Dolores Jane Umbridge has been appointed to the post of Hogwarts High Inquisitor.
That's what it said. The sign that ruined everyone's day. Abigail watched as Filtch clambered down from his ladder and took it away, allowing the group of students to gather and eye the framed parchment suspiciously.
"This can't be serious." she heard Ron comment in the background.
"It is, Ron," Hermione sighed heavily, "It just had to be her, didn't it."
"What's happening?" Alistair approached from the Great Hall, and Abi turned to look at him, now drowning out the trio's conversation. She smiled a bit at the sight of her friend.
"Umbridge's taking over the school," Abi answered, unsure of how else to put it, "She's gonna be inspecting classes and stuff… A load of bollocks if you ask me. How've you been?"
"Alright." the pair walked down the halls, his hands stuffed into trouser pockets, "Truffent is getting worked up again. He probably feels the bad vibes from Umbridge."
"Your cat can't feel vibes. That's ridiculous," Abigail scoffed, giving him a look. He merely smiled and shrugged, accepting her premise and leaving it at that. He never really liked arguing with anyone, even Abigail, who didn't take arguments with friends too seriously. But she did get quite irritated when it wasn't going her way (which she'd never admit to). She had always assumed he was very non-confrontational. The pair walked on to their next class, joined by a group of students when they reached the door.
"Is Grubbly-Plank still taking the class?" Dean asked, looking at someone for conformation. Hermione nodded and Abigail looked over.
"Hagrid's still gone?" Abi sighed, "Where is he?"
"Dunno." Harry answered, however most knew why he was gone and had accepted that. The group travelled outside and Abigail sighed, rolling her neck in annoyance. Her whole back ached. She heard a snicker and turned her head, glaring at Draco Malfoy as he passed by with his goons, surprisingly including Emile. Abigail forced herself to keep looking ahead, concentrating on not falling down the grassy hill.
"Sore, Abi?" he taunted, "After all those days of chores Professor Snape put you through - you deserve it. Blood traitor."
"Stuff it, Malfoy!" Harry immediately snapped, uninterested in even hearing Draco's voice. Draco only chuckled, acting offended.
"You're all blood traitors, as far as we're concerned," Draco scoffed, raising his chin, "You know my dad's been hearing talk about yours, Abi? Yeah, he might get fired for incompetence."
"Don't talk about my dad!" Abigail hollered, however Alistair grabbed her arm to hold her back. Not that he needed to - Abigail abhorred physical violence as she didn't have an ounce of real muscle in her. Draco smirked. He kept any more comments to himself and his friends, moving on to reach the classroom area first, where Grubbly-Plank was waiting.
Abi sighed, shrugging Alistair off when Professor Grubbly-Plank came into view. She sat on a crumbling wall beside Alistair and Lavender Brown, who did not seem very interested in sitting on a dirty rock. Abi wasn't too keen either, but she liked looking at all the different animals. Comfort was an easy sacrifice to make for this class. She looked up at the sound of the students hushing and Grubbly-Plank stepped forward, removing the pipe form her mouth.
"Alright, class," she began, "First, we'll be learning about a special kind of animal today. They dwell in trees and feed on wood lice and, despite their stature, are very protective of their territory. Can anyone name them from that description?"
The professor picked up a small cage by her feet, ready to open it up, but she became distracted by the sound of footsteps. The crunching of leaves became almost sinister when Abigail realised it was Dolores Umbridge, a clipboard and feather quill in hand. Abigail watched as she walked past the group and to Professor Grubbly-Plank's side.
"Do continue, professor," Umbridge insisted, "I'm just here to evaluate your skills as a teacher."
Nodding, the professor then handed the cage to someone and opened it up, allowing the very small creature to escape and crawl along a student's arm. She smiled.
"So, as I asked," she continued, "Can anyone name this creature?"
"It's a Bowtruckle," Hermione answered quickly, "They're like little stick men, which is why they live in trees - it's perfect camouflage."
"Yes, very well done, Granger!" Grubbly-Plank watched the students attempt to pass on the creature. Abigail waited for her turn, holding it gently in her hands. She was afraid of how frail the creature was, however it didn't feel threatened by her as of yet. Abigail smiled and watched it before handing it on to Alistair, who was much more amused and smitten with the creature than she was. However, he kept it low key and passed it on. The Professor continued to ramble about the organism, explaining how difficult it was to find in its natural habitat and that it would be a good challenge for the students.
"… And so that's what homework will be on. Try and sketch and label it." Professor Grubbly-Plank took the creature and gently put it down on a tree. It scurried off, not pleased with its current situation. Abigail watched it leave and then looked at Umbridge when she lowered the clipboard.
"That will be all. Thank you!" she said, chipper as ever, and walked back to the castle grounds. As soon as she was out of earshot, many students sighed in relief - Abigail included - and Professor Grubbly-Plank gave them a look before continuing about Bowtruckles.
The class finished with surprising speed with Umbridge out of sight. The next class passed just as quickly for Abigail, and she made her way from the class with her fellow Gryffindors.
"So, I hear there's gonna be a Hogsmeade visit soon," Ron brought up, giving a hopeful glance to Hermione, "Anyone got any plans?"
Abigail thought about it, shrugging. She never even knew there was a visit coming up; she had spent most of her time trying to study and prepare herself for O.W.L's, despite how early it was. Her father had always insisted on the importance of studying early. She never really got into it until recently though, when her test results finally started to impact upon her.
But, as they talked about the visit, Abigail was getting more and more excited. She smiled and finally joined in the conversation, but unfortunately someone managed to bring up studying.
"We need to keep every day we can for studying, though," Hermione stated firmly, "Not that there's much to study, but… Still, ignoring Umbridge's classes, I just-"
"Come off it, Hermione," Ron insisted, nudging her arm gently, "One day's not gonna make us fail! Come on, your parents gave you permission before you left, right?"
"Well, yes…" Hermione sighed. She then smiled and nodded, giving in. The group clambered into the common room to relax, most making their way for the fires. Fred and George Weasley were already there, prepared to sell their Skiving Snackboxes. Sitting on a large armchair, Abigail leaned back, sinking in. Alistair sat by her on a couch, joined by Dean and Seamus.
"You two going to Hogsmeade?" Dean asked. Abigail rolled her head round and nodded.
"I want a place to relax for once," Abigail explained, "So this trip's like heaven for me."
"I will too." Alistair nodded, crossing his arms in front of him. He smiled a little when he heard a mew and the group looked up at the sight of the frail looking cat traipse over. Abigail gave the cat a disapproving look and looked round at Dean and Seamus.
"Are you two going?" she questioned, however she knew it was a silly question. Given the opportunity, most older students would take the free weekends and head out to Hogsmeade to enjoy their time with friends in the pubs.
"'Course!" Seamus answered, however Fred and George interrupted by launching into the space between the couch and armchair. Truffent hissed, however the Weasley boys ignored it and George offered a box of sweets to Abigail.
"Alright lady and gentlemen - how are we doing tonight?" Fred began, "Feel like buying some Puking Pastilles? A sure fire way of being able to skip classes!"
"Or maybe Fainting Fancies if the lady doesn't wish to make a mess!" George added, wiggling his eyebrows for extra effect. Abigail rolled her eyes and shoved the box away from her.
"No thanks. And those Puking Pastilles are disgusting." she insisted. The twins shrugged, George protectively tucking his little box out of Abigail's reach.
"Everyone else likes them!" George pointed out, getting to his feet with his brother, turning to look at Alistair, "Can we interest you in a two for one deal for the whole package? You won't regret it!"
"I'll pass." Alistair waved his hand, the other stroking Truffent to keep him silent. Seamus, however, was digging into his pockets.
"I'll take one!" he spoke eagerly and Abigail gave him a look. He tried to smile innocently, shrugging as he handed Fred the money and took a Skiving Snackbox from him, "What? 'Ey, it'll come in handy! An' you can come t'me when you want one!"
"I won't." Abigail retorted, eyeing the box before shaking her head to reinforce her statement. She shifted in the chair, watching the crackling fire. Her mind started to drift until she felt something leap onto the arm of her chair and she snapped her head round to see Truffent kneading her hand. She let out a horrified sound, leaping from her chair and away from the cat.
"What's wrong with you?" Dean chuckled, "Afraid of cats?"
"Afraid of that one!" Abigail spoke as if it were perfectly normal, "He has it out for me!"
"He's a cat!" Seamus reminded, and Abigail shot him a glare. He was undeterred, and just chuckled at her instead.
"What's going on?" they heard, and turned to see Ron approaching with Hermione and Harry. Upon seeing each other, Harry and Seamus became disinterested and looked anywhere but at each other. Hermione sighed at the immaturity and looked at Truffent.
"Is that your cat?" she smiled sweetly at Alistair and approached, scratching the cat's tan head, "He's so cute!"
"Evil's more like it," Abigail muttered angrily. Ron sent her a glance.
"All cats are evil." he agreed, but when he felt Alistair and Hermione's eyes on him he decided to rephrase his statement, "Or well, they're, you know! Annoying. They get in your way."
"Nicely done." Abigail complimented quietly, then looked at the others, "I think it's an early night for me. Night!"
She smiled, walking past them for the girl's dorms. She stretched and rolled her neck, feet light on the stone steps and she heard a few girls following after her. Ignoring their blethers and gossip, she entered her dormitory and prepared herself for a good night's rest.
The next morning, as Abigail sat in Transfiguration, she gazed out the windows and tapped the desks idly. The droning lessons of Professor McGonagall were not enough to keep her attention, but sadly the Professor also noticed immediately.
"Abigail!" she snapped, "I hope you're taking down these notes! You do want to pass your O.W.L's, don't you?"
"Yes, professor." she jumped and quickly picked up her quill and continued to write. She gave Alistair, who was snickering beside her, a quick glare. Looking back down at her paper, she sighed and caught up with the other students, luckily not hearing any more insults from McGonagall that lesson.
On her way out, Alistair caught up with her, nudging her arm.
"You alright?" he asked, fixing his satchel, "You seem pretty out of it lately."
"I am," Abigail agreed, rubbing her forehead. She constantly felt tired and sore, "Maybe I'm coming down with something. Or maybe it's Umbridge - I dunno. Or it could be You-Know-Who-"
"You don't really believe he's back, do you?" Alistair interrupted, something he rarely did. Abigail halted, looking at him.
"You mean you don't?" she questioned, finally continuing to walk again, "Come on! Why would Professor Dumbledore lie about something like that? Has your dad finally gotten to you?"
"No, I just don't believe it," Alistair mumbled, walking out into the courtyard with her, "I mean, is there proof?"
"Was Cedric Diggory not proof enough?" Abigail hissed, glaring confidently. Alistair looked down and stayed silent, guilt seemingly washing over him. Abigail did not feel bad, however. She looked on and walked through the courtyard for Herbology, ignoring Alistair's now slightly dejected manner.
Autumn was definitely coming. Abigail missed the sweltering heat (as rare as it was) and the chance to just sit back and relax on the warm grass. If she wanted to relax by anything warm now, she would be stuck inside the common room by the fire. It just wasn't the same for Abigail, and she would take the sun over the boring old fire any day. Unfortunately she was not knowledgeable in the magic workings of the weather, and so was trapped with strong winds and wild leaves that had escaped their homes.
One of these said leaves managed to fly dangerously close to Abi's face. Batting it away, she watched it get carried off by the gusts of wind and snow, and looked back at her group of friends, walking with them to Hogsmeade.
"Where we gonna go first, then?" she inquired, "I feel like some sweets personally."
"I'm off to the Three Broomsticks," Alistair countered, "I'm parched."
"Yeah, I'm with Alistair." Dean and Lavender both agreed. Parvati nodded, not wanting to repeat what was unnecessary. Seamus looked at them and snorted.
"We'll meet you lads there, then," he spoke, "I want to stack up on Bertie Bott's anyway."
The group separated when they reached Hogsmeade, Seamus turning to walk backwards and taunt Dean. He cupped his hands around his mouth, calling after him:
"Anyways, I heard a certain girl was headin' t'Three Broomsticks with her friends!"
His taunt was ignored, and Seamus smirked and turned back round to walk with Abigail. Clueless, Abigail looked at him, stuffing her hands into her grey knit cardigan.
"What girl?"
"Ah, no one special. He's just got a crush on a girl s'all," he answered vaguely, receiving an eye roll from Abigail. They entered Honeydukes, Abigail quickly moving for the Liquorice Wands. She picked out three and moved on to 'Drooble's Best Blowing Gum'.
"Y'ready?" Seamus was waiting by the counter and Abigail shushed him, picking up a Chocolate Frog and set them on the counter. Seamus gave the items a look and she looked at him, tempted to shush him again.
"It's not that much," she insisted, handing Flume a galleon. Seamus snickered and she took the small bag of her sweets before exiting the shop with him.
"Y'better share those," he commented cheekily. Abigail nudged his arm disapprovingly and he laughed good heartedly, daring to nudge her back, however a bit harder. She grunted, feeling her body hit someone else's and, as they let out a squeak, she had a bad feeling wash over her. Turning, Abigail's face paled at the sight of Professor Umbridge, giving them both a hard, cold stare.
"I hope you two will take better care to watch where you're going!" she snapped. The attempted kind demeanour she usually wore was gone, however a smile sneaked onto her wide lips, "Ah, Miss Hollyoak. It appears luck does not favour you recently."
"No, professor. Sorry, professor." Abigail looked down. Umbridge sent them both a look before moving on. Abigail sighed heavily, walking on with Seamus.
"She's got it out for me! I swear!" Abigail glared ahead, "Every time I'm doing something remotely wrong, she's right there! She's watching me!"
"Like Alistair's cat?" Seamus mocked, "C'mon, out of sight, outta mind! Let's get a drink."
Abigail followed him into the pub, eyes searching for their friends. They spotted them in a cosy booth at the back and Seamus left to order two Butterbeers for the pair. Sitting down, Abigail greeted them.
"What's up?" she asked, looking at them. Lavender grinned excitedly.
"Ron passed by!"
"She's crazy." Dean corrected. Abigail gave Lavender a look and chuckled before taking out her chocolate frog and attentively opening it. She was always wary of these things, however she had always wanted to catch one. She vaguely remembered her father being able to catch when she opened them as a little girl - a feat Abigail had always admired. However, as she tore the box open, the frog leapt to her shoulder and looked around the room.
"Quick, get it!" the group became giddy as Abigail attempted to grab it, but it jumped away. Seamus approached with two glasses of butterbeer, unaware of the scene.
"Alright, here we go-" he began, but caught off guard by the jumping frog: it leapt onto one of the drinks, splashing his face and he cried out in surprise and confusion, pushing the drinks out at arm's length for his own safety and stared at the frog crawling onto his arm, soggy and wobbly, and then away for the door.
"Aw, you should have caught it!" Abigail lectured. Seamus looked down at the drinks regrettably before sitting beside her, offering the untouched drink. She took a sip, looking down at the card in her hand before letting it fall into the bag by her feet.
Exiting the Three Broomsticks, the group had become almost a bit tipsy; however the effects of Butterbeer weren't enough to throw their minds off completely. Abigail giggled as Dean and Parvati mocked Lavender for her sprouting crush on the Weasley. This, in turn, caused Seamus to taunt Dean about his mysterious crush.
"Oh leave him alone!" Abigail insisted, hitting Seamus. Seamus tutted and looked at her.
"Oh, aye? What 'bout you and Alistair?" he questioned, catching Alistair's attention, "You're always together!"
"Yeah but we're not together!" Abigail rejected the idea immediately, looking almost disgusted, "We've been friends since first year - you don't see Harry and Hermione getting together, do you?"
"I don't know, they seem pretty close," Lavender insisted, giving Seamus a look, "I wouldn't be surprised, really."
Abigail wondered if Lavender was speaking out of hope more than fact. As they made way to leave Hogsmeade, Abigail looked up to see Emile waiting by an alley between Tomes & Scrolls and a row of homes. She squinted, seeing him converse with two figures: they were dressed in long dark robes, one owning a more masculine figure than other. They spoke quietly, Emile's face becoming more and more concerned. The woman's face was unrecognisable, however the man shared his far Eastern features with Emile. As Abigail attempted to get a closer listen, the man snapped his head up and caught Abigail staring. He hissed something to Emile and the adults disappirated with a crack, similar to thunder. Emile turned and raised his head at Abigail.
"I didn't know you took up eavesdropping as a hobby, Abigail." he glared. Abigail snorted, approaching him. Seamus, Alistair and Lavender were the only ones to notice her wander off and followed after her.
"Who were you talking to?" she ignored his comment. Emile snorted and raised his head indignantly, giving the others a look before eyeing Abigail.
"If you must know, my parents," he spoke, "But they were in a rush."
"Looked pretty shifty to me," Abigail jeered, "Not keeping any secrets, are you, Emile?"
"Nothing to do with you. But I'll be sure to inform you if it's got anything to do with your father's departure from the ministry - which no doubt will happen soon," he taunted. This caused Abigail to flourish her wand, and he followed suit. Moving first, he sent a nonverbal spell her way.
"Protego!" Abigail protected herself, snapping her wand at him, "Expelliarmus!"
He easily blocked with his own - again, nonverbal - shield charm and backed up into the alley. Abigail stormed after him and he smirked tauntingly. Continuing to face her, he finally stopped and flicked his wand, a red light busting from the end.
"Confringo!" his first verbal spell, Emile grit his teeth as Abigail leapt out of the way, rolling on the ground and turning to see the bricks of a house exploding and collapsing. Luckily his blasting spell wasn't as powerful as Abigail expected it to be. She turned to glare at him, however someone grabbed her by the collar and she yelped, being hauled to her feet.
"That's my wall you hit!" an old man snapped, "Wait 'till I tell Dumbledore about this! You! Hey, you, get back here!"
Abigail glared as Emile raced down the street and away from Hogsmeade altogether. She turned her head to look at her friends, however they all seemed rather hesitant to stay. She sent them a pleading looking and Alistair grabbed Seamus before he could run off, however Lavender managed to sneak away in time. She winced as the old man kept a tight grip on her cardigan, taking them away and to Hogwarts, cursing up a storm.
At the main courtyard, they saw Umbridge waiting at the doors. She smiled sweetly, her eyes meeting Abigail's. Abigail couldn't make herself look away, and she saw Emile standing behind her, eyes glaring.
"That slimy git!" Seamus hissed. The man let Abigail go and she fixed her cardigan, looking at Umbridge defiantly. She smiled and approached them, looking at the wizard.
"Emile has informed me about what happened. Dumbledore will send payment for the damages." she spoke to the man, however was keeping a constant eye on Abigail, who was becoming more and more uncomfortable as each second passed. The man left and Umbridge looked at them.
"All of you, come with me."
"Eh?" Seamus gaped, however spoke no more as Umbridge gave him a look. He closed his mouth and followed obediently.
Reaching Umbridge's class room, they piled into her office. She turned and faced them.
"Emile has informed me that you attacked him down in Hogsmeade, Miss Hollyoak," she started, her voice calm, "Do you have anything to say?"
"He egged 'er on, that's what happened!" Seamus started, stepping forward, "He attacked 'er first, too!"
"Quiet!" she snapped, looking at Abigail expectantly. Abigail gulped and sighed heavily.
"Emile started talking about my family."
"This does not warrant an attack. Not only will you be on detention tomorrow evening, Miss Hollyoak, your Hogsmeade visiting privileges have been removed for the rest of the year." Umbridge walked past them and to the door, "As are yours, Mr Sung."
Emile snapped his head, stopping at the door. He stared in awe and Abigail scurried past him, not bothering to argue anymore. Her friends followed, leaving Emile to argue with Umbridge, which would end only in disaster.
"That bloody git lied! I can't believe Umbridge believes him!" Seamus complained as they walked up a stairwell.
"I told you, she has it in for me." Abigail muttered.
"Thank goodness we didn't get into any trouble." Lavender pointed out, "We didn't do anything!"
"Still," Seamus uttered, "I hope he gets what's comin' to 'im!"
Abigail shrugged, merely thinking about what sort of things might happen during her detention. If it was going to be anything like Harry's - or several other students' she saw in the past few weeks - she was not looking forward to it.