Chapter 20 : Discipline
Snape was standing straight like an old candle in front of every single student. The silence was lingering, the greasy bastard was taking his sweet time.
It was almost 8pm and we were starving. The day had been rough, packed with challenging classes, and the rainy weather did have a strong impact on our mood. It had been the fourth day in a row without a single ray of sunshine, which was not unusual in itself, but much harder to stand this year around. And here we were waiting. We had been warned by our Heads of House that the Headmaster wanted to speak to the students before dinner. What we didn't know is that he would make us wait for almost an hour before opening his damn mouth.
Of course we all had an idea of what was to come. It took barely two weeks before a chaos similar to the worst times under Umbridge to ensure. The dirty sweets from the Weasley Brothers came back full force (I suspect they made a ton of money during those two weeks), kids were skipping classes more than ever, finding all sorts of reasons to go to the infirmary. Many fights happened in the hallways, usually between some Slytherins and Gryffindors, although it was far from the only cases. It was sometimes bullies picking up on younger kids, especially if they were half-blood. Sometimes it was over stolen candies or whatever kind of childish debate. Sometimes it was planned and agreed upon just to send each other to the Mrs Pomfrey… In any case, we were just about to get hit in the face by the consequences.
Finally, just after the crowd chuckled at the sound of a stomach growling through the silence, Snape delivered his long-awaited speech.
- I suppose none of you will be surprised when I say I am disappointed. Very disappointed. In this very room, at this very same spot, just a month ago, I told you that I would do my very best to ensure the education of the children of the magical world. I told you that I would not let anyone turn this school into a place of chaos. It seems that some of you decided to try my resolution.
Dramatic pause, during which it seemed like he did not even breathe.
- The fights, the lies, the cheating, the disrespect, every last bits of rule-breaking that have been happening those past two weeks will now be met with utter severity. This is why, after deliberation and discussions with the Ministry and the Heads of House, Mr and Mrs Carrow will assist me as Deputy-Headmasters, effective immediately, and will be tasks to enforce the rules of this school. All matters of discipline with be handled by them, and they are allowed to solve them as they see fit. Every teacher here have already been briefed and will report any occurrence of rule-breaking to Mr and Mrs Carrow on the spot. I hope tonight's message will be fully heard and understood by each and anyone of you. Enjoy your dinner.
On that last note, he went back to his seat and started eating his pulled pork like nothing happened. After some seconds of baffled silence, the clanking of forks and knives slowly rose through the hall, until the moment the talks reached their usual volume, despite a much different content. During the whole dinner, I kept my eyes on the two teachers. They kept talking to each other, seemingly angry at something, maybe at Snape for not letting them give a little speech, or round of applause. Snape who, surprisingly, did his very best not to look at them, ever. Maybe they were not that much on the same side? One thing I remember most, though, is how pale Minerva McGonagall was.
None of us dared to talk. The sound of the potion bubbling in the back and the fire crackling underneath was comforting in way. I don't really know if it's because we all were going through the last steps of puberty or not, but the potion room felt even smaller, like we would bump into each other at every move.
- What do you think it means, this story of Deputy Whatever? finally asked Joker.
- What d'you think? Grunted Kaidan. They are Death Eaters. No way it's gonna be all sunshine and rainbows… Remember last time we had something similar, it was the High Inquisitor and her Squad of goons. I bet it will be the same thing, or even worse.
- I'm all for the "wait and see", added Jacob, but I really think we should be preparing for the worst here… And by worst I don't mean detention. I mean torture or death.
I sighed, feeling like I was slowly but surely drowning in waters too deep for me. Umbridge had been a challenge, but this was a whole other level. A one-night battle against masked figure was one thing, a full year a resistance against a tyranny in power was another. I sighed again, admitting to myself that I didn't have much of a choice anyway.
At least, getting our little club back together had been easy. True to his word, Snape had opened application with a magical form, that Miranda got approved for us by the very next day. Both our Headmaster and our Head of House knew of this operation for two years, they had no reason to stop good students working on their potion skills. Obviously, they still had no idea of what we've been doing on the side of these potions. However, we still hadn't met in the Room of Requirement. I was just thinking about it when Garrus called me out on this exactly.
- So what are we waiting for to get back to training? He asked. John? Do you have any plans?
- We can't! spat Kaidan before I got an chance to answer. What the fuck are you not getting here? The war took a bad turn for us! We cannot go back in there! It will get us all killed! Just the fact that we are all standing in this room is suspect enough.
This was a rare outburst for a guy like Kaidan. He was usually one of the most cheerful, for the lack of being one of the bravest. He buried his head in his arms. Something was obviously wrong here. But before I got the chance to ask, a knock on the door made us all jump out of our seats.
- What the hell…? Muttered Joker while limping toward the door.
It was the first time in two damn years that anyone would knock during our meetings. Slowly, almost scared, Joker opened the door. Two young women were standing behind.
- Euhm…? Hello guys! Smiled shily the first one, a flash redhead with freckles on her cheeks. Garrus?
- Kelly? Samantha? What are you doing there?
Their names popped back into my head. Kelly Chambers and Samantha Traynor, both friends of Garrus in Hufflepuff, one year younger than us. They were here for the very first meeting we had two years before, but decided to decline the invitation, not fully convinced by my plan or motivated enough to go through it.
- Come in, I said, getting of my seat. Damn we were packed in there. What are you doing here, girls?
They looked embarrassed. Garrus had to press them a bit to get an answer.
- Well we… We want in! We know that Garrus was still meeting we you lot, we figured that you have been doing what Shepard explained two years ago. We know you were out fighting last summer when... when it all happened. So we want in, now. We changed our minds, and we want to fight. Or learn to, at least.
Silenced settled in for a few seconds. I didn't really know what to say and do. I didn't have to, because Miranda jumped in and took us all by surprise.
- Obliviate!
The look in the girls eyes became blank, empty. The pretty black haired one, Samantha, then smile and said:
- I'm sorry we disturbed your class. We'll see you soon, Garrus.
And they got out. Nobody moved until my tall friend started screaming.
- What the goddman hell, Miranda? What did you do? Why?
- What do you think? She snapped! They're two years behind us now! They will be a burden to all of us, and a danger to themselves! We would need to start over, redo the Clan Song ritual! It's safer for everyone, us and them, if they just forgot about our business!
- You had no right! You can't run around erasing people's memories like it's just a fucking homework!
- I did what's best for all of us! Kaidan said it, it's war! There's no tiptoeing anymore!
- Alright, stop! I screamed.
They obeyed.
- It's done. Poorly done, maybe, but I agree with Miranda. I would not have accepted them, and it's now more dangerous than ever. James Vega is not at school anymore, but the girls were in a lot of danger just by knowing. I feel better knowing that we don't have to rely on our trust in people not bound to us by the ritual. Do you agree, Garrus?
- I do! I never said I wanted them to join! I said Miranda pulled shitty one by not even consulting us.
I looked at the culprit.
- Miranda? Do you plan on doing it ever again?
- If I have too! She insisted, her arms crossed in defiance.
I sighed.
- Well, please. Try to ask me beforehand, at least… Now about the trainings. Mordin, Joker, try to find out if the Dumbledore's army is gathering again. If so, we can do like in fifth yeah, and use them as smokescreen. If not, let's wait for the first Quidditch match to try and gather at this moment. Until then, we keep quiet, practice our daily exercise, and do not let any of these bloody gits screw up with our minds. Get it? If we want to have a chance in all this, we need to stay focused.
We had seen confrontation between between McGonagall and Umbridge. They used to look like an Owl battling a toad, and sure enough, the claws were always sharper than the slimy tongue. This time, however, the old owl was fighting against a snake, and I was not sure that her beaks and claws would be enough against his poison.
- I am sorry, Miss McGonagall, smiled Amycus Carrow, but the rules are pretty clear. Any matter of discipline needs to be reporter to my sister or myself.
- Any matter of discipline concerning Hogwarts, yes. However, what happens in my classroom, and especially concerning the assignments I chose to give, are my concerns alone.
The class was silent. Lavender Brown, subject of the discussion, was livid. She had done nothing except missing the deadline for the first Transfiguration assignment of the year. She asked for a delay, which was refused, and by the next class on the following week, here we were witnessing the Death Eater arguing with the Head Of Gryffindor about how the student should have been reported for that.
- I fear I do have to disagree on that. Maybe we should bring this to the Headmaster, to clear this issue once and for all. I do admit that this is the first case of failed assignment of the year, so maybe the procedures are not fully worked out just yet. I will get back to you.
He turned to Lavender and gave her his most disgusting smile.
- I'll be in touch, Miss Brown. Have a good day.
The chill that went through my spine was gut-wrenching. The Gryffindors in the class were tensed, clenching fists and teeth, but the Slytherins were not by any means less comfortable with the situation. Even people like Parkinson or Malfoy did not dare to smile. The morning after would give them a good reason.
As far as November mornings can go, this one was really, really cold. The fire in the Common Rooms were not enough, Professors had to cast warming charms into the classrooms. Flitwick had just finished his in the DADA classroom when Amycus Carrow entered, slightly late, but accompanied by a young kid from third year, wearing nothing but a large black pant. Shivering, he was crossing his arms across his chest to try to keep the warmth inside. The old Charm teacher froze for a second, but then lowered his head and hurried out of the room, clenching his fists.
- Good, good, you're all here! claimed Carrow, driving the kid to the front of the room with his hand tight around the back of his neck. We can start right away.
- Professor ! You can't keep Maxim half naked like that! Give him a robe!
- Shut up, Longbottom! Maxim here has been caught yesterday putting a Vomiting candy in a young comrade's soup. He therefore needs to be punished, and will be a perfect subject for today's lesson! Kid, stand there. Don't move.
Maxim obeyed, without a word, shaking in cold or in fear, I don't know.
- I believe all of you know what the Ministry used to call the Unforgivable Curses. The Killing Curse, Imperium and the Cruciatus. Right? Right. Now, do you know why they have been forbidden for so long? Yes of course you know. Or at least you think you do! Those are forbidden, because they provide power, as much as they are a demonstration of it. You need power to cast those, and being able to use them properly only makes the wizard more powerful, if nothing else by the fear it provokes.
He paused, for dramatic effect surely.
- Magic is intent. You know this, we all learn this on our first year. Sure, the blood carries its weight, so does destiny and you need a bit of both if you want to make your mark in History as a powerful wizard. But none of it is enough without the basics, and mastering the intent alone is enough to make you one of the best. Now, why does these three curses, despite being prohibited, are so hard to cast for most of the wizardkind?
- Because it requires a strong will and lots of intent?
- Yes! Exactly, miss Greengrass. Ten points to Slytherin. But I guess the proper way to truly comprehend that is to try by oneself. Come here, Miss Greengrass. Come. Let's try.
Shyly, the pretty blonde walked among us, head down low, to the front of the class.
- Here, said Carrow smoothly, like she was his young lover, taking her by the hand. Aim at Maxim here. There is no wand movement necessary. Just the incantation, Endoloris, and the intent. Remember the intent.
Daphne looked at him in horror, but at the insistence in his look, he turned back to the young Maxim. I could almost tsee the tears in the corner in her eyes.
- Endo… Endoloris!
Her voice was weak, shaking, and Maxim, scared to the death, only grunted and barely twitched. Before our "professor" could add a word, a voice, no, a raging scream, erupted from the front row.
- STOP IT, YOU FUCKING PSYCHOPATH!
- Endoloris!
The scream of rage turned into cries of pain when Neville Longbottom fell from his desk and rolled onto the floor.
- You will shut your filthy mouth in my class, Longbottom! And never, EVER speak to Professor with this insufferable tone! You hear me, Longbottom? I will teach you respect!
Carrow was spitting foam as the anger filled his word. It's only when he was finished that he lowered down the wand and broke the spell. He then turn to us, and brought his smile back on.
- Now, you see? This is how it must be done. How intent gives life to the spell. You need to want it. You need to overpower your target's mind. You need to focus, fill your mind with the intent, and never let your resolve weaken. Now, Miss Greengrass. Try again and please remember, you need to want it. Maxim here made a grave mistake, and need to be punished for it. You know it, he knows it. So do not hesitate.
Another student rose up from the ranks, fists on her table. Parvati Patil, usually so quiet in class, spoke clearly, but her voice trembled with rage.
- Anyone who tries to cast that spell will be dealt with. I am not kidding, we will fight you.
- Endoloris!
This time, Carrow did not hold the spell more than a second, but it was enough to leave the brave girl crying on the floor. He sighed, as he was just merely displeased.
- What is with all these Gryffindors, I'm wondering… I will have to talk with McGonagall about all this. Now, back to our session. Miss Greengrass, if you please?
But on these words, all of the Gryffindors stood up, Jacob and Joker included. One grabbed Patil by the arms and help her up, while another carried Longbottom who could barely put on feet in front of the other, and in silence, without a word, all headed toward the door. It took some time for Carrow to understand what happened and when he did, his smile turned to stone.
- Any of you who steps out of this classroom without my authorization will have a week worth of detention!
It did not stop any of those courageous bastards to walk out, and slammed the door behind them. But they knew, they all knew, that they had left one of their own behind. The youngest, the most defenseless. It took a couple of tries, but by the end of the session, Maxim was properly crying in pain. Kaidan clenched his fists so hard he broke a finger and Ashley bit her lips to the blood.
True to his promise, and despite Mrs McGonagall's protestations, the whole class of seventh year Gryffindors spent two hours every evening of the following week on detention. Because of this, Jacob and Joker missed the two next meetings of our group, but we saw them during some classes… I mean, we saw them once, then only Jacob, as he managed to pass a note to us, explaining that Joker was in the infirmary because of broken bones… No doubts that his disease would not slow down the Death Eaters. It's only the week after that we all got to be together again, his bones healed thank to Mrs Pomfrey, that they finally explained to us what happened.
- Those sons of bitches, raged Jacob, showing us the marks in his back. They used whips! Fucking whips, like we were disobedient slaves four hundred years ago!
Thin white lines crossed his back, like it could have been just a reflection of the light on his dark skin. The magic, of course, healed those wounds easily, but scars always took a couple of extra days to disappear. By the end of the week it would be like nothing happened, but those mark were enough to testify of the violence of the punishment.
- That's not even the worse part, wept Joker, his head down to the ground. It was not enough that they made us watch. They forced Neville to whip Parvati. He refused of course, so they kept punching him in the face until he passed out. Revived him, heal his bruises with a goddamn potion, and started again. When they saw that it would not work, they just had somebody else do it…
We were baffled, angry, shocked. Liara had tears in her eyes.
- But that's torture… not punishment! That's… I can't believe this is happening. Torture on children, in our own school! We need to bring this to the Ministry! To the newspaper! To everybody!
Miranda had a deep sigh.
- Would not change a thing. It's enforced by the Ministry! The Minister himself put those two bastards as Deputies, and confirmed they have full power to "bring back order to our school"…
Joker had a very, very sad smile. It's like he did not hear the girl speak.
- Funny thing is, they didn't broke my arm. They noticed that Jacob and I were friends, so they wanted me to do it on him… I didn't want to but, he told me it was okay. You know, it's not like I could hurt a big fellah like him, he chuckled, but I tried to do is slow but this bastard Carrow was onto me… I tried to pretend to hit harder, just a bit so it wouldn't hurt too much, but I just broke my stupid arm instead….
- Don't worry man, smiled Jacob with a soft pat on his shoulder. My dead grandmother hits harder than you. It's alright.
Joker actually laughed thought his running tears.
Ashley turned to Kaidan and whispered:
- You still want to sit tight and do nothing?
He answered nothing, but I did.
- Fuck it. That's enough. In two days we gather in the Room. All of us. Mordin, I have a project for you. It's time to start fighting this goddamn war.
A/N : Hello friends ! I apologize for taking this long to update :(. I don't stop writing, but I just spend much more time working on my music, nowadays.