Hello readers! (If there are any left at this point haha!) I am back after a general hiatus with all my writing, and for some reason I felt inspired to update this one first! I had a sudden wave of nostalgia for how excited I was about this one when I first came up with the idea (watching I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here back in 2017 – inspiration hits at the weirdest moments haha) and thought I'd update after nearly five years. Unfortunately future updates cannot be promised as I am now a Masters student and I'm honestly appalled at how much work I have to do (ha) but I hope this is a satisfactory new chapter!

"Tori, wait!"

Shelley's pounding footsteps could be heard behind her, but Tori kept going. She had never been so embarrassed in her life, and Fred laughing at her hurt more than she could say. Just when she thought they were starting to get along, he had to ruin it. Again.

"I'm fine, Shelley," Tori lied, hiding her face when Shelley caught up with her and put a comforting arm around her. She sniffled and wiped a tear away.

"No you're not. And in all honesty neither am I, because I'm sick of people being nasty in this school. I'm tempted to do something-"

"Shelley, leave it!" Tori said hysterically, crying harder. The two girls didn't notice the third set of footsteps behind.

"Tori, what's the problem?" Fred asked behind them, strolling casually as if nothing in particular had happened.

Shelley wheeled around, letting go of Tori. "You, it's you who's the problem here, Fred Weasley!"

"Whoa, what have I done?" Fred said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. He did well not to look scared, because when she fired up, she could be downright scary for such a soft, pretty-faced girl.

"You're winding Tori up constantly and ever since you started antagonising her it's made every other bastard in this school worse- wait a minute, did you just call her Tori?"

"I did," Fred said seriously, shoving his hands in his pockets.

There was an awkward silence.

"You were laughing at me," Tori said quietly and pathetically. "I assumed it was you who tripped me up. Someone did, deliberately."

"It was a third year Slytherin trying to be cool in front of his mates, you can't seriously think I'd do something like that! And I didn't laugh, I just smirked a bit. I would if anyone fell over, even if it was George, or my mum or dad." Fred thought for a second. "Actually, maybe not Mum, she'd be furious."

"But you didn't do anything," Shelley insisted, fighting what was in Tori's opinion a losing battle. She didn't have much of an argument and probably knew it. Still, she ploughed on anyway. "You just stood there like everyone else did-"

"Look, I'll go and hex them all if it'll make you feel any better." Fred spoke directly to Tori. He sounded like he really meant it.

"How noble of you," Shelley said drily.

Before either Fred or Tori could reply, a cocky Slytherin a few years below them sauntered along with his friend. Nudging the friend, he pointed at Tori and sniggered like someone who had just publicly humiliated someone.

"Look, it's that posh twat who tripped up. Oi love, did you enjoy your trip?"

"You little shit." Fred whisked his wand out and pointed it at the Slytherin's face. At once, without him even uttering a spell, the kid went flying as he tripped spectacularly over nothing. He faceplanted the floor and just lay there, dazed, until his friend helped him up.

"Wow," Tori said. "Your non-verbal spellwork seems to be coming along nicely."

Roaring with laughter, Fred threw an arm around her. "Told you I'd hex someone."

"If we're going to be pedantic, it was a jinx, but I much appreciate it," Tori said, allowing herself to smile as the Slytherins hurried away.

Shelley stared at them with an eyebrow raised. One minute Fred was laughing at Tori and Tori was furious with Fred, and then in the next minute they had their arms around each other like old pals?

Actually, on second thoughts… Shelley scrutinised them thoughtfully. There was nothing pally about the way Fred was looking at Tori.

Meanwhile, Tori was actually enjoying being so close to him. It gave her a warm, fuzzy, slightly alien feeling. No boy had ever given her warm or fuzzy feelings before, and it surprised her that it was the biggest pain in the arse in their school who made her feel like this.

"Well, erm, I'm glad you two have, er, made up," Shelley said, looking at the two of them like they had gone mad. "I'm hungry so I'm off to get some lunch. See you later, Tori?"

"I shall be joining you now," she replied as her stomach rumbled. "Fred, are you having your lunch?"

"I have some business to attend to," Fred replied mysteriously. "But, my favourite posh pal, I will see you in one of our lessons together. I'll save you a seat and promise not to trip you up." He winked at her before striding away.

"That boy so fancies you," Shelley said, linking arms with Tori before they headed to the Great Hall.

~~~(O.O)~~~

Tori was disturbed to see that Umbridge had been made 'High Inquisitor' of Hogwarts only six days into their first term. It was even more disturbing that the very next day, she was inspecting their Charms class very closely.

Flitwick had begun the class in his usual relaxed manner; despite the fact that they were NEWT students, he didn't believe in pressurising anyone too much. It was one of the reasons that he was such a popular teacher and managed to have every student pass with flying colours.

The calm environment was soon shattered by Umbridge's arrival. She wore a dire clashing pink outfit and was clutching a clipboard in the most superior, officious manner.

Tori's heart sank when she saw her, but she managed to smile and say a polite, "good morning," before turning to Professor Flitwick. Umbridge beamed at the sight of her favourite seventh year student.

The lesson went on like it normally did, smoothly and without drama, until Fred began tapping his pen and then doodling on his parchment. Tori stifled a smile at what he was drawing; lots of jokey explosive pictures that resembled his and George's rumoured inventions.

"Mr Weasley, I suggest you pay attention."

The cold, clear voice cut through the class like a knife, and even Flitwick stopped his explanation to peer at Umbridge.

Fred took his sweet time finishing the latest drawing, then slowly dropped his quill and stared boldly at Umbridge, with no shame across his handsome features.

Handsome? Now Tori knew she was losing her mind.

"Go on, Professor," Umbridge said pompously after a long, terrible pause. She kept her bulging toad-like eyes on Fred though.

He hadn't noticed and resumed his drawings until Tori nudged him.

"What?" Fred whispered, frowning.

Tori didn't reply, just nodded towards their teacher while still paying attention to the instructions. Umbridge nodded approvingly and turned her attention back to Flitwick.

After the lesson instructions, the class began their work. It wasn't too tricky but still a challenge for the seventh years, so they were concentrating hard on their work. Unfortunately, they had Umbridge breathing down their necks, distracting them by asking questions.

"How are you finding your Charms lessons?"

"Do you feel that Professor Flitwick's teaching is satisfactory?"

"How do you feel about the course content?"

Tori gave a great beaming smile when Umbridge approached. She was growing more and more suspicious about this new teacher but knew instinctively that by remaining the favourite student, it would be in her favour.

"Hello, dear."

"Hello, Professor."

"How are you finding this lesson?" Umbridge said in a girlish voice, leaning down and smiling in a patronising manner.

"Very informative, Professor. I think it shall help me greatly when I take my NEWT exam in the summer."

"Good, excellent." Umbridge scribbled something down. "And how are you finding Professor Flitwick as a teacher?"

"He's a marvellous teacher, Professor. He explains everything thoroughly and is always happy to clarify anything. The course content is highly relevant to the exam specification. I feel confident that with lots of hard work, I shall pass under Flitwick's instruction."

Most of the class rolled their eyes, including Fred, but he grinned good-naturedly as he half-heartedly practiced the new charm.

"Very good, Miss Plunkett-Calthorpe. Excellent detail, thank you very much." She turned to Fred briskly, her features going from falsely warm to downright cold. "Mr Weasley?"

"Mm?" Fred didn't even look up.

"How are you finding this lesson?"

"Bloody marvellous, Professor," Fred replied insolently, finally looking up and raising an eyebrow.

Umbridge leaned close to Fred's face. He didn't flinch, just steadily kept looking at her.

"That kind of language will not be tolerated in my- this school," she whispered. Tori raised an eyebrow at what she wanted to say but couldn't. My school? This sounded extremely ominous.

Fred stared hard at her. "Sorry Professor," he said, without sounding in the slightest bit sorry.

Umbridge glared at him for a good ten seconds before straightening up and walking away to speak to another student.

"Fred, I thought you were toast just a second ago," Tori muttered. "It's a miracle you didn't earn yourself a detention."

"Oh no, not me," Fred replied casually. "Don't you worry about me, Tori."

"Who said I was worried about you?" Tori said, but playfully nudged him. "Just be careful around her, I don't trust her one bit."

"Don't worry," Fred said again. "Me and George are one step ahead of her. We always will be."

For a moment, Tori remained concerned. This new teacher of theirs was clearly an egomaniac, intent on entire control over the whole school and in addition, every one of the teachers and students. It spelt bad news for all of them. Then she wondered why she was quite so worried about him and George.

Particularly Fred. He was much wilder than his twin; George had been getting on with his work and chatting to Alicia Spinnet. It was a small difference between the twins but one that Tori had definitely noticed.

She shook her head, sighing. Perhaps if she engaged with her schoolwork even more, Fred Weasley would take up less space in her mind.

Watching Flitwick interacting with Umbridge made her smile though. That was one person she didn't have to be concerned about as he was one of the best teachers in the school.

~~~(O.O)~~~

The rest of Tori's day was uneventful. Luckily, Umbridge didn't appear for the rest of Tori's day. She wasn't sure she could stomach any more of the pink, toady woman who was clearly no teacher – she was an infiltrator and a Ministry career-woman through and through.

Hardly anyone was still sniggering about her fall earlier, which made life a little easier, and she and Shelley went to sit out in the Courtyard after both their lessons ended for the day. She couldn't help but feel that the absence of Fred after Charms was part of the cause of her uneventful day.

Fred also seemed to be on Shelley's mind, but for different reasons.

"Do you like Fred Weasley?"

The question was asked bluntly and out of the blue. Tori was slightly shocked.

"What?" Tori practically screamed. "'Like' Fred Weasley? Do you really think a girl like me would like him? Oh, it's nothing to do with class or money or anything, but he's so annoying! I hardly think we would be well-suited."

"But do you think he's attractive?" Shelley pressed.

Resisting the urge to answer honestly, because if she was being honest she would say a very quick 'yes' without having to think about it, Tori instead pretended to ponder. With an expression that she hoped showed disinterest, she said, "well, he's one of the better-looking boys in our year. I mean, there's not exactly a lot of competition. Even if Emily thinks I'm in love with dear James."

Shelley snorted. "James is totally forgettable and average looking. But I was just wondering about Fred, because you two sometimes look very keen on each other."

"What?" Tori was outraged. "When?"

"Earlier," Shelley admitted.

"Well, I liked him more than I ever have done earlier, only because he stuck by his word and jinxed that horrible little boy. Otherwise, I find his company tiresome and sometimes downright irritating."

"Hmm," Shelley said thoughtfully. "I definitely think he likes you. He makes so much effort to go up to you and speak to you, even if what he says is stupid and irritating."

That couldn't be true. Fred liked tall, athletic, popular Quidditch players with beautiful faces and tanned skin. He couldn't possibly like a petite, pale posh girl who was studious, definitely not the prettiest girl in her house and cared little for Quidditch.

"Balderdash," Tori said after a few moments, not knowing what to say.

Shelley smiled, and not just at the funny choice of word.

~~~(O.O)~~~

The next morning at breakfast, Tori was enjoying her usual breakfast of kippers and pumpkin juice, and was toying with the idea of maybe having an English breakfast the next day when Jim the messenger pigeon dropped a carefully wrapped letter next to her.

"Thank you, Jim!" Tori called, to the amusement of some Hufflepuffs nearby.

"Oh, thank you dahling." She heard Emily imitate her but ignored her, feeling strangely unbothered by her meanness.

Shelley was not so unbothered. "I'd ignore her, Tori, she's just common as muck."

Tori also ignored the outraged squeal at this insult, and instead untied the pink bow that her mother insisted on tying round every letter. It was a cute touch but between that and the pigeon, her letters certainly stood out.

She read it eagerly, even though she'd only been away for about a week. Smithers was doing well, Fenton had received a bonus because he was doing so well at work, Cassandra had been invited to the ball of the season… All of this made her smile, apart from the little bit towards the bottom about Umbridge.

Daddy is delighted that Ms Dolores Umbridge (now Professor, of course) has started at your school. He knows her personally and finds her to be a very moral, upstanding employee of the Ministry. No doubt she will do well as Hogwart's High Inquisitor and you must take as much guidance from her as possible. She is a good person to align yourself with and to take instruction from…

"Really!" Tori dropped the letter on the table and sighed, though not too loudly. This was not promising. Daddy had clearly been hoodwinked into believing that Umbridge was as pink and fluffy as her clothes. She read the last part:

We simply cannot understand your concerns. Hogwarts has needed reform for goodness knows how long now. Listen to Umbridge and you will go far, both in your schooling and your career.

"Read this utter nonsense!" Tori tossed the letter towards Shelley, who paused in eating to read what it said. Her frown grew deeper the longer she read for.

"Has Umbridge put your parents under the Imperius curse?" she asked, sounding like she was only half-joking.

"This is ludicrous!" Tori was furious. "I have to put my parents right. I dearly love them, but for fully grown, intelligent adults, they can be so bloody stupid!"

More than a few students were listening to this outburst, as Tori was usually so calm and rarely used any rude words. Fred, who just happened to be sauntering past at this point, had stopped to listen too, with his hands shoved in his pockets. He had only heard the conversation and not read the letter himself, but was quite interested.

"So, does this mean you're not going to be impeccably polite to Umbridge anymore?" Shelley asked, amused.

"No, Shelley. I'm going to double down." Tori began to explain why, when Fred decided to interject his opinion.

"So you are a traitor then, just like your parents."

Insulting her parents was a new low. All this to-ing and fro-ing, one minute friends, the next minute enemies… It was getting too much, Tori was fed up and now she was going to let him know in no uncertain terms.

"I'm getting sick to death of you, Fred fucking Weasley."

Merlin, what was he doing to her? Since when had she ever sworn that badly before? There was actually a gasp from some of the students, who never thought they'd see the day when Victoria 'Toff' Plunkett-Calthorpe properly swore.

Fred raised an eyebrow and smirked in the most irritating way. "Am I getting under your skin?"

Skin?

Before she knew what she was doing, Tori plunged her hand into her pocket and drew out her wand. She'd finally seen red.

She didn't even need to utter the spell as she pointed her wand at Fred's face, not noticing the smirk slide off it rapidly.

Skin.

There was a disgusted scream from Emily and several others, and even Shelley looked revolted. Tori could only feel satisfaction as she watched Fred examine himself in horror – from head to toe, his bare skin looked like it was coated in cornflakes.