Minerva followed impatiently as Dolores led the way upstairs. The older woman was obviously was not used to the vigorous exercise provided by being responsible for a castle full of hormonal teenagers. Nor did she know her way through the myriad of hidden portals and secret corridors that would have greatly speeded her passage through the school. Before long Dolores was looking distinctly red in the face and her footsteps slowed considerably.
Even Andreas Aspartin never moves this slow, Minerva thought viciously. And he'll be ninety four next year. Surrepticiously she stole a glance at her watch. Only five minutes left...
"Professor McGonagall!"
They had only reached the fourth floor landing when they heard the shout. Hermione Granger was hurrying along the corridor towards them, her bushy brown hair flying in all directions. She was clearly distressed about something: her eyes were wide and her clothing dishevelled from running. Minerva stopped abruptly and stared at her with concern.
"What is it, Miss Granger?"
"It's Neville, Professor!" Hermione said breathlessly. "He was practicing his vanishing spell and it went a bit wrong. He's vanished the Fat Lady and we can't get the portrait hole to open!"
Minerva frowned. Behind her Dolores was tutting impatiently, clearly unwilling to delay her investigation of the fifth floor broom cupboard. Minerva ignored her.
"I see," she said. "Are there any students in the common room?"
"Yes! But they can't get out either. And Ron's got detention with Professor Snape at seven!"
Hermione was almost hysterical by now. She seemed unable to stand still, instead bouncing frantically from one foot to the other.
"Calm down, Miss Granger!" Minerva snapped. "There is no need to wear a hole in the carpet, it's quite tatty enough already."
The words came out more harshly than she had intended.
"The Headmistress and I will come up straight away and see what can be done," she added a little more kindly.
"Hem, Hem."
Minerva turned, wearing what she fervently hoped was an expression of innocence.
"Yes, Dolores?" she said sweetly, noting with amusement that the Headmistress seemed almost as anxious as Hermione.
"If I might just interrupt a moment, Minerva. The students will have to wait. The matter we are presently dealing with is of much greater urgency."
Clearly she was worried that this golden opportunity to catch the school's chief mischief makers was going to slip through her fingers.
So far, so good.
Composing her face into what she hoped was a serious expression, Minerva nodded.
"Yes, of course. Unless..."
She let the word dangle provocatively between them. Umbridge inclined her head and gestured impatiently for Minerva to continue.
"I don't think Weasley should miss his detention. Perhaps I could see to the portrait hole myself?"
Interest flickered in Dolores' piggy eyes. Minerva smiled inwardly as her quarry took the bait.
"I'm sure you are more than capable of dealing with the, ah... broom cupboard situation without my assistance," she added, smiling sweetly.
"I rather think that goes without saying," the Headmistress said pompously. "But since you mention it, that does seem to be a sensible suggestion. Where did you say this cupboard was?"
"Just along from Filius Flitwick's office. Opposite the portrait of Jocunda Sykes."
"Right. And do sort that girl out. The Minister may be visiting us later. I wouldn't want Gryffindor House to let the side down."
Barely a minute later Minerva was smiling to herself as she hurried away down the corridor, having to chosen to ignore Umbridge's last remark. Dolores Umbridge's wand skills were less than legendary. It was no surprise that she'd been reluctant to go to the rescue of Longbottom herself, even without the temptation of catching Fred Weasley in the act. And now that she didn't have Minerva at her heels there would be nothing to stop that vile woman from inflicting the very worst punishment she could think of. No wonder she had been practically salivating as she continued her ascent of the marble staircase. Minerva shuddered.
Patience, Minerva. Albus is doing his best.
She did not stop until she was a safe distance from the staircase. Only then did she turn to the girl beside her. Hermione's posture had changed dramatically: once more she was her usual calm and confident self.
"Was that all right, Professor?" she asked breathlessly, sneaking a surrepticious glance down the corridor to ensure no one was paying heed to their conversation.
"That was outstanding, Miss Granger. I couldn't have done better myself. Thank you."
Hermione smiled.
"It's no trouble."
They shared a brief grin, fellow conspirators united against the enemy. Then Minerva recalled her original mission and hastily swept off back in the direction of Dolores' office.
Even Andreas Aspartin never moves this slow, Minerva thought viciously. And he'll be ninety four next year. Surrepticiously she stole a glance at her watch. Only five minutes left...
"Professor McGonagall!"
They had only reached the fourth floor landing when they heard the shout. Hermione Granger was hurrying along the corridor towards them, her bushy brown hair flying in all directions. She was clearly distressed about something: her eyes were wide and her clothing dishevelled from running. Minerva stopped abruptly and stared at her with concern.
"What is it, Miss Granger?"
"It's Neville, Professor!" Hermione said breathlessly. "He was practicing his vanishing spell and it went a bit wrong. He's vanished the Fat Lady and we can't get the portrait hole to open!"
Minerva frowned. Behind her Dolores was tutting impatiently, clearly unwilling to delay her investigation of the fifth floor broom cupboard. Minerva ignored her.
"I see," she said. "Are there any students in the common room?"
"Yes! But they can't get out either. And Ron's got detention with Professor Snape at seven!"
Hermione was almost hysterical by now. She seemed unable to stand still, instead bouncing frantically from one foot to the other.
"Calm down, Miss Granger!" Minerva snapped. "There is no need to wear a hole in the carpet, it's quite tatty enough already."
The words came out more harshly than she had intended.
"The Headmistress and I will come up straight away and see what can be done," she added a little more kindly.
"Hem, Hem."
Minerva turned, wearing what she fervently hoped was an expression of innocence.
"Yes, Dolores?" she said sweetly, noting with amusement that the Headmistress seemed almost as anxious as Hermione.
"If I might just interrupt a moment, Minerva. The students will have to wait. The matter we are presently dealing with is of much greater urgency."
Clearly she was worried that this golden opportunity to catch the school's chief mischief makers was going to slip through her fingers.
So far, so good.
Composing her face into what she hoped was a serious expression, Minerva nodded.
"Yes, of course. Unless..."
She let the word dangle provocatively between them. Umbridge inclined her head and gestured impatiently for Minerva to continue.
"I don't think Weasley should miss his detention. Perhaps I could see to the portrait hole myself?"
Interest flickered in Dolores' piggy eyes. Minerva smiled inwardly as her quarry took the bait.
"I'm sure you are more than capable of dealing with the, ah... broom cupboard situation without my assistance," she added, smiling sweetly.
"I rather think that goes without saying," the Headmistress said pompously. "But since you mention it, that does seem to be a sensible suggestion. Where did you say this cupboard was?"
"Just along from Filius Flitwick's office. Opposite the portrait of Jocunda Sykes."
"Right. And do sort that girl out. The Minister may be visiting us later. I wouldn't want Gryffindor House to let the side down."
Barely a minute later Minerva was smiling to herself as she hurried away down the corridor, having to chosen to ignore Umbridge's last remark. Dolores Umbridge's wand skills were less than legendary. It was no surprise that she'd been reluctant to go to the rescue of Longbottom herself, even without the temptation of catching Fred Weasley in the act. And now that she didn't have Minerva at her heels there would be nothing to stop that vile woman from inflicting the very worst punishment she could think of. No wonder she had been practically salivating as she continued her ascent of the marble staircase. Minerva shuddered.
Patience, Minerva. Albus is doing his best.
She did not stop until she was a safe distance from the staircase. Only then did she turn to the girl beside her. Hermione's posture had changed dramatically: once more she was her usual calm and confident self.
"Was that all right, Professor?" she asked breathlessly, sneaking a surrepticious glance down the corridor to ensure no one was paying heed to their conversation.
"That was outstanding, Miss Granger. I couldn't have done better myself. Thank you."
Hermione smiled.
"It's no trouble."
They shared a brief grin, fellow conspirators united against the enemy. Then Minerva recalled her original mission and hastily swept off back in the direction of Dolores' office.