Hey it's me again! I hope you like this chapter :)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
While running to Umbridge's room, Harry imagined her face if he never turned up for detention at all. He grinned at the thought as he walked into Umbridge's classroom.
"Late, Mr. Potter," said Umbridge with false sweetness, "May I inquire the reason?"
"Well, if I don't say anything, you're going to force me to anyway," mumbled Harry.
"What was that, Mr. Potter?"
"Nothing. Professor," Harry added belatedly.
"Yes Mr. Potter. We mustn't talk back to our superiors, isn't that right?" Now, you are going to be doing some lines for me today."
Harry sighed. This was going to be a long evening.
"Mr. Potter, I see no reason for you to groan over this. After all, I warned you about what would happen if you didn't listen."
Biting back a retort, Harry sat down at a desk and got out his quill. Before he could begin writing, however, Umbridge said, "You needn't use your quill. You are going to be using a very special one of mine."
Umbridge's detentions continued for a week. Throughout the week, they got worse and became longer, until one day, Umbridge had Harry come right after classes were over and released him after midnight. Because he was using Umbridge's blood quill, the wounds on Harry's left hand got deeper and deeper.
Ron and Hermione were extremely worried about Harry. He had missed dinner the previous night because of his detention and didn't even get to go to Quidditch tryouts. Additionally, Harry didn't have enough time to finish his homework, so he missed his meals to complete them.
Still, Harry couldn't complete all of his homework on time. He hadn't been able to finish Transfiguration.
"Mr. Potter, I have already asked the entire class to place the homework on the desks!" exclaimed Professor McGonagall.
"I know," answered Harry, "But I haven't been able to complete mine, and I was hoping to turn it in next class."
"I do not tolerate lateness, Mr. Potter. You will receive a zero for this assignment."
"Professor!" shouted Ron, horrified, "Can't you at least give Harry partial credit if he turns in the homework next class?"
"Mr. Weasley," answered McGonagall furiously, "In the future, you will remember to raise your hand before speaking. As for you, Mr. Potter, well I do hope you find time to complete your assignments, otherwise I may have to ban you from Quidditch!"
"Fine with me," grumbled Harry, "I wasn't able to go to Quidditch tryouts, anyway."
"You will refrain from using that tone with me," McGonagall said angrily, "Five points from Gryffindor! The next time you fail to turn in your assignments on time, you will have detention."
Harry could barely resist a groan. He just didn't have time for anything anymore.
After Transfiguration was over, Harry was walking with Ron and Hermione to Charms.
"Harry, I really think you should tell someone what is going on during Professor Umbridge's detentions," said Hermione, "What she is doing to you is completely unacceptable!"
"Yeah, and who'd I tell? Dumbledore? He doesn't even look at me anymore, and I don't even know why. McGonagall? She's furious with me enough as it is and doesn't need me burdening her with any more problems," replied Harry.
"What about the other professors?" asked Ron.
"I barely even talk to Sprout and Flitwick. Snape's out of the question," groaned Harry, "Look, guys, really, I'm fine."
Hermione retorted, "Harry, you are most definitely not 'fine!' You haven't been eating properly because of this overload, Umbridge's abusing you, you don't have enough time to complete your assignments, and look at you! You're mentally and physically exhausted!"
"Hermione, honestly, I get your point but who cares?" replied Harry, "No, tell me, besides you and Ron, who cares about me besides me being the Boy Who Lived? Everyone's got too many problems of their own right now and I don't want to burden anyone. They wouldn't be able to turn me down if I ask for help because I'm the Boy Who Lived, but would they actually care about me? No. So please, leave me alone."
With that, Harry pushed past Ron and Hermione and all but ran to Charms.
"Ron, we've got to do something," said Hermione urgently, "Despite what he says, he's not alright. We need to help him!"
"Yeah, I've got that," answered Ron, "But how?"
"I'll wait a little longer, but if Harry doesn't get better, I'm telling a teacher."
