[A/N: WOW, 249 favorites, and 272 followers~! I'm glad that so many of you like it! To those who just subscribed to my story, or 'favorite' my story, thank you all at the bottom of my heart! I'm glad that so many of you are still following me even though things in the story are progressing slowly. I have taken direct quotes from the movie and books, so credits to JK Rowling. As usual, the foreign languages in this story are translated from Google Translate so, please let me know if something seems off. As always, please, comment, subscribe, and favorite this story and stay tuned for the next chapter.]
Written: 06/03/2022 Word Count: 4,535
Ao3 - Kudos: 22 Hits: 1,250
I=Italian M=Morse Code P=Parsel Tongue F=French R=Russian
Chapter 20
August 11th, Wednesday
"I can't believe your parents let you have people over while they are gone on vacation," Pansy said with surprise as the gang gathered on the patio of the Burrow. Ginny snorts from her position on Blaise's lap and nods. "Believe me. I couldn't believe it either when I proposed the idea to them. When they agreed, Ronald threw a ridiculous hissy fit." Everyone in the gang simply rolled their eyes. That certainly wasn't new. The rest of the Weasley kids had gone to stay at their Aunt Muriel's house, except Ginny, until their parents came back from their vacation. "Nothing more about my idiotic brother," Ginny said as she raised her red plastic cup definitely had butterbeer in it, into the air. "Let's get this party started!"
*~*~*~*:*~*~*~*
"Onestamente sarebbe così brutto dirle come ti senti?" (I) (Would it honestly be that bad to tell her how you feel?) Blaise asked, finding his friend's hesitation amusing. Draco shot his friend a glare. "È se le capita di essere la figlia del mago più oscuro del mondo e suo padre può mutilarmi se esagero anche solo di un dito!" (I) (It is if she happens to be the daughter of the darkest wizard in the world and her father can maim me if I step even a toe out of line!) Neville and Theo were practically slumped over each other in fits of laughter.
Draco didn't seem to find this funny and smacked them both with a fluffy pillow. Thankfully, none of the girls were around to see this since they all had gone inside from some girl time while the boys were outside in the gazebo. Blaise chuckled in amusement but decided to appease the blond for now. "Sono sicuro che non succederà. Tua madre ti ucciderebbe se mai accadesse. Ti ha insegnato troppo bene." (I) (I'm sure that won't happen. Your mother would murder you if that ever happens. She has taught you too well.) Draco knew that was true but he still couldn't help second-guessing himself.
August 12th, Thursday
Fudge says You-Know-Who is not back! Devious plot to get the Minister position by Dumbledore!
-Current Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge says the darkest wizard in our age is not back and there is nothing for the public to worry about upon the words of a man who had been eyeing the Minister position for quite some time, Albus Dumbledore."
More about this titillating story on page 5
"That is absolutely preposterous!" Dumbledore cursed as he slammed his hand down on his desk with anger. "Doesn't he know that he is playing right into his hands?!" Severus could barely hold back from rolling his eyes. You both are playing into his plans. He thought. "Severus, are you sure your master didn't say anything about yesterday's Daily Prophet evening edition?" Dumbledore asked with a deep scowl on his face. Severus shook his head. "No Albus. He just looked very pleased with the heading."
*~*~*~*:*~*~*~*
Tom was very pleased indeed. Diana wouldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the show of emotions that he only showed to those he was close with. Not to his Death Eaters though. They were currently having a meeting and most assumed it was about the Daily Prophet. "I find it amusing that the Wizarding world doesn't believe their favorite wizard," Tom spoke, Nagini hissing softly by his side to copy his contentment. "Fudge is doing his damnest to remain in power, my Lord," Lucius commented and a light muttering could be heard when his voice carried through the hall.
"That treacherous bastard should be spoken to!" Bellatrix screeched and she stepped up to the steps of the circular dais. "If it will please you, my Lord, I will go to the blood traitor's house and teach him a lesson." She said as she got down on one knee, quickly giving the Death Eaters behind her scathing looks. No one will dare take this job from her. I am the last of the House of Black. Only I can please our Dark Lord. She thought. She missed the cold amused look on Tom's face.
He barely flicked his wand before the meeting hall was filled with Bellatrix screaming. The spell ended abruptly with Bellatrix laying on the floor, her chest heaving as her body adjusted to being Crucio'ed. "You should learn to share, Bella. You are not the only Black here." Tom said in a tone like he was reprimanding a child. Bellatrix looked confused once she had managed to turn over on her stomach so she could look up at her master. "My Lord...I don't underst-"
"Silence!" (P) He hissed, his eyes flashing red for a split second. He hissed. his eyes flashing red for a split second. The Dark Lord was pissed off now. "Otets." (R) (Father.) Diana said in a soft voice that seemed to have drawn Tom back and reigned his anger in. "Don't assume to be my best, Bellatrix. Ever. Do you understand?" Tom hissed as he gripped the armrest tightly. Some of the Death Eaters raise an eyebrow. Bellatrix had been telling everyone that she and her husband were his favorites.
August 10th, Monday
"Where is your grandmother?" Pansy asked in a hushed voice as Neville guided her by the hand through the Longbottom estate. "She has gone on vacation. She won't be back for a week." He said. Pansy smirked once she realized that they will be alone for a while. It will make what they will do next so much easier. Pictures littered the walls as they made their way upstairs. The couple finally reached Neville's bedroom which was at the back of the estate. There wasn't a lot of Slytherin memorabilia around like the rest of the boys did, but there were quite a bit of dark items on display on shelves.
"Neville?" Pansy asked as she closed the bedroom door. "Hm?" Now that they were here, she was suddenly feeling shy and unsure about herself. "Are-Are you sure that you want to do this ritual with me? You know that it's permanent, right?" She was finding herself blabbering because she was feeling nervous. Could he see that on her face? She was too busy thinking about all the possibilities that she didn't notice him stepping up to her with an amused look on his face. "Who else would I do it with?" Pansy's face turned a little pink from embarrassment. "You are the only one I want to link myself to."
August 11th, Tuesday
"Can I see how it looks?" Ginny asked with excitement, nearly bouncing on her feet as she clasped her hands together. She, Pansy, and Daphne were meeting together at a boutique clothing shop in Diagon Alley. The rest of the group were too busy to shop at the moment. Pansy had to hold herself from giggling, still remembering what happened the previous night. She quickly glanced around, making sure that the owner of the shop was still attending to another customer. She quickly lifted her shirt a little to reveal her hip and there was a nicely formed tattoo Diana had designed in a brown color. "Ooooo." The two other girls exclaimed.
August 30th, Sunday
"Ministry of Magic passes Educational Decree #22! Appointed professors to fill in jobs if Dumbledore is incapable." The words scattered boldly across the newspaper page. Lucius snorts as he read the paper, noting the moving magical picture that accompanied the article. It was of Fudge and a pudgy woman who looked remarkably like a frog. Dolores Umbridge. A woman he wasn't exactly glad to see. The woman had an annoying voice, especially during official meetings. Every time the woman speaks, it makes his skin crawl. "Father, please, you're scaring me with that toad women's face." Draco drawled as he sipped on his tea. Lucius smirks as he flipped to the next page.
August 31st, Monday
The Ivanovs and the Riddles sat in the dining room for breakfast. There wasn't much talking since the adults were reading the morning newspaper and the children were reading their upcoming year booklists. Stepan scoffs as he slapped the newspaper on the table. "Posmotri na eto. Ministerstvo poymalo Sturgisa Podmora i govorit, chto my zastavili yego sdelat' eto s pomoshch'yu proklyatiya Imperius." (R) (Look at this. The Ministry has caught Sturgis Podmore and says that we made him do it with the Imperius curse.) He tutted as he motioned to the article on the front page. Tom raised an eyebrow as he sipped on his coffee.
"Yego net s nami." (R) (He is not with us.) Stepan said, his wife nodding in agreement. Christopher sighed dramatically. "Razve im nechego delat' luchshe, chem obvinyat' nas v chuzhom prestuplenii?" (R) (Don't they have nothing better to do than to blame us for someone else's crime?) The adults chuckled softly. "I'm sure Lucius will provide an explanation at the meeting tonight," Tom said in a calm voice.
*~*~*~*:*~*~*~*
"Great, I'm going to do night patrols with you," Hermione said with a feigned look of displeasure once the gang had met up in Diagon Alley to buy their books and other essentials. Though there were a lot of smart people in Slytherin, no one held any grudges when it was announced that Hermione and Draco were chosen to be 5th-year prefects. The blonde made a dramatic gasp and clutched his chest. "I'll have you know, I happen to be a very good partner at nights." He said, causing the others to laugh.
*~*~*~*:*~*~*~*
The door to the long chamber slammed shut as the last of the masked Death Eaters came in. Based on what the chatter was floating around, something big was going on. Everybody went silent as another door towards the front opened and those part of the inner circle stepped out, masked. Tom was the last one to step out and sat down in his chair. His red eyes glanced around at his minions, a pale finger tapping on the armrest in a slow temp. "Something has occurred this morning. Involving Podmore." Tom said simply. It was enough for those in the room to glance curiously at each other like they would have any information. Who would do that? That person would have to be insane to defy the Dark Lord.
Tom then leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on his stomach. "The Ministry wants the world to believe we were the ones who made him break into the Ministry." The Death Eaters chuckles, finding this amusing. "Lucius, why don't you tell us what you had found out," Tom said as he motioned for the blonde male to come forward. "Yes, my lord." He said and he stepped forward but remained to the side since he knows Tom liked to watch the reaction of his minions. "I have been told that the Ministry has found Podmore trying to break into the Department of Mysteries." Those who were old enough knew about this department and chattered curiously together.
"The Department of Mysteries? What is it?" Diana asked in a whisper towards Severus. "I'll tell you after this. Your friends should listen too." The potions master said in a low voice. Diana simply nodded. "Fudge has told the staff that a Dark Wizard has casted an Imperious at Podmore." Lucius continued. Those there gazing at each other, trying to gauge who would defy the orders of the Dark Lord. "Was Dumbledore there?" Tom asked, his red eyes boring into the blonde male's. Lucius nodded, which caused Tom to let out a spine-chilling laugh. "Etot grebanyy Dambldor." (R) (That fucking Dumbledore.) He hissed, his teeth baring a little.
"He thinks he can put things on us." He snarled before he slammed his hand on the armrest. "He wants something in that room and he used Podmore to try to get it.
September 1st, Tuesday
The gang's trip on the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts was uneventful except for the occasional interruptions from a certain Weasel. They knew the moment they stepped into the Great Hall that something big was going to happen this school year. "C'est la dame aux crapauds dont votre père a parlé?" (F) (Is that the toad-lady your father spoke about?) Diana asked when she spotted a plump short woman dressed in pink sitting at the head table. "Oui. Mon père pense qu'elle est une blague et qu'elle ne tiendra pas ici un mois." (F) (Yes. My father thinks she is a joke and won't last here for a month.)
The gang contemplated this as the last of the students filed in. "Elle doit avoir un certain poids si le ministre pense qu'elle sera apte à occuper le posted." (F) (She must have some serious clout if the Minister thinks she will be fit for the job.) Ginny said just as Dumbledore walked up to his podium to speak. It was mostly the same as the previous years but added something new. "I would also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge." The hall erupted in polite applause before quickly dying down. "And I'm sure you will all join me in wishing the professor good luck. As usual, our caretaker Mr. Filtch has asked me to remind you-"
Dumbledore's speech was cut off by a girly giggle. Eyes looked over to the toad woman who had an awfully cheerful smile on her face as she stood from her chair to walk to the front. "Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we'll all going to be very good friends." Diana nearly had to stop the cringe from appearing on her face. Dear Merlin, is she really going to talk like this the entire time? Like we are all five?
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school, progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved. Perfect what can be perfected. And prune practices that ought to be prohibited." The gang looked nauseated as the woman giggled once more before she walked back to her seat, the hall erupting in polite applause once more. The headmaster motioned his hands for the feast to commence. Food magically filled the tables and chatter immediately began.
"Ti prego, dimmi che non è così che si comporta davvero." (I) (Please tell me that's not how she actually behaves.) Blaise grumbled as he speared a green bean with his fork. Draco scowled and nodded. "Malheureusement oui." (F) (Unfortunately, yes.) The gang groaned as they continued with their meal, feeling their appetite dwindling with the thought of having to learn lessons from this lady. Another year of useless knowledge.
September 2nd, Wednesday
Diana sighed with satisfaction as she sipped on her cup of freshly-brewed coffee. It is a dreary morning and no one looked like they were willing to get up so early. The professors had passed around their schedules early on, causing the Great Hall to fill with unhappy groans. "Ne pouvons-nous pas simplement sauter les cours pour la journée?" (F) (Can't we just skip classes for the day?) Neville grumbled as he played with the scrambled eggs on his plate. The others snort when Hermione shot him a slightly disapproving look. "Très tentant avec le prochain cours que nous aurons après les potions." (F) (Very tempting with the next class we have after Potions.) Draco said, causing everyone to nod.
*~*~*~*:*~*~*~*
"Your previous instruction for this subject has been disturbingly uneven. But you will be pleased to know, from now on you will be following a carefully structured, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic. Yes?" Umbridge said in that ridiculous voice as the students flipped through the book she had passed out, Dark Arts Defense: Basics for Beginners. "There's nothing in here about using defensive spells?" Hermione asked, a deep frown creasing her eyebrows. Now to think of it, there were no spells at all in the book. "Using spells?" Umbridge said before laughing. "Why, I can't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom."
"We're not gonna use magic?" Diana asked in a slow tone like she was trying to emphasize what was wrong with the picture that was being painted. Umbridge tried to keep a friendly look on her face as she spoke again. "You'll be learning about defensive spells, in a secure risk-free way." Risk-free way? You have got to be kidding me. Diana thought. Apparently, other people had the same thought. "Well, what use is that? If we're gonna be attacked, it won't be risk-free." Weasley said with a scowl. His minions nodded in agreement. Umbridge looked like she was seething on the inside as she fingered her wand.
"Students will raise their hands when they speak in my class." Everyone refrained from rolling their eyes. "It is the view of the Ministry that theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which after all is what school is all about!" Weasley couldn't contain it anymore and spoke without raising his hand again. "And how is theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?" Umbridge plastered on a fake smile. "There is nothing out there dear. Who would you imagine would want to attack children like yourself?" Diana rolled her eyes. "Oh, I don't know, maybe Lord Voldemort?" She said sarcastically.
The classroom became deathly quiet and the tension quickly filled the room, Umbridge's face seemingly paled at the name. "Now, I-" The toad woman was cut off when Diana had another thing to say, "What about last year during the Tournament? Are you saying my brother is lying?" She asked in a cold voice. "Enough!" Umbridge screeched, her face red like a beet as everyone went quiet. Like a switch, she took a breath and that same sugary smile appeared on his face again. "One week of detention, Ms. Ivanov." Diana bristled at the thought of getting detention with this hag.
"Ma Dame, il ne faut pas la mettre en colère maintenant." (F) (My Lady, it won't do to make her angry right now.) She heard Draco whisper to her and she forced herself to concede. For now. "Yes, Professor." She said with gritted teeth and could practically hear Weaselbee snicker with delight.
*~*~*~*:*~*~*~*
"My Lady, you must be careful around Umbridge. She works for the Ministry and Fudge has personally sent her to keep an eye on Dumbledore." Snape said as a house-elf appeared and placed cups of hot tea on the coffee table in front of them. Diana scowled at the potion's master. "Chaque fois que je l'entends parler, j'ai envie de lui tordre le cou trapu." (F) (Every time I hear her speak, it makes me want to wring her stubby neck.) She hissed a little, making Severus snort a little in his tea. "Toujours. C'est une femme vindicative et fera tout pour vous élever. Elle serait ravie d'envoyer n'importe lequel d'entre vous en détention. Assurez-vous que le reste de vos amis le savent." (F) (Still. She is a vindictive woman and will do anything to get a rise out of you. She would be delighted to send any of you to detention. Make sure the rest of your friends know.)
September 3rd, Thursday
"Ah, Ms. Ivanov. Good, you are here on time." Umbridge said with a broad, smug smile once the toad-woman opened the door to her office and saw her sitting on the bench out in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Diana barely contained her eyes from rolling as she stepped into the office only to be bombarded by a sea of pink. Apparently, this woman couldn't get enough of pink…and cats. Plates with cats painted on them hung on the wall, seeing them more and eye the two in the room carefully. Magicial plates…must be a form of spying. She thought as the toad-woman motioned for her to sit down at the writing desk right next to the woman's desk.
"For your detention, I'm going to have you write some lines for me," Umbridge said in that same sugary tone. Diana barely refrained from snorting as he reached into her book bag to grab her quill and a sheet of parchment paper. "Oh, no need, Ms. Ivanov. I have what you need right here." Umbridge said as she placed a quill and parchment paper in front of her before walking to stand in front of the window. "How many lines do you want me to do?" Diana asked as she picked up the fancy-looking quill as the toad-woman turned a little to look at her. "Enough for the message to…sink in." She said and Diana scowled once more, finding this task annoying.
"You didn't give me ink, Professor." She said with annoyance, however she received that same sugary sweet smile. "There is no need. It doesn't require ink." She said as she turned her attention back to the window. Doesn't require ink? What the fuck? Her mind raced as she loudly dropped the quill back on the desk. "Doesn't require ink? Pardon me, Professor, I am not aware of such quill are legal." She said coldly, bringing the toad-woman's attention back to her. She gave a simpering smile as she walked away from the window to stand next to the writing desk."Now dear, how could you possibly know what is illegal or not? Just do as your elder tells you and write your lines like a good girl."She cooed with that same sugary voice but her eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.
"Then you are even crazier than I thought." Diana placed her best sneer on her face as she proceeded to stand up just as a paralysis spell shot towards her, surprising her at the attack. The spell bounced off the invisible barrier around her body, causing Umbridge's eyes to widen with surprise. Diana sneered as she gave the woman a murderous glare before storming out of the office.
*~*~*~*:*~*~*~*
The anger was rolling off of Diana, making a lot of the students in the Slytherin common room walk around her in fear of causing her to erupt. It was after dinner and her anger still hadn't dissipated as she thought of all the ways she wanted to hurt Umbridge while she gazed hard at the roaring fire. Suddenly, the portrait to the common room swung open and a first-year student came in, sniffling loud enough that the entire House could hear him. Quickly, the entire house grew concerned and pretty much everyone stood up, except for Diana and they all crowded around the first-year student. "What's wrong? Why are you so upset?" Ginny asked him as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
The kid just shook his head as he continued to cry, a hand reaching over to grip his own arm. Ginny was about to ask the same questions again when Draco reached down to gently grip the kid's arm and his eyebrows furrowed with anger. "Look at this." He said and showed the group the angry words scratched onto his hand 'I must not tell lies.' The outrage nearly shook the common room in the next moment as the student managed to say who did that to him in between the sniffles. "P-Professor Umb-bridge." He said in a shaky voice.
It was eerily quiet, the only thing that could be heard is the sniffling and the crackling of the fire. "Bring him to me. I want to see." Diana said in an almost whisper, her left hand sticking out from behind the chair. The 1st year student looked at the older students, unsure of what to do. Draco gave him an encouraging nod and he cautiously stepped up to the chair and gently placed his hand on the waiting one. He was met with green eyes with red speckles and nervousness rolled down his throat as feminine hands gripped his to be inspected.
"Est-ce que ça fait mal?" (F) (Does it hurt?) Diana asked gently as her eyes flicked up to the kid's. The 1st year nodded. "Bien. La douleur vous permet de savoir que vous êtes en vie." (F) (Good. Pain lets you know you are alive.) She said before letting his hand go. "You will need to submerge your hand in a Dittany bath to make sure it doesn't scar. Go see Professor Snape and he will have what you need." She said and the kid bowed his head before leaving the common room. Diana simply looked over her shoulder and Draco bowed his head and followed after the kid.
"Avremmo dovuto occuparci di quella puttana mesi fa!" (I) (We should have dealt with that bitch months ago!) Blaise cursed as he started pacing with agitation. "Ora è andata a torturare altri studenti!" (I) (Now, she has gone torturing students!) Ginny quickly stood up and went to her boyfriend, stopping him midstep as she tried to calm him down with soft words, placing her hands on his chest to soothe him. "What would you like us to do?" Daphne asked with a sigh once everyone had calmed down a little.
Diana sighed as she leaned her head back in the chair and she closed her eyes as she rubbed her right temple. "Leave me be. I need to think." She said with a groan, feeling a headache coming through. She heard shoes shuffling. "Alright, everyone back to their homework," Neville said to everyone in the common room.