A/N: I'm soooo sorry for the lack of update recently. I've been away a lot and then I got a virus or something on my laptop which then changed a load of settings after it was sorted and I had to send it back so my Dad's technician could sort those too. So yeah, sorry about that! Anyway, I should be back on track now! I hope this extra long chapter makes up for it! :P
Thanks to Moon Lantern, SJ Iolanthe, helena, Jinx Craft and owl-hbc for reviewing!
Seeing as though their Headmistress was currently blocking the doorway, the young witch looked round in attempt to find another escape, but the only other way out was the window and although she wasn't afraid of heights, she doubted she'd survive the drop that would await her if she tried to get out that way. Her sister, Ron and Harry seemed to be having the same dilemma as their eyes scanned the room, wands pointed warily at the four Slytherin students approaching them. There was nothing they could do. They were trapped.
Ariella realised that Draco had his eye on her and suddenly felt ill. He seemed to find some kind of sick fascination in taunting her. His eyes were doing it now, an almost predatory gaze as he inched closer. Then, he pounced.
The young girl let out a yelp as the blond boy grabbed hold of her arm and yanked her towards his chest, drawing his wand against her cheek.
"Wand," he ordered, but Ariella was stubborn, gripping her wand tightly. "Don't make me hurt you. I can promise you that I know a lot more nasty spells than you could ever imagine," he threatened, digging in his wand as if to make a point. The young witch didn't doubt him, and because of that, reluctantly handed her wand over, watching as her sister and friends did the same with their captors.
"Bring Potter here, tie him down. It's time to get answers," Umbridge commanded, moving a chair in front of her desk as the tallest of Draco's friends brought him forward and dumped him in the chair. "Go fetch Professor Snape," she continued, wrapping rope around Harry's wrists, binding them to the arms.
The boy left immediately, letting the door swing shut behind him. To say that Ariella was scared was an understatement, she was terrified. Surely teachers shouldn't be tying their students into chairs? She certainly didn't like the mad glint in her Headmistress' eyes. It was almost like she had finally clicked; gone bonkers.
She risked a glance over at her sister, who caught her gaze. She looked equally as terrified, but before Ariella could say anything, her gaze shifted above her head and she glared. Turning her head, she realised what Hermione was looking at. Draco was smirking and when he realised that the young girl was watching him, he bent down so his lips brushed by her ear.
"Are the Mudbloods not liking being in trouble with the Headmistress?" he asked mockingly and Ariella twisted in his grip, her lip curling as she let out a low growl of anger.
However, Draco didn't get the chance to respond as there came the shuffling of feet outside the door before it was thrown open and several more Slytherins walked in, clutching various members of the DA. She spotted Ginny, Luna and Neville, but then two more came in that made Ariella's heart drop. Lottie and Arcturus were pushed silently into the room as Umbridge surveyed them all with a triumphant smile on her face.
"Well, well, what have we here?"
"Found these two telling the others that Potter was coming up here. We thought you'd want to know all who are in on this plan," Millicent Bulstrode spoke up, indicating to Lottie and Arcturus.
"I see, well it won't be long before we have answers." She turned to Harry and bent down to his level. "You were going to see Dumbledore, weren't you?" she asked softly.
Ariella frowned, confused. It seemed their Professor had got the wrong end of the stick completely. But that was probably a good thing, she told herself, at least she couldn't spill anything about Sirius that would allow Malfoy to warn You-Know-Who.
However, Harry was also clearly confused.
"No," he answered, his forehead creasing. However, this reply only resulted in a harsh slap to the side of his face.
The group gasped, shocked that Umbridge would even consider going so low as to hit a student. Draco then shifted, stabbing his wand more purposefully into Ariella's cheek. She would have snapped at him, but had to bite her lip to stop herself from smirking upon realising that the reason behind his action was that he had been trying to cover up how he had jumped when Umbridge had struck Harry.
"You sent for me, Headmistress?" Snape's drawling voice came from the doorway, causing Ariella to look round quickly. This wasn't good.
"Snape, yes," Umbridge said, snapping out of the sort of trance she'd been in a moment ago. "The time has come for answers, whether he wants to give them to me or not. Have you brought the veritaserum?"
Snape didn't reach for his pockets as Ariella thought he would, instead, he faced Umbridge squarely. "I'm afraid you've used up all my stores interrogating students. The last of it on Miss Edgecombe." He paused a moment as the room fell silent. None of them had realised that Marietta had been forced to give up the details of the DA. Snape then continued, seeing that his words had had an effect. "Unless you wish to poison him, and I assure you, I would have the greatest sympathy if you did, I cannot help you."
He turned to walk away, his cloak billowing out as he span.
"He's got Padfoot," Harry shouted suddenly, gaining Snape's attention as he halted in surprise. Even Ariella started in Draco's grasp. "He-he's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden."
"Padfoot?" Umbridge picked up, utterly confused. "What is Padfoot? Where what is in? What is he talking about, Snape?"
Ariella stared at Snape, wide-eyed, as he didn't move. He had to understand. He had to get help! After a moment more of silence, the greasy-haired professor turned back, a blank look on his face.
"No idea," he stated, before turning again and striding out, leaving Ariella wondering whether he had got Harry's message or not. However, that thought was immediately tossed aside as Umbridge turned back to Harry, an unreadable expression on her face.
"Very well," she said. "You give me no choice, Potter. As this is an issue of ministry security, you leave me with… no alternative." She looked at him a moment. "The cruciatus curse ought to loosen your tongue."
Ariella's jaw dropped as she froze. She wouldn't. She couldn't! But the professor had already drawn her wand, determination clear on her face. It seemed that Ariella's earlier assumptions had been correct – this woman had most certainly gone mad.
"That's illegal!" Hermione spoke out desperately from beside her and even Crabbe, who was holding her, didn't make a single move to shut her up. Ariella glanced around the room. No one seemed to want her to cast this curse, not even Draco, who was tensed up behind her.
"What Cornelius doesn't know, won't hurt him," Umbridge said as she carefully placed the picture she had of the Minister face down on her desk.
The room was scarily silent. No one dared move as the stumpy woman moved back in front of Harry. The atmosphere was rapidly becoming more and more tense, so much so that even the kittens on the wall were now mewling in distress, making Ariella want to cover her ears to block out the painful sound.
"Tell her, Harry!" Hermione finally cried out, not being able to stand it any longer.
Umbridge looked over at her. Her eyes alight with something dangerous. "Tell me what?" she demanded, looking down at Harry before shifting her gaze over to Hermione once more.
"Well, if you won't tell her where it is, I will!" Hermione called out again, not looking at anyone in particular.
"Where what is?" Umbridge continued to press.
"Dumbledore's secret weapon." The bushy haired girl said it quietly, as if ashamed that she was the one giving up the 'secret'. Ariella's head whipped round in confusion. What on Earth was her sister up to?
"What is this 'secret weapon'? What does it do?"
"I-I'm not sure. Dumbledore just told us to make it. But now…" Hermione covered her face with her hands as Crabbe took a step back, looking disgusted. "Now, we can't find him!" she wailed.
Ariella knew that her sister hadn't covered her face to hide the tears, but because there weren't any to start with. However, it seemed Umbridge was taking it all in, her greedy eyes gleaming with triumph.
"Well, lead us to it then!" she said
"I won't take them," Hermione replied shrilly, indicating to the group of Slytherins who were looking up eagerly.
"I don't think you're in any position to be setting conditions, girl."
"Fine. Take them. In fact, why don't you take the whole school? Then everyone can know and we can work out how to use it and… and sort you out!"
Ariella nearly rolled her eyes at her sister's failed attempt at a threat, but managed to stop herself. No matter how bad Hermione was at making insults, now was not the time to scorn them and give her plan away.
She looked at Umbridge, who was clearly contemplating what her student had just told her. "Fine, let's just make it you and me… and perhaps Potter too." She cast a spell at his wrists and the ropes binding him to the chair melted away. "You will all stay here." She cast a steely gaze at her Inquisitorial Squad. "And make sure none of them escape. I will be back shortly."
"Fine," Malfoy said shortly, clearly annoyed that he wasn't able to go along too.
"You two will go ahead of me and show me the way." Umbridge pointed her wand at them. "Go on then, lead the way."
Ariella watched as her sister glanced at Harry and then strode out, trying to look as confident as she could. Although Ariella saw through her act, it was clear that Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad had bought it. Especially when Draco leant down to whisper in her ear.
"Knew you Mudbloods aren't very strong," he taunted. "Look at her giving you all away. Dumbledore's had it now, the old buffoon."
That did it. Ariella was not going to stand there and listen to him any longer. Kicking up her foot behind her, she knew it had reached her target when Draco let out a painful yell and doubled over, letting go of Ariella completely.
Spinning round, she grabbed her and Draco's wands from his flimsy grasp and pointed one at him and the other in the direction of the other Slytherins who were holding her friends.
"Let them go," she demanded, eyes fierce.
Pansy scoffed loudly and Ariella pinned her gaze on her. "You seriously think you could take on all of us? A first year against a whole group of fifth years?" the Slytherin sneered.
Crabbe stepped forward, his wand held out threateningly – well as threateningly as someone like him could manage. Ariella didn't falter, ready to cast a protego as soon as one of them threw a spell in her direction.
"She's not alone though, is she?" Ron called out suddenly, ploughing an elbow into his captor's stomach and yanking away the two wands. "Expelliamus!"
Ginny managed to duck out of the way as the spell whizzed in her direction, knocking the two wands out of the Slytherin girl's hand and sending them flying across the room.
Meanwhile, Ariella had backed Draco against the wall, her wand pointed directly under his chin. He cowered away like a frightened puppy.
"Don't you ever insult my sister again, you pathetic, little cockroach!" she snarled.
"Ella." Someone put a hand on her arm. Archie. "Ella, he's not worth it."
She lowered her arm and went to turn away. That was, until Draco let out a scathing laugh. The first year turned back quickly.
"Batala Nasium!" she hissed and then watched in satisfaction as small, bat-like creatures attacked his face, swarming around him until his terrified expression disappeared behind the now dark mass.
"Come on, Ella!" She could hear exasperation in Arcturus' voice, but even that didn't wipe the smirk off her face as the group fled Umbridge's office.
"Great Bat Bogey Hex, Ella!" Lottie called out from behind her as they ran out across the bridge that led to the Sundial Garden.
"I have Ginny to thank for that one," the young witch laughed as they stopped half way across, panting for breath.
"That was bloody brilliant, Ella! Almost as good as watching Hermione punch him in third year," Ron said with a grin.
"Did you see his face though?" his sister put in. "That was nearly as good as one of mine! He'll be fuming for hours how a first year managed to–"
She was cut off as Neville shouted, pointing along the bridge. Harry and Hermione were running full pelt towards them. Umbridge was nowhere in sight.
"Mione! Harry!" Ariella started off again and the two fifth years slowed to a halt as they saw her sprinting towards them. "What happened? Are you alright? Where's Umbridge?"
"We're fine, Professor Umbridge was taken by–" Hermione's explanation was cut off by a frantic Harry as the rest of the group caught up to them.
"I need to get to the Ministry now!" he yelled impatiently. "Sirius is there. I need to help him!"
"What do you mean I? We're coming with you!" Hermione protested.
"Alright, Ron, Hermione, come on!"
Ariella folded her arms, as did Ginny, Neville, Arcturus and Lottie. Even Luna looked a little annoyed.
"Harry–" Ariella started to say.
"No!" the dark haired boy cut her off once again. "It's too dangerous. Go back to the common room and we'll find you later."
"But wasn't Dumbeldore's Army just that?" Neville put in angrily, stepping forward. "Wasn't the whole purpose of it so that we could fight against what's out there? We want to help you, Harry; we want to fight!"
Harry's shoulders slumped. "Fine," he said. "If one of you can think of a way to get to the Ministry, then you can come with us."
"Thestrals can fly," suggested Luna's silvery voice from the back of the group. The other five turned their heads to look at Harry smugly.