None of the fifth years spoke during breakfast. Sandwiched between Hermione and Neville, Persephone had no space to soothe her own anxieties. Hermione was reading 'Achievements in Charming' so fast one thought that someone were about to snatch it from her. Neville was spilling everything he reached out for.
"Aff, not the marmalade!" Ron groaned through his fifth piece of toast. Hades came with the morning post. She had written to her grandfather about her latest dream.
My dearest granddaughter,
It is a hard thing to say and I'm sure an even harder undertaking, but you cannot dwell on all of your visions and dreams. I fear it may drive your fears and anxieties higher than need be. Juno was always so anxious about her predictions and visions she missed out on a lot in life. I don't want that for you. It's a difficult balance for those with the sight. I'm no interpreter but your dream is most likely the manifestation of never having been a proper family. If the dream continues, or goes further then we'll talk again. I know your OWLS are here. Focus on them, be present and I know you will do splendidly.
With much love,
Your grandfather
There was also a small unmarked note- from her father that merely said,
"Don't even worry. You've got this."
Hades gave her a comforting nudge before leaving. As all the students were ushered out a swirling feeling arose in her stomach, but looking at the surrounding group Persephone knew she wasn't alone in her anxiety which was some relief.
Charms and Herbology were enough of a first day of OWLS. She was certain and happy with the charms examination, but thing had gotten tricky in the green house. Persephone had mixed up different plants and gotten their 'care' completely wrong. The proctor looked at his name sheet with a soft chuckle. Yes, it was a giant universal joke that she was bad with plants. She was glad to see Neville shine with the proctors.
"I should have also explained that the truffilia bush needs plenty of space." He said as they left the green house. Persephone couldn't help but roll her eyes at her friend,
"Nev, if you don't get an O then it's rigged." She said trying to comfort him. His eyes grew large,
"You don't think it is do you!"
The next day came Divination, Muggle studies and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Ever since Trelawney had been sacked Persephone hadn't felt the same about the class, but was determined to try her best. In the written portion of Divination Persephone lacked on what some of the symbols meant and entirely skipped over the 'winged creature of the night'. The proctor for the practical exam was not what Persephone expected. He was a well-groomed elder gentleman- around her grandfather's age.
"Black." He called clearly. Next to him was a kettle and it was clear the task was of tea leaf reading. He poured a fresh cup as he did for every student and handled it over after draining it. "Tell me what you see and then please explain it to me."
In the muddled mess of leafs were two figures and in the far back between them was a wonky cross.
"You and someone close to you are going to suffer in the near future."
"Can you tell me the cause of the suffering?" the proctor asked without the slightest glint of fear.
Persephone returned her gaze to the cup. She didn't see anything more but the words flowed from her without coaxing,
"Blood status."
When she looked up from the cup the gentleman's face was no longer at ease. He scribbled on his clipboard and dismissed her.
By the time the Muggle Studies exam came around Hermione was a frizzing ball of anxiety.
"You grew up a muggle. Your parents are muggles." Ron's form of comfort was sneered at but not even reassurance from Persephone was met with much enthusiasm. Professor Burbage was at the door,
"Good luck everyone! I know you'll all do wonderfully!"
The Professor happened to put a hand on Persephone as she passed.
Persephone was suspended in the air. Her body ached- every inch. A deep sense of dread and foreboding filled her. The ceiling began to change; she was moving. She came to a place known to her; the Malfoy dining room.
"This is Charity Burbage former Professor at Hogwarts." The voice was chilling and what came with it was death itself.
"Persephone, dear girl." The Professor's voice brought her back, "I didn't mean to give you a fright."
Persephone was huddled to her seat without saying a word to the Professor. She felt cold as though her very heart ceased to beat. The questions were relatively easy; what is the proper function of this item? Name two important contributions by muggles to magical society. In what year was mixed marriage ratified as legal? The last part of the written exam was an essay- Write about a muggle you know. Their occupation, any contribution to magical society, and anything else you can recall. If you do not know a muggle pick a famous one covered during your course.
Peter Bernard, was a muggle I met two summers ago. He owned a store in which other muggles gave him items they did not use or need anymore and resold them to muggles who wanted them. This kind of store is called 'Resale'. He did not contribute to magical society as a whole but he touched the lives of two witches. The first being his wife a competitive Hufflepuff. They were married for fifteen years before her death. The second being myself. Mr. Bernard showed me kindness and shared with me a wisdom that aided me in a dark time.
"Quills down everyone!" The proctor's voice pulled her from the carefully formed sentences. Persephone looked over at Hermione who was trying to scribble in one last sentence with a flurry of strokes.
"Well, that wasn't so bad." Hermione admitted as they left the Great Hall behind. Persephone was glad that Professor Burbage was nowhere to be seen upon their exit.
The hall was turned around for lunch, and everyone near Persephone was cramming for the last test of their day.
"I don't know how I'm going to answer the written test." Lavender cried, "Do I answer the way Umbridge would want—."
"Answer the way Professor Lupin would want. He had it right, he did no matter what that old bat says," Seamus replied.
Persephone couldn't help but smile at the mention of her godfather.
"Here! Here!" Dean agreed.
While Seamus and Dean may have been right it was harder to think so with Professor Umbridge breathing down their necks during the written exam. You could hear her tsk and sigh continuously throughout the room. The constant irritation of the woman's presence caused Persephone to write fast and hard ripping several holes in her parchment. She was even more impatient waiting for her practical examination. Finally a proctor opened and beckoned her to the station. The witch had a large frame, two chins, but large glazed kind eyes.
"Name?" She asked ready to scribble on her clipboard.
"Persephone Lyra Black."
The witch shifted an upward glance, "Black, ey? As in thee Black? Pure blood Blacks?"
The questions made her uncomfortable, "Well….yes."
"Wonderful, this will be a breeze for you then." She smiled, "Please perform a simple protective shield useable against hexes, jinxes or charms."
Persephone felt a bit cheated; really just a simple 'protego' and she was done? She squared up her shoulders taking out her wand.
"Protego proxima!" a blue shield bounced not only her own chest, but the proctors and three surrounding students.
"Oh! My!" the proctor exclaimed in a panic, "How wonderful! A cascading jinx used on a defensive spell simpy quiet marvelous!"
"Ms. Black, didn't follow your instructions Mrs. Root." Umbridge had appeared out of nowhere to cast judgment on her practical examination.
"But she performed defensive magic wonderfully. Thank you, Miss Black you may go." the two women were at 'polite' odds.
Persephone left her exam a bit too smug.
The next morning the castle was unsettled. Persephone had heard about McGonagall second hand since she had dropped astronomy in fourth year. Everyone was whispering about how Umbridge had led a secret attack on Professor Hagrid. She heard Pansy say it was a shame they didn't succeed. Persephone found herself sitting next to Antigone and across from Chante, at lunch, who were gabbing about the voting for the tournament which was fast approaching.
"I think that Marius and you are in the lead for the votes." it took Persephone a moment to realize Chante was talking about her and not Antigone.
"M-me?"
"Well, yeah that Ravenclaw first year McKenzie has been campaigning for you." Antigone informed her with a grin.
"Your former students think your badass." Chante said. Antigone gave her a "did you really just bring up 'former-students'" look.
"Anyway, Marius only has a bunch of votes because he flirts with anything that moves." Antigone said.
"I'm not really worried." Persephone shrugged as the Great Hall began to empty, "I've got other things on my mind."
"It's just magical history. You'll do fine." Her friends encouraged in departure.
The fifth years entered the Great Hall at two o'clock and took their places in front of their overturned examination papers. In a quick glance Persephone could see that the exhaustion weighing heavily on most of fifth year student body; Harry who was down the table with the rest of the 'Ps' looked especially peaky.
"Turn over your papers," The proctor said, "You may begin."
Persephone flew through the questions. While history with Professor Bines had bored most people to tears Persephone had found herself fascinated with it at a young age. She wasn't fascinated by the mere history herself, but the fact that everything her grandmother had told her about magical history was complete boulder-dash and Persephone was elated to learn the truth. Maybe that was why Professor Bines lectures seeped into her brain. The proctor gave a skeptical eye as she was the first student to rise after only twenty-five minutes into the examination. The proctor was about to say something but his eyes skated past her weathering a look of great concern. Persephone turned to see Professor Tofty escorting a stumbling Harry from the room. She took off in a sprint hearing a reprimand behind her it shortened it to a fast walk into the hallway.
"I'm-I'm fine sir," Harry stammered wiping sweat from his face, "Really…. I just fell asleep."
"Pressure of examinations," Professor Tofty said sympathetically. The old wizard put a hand on Harry's shoulder, "It happens young man, it happens. Now a cooling drink of water and perhaps you will be ready to return?"
Harry started to nod, "Yes-" but caught Persephone's look of worry, "I mean no.. I've done- done all I can I think…"
"Very well," Professor Tofty said gently, "Perhaps Miss Black would kind enough to escort you back to Gryffindor Tower."
The moment the professor was out of sight Harry snatched Persephone's hand and began to run as though their lives depended on it.
"Arry! Where are we going!"
"Have to find Ron and Hermione! Explain then." He answered in a quick huffing manner. Persephone kept up with him until they reached the marble staircases seeing Ron and Hermione about to step on. The four of them huddled in an abandoned broom closet.
"Voldemort's got Sirius."
After those words Persephone watched Hermione and Ron's mouth move, but to her they were muted. A monster had her father. Fear clasped it's long fingernails over her heart. After a moment the sounds came back to her,
"How're we going to get there?" Harry asked.
Ron looked flustered, "G-get where?"
"The Department of Mysteries! So we can rescue Sirius!" Harry replied loudly.
Hermione stepped in to voice some assemblance of reason,
"Harry, it's five in the afternoon. The Ministry is full of workers how could he possible have Sirius there?"
"Hermione," Harry growled, "Think bout Ron's dad I was right about him!"
Persephone reeled in a panic, "We have to contact-"
"Contact who!?" Harry yelled, "Dumbledore's gone, McGonagall's gone, and Hagrid's gone."
Then the closet door opened revealing an inquisitive Ginny and Luna.
"Hi," Ginny began, "We heard shouting. What are you lot yelling about?"
"Never you mind." Harry answered abrasively.
"No need for that tone," Ginny said cooly, "I was only wondering if we could help. Persephone looks petrified."
The Weasley girl crammed her way into the closet in attempt to coax out what was going on and comfort her friend.
"You can't help." Harry said.
Hermione put a hand on his shoulder, "But they can!"
Three teenagers hunkered under the invisibility cloak was almost too much. They moved in a slow and awkward pattern until they reached Umbridge's office door. The garish kittens were basking in the late afternoon sun, but otherwise the office was empty. They all took a sigh of relief. Hermione took to the window. Persephone kept an ear on the door to listen for a warning chorus of 'Weasley is Our King', and Harry threw his head in the fire.
"Where's he gone? Where's he gone, Kreacher?" Harry's demand drew Persephone away from the door. A molten wave of dread washed over her watching Harry argue with the house elf. "But you know!" shouted Harry, "Don't you! You know where he is! Tell me."
Persephone couldn't take it she slammed her own head into the kitchen came into view along with the decrepit and cackling house-elf.
"Kreacher in the name of the house of Black I demand you tell us where my father is!"
She watched his lips pucker; fighting a direct command from the family he served. "You tell me right now Kreacher! YOU TELL ME NOW!" her shout filled her lungs with ash. The back of her uniform had been yanked bringing her out of the fire. Persephone and Harry were staring up at the pallid face of Professor Umbridge. The woman looked smug and prideful.
"Take their wands." She instructed her seventh year inquisitor slytherin goons. Marius from Charms club ran his seevy hand up her side looking for her wand in the inner robe pocket. Millicent Bulstrode confiscated Hermione's and boy she didn't know snatched Harry's.
"Why were your heads in my fire? Who were you attempting to contact?" She had a fist of Harry's hair in her clutches.
"No one-" Harry wheezed attempting to pull away from her.
"Liar!" in a heat Umbridge threw Harry from her grasp slamming into her desk. Persephone winced at the sound of pain he emitted upon contact.
There was commotion outside and several large Slytherin's including her dull-wit cousin entered, each gripping Ron, Ginny, Luna and oddly Neville. All four of them had been gagged.
"Got em all." One of the bragged, "Brought in the scrawny one." he pointed to Neville, "tried to stop me from taking the girls."
"Good….good." Umbridge said slowly, "Well it looks as though Hogwarts will be a Weasley-free zone doesn't it?"
Malfoy let out a loud melodical laugh. Persephone began a practice and almost unnoticeable wrist movement with her free hand. She had no idea how lumos was going to help them… but it was worth a shot.
"Clearly you stationed look-outs, so whomever you and Miss Black were attempting to contact was of the utmost importance. Tell me now and your punishment will be less… severe."
"It's none of your business." Harry snarled.
"Fine," Umbridge's face tightened, "Fetch Professor Snape."
Finally footsteps were heard outside, and Malfoy came back to the room, holding the door open for Snape.
"You wanted to see me Headmistress?" He looked around the room of stifling anger and pain with complete indifference.
"I would like a bottle of Veritaserum, immediately." Umbridge smiled widely, "Enough for Potter and Black here."
"You took my last bottle to interrogate Mister Potter. Surely you did not use it all."
Umbridge's large face began to flush, "Well you can make more can't you?"
Snape nodded, "Of course, it takes a full moon cycle to mature so I should have it ready in a month."
"A MONTH!" Umbridge squawked, "I need it now! I have just found Potter and Black using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!"
"Really? That doesn't surprise me about Potter. He never has shown much inclination for following school rules, and Black well you know who her father is."
"Give me something to interrogate them!" She demanded.
"I have already told you," he replied smoothly, "there are no further stocks, and unless you wish to poison them…" the potions master gave a slight pause, "Although most of my venoms on stock would work too quickly to give truth telling answers."
"PROBATION!" The toad shrieked, "For unwillingness to aid your Headmistress! Now get out of my office!"
Snape gave an ironic bow and began to leave.
"He's got Padfoot!" Harry yelled desperately, "He's got Padfoot in the place where it's hidden!"
"Padfoot?" cried Professor Umbridge looking feverently from Harry to Snape, "What is Padfoot?! What does he mean Snape?"
Snape took a cool look at the both of them. His face inscrutable,
"I have no idea."
The door closed with a snap. Umbridge moved as though she were talking herself into something. She shifted her weight anxiously from one side to the other slapping her wand against her empty palm.
"The cruciatus curse ought to loosen your tongue." Umbridge said in a whisper.
"No!" Hermione shrieked, "That's illegal!"
Nevertheless the Professor readied her wand. Persephone took an elbow to Marius stomach, who weakly gave way, to slide in front of Harry. Persephone held a plain face feeling the security of her silver bangle around her wrist,
"Me first then."
"Your overeagerness is telling of a guilty soul, Black." Her fat lips curled at each end, "Cruc-."
"NO!" Shouted Hermione her voice cracking, "Harry- Harry we have to tell her."
"No way!" Harry yelled.
Persephone gave a look of "shut up I can handle this" to what little she could see of her friend behind Millicent Bullstrode.
"We'll have to tell her eventually," Hermione sobbed, "Dumbledore's weapon is ready."
Long time no see everyone. Sorry for the long wait I've been very busy at the office. I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.
Lillylarlar: So wonderful to hear from you, and I'm so glad you are still enjoying the story.
Guest: You've caught on to something that will come up later. That is all I will say. Glad you are enjoying the story.
