Amelia woke up on Tuesday morning, not quite knowing what had woken her. Shaking it off, she decided to just get up. She had noticed a few smudges of dried blood on her right hand - which usually meant her hand had bled overnight. She sighed irritably, and went to clean it before she then applied another Burn Paste on it.
As she finished getting dressed, she went to reach for her wand, but then had an idea: to practise her wandless magic. She had barely had a chance to work on it since school resumed, which was annoying, but she vowed to find more time. So she saw an opportunity and held her hand out, thinking of the Accio wand incantation in her head as she willed it to work. It took a good few attempts, and she almost gave up, but then she felt a wave of magic flush out of her hand. She still wasn't used to the feeling of it. Her wand now in her hand, she felt accomplished, but clearly needed tonnes of practise at it still. Amelia thought she could start with first year spells, and work her way through the curriculum wandlessly. Satisfied with that plan, she got up.
Tying the curtains around her bed back up neatly, she realised that Hermione was already up.
Her bag on her right shoulder, Amelia descended the stairs and entered the common room, where she quickly saw Harry and Ron gathered near the bulletin board and looking at it over the heads of some anxious looking first and second years.
Dorea was shocked when she read what they were looking at:
"BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS
All student organisations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.
An organisation, society, team, group or club is defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.
Permission to re-form may be sought only from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).
No student organisation, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.
Any student found to have formed, or belong to, any of the above that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled with immediate effect.
The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number 24.
Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor"
"Does this mean Gobstones Club has been shut down?" a first year boy, who she vaguely recognised from the Sorting ceremony as being Euan Abercrombie, asked his friend.
"I reckon Gobstones will be OK to reform," Ron said nervously, to the surprise of little Euan, "I don't think DA will be as lucky though."
"Oh no, they surely can't stop DA, can they?" A second year boy piped up, looking sad.
"Wait, does it say anything about the Frog Choir?" A third year girl asked from the armchair.
"Everything extra-curricular has been disbanded, so yeah." Amelia supplied.
Hermione was standing in the doorway, and looked concerned. Ron dragged her over to read the notice.
"That means… Oh, Harry, all your hard work to get the DA up and running.." Hermione said in a low voice.
"Didn't you read it, you lunatic," Ron said angrily, "he just needs to get permission to reform it and voila, it'll be up and running again. It's hardly shut down forever!"
"Didn't you read who's made this decision in the first place?" Hermione replied shrilly, and pointed to the words High Inquisitor. "She's hardly going to say 'oh yes, Harry, you of course have my permission to reform', with the way she treats him!"
"She's right." Harry said at last. "She's never going to give me permission to reform straight away, not unless she has me do something for her."
The notice also applied to the Quidditch teams. When Angelina read it, she was that angry she lobbed a cushion all the way across the common room so that it hit off the door. Alicia and Katie were pretty angry too, and Fred and George were nothing short of peeved.
After pacing for a few minutes, Angelina had calmed slightly. "Well, Harry, let's go,"
"To get permission?" Harry said nervously.
"Obviously!" Angelina said impatiently.
Walking down to the Great Hall, Harry was trying hard to keep up with his Quidditch captain's pace. When they came off the Grand Staircase, they ran into the Slytherin Captain, "Oi!" Angelina called out. The boy stopped. "Did you see Umbridge's notice?" She asked him. Harry stayed behind slightly.
"Yeah," the Captain replied nonchalantly, "Cadwallader told me, and Davies told him."
"So you know we have to appeal to her?" Angelina asked.
"Yup." The Slytherin Captain replied, shooting Harry a look.
When they entered the Great Hall, Harry was bombarded by his friends from the DA.
"What are we going to do?" Came from Susan Bones.
"Did you see the notice?" Barnaby Lee asked.
"Do you think she'll give the club permission to reform?" Anthony asked nervously.
"Alright guys, come on! Let him through!" Fred and George said, trying to disperse the crowd.
There was already quite a lengthy queue forming at the staff table, directly in front of where Umbridge was sitting. Harry joined it behind Angelina. He could hear the woman granting permission. "Of course Charms Club can reform, my dear!"
"Gobstones Club has been a club since Hogwarts first days, of course it can reform!"
As the queue shuffled closer, Sirius managed to catch eyes with him. He even came over. "Are you nervous?"
"A little bit, you know what she's like with me." He admitted quietly, as somebody was now lined up behind him.
"Make your appeal, and be polite. Stay calm and dignified, and make it sound like the club is very important." Sirius said, before clapping him softly on the shoulders and telling him good luck.
The Slytherin captain was now appealing. As he made his case, Harry glanced round at the tables. The Hufflepuff's were looking quite anxious, but nodded good luck. The Gryffindor's and Ravenclaw's weren't even eating breakfast - clearly waiting until after the verdict, and his friends in Slytherin were hoping hard as well.
He heard Professor Umbridge declare gleefully, "As a former Slytherin myself, it would certainly be an offence if I didn't allow my House's Quidditch team to reform again! The team may be reinstated!"
The Ravenclaw Captain was next. Roger Davies, who always looked so stoic, asked permission. Umbridge's smile fell. Surely she isn't about to deny them? She can't allow Slytherin to reform and not Ravenclaw?
"Very well, Mr Davies, on account of your recent excellent homework, I can allow the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to be reinstated." Umbridge said.
Hufflepuff Captain was next in line. Harry wasn't sure if this was the Cadwallader that the Slytherin Captain was talking about, but he shook that aside as he listened. Umbridge smiled with her mouth shut. "Hufflepuff Quidditch team may reform."
Now it was Angelina's turn, and surely Gryffindor would be allowed to reform. Though Umbridge looked a tad reluctant, all four Quidditch teams were now reinstated, as she said a yes to Angelina.
Harry's heart jumped a bit as he realised it was his turn. He stepped forward, and seen Sirius give him a nod. Come on now, his mind screamed, you've got well over a hundred people counting on you right now. "Professor Umbridge, I would like permission to reform the Defence Association - both Junior and Senior groups." He explained in a calm tone.
Umbridge looked down momentarily, before looking up at him and smiling sickeningly. "Mr Potter, I will need some more time to think about that. Whilst I think of my answer, your Senior and Junior sessions on Saturday and Monday respectively will have to be suspended, unless you wish to be expelled."
Harry took that response on the chin, and nodded thinly as he turned back around to head back to Gryffindor table to tell them the news.
"Well?" Neville demanded eagerly.
"She says she needs more time to think about it, and that I have to suspend Saturday's and Monday's session in the meantime, unless I want to be expelled." He explained, watching as the faces around him fell.
He told the Hufflepuff's, who were disappointed but otherwise hopeful that she'd allow the club to resume. The Ravenclaw's were sad, but promised to keep revising theory. When he went over to the Slytherin table, he was intercepted by Malfoy. "Why are you over here, Potter?" The boy snarled.
"To speak to my friends." He said simply, as he turned to Blaise, Theo, Daphne and Tracey, who were the only DA members down in the Hall yet. "Tell the other DA members that Umbridge has suspended both Saturday and Monday's session."
"I was looking forward to getting the Shield Charm right," Daphne said, a bit sadly.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be back up and running soon." He said, smiling at her and the others. Malfoy looked triumphant for some reason as Harry went back to Gryffindor table to eat at last.
Feeling a bit crap, he didn't actually feel like eating. His mood was only slightly improved when they went to Transfiguration for third and fourth, as Umbridge was there to carry out an inspection. "Oh, this'll be good." Ron looked excited as they sat down. It was - for McGonagall went about the lesson normally and acted as though she hadn't seen Umbridge in the corner.
As McGonagall explained how to Vanish mice, Umbridge cut in, "hem-hem,"
"-I wonder how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me, Dolores? I do not usually permit people to talk when I am talking, you see." McGonagall rounded on the woman in a slight fury. Harry felt eternally satisfied when Umbridge's face was no longer smug - it looked as though she'd been slapped in the face. The whole class was seemingly stifling gleeful laughter.
As they were attempting to do a Vanishing Spell on the mice, Umbridge wandered her way around the class and asked various people about Transfiguration. After a lengthy interview with Dean and Seamus, did Umbridge conclude the inspection. "How long have you been a teacher here at Hogwarts, Minerva?"
"Thirty-nine years this December," McGonagall replied sharply. Umbridge made a note on the infamous clipboard.
"You will receive the results of your inspection within five to ten days." Umbridge said, as she made to leave.
"I can hardly wait," McGonagall said in a sarcastic tone. When the door closed behind Professor Umbridge did the class feel safe to let out a few laughs. Their teacher eyed them knowingly before demanding they get back to work.
At lunch, Harry and Amelia sat with the Hufflepuff's, who were eager for their upcoming Quidditch match with Ravenclaw that weekend. Wayne Hopkins, a fifth year boy and DA member, was a Beater on the team, as was Megan Jones; which was a given, really, as she was a niece of none other than Gwenog Jones of the Holyhead Harpies. "It's a bit strange being the only girl on the team, but I proper boss the boys around," Megan said, causing them all the chuckle.
"How does your team look for this year, then?" Harry asked, curious.
"Quite strong, I think. Summerby is a very good Seeker, though he's not your typical one. Wayne and I work very well together as Beater's. Cadwallader is the strong one, I think. Zacharias-"
"-Don't tell the enemy team about us, Megan!" Zacharias Smith piped up from down the table.
"Why ever not?" Megan sighed.
"It's fraternising! Besides, knowing Potter, he'll find weaknesses in our strength now that you've gone and told him all about the team!" Zacharias raged, so much so that people were turning in their seats to see.
"Oh my god," Megan said under her breath, "Ignore him, he's so overdramatic.."
"We're all friends here, Zach," Ernie proclaimed, "Quidditch or not, we're no longer bitter rivals. I think we're allowed to talk Quidditch."
"Oh yeah? If that was the case, there'd be no need for the bloody game then, since we're all 'best friends'!" Zacharias carried on mouthing off.
Eventually, Professor Sprout came over. "Mr Smith, I advise you to calm yourself down or leave the Hall this instant."
Zacharias sat himself down, however he was no longer interested in his lunch: after two minutes of staring at his hands, he got up and left. Justin went to get up, but Wayne Hopkins stopped him. "I'll go make sure he's alright. Sorry about his outburst, Harry, he seems very protective over the Quidditch team."
"It's alright, Wayne," Harry replied, as the boy went to go find Zach.
Megan carried on. "As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted," they laughed at that, "Zacharias is a decent Chaser, but he's so bloody competitive you'd think he was the Captain. Plus, him and the Keeper are always in cahoots with one another, they really dislike each other. Honestly, it dents the whole team dynamic. Every practise feels like a marathon to get through."
"They sneer at each other across the common room, it's so annoying, especially when you're trying to work." Hannah said.
"Wonder what happened for them to hate each other," Amelia wondered.
"God knows, he won't tell anyone." Ernie replied.
Fifth period after lunch was Care of Magical Creatures, and as they walked down to Hagrid's Hut, the five of them were eager to see if the man was back yet - however, it was an immediate no when they saw Professor Grubbly-Plank standing near the edge of the forest.
Umbridge turned up to inspect the class, and although Professor Grubbly-Plank was quite plain with her, you could tell that the woman didn't entirely approve of the High Inquisitor. They all grimaced when Draco was delighted at the opportunity to tell Umbridge of his incident in third year with Buckbeak: Malfoy claimed he was savaged and slashed by the animal. Umbridge scribbled that down frantically, and looked quite alarmed. Harry kept his temper in check that time - besides, Buckbeak was safe back at Grimmauld Place. Come to think of it, the animal could still be even safer at Black Manor…
The rest of the period was spent learning about Knarl's - hedgehog-like creatures, and their quills were used in Potion making. They were quite spritely little creatures; if you even blinked around them they seemed to go into a frenzy and curl up into a ball. Crabbe and Goyle managed to sting themselves, which they sniggered at.
The final two periods of the day was Herbology. As they lined up at the Greenhouse, the five of them noticed that the Hufflepuff's looked a bit anxious. "What's up?" Dorea asked them.
"Wayne hasn't been seen since he went to go after Zacharias," Susan said, worried.
"Oh my gosh, really?" Hermione gasped.
"He didn't turn up for Charms," Ernie confirmed, "Flitwick alerted Professor Dumbledore, but we don't know much else."
Zacharias stood at the back of the line, looking glum. "Has Zach said anything?" Harry asked in a hushed tone.
"He says he didn't even know Wayne had gone after him," Justin said quietly.
"Oh, I hope Wayne isn't in trouble," Megan voiced her worries, "else it will kind of be my fault - I was the one talking about Quidditch, after all…"
"Oh nonsense," Amelia reassured her, "I'm sure he'll turn up."
Professor Sprout came round the corner, and was talking to Professor McGonagall. The woman gestured for them to go in and sit down. "I'll be with you in a moment!"
They went inside and took their seats, but they only resumed talking more. "Poor Wayne, hope he turns up unschathed." Ron said.
"Where could he be?" Dorea wondered. "Surely he hasn't gotten lost?"
They were debating all sorts of possibilities when Professor Sprout entered the class. "I have heard that Wayne Hopkins has been missing since lunch," at this, the Slytherin's looked a bit shocked, "and there is currently a search going on. You may see a few Auror's wandering about, but be advised, they are only here on a precautionary measure, as this is an unlikely thing for Mr Hopkins to do."
Harry wondered if Kingsley or Tonks were among the Auror's summoned to Hogwarts. It would be nice to see them, if only for a second, but it was grim circumstances. Wayne was a DA member, so naturally Harry felt concerned for him.
That double period they went over the Belladonna plant, but most of the class's mind wasn't on the task at all, and neither was Sprout's. The Hufflepuff's in particular weren't up for working - even Ernie was distracted.
In the last twenty minutes of the double period, did they perk up a bit when they heard a knock at the classroom door. It was none other than Sirius. "One moment please," Sprout said to the class. Harry tried to hear what they were saying as they stood outside and talked.
After a minute, Sprout came back in, and the class braced itself for good or bad news. "Mr Hopkins has been found - he is currently in the Hospital Wing. However, he has sustained a few injuries, and may need to be transferred to St Mungo's if they worsen."
Though it was good to know that Wayne was alive, it didn't sound good that he was injured. Megan in particular looked most guilty.
"What on earth could have happened to him?" Justin wondered out loud.
Harry thought that too - Wayne had sustained injuries, that much was for certain. He wasn't a clumsy person, so he couldn't have fallen. Could he have got into a fight with another student? Unlikely, since he seemed quite reserved and neutral.
A cold feeling washed over Harry then - could Wayne have been attacked by the same person that attacked him, Blaise and Theo? Could they have come back for more?
It was quite clear that nobody's mind was on Herbology, so Sprout willingly dismissed them early. She said that they would properly go over Belladonna again during their double tomorrow, hoping by then that the air would be cleared.
As they walked to the Great Hall, the Hospital Wing was cordoned off entirely; nobody could enter it, and two Auror's were stationed outside of it.
"Gosh, do you think that's for Wayne?" Ron said from behind him.
"Must be," Harry commented, "something dodgy clearly happened to him."
The five of them sat at Hufflepuff table for dinner, in an attempt to comfort their friends. Sooner or later, some Ravenclaw's filtered over, and even Daphne and Tracey came over.
The subject of Wayne Hopkins seemed to be on every student's mouth, as word always travelled fast at Hogwarts. Dumbledore was notably absent from the staff table - Harry assumed he was currently in the Hospital Wing with Sprout. To see the first years faces, you'd think a sinister murder had taken place. Umbridge wasn't there either; but of course, she was their 'High Inquisitor', so she was probably doing just that - sticking her nose in to report all of it to Fudge. Hogwarts may as well be an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office, the way things were being run now.
Harry could barely finish his baked potato, as he felt dreadful ever since he started considering the possibility that Hopkins had been ambushed by the same attacker. However, the whole school was soon on high alert when Dumbledore came striding into the Great Hall, looking grave, with Sprout and Umbridge behind him. Dumbledore went to the podium - clearly, he was about to make a speech.
"Attention!" The Headmaster called out, silencing the hall. "At one-twenty p.m today, a Hogwarts student was attacked in a second floor corridor. You may know him as Wayne Hopkins, fifth year Hufflepuff. Mr Hopkins is recovering well in the Hospital Wing, however no visitors are permitted to see him at all until further notice. Mr Hopkins has told his story of how he was attacked, but also allowed his memories to be used for confirmation, and has given permission for his story to be told to you all in an attempt for you to keep your wits about you.
Mr Hopkins initially left the Great Hall to go after a friend. Thinking that his friend would instinctively go back to his common room, he started on that route. However, before he could even reach the staircase, Mr Hopkins was placed under an Imperius Curse," the room gasped at that, "and was directed against his will to instead walk up the stairs to the second floor. When his attacker eventually led him to a quiet second-floor corridor, that was when the attacker started… well, attacking. Hopkins was hit with multiple spells, but was also physically beaten up. As a result, he has broken three ribs, fractured another, and has bruising around his face. He is lucky to so far not be feeling any internal side-effects from the spells used on him, but if he does, he will have to be transferred to St Mungo's Hospital in London for further treatment. However I have no doubt that our very own Madam Pomfrey will take great care of him and help him mend. I'm afraid he won't be back on the Quidditch pitch anytime soon, nor physically using magic in his classes.
As a result of this unfortunate event, the faculty has brought out a simple but effective rule: Do not, under any circumstance, walk by yourself around Hogwarts. This is a mandatory rule as of today. Always be in a group of two or more. Older students, I expect you all to take responsibility. If you see a lonely student: ask them where they're going, and walk with them to their destination. It could save somebody's life. By abiding in this advice, it will help prevent another attack like this. It is a time to band together, help each other out. We are, after all, a big family here at Hogwarts; not only within our Houses, but within each other."
Speech done, most people started applauding. Harry found himself a bit uneasy - Wayne was put under an Imperius, and suffered badly for it as a result. It could have so easily been me, Harry thought, or Justin, who had almost gone instead.
Dumbledore had said nothing in regards to the attacker - surely, if they had gone through Wayne's memories, they would be able to identify the assailant? This seemed to be on the mind of the others too. "Why hasn't he said the name of the attacker?" Penny Haywood asked incredulously, "surely they've identified him by now?"
"It's weird how they haven't said if the person has even been caught or not," Padma Patil pointed out, "if they've captured the assailant, then surely there's no need for us all to walk about in groups?"
"They might not know yet if the attacker was acting alone," Diego suggested, "there could be more, lurking in the shadows…"
Everyone was dismissed from the Hall then, and Prefects were exempt from their evening-rounds duties until further notice. Ron and Hermione were meant to do the rounds tonight - only Ron seemed glad to not be wandering the school.
Back in the common room, it seemed that everybody was debating Wayne's situation. Seamus, ever loud, proclaimed that somebody had broken into the school; he called it another one of Dumbledore's 'failures' as Headmaster, and they were utterly sure he said some snide remarks about Harry at some points.
Amelia, trying to complete her Muggle Studies homework, found herself utterly distracted due to all the talking. Harry had long since ignored his Arithmancy work, and was instead staring at the fire across from them. Even Hermione was no longer reading her Transfiguration textbook.
Her twin brother finally spoke. "I can't help but feel responsible…"
"Eh?" Ron looked incredulous. "Why on earth would you think that? Nobody's at fault except the assailant, mate."
"Well, I asked Megan about the Hufflepuff team, which led to Zacharias getting angry, which led to him leaving the Hall, which led to Wayne going after him.." Harry explained.
"So using that logic, it's Professor Sprout's fault for telling Zacharias to sit down or leave?" Dorea pointed out.
"What? No-" Harry started,
"Exactly," Dorea cut him off, "you are not at fault Harry, neither is Megan, nor even Zach. Nobody could have predicted that Wayne would go missing for almost two hours and get badly hurt."
"But there's the other possibility that it could have been the same attacker from my incident," Harry said, "if I had taken the initiative to identify the attacker, then all of this could have been prevented.. The assailant could have been captured weeks ago."
"Even if it was, it's still the same outcome. How were you meant to identify somebody who stayed hidden the whole time?" Amelia added her voice. "The main thing is that Wayne is alive and well, he'll live to fight another day."
Harry still didn't look entirely convinced, but he felt better after the talk.
The rest of the week passed in mostly the same fashion. Umbridge was still inspecting classes, and had still said nothing regarding the DA. Harry hoped she'd let him reinstate the club soon - he didn't want both groups falling more than two weeks behind, as he wanted to get them duelling before Christmas.
The new rule of walking around in groups of two or more was quite easy to follow during the morning and afternoon, but in the evenings it wasn't as easy - Hermione wanted to go to the library for a few hours most evenings, but since the four of them were going to Quidditch practise two times a week now (Angelina didn't think one practise a week was enough), they had to walk her there, go to practise, and then walk all the way back up to the library to walk with her back to Gryffindor Tower.
On Saturday, the first Quidditch game of the year was kickstarted by Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw. It had been fascinatingly good - even though Wayne wasn't playing Beater with Megan, the Reserve Beater that had come on to take his place was very strong. Cho had gotten better at being a Seeker too; she no longer followed hot on the heels of the other Seeker, but elected to constantly throw Summerby off by soaring in the opposite direction, as if she'd sighted the Snitch. Hufflepuff started scoring left right and centre, but Ravenclaw managed to win it marginally when Cho caught the Golden Snitch whilst racing Summerby to it. Harry felt a bit bad for the Hufflepuff's, but congratulated both teams on their efforts. Megan was graceful in defeat; Zacharias furious.
The next game - Gryffindor vs Slytherin - was next Saturday, so Angelina really ramped up how hard she worked them in practise. On Wednesday's practise, before even playing a mock match or doing warm-ups, she had them fly round the entire Quidditch pitch five times in one direction, and another five times in the opposite direction. That was quite tiring, but had them more alert. He never felt better, soaring through the air on his Firebolt. He was glad for the outdoors, even though it was raining slightly.
When they got down to the actual mock match, it started falling apart slightly. After only three minutes, Angelina blew the whistle, and told Ron he wasn't covering his middle and right hoops and to stay central. Then barely five minutes later the whistle was blown again - this time, Ron was unconsciously moving around as he watched the play; meaning that he was almost eight feet away from the goal hoops, causing him to scramble back. Ron did manage to save goals from what Harry could see, but when he saved one, it accidentally went soaring towards Katie Bell's nose; and consequently hit her.
Katie bled quite a bit, and soon enough Angelina brought their practise to a gruff end. Madam Hooch soon got her cleaned up, but Angelina called it a day nonetheless. Though she wasn't angry, she wasn't overly pleased either.
As Harry waited in the changing rooms whilst Ron showered, Angelina came up to him. "Have you managed to fit some one-to-one's with Ron in?"
"Yeah," Harry replied earnestly, "he does really well when it's just me and him. Though he gets a bit downhearted whenever he misses, that's all there really is to his problems."
"He needs to get used to the team," Angelina said, "our match is on Saturday, and god knows what he'll do with not only two teams, but a whole crowd of people watching him, counting on him."
"I know, I really hope his nerves don't get the better of him." Harry added. "I might have a look and see if there's a nerve-calming spell - or better yet, give him a Calming Draught."
Angelina nodded and smiled. "That would certainly help."
Saturday's Quidditch game against Slytherin went pretty well, as they managed to win, but Slytherin didn't go down without a fight - rather, a good handful of fights.
As Amelia, Dorea and Ginny were all Reserve's they weren't playing, however they were on standby in case somebody got injured. As Harry was very unlikely to get hit by a Bludger, Amelia half-knew she wouldn't get called up. Conditions were pretty murky, and halfway through a flurry of rain arrived, but that put nobody off; Quidditch was played in all conditions.
Harry soared right past them as he hunted the Snitch. "G'warn, Harry!" The three of them called out in support as he whizzed past them on his Firebolt. Draco Malfoy wasn't far behind him, calling out distracting insults.
Even though she couldn't see Ron's face very well, Amelia could tell he was nervous. This was, after all, his first ever match, and she knew how daunting the crowd could be. However, Ron's confidence seemed to grow whenever he saved a goal, which could only be good, as Slytherin's Keeper didn't appear that good at all.
Crabbe, who had somehow become Slytherin Beater (along with Goyle), soon began foul play. He whacked a Bludger straight towards Alicia Spinnet as she was attempting a goal, causing her to almost lose balance. "A disgusting foul on Gryffindor's Spinnet there!" Lee Jordan was commentating, and venting profusely, "Crabbe has the gall to say that was an accident!" (At that, McGonagall commanded Lee to continue commentating and not be biased). "Gryffindor's Captain and star Chaser Johnson has offered to take the penalty… Here she goes.. Yes! She shoots and she scores! Brilliant!" The crowd mostly erupted in cheers. "That makes Gryffindor 110-90!"
Soon enough, the team started losing ground quicker than Harry wanted. George shot a Bludger at Goyle, which Hooch declared a penalty to Slytherin… and Ron missed the save, making Slytherin now only ten points behind Gryffindor.
As Draco was distracted by Ron missing the shot and therefore laughing at him, Harry sighted the Snitch about twenty feet downwards. Malfoy was still distracted, so took the opportunity - he went head-first into a dive, before giving the Firebolt the slightest tug upwards to straighten the broom out. The Snitch darted off, but Harry managed to catch it within seconds. He hooted in celebration, and Lee Jordan declared the final score over the shouting: Gryffindor 260-100 Slytherin.
As soon as he touched down on the ground, the whole team charged at him and barreled into a group hug. Fred and George lifted him up onto their shoulders and started a chant which went "Potter's still got it!", which was quickly taken up by the Gryffindors, and even the other houses.
Draco was downright furious, and was angrily mouthing off to Crabbe and Goyle, who flexed their muscles and glared at the Gryffindor team. When Fred and George finally put Harry down, did he get surrounded on all sides. Sirius made his way through the crowd of students and soon engulfed Harry. "Oh, you're far too good!" Sirius declared, grinning from ear to ear.
Various members of the DA swarmed him, and congratulated him and the rest of the team on the win. Even Blaise, who was a Slytherin Chaser, approached him and patted him on the shoulder well-done. Theo came to say well done too, but he looked a bit concerned. "Don't let Ron hear what the other Slytherins are chanting,"
Harry was a bit confused, but he soon understood when he heard a chorus erupt from the Slytherin's, led by Montague.
"Weasley cannot save a thing,
He cannot block a single ring,
That's why Slytherin's all sing,
Weasley is our King.
Weasley was born in a bin,
He always lets the Quaffle in,
Weasley will make sure we win,
WEASLEY IS OUR KING!"
Quickly looking around for Ron, he quickly located him and led him towards the changing rooms in something akin to a rush. However, it was quite hard to walk quickly when there were still a horde of students around you. A gap opened up, and Harry went for it, but somehow Malfoy appeared, seemingly from nowhere. "Did you like my lyrics, Potter?"
"Lay off, Malfoy." He grunted, not in the mood for the boy. If there was ever someone who could dampen a win, it was him.
"We would have wrote a few more verses, see, but we couldn't find anything to rhyme with 'fat' and 'ugly', y'know, for his mother." Draco called out.
"Somebody's clearly sour that he lost," Angelina said, casting Malfoy a look of distaste.
"We couldn't rhyme anything with 'useless buffoon' either, for his father." Malfoy carried on.
Fred and George had heard Malfoy say that, and slowly turned around stiffly, eying up Malfoy.
"Leave it!" Katie said at once, trying to turn George back around.
"Fred, honey, let him make his threats, he's a bitter little sod." Dorea had turned up, and had taken her boyfriend by the arm, trying to talk him down, however she had to talk quietly as Sirius was not far away, congratulating Alicia.
"But you like the Weasley's, don't you Potter?" sneered Malfoy, "Don't you spend holidays with them? Can't imagine how you stand the stench-"
"-Malfoy!" Amelia warned, now trying to aid Dorea in talking down Fred whilst Ginny aided Katie with George. Hermione was near Harry.
"-But I suppose the smell reminds you of the reeking hovel your mother dragged you and your sister up in, so it's probably lovely to you."
Harry's mind was desperately trying to keep him from pouncing on Malfoy that instant. He craned his neck around to look for a teacher - Sirius was still up the top of the hill, and wouldn't hear him, not unless he shouted. However, that comment was the final straw.
Harry wasn't even aware that he'd stomped past George, but all he knew was that he and George were now heading towards Draco, who was now just standing laughing. Harry drew back the fist which still contained the Snitch and pummeled it into Malfoy's stomach, causing the boy to fall backwards.
"HARRY! GEORGE! FRED, NO! STAND DOWN RIGHT NOW!" He heard the girls shout.
George was now swearing, and Fred had escaped the grasp of Dorea and Amelia and was now about to join in the fun. Vaguely, he heard a whistle being blown somewhere, and more people were shouting. Pansy Parkinson was screaming shrilly like a banshee.
Draco was now whimpering as Fred and George took turns hitting him. Harry was about to aid them, but he felt himself be thrown back by an Impediment Jinx and rolled on his back down the hill, Fred and George soon joining him.
"What do you three think you're playing at?!" Madam Hooch screamed, no longer berating Crabbe. "I have never seen such behaviour and poor sportsmanship, EVER! The three of you, straight up to your Head of House's office, NOW!"
Harry had never felt so stupid. Sirius was now alongside Madam Hooch, and looked furious. Along with Fred and George, the three of them marched back up to the castle together, still in their Quidditch gear. People stared at them as they walked, and Harry couldn't tell if they were impressed, disappointed or angry. The three of them never exchanged a single word; probably because they now felt dread.
When they neared Professor McGonagall's office, their teacher appeared at the other end of the corridor, walking quickly. She tore her Gryffindor scarf from her neck, and went a shade of red. "Inside!" She commanded. The three of them now stood in her office, and she quickly strode behind the desk, slamming her fists down on it, rattling the items on it. "Well? I have never seen such disgraceful behaviour. Three on one! Explain yourselves this instant!"
"Malfoy provoked us," Harry offered meekly.
"PROVOKED you?!" McGonagall seethed, "His team had just lost the match, of course he's going to be raging, and take his anger out on you! But what on earth did he even say to provoke such a response?!"
"He called our mum fat and lazy, and called our dad a useless buffoon. He insulted Harry and Amelia's mum too." Fred explained.
"At least Miss Potter didn't take the bait! Instead of telling a teacher, or any adult for that matter, you then decided to put on a show of brawling like muggles outside a pub!" McGonagall bellowed. "Do you have any idea what-"
"-Hem-hem,"
The three boys wheeled around, and Harry swore under his breath when none other than Umbridge was standing in the doorway, dressed in green, and greatly resembling a giant toad.
"May I lend a hand and help, Professor?" asked Dolores Umbridge.
"Help?" McGonagall replied reproachfully.
"Well, I thought you might be grateful for a little extra authority,"
"I am their Head of House, so I will deal with them as I see fit." McGonagall said quickly, before turning back to them. "For your disgraceful actions, I am giving the three of you a week's worth of detentions. Do not look at me like that, Potter, you brought this upon yourself! You will attend-"
"-hem-hem"
Professor McGonagall stopped talking and closed her eyes, as if she was praying for more patience, before turning around. "Yes?"
"I do not think their punishment is adequate, Minerva." Umbridge stepped further into the room. Uh oh.
"Well, it is not for you to decide, Dolores."
"Actually, Minerva, it now is." Umbridge paused, "In accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty Four-"
"Another one?"
Umbridge started reading from a sheet of paper. "-Minister Fudge has made it so that now, the High Inquisitor has the power to strip pupils of certain privileges. You see now why I was originally reluctant for the Gryffindor team to reform, Minerva? Terrible tempers. Anyway, henceforth, I now have the supreme authority over all punishments, sanctions and removals of privileges pertaining to the students of Hogwarts, and the power to alter them as I see fit." She rolled the paper back up. "So, I really think a proper punishment is in need here. I declare that Fred Weasley, George Weasley and Harry Potter shall now receive a lifelong ban of playing Quidditch."
Harry felt his stomach fluttering like mad, and his heart fell through the floor. "Ban us from playing ever again?"
Fred and George were tensing beside him. Umbridge blinked at him. "Yes, Mr Potter. Be glad it wasn't an immediate expulsion - for Mr Malfoy almost resembles poor Mr Hopkins now. In order for these three to remain banned, I shall like to confiscate their brooms and have them locked up for safekeeping. But I am not unreasonable, Minerva," Umbridge now turned to McGonagall, who was standing as still as a statue, staring vengefully at her. "I am aware the team has Reserve's, including Miss Potter, Miss Weasley and Miss Black. Now, an unreasonable person would ban them as well for the crime of being related to these boys, but I see no reason for them to be punished for others wrong-doings. Well, good afternoon to you…"
With that, Umbridge left the office triumphant, smiling sickeningly. Harry looked to Fred and George, who were seemingly frozen in place too. McGonagall spoke up eventually. "Well, I suspect there's still a match win to celebrate back in your common room."
The three of them left the office, still not speaking, but they were all thinking the same thing - Professor Umbridge was by far the worst thing to ever come out of this school; she had taken Quidditch away from them.