Hogwarts buzzed over the next few days. The 5th year girl who had indeed challenged Snape was the talk of the school. Only a pair of people would likely be able to do something like that and that was the twins. And excitement could only fuel their improving outlook on school as they welcomed the new trouble maker with open arms.
Everywhere Danica went people pointed and whispered with brilliant smiles on their faces. Except for the Slytherins who developed a distaste for her almost as bitter as they had for Harrry. They didn't think her stunt with Snape was so impressive. And even though watching Danica enjoy every second of fame sickened him because she was assigned a mission, he couldn't help but to be slightly relieved. For once, since he arrived in the wizarding world, the spotlight wasn't always on him. Hardly anyone threw him questionable looks or whispered behind his back these days. And Harry would be a liar if he didn't admit he was glad someone else stood in the center stage he desperately wanted to escape from.
Ron turned around as he heard a shriek of laughter bursting into the lit corridors with students bustling to get to class. He gritted his teeth as his head whipped back around to see Danica perched on Fred's back as he raced through a parted path the first years made. Her shadow flitted across the walls and Harry smiled, only slightly, as she yelled at the Slytherins to move or Fred would run over them. And just as quick as they came Danica and Fred disappeared around the corner and their distant yells of fun died down.
"Those three are inseparable," said Hermione. She tucked a piece of curly hair behind her ear and clutched her books tighter to her chest.
"Trouble makers always find each other," Harry muttered as he pulled his robes tighter around him. The chilly air was surprising considering how early it was in the semester. He looked up at the gray sky and a few droplets of refreshing rain dripped onto his forehead.
Parvarti came up behind them, matching her stride with theirs. "I personally think she has a fancy for George." Her eyes gleamed brightly hoping one of her classmates would answer her accusation.
"I've thought she was more attached to Fred," Ron whispered in a glum voice. Hermione held back a smile.
"Well, she better make up her mind. Almost the entire 5th year class is after her attention. I already know for a fact that Seamus scribbles her name on his notes during classes," Parvarti added as she grinned and pushed past them to join her twin.
Harry watched her walk away and in a low voice said,
"Have any of you head from the Order? I haven't got a single letter from Sirius yet."
"Harry, it's only a few days into term," Hermione mumbled as her eyes scanned over the pages of her crinkled book after sitting down on a stone bench in the square courtyard. Harry cringed as Ron stepped on his foot.
"Besides, Danica would be the first to know if anything urgent came up," Ron said as he ran a hand through his tousled red hair.
"If so, I just hope she even remembers to tell us," Harry muttered with a frown on his face.
Danica took her seat next to Harry as she strode into Defense Against the Dark Arts. The room was extraordinarily…safe. It was a very professional, ordinary classroom. All except for the toad-faced, pink figure standing at the front of the room. Danica grinned at the thought of a pale and thin Remus standing there, a smile on his lips. She imagined the room covered with brilliant creatures, posters of tips about The Dark Arts, cluttered countertops and antique knick-knacks.
Harry called her back from her daydream as he poked her in the shoulder. She looked at him and Harry was startled. He found her gray eyes a little more watery than usual. He opened his mouth to speak but she just smiled.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"I was just wondering how detention was," Harry said half interested. The other half was wondering why Danica looked as if she was on the verge of tears.
"Oh, it was rather fun. Spent a week cleaning the castle with Filch as he bitterly cursed about how ungrateful and spoiled we are," she sarcastically sneered. He smiled at her and all annoyance of her slipped slowly away.
"I heard that you-"Harry started but was cut off as the pink fluff ball cleared her throat. They turned their attention to her and Harry fought back a laugh as Danica looked revolted at the professor's rose colored cardigan. She flipped her black hair, currently with red tips, and grinned at Harry. Then she spoke and Harry almost puked at how girlish her voice was. Both him and Danica held in laughter. She kicked him under the table and let out an exasperated breath.
She may be conceited. She may be spoiled. She may be attention craving, flirtatious, and envious. But Danica wasn't all that bad.
"Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts!" she exclaimed. Hermione threw a sideways glance at Ron who shrugged. "I am Professor Umbridge. And I am so delighted to see all of your young and happy faces." She brought her hands to her toad-like face and gave a giggle. Nobody looked the least bit happy.
"Let's get started, shall we?" She flicked her wand and books began to neatly slip onto desks. "No wands, please." There was a murmur of disbelief. No wands?
"But ma'am, we will be using spells won't we?" Hermione asked, her chocolate brown eyes widened. The toad face narrowed her beady black eyes and made a sour face.
"Why would we need to use wands? That's absurd. We wouldn't want our young minds being poisoned at the thought that they will ever have to use these spells." She smiled. It was a very weird looking smile. She just looked like she was baring her teeth.
"How are we supposed to pass our O.W.L's? We'll fail right on the spot," Dean interrupted.
"Students will raise their hands in my class," she snapped and Neville flinched. Harry's hand shot in the air. Danica took in a sharp breath and reached for his arm but he blurted out,
"What about Lord Voldermort?" The room grew tense. The air became suffocating as Danica took in all the strained looks on her classmates faces. Her finger twitched as the silence stretched on. Professor Umbridge's face grew red. Danica swore she saw steam coming out of her ears.
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has been gone for 14 years, Mr. Potter. I'm sure you would remember that." Her tone made Danica narrow her eyes at Umbridge and she almost growled under her breath.
"But he returned last year when I competed in the Triwizard Tournament." Harry's hands were balled into fists. His eyes churned in a dangerous way and his fingers seemed to be shaking. Danica saw his expression as clear as the sky on a summer day. And if she looked hard enough, she could see the pain creep onto his face he relived Cedric Diggory's death behind the privacy of his mind.
"That. Is. A. Lie." She gritted her teeth and looked desperately around for support. Nobody said a word.
"So, Cedric Diggory died for no apparent reason. A perfectly healthy boy with a promising future dropped dead?" Harry's voice rose and the room, if possible, grew even tenser. His fingernails were digging into his palms. The Wizarding world was calling him a liar. They dared say that he was making up Voldermort's return. He was possibly alone in this world of his. No one believed him. No one cared.
"Harry isn't a liar, Professor Umbridge. You are." Danica rose from her chair and some of the Gryffindors groaned and begged for her to sit. Others smiled, urging her to go on. The Slytherins scowled in their side of the room. Danica only had eyes for Umbridge who gave an edgy smile that sent chills up Ron's spine.
"Well, if it isn't . Had enough detention for this week?" The Slytherins sniggered loudly. Danica only smiled again. Her dazzling white teeth shined brightly but her eyes, her light pools of never-ending gray, were lit in an alluring way.
"You think this Potter boy is telling the truth?"
"Yes."
"You are a liar as well." Professor Umbridge stamped up the isle to Danica and Harry's desk. Her breathing was heavy and angry. Her mouth was pressed into a thin line. "You have been improperly informed. The Dark Lord is not back."
"Says the one who is going to teach 5th years 1st year Defense Against the Dark Arts. You might as well kill us now!" Danica shouted.
"We are trying to prepare you for the world. There is no need, however, to use these spells. Your previous teachers have been inadequate."
"Professor Lupin was the best one we had," Ron said bravely. Hermione nodded her head. So did most of the Gryffindor. The Slytherins just hissed.
"Oh yes. A filthy half-breed is most suitable to teach you."
Harry, Ron and Hermione immediately looked at Danica. Harry's heart skipped a beat and anger swelled up inside of him. Ron was already at his feet. Hermione, her jaw dropped, gasped as Danica threw her books to the floor with a loud crash. Her tangle of black hair whipped around angrily as she faced Professor Umbridge. Her eyes almost turned dark enough to be black. Anger coursed through her blood. Her veins were on fire and her head was pounding as her chest urged her to let out a shriek.
"Detention, Ms. Lorenzo!" bellowed Umbridge. Danica didn't even seem to register the words.
"How dare you! How DARE you insult someone you don't know! You foul woman, how could you judge someone for being forced into something as horrible as a werewolf? He did not choose that life. Nor does he want it now. You don't know the pain, the suffering a werewolf must go through. Especially one who has been shunned almost his entire life."
"You stick up for this man as if you know him." Professor Umbridge had a slight look of revolt on her face.
"An old family friend," Danica muttered through grit teeth.
"Well, . I believe it be best for you to surround yourself with better company. Or all this popularity will soon disappear." Her gruesome smile grew. Danica almost leaped over her desk but Harry caught her about the waist and sat her down in her seat with a loud thud. She sat in her chair, never taking her eyes off of Umbridge. Harry then piped in as he caught a glimpse of Danica reaching inside her robes,
"Voldermort has returned. And if we are not prepared for what is to come most of us won't live to tell the tale of what a barking Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we had." Gryffindors nodded in agreement, the courage of Godric allowing them to stand with Harry on this. Ms. Toad-face looked as if she was about to stupefy them all.
"Detention, . Along with Ms. Lorenzo, you report to my office tonight. No exceptions." She turned her back to the chalkboard, her shoulders heaving as she took in shuddering breaths.
"Wouldn't dream of it," mumbled Harry.
Everyone else went straight to work. The room seemed less tense but the silence still lingered. And when Harry looked over at Danica he saw a splatter of liquid fall onto her parchment. Frightened, he looked at her face. A small stream of sparkling tears snaked down her cheek, leaving a trail of black make-up on that pale face. And that second tear splashed onto a tattered photograph. A photograph that Danica held in shaky hands. A photograph of Remus J. Lupin.