Chapter 19
Within a few days of Harry's meet up another educational degree - a.k.a Umbridge rules - had been posted. All groups had now been disbanded, to reform you needed her permission and a friend in Slytherin.
The first of my many associates to approach me was Professor Fitwick - he ran a Charms club which taught the more unusual spells that weren't on the normal curriculum. For once in his life, he seemed to be sucking up to me in lessons and over the past few weeks he had offered me tutoring for the subject - I was hopeless. I promised him I would have a word with Umbridge.
At the next Umbridge favourites meet up I brought her to one of the corners to bring the Charm teacher's plight to her attention.
"How are your teacher checking interviews going Professor?" I asked politely.
"Brilliantly thank you Miss Potter," she replied eagerly.
"You're not planning on getting rid of Professor Fitwick are you?" I asked, sounding slightly worried.
She grimaced slightly at the mention of the half goblin, "he meet's ministry teaching standards so he shall remain. Why?"
"Well, he runs a Charms club Professor," I explained, "many of the younger Slytherins attend - they enjoy learning how to make their quills flash different colours - and if you let them regroup us older house members would get some peace in our common room."
The old toad looked thoughtful for a moment before producing a pink slip from her pocket and signing it, "of course Miss Potter. Though I must request that you attend so I can make sure they're not doing anything dangerous."
I nodded, smiling brightly, "of course Professor! I wouldn't want them to be involved in anything that could endanger them."
That is the story of how I got roped into going to Charms club. On the plus side, however, Fitwick was so happy that he agreed to even more tuition and to teach me the spells before the meeting so I didn't make a fool of myself - that and I would be able to help the younger students. It was beginning to look like I might actually pass my Charms OWL.
In the weeks running up to the Gryffindor Vs Slytherin match the common room became a buzz of song. Some clever sod of a Slytherin that was a member of the school choir had managed to compose a certain little number that was a delight to the house. Nearly every evening, when I arrived back from dinner very tired and a pile of homework to do, the students were practicing. The lyrics to 'Weasley is Our King' were continually etched into my brain. It was a delightfully funny, however, it was very offensive to Ron and so I stayed out of it.
"You going to the game love?" purred Montague in my ear the night before the game.
I shook my had, "I can't. I've got to much work to do and I promised Umbridge I'd help her great the Minister. We're keeping him busy until the match is finished and Dumbledore can see him - the idiot refuses to skip the match!"
"He really needs to get his priorities straightened!" exclaimed Draco, who was sitting beside us on the sofa.
We nodded in agreement.
The following morning was bright and sunny. I managed to slip out of the common room early to go to breakfast. I quickly warned Harry about the song so he could tell Ron - I didn't want the poor boy embarrassed on his first game! He was going to be nervous enough as it was.
As everyone else started to disband to the game my eyes flicked to my watch, 10 minutes before I had to meet toad face and the fraud of a Minister. I had better be off, I was meeting Umbridge at her office as Fudge was to be arriving via flew.
"Hello Professor," I greeted, stepping into her office after she had allowed entry, "how are you today?"
She smiled broadly, "Good morning Miss Potter, nice to see you have timing. I am fine this morning and am eagerly awaiting the presence of Minister Fudge."
"I met him at the Quidditch world cup at the beginning of my forth year," I commented, "he was delightful company."
Presently, the large fireplace burst into flames. The Minister had arrived.
His short, balding frame slowly emerged from the green fire that was licking his wizards robes. Fudge paused for a moment to straighten out his sapphire blue robes before moving towards us.
"Hello Dolores, Miss Potter," he greeted, grinning widely, "how are you both?"
"Fine thank you Minister," replied women next to me in a sickly sweet voice.
"Brilliant thank you," I answered, "it's lovely to see you again."
Needless to say, by the time I arrived back in my common room around lunch time, my mouth was aching from smiling all morning. However, what I hadn't expected was to find a note from Harry on my bed. Apparently Hagrid had returned from his long 'summer vacation'. The half giant had been in the mountains convincing giants to try to come over to the side of the Order of the Phoenix. I already knew the Death Eaters had convinced them that their side was more inviting - so it had been a fruitless exercise really.
About a week before the end of term I was called into Dumbledore's office. I entered nervously, hoping I hadn't got into trouble.
"Yes Professor?" I asked innocently as I entered his office.
"I am forced to tell you that Arthur was severely injured last night and has been taken to St Mungo's," explained the Headmaster coldly, "the Weasley children and Harry have been given leave for the last week. You will be returning to headquarters for the holidays. Do you understand?"
I nodded, annoyed, "But why can Harry go and not me?"
"Because Harry had a vision witnessing the attack, now clear out of my office!"
"Gladly," I spat, "have fun with your little golden boy."
When the week finally came to an end I was portkeyed straight from school to headquarters. I was slightly peeved off not being able to spend my last Hogwarts Christmas at school, but was glad to see Arthur. From what Harry had told me, a huge snake had bittern him while he was on Order business and he was still recovering in St Mungo's. We all hoped he would get better soon.
The one thing I was finding annoying about this festive season, apart from missing Montague terribly, was Sirius Black. He was trying to talk with me as if we had been friends for years and I had reached the end of my tether by Christmas eve.
"So you looking forward to Christmas?" he asked pleasantly over dinner.
"What would you care?" I bit back and he looked slightly flustered for a moment.
"I care about you Kirsty," he murmured.
"Not as much as Harry though!" I exclaimed, rising from my seat, "You've always liked him more - ever since you found out I was a Slytherin. I know my brother - my twin - is getting regular letters from you. What do I get? I haven't received a single bloody letter Black! You obviously don't want to get to know me at all - stop pretending you care! I haven't needed you before. I definitely don't need you now!"
The room had fallen silent. I then decided I was full and left my half empty plate on the table before storming to my room.
I hated Christmas this year. We swapped a few presents and smiled like everything was alright; I had so many discussions about what I would be taking for my NEWTs that I thought my head would explode - it was so hard pretending I would be attending Hogwarts with the others next year. Montague was giving me his gift when I returned to Hogwarts in January as we doubted I would be able to receive anything from him while I was here. Of course, we visited Arthur in the hospital and all wore our Weasley jumpers - mine was black with my name knitted in dark green on the back.
On the last day of the holidays, which had been the worst I had ever experienced, Harry stormed up to my room to rave about Severus.
"Do you understand the torture I'm going to go though?" he asked, exasperated that I couldn't see his point of view, "I'm going to have to attend I extra /I lessons with Snape! He's teaching me Occlumency! What if I can't see if someone gets attacked next time and they die?"
"Harry," I said, breathing deeply to calm myself, "these visions are dangerous. If Voldermort discovers the link than he could implant a false memory in your head! Then someone you love could get killed! Don't you understand? It's for everyone's best interests - including yours!"
"But Snape hates me! He says I have to tell people I'm having extra potions lessons," he moaned.
"Harry, he only hates you cause you hate him. You're always rude to him and you're terrible at potions because you can't be bothered to try, grow up Harry."
"Why don't you have to take them anyway?"
"Because, o brother of mine, I'm naturally able to block my mind from uninvited guests."
Understandably, he wasn't to pleased at the news. Brothers…..
A/N: Well how's it going? I know these chapters are coming up quickly and some of the last few have been a little short. However, the following ones are a little longer. You can have a bit of a break once I've posted all the written chapters!
Please leave a review :D It's good to see where I'm going wrong.
TBC…..