The Inspections

History of Magic was dull as ever. Rather than waist her time trying to absorb even the smallest piece of information from Professor Binns, Siria planned future lessons. Remus said he couldn't promise no one would die, and Siria knew she couldn't either. She could at least improve their chances— she would improve their chances.

"What will you do if I refuse to lend you my notes this year?" Hermione asked Ron and Siria (B5, 229).

"We'd fail our O.W.L.s," Ron told her (B5, 229).

"I suppose I'd rather not continue History anyway," Siria confessed with a yawn.

"If you'd just take a Draught of Dreamless Sleep," Hermione shook her head.

"I can't take one every night, Hermione," Siria groaned.

"Those hallway nightmares still?" Ron asked.

"They're getting worse," Hermione told him. "She smacked me in the face again."

"I was asleep," Siria defended. She pressed her hands to her eyes. Her hand had been inches from the knob of the black door when Hermione woke her.

Snape returned their Moonstone essays to them at the start of class. He explained he graded them on what he felt they would have received if it were for their O.W.L. Siria realized that, while she did not know the O.W.L. grading scale, the "P" Snape drew on her essay was probably not for "pass." [B, 309]

Her Strengthening Solution was almost the same clear turquoise shade as Hermione's. She was not sure why she was close, but not quite there. Still, Siria left the class more worried for Neville, who somehow got his to turn pink. [B5, 309]

Over lunch, Hermione expressed she hoped for a higher grade. Ron and Siria exchanged similar annoyed glances. Hermione continued to try and pry their grades out of them by discussing hers. [B5, 310]

"If you want to know what grades we got, ask," Ron snapped.

"I don't— I mean, if you want to tell me—" Hermione confessed.

"I got a P," said Ron. "Happy?" [B5, 310]

"Same!" Siria cheered and high fived him.

"Well, that's nothing to be ashamed of," Fred said as he sat beside Hermione. George and Lee Jordan sat beside him. "Nothing wrong with a good, healthy P." [B5, 310]

Ron and Siria sniggered. Hermione shot them a glance over her shoulder, but turned back to Fred. "But, doesn't P stand for…" she lowered her voice as though she was implying a swear (B5, 310).

"'Poor,' yeah," said Lee Jordan. "Still, better than a D, isn't it? 'Dreadful'?" (B5, 310)

Hermione, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan discussed the grades of O.W.L.s while Ron and Siria ate. For two of them, what would come would come. They knew Hermione would pass everything with flying colors, but fret the entire way. Siria did smile at George when he confessed "I've always thought Fred and I should've got E in everything, because we exceed expectations just by turning up for the exams." (B5, 311)

"Be a good girl and keep your temper," George told Siria (B5, 312). He pinched her nose as he passed. She knocked his arm away while she got to her feet. Her heart sank and she sat back down. "What's it?" George asked.

"Still hungry," Siria lied and reached for a random piece of fruit.

"Are you really?" Hermione asked. She hesitated.

"Yeah," Siria forced a smile and ate the apple on the way to Divination with Ron.

"You okay?" Ron asked as they slid into a back, low table of the classroom. "You're all, I don't know." Siria shrugged.

"I'm fine," she lied. "I just suppose I forgot I was taller—"

"Course you're taller," Ron laughed. "Siria, you're almost as tall as me." Normally, Siria would have been happy about this. Being taller than Malfoy tended to give her a little swagger and Ron always being taller sometimes irked her just a bit. Today, it just made her feel "huge."

So trapped in her own mind, Siria hadn't noticed their visitor. Ron, worried for her, had missed them too. At the front of the class, just behind Professor Trelawney's chair, sat Umbridge. Even after Professor Trelawney divided students into pairs and handed out the Dream Oracle, she dared not approach her usual spot. Instead she hovered over Lavender and Parvati, who were eager to receive her guidance. [B5, 312]

Ron and Siria sighed over their dream diaries and the book. As Siria used Ron's dream last time, he flipped through her dream diary. "Hey," Ron paused and went back a few dreams, "Siria, you keep writing the same dream every few nights."

"I keep having the same dream," she reminded him.

"Then let's do that one," he said. "Now, would the subject be the door? Oh, but which date do I use?"

"Just pick one," Siria sighed. "I can't wait to drop this stupid subject."

Umbridge stood behind Professor Trelawney, as she had with Professors Vector and Chaudhary. While Professor Trelawney asked Neville about his dream diary, Umbridge took notes on her clipboard. The two continued around the room, until they were only a table away from Ron and Siria.

Though Siria didn't like Professor Trelawney, she hated Umbridge. No one who gave Hermione detention could possibly be reasonable or remotely good. She scratched at the table with her nails, as if it would take away the urge to snatch Umbridge's clipboard and snap it.

Professor Trelawney looked more and more affronted with each question Umbridge asked. "How long have you been in post?" then if Dumbledore appointed her, and that she's the great-great-granddaughter of Seer Cassandra Trelawney. There was something about Umbridge's questioning that got Siria irritated, more irritated. [B5, 214]

Umbridge confirmed that there hasn't been anyone, beside Professor Trelawney, with second Sight, since Seer Cassandra (B5, 314). It hit Siria. When Umbridge wasn't asking closed questions, she asked leading questions and it reminded Siria of more intensive Veritaserum interrogations. She tucked her head down and leaned on the table.

"Well, if you could just predict something for me, then?" Umbridge asked Professor Trelawney. Professor Trelawney went rigid, and Siria could not blame her. When she asked Umbridge to clarify, the little toad smiled and said "I'd like you to make a prediction for me." [B5, 314]

Everyone was listening. Lavender was so still she even held her breath. Professor Trelawney rose to her full height, but being over twice the height of Umbridge did not make her safe. "The Inner Eye does not See upon command!" Professor Trelawney clutched her hand around some of her may necklaces.

"I see," Umbridge said with another note on her clipboard. Though her tone implied disappointment, her face read that it was exactly what she was hoping. [B5, 314]

Professor Trelawney did not miss this. She pointed a trembling finger at Umbridge. In her usual fashion of dramatics, Professor Trelawney told Umbridge that she was in grave peril. Ron and Siria shared their usual looks of mock surprise, which were washed away when Professor Trelawney swooped down on them the moment Umbridge stepped away. [B5, 315]

According to Professor Trelawney, each of Siria's dreams described her living a short life with a terrible death. This was not surprising. Not only had Professor Trelawney predicted an early death for Siria for the past two years, Siria knew she was correct. Ever since graveyard, Siria lived on borrowed time.

"Potter-Black, you have recorded the same dream three times," Professor Trelawney said in a tone that implied Siria was not aware.

"I've had the same dream," Siria replied.

"It's half your dream diary," Professor Trelawney snapped.

"That's what happens when I have it every other night," Siria said through gritted teeth.

"Weasley, have you interrupted this dream properly?" Professor Trelawney asked.

"Dunno, I think so," Ron said.

Professor Trelawney thought otherwise. She went on for the rest of class about how, before Siria's early and gruesome death, she would be confined. On her deathbed, Siria would be suffocated in her own terror.

Defense Against the Dark Arts started with Hermione casting another Silencing Charm on Siria. It was then that Siria realized Hermione not only mastered The Standard Book of Spells Grade Five, but nonverbal spells as well. She shouted, in silence, at Hermione, who took hold of Siria's hand and held it under the desk, while she raised her other.

"What is it this time, Miss Granger?" Umbridge asked. She left her desk to practically whisper the question at Hermione. Hermione, however, did not whisper. In a clear tone that carried through the class, Hermione explained she read the entire book. Umbridge questioned her on it, but Hermione answered correctly and explained that Slinkhard believed counterjixes were called that to be more acceptable. [B5, 316-317]

"But I disagree with Slinkhard," Hermione confessed in the same clear tone that carried through the otherwise silent class. "Mr. Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they're useful when used defensively." [B5, 317]

Umbridge was completely blown by this. She forgot to be soft spoken in her reply and snapped that Hermione's opinion did not matter. Then Umbridge took away five points for "pointless interruptions." [B5, 317]

Silently, Siria listed off things she loved to calm her temper. The more Umbridge spoke, the more difficult it was. What she needed wasn't something to let voices in, but ear plugs to keep them out. Her grip tightened on Hermione's hand.

"...as none of your previous teachers would have passed a Ministry inspection, your silent attention on these age-appropriate materials is what you need," Umbridge said. "Not opinions on things you clearly do not understand. Now, resume your reading of chapter two." [B5, 317]

The next day's Charms went by in contemptuous silence, as Siria had not forgiven Hermione for silencing her again, but all was forgotten when they entered Transfiguration. In the corner near the door, Umbridge sat with her clipboard. Ron elbowed Siria and whispered "Excellent! Let's see Umbridge get what she deserves." Siria could not repress a smile. [B5, 319]

Professor McGonagall marched in with no sign of acknowledgment to Umbridge. She instructed Seamus Finnigan to hand back the homework and Lavender Brown to hand out mice. Umbridge coughed from her corner, though Professor McGonagall gave no sign of hearing her. The box of mice was intentionally two short, and Professor McGonagall handed each Hermione and Siria a kitten. Umbridge coughed again. [B5, 313-314]

"Yes?" Professor McGonagall snapped with her eyebrows so close together they made a single, stern line. Umbridge began that she wanted to make sure Professor McGonagall got her notice of inspection, but she was cut off. "Obviously I received it or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom. [B5, 320]

Siria tried to break back a smile that cracked through. She elbowed Ron, who looked even more elated than she did. Hermione managed not to smile. Neville focused on his desk, a mixture of joy and fear inside him.

For a short moment, Professor McGonagall returned to instructing them. Umbridge did another fake cough. Sparks flashed in Professor McGonagall's eyes. "I wonder how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me?" Professor McGonagall asked in controlled fury, "You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking." [B5, 320]

Though Siria did not need another happy memory to fight off a dementor, she had one. Umbridge looked so shocked one would think Professor McGonagall sunned her. She hesitated for a moment, before straightening herself up and scribbingly sharply on her parchment. [B5, 321]

Unlike with Professors Vector, Chaudhary, and Trelawney, Umbridge did not follow Professor McGonagall around. She spent the entire period in her corner. When it ended, Umbridge asked how long Professor McGonagall taught for, "Thirty-nine years this December." Then Umbridge told Professor McGonagall she could expect the results in ten days. [B5, 321]

"Hurry up, you three," Professor McGonagall ushered Hermione, Ron, and Siria to leave the class. They remained in hopes of hearing Professor McGonagall knock Umbridge down another notch. Professor McGonagall gave Siria a shadow of smile. [B5, 322]

Umbridge was down at Care of Magical Creatures. Professor Grubbly-Plank clearly didn't answer how Umbridge wanted, but was preferred to Hagrid. Then Umbridge circled the class. [B5, 323]

"Now," Umbridge said to Malfoy and his gang of cronies, "I hear there have been injuries in this class?" (B5, 323) Hermione jabbed Siria in the ribs with the tip of her wand when she cast the Silencing Charm. Siria gasped and glared at her, but only for a second before turning her glare to Malfoy. He caught her eye or else finally changed.

"Well, Professor, my father says that's expected in a class like this," Malfoy said. Siria slipped the ear plugs from her ears. Clearly, they weren't working.

"Run by…" Umbridge implied.

"Something with less experienced students handling creatures," Malfoy said. Siria cleaned her ear out with her finger.

"I see," Umbridge said.

"From what I've heard, it wasn't anything Madam Pomfrey couldn't handle," Malfoy added.

"What is happening?" Siria mouthed to Ron. He shrugged. Ron was as confused as her. Hermione pressed her lips together, as if she bit something bitter, but did not share her theory.

Once Siria had her voice back and they were back in the crowded common room, she took Hermione by the arm. "So what was that?" Siria asked.

"Maybe he's turned over a new leaf," Hermione lied. Siria narrowed her eyes. "It's silly. Anyways, aren't you meeting Lily Moon in the library?"

"She's patient."

"Siria!" Colin tugged on Siria's sleeve. "I finished my homework."

"I've got to meet Moon," Siria said. "Hermione can get it," and Siria sulked to the library.