A/N: Here's another chapter. Enjoy:))

Chapter 96: School, sweet school

The talent show of this year was called off, as Umbridge couldn't let us get distracted from our education by "childish things like the shows for muggles". We weren't surprised, everyone expected something like this to happen, but that didn't diminish the sadness. I wasn't really affected by that, having long ago decided not to participate this year, but the others did. Still, we weren't allowed to say anything, as we didn't want any additional attention attracted to us.

Although I got some great and really thoughtful presents, like a rare book on potions that I really wanted, or a pedant with my name engraved on it, my favourite so far was still the one from Luna. I planned to ask her how she made it work like that as soon as we got back to Hogwarts. Even though we couldn't get any more of our special Howlers in the Great Hall this year(as Umbridge forbade it), they couldn't be of use someday. And maybe we could get them do sing only the tune of the songs instead of screaming lyrics out and then catching fire.

Eventually, we had to start packing up. Mr Weasley was nearly healed, back on his feet again, with only a few scratches on the face left, and Buckbeak finally stopped screeching at random moments in the middle of the night. The first time it happened, I fell off the bed and the twins accidentally Apparated in the kitchen. We found them really confused on the floor, with a bunch of broken china around them. They fell from inside a cabinet.

Sirius, who just a week ago was the personification of euphoria, was now emanating a deep feeling of despair. He was spending more and more time with Buckbeak and didn't bother taking the decorations down.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah..." the bitter tone of the voice made my heart ache. I opened the door and saw Sirius curled up under one of the Hippogriff's wings. I never saw him like that. He looked so...helpless, and numb.

"What's happening?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on; last week you were jumping around the house singing carols at the top of your lungs. And now you're hiding under Buckbeak's wings in a room far from us."

"You got your answer then. You're all leaving. Molly is going home with Arthur and you, Harry, Hermione, Ron and the twins are going back to Hogwarts. I'm going to be alone again. Just me, Kreacher and the portrait of my mother. I spent eleven years in Azkaban, and still, I'm feeling lonelier here."

"Sirius, you can send us letters if you want. And there has to be some other means of communication here; other than fireplaces. Do you know any?"

"Well, I actually gave Harry a two-way mirror before he left for school, but I can't see anything through it, and everything I hear is muffled."

"You mean the package you gave him? The rectangular one?" he nodded "It's somewhere at the bottom of his trunk I think. He put it there when packing and never said anything about it, so he probably forgot. I'll tell him about it. And you can talk that way. When the year is over, we'll come back. None of us is leaving forever. Besides, you can still Apparate. You can come visit us on Hogsmeade weekends. Us going back to school is not the end of the world. "

"Yeah, maybe."

"Let's go now. We wanted to play cards, and we need another person."

That day went by fast and soon we were tucked into our beds. The next morning wasn't as chaotic as usual, and we got to the train station half an hour early. The ride was eventless and we played gobstones for the most part. Draco's side of the Inquisitorial Squad came by at some point, but they left without being told, and without incidents. I noticed he started to seem more tired, and his gorillas were far less violent than before. Interesting...

When we got to the castle though, it was obvious that our own homes, with all the panic and sadness from Voldemort's return, were happier places than our once beloved school. The hallways were darker, the hall was mostly silent during dinner, and Dumbledore's speech was short and rather logical this time. Umbridge on the other side, seemed to be in a really good mood. Even if she would'nt have had her reaaallllly pink robes on, she still would've radiated happiness. Something happened during the break, something we weren't aware of. But what?

Next day, I got to find out what that was. After Transfiguration, I remained in the classroom to talk to Minnie.

"What's happening in the school? Why is she so happy? "

"The minister gave her even more power over the holidays. She now has to assist to classes and evaluate the teachers; all the teachers. And if she doesn't like something, she can fire us and replace us with someone she finds suitable. I hope you do realize she doesn't really need real reasons to send us away."

"Of course. Anyone who annoys her will go. Is it really that bad?"

"I'm afraid so dear. But Dumbledore is doing everything he can to stop it. And if the curse story for the DADA position is really true, than we won't have to suffer her for a long time."

"I hope so. I'll go, I have potions now. Bye. And good luck."

"Thank you."

The class with her wasn't as bad as I expected. No one talked, so she didn't have any reason to give anyone detention. Not even to Harry. We were going to do whatever she wanted, until someone got her off our backs.

"You can go kids. And remember, follow the rules and everything will be just fine. Have a nice day!"

I would have had a nice day had I been allowed to smack that sickly sweet smile of off her face, but that wasn't an option. We had to play by her rules. So I shut up, smiled at her and walked out of the class.

Something had to be done about her though; but what?