Chapter 62: Loss of control

Dolores Umbridge was not a stupid person; she could clearly see that something was going on behind her back. She could write decrees on the walls over and over again, but nothing helped. The students seemed to be animated by a more than intense joy which disturbed her to no end. After all, it was strange for ordinary students to be so happy when the atmosphere in the castle was so heavy and oppressive. Although this atmosphere was only amplified when she entered a room.

- Why was she so polite just now, eh? she asked her cats, almost expecting an answer.

The woman dressed in pink still hadn't recovered from Hermione's politeness to her during her lesson. She was the first person who would have jumped at the chance to cause trouble, so why? This worry stayed with her for a while until the OWL. These were ruined by the Weasley brothers who received exemplary punishment. In her eyes, this was proof that a rebellion was brewing. Proof that a mutiny was going on behind her back and she couldn't accept it.

So, she infiltrated Severus Snape's storeroom to borrow some of his ingredients, enabling her to create Veritaserum. If there was one thing Umbridge excelled at, it was discovering the truth. At least, the truth that suited her.

One after another, the students were summoned until the meetings of Dumbledore's Army were discovered. Umbridge was ecstatic: she had succeeded in removing the headmaster from his post and could now do as she pleased. Taking turns to collect the students caught in the Room of Requirement, she reached Harry. Hermione knew perfectly well that she had to intervene, but how? She had had a bad feeling for some time, and it was becoming more and more concrete that evening.

- Stop it! Stop it! Tell him, Harry! the witch almost shouted.

- Tell me what?

Harry was totally lost. He didn't know what Hermione was talking about, or where she was going with this. He tried to play along as best he could.

- Hermione, we can't!

- We've got no choice...

The young woman then explained that they had a weapon created by Dumbledore in the Forbidden Forest. They were to use it to fight Lord Voldemort or to defend themselves against possible attacks from the Ministry of Magic. Umbridge was beaming with joy. At last, she would be able to show everyone that her precious Minister for Magic was right about Hogwarts. She followed Hermione and Harry into the forest, following the young woman's footsteps and threatening her with her wand.

The Red and Gold wasn't fooled. He knew perfectly well that Hermione was not at all afraid of Umbridge's spells, whatever they might be. The little extra lessons he'd had with Severus had also taught him to show as little emotion as possible. He could only trust his best friend.

- Right then, where is that weapon?

- We're getting close.

Hermione had led them as far away from the school as possible, she could feel that she was not far from cracking up and wanted to avoid hurting any students. The witch had taken them to where she used to train. Little did she know that since she had left, the place had been taken over by the Centaurs.

- Out of my way, I don't want to have to deal with... Things... Of your kind! I'll have you banished from this forest.

The Centaurs, stung to the quick by such hateful words, tried to attack the Ministry envoy, but she raised her wand towards them and began to choke one of them, and began to choke one of them under the panicked gaze of her companions and the two students.

- Professor, please stop! Hermione shouted, fed up with seeing people suffering in front of her.

What had to happen, finally happened. Hermione was engulfed in a black, oppressive aura that made all the Centaurs present recoil and surprised Umbridge, who loosened her grip. They galloped off, leaving the Dark One with her anger. Harry knew there was nothing he could do in the state she was in. Henry would have to be there. Only someone who could touch her straight to the heart could resonate with her.

Umbridge tried everything she could think of to confront the lioness. She even dared to use the Cruciatus Curse without success. Harry couldn't tell whether this was due to Umbridge's lack of power or to the brunette's visible invincibility.

With a slow but determined step Hermione approached Umbridge, preventing her from running away by levitating her a few centimetres, just enough so that she had no support.

- Pi ... Pi ... Please! Umbridge begged.

- I'll have as much pity for you as you had for us.

The young woman's words were mixed with a deep, dark growl. Not waiting a second longer, the Red and Gold retrieved her adversary's heart before making her look at it. A tear rolled down Umbridge's cheek as she realised she couldn't make her change her mind.

The Dark One crushed her heart without hesitation. Harry could only stand there, helpless, watching as the darkness took complete possession of his comrade. Umbridge's body now lay on the floor. Taking a step back, Harry snapped a tree branch, which brought Hermione's attention back to him.

- Mione, it's me! It's Harry. he said in a trembling voice.

The witch approached him, supported by the night that enveloped her almost too naturally. She only stopped when she looked into Harry's eyes. How long had he been afraid of her? Seeing him like that brought her back to her senses. Returning to her normal state, Hermione turned round and found Umbridge's dead body.

- What have I done ...

She collapsed to the floor, letting long tears run down her face.

Note: Well, I suppose I owe you an apology for taking so long, don't I? I'll have you know that I'm currently up to chapter 66 out of 75. I'm looking forward to finally finishing my two current FFs. I hope there are still readers out there after so many years! (Sorry for the mistakes, I'm doing my best without Beta)