Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I wish I did cause Fred wouldn't have died and Snape would be living happily ever after with some one. I only own Hayden.
Author's Note:
So, to get the angst out before the chapter starts, I hit a slump this week. A hard one and it's taken a toll, but I'm proud that this chapter isn't late. I would've been devastated if it was late.
On a happier note: I owe a lot to my best friend. Even though I can't work up the nerve to confide in her what's been going on and all of my depression issues, she knew something was off and took last night after she got off work to take me out of my apartment and go on a drive. We watched the stars for HOURS and just talked and talked and talked. I seriously do not deserve her.
I won't keep you waiting any longer! Please excuse any accidentals that occur in this chapter! I promise to fix them when I go back to reread it later on! Read on, lovely readers/reviewers/stalkers/ghosts!
No Promises.
Chapter S.I.X.
_"Secrets"_
"Everyone has at least one secret that would break your heart." -Unknown
Sunday was proving to be quite an eventful day. It was almost as eventful as yesterday and Friday, but today was definitely taking the cake. This morning it had been Umbridge versus McGonagall and this afternoon, it was now Gryffindor's resident Quidditch Captain against everyone who unfortunately got in her way.
Angelina was in a right fit the next time I saw her. A scowl had made itself at home on her face and I could honestly say that I missed her smiling and carefree face more than this new one at the moment. She breezed past me in a flurry of casual lounging robes befitting of a Pureblood and disappeared through the portrait. I lowered my wand, having spent the past half hour casting harmless Sparking Charms to entertain myself, watching the red and gold sparks crackle and blink rapidly before my eyes.
The Common Room was blissfully empty, everyone either lazing in their dormitories, out wandering the castle grounds, or most likely visiting friends in other Houses. The sole exceptions were Lee and I, though Lee was far more preoccupied than I was and had hardly said a word as he made himself comfortable on the rug in front of the fireplace and tried to focus on the parchment in front of him. Harry and Ron had made themselves comfortable at a table earlier to do homework, too, but lunch was in full swing right now, so I assumed they had left for the Great Hall for some food.
"What did Harry do this time to make Angelina look like someone had just called her the M-word?" I asked Lee, who was lounging on the floor idly doing an essay for one of his classes. He hummed, twirling his quill in his hands.
"Maybe it's because Katie is in the Hospital Wing," He said absently, not really paying any real attention to me.
I sat up straighter. "What?! What happened to her?" I could count on one hand the amount of times Katie and I had exchanged words in the past five years, but it never failed to alarm me when someone I knew was in the Hospital Wing for some reason or another. Lee blinked and looked up at me, surprised.
"Fred and George never told you?" Of course it had something to do with the Twins.
"I haven't really seen the Twins at all this weekend. Quidditch and homework kept us kind of busy."
"I guess that makes sense," Lee agreed, sitting up and crossing his legs. He absently cast a spell on his essay to make the ink dry faster before saying, "Alicia says that Katie took a Quaffle to the face courtesy of Ron and got a nasty bloody nose. Fred accidentally gave her one of his orange Blood Blisterpods, which made her nosebleed even worse, instead of the purple one, which is the cure to a nosebleed, and almost made Katie topple right off her broom in the middle of practice due to blood loss."
I had to hold back the urge to swear violently at Fred and, by extension, George. Those idiots. Why either of them would ever carry their products in their Quidditch robes of all things is beyond me, but obviously they hadn't been thinking if Fred easily confused his own product with another one.
"Is Katie still in the Hospital?" I asked, getting to my feet and stretching. It had been a rather lazy day for me since I had thankfully completed all of my assignments yesterday and I was definitely paying the price for it. Every part of me was incredibly stiff and pulling uncomfortably.
"Madam Pomfrey kept her over night," Lee explained. "Katie lost a lot of blood and needed a night filled with Blood Replenishers before she could get back to her feet." Lee cocked his head. "Thinking about visiting her?"
"Just to take a peek," I confirmed. Lee waved me off as I left the Common Room, the portrait swinging shut gently behind me.
I had no real motive for honestly going to go visit Katie. I didn't really understand why I was even making the trip all the way down to the first floor for a girl I hardly knew. It wasn't me being a typical Gryffindor and rushing to see what happened to a fellow Housemate. I knew who could take care of themselves and who couldn't. Katie was definitely among the ones who could look out for herself. Maybe it was because I was bored out of my mind in the Common Room with an uncharacteristically silent Lee and needed something to do. Maybe it was because a part of me genuinely wanted to go look up on Katie.
Maybe a part of me was desperately hoping Fred and George were there with her so that I could have someone to talk to.
My heart lurched in my chest.
Either way, I was visiting Katie for reasons that I didn't even know.
I was passing the second corridor when I heard it.
"Come on, give it back!"
I paused mid-step, tilting my head towards the noise curiously. The voice had been very androgynous and it was one I wasn't familiar with. A younger student from another House maybe?
"What kind of book even is this?" I scowled at that voice. Ugh. He was such an asshole and was by far the only who represented our negative stereotypical Gryffindor aspects perfectly. Self-righteous, aggressive, and so arrogant, he made Malfoy look like an innocent angel.
Too bad that stunt he pulled with the Doxy eggs didn't keep him in the Hospital Wing longer.
I rounded the corner quietly and lo and behold, there he was, one hand pressed against the head of a small boy with blond hair and using his superior height to hold the book out of the boy's desperate reach as scrawny arms flailed this way and that.
"Please give it back!" The boy cried, struggling against the arm holding him in place. Something in me burned when I noticed stronger fingers curling around strands of hair, not really pulling, but no doubt still causing some sort of pain.
"McLaggen!" I snapped loudly, surprising the sixth year. The small boy's blue eyes turned to me and I saw them widen in terror at the same time I noticed the tie done sloppily around his neck. Green and silver with elegant stripes. A Slytherin and a first year from the looks of it, too.
"Ah, Hayden!" He smiled charmingly. I was hardly swayed by his so-called boyish charms, more focused on the watery eyes of the Slytherin boy. It didn't escape my notice that he was using my first name so familiarly, acting like we were the best of friends when I thought the exact opposite of the git. "Fancy meeting you down this corridor. What brings you here, love?"
"I am not your love, McLaggen, and you'll refrain from calling me that in the future if you want to keep your knees straight," I said waspishly, irritated beyond what I should be. Something about the sixth year really rubbed me the wrong way. "Why do you have that book? I didn't know you could even read."
He took my jabs in stride, smile never faltering. I had no doubt he was probably thinking he was being slick with me and could move me to his perspective easily. "Our little slithery friend here has some interesting reading material here," He proclaimed proudly, keeping the book out of the boy's swiping hands and turning the cover to me.
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
I could hardly believe his idiocy and I had no shame in exploiting it to him. I didn't like anything Slytherin-related, but I didn't hated McLaggen more at the moment than the defenseless kid still in his grasp.
He was so small...
"Are you stupid or something, McLaggen?" My insult had clearly caught him off guard for he recoiled and gaped at me speechlessly. I rolled my eyes and said sarcastically, "In case you don't remember, that's the book we used in Defense Against the Dark Arts during our first year. And this is clearly the second corridor, which just so happens to also have the Defense classroom located just down the hall." I arched an eyebrow mockingly, ignoring the suddenly hopeful look in the boy's eyes. It dug a dagger into my heart seeing such a look on a Slytherin. "Did you ever stop and think that maybe he was just coming back from seeing Umbridge about a question he had for his class?"
Never in my five years of being at Hogwarts had I ever expected to be getting a Slytherin out of trouble from someone of my own House, be it a first year or someone older, it didn't matter. There was too much bad blood, too many insults and hurled spells and prejudice that prevented us from ever stepping up for the other House if they were in a bind. But for some reason, this time was different. All of the Slytherins I've known didn't ask for help for they were too prideful and confident, but this boy was the exact opposite. I hated the desperate plea that was shining brightly in his eyes, silently begging me to help him.
McLaggen spluttered to answer me, face turning an ugly red when I only gave him a cool look. I held my hand out. "Give me that book and move on, McLaggen. You're only making a fool of yourself right now."
Just this once...I'll make an exception just this once...for this Slytherin boy who looks like he was Sorted into the wrong House.
McLaggen's lips pursed and his face seemed to darken into an ugly expression. I tensed at the shift, fingers itching to pull my wand out of my sleeve, but wary of firing a spell with the kid so close to him. My eyes widened with horror when smoke started to curl from the binding of the book, opening my mouth to shout something, but choked on the words when the book burst into flames right before my eyes. The boy made a strangled noise, horrorstruck. McLaggen dropped the book at my feet and gave me the slightest of sneers.
"There's your book." He released the boy and did nothing to stop his sudden forward momentum, walking past me as the boy collapsed to the floor harshly close to his burning book. A part of me snapped when there was loud popping noise and the boy emitted a strangled sob. Snarling, I swung around, wand sliding into my hand and fully prepared to hiss out a Leg-Locker Jinx on the prat, but the last thing I saw of him was the swishing of his robes disappearing around the corner.
"I'm going to wring his neck, that little bastard!" I growled, shoving my wand back up my sleeve as I crouched down beside the Slytherin boy, who was sniffling rather pitifully. I cringed at the way his shoulder seemed to jut out weirdly, recognizing it easily as being dislocated. I gently pulled him up to a sitting position, shifting to block his watery gaze from his ruined book. He met my gaze, hurt shining in his eyes. "What's your name?" I asked carefully, eyeballing his shoulder.
He sniffled. "E-Elliot P-Phillips. I'm a first year in Slytherin House." That last part was unnecessary information considering he was wearing his House colors on open display, but I didn't rebuke him.
"What were you doing down this corridor, Elliot?" My hands wavered over his shoulder, hesitating. I wasn't sure how to reset a dislocated shoulder and I wasn't comfortable using this scared first year as a first time experience, even if he was a part of my rival House.
I felt like he was different for some reason.
"Professor Umbridge wanted to t-talk to me," He stuttered nervously, using his other hand to wipe his face shakily. "I was going back to the dungeons when I ran into him." He pointed absently in McLaggen's direction, obviously not caring to use his name even though I had said it plenty of times in his presence. I didn't blame him. McLaggen hardly left an impression on either of us. "Why did he do that?" He asked suddenly, voice weak. "What did I do to him that made him burn my school book?"
You were put in the wrong House.
House prejudice goes far back for Purebloods and you're an unfortunate victim.
You were alone and new and weak.
"McLaggen's an ass," I said bluntly, ignoring those thoughts. Elliot obviously didn't understand what being in Slytherin meant to the school at large and I found that I wanted to shield him for just a bit longer from the pain that he would undoubtedly feel later this year and over the next six years. "He enjoys ruling over people like that. Ignore him." I heaved him to his feet, wincing when he gave a small cry of pain as his shoulder jostled. "Let's get you to Madam Pomfrey so she can fix your shoulder."
"Please," I froze as watery blue eyes met my green eyes. "Please, can you just take me to Professor Snape? I saw him help one of the second years once when he came to him with a broken nose. I'd rather go to him than Madam Pomfrey." I nodded. If the kid really wanted to go to his Head of House for help rather than the school nurse, then who was I to force him otherwise, Slytherin or not?
Madam would be so hurt to hear a student say that. She's one of the more neutral teachers here, but you don't seem to know that, kid. You'd rather go to one of the scariest teachers in the whole school than a woman who would consider you her child if you'd let her.
"Sure," I agreed slowly, frowning when his eyes passed over his still burning book. "Aguamenti." A thin, controlled whip of water doused the flames on his book. I picked it up, already knowing that it was beyond salvageable. Elliot's eyes were wide and curious, no longer fully focusing on his book.
"That was a cool spell," He said, surprised. I blinked and he flushed. "Sorry," He apologized softly.
"No, you're fine," I assured him, gently patting his uninjured shoulder. "You'll eventually learn that spell. It's a Charm and type of Conjuration spell, so it's kind of difficult, but I learned it my third year alongside some others. It gets easier after a bit of practice."
His eyes lit up beautifully, shining and looking like twin pools of the sky. "Maybe Professor Flitwick can give me the steps to learning it."
"Don't be discouraged when he tells you to wait another couple years," I warned, my mouth moving without my consent. I hated how loose my mouth was around this curious, Slytherin kid. "That's what he originally told me when I first asked." His face dropped sadly, though he perked up when I added, "Though I've heard that there are books are on the Water-Making Spell in the Charms section in the Library. It's just a thought, though."
Elliot was smiling the whole way down to the dungeons and while seeing a Slytherin so openly smiling like he was, I couldn't bring myself to say something nasty to wipe it off his face. Elliot wasn't Malfoy from what I'd seen of him for the past fifteen minutes. I didn't know if there was a Phillips family among the Sacred Twenty-Eight, but it felt more right to think that Elliot was a Half-Blood. He wasn't carrying all of the signs of a rich upbringing and he wasn't radiating the vibes Malfoy did of a spoiled, pampered, rich brat.
Soon enough we were both outside Professor Snape's office. Hoping he was in, I knocked loudly on his door and nearly sagged when a voice from within snapped, "Enter!" I let Elliot go in first before following after him, leaving the door cracked. Professor Snape was sitting at his desk, quill in hand and a red ink bottle nearby. I cringed as he swiped a line through a sentence on someone's essay. Some poor idiot just lost quite a bit of points right there.
"Miss. Walters, Mr. Phillips, how can I help you?" He asked, not looking up. He sounded disinterested, like he could really care less what we were there for, but I knew the man cared for his students behind his grumpy and angry exterior. Well, I hoped he did, at least. When Elliot didn't speak after a moment, I stepped forward.
"Sir, Elliot said he'd rather see you for help than Madam Pomfrey." Snape looked up then and his eyes almost instantly locked onto Elliot's obviously dislocated shoulder. I barely covered Elliot's ears instinctively before a violent swear escaped Snape's mouth and couldn't find it in myself to be astounded at the Professor's language. Seeing one of his own hurt like this warranted the action, in my opinion.
"What happened?" Snape demanded, rounding his desk and crouching before the first year with his wand falling from his sleeve and into his hand.
"I fell, sir," Elliot said weakly, looking hesitant to tell the whole truth. The look Snape gave him could have melted metal and I gave him the answer he probably already knew to an extent.
"McLaggen did it, sir," I admitted, not even caring I was ratting out one of my own. Dark eyes flicked to me. "He was tormenting Elliot down the Defense corridor, burned his book, and pushed him down before leaving." Technically Elliot fell without McLaggen's hand supporting him, but that was beside the point.
"I see." Snape's voice was positively dangerous as he Charmed Elliot's outer robe off, leaving him in his buttoned-up shirt, House tie, and V-neck jumper. "I'll have to have a word with McGonagall then. Ten points to Gryffindor, Ms. Walters. I appreciate you looking out for Mr. Phillips like you did." He looked like he had swallowed something sour after saying that, looking highly uncomfortable. He accepted the destroyed book from my hands, barely glancing over it before tossing it into a nearby garbage can and promising Elliot to get him a new one.
I gave him a small bow, hating myself for thinking that if it had been anyone other than Elliot, I probably wouldn't have jumped in like I had even if my dislike of McLaggen stretched farther than the Quidditch field. "Thank you, sir." I left Elliot in Snape's more than capable hands, barely registering Elliot's goodbye in my head as I ran from the dungeons.
The points Snape had given me would mean nothing after the crippling loss Gryffindor would experience once McGonagall and Snape got their hands on McLaggen. I was pleased that Snape had actually given me the points regardless of knowing they wouldn't mean anything anyway later on, but it definitely opened my eyes a bit to the dark-haired Professor.
My original trip to the Hospital Wing was forgotten for the rest of the day.
"What rubbish is this?" I asked somewhat irritably as a Daily Prophet was shoved in my face and prevented me from eating my breakfast. I hadn't slept well last night before turning in early and my tolerance levels were not very high for anyone this morning. I dropped my grapes back onto my plate and snatched the paper out of the tan hand holding it. Terra took a seat and crossed both her arms and legs, looking displeased herself.
"Read that rubbish," She said shortly, watching me scowl at the picture of Umbridge, smiling widely and blinking slowly, on the front page.
"Ministry seeks Educational Reform. Dolores Umbridge appointed first-ever High Inquisitor," I read before sneering. Terra waved away whatever comment I was about to make and gestured for me to keep reading. I did so reluctantly.
In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time," said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. "He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve."
This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.
"That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts," said Weasley last night. "Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts."
It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor.
"This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the "falling standards" at Hogwarts," said Weasley. "The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted."
The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.
"I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation," said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. "Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation."
Among those "eccentric decisions" are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-Giant Rubeus Hagrid, and delusional ex-Auror "Mad-Eye" Moody.
Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.
"I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a Headmaster in whom we can all repose confidence," said a Ministry insider last night.
Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts.
"Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office," said Madam Marchbanks. "This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore." (For a fill account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17).
"This shit deserves to be burned," I cursed, crumbling the paper in my hands before realizing too late that it was originally Terra's. She didn't seem to care too much, watching me carefully cast a controlled Fire Spell and burning the paper wad with vindictive glee.
"Your inner pyro is showing," She commented. "Anyway, what do you think?"
I arched an eyebrow as I put out the flames, successfully Vanishing the leftover paper away. McGonagall would be so pleased. "I think we're gonna see some changes in staff before Christmas," I said honestly. "Umbridge will look for anything she can to get all of them replaced."
Terra hummed. "A good half will be okay, I think," She disagreed. She elaborated at my confused face. "Umbridge can't exactly sack a teacher who has a good success rate of students passing their finals. Take Sprout, for example. Her teaching methods are very effective as there is little confusion among the students during her lessons. Sprout has a high percentage of students passing her final test because of how good she is. Umbridge can't just get rid of her because of something silly as a student getting a Troll on her final."
"I wouldn't put it past her," I grumbled. I looked around the swarm of owls that were flooding the Great Hall for Finny's white-speckled body, but was disappointed when I didn't see him. I was really hoping to see him with Mother's letter this morning. I sighed and left breakfast for class with Terra and I parting ways at the first floor.
Umbridge was thankfully not in History of Magic this morning and nor was she in Double Potions, which was such luck for us because Snape was passing out our moonstone essays from last week and the results some people got were far from good. As I expected, a large, spiky black E was scrawled in the top corner. There were a few words that were circled and a short sentence that was lined out with its correction on the side, but other than that, I wasn't disappointed. Snape was a harsh grader and this was an achievement for anyone in his class.
"I have awarded you the grades you would have received if you presented this work in your O.W.L.," Snape said with a smirk as he swept among us and handed out the last essay. "This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect in your examination."
Oh yeah. It gave me the confidence to think that I was going to do very well on his O.W.L.
"The general standard of this homework was abysmal. Most of you would have failed had this been your examination. I expect to see a great deal of more effort for this week's essay on this various varieties of venom antidotes, or I shall have to start handing out detentions to those dunces who got D's."
"Some people get D's? Ha!" Came Malfoy's carrying whisper as he sniggered to his friends. Snape smirked as instructions for a Strengthening Solution wrote itself out on the blackboard and he set us loose to begin working.
Lunch was spent with the Twins, as usual, Lee, and the Golden Trio. Or rather, specifically Hermione, who was in a mood for talking about O.W.L. grades. Harry and Ron looked like they'd rather be somewhere else than have this talk. I could only assume their essays weren't the greatest and that Snape had taken great delight in ripping it down as much as he could. I remembered him marking that essay yesterday with red ink and I wondered if it was Harry's or Ron's.
"So top grade's O for Outstanding," Hermione was saying, "and then there's A—"
"No, E," George corrected. "E for Exceeds Expectations." He nudged his brother playfully. "And here I've always thought Fred and I should've got E in everything because we exceeded expectations just by turning up for the exams." I laughed at that alongside the others, except Hermione, who looked not so amused.
"That was smooth, George," I praised, still giggling. He looked very pleased with himself. I turned to Hermione before she could plow on with her talk. "I'm not offending you or anything, Hermione, but how do you three not know our grading system here?" Harry and Hermione flushed, while Ron's ears turned scarlet with what I assumed to be anger or embarrassment.
"I don't suppose you know it all then, do you?" Ron snipped, but he was quickly rounded on by his brothers.
"Watch that tone, little brother," Fred said with slightly narrowed eyes.
"She meant no offense, so there's no reason to be so defensive," George teased, though his voice was just as hard as Fred's was.
I gave him a cool look that belied my irritation with the second youngest Weasley. His temper was almost as bad as Harry's lately. "If you read the syllabuses that some of the teachers even bothered to hand out at the beginning of the year, you'd know the system," I quipped smoothly, relishing the darkening red of his ears. "Since you obviously didn't, I'll explain it for you. You already know what O and E stand for. After that is A, which is Acceptable, P for Poor, D for Dread, and T for Troll in that exact order."
"Couldn't have said it any better," Lee said, nodding as he ate.
"Have you lot had an inspected lesson yet?" Fred asked, changing the topic. All four of us denied it. "We just now had one before lunch. In Charms."
"What's it like?" I asked as Hermione and Harry's mouths opened.
Fred shrugged, not looking too concerned. "Not that bad. Umbridge just kind of lurked in the corner making notes on a clipboard. You know what Flitwick's like, he treated her like a guest, didn't seem to bother him at all. She didn't say very much. Asked Alicia a couple of questions about what the classes are normally like, Alicia told her they were really good, and that was it."
The conversation I had this morning with Terra came back and I was only marginally surprised to how close to the mark she had been when she had explained her thoughts to me.
"Who've you got this afternoon?" George asked me.
I wrinkled my nose. "Trelawney—"
"A T if ever I saw one—" I pinched George's arm for interrupting me and he gave a startled jump in his seat, rubbing the abused skin petulantly.
"—and Umbridge last."
"Well, be a good boy and keep your temper with Umbridge today, Harry," Fred said. "Angelina will do her nut if you miss any more Quidditch practices."
We were still in full swing with the dream diaries in Divination, which weren't the biggest success with the students. I could already hear some people asking some friends for dream ideas behind me as I sat down at the little table that I shared with Lavender and Parvati, who were in deep discussion over last night's dreams. When Umbridge emerged from the trapdoor on the floor with a clipboard in hand as Trelawney was handing out Dream Oracles, I knew this lesson was going to take a downwards spiral towards the first level of Hell.
"Good afternoon, Professor Trelawaney," Professor Umbridge said with an ugly wide smile. "You received my note, I trust? Giving the time and date of your inspection?"
Professor Trelawney nodded curtly and, looking very disgruntled, turned her back on Professor Umbridge and continued to give out books. Still smiling, Professor Umbridge grasped the back of the nearest armchair and pulled it to the front of the class so that it was a few inches behind Professor Trelawney's seat. She then sat down, placed her clipboard on her lap, and looked up expectantly, waiting for the class to begin.
Professor Trelawney pulled her shawls tight about her with slightly trembling hands and surveyed the class through her hugely magnified lenses. "We shall be continuing our study of prophetic dreams today," She said in a brave attempt at her usual mystic tones, though her voice shook slightly. "Divide into pairs, please, and interpret each other's latest nighttime visions with the aid of the Oracle."
She made as though to sweep back to her seat, saw Professor Umbridge sitting right beside it, and immediately veered left towards our table as Parvati and Lavender looked towards me with smiles on their faces.
"What'd you dream last night, Hayden?" Lavender asked as Professor Trelawney denied the armchair Parvati had eagerly offered her with a strained smile.
I latched onto the most common dream I've always been dreaming of over the past couple years, seeing as how I didn't really sleep last night. "A lake," I said. "A foggy lake with mist that steamed up from crystal waters that showed nothing but the sand at the bottom."
Parvati made an appreciative noise. "That sounds beautiful," She said wistfully. Lavender made an agreeing noise. "What do you think it means?"
"I'm not sure," I said, distracted. Professor Umbridge was now hovering over Professor Trelawney's shoulder, scribbling on her clipboard. Our eyes connected. "It's not a lake I've ever been to, but it feels very familiar. It might belong to one of the lakehouses my Mother no doubt owns, but I'd need to ask."
"Your Mother owns lakehouses?" Parvati asked excitedly, straying off topic. Professor Umbridge's pen scribbled just a bit faster across her clipboard and I knew something wrong was said just now. Trelawney was losing a battle by the minute.
"A couple," I said vaguely, uncomfortable with her prying. It was common knowledge among the Lions that I was a Muggleborn, but I didn't enjoy talking about my normal parents with my wizard House mates. There was a tapping noise and we all looked to Professor Umbridge, who had just finished making a note and was looking quite put out.
"Now," She said, looking to the taller Divination Professor, "you've been in this post how long, exactly?"
Professor Trelawney scowled at her, arms crossed and shoulders hunched as though wishing to protect herself as much as possible from the indignity of the inspection. After a slight pause in which she seemed to decide that the question wasn't so offensive that she could reasonably ignore it, she said in a deeply resentful tone, "Nearly sixteen years."
"Quite a period," Umbridge commented, making a note. "So it was Professor Dumbledore who appointed you?"
"That's right," Trelawney said shortly.
"And you are the great-great-granddaughter of the celebrated Seer Cassandra Trelawney?"
"Yes," Trelawney said, holding her head a little higher. Another note on the clipboard.
"But I think—correct me in I am mistaken—that you are in the first in your family since Cassandra to be possessed of second sight?"
"These things often skip—er—three generations," said Professor Trelawney, looking even more uncomfortable.
Professor Umbridge's toadlike smile widened.
"Of course," She said sweetly, adding on yet another note. "Well, if you could just predict something then?" She looked up inquiringly, still smiling. Professor Trelawney had stiffened as though unable to believe her ears.
"I don't understand you," She said, clutching convulsively at the shawl around her scrawny neck.
"I'd like you to make a prediction for me," Umbridge said very clearly. I exchanged surprised looks with Lavender and Parvati. Most of the class was staring transfixed at Professor Trelawney as she drew herself up to her full height, beads and bangles clinking.
"The Inner Eye does not See upon command!" She said in a scandalized tone.
"I see," Umbridge said softly, pen flying across her clipboard.
Trelawney hurried to correct herself, struggling to use the mysterious voice she had used when we all had first met her. "I—but—but...wait!" Professor Trelawney cried suddenly in an attempt to use her ethereal voice, though the mystical effect was ruined by the way it was shaking with anger. "I...I think I do see something...something that concerns you...why, I sense something...something dark...some grave peril..."
Professor Trelawney pointed a sharking finger at Professor Umbridge, who continued to smile blandly at her, eyebrows raised. "I am afraid...I am afraid that you are in grave danger!" She finished dramatically.
There was a pause as Professor Umbridge surveyed Professor Trelawney.
"Right," She said softly, scribbling some more. "Well, if that's the best you can do..."
Professor Trelawney's grave was no officially dug and just waiting for the eccentric woman to just walk right into it.
"What is wrong with Potter and his mouth?" Terra asked lowly as she spooned soup into her mouth. We hadn't even gotten halfway through Defense before Harry had shot his mouth off once again and landed another detention with the toad.
"He's stressed," I defended gently. "He's having a hard time right now with all the controversies and shit that's going around and everyone being so against him and Dumbledore."
"He can be stressed as much as he wants. He's—" Her words faltered at the unexpected arrival of Finny, who had landed beside her. Her hand was already rubbing his head before I even reached for the letter tied to Finny's leg. I grinned at Mother's loopy handwriting on the front.
"Thank you, Finny," I thanked, offering him some random meat from a plate nearby. He readily accepted, hooting as I cut upon the envelope and pulled my Mom's letter out.
My Dear Oldest,
I won't ream you, as you so eloquently put it. Rather I will just say to be prepared once you come home for the Christmas holidays.
All of us having been well, thank you for asking! Ezra has been very busy at work. They've been keeping him over often lately, though. Something about some machines and NCR's needing to be signed and approved. I stopped listening when he went into full-blown Manager mode on me. I'm currently on a paid vacation, though I am ready to be back at work. It's quite boring here with nothing to do other than cleaning. Your sister has been the usual Drama Queen, though I'd be surprised if you expected anything less. Echo is fine, dear. Still the same grumpy and moody thing that she is and hisses and yowls at your sister every time she comes near.
Don't get behind, darling! I know I don't need to remind you of what happened the last time you got behind in your studies back in your third year. I know you'll be fine this year. You'll go great.
My, hearing my own daughter say Sheytana will never fail to make me laugh! I'll have to sit you down and share some of my travels with you. You'll understand how I picked up that word after I tell you of my little adventure in Cairo all those years ago before you were born. I hope to never meet this woman. I don't know if you're Father will be able to get me out of jail for attempted homicide.
Top pranksters, you say? Don't you go picking up any ideas, young lady. Your Father and I can only take so many new pranks in a year. As for your sister, I think she'll be fine. She needs to expand and control that temper of hers. Not that yours is any better, but she's still young and impressionable. I think these two boys will be good for her. Do try and see if they can come over for the holidays in December! I'd love to meet them!
Nothing new has happened recently other than work for your Father and school for Hailey. Though there was an incident with Echo after she accidentally dumped ketchup of all things on my WHITE floors. God, your sister was so frightened of me. I felt so bad.
Hmmm...personally, I'd recommend incenses! My travels in Denmark and Germany introduced me to the wonders of Aromatherapy and I must say that it does absolute wonders for me. If you'd like to send Finny back, I can send you a little bit of some of the incenses that I use on a daily basis in the house that could possibly work on your friend. If it doesn't work, let me know! I have many other methods other than Aromatherapy.
We are excited for you to come back home, dear. We miss you very much every time you get on the train to school. We are all eagerly looking forward to Christmas, even your sister. I anticipate your next letter whenever that may be.
Much Love,
Mother Dearest
I sighed, folding up Mom's letter. "Can I borrow some paper and your quill for a second?" I asked Terra, inclining my head towards her open notebook and quill. She readily gave it to me, too engrossed with loving on Finny, who was enjoying the attention greatly. I was about to start writing when I paused before a wicked grin slowly formed on my lips. Terra froze.
"Why are you smiling like that?" She asked cautiously, though her eyes were very curious.
"I have an idea," I said slowly, ideas rapidly going through my head and being discarded when I knew they wouldn't work. "A prank idea." Ooohhhhhhh Lord. The Twins would have fits when I told them. When I wasn't drowning in homework or in classes, ways to get back at Umbridge were constantly swimming through my mind, but nothing seemed to be big enough. My Mother, though...she just gave me the best idea I had ever though of.
Terra arched an eyebrow, interested. "Oh? Do tell."
My grin turned sinister. "I've gotta run it by Fred and George first, but I'm positive they'll be all for it." I leaned towards her, eyes glinting. "You don't own any white clothes do you? I'd get rid of them soon if you do."
Author's Note:
THIS PRANK IDEA WAS SOMETHING I ACCIDENTALLY CAME ACROSS A COUPLE DAYS AND I CRIED MYSELF LAUGHING FOR ALMOST AN HOUR BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP WATCHING IT, OH MY GOODNESS. *Cries laughing* I sincerely hope it doesn't disappoint. It's one of the greatest things I've ever seen in so long. If any of you want a GOOD laugh, look up Ben Phillips Pranking Elliot on YouTube. He makes me SCREAM LAUGH every time. xD
Lots of hearts and appreciation to:
Savage Kill: I absolutely HATE bacon. I've never liked it as a kid and I don't like it now as 20 year old. xD
I'm the pickiest child out of my whole family. If I made up a list of all the foods I don't like, I could cover the front and back. You would be APPALLED by everything that I don't like. I'm frequently told I'm not American because of everything that I don't like.
Aussieshipwhore: Awwww, thank you! I hope you continue to like it in future chapters!
ElementalGirl1: Oh, I didn't mean that seriously! Please forgive me. I have a...uh, warped sense of humor. It's a bit of a joke between my best friend and I. The girls at my school jump with their fists before they think. xD They weren't the smartest bunch.
I'm soooooo glad Terra is being accepted like she is. She plays an important role later in the Half-Blood Prince and the Deathly Hallows. Her role in this book is kind of secretish, so you'll have to read what's underneath to see what her role is. I'm so sad that there was little time for the Twins and Hayden time in this chapter, but I definitely promise to make up for it next chapter.
I would HATE Divination. I'd be in Care of Magical Creatures before Harry could say "Quidditch".
Thank you very much! It's taken me a long time to get to this point in my writing, but even then, I'm struggling to make it better. I feel like it's missing something, but I haven't discovered it yet.
veronicamusica: PHEW. THANK GOD. I cannot WAIT for this relationship to get rolling some more. Some seeds have been planted and I'm bouncing my seat just over that. xD
Potions seems to be common from what I've heard so far! Though Herbology is definitely a first. Is it because of how hands on it is? I'm more of a do as I go kind of learner, so I'd struggle in anything that was like Divination.
Mad Cheshire Rabbit: I PROMISE ALL OF THE FLUFF. I PROMISE THIS SO MUCH. I love the little fluff going on already. Have no fear! IT SHALL BE EXPANDED ON. I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you too much with the little Twins/Hayden time. *Sad Face* It will be made up for in the next chapter!
Alessandra.12: Thank you so much! I'm glad you like Hayden! She makes me so happy to write and I love working through her personality in each chapter. *Hearts* It makes me ever so happy.
End of Responses!
Last chapter's response: Divination. Hands fucking down. That shit can't be forced on me even if it would save my life.
Question for this chapter: Favorite Harry Potter character?
I'll see you all in the next chapter! I'll see you next weekend. *Hearts* Thank you very much for reading! And thank you ALL for the WONDERFUL reviews. They fuel my drive to write this story. *More hearts*
~OQ