CHAPTER TWENTY: UMBRAGE


"I was wondering," Hermione Granger said, "whether you'd thought any more about Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry."


Crabbe sat with his arm on Goyle's shoulder, trying to look casual. The result was that Dewey could not be seen by anyone, least of all Harry Potter and Hermione Granger as he watched them from the other side of the library with the Omnoculars. Draco was ready to make notes in their first test of the first year's lip reading ability.

"What are they saying?" Draco asked in a low whisper.

"Granger is asking Potter not to come with them when she and Ron go to Hogsmeade on Saturday."

"What?"

"Potter says that she was supposed to ditch Ron this weekend."

"Are you sure he said that? What does the Weasel have to say?"

"His back is to me," Dewey pointed out. "I read lips, not minds. Potter's reading a book, now. I think he's mad. Wait. He put the book down. He's saying He'll only walk to town with them and Granger asks why and Potter says It's supposed to be me."

"This is stupid," Draco hissed. "Are you telling me that Granger is dating both Potty and the Weasel?"

"I call them as I read them," Dewey said. "I think Ron told Potter to grow up or something, cause he's getting mad again. Now he's looking at Granger. 'What do you do? Look at every boy that walks by.' And Granger says 'you look at all the girls. Besides, you don't own me. And you aren't the only boy in the world. Neville can be quite sensitive.'"

"You're making this up," Draco insisted.

"Do you want to look? You can read their lips for yourself."

"Go ahead," Draco said with annoyance.

"I missed the last of what Granger said because someone interrupted. Ron is talking again and Granger says 'of course'. Ron is talking. Now Potter is asking Granger 'who else have you gone out with?' Granger says 'only Neville and George.' Harry says 'is that true only Neville and George. You must have looked at other boys.' And Granger says, 'if you must know I have.' I think she's mad at him. 'I've even looked at Malfoy.'"

"Me? That filthy uh, um." Draco paused. "Granger's been looking at me?"

Dewey looked at him briefly. "Do you mind?" He looked back. "Granger is saying, 'wiggles in the cutest fashion as he walks away.' Ron is saying something and Hermione says 'Bon Derriere.' I think that's French."

"I know what it means," Draco replied. "What else did she say?"

"That's it," Dewey said. "Justin Finch-Fetchley just sat down between us."

Draco looked over his notes. "Did she actually say I was cute?"

"Parts of you," Dewey admitted.

"Crabbe, Goyle, put your arms down. You look foolish."


"Because," Granger said as she went back to her book, "I don't think Umbridge would be very happy if she found out what we were up to."


*

Malcolm walked down to the common room on the bright Wednesday morning to see another crowd in front of the bulletin board.

"Malcolm, did you read the latest Educational Decree."

"Ginny, I delivered it."

Ginny nodded. "It's too bad you didn't know what you were delivering. You could have lost the letter or something."

Malcolm snorted. "All I am is the messenger boy. Umbridge already knew what was in the letter before she sent me."

"I guess you couldn't read the letter anyway, with all the security spells on it."

"Oh, I read it. I just couldn't do anything about it."

Ginny stared briefly, then snorted. "You're worse than Fred and George."

Malcolm smiled. "That is an exaggeration, but thank you for the complement." He listened briefly to the moans. "Umbridge is getting close to taking over the school. You do know that?"

"You said that before, but now I can see it happening. Why can't Dumbledore stop her?"

Malcolm looked at Ginny. "If he does, he plays into her hand. He'll be deliberately interfering with an agent of the Ministry. He isn't helping her, but he isn't stopping her either." Malcolm pawed at the floor. "I just wish she'd hurry up and do it. She's ruining my plans."

Ginny looked at Malcolm in surprise. "What plans?"

[I have to learn to keep my mouth closed.]

"Um, no plans. Just thinking out loud."

"You've been acting strange, Malcolm. Even over the summer. It's like you were two different people."

"Did you hear?" Malcolm said to change the subject, "The judge approved the adoption. Nob is officially my brother."

"No, he isn't," Ginny said. "My Dad told me about the Minister's decision. The adoption isn't valid."

Malcolm smiled.

*

"Hem. Hem. I wanted to thank you for your help, Dewey. That was a very informative conversation."

"My Mom says it's hormones. She tells me I'll be going through the same thing, soon. Is that true?"

"I'm afraid that happens to all of us, my dear boy. It is, unfortunately, part of the struggle of life."

"Okay then. I guess I'll look forward to it."

Umbridge paused on hearing the remark but put her best face on it. "That's the spirit, Dewey. Look forward to the new challenge."

"Whatever," Dewey replied. "Malcolm says that you're planning on taking over the school. Are you going to do it soon? Things would be a lot better if you did. Even Malcolm says so."

"He does?"

"I heard him muttering to Ginny Weasley that it was obvious and that he wished you would hurry up."

Umbridge looked surprised. "Perhaps I have misjudged him slightly. I think I will give him his reward." She smiled. "I'll warn him before I make a public announcement. That will keep him in line, just in case."

"That would be great," Dewey said happily, because he knew what the announcement was going to be.

*

"Potter's happy," Malcolm said. "They reinstated the Quidditch team. That makes one of you."

Draco looked sullen. "It isn't that. Malcolm, could you apologize for me?"

"Sure. I'm sorry, Draco. Now tell me why I apologized."

Draco shook his head. "You did that deliberately."

"Just trying to make you smile."

"Thank you anyway." Draco paused. "I did something stupid, not that it matters at this point. Remember when you asked about Longbottom and I told you that I keep his secrets and he keeps mine?"

"Who did you tell?"

"Longbottom."

Malcolm paused. "Could you explain that?"

"It's simple. It was the day of the announcement. Your wonderful little brother was at his favorite teacher's door five minutes later, with a list of clubs that Slytherins belonged to. Ten minutes later, he was back in the common room with everyone's approvals. I must say I like the way your brother has ingratiated himself with the most obnoxious teacher in the school."

"And?"

"Do I sense resentment?"

"Annoyance. You're trying to tell me why you feel so bad and you keep bragging about my brother. You do remember that you're talking about Dewey?"

Draco raised his hands in surrender. "You know how I like to tease Potter and his friends?"

[Tease? Draco couldn't have phrased what he does in nicer terms.]

"You were teasing Potter about?" Malcolm hinted.

"There are so many things, but I chose to deride the possibility of his Quidditch team being reinstated, even though Dewey asked that they be permitted, at least until after we play."

"Draco, you're off on a tangent again."

"No, I am not. I am trying to make a point. I knew they would be reinstated. I was suggesting that they might not be. Then I suggested the possibility of the Gryffindor seeker or some equal person of quality be confined to St. Mungo's because of excessive mental torture. I was referring to Potter, you know, but, um . . ."

"Neville was there."

Draco nodded. "And he tried to attack me." Draco paused. "I never saw him like that. At first I couldn't understand what was going on. It was only until Potter and his cronies dragged him away that I understood what I had done."

Malcolm laughed. "Either way, what you did was stupid. It doesn't matter why you said that, Neville will still hate you for it. Of course I have to ask: Why should you care? You don't like him anyway, despite . . ." His voice faltered.

"If you wish to hate me, Malcolm, Hate me for what I am, not what you think I am. If Longbottom wants to make a cause out of what I said then let it be because I was careless and not callous about it."

"Draco, you really need to sort your priorities. You want me to give him your apology because you didn't mean to insult him, only his friends."

"Yes."

"I like the way you can say that with a straight face. If you want to apologize, you have to do it. It's like fighting a war and apologizing for each time you shoot somebody who doesn't hate you specifically. It's very polite but it's a complete waste of time and nobody cares."

Draco and Malcolm glared at each other for over a minute.

Malcolm shrugged his shoulders. "If it's that important to you. I'll do it."

"Thank you, cousin. I knew I could trust you. I'll be seeing you."

*

Neville looked up as Malcolm walked into the common room. "If it isn't Slytherins favorite Gryffindor. Have you told any secrets lately?"

"You've finally decided to hate me, too. At least you could wait until I've done something."

"Fine. Do something."

"Draco wants to apologize for the insult he made in your presence. It wasn't anything personal. If it was personal, he would have modified it to include you in an appropriate way."

"You're joking? Malfoy doesn't want me to be insulted by his remarks because they weren't directed at me?"

"Not exactly. Draco doesn't think that way. He doesn't care if you're insulted by what he said as long as you know it wasn't directed at you."

"You are joking?"

"I'm serious. For some reason he doesn't want you to think he was . . . Oh forget it. I told him it was a stupid idea in the first place."

"Malcolm. That qualifies. I'll hate you for giving me that stupid apology. Do you feel better?"

"Oh, yes. It makes me the happiest boy in the world to know that everyone has lined up to hate me because I did the one thing that everyone else wanted to do."

"I hate you, Malcolm. I am not talking to you anymore."

"DON"T," Malcolm shouted causing everyone in the common room to look at him. "I DON'T CARE."

"I'm not listening either."

"I am," EJ said from the corner where he and Amber were studying together. "What did you do?"

"Huh? I walked out of Umbridge's class."

"But . . . you are now her messenger boy, or did something change?"

"Look," Malcolm said, his anger still showing. "If everyone walked out on her, Dumbledore would have stepped in. And he would have had to take her side, even though she is an idiot. You can ask Fred and George. They were thinking along those lines, and I know others were as well. So I did it. I was planning on leaving for the day, anyway, so I made it my excuse. Dumbledore did step in, but on my side. I hope you noticed that. Because it was only me. I'm sorry I didn't have time to inform everyone but it's the type of plan that is best kept secret."

At least a dozen Gryffindors were staring at Malcolm. Amber spoke up first.

"If it is a plan that is best kept secret, why are you telling us."

"Because it's time to start making plans. Umbridge has already decided to make Trelawney her pet project, and if the rumor that Hagrid is coming back turns out to be true, she's ready to add him to the list."

"I declare Malcolm officially paranoid," EJ whispered

Amber smirked, then asked Malcolm, "and you know this because?"

"Dewey. He wants me to do something to help Hagrid."

"Wait," Amber said. "Hagrid barely tolerates you, and he doesn't even know Dewey."

"Yeah, Dewey figures that if Hagrid hates me, he must be a nice guy."

"Then that makes Gryffindors the nicest people in the school," Neville pointed out.

"According to Dewey," Malcolm pointed in return. "Examine your source."

"Point taken. Fine. I won't hate you for a while."

"Thank you," Malcolm said. "I have too many other problems to deal with, anyway. And, Neville, If you try to do anything, just let me know and I'll ask my friend to stay as far away as possible."

"Your friend?" three people asked.

Malcolm smiled and walked to the entranceway. The portrait swung open and Mrs. Norris walked in, curling her tail around Malcolm's legs. Everyone stared in surprise. "Are you ready, Mrs. Norris?" The cat purred. "Find that mean boy Neville." The cat ran to Neville Longbottom and stopped in front of him giving an evil hiss.

Malcolm walked over to Neville and looked down. "Thank you, Mrs. Norris. And could you show Neville that you are really a nice cat?"

Neville was more than surprised when the cat jumped onto his lap and proceeded to lie down.

"She likes to be scratched behind the ears, and if you do a good job she'll let you rub her tummy."

"You're going to provide security for any secret meetings?" Neville asked.

"No, that's too much work. I'm going to distract those in charge."

"What do you get out of this?" Angelina Johnson asked.

"I get to have fun." Malcolm smiled as Mrs. Norris began to purr.

"Oy, Malcolm." Fred and George walked into the room. "How are things?"

"Hermione is in the library with Harry and Ron."

"ALL CLEAR," George called out.

From both staircases the first years entered the common room. En masse, they followed Fred as he led them out of the tower. George ran back to his dorm and returned shortly with a large bag filled with almost anything.

"Malcolm, No one is going to be in that empty classroom on the fourth floor for the next couple of hours. Let Filch know so he doesn't have to check."

"No problem."

"Don't forget about practice tonight," Angelina called.

"Never," George said with a smile as he walked out.

As George left, Malcolm turned to the Gryffindors still in the common room.

Malcolm smiled again. "By the way, Neville, if the rumors about the Quidditch team are true, Ron is the Slytherins favorite Gryffindor."

*

"Did Neville like your apology?" Dewey asked as he met Malcolm in the corridor.

"You know about that?"

"Of course I do. I suggested it when Draco said he was in the mood for some fun."

"And what makes you think I won't pay you back?" Malcolm said as he rubbed his fist in his hand.

"Because Professor Snape is standing directly behind you."

Malcolm looked over his shoulder and saw Severus Snape smiling at him.

[It's still scary when he does that.]

*

"Malcolm," Hermione said politely.

"Are we talking again?"

"Neville told me what you said. I think that was clever of you to think of that excuse for dropping Umbridge's course."

Malcolm shook his head. "That was the truth, Hermione. It was obvious from the start what was going on. I originally planned on being kicked out, but that didn't happen."

"Why would you want to get kicked out?"

Malcolm looked around the common room. "Do you promise not to tell?"

"I'll promise."

"When Dumbledore told me about Gabrielle, I immediately wrote her school to find out how I could reach her. Madame Maxime wrote back and told me to wait until the school year began but she would talk to Gabrielle. She also told me that there were going to be problems at the school."

"She would know. She's very close to Dumbledore. And Hagrid."

"She also said something else. If I was forced to leave Hogwarts for any reason, she would make a place for me."

Hermione laughed. "That explains everything. Malcolm, You were actually trying to be expelled. But Dumbledore let you stay."

"But Umbridge received permission from the Ministry to expel me anyway. That's what I don't understand. Instead of throwing me out, she made me her messenger, and she gave me responsibilities like monitoring her classes."

"Something must have happened," Hermione agreed. "I'm sorry you can't be with Gabrielle, but I am happy you stayed. I would have missed you."

"Really?"

"Yes. Because I need a favor from you."

"Where don't I have to be?"

"There is no reason at all to go to the fifth . . ."

Malcolm interrupted. "Mrs. Norris will spend most of the night exploring the dungeons. I can guarantee it."

"Thank you," Hermione said sincerely.