Slowly and with a creepy smile, stood up and walked towards the front. I swear I got goosebumps just looking at her. The room even got colder.

"She was at my hearing." Harry whispered to us.

I frowned casting a look at him then at the woman. "What?"

"She works for Fudge." Harry replied.

I frowned. "What the hell is she doing here then?"

"Thank you, headmaster." As she walked towards Dumbledore, I couldn't help, but see a dragon stalking towards her prey. "For those kind words of welcoming." She turned towards all of us. Creepy smile getting creepier. "And how lovely, to see all your bright, happy faces, smiling up at me." I glanced around, smirking at how no one was smiling back. Guess I wasn't the only one creeped out by her. "I'm sure we are all going to be very good friends."

I scoffed. "Any else slightly creeped out?" Hermione, Ron, and the twins nodded in a union. Her eyes fell on me, causing chills to run up my back. "Damn."

"The ministry of magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards, be of vital importance." She walked from side to side, watching all of us. "Although each headmaster, has brought something new to this, historic school." She glanced at Dumbledore, to which he bowed his head and thanked her. "Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve must be preserve. Perfect what can be perfected. And prune practices that ought to be prohibited." She whispered that last as if it were a curse. What got to me was her giggle though, a tiny witch-like giggle. With another creepy smile, she turned to walk back to her seat.

We all just sat there, not sure as to what to do. Dumbledore began to clap, giving us a look. So following orders, we all slowly began to clap as well. This was so freaking stupid. "Thank you, Professor Umbridge, for that really was illuminating." Professor Dumbledore said.

I glanced up at the professor tables, catching Snape's eyes, I rolled mine. He nodded, with a slight smirk on his lips.

"What's it mean?" I heard Harry ask Ron.

Hermione sighed. "It means the ministry is interfering with Hogwarts."

It was after our dinner that problems were beginning. After all, were dismissed to their homes, I followed Harry into the common room. Pretty much it was the only place females and males could mix, after that, it was each to their sides of the room. Following slightly behind, I couldn't help, but notice all eyes were on him. All were either disgusting or pitiful. One bad move and I was going to make them into pigs!

"Dean, Seamus, holiday alright?" Harry asked two of the boys sitting together. Funny I don't remember these two.

"Alright Harry, better than Seamus anyways."

I glared at the little ass that slammed his paper on the coffee table. He stood, trying to act all tough for the group of students. "Me mun didn't want me to come back this year."

"Why not?" Harry asked.

I could have slapped him across the head. Was Harry that naïve sometimes?

"Let me see, uh, because of you." He snapped. "The daily prophet is saying a lot of things Harry. About Dumbledore as well."

I glared at the idiot. Was he seriously thrash talking Dumbledore. "And you mother believed it?"

He turned at me with a stupid smile. "Well, nobody was there the night Cedric died."

"Well, I guess you should read the prophet then, like your stupid mother. It'll tell you everything you need to know."

I was shocked at his words. Harry was never this aggressive, to anyone. And to speak of someone's mother that way, holy shit what was wrong with him!

"Don't you dare talk about my mother like that!"

"I will have a go at anyone that calls me a liar!" Harry shouted.

Knowing things will not be ending well, I grabbed him by the shoulders. "Harry, upstairs now." He wouldn't budge at my pushing. "Harry." I was just about ready to punch him in the throat when Ron walked in. "Thank you, Merlin! Ron!"

"What's going on?"

"He's mad is what's going on." The kid said. "Do you believe the rubbish that is coming out with you know who?"

Ron glanced at me and sighed. "Yeah, I do." He moved to Harry's other side, leaving me on the other side, protecting harry. "Does anyone else have a problem with Harry?" No one tried to say anything or do anything. Harry tossed them all one last look and headed to their room.

"Ron go with him please." As he too disappeared, I was faced with the crowd once more. "What?"

"You believe him? In Merlin honest, you believe the dark lord is back?" A first-year girl scoffed.

I nodded, crossing my arms. "Yes, I do. You all have become sheep. These past four years, you can't possibly think all that has happened is fake. Or lie created by Harry and Dumbledore? What am I saying that is probably what you are all thinking. But they are not. I stand by Harry and my friends, lets just hope the day you all learn the truth, it won't be too late."

"Athena!" Hermione came running into the room, stopping just behind all the students. "You alright?"

"Yes, right?" I got all nods. "See we are all good."

She narrowed her eyes at everyone, clearly not believing me. "Okay then, Dumbledore has asked to speak with you."

Me? What could he possibly want with me? Grabbing my coat, I stopped beside her. "Do me a favor, please check on Harry when you get a chance."

She quickly became worried. "What's happened?"

"Relax Mione, he was simply upset." One last glare at the room, I called for my pet and walked out. I was still a bit confused, the last time the headmaster called me to his office, I was brought in with Ron and Harry. It had been after Harry killed the Basilisk and got Ginny out of the chamber. As I approached the eagle statue I spotted Snape.

"Hello, pa."

Snape gave me a warm smile. "Athena."

Hugging him, I gestured to the eagle. "Any idea what this is about?"

"Mmm, yes."

"Are you going to tell me?" He shook his head, pushing me in between the eagle's wings. "That is not nice!"

He shrugged walking away. "When have I ever been nice."

Snape was out of my sight before I would respond. As I stepped out of the stairs and approached the door, I ordered Gryffindor to stay. I didn't want a repeat of him chasing Fawkes. Knocking I received no answer, so I walked in only to find no one in the office.

"Professor?" Receiving no answer I opted to look around, not once seeing the headmaster standing at the balcony on top. "Hello Fawkes, how you been big boy?" Gently petting his chest, I chuckled at the small purr-like noise. "I've missed you."

"And he you."

I jumped at the sudden voice. "Professor!"

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to frighten you." He slowly walked down, feeding the phoenix a treat. "Only you have he allowed to touch him. Anyone else and they would be burned."

I couldn't help but smile a bit. "I've been told I have a way with animals."

"Ahh, yes. I still remember the many strays you and Hagrid have brought in."

"Forgive me." I felt guilty, seeing that our antics have always caused him problems at one point. I mean take Buckbeak for example.

He waved it off, as he took a seat at his desk. "Please take a seat." As I did, he pulled out a piece of paper. A letter to be exact. "I have been informed of your current situation, with black and yourself."

"Yes sir."

"How are you doing?"

"I am doing fine, it's been a lot to take in sir."

"Yes, I suppose it has." He leaned forward, looking over the letter. "Three months to marry. Two to have an heir to the Black line."

"Yes sir." I have yet to accept the marriage in total, but the heir I was only 17 for crying out loud. I never planned on having kids to begin with.

"Have you decided on how you would like to proceed? With the marriage I mean." He asked.

I sighed deeply, building up the nerve to speak. "I have given it a lot of thought. I was hoping the ministry would allow me an extension to the date of the wedding, I know they expect us to marry in three months."

"How long?"

Biting my lip, I shrugged. "Until the ending of the holiday break. I was going to send a letter to Sirius, see if it would be best before or after Christmas."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Very well, you speak with Black and I will send a request to the Ministry."

I was a bit taken back, by his offer. I was going to ask Sirius to speak with them. "Uh, thank you, professor."

"None needed, now run along."

Thanking him once more, I left in a rush. By the time I reached my dorm, everyone had gone to bed, or so I thought. Ask wrote the letter to Sirius, I rolled my eyes at the two females reading over my shoulder. "Reading over someone's shoulder is rude you know."

Hermione laughed. "Not even a full day and already missing him?"

Dropping the quill I turned towards them. "Not what you two are thinking."

Ginny sat beside Mione with a challenging look. "Then what is it?"

Grabbing the letter, I cleared my throat. "Let me know what you think."

Dear Sirius Orion Black

I am writing to inform you that I have spoken to professor Dumbledore and he has been informed of our situation. I have asked if possible we could get an extension to the due date of the wedding. At least to the end of the holiday break. As to not intervene with my studies. On that note would you prefer the first week or last week of Christmas?

Sincerely Athena

I looked up to see looks of shock on their faces. "What?" Both girls looked at each other, neither speaking. "What?!"

"Well I just think it was a bit-" Ginny was cut off.

"Cold, distant, emotionless, no feelings, really dul-" Hermione counted out.

"Alright, I get it!" I crunched up the letter, tossing it over my shoulder. "Mind I remind you I have never sent a letter to a man, let alone my fiancé."

Ginny shook her head, amusement written on her face. "Write as if you were writing to a friend Athena." She paused for a moment. "A friend you are to marry of course."

"Gee thanks, that helps a lot." I leaned back in my chair, trying to come up with a decent letter.

Hermione groaned, grabbing my quill and a paper. She quickly wrote something down. I glanced at Ginny, who simply shrugged. Slamming the quill down, she took one last look at the letter and handed it to me. "There. Read."

Dear Sirius

I hope you are well. I have settled well into my dorms. I wish to apologize for the lateness of my letter, but I must tell you. Dumbledore has offered to speak with the Ministry of magic, to ask for an extension to the date placed on our wedding. I have asked it to be moved to the end of the holiday break. I also wish to ask for your input on the date of our wedding. I was thinking a week before Christmas or after. Hope to hear from you soon.

With love your Athena

I raised a brow. "Your Athena?"

Hermione gave me a deal with it sort of look. "It's cute, intimate, and has a lot of emotion."

I debated for a moment, before deciding I didn't want to rewrite it. Plus I doubt I would come up with anything better. Folding the letter, I placed it in the envelope and sealed it with the Black's crest.

"Ginny, could I borrow your owl please?"

"Of course." She walked to the window, opening she called for it. "Earol!" We all cringed at the owl slammed into the window. "Oh, Earol."

"He will make it correct?" I asked, hesitantly giving the letter to the owl.

Ginny laughed. "He may be stupid, but he always delivers." She set the owl loose, watching it disappear into the darkness of the night.

Putting my items back, I stood and stretched sighing in content as the snap of my bones. "Alright ladies all of you off to bed."

"Just cause you are old, doesn't mean we are too." Hermione mumbled, yawing in the process.

"I am only 17 Mione." Glancing at Ginny I saw the questions in her eyes. "I started Hogwarts later than the others. While everyone began at the age of 11 I was allowed by my father once I was 13, and only because Snape and Dumbledore asked him too."

"Oh, sorry I didn't mean to pry." She whispered.

I waved it off. "No, don't worry, it is a common question. But on the bright side me being the oldest, makes me the boss."

"HA!" Both girls tossed pillows at me.

Ignoring them both, I jumped into bed. Tomorrow was a new day at Hogwarts and we once more get a new dark arts teacher. Come to think of it, we never did keep a teacher for more than a year in that class. What was up with that? Yet Snape was itching to get his hands on that. I could see why really, he has taught me a lot. Of course all in private and without the other professors knowing. His reasons being I must know how to defend myself at all cost. Makes me wonder if he knew something like this would happen.