"That was terrible," I announce later as I walk past the sign that says Dolores Umbridge is High Inquisitor followed by Ron and Harry.
"She's completely vile," says Ron.
"At least you don't have six more days of detention with her," remarks Harry as we reach the dungeons where Snape teaches.
"Eight more days for me," I state. "But, I'm going to ask Snape to give me detention for the duration of the week just so I can have an excuse to get out of her torture."
Ron places the back of his hand on my forehead, "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine," I reply with a laugh, removing his hand from my face.
"So how are you going to get him to agree?" Harry questions, stopping in front of Snape's classroom door.
"I'm not going to his class, at all and anything else it takes," I reply.
Upon seeing Draco I move over to stand with him, squeezing between Pansy and him, "Skip with me," I whisper, playing with his tie.
"Let's go," he says, taking my hand as we hurry away from the dungeon door Snape has just opened. We hurry to the library. This routine continues on for almost the entire week, I still have not received detention.
Today is Monday; I only have two more days with Umbridge. Today is a good day.
I let out a laugh as Draco and I dash up the stairs towards the library something that has become almost a ritual, "Did you see the look on Parkinson's face when we took off?"
"She loathes you," answers Draco quietly as we enter the library.
"I don't care. She won't do anything to me," I reply sitting down in the same aisle Draco and I have sat in the past six days, my back against the book case.
"Frankly it's getting a bit annoying, having her throw herself at me constantly," complains Draco, taking a seat next to me.
"I can't imagine what it is like," I answer sympathetically, placing my hand on his arm.
"Having you with me makes it quite a bit better though," he states.
I smile over at Draco, pleased to be the one who he has chosen to give his affection to.
"So, tell me, why exactly have I been skipping class with you for the last six days?" questions Malfoy, lying so that his head is in my lap.
"Because," I start, stroking his white – blonde hair. "I needed Snape to give me detention for the rest of the week but it didn't work."
Draco closes his eyes, "So you could get out of Umbridge's detention?"
"Exactly," I reply gently running my finger from his cheek to his defined jaw bone.
It is almost an hour later when Crabbe comes into the library, breathing heavily, his fat face red.
"What Vincent?" I demand, glaring up at him.
"Everyone is going out to the courtyard, Umbridge is sacking Trelawney. Is he asleep?" huffs Crabbe looking down at Malfoy.
"No, I am not asleep. I'm merely enjoying myself a bit too much," responds Draco as he gets to his feet.
Draco and I follow Crabbe down the stairs, melting into a crowd of other students on their way to the courtyard. I watch as Mr. Filch sets a trunk in front of a rather timid looking Professor Trelawney. I don't necessarily feel sorry for the women but I cannot bring myself to feel pleased at her leaving either. This is Umbridge's doing…it's wrong.
The crowd parts as Professor Umbridge clad in a pink poncho, walks forward towards the Divination teacher; clip board clenched tightly in hand. Umbridge's hair is so held up with product and perhaps charms that it doesn't move at all in the slight autumn wind.
"Sixteen. Sixteen years I've lived and taught here. Hogwarts is my home. You…you can't do this," sobs Trelawney.
"Actually, I can," Professor Umbridge states holding up a piece of parchment for Trelawney to see.
Things at Hogwarts have changed ever so much since Umbridge started taking over. No music, no Weasley products, and my least favorite proper dress code. Dolores is taking over an all I want it do is fight it but no one else seems that interested in the idea.
Professor McGonagall, who has been standing behind Harry hurries over to the shaking Professor Trelawney, gathering her into a hug.
Seeing the look on McGonagall's face Umbridge smiles, "Something you'd like to say dear?"
"There are several I would like to say," responds McGonagall as the doors behind where I stand open, reveling an outraged Dumbledore.
He strides across the courtyard, talking as he walks, "Professor McGonagall, please escort Sybil back inside."
"Thank you, thank you," stammers Sybil as McGonagall leads her back towards the castle doors.
Umbridge turns towards Dumbledore, aggravation set on her toad like face, "Dumbledore, may I remind you that under the terms of educational decree number twenty – three as enacted by the Minister…."
Dumbledore cuts Dolores off, "You have the right to fire my teachers, you do not, however have the authority to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the Headmaster."
"For now," Umbridge replies giving the Headmaster a small smile.
"Don't you all have studying to do?" questions Dumbledore as he heads back inside.
I watch as Harry hurries after him, calling out Dumbledore's name. Instead of acknowledging Harry the Headmaster continues to walk. He won't be able to keep away from Harry forever. Harry wants answers and I'm getting tired of bending the truth to keep Harry in the dark about the weapon Voldemort wants.
"I…I need to go with Harry," I announce in a low voice before dashing over to where, disappointed and confused, Harry stands.
Why do things have to be difficult? I'm in love with Draco, every little thing about him unthaws me just as much as what him and his family stand for. Yet, Harry is the closest thing to real family I've had in such a long time. It feels almost impossible to be someone I'm not around him. I can have feelings around the savior of our world yet I feel it hard to express these around someone I love. Why is that? A single tear runs down my pale cheek as I pull Harry into a hug, keeping him from pursuing Dumbledore further. Lying is harder than I thought it would be.