Hello lovelies, so this is a shorter chapter than last. However, I needed to get this chapter together. My mind was screaming for something to happen with Umbridge, I didn't know what exactly; but I did now. Now, here is probably one of the biggest changes from books and movies. You will see why, and I am guessing you will kinda understand by the end of it. Enjoy.
Just when I thought Umbridge could not be worse than she already was, I was made painfully aware of how cruel she could be. Walking with Potter and his friends, before noticing an alarmingly amount of students standing at the top of the stairs, leading down to the entry of Hogwarts. All students gathered murmured amongst themselves, before a familiar wail could be heard.
"Professor Trelawney." I whispered, pushing through the crowd as quickly as I could. Potter and the rest followed after, until the horrors of the seen could be unfold. The older woman, on her knees in tears, her luggage thrown around her. My heart lurched, as I stared at the scene before me. Umbridge stared at the older woman with such malice on her face, it made me physically ill; before I ran to the fallen teacher. The pink cow looked at me, as I moved to the older woman, the tears falling from her green eyes filled with anger, and fear. "What is going on Professor?" I asked her softly, as she turned to me. My arms wrapped around her, trying to keep the breaking woman upright.
"I've been fired." She whispered, before her face buried into my shoulder. "Now, she I am without a home."
"She is unequipped to be a teacher here, wouldn't you say Ms. Swan?" Umbridge asked me, I elected to ignore her. Knowing full well that the woman was trying to bait me with a reaction.
I held the older woman, as the students watched. Her glassed had fallen to the ground, leaving the Professor blind. "Professor, Professor Dumbledore will not allow you to be homeless." I whispered softly, as I gently got her to look up. Drying her tears with my robe, I know a little disgusting but its all I had, picking her glasses to place them back on her face. "Let us find the Headmaster."
"She is not allowed to enter the school." Umbridge hissed. I allowed my emotions to show than, glaring up at the pink cow. "Anything you wish to say Ms. Swan, remember I can have you removed from the school as well."
I bit my cheek for a moment, but before I could say anything. McGonagall arrived, Professor Dumbledore right behind her. "There is a lot, that both Ms. Swan and I would very much like to say." The head of Gryffindor spat, before walking to both of us, "Sybill what has she done to you?" She whispered, casting a small smile in my direction as we both helped the Divination Professor to her feet. "Amelia, can you help me gather her belongings."
"Right away, Professor." I replied, gently touching Trelawney's hand. "Everything will be alright." I promised her, to which she smiled to me.
"Thank you, Amelia." She whispered, being supported by Professor McGonagall, while I gathered the luggage.
Umbridge glared at both of us, before turning to Dumbledore. "I have authority here." She spat.
"Oh, I agree with you, Professor Umbridge. You do have the power to dismiss the teachers." He began, to which she grinned evilly. Turning to the three of us, she was quickly halted as Dumbledore finished. "However, you cannot send them from this castle. That is still my decision. Professor Trelwaney will remain here at Hogwarts."
She rounded on the Headmaster, smoke nearly coming from her ears. "What of her quarters, for when I appoint a new teacher."
"I am pleased to report, that it will not be necessary. I already have a successor for dear Professor Trelawney, as you already know." He told her, before turning to me a soft smile on his face. Umbridge looked absolutely mutinous as he continued to speak. "As you know the Ministry can only appoint a teacher, if I cannot find one. I think you will find him suitable enough, I have a feeling Ms. Swan here will not be disappointed either."
Turning to look, I saw the Great Oaken doors leading to the grounds open. Nothing could prepare me for what would come through the doors, as a handsome ebony-skinned centaur walked through. I did not know who he was, as I had not met him before; but I was rather enthralled with what I saw. Hagrid had spoken about Centaurs within the dark forest, as they protected Hogwarts, in exchange they are allowed to live peacefully in the forest. I had yet to meet one, I knew Draco had when he had detention during his first year. I briefly wondered if this was the same one that saved Potter if my memory from the tale was accurate.
"Ms. Swan, could you please help Professor McGonagall." Dumbledore asked.
I nodded calmly. "Yes, Professor."
"30 points to Gryffindor for helping a Professor in need." He added, smiling at me.
I smiled softly. "No points are necessary." I told him calmly.
"You always say that, but you continue to do the right thing. Your heart and courage shows each time. 10 points will be added to addition to the 30." Dumbledore replied simply, right before we entered the school once more.
Once the three of us entered Professor Trelawney's quarters, I felt pain enter my heart. It looked as if Umbridge had smashed all of her valuable crystals, even her wand was broken on the ground. I looked to Professor McGonagall, who looked just as pained as I did. The former Divination Professor cried, as she saw the state of everything. "She must be stopped." I couldn't help but whisper.
"Amelia." McGonagall said simply. "You placed yourself right in the line of her fire, today." She told me calmly, before looking around. "However I agree, Professor Umbride must be stopped. No one deserves to lose their home, especially in these times."
"Professor, I think its safe to say I have been in her line of fire since the beginning of my second year." I explained softly, before looking back to the broken woman. I moved to give Trelwaney a small embrace, she needed so much more than I could give; but I would gladly be a shoulder. "How can someone be so heartless?" I whispered. "She gives her formal house a bad name, Slytherins are ambitious, cunning, and a little shrewd; but they are not without heart."
Trelawney smiled softly then. "Thank you, for coming to help me Amelia." She finally said. "You did not have to."
"Yes I did, it was the right thing to do." I replied quickly. "You are important to this school, and to me. I could not imagine Hogwarts without you."
"Minerva, this child is a blessing to this school." She said, looking up at the older Professor.
Two hours passed, as the three of us chatted. I gladly helped clean up, the mess the dreaded pink cow had left. I should have known however, that it would not be the last time I would see the horrid woman that day. As I was walking to meet Potter in the dining room for dinner, I was stopped. "How can I be of service, Professor?" I asked softly, as she stopped me. She glared darkly at me, knuckles turning white as she gripped her wand.
"Dinner will have to wait, come to my office now." She hissed, as I looked around.
I smiled calmly. "Why do I need to go to your office, detention cannot be issued without prior warning. As you are a Professor in this school, you should know the rules that even the faculty must follow." I replied, watching as she glared darkly at me. "Further more, I do not hold class with you." I added. "If you wish to speak with me, than I request for Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall to be present. If it has something to do with my Defense studies, than both Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape must be able to attend."
Umbridge smiled through the hate in her eyes, it was fine for me. The feeling of hatred was mutual, the difference is I refused to allow it to cloud my judgement upon the world. "That will not be necessary."
"Yes, it is." I replied simply. "It is a simple request, that if it cannot be met. Than I see no reason for us to continue this conversation, as you are not Head of Gryffindor or the Headmaster you do not have much control over me." I stated. "Now, if you will excuse me."
She grabbed me then, her nails buried into my skin. "I do not know what kind of game you are playing, but it ends here. Your little lessons with Snape ends, you will be in my defense class tomorrow morning." She hissed, blood beginning to run down from where she dug.
"Unless I see a document from Professor Dumbledore, than I will not be in your defense class." I replied simply, wincing as she dug deeper. "I cannot believe you were a Slytherin, everything you are doing does not go with their traits, or any trait in this school." I glared, trying to snatch my arm from her grasp; but she dug deeper. "Let go of me." I hissed, looking over noticing Nearly Headless Nick having spotted us. He quickly disappearing, hopefully to get help.
"I do not think so!" She hissed. "You will be coming with me!" I went to try and get my arm out of her hold once more, that was when a flash of fire hit my cheek. My eyes went wide, as my mind registered. Dolores Umbridge smacked me.
"Did you just hit me?" I asked in disbelief, iron filling my mouth as blood pulled from my lip.
A dark smirk came to her lips. "What are you going to do about it? You can't do anything." She said, spitting in my face.
"A teacher is not supposed to hit a student." I whispered, I was angry, scared, unsure of what was happening before my very eyes. "Teachers are supposed to protect their students, not strike them." I whispered softly, gaining an eye roll.
"I am part of the Ministry, I will do what I please." Umbridge replied, rearing her hand back to strike me again.
I closed my eyes, and braced for the impact of another hit. However, nothing came. Opening my eyes, I saw Professor McGonagall holding the pink hags hand. Murder was the only way one could describe the fury in the older witches face. "Professor." I whispered, before Umbridge's hand was knocked loose from my arm. Professor's Snape and Dumbledore were on the scene as well.
"Severus, please escort Ms. Swan to the infirmary. I will deal with this." Dumbledore spoke, and for the first time I was thankful he was my Headmaster. He looked absolutely furious.
"Ms. Swan." Professor Snape whispered, before picking me up in his arms. Looking into his dark eyes, I could see the hidden fury within."What happened?"
"Professor Umbridge told me, that I was to report to her Defense class for now on. I simply stated I needed prior knowledge from you or Professor Dumbledore." I replied softly. "She also told me, that I was to report to her office immediately that dinner was to wait."
"Did she give you a reason?" He asked.
"No, I am guessing she is still angry about earlier." I whispered softly. "That and she's been trying to get into my head since she arrived, but standing up for Professor Trelawney must have set her over the edge."
I could see his jaw clench as I spoke, he was clearly angry. Each time he glanced at my face, I could feel him zero in on my busted lip; his eyes narrowed darker. I had to admit he could be a little unsettling when he was angered. I knew Professor Snape would never hurt me, that I was completely sure. However he was still a dangerous man, and it was becoming more apparent as the darkness drew closer.
Alright lovelies, what do you think is about to happen to Umbridge? Clearly she has to stay away from Amelia, that would make the most logical sense right. Well I guess you will have to wait and see. Also, I have only one question I want you to think about.
What will Lucius do?
Nature Faustus