She thought her life was over – but fate gave her another chance, in a world of magic. Now, running around Hogwarts with James Potter and his friends, she's about to make choices that will change the future in ways she never thought possible…
Marauder's Phase
CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR
The Devil Wears Pink
The Goblet Of Fire had been set up in the Entrance Hall last night and, on Saturday morning, Sirius made the rest of us stand there whilst he put his name into the giblet. The flames rose up, and then the slip of paper that said SIRIUS BLACK, HOGWARTS was gone.
"There," Sirius said, with some satisfaction as everyone cheered (and I cheered loudest of all). "Eternal fame and glory, here I come!" He added.
James grinned, and clapped a hand on Sirius' shoulder. "We believe in ya, mate."
"When you get eaten by a dragon," I added seriously. "Don't blame me."
"Says who there's gonna be dragons?" Lily asked, as we went into the Great Hall for breakfast (bacon!!).
I shrugged. "Who knows? Dumbledore said there could be anything, right? So, I'm just saying that there could be dragons…"
"Hagrid would like that…" Remus mused, and we all looked toward the staff table where, we noticed to our immense amusement, Hagrid couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Madam Maxime.
"Maybe he likes her?" Peter guessed, as we sat down at the end of the Gryffindor table.
"Likes her?" I repeated. I grinned. "Or like-likes her?" We both laughed.
Just then, a hand tapped my shoulder, and I turned to see Regulus Black standing there.
"Oh, hi Reg!" I said cheerfully, happy to see him despite Sirius' stormy expression at his brother's arrival.
"Goodmorning Em," He said seriously, although his eyes lit up in a way that let me know that he was happy to see me. "Can I talk to you, please?"
"Yup," I nodded, and turned to Remus, because Sirius was glaring daggers at his brother. "Save me some bacon, okay Rems?"
"You're asking him?" James couldn't believe it.
We both ignored him, and Remus said, quietly: "Be careful, Emma…"
"There are a thousand things I could say to you right now, but I'm not going to…" And I left the hall with Regulus.
Someone knocked into me as I walked out. "Vatch it!" The Durmstrung girl said roughly, as I rubbed my shoulder and hurried to increase the distance between us.
Fifteen seconds later, I screamed: "WHAT!!!???"
Regulus grabbed me by the arms, much in the same way that Remus and Sirius had often done, as I struggled to get back into the Great Hall and murder Bellatrix. "It's not worth it Em, let her live!"
"Why!?" I cried, as the Marauders and Lily hurried out to find out what was wrong (and everyone was staring at me again). "Why the hell would your cousin do that!!??" I will NEVER forgive her if this ends badly, NEVER… I glanced at Sirius, who's full attention was on me, and his eyes were curious. Never…
***
During the break, Sirius and the others kept on asking me what was wrong, but I had no idea how to tell them. Why was it such a big deal?
Because Sirius would kill Bellatrix no matter what, so I had to wait and see what happened. After tonight, I could say it jokingly if I wanted to tell him at all.
"Moony," Peter wheedled. "Can I borrow your Potions homework answers?"
"No." Remus replied, holding the pile of parchment out of Peter's reach.
I was leaning against a wall beside Sirius, when I happened to glance over my shoulder, out the archway that was behind me.
Walking across the courtyard was pink-clad woman, who was short and old.
"Hang on a minute…is that..?" I said, squinting at her. Sirius too turned around and squinted, and then we both recognized who it was at once. In unison we shouted: "UMBRIDGE!!!!" And then ducked back around the corner as she turned quizzically in our direction.
I was breathing heavily, my hand across my chest. "What's she doing here!?" I gasped. Nearly gave me a heart attack, she did…
Lily glanced up from her Confronting The Faceless book. "Maybe she's our new teacher?" She suggested.
There was an incredibly long period of silence.
Then Sirius started laughing. "Ha ha ha, no way Lily! I mean, what are the odds of that happening!?"
"I have a bad feeling about this…" Lily said darkly.
"Oh, now why did you have to go and say that for? You know I hate it when you get bad feelings, Lily!" James chuckled.
I was kneeling on the ground with my hands on the wall and my head beating against said wall, muttering: "We're dooooomed…"
"I think I'm going to cry, Moony." Peter sniffled.
"Good." Remus replied.
***
I didn't look up at the staff table once during the entire feats that evening, because I didn't want to see if Umbridge was there or not. I busied myself in my dinner, occasionally talking to my friends, glaring at Bellatrix or smiling at Regulus.
Finally, at the end of the meal, when the last plates had vanished, Dumbledore stood up.
"I know that you are all very excited to find out which three students will be chosen as their school's Champions," He said, gesturing grandly to the Goblet Of Fire, which was at the front of the room now. "But, before midnight, I have a few announcements that need addressing. First of all, any students in fourth year or above who have not yet purchased dress robes are encouraged to do so before December. Order forms for Madam Malkins can be collected from our head boy and girl, James Potter and Lily Evans."
I knew why, and traded a grin with Lily and James. I also wondered if James would propose to Lily this year or not. It was too much to ask that Sirius or Remus would propose to me…hell, what if they BOTH did it!!??
"And now," Dumbledore said, when the murmurings had quieted down. "I would like to inform you all to a change in our staff…"
Everyone looked at me, and all but one Slytherin glared at me. I gulped, and sank further down into my seat.
"Now, as you know, Professor Repleh had been teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts up until now," Dumbledore went on. "But she has kindly consented to fill in for Professor Slughorn as Potions Master at this school."
My head shot up, and the colour drained from my face.
"So please join me in welcoming our new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge."
"NO!!!!" I shouted, so loudly that people turned to stare at me again, and I sank back down in my seat, until only my forehead showed over the table. "Tell me this is a bad dream…" I said, as Umbridge started her speech. I had no belief that she would be at all unlike she was in the future, and my only hope was that no one would do anything to warrant The Quill.
I hoped she wouldn't refuse to teach us magic or, even worse, train us to kill half-breeds…
I straightened up only after Umbridge had finished giving her little speech (and, I have to say, I didn't hear a word of it) as a few people clapped, and the people from Durmstrung and Beauxbatons looked perplexed.
Dumbledore nodded to a man I didn't recognize, sitting next to another man I didn't recognize, and I realized at once who they must be. People from the Ministry.
On an impulse, I checked my pocket watch.
"One minute til' midnight…" I said, in a hushed whisper, as the candles around me dimmed, and a hush fell over the Great Hall. "And counting…"