Chapter 23: The Toadstress

My last week at London incurred some unexpected events. I have earned the respect of older family members, including my father. I noticed he became somewhat less stiff and informal in front of me and my mother. He even accompanied me to Diagon Alley to buy my school things. He bought me an eagle owl who I named Razilia. For my birthday (29th of August), I received a wardrobe full of magnificent dress robes from my aunts. Viktor gave me a ring, I put in on a chain and wore it around my neck, which was a family heirloom. Edmond and Andy sent their wishes from France (The git went back to France after the family meeting).

"Ianthé! Over here!" Nikki waved at Ianthé on Platform 9 ¾. It was September first.

"Hey, I'm glad to see you!" Ianthé hugged her best friend. Nanny handed her the owl cage and her school trunks.

"Let's continue chatting later. Now, come on or we'll run out of compartments!" Nikki dragged her onto the train.

"So, how's Charlie Weasley?" Ianthé sat down on a seat across Nikki.

"Pretty busy. He asked me first if I believed You-Know-Who is back, and I told him yes. He then discussed to me his quandary of convincing my father to believe Dumbledore, especially when the Daily Prophet seemed to continue what Rita Skeeter started and dragging Dumbledore's name into the mess."

Ianthé shook her head, "We have another bad news…"

Nikki sighed.

"The Ministry's interfering with Hogwarts. That's what Uncle Alfonse told me. Dolores Umbridge is going to be the new professor."

Nikki immediately sat up, "What are we going to do?"

"Same old business… but I need to sweeten up to her, of course…"

"And why is that?"

"To get her out of our business…"

"Nice… and out the blame of pranking on just the twins?"

Ianthé nodded, "Yes, just the twins…"

"Did we hear anyone mention us?"

The twins we were talking about suddenly materialized outside of our compartment, carrying a bunch of parchment and with their best friend Lee Jordan.

"Hey, guys. What's up?"

"Big problem, girls. Although our sales might increase with what seem to be our most in demand product, we have problem with the testing…"

"That might be some form of problem…"

"Not only that…" Lee sighed, "Ron's been made a prefect…"

Fred Weasley rolled his eyes, "Our brother, we can easily handle… The snag lies on who became the girl prefect…"

"Don't mean to tell me that…."

"Hermione Granger is a prefect…" Nikki finished Ianthé's sentence.

"A… Seems like you girls are picking up our habits…"

"…of finishing each other's…."

"…sentences."

"The new professor worries me more, actually… more than Granger…" Ianthé rubbed her chin.

"Who's the new prof?"

"You'll see…"

George smiled, "Guys, I think that's our signal to depart these lovely ladies. Au revoir, Mademoiselles."

The three waved at Nikki and Ianthé.

During dinner, Dolores Umbridge a.k.a. Giant Toadstress had the most boring sppech ever made in wizarding history. A riot could have erupted in the Great Hall but she still addressed us like we were a bunch of toddlers. That speech was after cutting the Headmaster in his usual weird but fun announcements. The nerve of that woman! I see McGonagall's nostrils flared, made her look more scary than usual. I noticed she was discreetly exchanging rolled eyes with Sprout. Even the Hogwarts staff don't like Umbridge. From that large bow on her head to that horribly pink cardigan… makes me want to throw up my dinner. On the duration of her speech, I was busy formulating a plan to kiss up to her and still enjoy the perks of pranking and building up our business.

"Wands away, class." Dolores Umbridge instructed to the group of Ravenclaws.

Nikki groaned, "Great, just great…"

I was making notes on how to execute my "grand plan", in code, with Nikki, whiule our other classmates were bent on impressing the new professor by reading the book intently.

"Miss Herze," Umbridge called out, "I see you are not reading your book."

"Yes, Professor."

"And may I ask why?" the professor asked sweetly. Ugh, she's absolutely making me sick!

"Because I have already read the entire book, Professor."

"Oh I see… Very good, my dear, very good!" Umbridge clapped her hands, "See me after class, okay?"

Ianthé nodded and smiled, "Yes, Professor."

Step 1 of Plan Toadstress completed.