Hermione had the distinct feeling that today was the day. She was nearly done with her OWLs and her magic was buzzing with anticipation. She wasn't sure it was her magic, though. It was almost hers but not quite. She suspected it was Bella's, even if she had no idea how she could feel it given they were so far apart. It was exciting, though. She could barely sit still and it was a struggle to focus on her exams. She stared at Umbridge as a loud thumping started interrupting the silence. The pink woman stood and strode to the giant doors when it didn't stop, and Hermione only hoped something horrible would happen to her. She couldn't help but watch as the doors were opened and a giant firework dragon entered the room.
So that's what Fred and George needed my help with over Christmas. Why did they wait so bloody long? Hermione thought, a smile gracing her lips as Umbridge shrieked. She had no idea what was happening as she ran around screaming for order. Hermione couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of her at the ridiculous sight. Soon, others followed, no longer able to contain their amusement at seeing the toad of a woman struggling to maintain order.
Turning on her, Umbridge shouted, "You! You wretched girl! You did this!"
"Professor, I assure you, I am not the one responsible. I would never sabotage my exams, or anyone else's for that matter," Hermione calmly stated though she was seething on the inside.
Umbridge did not have a chance to respond as the dragon looped around to fly directly at her. Their exams caught fire as it passed and Hermione silently mourned while everyone else was cheering. Chasing Umbridge, the firework dragon wove in and out of the rows, thoroughly destroying every test. As she ran out of the Great Hall shrieking, the dragon finally caught up to her and closed its mouth around the pink woman before the body of it exploded. Shattering glass was heard as every rule Umbridge made came crashing down around the soot-covered, shrieking woman. Hermione felt the rush of magic from all the students as they ran out into the courtyard celebrating. Twisting her ring for stability, Hermione followed at a slower pace. Easily picking out Fred and George, she went over to the two troublemakers.
"That was a splendid exhibition of your fireworks, however, next time I hope you will not destroy my exam in the process," she teasingly chided.
"Sorry, Hermione. But we just couldn't wait. We couldn't have done it without your help," the twins said in turns.
Seeing Harry fall, Hermione knew her earlier feeling was right. She rushed over to him, not really caring one way or the other, but she needed to stay close. With Ron's help, they got him up and out of the crowd, into a semi-secluded alcove. Ginny, Neville, and Luna rushed over.
"Are you alright, mate?" Ron asked.
"It's Sirius. Voldemort has Sirius. He's gonna kill him. We have to stop him! We have to do something!"
"Harry, look at me. It could be a trap. Voldemort has been trying to get to you for years. Why don't we use the floo to see if he's alright?"
"Hermione-" he started.
"No, Harry. If there's no answer we'll do what we can. But it wouldn't hurt to check first."
"She's right, Harry," Ginny said.
"We'll use Umbridge's office. She's likely to regain order before she goes there, so we should have time. We'll keep a lookout."
Harry nodded, not happy with the plan but he knew Hermione was right. If he wanted any hope of her staying on his side he had to be a better friend. Ducking into the crowd, the six of them made their way to Umbridge's office. The halls were empty, making it easy to make their way through the castle. It would be easy to get there, the hard part would be sneaking out. Hermione had just opened the door when Draco's Inquisitorial Squad caught them. Goyle was sent to fetch the toad of a woman while the rest made sure they wouldn't escape.
Shite. Although, I'm kind of glad we got caught. Sirius isn't actually in danger and if Harry finds out we won't have to go to the Ministry. Hermione thought. She wasn't sure how she would get them out of this one. She had an idea, she only hoped Harry would play along. She would need Draco's help too.
"Draco," she whispered, low enough so only he could hear. Knowing she had his attention by the gentle tap he gave, she continued, "I need to complete my mission for the Dark Lord. When I get Umbridge out of the room, I need you to let everyone go. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but if my plan works you won't have to face Umbridge's wrath."
He was still for a moment before giving Hermione a discrete two taps on her shoulder, indicating he understood. Not a moment later, Umbridge strode into the room, looking pissed as hell. It was almost funny since she was still covered in soot and it looked like she literally blew a fuse. Hermione resisted the urge to laugh but couldn't help the slight shaking of her shoulders as she stifled it. Draco, too, was trying not to laugh at the cartoonish image of the pink-clad woman and her red, soot-covered face.
"What is the meaning of this?!" she demanded, her voice shrill.
"We caught them trying to sneak into your office, Professor. No doubt to contact Dumbledore," Draco reported dutifully. Umbridge turned to Goyle, sending him to fetch Snape and Veritaserum. They waited in unnerving silence, but Hermione still found the image of the angry woman too funny. It was taking more effort than it should have not to laugh.
I'm finally losing it, she thought as Snape strode into the room, robes billowing out behind him.
"Did you bring it?"
"I'm afraid we are out of Veritaserum, Headmistress," Snape responded. He sounded monotone to everyone else but Hermione could hear the sarcasm lacing his words. She knew he had Veritaserum, during their last Occlumency and Legilimency lesson she helped him brew more. That had been yesterday evening and there was no way it was all gone.
"He's got Padfoot! He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!" Harry shouted at Snape.
"I have absolutely no idea what the boy is talking about. I think he might have finally gone insane," Snape intoned before Umbridge could ask what Harry was talking about.
"What's hidden? Dumbledore's weapon?" Umbridge asked, turning to Harry. The woman was insane. She would do anything for her precious Minister.
"It's in the Forbidden Forest!" Hermione shouted-still stifling her laughter-before things could get any worse.
"What is?"
"Dumbledore's weapon. It's hidden in the Forbidden Forest. Isn't it, Harry? I've seen you and Ron coming out of there with Hagrid before he left," Hermione said, trying to convey to the Golden Gits that she had a plan if they could play along.
"Take me to it, Potter. Ms. le Fay, you will be joining us," Umbridge said, brandishing her wand. Surprisingly, it was not pink.
The Forbidden Forest was dark and the roots of the trees as they moved further in grew more treacherous. Umbridge did not allow them to slow their pace and Hermione only hoped something was actually here. Although she had no doubt if the centaurs found them, they might do something to the horrible toad of a woman. She was a known elitist, believing centaurs to be less than human. They knew it, too. Hermione hoped they would happen across a herd so her and Harry could slip away. As they passed another sinister looking group of trees, Harry stopped. Hermione noticed a loop of rope around the trees that clearly held something large but didn't anymore. It had to have been large, the rope was thick and looked heavy and the tree was huge and solid.
"Well, where is it?" Umbridge demanded.
"I don't understand, it was right here," Harry said, a frown on his face. Grawp had been tied up here, but he had somehow escaped. Harry hoped he hadn't given the centaurs any trouble. The giant was nice, he just didn't understand his size. The centaurs could give them trouble if Grawp had angered them.
Loud footfalls echoed around them and Hermione knew something very large was the cause because she could feel the ground tremor. Standing just behind the trees was a giant. Umbridge looked personally slighted by the creature. It wasn't glamorous by any means but it wasn't horribly ugly like a troll. It didn't seem to be very intelligent either but Hermione knew this was what Hagrid had been hiding. The look on Harry's face gave everything away. Hearing the sound of centaurs, the giant ran off, clearly being hunted. Umbridge's face shifted at the sound of hoofbeats, becoming one of disgust. Hermione subtly moved away, knowing something was about to happen.
"What are you doing here? These are not your hunting grounds you vile creatures," Umbridge demanded. She seemed to do a lot of that. Hermione suspected that it was likely the only thing she could do.
"This part of the forest is ours, it has been recognized by Dumbledore," the leader stated, keeping his distance. His body language betrayed his hatred for the woman.
"Dumbledore is no longer acting Headmaster of Hogwarts. I am and I do not recognize your claim on this land. Leave before I detain you."
The centaurs huffed, looking affronted by the woman's words. As one, they charged forward, straight at Umbridge, who had the audacity to cast an Incarcerous at one of them. This only infuriated them more, and while Umbridge was overwhelmed, Hermione moved to the struggling centaur and quickly cast the counter-curse before he choked. Jumping to his feet, he nodded at the young witch before grabbing the pink woman by the arm while another grabbed her other arm. Her face contorted in a rage and pain as the picked her up, not being gentle.
"Potter! Tell them I mean no harm!" she desperately screamed as they carried her away.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but I must not tell lies," Harry bluntly stated. Turning to Hermione, he waited for her nod before running back in the direction of the school. Hermione was extremely thankful she had taken up running every morning. If she hadn't been, she probably would have collapsed. She had no idea how far into the forest they had gone and she hoped they were going the right way. The forest had a habit of being incredibly confusing and she wouldn't be surprised if its magic caused it to shift around. Reaching the edge of the forest, Hermione was glad to see that Draco had done what she asked. Everyone was waiting for them to return, anxiety on their faces.
"We need to go. Sirius is in trouble. None of you have to come with me," Harry panted, eager to rescue his godfather.
"We've got no way to get there," Ron protested.
"We could always fly," Luna said wistfully, looking toward the thestrals that only she and Harry could see.
"Brilliant. Let's go."
Hermione suppressed a groan. She would have rather flooed to the Ministry. She hated flying with a passion. She was shite on a broom and she definitely didn't want to fly on a creature she couldn't even see. Not that she really had a choice, but that didn't mean she had to be happy about it. She would do what she had to if it meant completing her mission. The end of the Order was upon them.