Chapter Seven: We Must Not Tell Lies
Umbridge's class the next day was as useless as Holly predicted it to be. Along with making them, seventh years, read from books, she seemed to find it important that she reassured the class that there was no impending danger, as some nameless students seemed to believe.
"Before any of you question my teaching techniques," she said, in her sticky sweet voice, "let me just say that my techniques are for your benefit as well as the Ministry's. You learn how to defend yourself in theory, and if you know the theory and spells well enough, then you will do fine should the practical use of magic be necessary. Books, quills and parchment are made to be used, and you can learn much from them. So please read chapters one to three of Advanced Defensive Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard by next class and take notes. I am assuming, as responsible seventh years, you all have your books with you? You may begin now."
Holly bit her lip, her eyes nearly doubling in size. This was the first day of class! She hadn't expected to use her book on the first day of class! It was lying on her bed in her dormitory.
She tentatively rose her hand. Umbridge looked promptly away from her but after a minute, thought better of it and turned and smiled at Holly.
"Yes, dear?" she said with a tone that seemed a little too nice. "Have you a question on the reading?"
"Um, sort of," said Holly.
"I won't answer any other questions," said Umbridge as she leaned back in her chair and picked up some papers.
"But Professor," Holly said in the most polite way she could. "I... I don't have my book today. I was wondering if maybe I could borrow yours." She grinned sweetly at Umbridge, as if she were a Catholic school girl asking for a bible.
"Where is your book Ms...?"
"Oh, my name's Holly, Professor. Holly Phillips. And my book is in my dormitory."
"Would it be too much trouble for you to run and get it?" Umbridge was leaning across her desk, her smile as tight and wide as a frog's.
"Well, Ma'am, my dormitory is a little far–"
"Retrieve your book, Ms. Phillips, and report back here in two minutes."
"Two minutes?" Holly was horrified. "With all due respect, Professor, I can't–"
"Don't say that, dear, you can do anything if you just try. I'll be nice. Three minutes or twenty points from Gryffindor." Umbridge was enjoying herself. Holly frowned.
"As you wish," she said through gritted teeth. And with that, she jumped up and ran out the door.
As she was sprinting down the hall, she ran into Cho.
"Ah!" she exclaimed. "Cho! Oh, can you lend me your Defense Against Dark Arts book?"
"Uh... sure..." said Cho, looking puzzled at such an urgent request. She dug through her bag and pulled out the volume. Holly, who had been waiting impatiently, snatched the textbook and sprinted back to class.
"Give it back at lunch!" Cho cried. "I need it!"
Holly skidded into the classroom with a satisfied smirk. Umbridge looked startled.
"Well! You've been gone less than a minute! That was impressive. Five points to Gryffindor," said Umbridge. Holly took her seat with a triumphant grin. But Umbridge's eyes narrowed at her.
"Unless..." she said. Holly raised her eyebrows, daring Umbridge to accuse her of foul play. "Unless you used magic in the corridors to retrieve your book. A Summoning Charm perhaps? I have it on good authority that Charms is one of your best subjects."
"With all due respect, Ma'am, why would I use magic in the corridors when I can get some well needed exercise?" Holly said as mockingly politely as she could be. Umbridge still looked displeased. She approached Holly's desk, took the book in her pudgy hands, and opened it to the first page.
"Ah, Ms. Phillips," she said with a slick smile. "You have not been telling the truth."
"Excuse me, Ma'am?" said Holly, blinking her eyes with utter innocence. "I have no idea what you mean."
"Either you stole this book from someone else, or your name is Cho Chang," said Umbridge.
Fred and George, who were sitting on either side of Holly, nearly burst into fits of laughter. Holly snatched the book back from Umbridge and closed it loudly.
"Yes, Professor Umbridge," she said, in sarcastic apology. The frown on her face was exaggerated. "I'm sorry I lied to you. My real name is Cho Chang. Holly Phillips is just my stage name." At that, the whole class laughed. The Weasleys nearly fell out of their chair. Umbridge looked at them all angrily.
"Silence!" she demanded. She then did her little 'hem hem' cough and turned to Holly with her sinisterly sweet disposition. "Well, then, Ms. Chang, That'll be ten points from Gryffindor. And if you act up again, I'm afraid I'll have to put you in detention."
Holly wanted to rise out of her seat and look Umbridge in the eye and say something horrid to her. Instead, remembering what Fred and George had said about 'serious repercussions,' she kept her head and settled for a mumble of "I'd like to see you try."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
She caught Harry heading glumly towards Umbridge's class that evening.
"Where on earth are you going?" she asked him.
"Detention," Harry replied, dismally. "Surely you heard?"
"Oh of course I heard... Damn, kid, do you just like getting into trouble?"
"Hey, you heard what she did– She called me a liar so I called her a liar. We're just a couple of big fat liars!" Harry, frustrated, threw his arms into the air and sighed. "Oh Holly... What's going to become of us all? The Ministry can't deny it forever. He'll show up sometime, and when he does, I bet Umbridge will eat her hat. Or maybe that terrible pink cardigan..."
Holly smiled at her brother. "Chin up, little brother. Things are never as bad as they seem. The Ministry will come 'round. Just wait for it."
"But I've been waiting!" Harry protested. "And it's not fair! I try so hard to tell them, I try so hard to help, and they just treat me like a... a..."
"Kid?" Holly suggested. Harry sighed.
"I better get to detention," he said, sounding defeated. And with that, he trekked off to Umbridge's room with a heavy step.
"Poor guy," Holly said, shaking her head.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Two men gaily played along with each other, laughing and jokingly hitting each other.
"Honestly, Gideon, where do you get such notions? Fighting You-Know-Who nowadays... And in our condition! I mean, seriously... Oh, hello there!" The two had suddenly come across Holly, who was leaning against an oak tree with a book propped open on her lap.
"Hi," said Holly.
"You wouldn't happen to be that Dreamer everyone's talking about, would you?" one of the men asked. Holly blinked at them. They reminded her of the Weasley twins. They seemed so lighthearted and each was a splitting image of the other. Both had hair as silky dark brown as cedar and high cheek bones. There eyes were such a deep brown they were almost black.
"I guess I am," she said. "And you two are brothers?"
They nodded and bowed, taking off their hats. One said his name, "Gideon..."
"And Fabian," said the other. "At your service."
"I see," said Holly, closing her book. "Anything I can do for you?"
"Ah, there is nothing you can do for us, milady," said Fabian. "It's what we can do for you this time."
"My brother and I are completely satisfied with our own situation," said Gideon. "Believe me– If we weren't, you'd notice by your surroundings. Look at the sky, it's cloudless. The tree you're leaning on is strong and healthy and green. We're content."
"Well... What can you do for me?" Holly asked. Gideon and Fabian exchanged looks.
"Well, see, we can give you information," said Gideon. "We're here to help you. Have any questions?"
"Not really. But I'll think of some." Holly nodded at them politely and turned back to her book. Gideon and Fabian looked nervous.
"Should we tell her?" asked Gideon of his brother. Fabian bit his lip, looking torn. Holly eyed them curiously over the top of her book.
"No," said Fabian, finally. "There are some things one must learn by themselves."
"But she doesn't know what will–"
"Let her be happy, and let him dream on," said Fabian. "No harm will come to them. These are merely dreams after all."
Holly opened her mouth to ask a question when there was a loud buzzing in her ear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Cursing loudly, Holly awoke and swat her alarm clock off the bedside table. It was Thursday morning and she yawned. Defense Against Dark Arts first period, how wonderful.
On her way downstairs, she ran into Harry, who was trudging slowly to lunch.
"Harry!" Holly called. When he seemed not to hear, she tried again. "Oy! Harry!"
She jogged over to him as he stopped and turned to her. Holly smiled.
"You're hair is in your eyes," she said, pushing it back.
"Oh stop it," Harry muttered, swatting away her hand with his right one. Holly frowned.
"Hurt your hand Harry?" Harry looked shocked and then hid his hand quickly behind his back.
"No, I mean, yeah, I scratched it, uh... somewhere..."
Holly glared at him and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Look, Holly, it's nothing, really, just something between me and–" Holly snatched at Harry's hand. She glared at the words etched deep into his skin. She looked at Harry's eyes after scrutinizing his hand.
"Must not tell lies, eh..." she muttered. "Why, that sounds like Umbridge. What's she done to you?"
"I was going to tell you," said Harry, frowning angrily and pulling his hand back defensively. "There's just a little something going on between Umbridge and I, and it's solely my business, so stay out of it!" Holly opened her mouth to say something when Harry interrupted her. "And don't tell me to tell Dumbledore or McGonagall or anything like Ron did, because I'm not going to."
"Ron knows about this?" Holly asked.
"He might..." said Harry, hesitantly. He noticed the expression on Holly's face. "Holly, what are you thinking?"
"What exactly went on between you and Umbridge?" Holly asked. Harry folded his arms, defiantly. Holly knew she'd have to bring out the big guns. She grabbed him by both shoulders and said, in a hushed tone, "Listen, Harry Potter, it is my sole duty in life to look out for and protect you, because–"
Harry interrupted her with a scoff. "Heh, you and everyone else in this castle," he said.
"Because," Holly continued, "you are my baby brother, and the only one I've got." Harry looked down. "Now tell me, what happened."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
It was all Holly could do in Defense Against Dark Arts not to scream at Umbridge over her book.
Umbridge walked down the rows and started handing out sheets of parchment.
"What's this?" asked Angelina Johnson.
"Pop quiz," answered Umbridge. There was an uproar.
"You can't give us a pop quiz!" George protested.
"It's our second class!" Fred stood up in his chair.
"And what better time to see who follows directions and who does not Mr. Weasleys!"
Umbridge shoved a parchment into Fred's hands and made him sit down in his desk.
The questions were outrageous.
"On what page does Slinkhard list the sole situations defense magic is legal?" Holly whispered to Fred.
"Dunno," said Fred. "Didn't read that chapter."
"I did," said Holly to herself, with a pout. "But how the hell am I supposed to remember page numbers?" Now if she'd asked what the sole situations defense magic was legal were, then I'm sure I could at least pretend to answer correctly! Holly thought.
Chapter One, Holly wrote down, then began to tap her quill, nervously... She looked up at Umbridge who was watching her intently with a sadistic smile, over her open Slinkhard book, as if mocking her. The nerve of her, Holly thought. The demonic little fuzzy pink hag!
And then suddenly, she had it.
42! He'd listed them on page forty-two! Holly didn't know how she'd remembered that, but she wrote it down immediately.
The rest of the quiz came to Holly quickly. Umbridge collected them right as Holly finished explaining the statistics of witches and wizards who followed the defense magic laws and why they needed to be reenforced.
Holly was quite pleased with herself. The Weasley twins looked quite happy as well.
"Think you did alright?" Holly asked them. Fred and George looked at each other.
"Not really," Fred answered. "I wrote at the top of the page in awful handwriting 'i cant reed, u twitt!' and doodled on the rest of the page."
"I drew a stick picture portrait of her at the gallows!" said George proudly.
"I'm sure it should win an award," laughed Holly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
That evening, Holly noticed Ron in the Great Hall and made a go for him. But she was intercepted by his best friend.
"Holly!" Harry gasped. "I need to ask a favor of you."
"Shoot," said Holly.
"Angelina keeps screaming about me because my detentions with Umbridge are gonna interfere with practice on Friday, and she needs me there to help pick a new Keeper. You have a good judge of character, be there for me. Tell her I wanted you there." Harry sounded desperate. Holly smiled.
"Of course, Harry, I'd love to."
"Great." Harry turned to leave then hesitated. "Oh, and Holly? Watch out for Ron for me. He's trying out."
"No problem, Harry," Holly said. And with a smile, Harry took his seat next to Hermione, across the table from Ron.
Holly scowled. She didn't want Harry to know she was talking to Ron. She tried to catch Ron's attention. Finally, she caught his eye and beckoned him over. Ron frowned and pointed at Holly. Harry and Hermione turned. Holly rolled her eyes and stomped over there. It was inevitable now.
"Ron. Can I talk to you?" she asked. Harry looked at her questioningly– the exact look Holly had hoped to avoid.
"Sure," said Ron, and he followed her out of the hall.
"I hear Umbridge is using corporal punishment?" Holly asked him. Ron eyed her warily. "I want to see McGonagall."
"She won't do anything," said Ron. "There's nothing she can do. Besides, Harry'd kill you."
"Us," said Holly. "I want you to come with me. A second witness, if you will."
"Leave me out of this," said Ron, shaking his head. "She's an evil toad but Harry said he didn't want–"
"Oh Harry says a lot of things," said Holly, exasperated. "Come on, Ron, don't be weak. Haven't you ever heard of doing something your friend told you not to do for their own good?"
Silence followed. Ron was inscrutable. "I am not weak," he said finally, his voice shaking.
Holly sighed.
"I'm sorry, Ron, I–" But Ron had already turned and had started back to the Great Hall.
"And don't say anything about it!" Ron called back to her.
Holly looked at the ceiling.
"Why do I always have to say the wrong thing?"
Umbridge's class the next day was as useless as Holly predicted it to be. Along with making them, seventh years, read from books, she seemed to find it important that she reassured the class that there was no impending danger, as some nameless students seemed to believe.
"Before any of you question my teaching techniques," she said, in her sticky sweet voice, "let me just say that my techniques are for your benefit as well as the Ministry's. You learn how to defend yourself in theory, and if you know the theory and spells well enough, then you will do fine should the practical use of magic be necessary. Books, quills and parchment are made to be used, and you can learn much from them. So please read chapters one to three of Advanced Defensive Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard by next class and take notes. I am assuming, as responsible seventh years, you all have your books with you? You may begin now."
Holly bit her lip, her eyes nearly doubling in size. This was the first day of class! She hadn't expected to use her book on the first day of class! It was lying on her bed in her dormitory.
She tentatively rose her hand. Umbridge looked promptly away from her but after a minute, thought better of it and turned and smiled at Holly.
"Yes, dear?" she said with a tone that seemed a little too nice. "Have you a question on the reading?"
"Um, sort of," said Holly.
"I won't answer any other questions," said Umbridge as she leaned back in her chair and picked up some papers.
"But Professor," Holly said in the most polite way she could. "I... I don't have my book today. I was wondering if maybe I could borrow yours." She grinned sweetly at Umbridge, as if she were a Catholic school girl asking for a bible.
"Where is your book Ms...?"
"Oh, my name's Holly, Professor. Holly Phillips. And my book is in my dormitory."
"Would it be too much trouble for you to run and get it?" Umbridge was leaning across her desk, her smile as tight and wide as a frog's.
"Well, Ma'am, my dormitory is a little far–"
"Retrieve your book, Ms. Phillips, and report back here in two minutes."
"Two minutes?" Holly was horrified. "With all due respect, Professor, I can't–"
"Don't say that, dear, you can do anything if you just try. I'll be nice. Three minutes or twenty points from Gryffindor." Umbridge was enjoying herself. Holly frowned.
"As you wish," she said through gritted teeth. And with that, she jumped up and ran out the door.
As she was sprinting down the hall, she ran into Cho.
"Ah!" she exclaimed. "Cho! Oh, can you lend me your Defense Against Dark Arts book?"
"Uh... sure..." said Cho, looking puzzled at such an urgent request. She dug through her bag and pulled out the volume. Holly, who had been waiting impatiently, snatched the textbook and sprinted back to class.
"Give it back at lunch!" Cho cried. "I need it!"
Holly skidded into the classroom with a satisfied smirk. Umbridge looked startled.
"Well! You've been gone less than a minute! That was impressive. Five points to Gryffindor," said Umbridge. Holly took her seat with a triumphant grin. But Umbridge's eyes narrowed at her.
"Unless..." she said. Holly raised her eyebrows, daring Umbridge to accuse her of foul play. "Unless you used magic in the corridors to retrieve your book. A Summoning Charm perhaps? I have it on good authority that Charms is one of your best subjects."
"With all due respect, Ma'am, why would I use magic in the corridors when I can get some well needed exercise?" Holly said as mockingly politely as she could be. Umbridge still looked displeased. She approached Holly's desk, took the book in her pudgy hands, and opened it to the first page.
"Ah, Ms. Phillips," she said with a slick smile. "You have not been telling the truth."
"Excuse me, Ma'am?" said Holly, blinking her eyes with utter innocence. "I have no idea what you mean."
"Either you stole this book from someone else, or your name is Cho Chang," said Umbridge.
Fred and George, who were sitting on either side of Holly, nearly burst into fits of laughter. Holly snatched the book back from Umbridge and closed it loudly.
"Yes, Professor Umbridge," she said, in sarcastic apology. The frown on her face was exaggerated. "I'm sorry I lied to you. My real name is Cho Chang. Holly Phillips is just my stage name." At that, the whole class laughed. The Weasleys nearly fell out of their chair. Umbridge looked at them all angrily.
"Silence!" she demanded. She then did her little 'hem hem' cough and turned to Holly with her sinisterly sweet disposition. "Well, then, Ms. Chang, That'll be ten points from Gryffindor. And if you act up again, I'm afraid I'll have to put you in detention."
Holly wanted to rise out of her seat and look Umbridge in the eye and say something horrid to her. Instead, remembering what Fred and George had said about 'serious repercussions,' she kept her head and settled for a mumble of "I'd like to see you try."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
She caught Harry heading glumly towards Umbridge's class that evening.
"Where on earth are you going?" she asked him.
"Detention," Harry replied, dismally. "Surely you heard?"
"Oh of course I heard... Damn, kid, do you just like getting into trouble?"
"Hey, you heard what she did– She called me a liar so I called her a liar. We're just a couple of big fat liars!" Harry, frustrated, threw his arms into the air and sighed. "Oh Holly... What's going to become of us all? The Ministry can't deny it forever. He'll show up sometime, and when he does, I bet Umbridge will eat her hat. Or maybe that terrible pink cardigan..."
Holly smiled at her brother. "Chin up, little brother. Things are never as bad as they seem. The Ministry will come 'round. Just wait for it."
"But I've been waiting!" Harry protested. "And it's not fair! I try so hard to tell them, I try so hard to help, and they just treat me like a... a..."
"Kid?" Holly suggested. Harry sighed.
"I better get to detention," he said, sounding defeated. And with that, he trekked off to Umbridge's room with a heavy step.
"Poor guy," Holly said, shaking her head.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Two men gaily played along with each other, laughing and jokingly hitting each other.
"Honestly, Gideon, where do you get such notions? Fighting You-Know-Who nowadays... And in our condition! I mean, seriously... Oh, hello there!" The two had suddenly come across Holly, who was leaning against an oak tree with a book propped open on her lap.
"Hi," said Holly.
"You wouldn't happen to be that Dreamer everyone's talking about, would you?" one of the men asked. Holly blinked at them. They reminded her of the Weasley twins. They seemed so lighthearted and each was a splitting image of the other. Both had hair as silky dark brown as cedar and high cheek bones. There eyes were such a deep brown they were almost black.
"I guess I am," she said. "And you two are brothers?"
They nodded and bowed, taking off their hats. One said his name, "Gideon..."
"And Fabian," said the other. "At your service."
"I see," said Holly, closing her book. "Anything I can do for you?"
"Ah, there is nothing you can do for us, milady," said Fabian. "It's what we can do for you this time."
"My brother and I are completely satisfied with our own situation," said Gideon. "Believe me– If we weren't, you'd notice by your surroundings. Look at the sky, it's cloudless. The tree you're leaning on is strong and healthy and green. We're content."
"Well... What can you do for me?" Holly asked. Gideon and Fabian exchanged looks.
"Well, see, we can give you information," said Gideon. "We're here to help you. Have any questions?"
"Not really. But I'll think of some." Holly nodded at them politely and turned back to her book. Gideon and Fabian looked nervous.
"Should we tell her?" asked Gideon of his brother. Fabian bit his lip, looking torn. Holly eyed them curiously over the top of her book.
"No," said Fabian, finally. "There are some things one must learn by themselves."
"But she doesn't know what will–"
"Let her be happy, and let him dream on," said Fabian. "No harm will come to them. These are merely dreams after all."
Holly opened her mouth to ask a question when there was a loud buzzing in her ear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Cursing loudly, Holly awoke and swat her alarm clock off the bedside table. It was Thursday morning and she yawned. Defense Against Dark Arts first period, how wonderful.
On her way downstairs, she ran into Harry, who was trudging slowly to lunch.
"Harry!" Holly called. When he seemed not to hear, she tried again. "Oy! Harry!"
She jogged over to him as he stopped and turned to her. Holly smiled.
"You're hair is in your eyes," she said, pushing it back.
"Oh stop it," Harry muttered, swatting away her hand with his right one. Holly frowned.
"Hurt your hand Harry?" Harry looked shocked and then hid his hand quickly behind his back.
"No, I mean, yeah, I scratched it, uh... somewhere..."
Holly glared at him and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Look, Holly, it's nothing, really, just something between me and–" Holly snatched at Harry's hand. She glared at the words etched deep into his skin. She looked at Harry's eyes after scrutinizing his hand.
"Must not tell lies, eh..." she muttered. "Why, that sounds like Umbridge. What's she done to you?"
"I was going to tell you," said Harry, frowning angrily and pulling his hand back defensively. "There's just a little something going on between Umbridge and I, and it's solely my business, so stay out of it!" Holly opened her mouth to say something when Harry interrupted her. "And don't tell me to tell Dumbledore or McGonagall or anything like Ron did, because I'm not going to."
"Ron knows about this?" Holly asked.
"He might..." said Harry, hesitantly. He noticed the expression on Holly's face. "Holly, what are you thinking?"
"What exactly went on between you and Umbridge?" Holly asked. Harry folded his arms, defiantly. Holly knew she'd have to bring out the big guns. She grabbed him by both shoulders and said, in a hushed tone, "Listen, Harry Potter, it is my sole duty in life to look out for and protect you, because–"
Harry interrupted her with a scoff. "Heh, you and everyone else in this castle," he said.
"Because," Holly continued, "you are my baby brother, and the only one I've got." Harry looked down. "Now tell me, what happened."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
It was all Holly could do in Defense Against Dark Arts not to scream at Umbridge over her book.
Umbridge walked down the rows and started handing out sheets of parchment.
"What's this?" asked Angelina Johnson.
"Pop quiz," answered Umbridge. There was an uproar.
"You can't give us a pop quiz!" George protested.
"It's our second class!" Fred stood up in his chair.
"And what better time to see who follows directions and who does not Mr. Weasleys!"
Umbridge shoved a parchment into Fred's hands and made him sit down in his desk.
The questions were outrageous.
"On what page does Slinkhard list the sole situations defense magic is legal?" Holly whispered to Fred.
"Dunno," said Fred. "Didn't read that chapter."
"I did," said Holly to herself, with a pout. "But how the hell am I supposed to remember page numbers?" Now if she'd asked what the sole situations defense magic was legal were, then I'm sure I could at least pretend to answer correctly! Holly thought.
Chapter One, Holly wrote down, then began to tap her quill, nervously... She looked up at Umbridge who was watching her intently with a sadistic smile, over her open Slinkhard book, as if mocking her. The nerve of her, Holly thought. The demonic little fuzzy pink hag!
And then suddenly, she had it.
42! He'd listed them on page forty-two! Holly didn't know how she'd remembered that, but she wrote it down immediately.
The rest of the quiz came to Holly quickly. Umbridge collected them right as Holly finished explaining the statistics of witches and wizards who followed the defense magic laws and why they needed to be reenforced.
Holly was quite pleased with herself. The Weasley twins looked quite happy as well.
"Think you did alright?" Holly asked them. Fred and George looked at each other.
"Not really," Fred answered. "I wrote at the top of the page in awful handwriting 'i cant reed, u twitt!' and doodled on the rest of the page."
"I drew a stick picture portrait of her at the gallows!" said George proudly.
"I'm sure it should win an award," laughed Holly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
That evening, Holly noticed Ron in the Great Hall and made a go for him. But she was intercepted by his best friend.
"Holly!" Harry gasped. "I need to ask a favor of you."
"Shoot," said Holly.
"Angelina keeps screaming about me because my detentions with Umbridge are gonna interfere with practice on Friday, and she needs me there to help pick a new Keeper. You have a good judge of character, be there for me. Tell her I wanted you there." Harry sounded desperate. Holly smiled.
"Of course, Harry, I'd love to."
"Great." Harry turned to leave then hesitated. "Oh, and Holly? Watch out for Ron for me. He's trying out."
"No problem, Harry," Holly said. And with a smile, Harry took his seat next to Hermione, across the table from Ron.
Holly scowled. She didn't want Harry to know she was talking to Ron. She tried to catch Ron's attention. Finally, she caught his eye and beckoned him over. Ron frowned and pointed at Holly. Harry and Hermione turned. Holly rolled her eyes and stomped over there. It was inevitable now.
"Ron. Can I talk to you?" she asked. Harry looked at her questioningly– the exact look Holly had hoped to avoid.
"Sure," said Ron, and he followed her out of the hall.
"I hear Umbridge is using corporal punishment?" Holly asked him. Ron eyed her warily. "I want to see McGonagall."
"She won't do anything," said Ron. "There's nothing she can do. Besides, Harry'd kill you."
"Us," said Holly. "I want you to come with me. A second witness, if you will."
"Leave me out of this," said Ron, shaking his head. "She's an evil toad but Harry said he didn't want–"
"Oh Harry says a lot of things," said Holly, exasperated. "Come on, Ron, don't be weak. Haven't you ever heard of doing something your friend told you not to do for their own good?"
Silence followed. Ron was inscrutable. "I am not weak," he said finally, his voice shaking.
Holly sighed.
"I'm sorry, Ron, I–" But Ron had already turned and had started back to the Great Hall.
"And don't say anything about it!" Ron called back to her.
Holly looked at the ceiling.
"Why do I always have to say the wrong thing?"