Inside the beautiful door, was rows of books, and even from the door, Hermione could say that it was bigger than Hogwarts's library. She entered and quietly closed the door behind her. Hermione looked around, wandering deep into the library that held innumerable books. She simply had to think of a specific title, and the book would reach her hand, flying from wherever it was. After flipping through various muggle and wizarding works, she pulled down a book 'The Rules and Regulation of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.
As she read the title of the book, she could almost hear Ron incredulously saying, "You are going to read THAT stuff?" She shook her head and opened it. It was an ancient book, handwritten by the founders in the 11th century when Hogwarts was founded.
In Hogwarts: A History, it was written that no matter whatever rule the upcoming headmasters and headmistresses made, it would not show in this until it was accepted by Hogwarts. That meant none of Umbridge's so-called educational decree was there. A quick check of the book confirmed what she knew. Hermione settled on the chair and table that had appeared and started reading the test carefully.
For nearly three hours, she sat there reading the book and carefully taking notes of whatever she thought was and could be necessary for her 'little' plan. Hermione closed the book and returned it to its original place, and surveyed her notes with pleasure. Her little plan was technically fool-proof and allowed by her school.
She sat there a little longer, thinking of some gruesome ways of killing Umbridge. She might respect teachers, but there was no way in which she would allow that pink hag to destroy her school and harm her friends.
She was snapped out of her fantasy by a yawn. Shaking her head, she collected the notes and cast a quick disillusionment charm on herself. Just to be sure, you know. She tiptoed out of the room of requirement and made her way merrily, albeit quietly, to her dormitory. There, she fell asleep as soon as her body hit the bed and had a brilliant dream involving a portable swamp and their defence against dark arts teacher.
The next day was little like the last day the storm had subsided, and the sun was shining with all brightness it could muster.
"Rise and shine, prefect Granger." Lavender Brown said, pulling the curtains.
Hermione got up and readied herself. Hermione, Lavender and Parvati made their way downstairs to the great hall they separated at the door.
Hermione headed towards Gryffindor table, while Lavender and Parvati went towards Ravenclaw table to greet Padma, Parvati's twin sister.
"Hello, boys! The sun is rather bright today, isn't it?" Hermione greeted her best friends, Harry and Ron.
"Sounding like a centaur now?" Ginny said with mock concern.
The starved duo of Harry and Ron continued eating, their focus on the food. After... er.. finishing their meal, Ron and Harry looked up.
"What happened, Hermione? Extra homework today?" Ron asked. Hermione laughed along with the table.
The first class was charms with Professor Flitwick. Today, they were doing a Water conjuring spell, which was not as difficult as it sounded.
Hermione, like always, was successful on her first attempt. After a few tries, she saw that Ron and Harry had also managed to do it.
Soon, Dean and Seamus started a mini water fight. Within minutes, it wasn't 'mini' anymore, and nearly the whole class was spraying each other with water.
Due to her happy mood, she joined it instead of asking them to stop. From the corner of her eyes, she spotted their tiny charms teacher silently helping Hannah Abbott, who was caught in an unfair fight of 3 on 1.
As Neville, Parvati and Susan continued torturing Hannah, Lavender got ambushed by Justin and Ernie. A grinning Hermione ran towards them, showering the Hufflepuff boys with water as cries of Aguamenti rang everywhere.
As soon as Ron settled on the sofa after talking with Ginny, Hermione cast some silence and Privacy charms.
"No, listen to me, first." Hermione quickly told the boys, who looked at her with questioning eyes. Hermione started speaking, "What Umbridge is doing is wrong. Very wrong. And you both agree with me." The boys nodded their head in agreement. "Yes, and we have got an even bigger problem in the form of vo-Voldemort. We aren't learning the defence, and Umbridge is doing everything to oppress us. One day, when Ron and I were playing chess while waiting for you, Ron said that you can't defeat the opposition by just moving the pieces. You need to have a plan. And he had said we don't have a plan against Umbridge."
Hermione had started pacing by now. She waited for a few seconds before continuing.
"That's what the problem is. We, the students, are randomly moving pieces. If we organise ourselves, Umbridge doesn't stand a chance against us. Against Hogwarts."
Harry and Ron took a few moments to reply, but they did. They were very excited and wanted to plan for it the whole night, but somehow Hermione convinced them to go to sleep.
It was Saturday which, naturally, meant no class. After breakfast and walk to Hagrid's hut, the Trio walked back to Gryffindor Tower. This merry band of friends sat at their favourite armchair by the fireplace and cast the regular notice-me-not and mufflito charm.
"So," Harry grinned. "What are we going to do for your Great Plan?"
"I was thinking we can start by forming a little club that goes against Umbridge and learns defence against dark arts," Ron replied.
"I was thinking the same thing. I have a potential list of people interested, although these are only from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and few Ravenclaws. We need more Ravens and Slytherins."
Harry voiced his hesitation towards Slytherin, but both were shocked to hear a tale from Ron.
During his prefects round, he stumbled across few fifth and sixth-year Slytherins. He could identify a few like Zabini, Nott and Greengrass from their year and sixth-year chaser Adrian Pucey. After few hostile exchanges, Ron got to know that the snakes were, after all, not in support of Umbridge.
"Only a few like Parkinson actually like her. We are in the inquisitorial squad out of force. Malfoy is creating a distraction for us." Zabini had explained. They made a truce that Ron would let them go as long as they used this to trouble Umbridge.
That, Hermione thought, explained why Malfoy was acting civil towards them and had not called her mudblood or Ron a blood traitor.
"Dealing with Slytherins, Ron?" Harry teased Ron poking him with his elbow.
"House unity, y'know," Ron smirked.
After some discussion, it was decided that Harry would approach those who believed him, Hermione would talk to her study mates and, Ron would talk to Slytherins.
And with the hopes of freedom, the Trio set to lunch.
Author's Note
I know this is also short, but due to exams I hadn't been able to update, so I thought abut posting whatever I had. Thank you to all those who have followed or favourited (? is this a word?) this story. Please feel free to point out any spelliing, grammer or any factual errors and typos. Please Review!
Marie Curie-osity