the flagstone. "Are you ready for today?"

"I memorized my star charts and planetary movements," I nodded, also melting to the ground. "But I'm sure to fail all the math questions...'If Venus has just orbited a year around its own orbit, when will it cross with Mars and how many days into Mar's year will that be'? I'll fail all those. I don't really care about orbits. I know how many days there are in a year on earth and that's all I really care about."

"And the events of the orbits during leap years?"

"I'm saving all those dandy leap-year omens for my Divination essay," I smirked, placing my hands on his head. "I'm saying I'll die on a leap year, so that it could be once every four years and she won't be able to prove me wrong until I'm already out of here. And no, you can't steal that."

"Fine," he huffed, picking at the hem of his shirt. "Let's just finish this. I suddenly don't think I remember how many days are in Venus' orbit."

"Alright," I answered strongly, digging through his mind again. I sighed, looking at the bright white orbs on shelves that seemed to be permeating all of his thoughts, even more so than all the exam preparation from the night before. "You haven't been doing your exercises before bed."

"I have!" He argued, more defensively than he normally sounded. I quirked a brow at him, accusing him silently before he shrugged guiltily. "It's just because we didn't do it last night, I had a bit more of the dream than usual. It's not a big deal, I've gotten farther in the room before."

"Still," I said carefully, trying to remember what I had seen through his mind, the black floor, the rows of white orbs, the eerie feeling that we were being watched... "That's probably a bad sign. Maybe I should try and have a word with Snape before th-"

"No!" He said quickly. He was always nervous as hell when the Potions Professor's name was even mentioned – it had been fun at first, but now it was just frustrating. Whatever he had seen could not have been bad enough that these two could not converse, even bitterly. Particularly if it meant that it would keep Harry's mind safe. Even I had to admit that I could only do so much. "No, it's okay. What you've been doing is great. Don't worry about it."

"All right," I said slowly, my eyes narrowing. "But I'm going to take a bit longer at night to make sure I get it all. And I'm going to grab you some sleeping draught, I want you to take it until exams are over and we can focus on this a little more, alright?"

"Agreed," he told me with a nod. "Now clear out my mind before I panic about how I'm supposed to die for an essay. I think it has to be something really epic..."

Astronomy was a more difficult paper than I would have initially thought. While I got the history of the planets, stars, and constellations with ease I was positive that I messed up on Uranus' orbit and the length of a year on each of Jupiter's separate moons. After grabbing a quick sleeping draught from Madam Pomfrey and delivering it from my hand, to Hermione's, then to Harry's during lunch, we headed off to our Divination exam.

Divination was all theory and I was sure that I had flunked a portion of it. Not that I cared, the entire thing was a joke. Really, who really uses a Crystal Ball in the 20th century, anyway? And that I had premeditated my death to be the most ridiculous it could be was a sign that this exam was shite. I did decently with my tea-leaf reading, my palm reading – though I did briefly confuse which palm told what – and did well with Firenze's portions of the testing which focused on telling which stars read about the Great Wars...I was even able to identify how a new star, brightened by the light of Mars, insinuated something brewing on the horizon.

I groaned dramatically, multiple times, as we walked up toward our Astronomy practical at eleven at night. My feet were dragging on the ground mercilessly and though Theodore warmed me more than once that I was going to wear holes in my shoes, I couldn't manage the energy to do anything more to help it. I was so exhausted I didn't think I would be able to lift my feet the extra two inches for the safety of my soles – it of course didn't help that we were going to the highest tower in the castle.

"We're almost done, Audrey," Theodore encouraged as we walked. "We just have History of Magic tomorrow and the Free Session on Friday..."

"I don't even think I'll go to the Free Session Practical," Daphne yawned. "It's just not worth it."

"If I go, I certainly won't study for it," Blaise agreed, clenching his jaw against the very idea of extra work. "Let's get this part of our lives over with, I say."

"Cheers," I agreed, shaking my head and continuing on our way up the staircases.

Astronomy was a boring exam. Though the theory and the Practical were meant to be different in some ways, it really was much the same thing. Only now, we were lucky enough to have the stars in front of us to diagram, instead of answering questions and trying to remember what the night sky looked like. The blank star chart was easy enough – it was one of the things I did know, and I didn't need to look through my scope to start recording what I knew was there.

Over an hour into the exam, a roar interrupted the process. The sound was crippling – even though it was loud it was somehow distant: an echo on the horizon that did not numb the impact. I swivelled my head, turning in the direction everyone else had, only to see that Hagrid's cabin seemed to have visitors.

"Try and concentrate, now, boys and girls," Professor Tofty, the man who was all but enamoured with my brother, told us all. People tried to return to their telescopes, but it was hard to keep focused what with the voices blurring in the background of the night. "Ahem – twenty minutes to go."

Twenty minutes? I had hardly finished my details on the constellations around Draco...

My eyes instinctually jumped to the person who matched the name and shockingly he was facing my direction. He was looking past me, down towards Hagrid's cabin, but when he saw me gazing at him our eyes met. He always seemed to catch me looking and like always, the look was tense and electric.

The BANG that shattered the silence also shattered our eye contact. Several people jabbed themselves in the eye with their telescope, but I was already watching the action as they complained. Multiple witches and wizards – at least half a dozen – were trying to stun the giant in his own hut. And in his own defence he was brandishing his fists and roaring at them all.

"No!" A girl – it may have been Hermione – screamed.

"My dear, this is an examination!"

"Be reasonable, Hagrid!"

"Reasonable be damned, yeh won' take me like this, Dawlish!"

Their voices echoed over the empty landscape between the tower and the hut, easily making every word intelligible. Down near the hut you could barely see when Fang was stunned in the scuffle. More noticeably, you could see Hagrid throw the man who did it.

"Now, really!" Professor Tofty seemed as anxious as we students did. "Only sixteen minutes left, you know!"

"How dare you! How dare you!"

"That's McGonagall!" Hermione gasped.

Indeed it was Old McGonagall, her robes were billowing behind her as she stormed out of the castle toward the cabin in the dead of night as the others must have. She was lit only by the waxing moon, considering they had stopped trying to stun Hagrid after he had launched the man who had cursed Fang.

"Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such-"

As if in sync, no fewer than four stunners hit Professor McGonagall straight in the chest. I was not particularly fond of the old woman, but even I gasped at the impact before she fell stiffly to the ground, still growing a toxic red from the radiating spell through her veins.

"Galloping gargoyles!" It seemed Professor Tofty no longer cared about our fourteen minutes. "Not so much as a warning! Outrageous behaviour!"

"Cowards!" Hagrid bellowed. "Ruddy cowards! Have some o' that – an' that!"

Hagrid was fighting with brawn rather than magic, something they would not have expected from the thick-skinned giant who took more than a few stunners to placate. And he was able to knock down nearly all of the people in his way. He grabbed Fang, slung over his back like a sack of potatoes, before he took off running toward the castle gates.

"Get him, get him!" Umbridge squealed, but he was long gone. I should have known the toad had led the squad of cowards to his hut in the middle of the night. I should have known she was not afraid to fight dirty.

By the time I was able to focus again, the exam only had five minutes left. I no longer really cared about the two missing constellations next to Draco, either. I was disgusted, disgusted by the scene in front of me where those cowards had tried to attack my friends – again. As if they couldn't do that enough to people I favoured this year – the duelling club, my brother, the twins, now Hagrid? When would this end?

As I watched the Headmistress start to wake up her unconscious colleagues, something white hot seemed to force its way beneath my eyelids so it could stab through the tender skin there. I let out a gasp thanks to the unexpected pain – it was almost as if I was smelling the horrid herbs from Trelawney or was splitting from myself to become Astral, without the ethereal balance of mind, body and magic...

I was being warned.

"Audrey?" I heard my brother ask nervously, he even placed a hand on my shoulder. It would have been impossible for him not to be able to identify what was happening right now, but I was too afraid to open my eyes or to tell him I was okay. I didn't feel okay. I felt horrid, I felt dread and pain as if my brain was trying to break free of my skull...

"The examination isn't over, young man," Professor Tofty scolded.

"I'm finished," another voice said. The voice was lower than normal, probably from not speaking in so long, or maybe because he hadn't actually spoken to me for longer. But I was still surprised to hear Malfoy's voice respond rather than anyone other. "So is she. Can we go?"

"Are you feeling ill, Miss Potter?" Professor Tofty asked me. I could do nothing more than nod, even though my tender thoughts were trying to sway towards an understanding as to why Malfoy was answering for me. "Mr Malfoy, will you assist her back to the dormitories, or to the hospital wing if you feel it appropriate?"

"Yes, sir," he said simply. I felt his grip on my forearm, followed the momentum he pulled me to stand. He lead me, silently, back to the lower floors. He did not say a word until we were back in the castle and I took this in blind trust that he wasn't killing me, so I wouldn't have to open my eyes. They still felt like they were being burned and my head was pounding so painfully that I wouldn't know if he actually had decided to speak to me, thanks to the blood rushing in my ears.

"Hospital wing, or dormitories?" His voice was still low and as I expected, it was blurred by the force of my migraine, but I was still able to shake my head.

"Dormitories," I answered weakly. "I just need to lay down."

"Fine," he didn't seem to want to say any more than that. And I was glad. As nice as his voice could be, it was not nice when it felt like I was being stabbed through my eardrums with it. Still, I couldn't help but feel a little insulted. If he didn't want to do it, why the bloody hell had he offered? There was no need to be short with me. I hadn't done anything to exacerbate our little battle of wills.

He took me through the wall that separated the Slytherin common room from the dungeons and through the corridor which lead to the girls' dormitories. He seemed to remember the difference between Pansy and my dormitory because I could smell Daphne's lavender as soon as he opened the door. He stayed immobile once it was open so I used my own legs and ebbing strength to make it to my bed – which I flopped on hopelessly. I writhed, unable to pull the covers from under me now that I had fallen on them but too weak to think of standing to it properly.

"You'll be fine here?"

"Yeah," I panted, nearly exhausted from the pain in my cranium and the movement required to get under my own sheets. "I feel sorry for your upcoming lecture from Pugface."

"She'll get over it," he informed tightly. I could just imagine how his jaw was clenching at the thought of someone trying to tell him what to do. He was even more stubborn than I was.

"And will you get over it?" I asked with a groan, turning on my side. "Or will you hold this over my head?"

"I have no reason to," he told me snootily. "I'm over this year. As are you, so I saw."

"Is that some jab at Fred?" I asked with a snort. "Because there's no need."

"No need," he scoffed. "Yes, I guess I should have expected it."

"Well then you would have done better at it than I would have," I told him sarcastically, closing my eyes so that I didn't have to look at his sillhouette against the light from the hall behind him. "He kissed me and I didn't expect it. He's never kissed me in his life."

"Sure," he was rolling his eyes, I could hear it in his voice.

"You know, him kissing me was unpredictable – but you? You're completely predictable. As soon as you thought you could hurt me more than I hurt you-"

"You didn't hurt me, Potter," he sneered.

"As soon as you thought it, you ran right into the arms of my enemy. It's not like I kissed your enemy," I wrinkled my nose as I thought about it. "Because that would be my brother. Oh, that's rancid."

There was a long silence and I didn't have the energy to look at him. Either I fell asleep with him watching me, or he walked away. I guess that I'd never know which it was.

The next morning I hardly felt better. My brain still felt tender and by the time I was headed out of my dormitory, I was already prepared to fall right back into bed. I was less excited for this examination than any: History of Magic. Filled with so much information and so many facts, even Hermione Granger had little chance of doing well. Who could memorize all those dates anyway? No, more importantly, who would want to?

I had slept in, glad that Harry had allowed me to sleep until lunch today so that I could try to ward off my migraine, but it barely did any good. Until I would have time to separate myself and let whichever vision push itself into the forefront of my consciousness, I wouldn't have any release from this blockage. And there was no clearing my mind and separating my mind, body, and magic right now – not under this kind of stress.

It was just half twelve when I pulled myself into the lake-tinted common room and was forced to stop short.

"Er-" I began, looking around nervously to see that the common room was distinctly vacated – save for a certain blonde haired snake. "What do you want?"

"It's been a while since we've had a chat, Potter," he told me, standing up from the couch he had been seat on so that he could look at me face to face. It felt nearly as if he was planning to corner me, which I didn't like at all.

"Haven't really had time for one," I answered coolly. "You're mouth has been busy with other things."

"That can be said for us both, Potter," he said just as venomously.

"One surprise kiss doesn't even out with constantly snogging a pig in snake's clothing," I answered in a hiss. "I've also seriously begun to doubt your eyesight. Though I can't deny that I commend your stomach."

"Of course you do," he rolled his eyes, taking a few steps forward.

"I do," I said moodily, the proximity was getting closer again and I was in no state to try and have a manipulative mental war right now. I'd have to take a rain check. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have places to go.

I went to walk past him but he moved, irritably, right in front of the exit of the common room. I gave him the best annoyed glare that I could muster with my vision slightly blurred before I moved to pass him again...this time I bumped into his chest thanks to his quick movement.

"Argh, shove off!" I groaned. "I have somewhere to be."

"Not somewhere important," he told me with a clenched jaw. I looked up at him with narrowed eyes while he shook his head. "So tell me, did you enjoy snogging Weasley?"

"Oh, Salazar help me – what do you care?" I asked, flailing my arms in emphasis. "He kissed me. There was no snogging. And you've made it perfectly clear that it's none of your business, either way."

"You didn't answer," he accused darkly.

"Because you don't deserve one," I retorted. "And until you start being someone half the arse you have been – or maybe a quart of the bloke you were a month ago – there is nothing more to discuss."

I moved to walk past him again, but he still moved to the right to block my way. Normally I would have tried to trick him, but I was not in the mood nor did I have the energy. Instead I heaved a sigh and rolled my head back on my neck to try and release some of the building pressure.

"Did you like it?" he repeated, his voice lower and more dangerous.

"It was a kiss!" I said exasperatedly. "That's all."

"Was it better than mine?" He asked me, taking a step closer. I took a step back intuitively, knowing that look in his eye and the darkness to his tone. I was not in any condition to be attacked by him in any way – whether it be sexual or verbal.

"I don't think that matters," I answered carefully. I tried to sound haughty, but I'm not sure how well I managed it.

"It does," he said seriously. "Did you like snogging him more than me?"

"I don't have time to try to remember right now, Malfoy," I told him honestly, moving to pass him again.

"Let's make time," he ordered, his hands gripping the sides of my face to pull me into his chest and up on my toes. His lips crashed against mine, cool and dripping with bitterness – a flavour I missed in my time away from it. It was just as I remembered it; still raw and passionate and full of greed. There was a fervour to it that no one else had ever kissed me with and a hunger that built itself up inside of me that wouldn't let me end it. I had no choice but to kiss him back.

When we finally pulled away, I was not only short of breath but confused as to how we had somehow found ourselves on the couch. I tried righting my hair – which was surely a mess – and checked the time over the mantle...it was nearly half one now. I had missed my time with Harry to clear his mind and by the time we made it up to the Great Hall, we would have no time for lunch before our History of Magic exam.

"Should we be going?"

"Shouldn't we elaborate on what just happened?" I asked nervously, looking from the time and back to him. Maybe, if he said no, I would still be able to catch my brother and apologize. Clear his mind with a little more force than normal to make it quick. But that was only if Malfoy and I had nothing to talk about here...and I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to talk about it. I mean, it was nice to finally be able to help my twin – who was so much better at magic than me regularly – but it'd be even nicer if I could spend some of that time to help myself out of my own messes. Such as fancying his arch-nemesis.

"We can talk about this after our exam," he said shortly, straightening his robes before standing. "We'll be distracted enough as it is."

That could have been an insult or a compliment. I tried not to concentrate on which.

We both walked to the Great Hall, trying to keep our wits about us and offof 'us'. People were already outside and pacing, waiting for the more laborious examination of the week. I tried not to look guilty as I took my seat next to my brother who shot me a look that I was sure he simply practiced to make me feel guilty before we were allowed to begin our paper. It all was a blur – the questions didn't make sense and what made less sense was the amount that everything weighed down on my mind. Silver eyes were looking back at me at all times, that's what it felt like. And these questions, they were surely from a subject I had never taken. And the pain in my head, it was to an extreme I had never felt before. I could hardly focus between the throbbing in my skull and the distraction this morning had created.

Then, white-hot pain that coursed through my skull, in the back of my eyes, and down my throat as if I had swallowed acid or it had been dumped over my skull. A white hot pain that I had never endured that made me feel like I was boiling from the inside out, melting from inside my very skin...

My brother screamed before I had a chance to. I wasn't able to react as I should have, but when the pain began to die down, I was able to crowd around him just as everyone else tried to – like the examiners and the students who were close. I tried swallowing the fear that the pain would return and after I was sure that it had faded enough to move, I dropped to the ground near my brother.

"Harry? What's wrong?" I asked over and over, but instead he shook his head, looking at the floor. He came-to quickly, shaking his head and looking more dazed and frightened than I dared to remember having ever seen him. And that was saying a lot in itself.

"Let's take him to the hospital wing," Professor Tofty said. "Shall we levitate him?"

"I'm not going...I don't need the hospital wing – I don't want..." Harry began, but he was hardly making coherent sentences. I put my hand on his arm, trying to shake some sense into him, but his eyes were still wide as he scanned the room.

"I'm-I'm fine, sir," Harry assured. "Really...I just fell asleep...had a nightmare..."

"Pressure of examinations!" the old wizard agreed with a sigh, helping my brother up. It looked like he was about to lead him out of the Great Hall. "It happens, young man, it happens! Now a cooling drink of water, and perhaps you will be ready to return to the Great Hall? The examination is nearly over, but you may be able to round off your last answer nicely?"

"Yes...I mean, no, I've done – done as much as I can, I think..."

"Very well, very well," he said, clapping my brother's shoulder gently. "I shall go and collect your examination paper. I suggest that you go and have a nice lie down."

"I'll do that," Harry assured. "Thanks very much."

"Harry, I-"

"You need to finish your paper, Miss Potter," Professor Tofty said with a quick glance at my nearly empty third page. "You'll need that time."

"But-"

"No buts," he wagged his finger. "You can see him in a half hours' time."

I grumbled to myself but got back into my seat while my brother was free to leave. I finished my question but could not focus on anything more. I was certain I had failed this OWL, but probably not by much more than I already would have without the distractions of the entire afternoon.

By the time we were released everyone was whispering about Harry's display in the exam. I didn't have much time for them and while I was on my way to find him, Theodore informed me that Umbridge had called on us all – apparently Peeves had begun smearing ink on the school telescopes for the Seventh Year NEWTs tonight and Montague had been attacked by a student that morning.

Surprisingly, today, that student had not been me.

Since I couldn't find my brother anyway I was quick to head in the direction of Peeves. There was no way I could stop him and all I needed was for people to see me there. There would be no denying I was trying to help the toad, then.

Still, it was quickly that I felt my Inquisitorial Badge vibrate before I heard a quick "all Inquisitorial Members to my office, IMMEDIATELY!" in Umbridge's high-pitched, panicked voice. It was rare that her heard her so out of sorts and so perturbed – it must have meant that something serious was up. And after her display with Hagrid last night, I was not sure if I was excited or terrified to know what it was.

I nearly ran all the way to the office, Malfoy and Nott both hot on my heels before we entered. I stopped dead in my tracks, one of the boys ended up bumping into me because of it. It was a sight unlike anything I had ever wanted to see. It was a sight that I had tried avoiding all year: Umbridge was dragging my brother's head out of the fireplace, covered with ash and coughing.

"You think that after two Nifflers I was going to let one more foul, scavenging little creature enter my office without my knowledge? I had Stealth Sensoring Spells placed all around my doorway after the last one got in, you foolish boy. Take his wand!"

Quickly, I surged forward to grab my brother's wand. As much as I tried to stay away from the Phoenix feather wand, it was better me to have it than anyone else. As I took hold of it, the wand prickled against my palm, sending a sharp jolt of electricity through it as if it was trying to make me drop it. It almost succeeded, but instead I shoved it deep into my robe pocket. I hated his ruddy wand. My palm, as it had been the few times I'd wielded it, was covered in shallow gashes. I clenched my fist to avoid questions from the Headmistress while Granger's wand was stripped from her as well.

"I want to know why you are in my office," Umbridge said slowly, pulling Harry up by his hair to stand.

"I was – trying to get my Firebolt!" It was a horrid lie.

"Liar," she hissed, shaking him by his hair again. "Your Firebolt is under strict guard in the dungeons, as you very well know, Potter. You had your head in my fire. With whom have you been communicating?"

"No one-" Harry said immediately, his eyes flickering to me worriedly.

"Liar!" She threw Harry down. I nearly felt guilty that I was watching this done to my brother, but a little bit of abuse was something I knew he could live through – particularly if he was talking to someone like Dumbledore or Sirius. Oh, what had he done? My heart stopped just at the look, the look that told me just how bad it was. My grip hardened on him as I held him as agressively as I could – still, I tried to hold him close. Maybe I could drag him out, or gather enough energy so we both became invisible by my Magnuse...

Behind me, the door opened and Crabbe, Goyle, Warrington, and Parkinson entered with gagged victims of a gagging-jinx to keep them silent. Longbottom was losing air thanks to Crabbe's headlock, Lovegood looked quite bored with Warrington, Ron looked like he was ready to bite Goyle if he had to, and Ginny was trying to kick at Parkinson's shins.

"Got 'em all," Warrington told while he explained that Neville had tried to stop him from taking Ginny, so they had brought him as well. I felt the urge to hug the podgy boy, but refrained as I plastered on my most impeccable sneer.

"Good, good," Umbridge smiled over at Ginny's struggles. "Well, it looks as though Hogwarts will shortly be a Weasley-free zone, doesn't it?"

That would never happen on my watch, even though Malfoy laughed from behind me. I looked over my shoulder shooting him a look – I tried to keep it as blank as I could, but I was too annoyed to make it seem harmless. Umbridge ignored the look, though she must have seen it, when she called Malfoy over to hold my brother. While grabbed hold of my brother in the most painful way he deemed appropriate, Umbridge lowered herself into her armchair.

"So, Potter, you stationed lookouts around my office and you sent this buffoon," she pointed to Ron, making Malfoy snort derisively. "To tell me the poltergeist was wreaking havoc in the Transfiguration department when I knew perfectly well that he was busy smearing ink on the eyepieces of all the school telescopes – Mr. Filch having just informed me so."

"Clearly, it was very important for you to talk to somebody. Was it Albus Dumbledore? Or the half-breed, Hagrid? I doubt it was Minerva McGonagall, I hear she is still too ill to talk to anyone." Even I couldn't stop myself from raising my eyebrows. A few Inquisitorial Squad members laughed – Parkinson cackled in a way that hurt my ears. My brother, shook against Malfoy's grip.

"It's none of your business who I talk to," Harry spit back. I clenched my jaw.

"It's her fire, Harry," I told him my voice low. "You were stupid enough to think she wouldn't know?"

It was a real question, even if it was said with more malice than it needed. How could he be stupid enough to come and use Umbridge's fireplace to talk to someone and not expect something like this to happen? He must have been more stupid than I ever imagined if he didn't expect to be caught.

"Indeed," Umbridge smiled to me in her most dangerous, sweet tone. "Very well, Mr Potter...I offered you the chance to tell me freely. You refused. I have no alternative but to force you. Audrey – fetch Professor Snape."

I nodded, trying hard not to show how my stomach felt ready to jump out of my mouth. I left the room as quickly as I could and dashed for the dungeons as quickly as my legs would carry me – I barely had the energy for this, between my pounding skull and my nervousness it was creating some kind of dangerous concoction that didn't give me energy but took it away from me.

Snape was still furious with Harry, that must be why Umbridge was asking. Or she was going to try and force him to take Veritaserum – a fate possibly worse than Snape's wrath.

"Professor," I began, barging into his office and ignoring the roll of his eyes as he looked up from his paper. "I need your help."

"My help?" He resonded slowly with an unamused raised eyebrow. "And what would you deem appropriate enough to interrupt me as I grade your OWLs?"

"Professor Umbridge found Harry in her office," I told him honestly. "Everything could be ruined if she finds out the truth. I need you to help, somehow – he can ruin me. And you. And the Order."

Snape did not respond. His face, which had held annoyance suddenly melted into a mask of disinterest – a magnificent talent held by all high-class Slytherin arseholes, it seemed – before he left his desk and walked up the stairs. He barely slowed his pace for me and when we got there in record time, I was glad to see that no one had killed anyone else.

"You wanted to see me, Headmistress?" Snape asked as soon as he entered the room. I filed in behind him, shutting the door and examining the scene. Ginny was still kicking at Parkinson's shins – and sadly missing, what a shame – while Hermione was now being detained by Bulstrode, who was enjoying it in a sadistic way.

"How quick! Thank you, Audrey, dear," Umbridge smiled. "Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please."

"You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter," he answered with a raised eyebrow, his eyes flickering over to my brother. "Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient."

Umbridge seemed to turn pink before she shook her head.

"You can make some more, can't you?" She sounded about ready to crack if he said no. Snape looked around the room for another moment, his eyes quickly meeting mine before he turned to her with his lip curling.

"Certainly, it takes a full moon-cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in around a month." I couldn't tell whether or not he was telling the truth – Veritaserum did take a full moon cycle, but whether he had more of not was a mystery. Was he being honest, or was he really helping me as I had asked him to?

"A month? A month!" Umbridge squeaked, beside herself. "But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Potter using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!"

"Really?" Snape raised his eyebrow as if this was the first he'd heard of it. "Well, it doesn't surprise me. Potter has never shown much inclination to follow school rules."

I really hoped that Snape knew what he was doing. It was one thing to hate my brother and another thing to feed him to the wolves – or rather in this case, the toad...

"I wish to interrogate him!" Umbridge huffed like a small child that was denied a toy. "I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!"

"I have already told you that I have no further stocks of Veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison Potter – and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy with you if you did – I cannot help you." Something told me that was not for my benefit or hers. I had a feeling that was all truthful and for Harry, himself. "The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to give the victim much lime for truth-telling."

What a load of idiocy.

Then again, this man was a genius for denying her any method to interrogate him.

"You are on probation!" Umbridge shrieked. My eyebrows raised in shock, watching as her face reddened and she began to shake furiously. "You are being deliberately unhelpful! I expected better, Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you! Now get out of my office!"

Snape, furious, gave an ironic bow and turned to leave. I moved to get out of his way before the both of us seemed to freeze in our movements...

"He's got Padfoot!" Harry shouted, the words stopping both of us from breathing. "He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!"

My mind whirred as I tried to catch up – how would Harry know that Sirius was in the Department of Mysteries – surely that couldn't be right. Why would Sirius be there? And who had him – Voldemort? That was impossible. Sirius was safe in Grimmauld Place, where had been force to be all year thanks to being too recognizable.

Snape's eyes locked with mine and in a moment he seemed to register my panic.

Do nothing.

It was a command. And in response, all I could do was breathe.

"Padfoot?" Umbridge repeated, completely oblivious to the panic rising in the room at exponential speeds. "What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What does he mean, Snape?"

Snape turned from me to address my brother, his tone cold.

"I have no idea," he told Umbridge simply. "Potter, when I want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a Babbling Beverage. And Crabbe, loosen your hold a little. If Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot of tedious paperwork and I am afraid I shall have to mention it on your reference if ever you apply for a job."

The door closed behind his billowing robes with a sound like a gunshot. Umbridge looked at me carefully.

"You! Do you know what a Padfoot is?" she asked me. "Yes, yes, you're his sister! Surely you would know!"

"His imaginary friend was named Paddy when he was six," I lied easily, giving her an eye roll. "Otherwise, I have no idea. Maybe we should take him to more healers about it."

"That's no help, no help at all! Surely you've heard the name!" She told, slamming her hand on the desk for emphasis, I shrugged my shoulders.

"Professor, I've never heard it. Not unless it is the long form of Paddy."

"Is it? Hm?" Umbridge asked. Harry remained silent, making her breathe heavily with rage. "Very well. Very well...I am left with no alternative – this is more than a matter of school discipline...this is an issue of Ministry security – yes, yes..."

I did not like the sound of this. She sounded mad, as if she were gone off the deep end and was speaking to dolls at a tea party. Something was very wrong with her voice and the way she was speaking to herself – convincing herself – about how everything was alright.

"Professor?"

"No, no, he is forcing me, Miss Potter...perhaps you should leave..."

"No," I said immediately, plastering on a sneer as I kicked at my brother's shin. He let out a hiss that I tried not to feel guilty over. "I want to stay."

"Good, good," she nodded to herself before shaking her head. "I do not want to do this...but sometimes circumstances justify the use – I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice. The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue."

My whole body went rigid while Hermione argued with her in the background of my thoughts. Had she gone that mad with power that she was willing to hurt students to get her means to an end?

No, she'd always been that mad. She had been building up to this all year – the Blood Quills, the documents for whipping, the ability to detain, the power to do whatever she wanted...

This was not out of need – this was out of hunger.

"What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him," Umbridge said to herself, while she began to point her wand at my brother. Malfoy instinctively moved and backed up toward me. Umbridge shook her head back and forth with a wicked grin on her face. "He never knew I ordered Dementors to go after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same."

"You?" I asked, unable to stop myself. "You sent the Dementors after us?"

"Not you, Miss Potter, your brother!" She laughed as if that cleared the air. "Somebody had to act, you said so yourself! They were all bleating about silencing him somehow – discrediting him – but I was the one who actually did something about it...only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? Lucky you had your sister there, weren't you? But not today. Today, she is with me!"

"Audrey, do something!" Hermione screamed at me. I didn't know what to do – was I supposed to blow my cover and get the Cruciatus curse myself? She had sent Dementors after me, nearly killed my cousin, nearly took my soul and my brother's. She had maimed him and hurt him and she had ruined the year...

But was that worth the pain of the Cruciatus curse?

Umbridge took a deep breath, ready to say the word. Malfoy took a grip of my hand and squeezed it encouragingly – but I didn't know what he was encouraging me to do. Was he telling me to step forward, to defend my brother? Or was he telling me to stay silent...to protect myself?

"Cruc-"

"NO!"

Had it been me who screamed? Had I ruined everything by speaking?

No, my throat didn't hurt from the deafening screams. It hadn't been me who had screamed at all.

"No, Harry – we'll have to tell her!" Hermione hiccoughed, her voice raw from her scream. She had defended my brother before I had – but she was going to be just as cowardly now. She was going to be as much of a coward as I had been and tell Umbridge what they had been up to.

"No way!" Harry yelled.

"We'll have to, Harry, she'll force it out of you anyway, what's – what's the point?" She sobbed, crying weakly into Bulstrode's robes as the ugly girl continue to restrain her. Umbridge pulled the Slytherin off of her, moving so that Hermione was given better treatment now that she was cooperating.

"Well, well, well," Umbridge mumbled triumphantly. "Little Miss Question-all is going to give us some answers! Come on then, girl, come on!"

"Er-my-nee-no!" Ron mumbled through his gag. Everyone looked shocked and devastated – did they all know that Sirius had apparently been taken? Or were they shocked that she was as much of a coward as I was? That she was willing to be spineless for safety?

"I'm-I'm sorry everyone. But – I can't stand it-"

"That's right, that's right, girl! Now then..." Umbridge smiled, leading Hermione by the shoulders until she pushed the bushy haired Gryffindor down into her over-plushed chair. "With whom was Potter communicating just now?"

"Well," Hermione still couldn't look up at us, her classmates, as she betrayed us all. What would she wsay about Sirius? Would she actually say his name – or would he remain as 'Padfoot', a member of the renegade Order of the Phoenix against Voldemort – the man Umbridge swore did not exist? "Well, he was speaking to Professor Dumbledore."

Everyone looked surprised – how could we not be. Dumbledore had been on the run for months and he had been accessible just through some kind of Floo system? The story seemed too good to be true.

"Dumbledore?" Umbridge asked eagerly, her energy spiking with excitement. "You know where Dumbledore is, then?"

"Well...no!" Hermione sobbed. "We've tried the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks and even the Hog's Head-"

"Idiot girl! Dumbledore won't be sitting in a pub when the whole Ministry's looking for him!" Umbridge frowned, her head shaking animatedly.

"But – but we needed to tell him something important!"

"Yes?" Umbridge asked, her excitement at full power once again. "What was it you wanted to tell him?"

"We – we wanted to tell him it's r-ready!" Hermione choked.

"What's ready?" Umbridge demanded, holding onto Hermione's shoulders and holding her straight in the chair she'd been forced into. Hermione sobbed again. "What's ready, girl?"

"The-the weapon..."

You know, I've always said that it takes a liar to know a liar...and I just so happen to be a fantastic liar.

So clearly, I can confidently say, that something was wrong with this story.

Umbridge as manipulative as she was, however, seemed not to be a liar. Because she ate it up as if it were candy.

"Weapon? Weapon? You have been developing some method of resistance? A weapon you could use against the Ministry? On Professor Dumbledore's orders, of course?"

"Y-y-yes," Hermione gasped, the tears suddenly seeming so fake I can't believe that I had believed them in the first place. "but he had to leave before it was finished and n-now we've finished it for him, and we c-c-can't find him t-to tell him!"

"What kind of weapon is it?" Umbridge asked, shaking Hermione roughly.

"We don't r-r-really understand it. We j-just did what P-P-Professor Dumbledore told us t-to do."

'What kind of weapon is it?' said Umbridge harshly, her stubby hands still tight on Hermione's shoulders.

"Lead me to the weapon," Umbridge said confidently. Hermione looked around the room, giving each of us Slytherins a shrivelling glare.

"I'm not showing t-them."

"It'[s not for you to set conditions," Umbridge hissed back.

"Fine! Fine – let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact, I wish you'd invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th-that would serve you right – oh, I'd love it if the wh-whole school knew where it was, and how to u-use it, and then if you annoy any of them they'll, be able to s-sort you out!"

Umbridge, predictably, did not like the idea of the weapon being something that could be used on her. Her eyes moved across the room to rest on each of us, her Inquisitorial Squad, and for the first time she looked as if she didn't trust any one of them – not even Malfoy, who was still holding my hand. Her eyes moved from our joined hands, to him, to me, then back to my brother: putting the pieces together.

What if Malfoy was actually on our side because of how he and I were?

Who was against her, really?

Who would try to use a weapon against her?

"All right, dear, let's make it just you and me...and we'll take Potter, too, shall we? Get up, now."

"Professor," I said quickly, breaking away from Malfoy's grip to pull my brother up by his hair and his one arm. He let out a grunt – which must have been fake, or he was in much more pain than he looked – as he stood. "Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after-"

"I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Miss Potter, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone?" She asked me with a glare. I swallowed thickly, shaking my head. I didn't want to let her be with my brother alone – if they didn't have a plan, even Hermione couldn't get away with anything when she didn't have a wand. "In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something that schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these escape."

She pointed to the others and as she did that, I dropped the hand that was in my brothers hair. I pulled his other arm behind him and squeezed them briefly before taking both his wrists into my one hand, squeezing them weakly once more, and dipping my free hand into my robe pocket.

I winced against the new cuts slicing into my hand through a current of pain and electricity before dropping the wand in my brother's back pocket. I jabbed him lightly in the back with the hilt of it before letting go of his hands so he could cover it with his shirt.

"Lead on," Umbridge told Hermione and Harry as she moved to let them go through the rest of the room. I could do nothing to stop them or join them: but Harry had his wand. So I guess Umbridge would finally learn a thing or two about real Defence Against the Dark Arts now.


Ha-ha! That's a little bit different, isn't it! So, this was a long chapter, but it was pretty exciting, don't you think? Exams were a bummer and Audrey obviously isn't the great student that most people seem to expect her to be. But, she still proved herself where she needed to. And what was with her not saving Harry of the Cruciatus curse? And why did Harry's wand scratch her? Oh, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

To my fantastic reviewers of Chapter 51:

Dustfinger's cheering section: A lot of people noticed that it was not how I initially wrote the Weasley kiss...I guess you will have to wait and see. Glad you liked the chapter, hopefully you enjoyed this one, too!

slytheringirl4life: I am definitely more of a Draco fan than Fred fan when it comes to this ship, but either Weasley twin pretty much makes me happy just when they're mentioned. I'm glad that you like it, thank you :) if you don't think you can already write well, just sell your time and social life to your word document: that's my secret!

Bitterglass: I'm glad you liked it, thanks for reviewing!

kaaayyyttteee: I'm glad you liked it! Hopefully this one was enjoyable as well :)

Lizzy B Malfoy: Draco is so ridiculous, but at least there was some cuteness this chapter! Firenze wasn't really in this chapter, but hopefully you still liked it!

WORMoverBOOK: Pansy and Draco are so gross throughout the whole series, I remember thinking it as I read through the books. Hopefully this was an enjoyable chapter!

OddPotato: Do you still ship Fraudrey? Or have you wandered back towards Dreaco? ;)

Shiningheart of ThunderClan: Draco is ridiculous, but at the same time there was definitely a miscommunication there. Those two will always be butting heads. That's a good point, the kiss was described very differently in her vision than the kiss she shared with Fred...I guess you'll have to wait and see! Thanks for the review.

Prongsie1213: The twins are so much fun to write, whether it be something JKR wrote herself, or incorporating them in my own way. They are so fantastic. And yes, Draco is very jealous – but it was quite obviously a big misunderstanding. Hope that you liked the new chapter!

xxz0eyxx: No big moment of realization for Harry about his sister and Malfoy yet, but it will have to happen eventually...you still think her vision was of Ron or Ginny, eh? Well, I guess only time will tell – because I'm certainly not saying! Draco and Audrey do just need to get jiggy with it. I think it would make everything easier...but then it wouldn't be as fun for me to manipulate their lives! And I do have fun with it, I won't die. Maybe I'll post the spoilers somewhere else, I'll have to see what I can do. You ARE pretty nice to me :)

wemaketheperfectteam: Yes, Dreaco is a good ship, but I was glad that Fred finally kissed her as well. Yes, she and Daphne are mending a very rocky relationship – which is good, cause as we all know: things are about to get worse. Poor Audrey, I am so mean to her. Anyway, glad you liked the last chapter and hopefully the same goes for this one! Thanks for the review.

RandomPerson3.14: Who were you before you were going by this Username? And I'm glad that you liked it, it was a lot of fun to write. This one was really fun as well, so hopefully you liked it just as much. Audrey Potter's Prelude will be updated soon, I tend to update that when I'm taking a pause at updating between books. Thank you!

Colette Hyuga: I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for the review :)

onebaddesire: Thanks for the review, hope you liked it!

EveryNewDay: It's really fun trying to figure out what kind of pranks Audrey would do. I had to think about it for a while before I thought of the perfect one. It went through a whole process, haha. Hope you liked the OWL sequence, thank you for reviewing :)

Angel of the Night Watchers: I think I am going to go for the plot twist, I think it could be a really profound moment if I do it the justice it gets when it plays through my head. How is everything going over there in the States?

BeLLe ELLe PoTTer: Aw, thank you! I'm glad that you're liking it so much :)

May: Well first, thank you for randomly deciding to speak up. It's always nice to hear from readers! And I'm glad that you feel so connected to the story (and Audrey). It's really nice to hear that I'm doing her some justice. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you liked this chapter.

Blue Luver5000: Thank you, hope you liked the chapter!

Magimagus: Have you made it to this chapter yet? Hopefully you liked the last one and this one, too. It sucks that your laptop got a virus – I feel like my world implodes when that happens. I try to back up my stories once a week, just in case. I'm so nervous about it after the last time everything was wiped! Did you get a new laptop, or are you working from the same one?
Anyway, I'm glad you liked that Daphne and Audrey have gotten back together. If you read the last chapter, you'll see that it has only been intensified. Montague definitely got what he deserved, it was nice to know that every time I wrote him being such a creeper that he would be punished for it. I think it's the only reason I didn't kill him chapters before.
I think that all in all, Draco is a sweet character. He just doesn't know how to be classically sweet because he's never been around that kind of treatment. He is cute though and I am always happy to see Audrey put people in her place, whether it be him or anyone else, haha.
Poor Snape is such a good man. I'm glad that Audrey respected him enough to do what he asked, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Obviously by now you know she is tutoring Harry instead, how do you like this twist? Anyway, hope you liked the chapter!

VanillaSnowdrops: I'm glad that you're still true to the Dreaco ship, I still think they're pretty damn cute. Cute in a passionate I-need-your-mouth kind of way. I agree that Audrey had a reason to be upset, but Draco did too. He obviously thought she'd just moved on to some other guy...and he's not one to be outplayed. Thank you, 1k reviews feels amazing!

Little Old Anonymous Me: 1) Draco is such a possessive idiot. Poor kid just doesn't know how to handle his emotions. 2) I'm glad you liked Fred's kiss. I liked it, too. 3) I don't think Audrey's being hypocritical about kissing Chang. She wasn't as upset that it happened as she was that she had to witness it through his thoughts. I definitely would freak if I had to witness my brother kissing my dating nemesis! 4) Daphne's getting much better. Hopefully you liked this chapter as well!

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Yes, Draco is a jealous mess. What a boy! I'm glad you enjoyed the pranking and jealousy of the last chapter – hopefully you enjoyed all the drama in this one! Thanks for the review :)

britstar4: Yes, Audrey always gets the short end of the stick. But I'm glad that you liked Audrey and Fred's kiss as well as Daphne and Audrey's make up. Hopefully the making out with Draco was enjoyable, as well!

BOOMitsMegan: It's alright! I like your reviews even if they aren't chapter-to-chapter. Yes, Fred and she finally kissed – that was a lot of fun to write. Draco definitely plays jealous boyfriend more than he needs to and secretly, I think Audrey likes it...you know, when he's not kissing Parkinson. Audrey is always very dramatic, but it's different: Harry hasn't SEEN her kiss Draco – she sadly had to witness it. And no sister should see a brother making out with their nemesis. Not cool.
You make good points about her being more of a "Dark Side" character, but she definitely doesn't like authority. And I don't think she could ever realistically bow to Voldemort. But maybe she could were she a spy. She will probably get in many fights with Harry over Draco, I think that's only realistic, but I guess you'll have to see in due time. Also the twitter is always at the bottom, but it's
EgyptsLegend. Hope you liked the new chapter!

incitanemxx: Many don't think that was the Weasley kiss I described in her vision...very interesting. Well, I guess you'll have to wait and see if you're right – but you probably won't know for a long time either way. I'm glad that you liked how Audrey dealt with the idea that Malfoy was getting even with her enemy. Hopefully you liked this chapter!

Skylar97: I'm glad that you're liking it! I will definitely be continuing this through until the series is over – I'm too excited about what's to happen for it to stop in between. The next book will be updated more quickly than this one was, I will have it a lot more organized than these chapters were. I hope you liked this chapter and thank you!

rosesxBubblegum: Aw, thank you! I hope you can still read the books or watch the movies, Audrey is nice to be in there but the originals trump my little story any day! I'm glad that you can envision her and place her in your mind so easily – it lets me know I'm doing something right! I am slowly writing my own fiction/sci-fi book. It's a struggle, but eventually I'll manage to get it writen!

Alice: Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed it so much (and super impressed that it only took you two days. I wish I could read that quickly)! Hopefully this chapter met your expectations!

LearnToFly02: Haha, thank you. I'm glad you like the chapters and hope that your window is closed! It's slowly warming up where I am but it is still not warm enough for that. When Audrey and Draco realize they love each other, it will be epic. Their whole relationship will be, but that moment in general will be earth shattering.
And thank you again: I also think Audrey definitely has the edge. I spent weeks moulding her character into something believable of "Harry Potter's sister" but also someone worthy of an arrogant ass such as Draco Malfoy. Also someone who could balance the sister act with being a Slytherin. I put a lot of time to find the balance before her character moulded itself into what you read now. I also agree that Audrey would be devastated if she saw something she could not change.
Character deaths will be an interesting turn of events in the series and I've made my decisions. It will definitely be different. You also have very good ideas about her wand, but I can't tell you if you are right or not.
And Draco's possessiveness? Ah, I love it. I also figured he would feel entitled, as he has been entitled his whole adolescence. It will definitely be interesting during the Malfoy Manor scene – his pureblood entitlement vs his feelings for Audrey. I'm very excited...in a jack the ripper kind of way, haha.
I love the long reviews, so never worry about that. I also love how detailed they are, so thank you!

Guest: Hope you liked the chapter!

TheForrestAgain: Aw, thank you! I hope that you get internet back soon, not just for the sake of loving your reviews but also because an internet-less life sucks. Good luck!

Apple: Yes, they kissed! And then in this chapter, she and Draco kissed, too. Yes, 1k reviews: it feels amazing! Thank you so much for your reviews, you always help. Everything starts next chapter!

Ella710: I know, Draco has to raise his standards if he goes from kissing Awesome-Audrey to Pugface-Parkinson. Ew. Besides, he DID think that she had moved on thanks to Fred's little display and then to find out she wasn't expecting it? Well, as you see, it leads to more making out. So is it REALLY that bad? Haha.
I also thought the Fred kiss was nice. A different take on a kiss for her, hence her little inner monologue that delayed her thought process. and a lot of people noticed just how different the kiss was than the kiss in her vision...I guess you'll have to wait and see, though.
I'm glad that you like Audrey though. I feel pretty connected with her at this point, even more than I thought I would. She's my favourite antihero I have ever written. Actually, my favourite character I've ever written in general.
I'm glad that you feel better about Daphne. And am SO impressed that you got twitter. I'm honoured. Truly. I saw you added me and was like "AH! YAY!" and did a dance. My mom looked at me like I was stupid. Have you liked the spoilers and such thus far? What have you thought about those?
Yes, OOTP only has three chapters left. Possibly four, depending how long they end up being. There was a tidbit of Snape in this chapter, but sadly he won't have as big a role in the next few. Which is actually quite sad. You made some good predictions about what's to come, but obviously I'm not going to ruin it and tell you whether or not you're right. Any other guesses for the next few chapters? :)

liz2cute4u: I'm happy that you're liking it, thank you! And you read it all in one day? I'm so impressed. I must be a really slow reader, because when I hear about people reading this whole story I think "man, it'd take me over a week" so well done! Thank you for all your compliments. If you want to be a writer, I assure you that all it takes is time. Time to keep writing and editing over and over again. The more you write something, the better it will be :)

Kaitalyn: I'm glad that I surprise you, if I didn't this would become boring after 52 chapters! The Fred kiss was pretty sponeous, I'm glad you appreciated it. Draco's moodswings are annoying, but necessary because sadly, it is his character. At least he kind of made up for it in this chapter, what with the kissing and such. The prank was a lot of fun to write, so I'm glad that it made you laugh! Hopefully all the ruckus caused by the OWLS amused you for this chapter. Thanks for the review.

MaryKeat: Hope that you liked the newest chapter, no Fred or George here but lots of drama and some satisfying Draco :)

Saraeli: Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! Hopefully you like Draco a bit more after this chapter...maybe even more after the next. Thanks for reviewing!

Annaismyname: Haha, well I'm sorry for the consummation of your life, but hopefully I revived you with the update! Thanks for the review :)


Well, thank you everyone for your fantastic reviews. I really appreciated getting all of them. I hope that a lot of you have a lot to say after this chapter, it was pretty exciting – no?

PLEASE REVIEW!

-Egypt

Add me on twitter: EgyptsLegend