Chapter 32: Operation Down with the Toadstress, Phase 1

Although Trelawney was sacked, Dumbledore prevented Umbridge from driving her out of the castle, the place she called her home. That toad will indeed suffer the wrath of the students who sympathized with Trelawney's plight, even if she really is an old fraud. Dumbledore managed to find the most suitable replacement --- someone who can make the toad's blood boil even more --- a centaur. It was most intriguing to have a centaur for a professor. It was the most unique experience I ever had. Hmmm… maybe I could consider a career concerning magical creatures… Hey, I could contact Hermione Granger and join in her spew thingy…. Speaking about careers, our OWLs are coming up, and Nikki mutated from my jolly and fun-loving best friend into a neurotic psycho.

"And where have you been? I have been waiting for you for ages! I thought we could study together," Nikki bombarded Ianthé with questions when she arrived late at night in the Ravenclaw common room.

"Relax, okay? I have been with the twins, completely reviewing and revising your plan for the Toadstress."

"Oh….. okay…."

The next morning, we woke up to news that the DA was uncovered, courtesy of our fellow Ravenclaw Marietta Edgecomb. Not only that. Dumbledore escaped Umbridge's wrath and is now in hiding… I think I have an idea to where he went…. He found the most perfect excuse to go to Bulgaria to confer with my other family members. Nikki and I stood aghast on a wall near our common room that morning. There was another announcement from the Toadstress.

Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The above is in accordance with Education Decree Number Twenty-eight
Signed by Dolores Jane Umbridge

"You have got to be kidding me…" Nikki's jaw dropped.

Ianthé's face turned into a frown at what they had read.

"We must do something about this…" Nikki whispered to Ianthé.

"But we must be careful…. Look around you… Did you notice something?"

There were a number of Slytherins, all of them Umbridge's favorite, scattered around the whole castle. They have badges titled "Inquisitorial Squad" pinned on their robes.

"We must contact the twins at once…"

"Hey, you two…" Nikki stood by the statue of the sorcerer with a broken nose.

"I thought you both were…."

"…. busy with your OWLs coming up and all…"

Ianthé was on the floor on Indian sit, "You do realize we must put a stop on this whole thing with that toad…"

"Yeah… So you think Nikki's plan is feasible…"

"Someone needs to give that foul woman a very painful migraine… and we are up for the challenge…"

It was morning and I walked towards the courtyard, onto the large tree where I knew Draco went to with his thugs Crabbe and Goyle.

"Well, well, well… Long time no see, dear Ianthé."

"Oh hi Draco. How are things?"

"Oh you know… Umbridge placed me as the head of the Inquisitorial squad and all…"

"That's good news," Ianthé sat on the nearby bench and Draco Malfoy sat beside her.

"Do you want to join my little circle?"

Ianthé smiled sweetly, "As much as I wanted to… I can't… I need to get top marks in everything… It's what Papa wants. And I can't possibly be beaten by that Mudblood Granger…" She pouted her lips and crossed her arms.

Draco put his arm around her shoulder, "You never changed, did you? You still want to become the best…"

Ianthé looked him in the eye, their faces almost touching, "Of course, I am the best there is…"

Draco chuckled, "That's what I like about you. You're a perfectionist…"

"… and I deserve the very best…"

"True true…" his hand squeezed her shoulder. Aaargh! Just one more minute and I'm far from this maniac!

"Listen, Draco, I just want to ask where Professor Umbridge's office is. I want to personally congratulate her for her acquisition of Headmistress of Hogwarts."

"She's in her usual office."

"Okay, I'll go visit her after dinner."

"Do you want me to accompany you?"

Ianthé smiled sweetly Ugh! Stay away from me, you slimeball!, "I think I can handle it by myself, thank you. Anyway, I have to get to class. Goodbye, Draco." Se gently kissed him on both cheeks. Ugh! Okay, concentrate! This is for revenge, this is for revenge!

Draco blushed by her gesture, "Bye, Ianthé."

Ianthé walked away from the courtyard to a hidden corridor in the second floor. As she was walking towards the castle, she can hear Draco's boasts to his friends. She rolled her eyes.

"You two will pay for what you planned!" Ianthé slapped Fred's arm.

"Ouch! You agreed to play the part. We would have sent someone else…"

"Who else? Nikki? She might throw up at the sight of Malfoy!"

"Okay, okay! So there's no one else perfect for the job except you. So, why are you complaining?" George chuckled.

Nikki ran to them, "Operation Down with the Toadstress, Phase 1."

Ianthé looked at the three of them darkly, "It is now beginning."

Ianthé furtively looked at the raven-haired boy entering Umbridge's office.

"Nikki, Potter has entered the room."

Nikki nodded and proceeded to a hidden room on the ground floor. She put a silvery cloak on a wooden crate.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" she whispered, her wand pointing to the already-invisible crate.

She looked outside the door. No one was near the hidden room. She levitated the crate to the center of the hall. She put down the crate, grabbed the cloak off the crate, and ran to a secluded corner.

"Incendio!"

A spark flew from the tip of Nikki's wand to the crate. Suddenly, a series of crashes and bangs emitted from the open crate.

Nikki ran for her dear life to the Great Hall, and intermingled with the other students who were wondering where the noise came from.

"It's the funniest thing I have ever seen!" Ianthé lay down on her bed laughing.

It was night and the fireworks were still bombarding the whole castle.

"Look! Two of the fireworks seemed to have mated! Come and see!" Nikki pointed to the window.

Ianthé and Nikki laughed at the series of explosions that followed.

"That decree was the last she will make in this school!" Nikki said. She uncorked two bottles of butterbeer the twins gave to her. She gave the other bottle to Ianthé.

"To us, the twins and our rebellion against that toad!"
Ianthé clinked her bottle to Nikki's, "To our rebellion against the Toadstress!"