Chapter 25: Dealings with the Headmaster and Nikki's Alter Ego.

I snuck out of my common room one night (in disguise of a Weasley twin) and walked up to where the Headmaster's office is located. I couldn't get through because of one cheeky gargoyle who won't let me pass without a password.

"Anything I can do for you, Mr. Weasley?" a wizened man with a long white beard and half-moon spectacles asked Ianthé.

"I need to speak with you, Professor Dumbledore," Ianthé gazed into the twinkling eyes of the old but spirited man. She felt an almost push on her forehead, "You don't need to pry, sir. What I would tell you is very important, and besides, my Polyjuice is wearing off."

Dumbledore nodded and proceeded to the gargoyle, "Ton Tongue Toffee."

Ianthé looked at him wildly, "Nice password, Professor."

"I feel there's something you needed to discuss with me but also keep your identity. I will promise you, your secret will not leave this room."

Ianthé's appearance changed. The red hair turned deep mahogany brown as it grew, the body morphed from a male to a female.

"A… I see you even managed to copy the uniform… Nice Potions work, Miss Herze."

"Thanks… I think…."

"Do sit down," Dumbledore gestured to an empty space where a comfortable couch materialized, "Tea?" a cup and saucer materialized in Ianthé's hands.

"Thank you, Professor."

"You know, this tarragon tea is good for digestion and to relax the brain."

Ianthé smiled, "Professor? What do you think of my family?"

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that, Miss Herze. I am not one to judge."

"We are ready, Professor."

"I see…"

"But he thinks we are on his side…."

"Your family is on dangerous territory."

"I know, sir, but we want peace. We want to fight for what my family members rebuilt fourteen years ago."

"I see…. And what is your part in all of this, may I ask?"

"I serve as the representative of the Herze, Dreyfuss, and also the Krums, sir."

"So you and young Viktor Krum are indeed…"

"Sir, I think the proper term is 'going out'. Yes, we are, sir. The alliance between our families is not the factor of our being together."

Dumbledore smiled at her with his eyes twinkling, "Such a bold and wise decision to make, Miss Herze."

"Thank you, sir."

"I think it's getting late. Your House prefect might dock points so I suggest put yourself again in disguise," the headmaster said with a wink.

Ianthé swallowed a vial of thick grayish liquid. Her body morphed into a Weasley twin, "Thank you for your time, professor."

Dumbledore nodded and waved his hand on the door, which opened.

I got back to my dormitory with a lighter heart. I managed to tell Nikki of what happened. The next morning, I owled Edmond in code. Every letter I write is in code now, even Viktor's letter. Umbridge's reign in school was indeed getting on a larger span, with the help of course of the Ministry. I continued my charade with Umbridge. I don't think she would see me as a threat as I seemed to be just another Hogwarts student getting by everyday life. Nikki and I substituted as the twins when the DA (the Defense against the Dark Arts group formed by Hermione Granger) called another meeting.

"Oh come on, George (me), we have done this tons of times back in the dormitory. I think we can skip this whole DA thing…"

"Look, Fred (Nikki)… This is pretty fun!" Ianthé kept on disarming Zacharias Smith. He's a snot-faced jerk!

"We're wasting our precious time with this! We can move on to bigger and better things…" Nikki looked at Ianthé mischievously.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Later…"

Ianthé and Nikki got back to their common room when their Polyjuice disguise had worn out.

"So, what's your brilliant plan?" Ianthé changed into pajamas.

"Remember those ugly rings she has on her fingers… and remember Care of the Magical Creatures last year with Hagrid?"

Ianthé looked at Nikki, "You are positively beyond evil!"

"Precisely… Every time we are on a lesson with her, my mind changes into my alter ego… I just want her finished here in Hogwarts, especially with all the Educational Decrees she passes. Who knows? One of these days, she might be Headmistress… I hate it when we will go to open prank warfare with her… It's going to be nasty…"

Ianthé laughed, "You must be bottling that up since September first!"

"Actually, I already made a list on how we're going to sic the twins on her…"

That night was Nikki's most glorious moment with regards to pranking in Hogwarts. When we started out with Fred and George, it was all in good fun and a way to release stress; now, it's for the sake and sanity of the whole school and teaching staff. Umbridge will go down even if that means using all the products we have worked on. She will voluntarily leave by the time the school year is over. Nikki and I swore by it.

Author's notes…. again: In comparison to Ianthé, Nikki is more of the "follow the rules and just shut up" kind of girl. She does have those insane, prankster brain wavelengths at times, but it was often Ianthé that would cough up the ideas for pranks. Hence, Nikki's alter ego.