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Chapter 34

Audrey woke up next morning feeling rather down, she had a building ache in her neck, she'd slept on the wrong side of the bed or in one of her odd positions that her mother fondly called "clockwork".

She sat up on her bed her legs dangling off it as she put on her slippers and made her way to the empty bathroom, no one was there in the dormitory anymore, she checked her watch on the bedside table while brushing her teeth and realised she only had fifteen minutes to get down before she could spend another ten minutes eating breakfast hopefully if she ran at breakneck speed to the great hall. That was what she did, she put on her customary uniform tied her tie haphazardly and then pulled her packed bag over her shoulders and ran out of the Gryffindor tower making her way to the great hall, she noticed several people stare at her back and when she passed started giggling and laughing out loudly, some even pointed out at her and muttered excitedly. Audrey cared for a few minutes and wondered as to whether what was so funny, she even pushed a hand through her hair, it seemed fine then why were people looking at her strangely, she soon began to ignore them and ran into the great hall bumping into someone to was leaving.

"Shit—I'm so sorry Neville!" she apologised as she had almost squashed Neville's toad Trevor.

"Umm... Audrey!" began Ginny as she saw what was stuck on the back of her friends robe, a large chit with something written.

"Audrey remove your robe this instant!" shouted Hermione as half of the hall was now laughing at Audrey.

Audrey understood and pulled of her robe to notice a chit on the back of her robe it read something very nasty and Audrey knew very well who had done it.

"Bitch coming through"

Ginny tried to rip it out of the cloth but almost fell off her bench as the chit still remained in its place. Several people laughed rudely as they gathered to see the note. Audrey noticed Lavender waiting there in the crowd smirking evilly.

"Sorry Audrey—but this is Fred's finest creation of daily based permanent glue—it won't come off for a day," said George a little dishearteningly as Audrey slumped, she couldn't parade around in her skirt, white shirt and tie and she didn't have time to get her sweater, it wasn't that they weren't allowed to roam in that it was just that Audrey didn't like the testosterone driven boys looking at her legs like they had on her first day here.

But Audrey wasn't going to let the smirk be there on Lavender's face, she would solve this her way. If Lavender wanted her to parade herself as a bitch—she was going to do it.

"Screw it—do you have a quill?" asked Audrey as Ginny gave her, her self inking quill.

"Right," said Audrey as she looked at the back of her robe as Hermione tried to see what Audrey was writing or rather adding to the parchment.

"Make way for the bitch coming through or she'll bite you're head off"

Audrey looked at her handiwork and smirked, this was more like it, she looked at Hermione's face as she seemed genuinely surprised but extremely pleased and she seemed to be proud that Audrey was talking this so well, Fred and George too surprised as they laughed, they'd wear something like this on their backs if someone had pulled a stunt like this on them.

"Right—let's see how this fits," commented Audrey pulling the robe over her uniform and pushing a piece of toast into her mouth, she pulled her bag to her shoulders and pushed past Lavender, purposely nudging her with her shoulder as the girl held it looking hurt, while Hermione, Ron and Harry followed Audrey whose robes looked lovely as they bellowed behind her like waves of beautiful black cloth.

Most of Audrey's lectures went well, not many teachers had a problem with her robes and the chit stuck on it, professor Vector who didn't even know her smiled at her and complimented her idea as he told her he had heard of the sick note on her back.

After lunch, Audrey readied herself for potions as she replaced her robe with her sweater although she knew very well it would be extremely hot but she couldn't possibly let her father see that chit—he'd pulverize Lavender and use her pulp in some potion.

Audrey stood at her work station with Harry as he spoke to her about his third year and how he'd help save Sirius from the dementors. When Harry got to the most interesting bit about Hermione and him using a time turner, her father decided to make his entrance. He burst into the class room like always as the door slammed back shut without him even turning to look behind, he made his way up to the stage which held his desk and the board behind it, he scribbled down the ingredients and recipe of the basic Cure for Boils potion and then turned to look at the class menacingly. His eyes roamed around the classroom and stopped on a group of girls giggling their way to glory, they instantly shut up.

"Miss Brown—what is the magical name for the cure for boils potion?" asked Severus as the Lavender blushed and went quite, Hermione's hand was highest in the air, seeing that it was the only one there.

"I don't know sir ," said Lavender.

"Really—you don't know? Pity—but that wasn't the answer I was looking for ten points will be taken from you Ms. Brown for your lack of knowledge for something taught to first years!" snarled Severus angrily. Audrey had her head down during the entire ordeal, she knew her father had figured out after hearing so many people talking about it seeing that he wasn't there in the morning to see it for himself.

"I would suggest you write a ten foot essay on this topic Ms. Brown—by Monday morning," finished Severus as he made his way back to his desk, he turned like a whip when he heard her complain.

"But sir Monday—is impossible,"

"Why do you have any more prior commitments of torturing people?" snarled Snape as Lavender glared at Audrey who blushed deeply.

"Mr. Florence came to me Ms. Brown stating that you called him several hurtful things—I suggest you see your head of house straight away after this class," said Severus as there was no argument heard after that.

He knew he had cleared out the air that he wasn't punishing the girl because of his daughter, after all Florence had come crying into his office and Severus would go to any means to punish anyone who tortured Slytherines and of course his daughter, but that was different he'd do anything for the girl even get Lavender expelled if he could but they had to keep it low profile and even though everyone knew Snape pulled of some revenge points for his daughter they couldn't really be so sure and therefore would decide to ignore him defending Audrey, because it was obvious that he was defending a Slytherine first year and not his daughter who was in Gryffindor.

Potions was over with a sniffing Lavender as she walked to dinner sniffing as well because according to Neville who had been taking extra classes for transfiguration McGonagall had threatened Lavender with suspension and even canceled her first visit to Hogsmeade.

When Lavender entered the hall people whispered into their neighbors ears, gossiping about her as she passed and made her way to where Audrey was sitting on her seat. Audrey noticed Lavender had been looking for place to sit as her best friend Padma was busying talking to Neville about Charms, Lavender made her way to where Audrey was sitting, Audrey had been laughing when she stopped as her group looked at a sniffing Lavender who glared at Audrey, but something different happened as Fred groaned and his crossed fingers for a cat fight.

"You could join us if you like Lavender—there's enough place," said Audrye shifting towards Harry as she made place for Lavender. Lavender looked surprised, was Audrey trying to be sarcastic—she had just insulted her for the whole day and Audrey was being so nice to her, why?

"Tuff day—try some pudding it's really good," said Audrey putting a cup of pudding into Lavender's plate as she smiled and then got back to her own dinner.

"Thanks," said Lavender smiling apologetically as Audrey smiled and nodded understandingly as she offered to help her on the ten foot essay punishment. Audrey knew she wasn't going to be rejected anymore, she had made her mark.

September grew increasingly duller as October approached with its stormy encore of thunder and lightning. With the growing dullness of the weather, the dullness of the mundane school life settled in within the occupants of Hogwarts as several quidditch practices were canceled due to bad weather and since Hogsmeade visits were only scheduled on and after Halloween the students didn't have anything to look forward to, not many knew how to spend their free time and with the increasing burden of exams and homework many found that they failed to utilize their free time for any thing but studying.

It was a similar Saturday October morning as the residents of Gryffindor tower were rather rudely woken up by mother natures alarm of crackling thunder and huge gushes of wind which blew out the fire in the grates and heaters of the dormitories along with rudely banging open the windows through which rain poured in merrily along with the wind.

The girls in Audrey's dormitory tried their best to shut the windows but in the process got extremely wet seeing that they had decided to do it the muggle way. A few warming charms later everyone seemed to be tucked under their blankets and snuggled in as they laughed and talked about things. Audrey was laughing on a joke that Lavender made, she didn't have such a hard time with Lavender anymore and Audrey was glad they had settled their differences, she wished the same could be said for Harry and Seamus but seeing that Seamus still had his humongous ego problem there wasn't much hope there.

A few hours in the Saturday morning Hermione and Audrey made their way to the great hall for breakfast after a quick shower. They sat down next to each other facing Ron as Hermione asked him where Harry was.

"Said he needed to go get some air," said Ron softly as he was scribbling into his dream journal for Divination class.

"And you didn't go with him?" asked Hermione angrily worrying about Harry's safety.

"Well—," began Ron looking sheepishly at his plate full of sausages.

"Merlin Ron—do you ever stop eating?" asked Hermione exasperatedly as Audrey chuckled.

"What?—I am hungry!" he replied biting into a large sausage.

"When are you possibly not?" asked Hermione as Audrey cut Ron before he and Hermione began to bicker over something stupid.

"I'll go get him," said Audrey as she smiled at Hermione and Ron and got up from her seat and made her way out of the hall and towards where Ron had directed her, she was at the beginning of forest near the clearing when she found Harry talking to Luna Lovegood.

"Hi!" she shouted waving frantically as Harry and Luna turned around and greeted Audrey with a smile, they then walked a little more into the entrance of the forest where Luna found the creatures that had welcomed them on their first day at Hogwarts, Luna spoke to them tenderly as the horse like creature licked her hand with its blackened tongue.

"What are they?" interjected Harry as he began to believe Luna about them being similar.

"Thestrals—they're really misunderstood creatures," said Luna petting the thestral fondly and smiling at it tenderly.

"Why?" asked Audrey, as Luna looked at her.

"They are known to be blessed by death—only people who've seen death can see them," said Luna dreamily. Audrey frowned and then asked abruptly.

"So you saw someone die?" she asked Luna as Luna nodded and replied.

"My mother died when I was nine—she was quite an extraordinary witch—loved to experiment—but one day one went terribly wrong," said Luna sadly as the wet dried forest crunched under their trainers.

"I'm sorry," chorused Audrey and Harry as Luna shrugged and replied.

"I have dad although he's quite extraordinary himself," smiled Luna and the proceeded to pet another fawn thestral as she pulled an apple out of her bag.

"We both believe you'll by the way," said Luna honestly as Audrey blushed slightly as Harry gave Luna a genuine smile.

"Thanks I think you're maybe the only ones who do," said Harry a little dully as the thestral smelt the apple and shook his head dishearteningly, seemed like it was too picky, Luna reached into her painted jute bag and searched of something.

"I am sure that's not true," smiled Luna sweetly as she found what she was looking for and proceeded in pulling her hand out of her bag.

"It's just that if I was you-know-who, I'd want you to be cut off from the world," added Luna as she threw a slab of meat towards the thestral that pounced on it happily and tore out a strip of the flesh. Audrey raised her eyebrows at Luna, as Luna looked at her and smiled.

"You see when you're alone, you're not much of a threat," smiled Luna pitifully but then turned to look at the thestral finish its breakfast.

Audrey turned to Harry and the shook her head at Luna, Audrey knew that Luna was right about whatever she had just said but what could they possibly do—build their own army? That was highly unlikely.

Harry and Audrey returned to breakfast as they joined everyone else for breakfast and Luna went to sit with her house, but before they could reach for the toast. They heard a rather sharp shouting that was coming from the staircases near the entrance hall, groups of students were flocking to see what was happening outside. Ron looked at the rest of his friends as they nodded and went with the crowd to see what was happening outside. When they did reach the corridor they noticed Umbridge standing on the staircase arguing with McGonagall who looked like she was going to bite Umbridge's head off. Audrey chuckled, her grandmother looked like the dragon she had tackled last year, she shook her head, she sure would keep her trap shut if she was in Umbridge's place.

"What are you insinuating?" asked Umbridge indignantly as McGonagall spoke to her coldly.

"I am merely suggesting that when it comes to my students to prescribe to the given disciplinary practices," said McGonagall, Audrey blushed deeply as Harry looked at her.

"Did you tell her?" he asked her as she shook her head.

"She must have seen the marks," said Audrey as she noticed her grandfather walk into the corridor as he spoke discreetly to her father, they stopped abruptly as a thin smirk could be seen on Severus's face, Audrey had a feeling he had something to do with this.

"So silly of me but...it sounds as if you are questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minerva," said Umbridge taking a step up feeling towered by the intimidating witch in front of her.

"Not at all Dolores—only your Medieval methods," snarled Minerva as she too took a step up and was now once again towering over Umbridge, her hair normally tied back tightly was coming out of her bun threatening to fall down.

"Well—I am sorry dear—but to question my practices is to question the ministry and by extension the minister himself... I am a tolerant woman but one thing I cannot tolerate is disloyalty," finished Umbridge sharply as Dumbledore closed his eyes and sighed, Audrey could tell he had for some reason being dreading something like this.

"Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I had feared Cornelius will want to take immediate action," added Dolores as she smirked at Snape and Dumbledore, Snape threw her a cold look as Dumbledore cocked his head a little acknowledging her comment, he muttered something to Snape who nodded and began clearing the crowd.

"Come on—show's over Potter!" snarled Severus as he pushed Ron's shoulder to push him away glaring at Harry who made a face at the potion's master. The students returned to the great hall but Audrey looked at her grandparents, she knew they were going to have a rather bad fight soon, she just wished it wasn't going to affect them gravely.

Ginny led Audrey to the green houses as she wanted to have a word with Neville before Audrey could help her with Potions that Ginny could not get her finger on.

When the two girls reached the greenhouses, they found Neville and professor Sprout struggling to pull Neville's hand free from the mouth of a rather large biting Rose with thorns for teeth. They were successful but Neville's face grew to become almost a bright red so professor Sprout ordered them to take Neville to the hospital wing. When they were leaving she asked Audrey for a favor, she wanted her to deliver some rare fruits she had specially picked for professor Dumbledore. Audrye agreed reluctantly as she could not deny professor Sprout's genuine smile. The reason for her reluctance was that she knew that her grandparents must have been discussing or rather arguing about the mornings events and she did not want to be listening in on it.

Never the less she made her way to the gargoyle that guarded the office and after fifteen attempts to guess his password she finally threw in random names and the gargoyle nodded exasperatedly when she said the correct words.

"Fiery Fawkes,"

When Audrey reached the last step she could clearly hear her grandmother's loud voice booming and shouting in retaliation as her grandfather could be heard replying calmly but his voice seemed cold.

"But she's trying to take over the school!"

"And what are you going to do about it Minerva?"

"Well you most certainly and not doing anything but staying adamant on your pathetic stand that Cornelius will have a sudden revelation of things!"

"You think I haven't tried!"

"No!"

"This certainly is not a way to prove anything!"

"I believe it is a perfect way!"

"Minerva!"

"Albus!"

"Look, all I am saying is that you keep your calm Minerva this is most certainly not something we want,"

"She cant touch me!"

"I know Minerva and I will not let her but she most definitely will ruin the school with such attempts-she thinks you are sabotaging the ministry,"

"She has plans Minerva—plans that you and I most likely do not even fathom—" said another person apart from the two voices Audrey was listening to so far, she recognized it as her father's.

"Snive—Snape's right—Umbridge gives me the creeps—but we've got to live with her because she was enforced, we don't need any more enforcements from the ministry," said someone else Audrey recognized him to be Sirius and another voice spoke and she knew her mother had flooed in there as well, possibly on Sirius's recommendation.

"I agree with dad, mum—you can't just blow off on her like that—she's evil—you know what she's capable of doing,"

"Of course you will be supporting your father on this one—like always—Mummy is always impulsive and wrong," snarled Minerva as she marched to the door as Audrey knocked immediately, she knew if she knocked later she would be caught. The office inside went absolutely silent.

"Enter," called Dumbledore, Audrey could hear the resentment in his voice as she entered the office carrying the basket of fruits. She noticed the room stare at her, her grandmother's hands folded daintily across her chest while her mother sat on a plush chair her toned legs crossed over each other, Sirius sat next to her mother while Snape was leaning against the wall near the door.

"Professor Sprout said—you had called for this," said Audrey her cheeks red with embarrassment as everyone looked at her.

"Thank you Ms. Snape," said Dumbledore as she nodded curtly and then turned to leave as quickly as she could, she did not want to be here at all.

"Audrey wait!" said Minerva as Audrey closed her eyes and cursed her luck, she heard her father scoff silently as he had seen her make the face, the face he normally made in circumstances when he was stuck like this. Audrey turned around to face the room once more as everyone looked from Minerva to her.

"Yes?" she drawled just like her father would have.

"Show them your hand!" ordered her grandmother as Audrey's cheeks went almost maroon. She tugged the gloves that she hadn't forgotten to wear as the writing on her hand was as legible as it had been on the first day it had appeared.

Audrey did not move as she saw her mother frown, she noticed her grandmother walk up to her as she gently pulled her hand into hers and then pulled of her gloves. Minerva pulled Audrey by her hand to her mother who was sitting the closest to Albus's desk. The next thing Audrey knew her hand was being shoved into her mother's face.

"See this—do you see it Rachel—or do you want me to read it out for you?" snarled Minerva harshly as Rachel traced a light finger over her daughters scarred hand, she stood up and looked directly at Snape.

"Didn't you say anything?" she asked Severus harshly as Snape snapped out of his aloofness and faced the mother of his daughter.

"What was I supposed to say?" he asked frowning as if she had accused him wrongly.

"You're her father and you haven't complained about such disorderly punishments!" snarled Rachel.

"Of course Rachel—you want me to give the woman another reason to sack me," snarled Snape.

"Well—I thought you wanted all of this parenting business!"

"I have done everything I thought was right—murtlap sap is working quite well,"

"The hell it is—these marks aren't going to just disappear with Murtlap sap!"

" Oh! And you are going to teach me potions aren't you Rachel?"

"I will when it comes to my daughter, seeing that her father is utterly useless,"

"I did everything in my bloody power!"

"No you didn't –you didn't condemn her for brutality towards your daughter,"

"Of course—that is exactly what she needs—another reason for her fucked up house to hate her!"

"Her house doesn't hates her—you on the other hand!"

"Look! Shut up both of you—I just came here to give him these fruits—now I am going to go and you will not carry this conversation forward,"

"But"

"I said enough!"

"I think I am going to go have a word with this Umbridge woman,"

"No! you will do no such thing! Dad's right—just listen to him for once!"

Rachel was taken aback by this reply as Minerva frowned a little and then smiled, Rachel was getting it back and she was getting it back good.

"Now, I am going to go—so you know—you can just—do-you know—older people things—," finished Audrey embarrassed, as she nodded briefly at her grandfather who smiled at her knowingly as she then made her way out her mother's lips still parted in surprise to the coincidence of the situation.

AN/-Hey review before you go- =) you know you want to!