― CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE ―
Jaquenetta groaned, realising once again that Hermione never forgets.
'Okay, but I think I need some tea' and made two cups of tea herself, trying to prolong the inevitable as long as she could.
'Is it about Professor Umbridge?' Hermione asked once Jaquenetta had returned and handed her a cup of camomile tea, remembering their conversation just the other day.
Jaquenetta took a sip of the hot tea and a deep breath 'Yes and no' she said, placing the cup on the table and turning towards Hermione. 'Dumbldore informed me that upon her arrival Umbridge accessed my personal record, which any Professor here has access to of course, but combined with the way she looked at me during the class inspection during Charms it has me quite unnerved.'
'But there's no way she could possibly know is there?' Hermione whispered looking around the room as if someone may be there eavesdropping on their conversation.
'No, Dumbledore assures me that he did all the required spell work himself and there's no way she could find out anything from my record or her own searching.'
'Oh good, that woman is just so awful who knows what she would do. She would probably have you punished claiming you're spreading lies or worse charge you with being a Death Eater spy.' Hermione said.
'Which is why Dumbledore insisted I have lessons in Occlumency with Snape once a week. I assumed that Umbridge must be a Legilimens.'
Jaquenetta paused, drawing her legs up underneath her as she sat on the couch, turning to face her girlfriend, her face drawn in seriousness.
Noticing the sudden change in demeanour Hermione took her girlfriends hands in her own.
'What are you scared of?' she asked, softly.
Choosing her words carefully so as not to reveal something that is unknown as of yet Jaquenetta answered 'I'm scared that Umbridge is not the person Dumbledore had in mind when he insisted I learn Occlumency.'
Silence.
Thoughts were racing through both witches heads at this moment.
Hermione, with her fear for Jaquenetta's safety coupled with thinking through the probability of a Death Eater or even Voldermort finding out about Jaquenetta, and lastly needing to find out just what Dumbledore's thoughts and motivations were and to get some answers.
Jaquenetta's head was filled with the fear of the knowledge she has being accessed by the wrong people. As she sat there, watching Hermione's eyes dart around the room deep in thought Jaquenetta realised that a turning point had been reached. Up until this point, this moment, Jaquenetta had seen herself as no more than an invisible outsider looking in to ensure a plot followed its predestined course, helping where needed.
But now, a veil had been lifted. Jaquenetta finally saw the truth. She is not an outsider who will be unaffected by the events of the next three years. The next three years will be very much happening to her, and she will be affected.
