Hello guys! So sorry I haven't updated in ages I've just had a lot on, things have been pretty hectic but here it finally is, hope you enjoy and that this makes up for it. Hopefully I should be able to update a lot more regularly now.
Chapter twenty-two: Castor's POV
I'd accepted long ago that I wasn't perfect, that I was a jagged ugly edge sticking out in the world. With my uncomfortable ways, the awkward demeanour and easily forgettable face. I was sure that once again this fact would be pointed out to me in great detail during my next lesson: defence. As I was in a class with the year above me I found some slight relief that Neville would be with me and I wouldn't have to go it alone. The slow delicate fall of my chest began to quicken as I clutched my books to me, hoping that I could just find myself cooped up in my bed at home, with Tonks grinning about something Remus had done. I couldn't hide though, not forever, I could try my best but their glares and echoes of hatred would always find me. Falling into me and cutting deep ragged marks into my skin, into my soul, as their words etched scars into my soul, I couldn't ever get rid of my scar tissue. The ragged raw grooves that were stuck inside me, feeding off each move I made, stretching and burning over time instead of healing like I hoped.
I took a seat next to Neville and gulped, they were staring. At us both though, at the fact that he was sat next to me. I wanted to scream at them to just leave us alone, to just leave Neville out of it at least.
The melancholy of my tattered membrane began to surface as Umbridge gave her little coy smile that reminded me that she was hiding something.
She directed her venomous gaze at me as I gulped, feeling the sweat bubble up inside me, she definitely had some kind of vendetta against me, I could feel it brimming from the sick look in her eyes.
"Okay children, open the books to page 158," she said adding her little sickening laugh at the end which made bile rise and fall inside my throat, the acid clawing at me as I stared at the evil in front of me.
Eyes bored into me, scorching burning flames into my body, everyone hated me, everyone hated me, everyone hated me.
"Professor don't you think it would be better for us to address the recent outbreak form Azkaban, the mass breakout only adds fuel to the truth that Voldermort is back and therefore we need to be prepared against him and the Death Eaters," I looked around to see who had spoken, hearing gasps of shock and amazement from around the class. Only then did I feel the sickness rise inside me… I had said it, it had been me. The far off detached voice, wavering with weakness and a timid fragility was my voice. I had said it.
Umbridge once again fixed me with her menacing and piercing glare as her eyes like everyone else's bore holes into me. Although I couldn't care less about her hating me.
I looked to see Neville staring at me wide eyed but he gave a small smile and I felt my confidence lift somewhat, I looked and saw that even Harry who I thought had joined the ranks of my haters was staring at me with astonishment, I had just shown my true Gryffindor colours. I'd stood up to her, I'd been brave but in turn I'd stood up to everyone else who dared to think of me as in ranks with the Death Eaters, I'd denounced them with my own fierce passion to fight the Death Eaters, my parents and Voldermort. You could tell I wasn't lying by the passion in my voice, I wanted to fight them, I wanted to be trained, I wasn't lying to make myself seem good so everyone would like me again, I wasn't a Death Eater. I hated them with a pure passion. For some this wouldn't be enough but it appeared that for Harry at least it had been, I'd stood up for him as well, saying how I believed Voldermort was back despite some calling it lies. He looked at me with pride and thankfulness and somewhat shame as he hadn't been able to believe me whereas I had so easily believed him. For all the people who would still not be convinced I felt good that Harry was at least.
Umbrige gave her wry chuckle, "Don't be silly, that's a load of lies Voldermort isn't back."
I stood up now, feeling the furry curse through my body, "How do you explain the breakout then? And Cedric's death?" I growled, my hands fiercely gripping the table," venom cursed through me.
"The Diggory boy-," she began but I had heard enough.
"CEDRIC WAS MURDERED, MURDERED BY VOLDERMORT, YOU AND YOUR STUPID MINSTRY AND MINISTER ARE TOO BLIND TO SEE IT! MAYBE IF YOU ACTUALLY TRIED TO RUN THIS BLOODY WIZARDING COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF TRYING TO GET INTO FUDGE'S PANTS, THE OLD COOT WE WOULDN'T BE IN THIS MESS! IF YOU JUST TAUGHT US WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO FACE THIS THREAT UNPREPARED! THEY ARE OUT THERE AND THEY ARE COMING, FOR ALL OF US…," I stopped slightly, feeling the fear creep up, "And the most dangers Death Eaters of all… they're coming for me." I mumbled, my hand was shaking. Everyone looked at me shocked as Umbridge threatened to burst a vein. I could feel the smirk growing on my face, my father's smirk, I knew that my eyes were alight, my violet eyes were alight with passion, so much like my mother.
"HOW DARE YOU!" She began.
My smirk just grew wider as she strode forward, her face red with rage, "Oh yeah I forgot one more thing, you're a conceded bitch."
She grabbed me by the collar and dragged me outside, "THE MINSITRY ARE LIARS! HARRY'S RIGHT! VOLDERMORTS BACK! THE DEATH EATERS ARE READY! AND FOR ALL OF YOU WHO DOUBT ME, I SAY THIS… I WON'T REST UNTIL BOTH OF MY PARENTS ARE LOCKED UP FOR GOOD OR DEAD AND BURRIED!" I screamed, my loud cries echoing through the classroom and then the corridor as she pulled me away. Her hand was vicious as it fell down hard on my cheek in the form of a sharp slap.
"I will not tolerate such lies! How dare you try and disgrace me and the ministry!" I blocked out the rest of her rant, it was just ministry drivel and propaganda.
What I couldn't block out was Dumbledore's penetrating gaze as he stared me straight in the face, his eyes ever assessing me, looking for motives, for reason, for character.
"Ah! Castor, I was expecting you, I'm afraid this was one visit I was not looking forward too though I must admit," Dumbledore muttered as I quietly closed the door to his office, making my way over sheepishly to his desk where I sat down as carefully as I could feeling my whole body tense up. I didn't like having Dumbledore mad at me, no one did.
"I understand Professor," I said meekly, messing with my glasses as I pushed my unkempt hair away from my face as it dared to sprawl out across the savannah of my pale, pasty bleached face.
"Would you care for my favourite muggle candy?" He asked, holding the pot of lemon sweets out to me, this was expected of Dumbledore. I shook my head, no longer able to look the man in the eye, I twiddled my thumbs nervously seeming somewhat pathetic. He always managed to make me reflect on the bad I had done, making the guilt eat me inside, still it was Umbridge and she deserved it.
"I heard about your little altercation with Professor Umbridge, I must say I'm disappointed although you points were somewhat 'interesting' and I am rather impressed in your ability to put together a rather emotion filled speech which effects your peers in many ways to your desire I was not happy with the way you put your argument across Castor. A public argument against a Professor isn't acceptable and what you said to Professor Umbridge, especially your rather tactless comments about her and Fudge were not good. Although they did make me laugh," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and I felt my body relax slightly, a breath which I had been holding in tumbled out. "Still, Castor you proved to your peers that you are not in rank with the Death Eaters, it's a shame they would even think that to begin with," the old man sighed.
"I don't think I convinced all of them," I replied.
Dumbledore gave me one of his smiles, "Maybe so. What you did, your use of foul language and the comments you made, disgracing Professor Umbridge and embarrassing her in front of the whole class was totally unacceptable, you're making an enemy of the ministry Castor which is not a smart thing to do. If I were you I'd be careful what you say about them and Fudge, especially so publicly, between you and me the man's ego doesn't like to be bruised. A suitable punishment for this must be made, three months detention with different Professors, not just Umbridge, although she will be taking a substantially role in your punishment. Any more trouble and your Hogsmead privileges will be taken away. I was thinking of doing it this time but you young lot need time for yourselves. Run along now Castor and I hope that I won't have to have you in my office for trouble making again," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling greatly now.
I nodded, surprising the urge to groan at the detention. I just smiled and got up, my fingers locked around the door and I opened it stepping through.
"Oh and Castor," I heard Dumbledore's drifting voice say, I turned round to face the man who had a broad smile plastered on his face.
"Yes Professor."
"I just wanted to say how very Gryffindor of you." He said with a wink before I closed the door behind him, a cheeky smile etched on my face.
Alright guys hope you liked it. If you did please review thanks, tell me all your thoughts. Thanks! Especially for being so patient