Chapter Sixteen
Gemini woke to her alarm and stretched. She'd spent far too long last night having to help her little brother with his homework, for all his seemed to have a reasonable grasp of Herbology, his Charms work was abysmal.
Rodolphus hadn't helped at all, of course he hadn't. Rodolphus never took responsibility for anything, too busy flirting with every girl in the area. Gemini shoved her feet into her heavy boots angrily.
"Urgh Gem, stop making so much noise." one of the girls in the dorm moaned, rolling over in bed.
Gemini rolled her eyes and ignored the comment, making sure her hobnailed boots clicked as loudly as possible on her way to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and splashed her face to fully wake herself up.
She clutched at the edge of the sink and took several deep breaths, trying to calm her head down, "It's fine. It's all fine." she said, leaving the empty bathroom behind her.
It didn't take her long to finish her homework, she wasn't really bothered about it if she was being truthful, she doubted that how many O. or N.E. someone had was really going to matter at the end of the day, once Lord Voldemort had taken over fully.
The important things would matter again, like how loyal your family was and who you'd come from. No one cared about that any more; there was a mudblood in Slytherin, sleeping in Gemini's very dorm right now.
Rodolphus hadn't appeared by breakfast time, Gemini watched the stream of students leave the dorm from the corner of her eye, pretending she was simply reading her book. It was getting late when she slammed her book shut and went up to his dorm.
"What are you doing still in bed?" she hissed, pulling the blanket off him.
Rodolphus blinked, adjusting his eyes to the light, "Gemini? What are you doing here."
"We're going to be late for breakfast." she said, digging out some clean clothes from him, "Why are you still in bed? Are you ill?"
Rodolphus rolled his eyes, "No. Just was up late last night, hanging out with my dorm mates."
"Well, all of them seemed to be able to drag themselves out of bed on time." Gemini huffed.
"Yes thank you." Rodolphus huffed, snatching the clothes off her, "I don't need my little sister to lecture me."
Gemini felt her rage burning inside her, "I expect to see you at breakfast in five minutes." she hissed, storming out of the dorm and leaving her brother alone.
Corvus was already sat at the Slytherin table, eating his breakfast quietly. Gemini slid into the seat beside him and started buttering a slice of toast.
"Did you sleep well sister?" Corvus asked, after a few minutes of awkward silence.
"Yes." Gemini said, "Very well, thank you."
"Where's Rod?" Samuel asked, shuffling closer to Gemini for a moment.
"He's just getting up." Gemini said pleasantly, "You keeping him up last night seems to have left him a little tired this morning."
Samuel snorted a laugh, "I was in bed by ten. So were the rest of us."
Gemini put her piece of toast down carefully, "So where was he?"
Samuel gave her a very superior look, "I suggest you ask that balmy blonde in Ravenclaw. Lovegood or whatever her name is."
Gemini thanked him, trying to pretend she knew about this before.
Rodolphus sauntered down the table and sat across from Gemini, filling his plate with bacon and eggs.
Corvus picked nervously at his nails, "How about you, brother, did you sleep well?"
Rodolphus rolled his eyes and ignored him. Gemini could of slapped him if there weren't people watching. Millicent had just been leaving when she saw Rodolphus come in and went back to sit next to him.
"You look so nice today Rodolphus." she simpered, "Would you like some coffee?"
Rodolphus flashed her a smile, "Pumpkin juice actually."
"Millicent, would you mind giving us a moment?" Gemini asked.
"But I need to get Rod his pumpkin juice," Millicent said.
"NOW." Gemini snapped.
Millicent huffed loudly and put the jug of pumpkin juice down before leaving them alone.
"I sh… should be..." Corvus started, trying to stand up.
"Stay seated Corvus." Gemini ordered coolly, "Rodolphus, where were you last night?"
Rodolphus rolled his eyes, "I've already told you I was just hanging with my dorm mates."
Gemini's eyes blasted with anger, "No, you weren't. I've been… advised that you were hanging out with… Miss Lovegood."
There was a slight blush around Rodolphus's ears, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Gemini laughed, shaking her black ringlets down her back, "Oh please. Even she is too good for you, you just like seeing her pretty blonde hair. It's pathetic."
Rodolphus glared at her, "Then what's the issue?" he snapped, "If she's too good for me?" he left out the part that she showed zero interest in him and kept moving away from him all evening.
Gemini rolled her eyes, "It's embarrassing. You are a Lestrange, not some love sick school boy who goes chasing every blonde who has a pair of legs. You are to leave her alone."
Gemini didn't wait for an answer, the post owls had been and gone, clearly there was nothing for them from home yet. She left her half eaten toast and stormed from the table.
She could hear people laughing at her, oh their faces weren't moving but she could hear them in her head. Why did she have to be cursed with two such stupid brothers?
She stomped up to the dorm and made sure all of her books were ready for class in her bag. They had Defence Against the Dark Arts today, so at least she would have a chance to see what Umbridge was like.
Umbridge knew her parents, or at least so her father had told them before school had started again. He'd not said much, just that she was good enough at her job, if sometimes a little grating. Gemini was always one for making her own opinions though.
She forced her hair into a bobble, the first one snapping and making her want to scream again, and grabbed her bag before heading to class. Rodolphus was waiting for her in the common room, his books tucked into his open rucksack.
Gemini rolled her eyes and did the bag up, "Well, at least you managed to brush your hair this morning. Corvus you look a mess." she hissed, "Leave a note for the house elves that you expect your robes to be properly ironed. We'll see you at dinner, Corvus. And stay away from… unneeded distractions."
Corvus gave a small nod before quickly leaving the common room. Gemini could see Harry and his friends talking in the corner, giving her the odd look.
"Can I help you?" Gemini snapped, "Dear cousin."
Draco rolled his eyes, "Go to class, Gem." you look pathetic anyway.
"How dare you talk to me that way?" she hissed, moving towards them. She shrugged off Rodolphus who'd tried to pull her back, "You pathetic little blood traitor."
Harry stood up to face her, "What did you just say?"
Gemini looked him up and down in disgust, "Pathetic."
"You know it wouldn't kill you, Gemini, to leave your brothers alone for once. Is it any wonder that Corvus can't wait to get away from you?" Daphne said, rolling her eyes.
"So you are talking about us behind our backs?" Gemini said, as calmly as she could, which wasn't very.
Pansy shook her head in despair, "No. Of course not. Gods, you're paranoid."
Harry, Daphne, Pansy and Draco picked up their bags and books and left her standing there, fuming.
"Come on Gem we're going to be late for class." Rodolphus said, picking at his nails in boredom.
Gemini took several deep breaths, "Don't call me that. My name is Gemini, not Gem." she said, leading him out of the common room.
Rodolphus sighed and followed his sister. He wished he was a year older, so he could be in Luna's class every once in a while. He knew everyone thought she was a bit 'off' but she was so pretty.
Gemini smacked his shoulder, "What did I say?" she hissed, "Gods, can't you keep your eyes off her for a second?"
Rodolphus glared at her, "Get to class. We've got Potions first."
Gemini wasn't sure what she was expecting when they lined up, after lunch, for their double Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson. She's at least managed to keep her brothers in line over lunch so the day wasn't a complete waste.
The door to the classroom opened and they filled in. Gemini took a seat, towards the back of the class, looking Professor Umbridge up and down; it was hard to take an adult seriously when they were dressed like a cheap valentines day teddy bear.
"Please take your seats." Professor Umbridge said sweetly.
Rodolphus rolled his eyes at the fact his sister had once again sat next to him. Several girls grumbled, disappointed they couldn't sit next to their crush.
"Well, it is good to see you all. Good afternoon class." Professor Umbridge smiled.
Gemini, along with the rest of the class, looked at Professor Umbridge in confusion; Hogwarts teachers didn't address their students like that.
Professor Umbridge gave a little sigh, "Well that will not do. You are my last class for the first time and all of them have been most unsatisfactory in their responses. Now when I address you, you will all answer 'Yes Professor Umbridge' or 'No Professor Umbridge' or so on, do you understand?"
"Yes Professor Umbridge." Gemini simpered sarcastically.
She was drowned out by the rest of the class answering more politely.
Professor Umbridge beamed at them, "Well done. Now welcome to my Defence Against the dark arts class! I understand that you have not had the best of experiences, with a few different teachers, some of whom seem to be a little inappropriate."
There was no objection from the class.
"I think you will find my teaching, Ministry approved teaching I should say, will help you understand the fundamental basics of Defensive theory much better." Umbridge smiled, "So, do you all have a copy of 'Basic Defensive Theory' by Jaenderson Bagklin?"
"Yes Professor Umbridge."
"Excellent. Now I would like you all to pull out your books and read chapter one, starting on page two. Feel free to take notes but there will be no need to talk." Umbridge instructed them, sitting down behind her desk.
Gemini pulled the book out and opened it. It seemed possibly the most boring book that Gemini had ever read. It was clear Bagklin thought that there was never any need for any sort of attacking spells, let alone any information on how to cast them; Gemini soon lost interest.
She glanced over to Rodolphus who was smiling and passing a note to the blonde muggle born in Hufflepuff. Gemini poked him hard in the ribs.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Gemini hissed, "What is in that note?"
Rodolphus ignored her.
"At least Lovegood is pure-blood, not some filthy mudblood." Gemini said, trying her best to keep her voice down.
"Who I send notes to is none of your business." Rodolphus said, shrugging her arm off, "Now read your book."
"I did say, there would be no need to talk." Umbridge repeated.
Gemini ignored her, most of the class had given up on reading the book and were now either talking to their neighbour or passing around folded notes.
"It is my business if you go around embarrassing our family!" Gemini snapped.
Umbridge sighed, "Miss Lestrange? Am I correct that that's your name?"
Gemini nodded, "Yes. Gemini Lestrange."
Umbridge gave a sickly sweet smile, "Yes, of course. How like your parents you look. Did you have a question about the book?"
Gemini shifted slightly, "No, Professor Umbridge. I think the book makes it's views perfectly clear."
Professor Umbridge smiled, "Well then, we don't need to be talking, do we?"
Gemini returned the sickly sweet smile and dramatically held up her book. She used the cover of the book to scribble a note to Rodolphus, about how stupid he was being and would he please stop staring at the ugly, pathetic, mudblood.
Rodolphus screwed the note up and chucked it into her bag without even reading it.
"We are under a lot of pressure right now." Gemini hissed, "How do you think it's going to look if you are caught with a mudblood?" she whispered.
Rodolphus glared at her, "No. Mater and Sir are under a lot of pressure. Do you really think they care about you? Do you think he does? Of course not, you're nothing but a pathetic little child that everyone wishes would stop taking herself so bloody seriously."
"How dare you talk to me that way!" Gemini snapped, still keeping her voice as quiet as possible, "I've met him! They thought I was-"
"Miss Lestrange." Professor Umbridge said, sighing, "Stand up please."
Gemini kicked her chair back and stood, "Yes. Professor Umbridge."
"I think I can hear you talking again, you need to be reading your book now, quietly." Professor Umbridge said.
Gemini rolled her eyes, her head too full to think before she spoke, "Of for goodness sake, no one cares about your stupid book. It was written by the biggest coward out there!" she took a deep breath, "Professor."
Umbridge looked icily at her, "Well, thank you for that enlightening opinion, Miss Lestrange. I will see you in detention I think."
Gemini dug her nails into her palms, "Yes, Professor Umbridge."
Professor Umbridge dug out a bright pink diary and opened the pages slowly, "Well I'm seeing Mr Potter at five this evening so you can stay after school today."
"Whatever you say." Gemini hissed, "Professor."
Umbridge glared down at her, "And would you, please, move into the corner of the room. You can stand there, as to not disrupt the rest of the class with your unpopular views any further."
Gemini took a deep breath, trying to ignore the sounds of people talking about her in her head. She stared at the corner of the room, the horrible off pink paint and waited.
Her legs where aching by the time the bell rang, standing for over an hour hadn't made her temper any better; she could feel herself bubbling in rage. The rest of the class left without saying a word to her, she waited.
Gemini risked a look at the clock, it was just passed four, over half an hour since the lesson had ended and Professor Umbridge was still leaving her there, just standing.
"Into my office dear." Professor Umbridge said.
Gemini turned, grateful to be able to move her legs at least a little and walked to the office. It was painted even more brightly pink in there, the walls covered in ornamental cat plates.
"Take a seat dear." Umbridge said kindly.
Gemini sat down, and carefully placed her hands folded on the table, "I'm very sorry for the way I acted in class, there has been… a lot, going on lately."
Umbridge smiled down at her, "I'm sure there has my dear, and I'm glad you have apologised, hopefully that means this won't take to long!" she said kindly, patting Gemini on the shoulder, "Now, you will be writing some lines for me today."
Gemini nodded and reached for her bag.
"Oh no, you wont need your quill, just some parchment." Umbridge said, placing an abnormally fine quill in front of Gemini.
"What about ink? Professor Umbridge?" Gemini asked, forcing herself to sound as sweet as possible, even fluttering her eyelashes.
"Oh you wont need any ink." Umbridge said.
Gemini rolled her eyes behind Umbridge's back and smiled, "What would you like me to write?"
"I will not disrupt my classes." Umbridge told her.
Gemini gritted her teeth, not the most original but never mind. She pulled the wad of parchment towards her and started to write. There was quickly an itching that turned into pain on her arm.
Gemini yanked her sleeve up and saw the words carving themselves into her skin before disappearing, leaving the skin just a little red.
"Again, please Miss Lestrange." Umbridge smiled.
Gemini wrote out the line again, and once again it was carved into her arm.
"What is this?" Gemini asked.
Umbridge smiled sweetly at her, "Please continue, Miss Lestrange."
Gemini glared at her, she wasn't about to carry on carving those stupid words into her arm just because some crazy, or stupid (possibly both) teacher ordered her too.
Gemini stood up, slamming her free hand onto the table and grasping the quill firmly in her other hand, digging the point of it so hard it went through several layers of parchment. She dragged it round the page, drawing out the skull with a snake, twisting from its mouth that made up the Dark Mark.
Blood poured from Gemini's arm as the dark mark was carved deeply into her skin and Umbridge looked on in horror.
"What's wrong, Professor Umbridge?" Gemini asked sweetly, breathing deeply from the pain of her bleeding arm.
"You… you..." Umbridge gasped, staring down at the dark mark on her desk.
"Don't you like it?" Gemini asked sweetly, "I thought it was so much prettier than your words."
"Get out." Umbridge said quickly.
Umbridge snatched the wad of parchment and threw it into the fire, her heart beating frantically as her panic grew. Gemini smiled at her, narrowing her eyes.
Gemini picked up a neat, white lacy doily and used it to soak up the blood, "I wouldn't want to bleed everywhere and show everyone what you did." she said, throwing the blood soaked fabric into the fire, "What would people say?"
Umbridge said nothing, she didn't know what to say; he was simply horrified.
She picked up her bag and left the room without another word. Harry was just about to knock on the door when Gemini opened it.
"Oh… what are you doing here?" Harry asked.
Gemini ignored him, pushing her way passed. Harry shook his head, she was the most insufferable girl sometimes.
Professor Umbridge was in her office, Harry was horrified to see the amount of strange cat plates that lined the walls.
"I'm here for my detention, Professor." Harry said, "Professor?"
Umbridge looked at him, struggling to keep her fake smile on her face she looked very shaken.
"Mr Potter, I'm not feeling very well, you may preform your detention in your own time. Four hundred lines of 'I will not tell lies'. Do you understand?" Umbridge said quickly.
Harry nodded, gritting his teeth over the fact she was still insisting he was telling lies, "Yes Professor."
"On my desk by tomorrow morning." Umbridge said, opening the door and shooing him out.
Harry left, hearing the door lock behind him.
"Well, that was weird." he muttered to himself, walking back to the Slytherin common room.