Chapter 20
The next morning Harry came down into the common room, yawning still. Hermione was already there and was sitting on a couch, reading a book. She looked up as he walked over to her, then looked away blushing.
"Hi Harry," she said.
"Morning 'Mione," Harry answered as he sat down next to her. "Sleep well?"
"Yes..." Hermione avoided his gaze, and she was fidgeting with her hands.
"Hey, we're still good, right? Best friends, right?" Harry said softly.
"Friends. Right." Hermione finally looked up and shot him a smile. "Friends, that's what we are, yes."
Harry was silent for a bit as well. "Well, this is awkward... shall we just go for breakfast?"
"All right, Harry. Do you think Professor Dumbledore will say anything about that woman?" Hermione held her hand out for him to take, and he helped her up.
"I don't see how he cannot, I just hope he'll leave us alone for today," Harry said.
This hope was shattered quickly for no sooner had they both entered the Great Hall, Dumbledore spotted them.
"Incoming," Harry softly said to Hermione. They both watched Professor McGonagall walk over to them.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, do you have an explanation for why you missed Astronomy last night?" she asked.
"DMLE business, ma'am," Harry answered her.
"I see," Professor McGonagall made a 'tsk' sound. "The Headmaster would like to see you both in his office."
"Can we finish breakfast first?" Harry asked.
"And what about Charms class?" Hermione added.
"I suppose you can, but make it quick. And I'll clear things with Professor Flitwick," their Head of House said. She walked back to the teachers' table. Harry saw Dumbledore had left while they spoke.
"Let me take the lead, okay?" Harry suggested to Hermione. She nodded and they finished their breakfast. As they ate Harry caught Tonks' eye, and he inclined his head to the door. She seemed to get the message for she made an excuse to the other teachers and got up, leaving the hall.
Harry stood up a little later and headed for the doors with Hermione closely following. Tonks was waiting just out of sight for them.
"Morning love," Harry said, smiling.
Tonks' expression softened at that, and she smiled back.
"Hi," Hermione simply said.
"So, what's this about?" Tonks asked Harry.
"Old Whiskers wants to see us in his office. Have you heard from Bonesy?" Harry asked.
Tonks frowned. "Not yet, and I think she'd contact me before coming here for your statements... want me to come with you to the Headmaster?"
"No, as far as he knows, you don't like me, and I don't see a reason to change that," Harry disagreed. "But can you contact Bones and tell her Dumbledore has us in his office?"
"Will do," Tonks agreed. "Don't look him in the eyes, and just keep stalling if he tries to badger you about the toad, okay?"
"Got it," Harry agreed. He looked back and saw the corridor was still empty asides from them, then quickly leant in for a stolen kiss. "Love you."
Tonks' smile could light up a dark night. "Love you too. Now off you go."
She watched Harry and Hermione headed for the stairwell and then went for her own quarters to call the head of her department.
–-
Ministry of Magic
Dolores Umbridge seemed to radiate calm as she sat in the Ministry holding cell. Auror Longbrook, who was assigned to guard the cells this morning, was getting more than a little unnerved by this and went back to his copy of 'The Quibbler'. While the magazine may have nonsensical contents most of the time, the runic puzzle on the back pages was always good to keep one occupied.
Not ten minutes later he hastily moved the magazine out of sight as someone came down the corridor leading to the lifts, and to his shock, he saw it was the Minister himself.
"Auror, I've come to release Madam Umbridge," Minister Fudge said.
"Errr... sir, she's under arrest for –" Longbrook started.
"Perhaps you didn't hear me correctly? I said, I've come to get Madam Umbridge," Minister Fudge repeated.
"I... I'll have to ask Madam Bones," Longbrook stalled. Quickly he scribbled a note on the message paper and sent the paper aeroplane towards the lift shaft.
–-
Amelia Bones had only just arrived and was drinking her morning tea. That they hadn't found Umbridge's blood quill the previous night really annoyed her, but she knew her Aurors were thorough in their search. She must have either been warned somehow or was just extremely paranoid and had hidden it elsewhere. No matter, the documented abuse of Miss Granger's hand should be enough to get a questioning under Veritaserum. That reminded her, she needed to get official statements from the girl.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a Ministry note flying over to her and unfolding itself on her desk. Quickly she glanced over it and let out an annoyed groan.
"Is Robards in yet?" she called in the general direction of the Auror desks.
"Not yet ma'am," Auror Proudfoot, one of her most trusted men, answered.
"Just my luck," Madam Bones grumbled. "Our esteemed Minister is up to something. If Robards or Mitchell arrive, have them write their reports on the Umbridge search asap – I'll likely be with Fudge."
Not waiting for the affirmative she got up and stomped towards the lift.
By the time she arrived at the holding cells, Dolores Umbridge was just being led out of her cell by Auror Longbrook.
"What the hell is going on here?" Madam Bones demanded.
"Amelia, good to see you," Minister Fudge turned to her. "Your Auror is just releasing my Senior Secretary. Terrible mishap, but I'm sure Dolores won't hold it against you."
"Of course I won't," Umbridge said in a sickly sweet voice.
"Mishap? Minister, she was caught torturing a student!" Bones protested.
"Caught? You have the evidence then?" Fudge countered.
"Of course! Official Auror documentation, I saw it with my own eyes!"
"Ah yes... Dolores just told me about that. This student claimed she used a blood quill, correct?"
"Claim my arse, the words were carved in her skin," Madam Bones said. "Minister, I have worked with Goblins for decades now. I recognise scars from a blood quill when I see one!"
"And you have found that quill I trust?" Minister Fudge pressed.
"Not yet, but –"
"Exactly as I was telling the Minister, it's all lies and slander... I bet the chit hurt herself in a mistaken attempt to force me from the school," Umbridge said. "She and the Potter boy are very close, I wouldn't be surprised if they planned it together."
"That is ridiculous," Bones spat at the other woman. "Minister, I promise you, after questioning Madam Umbridge we will know where she hid it. So please let my Auror return her to her cell."
"I think not," Fudge denied her. "You have no evidence other than the word of a hysterical girl whose taste in friends is questionable at best. Otherwise you will have to officially apologize to Dolores and drop the case."
"And if I don't?" Amelia asked through clipped teeth.
"Then I see no alternative but to fire you on the spot," Minister Fudge said.
Madam Umbridge stood beside him and smiled.
–-
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, do sit down," Professor Dumbledore smiled genially at them both as they entered his office. "Lemon drop?"
"No thank you," Harry said. He wondered why he had suddenly become 'Mr. Potter' – Dumbledore had always called him 'Harry' before. "What is this about, sir?"
Professor Dumbledore tried to catch Harry's eyes, but Harry looked away each time. He next tried to catch Hermione, but Hermione was looking down at her folded hands.
Finally his patience ran out. "You caused quite a commotion last night," he said.
"Oh, did we?" Harry said flatly.
"I understand that Professor Umbridge was a little harsh on Miss Granger but –"
"A little harsh? She was torturing Hermione! In an unjust detention!"
"Don't tell me you support that woman, professor," Hermione added.
"Of course not my dear, I will have a talk with her and explain that Blood Quills are not accepted materials." Dumbledore smiled in Hermione's direction. "Still, you should not have needed to involve the Aurors. Any school business can be brought up with your Head of House or myself."
"We tried that, but McGonagall forced Hermione to go to detention any way," Harry interjected.
"Professor McGonagall, Mr. Potter. But very well. I expect you will not try to go over my head in the future?"
"Why, are you going to stand up for your students for once?" Harry sarcastically asked.
Professor Dumbledore frowned. "I do not like your attitude, Harry."
"Oh, am I Harry again? Well, if it's my attitude that's a problem, I don't like yours. Sir."
"Harry, enough," Hermione said softly.
"Twenty House points from Gryffindor for that disrespect," Dumbledore said in a sad voice. "Now, all that is left is for you both to apologize to Professor Umbridge."
"You... no." Harry gripped the armrests of his chair. Next to him, Hermione froze as well.
"No matter your problems with her, she is a teacher, and deserves your respect," Dumbledore tried.
"I've heard enough. Hermione, come, we're leaving," Harry started to rise.
"Sit down!" Dumbledore loudly exclaimed. "This is not open for debate!"
"Well you can stuff your –"
Harry's not so respectful response was interrupted by a knock on the Headmaster's door.
"Enter!" Dumbledore yelled. Both teens turned to see a pink menace step through. Hermione let out a stifled gasp, and Harry's expression turned to murder.
"Professor Umbridge, I was not expecting you back yet," Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"Just a minor problem at the Ministry," Professor Umbridge informed him. "But the Minister has made sure I could return in time for my classes. Oh, but I see you have visitors already?"
"Indeed. I believe Mr. Potter and Miss Granger have something to say to you?"
Harry took a breath but before he could speak, Hermione did: "I will not be taking your class or allow myself to be alone with you at any time, Professor. You may have the Ministry on your side, but I will not be a willing victim of your persecution." She glared the woman down, then walked past her to the door.
"What she said," Harry said quickly, following after her.
"Well I never," they heard Umbridge say as they left the Headmaster's office.
"Can you cover for me? I'm going to Tonks, I want to know how that toad got back here so quickly," Harry said as he rushed after Hermione who was on her way to the stairwell.
"I'm coming with you, if anyone deserves to know, it's me, don't you think?"
"Of course."
–-
They arrived at the DADA classroom to find Tonks teaching a first year class. Hermione hesitated to interrupt but Harry had no problem doing so. He opened the classroom door and as soon as Tonks spotted him, he waved her over.
"I'll be right back class, for now practice the incantation," Tonks told her students then stepped outside.
"I'm sorry Harry, Hermione, Bonesy was not in the DADA office, she was in a meeting with the Minister. I don't know what about," she clarified to them both.
"Probably about that toad bitch, she's back," Harry grumbled.
"Language, Harry, but yes, he's right," Hermione added.
"Oh Merlin," Tonks groaned. "I hope the boss is not in trouble now... well... not much we can do about it now I guess. Why don't you go to classes? I'll try to talk to Bonesy over lunch and if I hear something, I'll let you know."
"Might as well," Harry sighed. "Hermione, what class are we supposed to be in now?"
"There's about ten minutes of Charms left, and after that, Potions," she informed him. "I'm not your planner, Harry," she softly punched him in the arm.
"Well have fun kiddos," Tonks ruffled Harry's hair, then went back inside.
Harry tried to get his hair back in order while he spoke: "I'm not going to Potions. Snape can't teach anyway, I'm better off doing self study. Speaking of, you were going to help me with Runes, right?"
"But... but classes?" Hermione bit her lower lip, looking uncertain.
"Look, I'll take all the blame for keeping you from class. But seriously, do you think Snape will be teaching us anything? He's far more likely to spend the whole ninety minutes abusing us both."
"Professor Snape, and yes... you're right." Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're a horrible influence on me, Harry. Very well, let's go to the library instead and I'll see if you have any talent in Runes."
"You're amazing," Harry shot her a smile and he walked off. Hermione felt a blush creep up and tried to fight it away as she made to follow him.
A/N: I know, it's almost three weeks late, short, and mostly unsatisfying.
Lately sitting down to write just wouldn't work, I'm still in pain from my accident and I suspect the painkillers and antibiotics really didn't help me get in a writing mood.
But rather than keeping you all hanging even longer I decided to just upload this chapter in its current state. Hopefully next chapter won't take as long to get out and be back to normal standards. No guarantees on getting back to my weekly schedule though.
Thanks to firefly81 for beta-ing!