Chapter six. Please review, I won't know what you guys think otherwise and therefore whether I should carry on. Anyone a Nirvana fan? They are pretty awesome. Alright thanks!
Chapter Six: Castor's POV
We'd been talking for at least an hour before I managed to find the words, "Would you… um, like to go to Hogsmeade together? You know, as friends?"
I hoped that maybe my charming smile might win her over but apparently that was not to be.
"I'm… Ernie Macmillan already asked me to Hogsmeade," she replied, flicking the fluff from her robes.
I wondered if my disappointment showed, I hoped not. I didn't want her to feel bad, I mean, I would have a good time with Colin.
"Luna? Castor?" Neville's head appeared round the corner, his dark hair contrasting with the forest.
I felt my cheeks blush slightly and I hoped no one had noticed.
"Hi Nev," I smiled warmly at him. For the most part Neville and I got on well, which was as you might expect a shock to everyone.
I stood up and offered my hand to Luna to which she accepted happily.
"Everyone's been worried sick looking for you two," Nev huffed. I peered closer and I had to admit that he did look somewhat red faced.
"Not to worry Neville, we've been safely here all along!" Luna smiled, skipping away before either Neville or I could say anything in reply.
"Umbridge is furious with both of you," Neville spoke as we quickly headed back to the castle.
I didn't see what it mattered, for the most part Dumbledore was still in charge, even if Umbridge didn't like it. Or at least I hoped that was the case. Ever since the start of the year she had started to gain more power and I for one didn't like it.
We headed up to common room and I found Fabian and Colin crowded next to Harry, Hermione and Ron.
"It's a disgrace! She calls herself a teacher!" Hermione yelled. Throwing up her arms in anger.
I looked closer and could see that Harry was nursing his hand. He'd been called to a detention this evening, as he had many other times, I didn't know what went on in his frequent visits but by the looks he would have after wards I could tell it wasn't good. Umbridge was useless at teaching defence against the dark arts.
"H-Harry?" I asked gingerly, whatever had happened it couldn't be good.
My eyes widened in shock, across the back of his hand were the words 'I must not tell lies', it was still red and I gulped. Umbridge truly was insane. Surely that counted as torturing a student?
Now I started to feel the fear rise up inside me, if Umbridge had done that to Harry and she was furious at me and Luna I could only imagine what she'd do to me and her.
A quaint knock at the portrait hole made me whirl round. It swung open to reveal a smirking Draco Malfoy, "Professor Umbridge requests that Castor Black comes to her office right away," he sniggered. Crap.
His devilish grin only widened when I stepped out of the portrait hole to see Luna stood next to him. Unlike me she didn't seem the slightest bit fazed, she was instead staring somewhat blankly at the castle walls. I smiled despite the precarious situation I was in, typical Luna.
"So baby cousin… what a surprise this is," Draco sniggered.
I growled back at him, not gracing him with an answer.
The little traitor had been sucking up to Umbridge, thinking she was brilliant for hating Harry.
"Shut up Draco," I replied with a sneer.
"Oh come on, I don't want my cousin to be associating with blood traitors like Lovegood here. I have your best interests at heart, making sure you're not in the forbidden forest associating with her kind," Malfoy said with obvious distain for Luna as he said the words her and kind rather venomously.
"Draco, Luna's my friend," I sighed. I really didn't want to get into it with him now. I was too terrified out of my wits about what possible evil scheme Umbridge had planned to worry about my dumb cousin.
He smirked at me as we entered Umbridge's office, Draco leaving me and Luna alone with her.
"Now, it has come to my attention that the two of you have been disobeying school rules," Umbridge began as I gulped. "I have to give you both a suitable punishment," she gave us both the sickly sweet smile that had soon become infamous around school.
"It was me," I blurted, unable to control my mouth as umbridge scowled at my sudden outburst, "I went to the forest and Luna was worried so she came looking for me. Honestly she did nothing wrong," I continued, looking over anxiously at Luna. She'd finally stopped staring vacantly out the window and had instead chosen to be responsive. Her eyes widened at my statement and she looked ready to correct me but Umbridge cut her off.
"Well Mr Black… or should I call you Lestrange?" She asked in a snide tone, glaring at me with such contempt that I could feel my hands start to shake. I didn't really know whether she wanted me to answer her or not but either way I didn't because she cut me off, "If this is the case Miss Lovegood you are dismissed just make sure this doesn't happen again."
"But-," Luna began.
"Luna… go," I retorted. She shook her head but I gave her a firm nod. I wouldn't let Umbridge touch her.
With an apologetic look Luna left the door. She had nothing to be sorry for, I'd had a great time in her company and I didn't regret it for a second.
"Now Mr Black, what should I do with you? Hmmm, this punishment for Mr Potter seemed to suffice, writing lines. Use this special pen of mine please," I gave her a strange glance in response. Why would she insist on me using her pen? Whatever it was it surely couldn't be good. "Write I must not disobey."
I began writing and looked down at my hand after a bit when a strange burning sensation began to form.
"What the-," I muttered. Bloody words had formed across the back of my right hand, 'I must not disobey'.
"I…I," I stared at my hand in shock. Watching a few specks of blood droop and dribble down my soft, pale hands.
"That is all Mr Black," Umbridge said in her prim voice, letting out a little giggle at the end which only helped to remind of the fact that she was insane.
I rubbed my hand all the way back to the common room, wincing every time I nudged it or it bumped against something. Opening the portrait hole I found the gang waiting anxiously for my return.
"Castor are you okay?" Harry's shaky voice drifted into my ears although I barely heard it, shock was still ravaging my mind and body. "Oh merlin," I heard him moan, "She did it to him too."
Shakily I sat down on one of the various plush sofas that adorned the common room as Hermione, Ron, Harry, Nev, Luna, Colin and Fabian crowded around me, all of them staring somewhat in horror at my bloodied hand.
"She's a monster," Hermione whispered as the others nodded their heads in agreement, especially Harry who had received the same treatment.
"Castor I'm so-," Luna began but I cut her off, her voice registering over everyone else's.
"Don't be… I'd do it again in a heartbeat," I nodded.
Fabian giggled, "And that's why you're in Gryffindor mate."
His kind words made me feel a little better. He was right, I wasn't some scummy death eater kid, not like Draco. I was my own person.
"Something has to be done about her," Colin mused, his usually chirpy voice somewhat subdued.
"Me, Harry and Ron have been talking for the past couple of weeks and we feel that we need some way to prepare ourselves against Voldermort and as Umbridge is useless we need to take matters into our own hands," Hermione nodded.
"Is everyone free this Hogsmeade weekend?" Ron asked in response.
"No I've got a hot date-," I gave Fabian a stern look and he stopped.
"What are you thinking Harry?" Ron asked.
"She won't teach us defence against the dark arts and we need to protect ourselves. Voldermorts out there okay… he's not gone. We'll meet in the Hogs Head at the weekend, invite anyone you think can be trusted. We need to learn for ourselves, we need to face the danger prepared," Harry nodded firmly.
"Who'll teach us?" Hermione asked but before any of us had a chance to answer she quipped in, "Harry will."
"But I still don't think I'm the best candidate Hermione… we've been through this," Harry sighed.
"Come on Harry, you fought off a whole army of Dementors a few years ago, you've managed to come face to face with Voldermort twice and live to tell the tale. You've defeated a giant snake! Umbridege is gaining more power… she's been appointed High Inquisitor Harry come on, it's got to be you," Neville nodded. No matter how much Harry wanted to deny it he knew Neville was right so after much debating it was decided. Harry, no matter how reluctant was to teach us.
"So… what shall we call the group?" Colin asked, he was incredibly excited about the idea, his face was bright and there was a determination in his eyes.
"Dumbledore's army," I said, I'd been somewhat subdued from the talks but at Colin's question my head had snapped up.
So, that was it. Dumbledore's army were to meet in Hogsmeade.