Ok, first of all I am apologising to Anonymous Miki because I said I would update yesterday, and I didn't. When I said I was busy on Wednesday, I'd forgotten that Thursday was my school prom, so I'd be busy on that day too, so I didn't get the chance to update. So, Anonymous Miki, by way of apology, I dedicate this chapter to you. However, I have to apologise again because the chapter is short and rubbish but I didn't have the time to write more of my ideas as I'm being shooed off the computer. SORRY TO YOU ALL! I'll update a better chapter soon, I promise.

Valkyrie walked down the corridor with Fred and George flanking her like bodyguards, only, they were friendly, funny, laughing bodyguards. At least, they were, until they each spotted the same thing. Students were gathering around the courtyard, whispering and muttering. Fred pulled a boy aside.

"Lee, what's going on?"

"Professor Trelawney. Umbridge is giving her the sack!" The boy called Lee moved on as the trio frowned. Valkyrie spotted Skulduggery leaning on a pillar on the other side of the courtyard.

"I'll catch up with you guys later." Valkyrie muttered, They nodded, joining Lee in the crowd as Valkyrie moved away, walking through the corridors to Skulduggery.

"Umbridge can't do that can she?" Valkyrie asked him quietly as soon as she arrived. Filch, the caretaker, was moving Professor Trelawney's bags as she staggered forwards, shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, large tears falling down her face from beyond her thick glasses.

"She can. And she is." He replied quietly. They watched in silence as students gathered to form a black wave surrounding the courtyard. Umbridge strode forwards.

"Please… Hogwarts is my home." Trelawney sobbed "Y-you can't do this."

"Actually, I can." Umbridge said, almost triumphantly, waving a folded piece of paper that must have been a document of some sort – likely to be declaring Umbridge of some higher power. Professor McGonagall pushed through the crowd and wrapped Trelawney in a hug as she broke down in sobs.

"Something you'd like to say, dear?" Umbridge asked.

"Oh there are several things I would like to say." McGonagall snapped back, before trying to comfort Trelawney. The giant doors behind them all opened dramatically and Dumbledore strode through. Valkyrie and Skulduggery watched carefully, shadows dancing across them from where they were both leant on the same pillar, arms folded.

"Professor McGonagall, might I ask you to escort Sybil back inside." He said loudly. McGonagall took hold of Trelawney's shoulders and led her back inside. On the way past. Trelawney took hold of Dumbledore's hands and thanked him through her tears. He nodded, eyes glistening before she was taken away.

"Dumbledore? The Ministry as decreed that-"

"You have the right to dismiss my teachers," he said clearly, anger radiating through his voice that remained calm. The most dangerous kind of anger was always the one that wouldn't be shown until it was too late. "You do not however have the right to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the headmaster." There was a pause.

"For now." Umbridge smiled sweetly and walked away past the headmaster.

"Mr Filch, take Sybil's bags back inside." Dumbledore said clearly before he addressed the students "Don't you all have studying to do?" He barked. The crowd sprang to life as Dumbledore turned and strode back through the doors. Valkyrie noticed that Harry ran after him, calling, but Skulduggery turned away and began to walk away before she could think much of it. She followed his, quickly finding herself walking beside him.

"Umbridge is taking more drastic action." Skulduggery said bluntly. Valkyrie nodded. "We'll be next."

"When has being fired ever stopped us before?"

"Touché. However, even if we stick around-"

"Which we will, right?"

"Of course, but as I was saying, even if we stick around we won't be able to teach the

students defence, and that leaves them vulnerable."
"To what? The most dangerous thing here is Professor Umbridge, and we can deal with her."

"Indeed. It's what's out there that I'm concerned about."

"Why?" Valkyrie asked, furrowing her brow.

"So far Harry has been targeted by Voldemort's followers nearly every year he's been at Hogwarts – the only exception being in his third year when it was his godfather who was trying to kill him."

"Charming." Valkyrie muttered.

"Indeed. But now that Voldemort is back in power, I think he'll be trying to get to Harry more than ever. And we can't let that happen, can we?"

"I don't think I even need to ask, but how do you know all this?"

"You're right, you don't need to ask. My brilliance should be obvious." Valkyrie rolled her eyes.

"Of course."