Chapter 32

The Worst Day Ever

The next morning at breakfast, Filch was hanging up another one of the Educational Decree things. This time, it was the worst possible one yet. It said:

DOLORES JANE UMBRIDGE HAS REPLACED ALBUS DUMBLEDORE AS HEADMISTRESS OF HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

"No way," Giovanna whispered.

"But it's true," I said, horrified. This woman was going to make our lives suck even more.

The day didn't get any better. Fred got a Howler this morning from Mrs. Weasley.

"Fredrick Weasley, how dare you get that girl pregnant! Do you realize what else could have happened? She could have gotten a disease! She could have one for all you know! I am NEVER letting you out on New Years, do you understand? NEVER! You aren't even legal drinking age! I understand it was all a mistake, but this has gone too far! You are lucky that you are not home right now or else you would have really gotten it! Fred, understand that there are going to be a lot of consequences. You have gotten this family into enough trouble as it its. I am begging you to stay out of trouble for the rest of the year. If you put another toe out of .line, I am sending you straight home!" The howler ripped itself up. Everyone in the great hall stared. Ron's mouth was wide open. Ginny was frozen with shock. Harry was looking at me as if it was my fault.

"Great," Fred muttered, "I am now branded for life,"

Anna looked at me from the other end of the table.

"What the hell happened?" she asked. I just shook my head.

"No idea," I lied. I did not need her to know that I was involved with it. It's bad enough that she knows that Fred isn't a virgin anymore.

And then there was detention to look foreword to. More piercing pain. This time it was, 'I must not perform illegal practices at school' it was terribly horrible. And to think I had to do it every night for the next 3 weeks was disastrous. I sat beside George the whole time and I could see he was wincing the whole 3 hours through. Fred looked even worse. He was totally out of focus and every now and then made stray marks on the paper, causing him to cut himself even more then needed. His hand was totally bloodies up badly afterward. Umbridge just looked so happy to see us in pain. I wanted to wring her neck after detention, but restrained myself from doing so. I was glad since I made the potion Hermione had taught me how to do. The healing one. I made some for basically the entire Ravenclaw common room who had gotten involved. Cho and Harry, however, broke up after that. I heard that their day in Hogsmeade on Valentine's Day didn't go well, but now they were totally over. Harry didn't forgive Cho for what Marietta did. And that's how this day became the worst day ever.

Chapter 32

Snape's Worst Memory

Occlumency did not go well after that. I kept failing big time.

"That's private," Harry spluttered after Snape saw another memory one night in May.

"Not to me," Snape sneered, "and not to the Dark Lord if you don't improve. Every memory you have can be used against you. You wouldn't last 2 seconds if your mind was being invaded by the Dark Lord. Legiliment!" Snape turned his wand on me.

"Ugh," I grunted. I tried to restrain him. It seemed to work for a second but then he got back in. I shielded my mind from him. He could not see anymore.

"Better," he said, "but you still need a lot of improvement. At least now you're grasping the concept," He turned back to Harry.

"You're just like your father. Lazy, arrogant,"

"Don't say a word about my father," Harry defended himself.

"Weak," muttered Snape.

"I'm not weak!" Harry exclaimed.

"Then prove it! Control your emotions! Discipline your mind. Legiliment!" Harry looked like he was being tortured all over again. I secretly wondered what Snape could be seeing.

"Stop it!" Harry yelled.

"Is this what you call control?" Snape asked.

"We've been at it for hours!" Harry exclaimed, "If I could just have a break,"

"The Dark Lord isn't resting," Snape insisted, "you should quit complaining about how bitterly unfair your life has been. Just a newsflash, life isn't fair. Your blessed father knew that, in fact he frequently though it,"

"Kay," I followed him into the courtyard.

"My father was a great man," roared Harry.

"Your father was a swine,"

"Leg-"started Snape, but Harry cut him off.

"Protego!" the spell backfired on Snape and now, Harry was seeing into Snape's mind. For a few moments everything was silent, and then Harry seemed to have gotten out of Snape's mind.

"Enough," Snape breathed. He walked up to Harry and grabbed him by the neck of his shirt.

"Your lessons are at an end," Snape breathed.

"I-,"

"Get out," Snape said slowly. He let go and Harry left. I just stood there.

"Are you alright, sir?" I dared to ask.

"Miss Rookworth, 7:00, Monday," he just said, "get out,"

I left and caught up to Harry.

"What did you see?" I asked.

"It was my dad. And he used a spell to hang Snape upside down. It was like, a form of bullying,"

"Oh,"

"Now that explains why Snape hates me so much. I never knew why until now. Are you still getting lessons?"

"I think so," I replied, "he said Monday again so I guess he's still gonna teach me. Except it's going to be a lot more work,"

"Yeah. You got that right. Snape is going to murder you,"

"Hopefully not," I sighed and headed back to the common room.