After dinner, Hermione and I went back to our room.

"Jenny, I have an idea. You remember Rita Skeeter, right?"

I glared at her.

"Well, obviously. Er, anyway, I wanted to make her write an honest story about Harry"

"Make her? Like blackmail?"

"Well, yeah. She's an unregistered animagus, so I thought we could use that as leverage"

A slow grin stretched across my face. "Hermione, you're brilliant! Now everyone will know the truth!" Maybe people will start supporting Harry. "Let's write her a letter straight away!" I whipped out my inkless quill Hermione had given me last year. She laughed and we began writing.

"Don't forget to have her meet us. Our next trip to Hogsmeade would be good- the Three Broomsticks. We have to make sure the article has only facts, and those will come from us"

"Got it," I finished the letter and tied it to Ebony's leg, sending her out the window.

When we returned to school, I received a letter from Rita Skeeter including her agreement to our meeting. Luna had argued with her father, but eventually won his blessings to have the article in the Quibbler. I promised him that it would only boost their sales, and he seemed to trust me.

Harry had begun Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape, to help him with the visions. He assured me it was going well, so it didn't concern me.

Umbridge had tried to sack Trewlany, but Dumbledore stopped the sadistic toad before she had banished her from the grounds. Poor Trewlany's mental and emotional state, however, were not spared. I hoped she would be okay. She was an odd sort of woman, even more so as a teacher, but no one deserved Umbridge's wrath. Firenze, a centaur, took over Trewlany's class. He was a very interesting teacher and even enchanted the room to look like a forest. I looked forward to his classes.

I was happy to be back with the DA again. We were finally learning, under my request to Harry, how to cast a patronus. I had been eager ever since the attack in late summer.

"A full-bodied patronus is the most difficult to produce, but shield forms can also be equally useful against a variety of opponents- keep trying, Seamus" Harry instructed, wandering about the room and surveying our progress. "Remember, your patronus can only protect you for as long as you stay focused-" he walked closer to Luna and me, "so focus, Luna"

He moved over to me, then. I was frustrated and embarrassed. Mine wasn't coming.

"I'm trying, Harry"

"What memory did you choose?" he asked, walking over to me.

"I was trying to think about my mum, but whenever I do…"

He seemed to understand.

"Try to think about something else. The most powerful memory you've got"

I bit my lip, searching for something pure. Something happy that hadn't lead to something sad.

Then I had it.

"Expecto Patronum!"

I headed for the table to find at least five people already there. How many people can really fit in this house? I pulled back my chair and sat down, noticing a new face.

"Hello," I smiled, taking a mental note that I would have to do some serious memorizing in order to remember everyone's name and match it to their faces. He still seemed to be half asleep, for it seemed he had tried to smile, but didn't swallow his drink first. I glanced at Ginny, but she seemed to have missed it. "I'm Jenny"

"I'm Harry, Harry Potter" he introduced after attempting to hide his embarrassment. I smiled reassuringly, his introduction reminded me of James Bond.

I giggled at the memory, but stopped as soon as a white swirl of light emerged from the tip of my wand. A magnificent ghostly creature formed before me- my patronus.

A wolf.

All fifth years are required to go to Career Advice meetings with their Heads of House. Unfortunately, to say the least, Umbridge decided to attend my meeting.

"Please, sit down, Miss Bennett," McGonnogal motioned towards a chair. I glanced uneasily at her unwanted guest before sitting opposite her. "Do you have a career in mind?"

"Well, what are some you would recommend, Professor?" I honestly hadn't thought too much about any careers.

"Well, Miss Bennett… Your marks seem generally high this year and the last, though your initial satisfactory grades are understandable. I see your Care of Magical Creatures seems to be a strong point, as well as Herbology; as for Defense Against the Dark Arts, your marks have been– are you quite sure you wouldn't like a cough drop, Dolores?"

Professor Umbridge had been coughing during key points, generally those where Professor McGonnogal had mentioned my high marks. McGonnogal brushed the woman off, continuing as if she wasn't taking notes and making assumptions.

"You could become an Auror, Healer, or a Hit Wizard. Both Auror and Hit Wizard are dangerous and require training, but you have the marks-"

"Ahem!" Umbridge interrupted, her voice rising with every word, "the Minister of Magic will never employ Miss Bennett!"

"There may well be a new Minister of Magic by the time Miss Bennett is ready to join!" McGonnogal shouted.

"Aha!" Umbridge's eyes widened with wild accusation as she pointed a stubby finger at her, "Yes! Yes, of course! That's what you want, isn't it Minerva McGonnogal? You want Cornelius Fudge replaced by Albus Dumbledore! You think you'll be where I am, don't you, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister- and headmistress to boot!"

McGonnogal's jaw dropped as Umbridge steamed out of the room. I turned back to McGonnogsal, eyes wide at Umbridge's latest craziness.

"She's mad"

That was the last thing I said before concluding my advice meeting. I hadn't told her what I wanted to be, but I would probably have to tell her some time this year.

As I was walking back to the commonroom, it came to my attention that Fred and George (who else?) turned the school into a swamp. I ran to Umbridge's office and, finding her absent, grabbed their brooms. Following the path of excited students, I made my way to the twins just as Umbridge was threatening serious punishment.

"Fred! George!" I tossed them their brooms. They grinned madly, winked at me, and saluted to peeves in resignation before flying off. I grinned as students around me cheered.

I wished I could escape Umbridge so easily.

"Miss Bennett!" Umbridge pursed her lips, turning her anger at me, "my office- now"