For the next few days, Harry spent most of his time in library trying to gather information on obscurials. His conversation with Ron and Hermione was a wake up call for him. He had thought Estella had exaggerated about killing him accidently. He felt she had a small problem where she wouldn't be able to do advanced spells and blast off classrooms in case she got angry. But the library books told horrifying tales of obscurials destroying buildings, bridges, forests etc and killing people. They were described as animals that could destroy the world. Harry slammed the book shut furiously.
Obscurials were killed by the ministry until Dumbledore had invented the squibsical potion around three decades ago. The potion had various side effects and was not fully able to suppress magic. But it was a ray of hope for obscurials as they could live on the potion monitored by St Mungo. Harry was pretty sure that Estella's condition was a Malfoy family secret. In normal circumstances, she'd have been sent into isolation in the hospital. His headache began to intensify.
Harry thought about the time spent with Estella. They had been talking for more than two years now. Did he want to risk whatever he had with her over the words of some cranky old wizard who authored 'Dark wizards: A look back' ? The only time he had seen any animalistic instinct in her was when she pulled him for a rough kiss… He was pretty glad whenever she did that. If being with her meant he would be in danger, Harry would take the risk. Anyway, he was always in mortal danger from Voldemort without any positive sides to it. Atleast Estella snogged him out of his senses.
"Are you sure you are not trying to kill me?" muttered Estella looking terrified.
Harry laughed at her. He had taken her to the quidditch field at night using his cloak to 'surprise' her.
"Just mount it furball…the broom can feel your fear. Just focus on going up. You will be fine" said Harry
"No thank you… I think I prefer my feet firmly on ground"
"Just don't scream…OK? As much I like it, I don't think Filch would be pleased" Harry said ignoring her. He pushed her and the broom went up. Harry watched as Estella circled the pitch. She was flying very slowly , afraid of falling down. His firebolt seemed to have sensed her fear and was hadn't accelerated to its usual speed. He saw her relax and the fly higher, her confidence slightly increasing.
"I am never letting you talk me into this again" said Estella as soon as she landed besides him. Her cheeks were pink and hair looked like a nest. He could see her wearing the thin chain with emerald stones that he had bought for her during their date. She had insisted on silver-green combination.
"Don't lie Malfoy… you seemed to enjoy it" Harry said grinning mischievously at her.
Estella bumped his shoulders with hers as they walked towards the stands.
"Did you break into Umbridge's office?" asked Estella
Harry cringed. He had broken into Umbridge's office to see Sirius. He had seen Snape's memory in which his father had behaved like a douche. He had flooed to see Sirius to get some explanation on the same
"I take that as a yes" Said Estella watching him
"How do you even know this stuff?" asked Harry
"My brother is in the inquisitional squad….He told me that someone broke into her office…Well I think whenever something goes wrong, you are the one behind it… I tell you Potter..You are going to get expelled at this rate… why can't you be just normal?" ranted Estella
"Excuse me… I am normal…Except for dating a slytherin, I am perfectly normal"
"why on earth you broke into her office? Were you planning for some surprise proposal?"
Harry fell silent. Despite their closeness, he still kept secrets.
"don't tell me that you like her... I have read the novel 'Violent Magic'..I swear I will kill you" continued Estella.
Harry blinked . "Violent magic?"
"Really Potter..Do you ever read?.. I guess not .since you are friends with the bookworm. Violent Magic…The top selling novel by Lyra Vespan…You know the one where witch is turned on by cruciatus curse"
"Is that even possible?" asked Harry shocked.
"Of course not..Its dragon dung. Hopeless…I bet she has never been on the receiving end of the curse"
"That's just disgusting" said Harry thinking about the Longbottoms.
"Yeah..good you agree with me..I was beginning to worry you were getting turned on by the scar on your hand..The novel too has a similar scene…Professor Strips the student and start making marks with a knife and…"
"shut up" Harry said furiously trying to block the horrible images she had created in his mind.
"You are getting back at me for making you fly..Aren't you?..I will never forgive you for this" spat Harry as Estella started giggling.
Harry was livid. Sirius was being tortured by Voldemort and he and his friends had been caught in Umbridge's office. Harry mentally cursed himself for agreeing with Hermione. They should have directly went to the ministry without checking for Sirius at Grimmauld Place. Umbridge had almost crucioed him when Hermione started to cry and tell her about some imaginary weapon. Harry was shocked as Hermione went on making up a story to Umbridge
"Fine,ʹ said Hermione, now sobbing into her hands again. ʹFine… let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact, I wish youʹd invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th ‐ that would serve you right ‐ oh, Iʹd love it if the wh ‐ whole school knew where it was, and how to u ‐ use it, and then if you annoy any of them theyʹll be able toʹs ‐ sort you out!ʹ
These words had a powerful impact on Umbridge:
Umbridge contemplated Hermione for another long moment, then spoke in what she clearly thought was a motherly voice.
ʹAll right, dear, letʹs make it just you and me… Get up, now."
Harry assessed the situation. If Umbridge took Hermione and figured out that she was lying, Hermione would be in grave danger. She might even crucio was no way Harry would allow that. Sirius was already being tortured because of him… Hell would freeze over before he lets his best friend walk alone with Umbridge to the forest
"Professor… Hermione won't be able to show you the weapon. Only I can show it…You see Dumbledore trusted me and put a charm on it. It recognizes my magic and then reveals itself" Harry said in what he hoped was a desperate and scared voice.
"But Harry..." began Hermione but Umbridge silenced her and looked suspiciously at him.
"Why Potter? What made you open your mouth now?"
Harry was thinking fast. "Well…I know she can't reveal it to you. I don't want you to hurt her for that… I can't bear that" Harry croaked . For once Harry was thankful to Rita Skeeter for fuelling rumors on the nonexistent love life of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. He could see Hermione gape at him while Ron was stunned. He'd explain it to them later.
Umbridge looked at him and Hermione for a moment and said in a sickly girlish voice "Finally I found your weak spot, Potter. Now lead the way to the forest Potter. If you try anything silly, I will make sure that your sweet little girlfriend will pay for it...Lead on"
Harry led Umbridge to the forest making his way to Grawp. He didn't really have a plan on how to escape Grawp but hoped he'd get rid of Umbridge atleast.
"Potter..where are you taking me?" Harry turned around to see Umbridge pointing her wand at him. They had made their way only halfway into the forest. She was looking at him suspiciously.
Before he could answer , he saw a blinding white light hit Umbridge making her fall on the ground. Harry looked up to see Estella with her wand raised
"I only wanted to disarm her" she whimpered
"Serves her right..How did you find us?"
"Saw you walking with Umbridge towards the forest. She had her wand pointed at you...I followed" said Estella as she bent to check on umbridge. "Not dead.." said Estella looking relieved
"get her to the hospital.. I need to go to the ministry…" Harry said quickly and turned around
"Why do you want to go the ministry?" Estella caught his wrist and stared at him.
"Voldemort's got Sirius..he is being tortured there..I have to go" Harry didn't even bother to lie. He just wanted to go .
"Are you sure? How do you even.."
"I am damn sure .Now leave me" Roared Harry . He didn't have time for this nonsense.
Estella looked shocked but her hold on his wrist got stronger
"How do you plan to go there?" asked Estella
This made Harry stop. He hadn't thought about how to reach the ministry. They had to reach soon. But how?
"And in case you reach there also, how do you plan to search for Sirius? I don't think the ministry will entertain a school student to roam around. Especially Harry Potter."
Harry felt his head was about to explode. He could hear Sirius screaming. Estella was lost in thought.
"Unless…of course..you are accompanied by someone from the ministry…"said Estella with a steely determination on her face. Harry was reminded of the time when her father was sent to Azkaban. He had seen a similar resolve on her face when she was handling the case. She was looking at Umbridge.
"Umbridge won't let me into the ministry." Said Harry disbelievingly .
"Who said it had to be her? It can be anyone who looks like her" said Estella as she rummaged her purse to get a flask.
Harry caught on. "Ok give me the Polyjuice Potion"
"I am coming with you Potter. Its my potion. I am using it" said Estella furiously pointing her wand at Harry.
"You might get killed there…There are death eaters…Voldemort..Its too dangerous.." argued Harry
"All the more reason for me to come.. For once I wont have to worry about the intensity of my magic. I don't need to concentrate to tone it down..I can handle direction"
Harry wanted to argue but his scar hurt again. Sirius… He couldn't waste time. Umbridge was stirring..She was waking up
"Fine..what is the plan?"
"Heard about the imperius curse, Potter?"
Harry took Umbridge's wand and put her under the Imperius curse. Estella transformed into Umbridge using the Polyjuice Potion. They forced Umbridge to drink the potion making her transform to Estella. Harry turned back as they exchanged their clothing. It was weird to see his girlfriend change to Umbridge. But he was too tensed to care.
BANG! BANG!
Harry turned around to see Umbridge who had Estella's body lying unconscious on the floor. It appeared Estella had used a spell that resulted in knocking her down
"Memory Charm and Stunner" whispered Estella
"You could have let me do it…" Said Harry indignantly
"Wanted more power you see…we cant risk her remembering you doing an unforgivable. She will never recover this memory. And I have knocked her out for a couple of days atleast."
Harry levitated umbridge as they ran to Umbridge's office. When they reached the office, Harry put Umbridge down outside the door and pocketed the wand. Harry entered the office with Estella.
"Preposterous..Cheating..a pathetic attempt to cheat the ministry..You are going to pay Potter.." said Estella imitating Umbridge.
"What happened Professor ?" asked Draco in a polite voice. Estella appeared to be flustered before regaining composure.
"The boy tried to attack me. Your sister tried to help me but she got in the way. She was hit by the stunner I believe..nothing to worry…She is just knocked down..Take her to the infirmary" Draco had rushed outside even before Estella completed her dialogue.
"Now you all" Said Estella pointing towards Harry and his friends.
"Attacking a ministry employee…We will settle this in the ministry itself.. Place all their wands on my table Crabbe..Now the inquisitional squad members can go..This is out of Hogwarts now…I will show them the power of ministry" Said Estella menacingly. Harry had to appreciate her acting skills. She acted like a meaner version of Umbridge.
"But.." began Pansy
"I said leave"
The squad left the office and as soon as the door closed , Harry had taken his wand in the pocket and shouted "Imperio"
Estella's eyes became dazed. He was tempted to leave her behind but they needed Umbridge's body.
"Harry!" shouted Hermione looking scared
"I had to do it..We need her to get into the ministry. Take your wands . We will use the floo to get to her office" said Harry
"But an unforgivable.."began Hermione
"lets get Sirius" said Ron silencing Hermione with a look.
"How did you get a wand?"whispered Hermione
Harry didn't reply as he pretended to search his phoenix wand.
"lets get to the ministry"