Persephone POV
September 15, 1995
We are currently in the library having the first meeting for the Defense Alliance, named by Neville Longbottom, and are making progress on study plans. It's only we Marauders and the collective seventh years.
Harry, Hermione and Draco are helping me and the other NEWT students compile a list of spells to learn based on year level, even suggesting spells outside the curriculum. Jackson and Samantha think it's brilliant that we want to provide extra training material.
"Sef, would you be willing to teach some healing spells, as well? Like you told Umbridge, war is coming, so we need to be prepared," Jackson asks.
"Do you really think that's such a good idea? I do some crazy, and downright dark, things to meet my goals. This is the one personality trait Tom and I share, the willingness to use whatever spells we deem necessary to do what we think is needed."
Sam adds her opinion, "That's exactly why you should do it. If people get hurt, we need trained healers, who don't follow normal medical practices. Theodore and Colin both told us what you did to heal them, and how you saved their lives. No professional healer would willing paralyze a patient, or use magic to overpower curses, but that's exactly what we'll need in the future." After hearing her speech, I can't help agreeing.
"Now, we just need to figure out what to do about Umbridge," Jessica Shaw, a seventh year Ravenclaw, says. The Snakes and Lions stay quiet, while the Birds and Badgers spitball ideas around.
"Fun fact for the group," Harry says. "Parsel magic can only be removed by a Parselmouth." When asked why it matters, he answers, "We plan to cast inconvenient curses on her, but nothing too harmful. However, there are only four living people who can remove the curses, three of which are in this room."
Draco can't help adding, "And I doubt the Toad is stupid enough to ask Tom to remove such an inconvenience." Malicious grins spread across the room, the Slytherins looking extra vicious. We spend another half hour comparing schedules in order to plan the date of our first official meeting.
As the group is breaking up, Montague approaches Regulus and I. "Hey, Princess. Mind walking with us for a bit?" He asks, gesturing to the gathered Slytherin boys. I feel Regulus tense beside me, this being the first time he's heard anyone call me that.
Reggie slips an arm around my waist possessively. I give him a kiss on the cheek, following the boys back to the Common Room. Marcus Flint breaks the silence halfway there, saying, "We saw the look you shared when Potter said you three wouldn't hurt Umbridge too badly. What are you planning?"
Regulus answers for us, "Harry can cast spells in Parseltongue. We can use spells that can only be cast in Parseltongue. He just won't be around to hear what spells...Persephone and I casts."
"Yeah, no. Don't call me that ever again, Reg. It sounds unnatural coming from you," I tell him, laughing at his expression when saying my full name.
"I know, Mon Cheri. Should I call you Princess, too," he jokes. The Slytherin boys abruptly stop.
"We've been calling her that since third year, around the time our house pieced together who she is," Marcus explains. "At first, we were teasing her for not knowing it herself, but she is the Lady of Slytherin and technically our Princess. We agreed to continue the name when she held the House hostage last Christmas."
Regulus looks at me in surprise. "They trashed my room," I say while shrugging. "No one has messed with me since, so I think they got my point."
"She's truly a terrifying witch when she wants to be," Montague adds. Walking up to the Common Room, the door automatically appears. Thinking back, I haven't ever needed the password to enter, the castle sensing the magical lineage in my blood.
"I don't think Umbridge will be a problem much longer, anyway. I have over fifty photos of her 'detention' methods, and it's only been two weeks," I tell them, as we all sit around the Common Room. "I would have Luna publish it, but I want to hurt Umbridge first. She's a dead woman walking for harming the students of My school."
"Fifty?! Already?! How is that even possible?" Andrew Maxwell exclaims.
"A majority of our family is passably ambidextrous, so one detention will cause two separate marks. She's given all of us, including our closest friends multiple detentions," Regulus says. "Sadly, we aren't the only ones she's given detention. Several students will have permanent scarring, even using Korre's healing salves." I agree with his statement, forcing down my anger.
"So the more detentions raked up will get rid of Umbitch faster?" Flora Carrow asks. When given the affirmative, her twin Hestia grins and says, "Prank war: Weasley Twins versus Carrow Twins."
"That's brilliant!" Marcus exclaims. "That will get all of the Lions and Snakes involved. The Birds can manage their own plans for upping the numbers, but we keep the Badgers out of this. Believe it or not, they're the most vicious and vindictive of the houses. Umbridge keeps downplaying Cedric's murder, and that's really pissing them off." Personally knowing Dora Tonks, I have to agree. The Carrow girls run off to plan their pranks.
"Do you think they would like some of my family's spells? My cousins were unintelligent and illiterate, but Uncle Marvolo started Howarts a few years before my great grandfather. As the Lady of House Gaunt, the family library resides in my vault, and I'm willing to share some of the more... unethical ones in the name of revenge. Ced was a great man."
We sit around until well after curfew, talking about classes, and temporarily ignoring the threat that is Umbridge. It's midnight before Regulus and I decide to leave. Bidding our fellow Snakes goodbye, we cast Disillusionment charms and head to our Corridor.
October 1, 1995
For the past two weeks, no students above third year were safe. Upon a school wide agreement, first through third years were declared off limits. The current fourth years were old enough to understand that Cedric's death meant coming war. We older students didn't want them involved either, but between Ginny, Luna and Colin, we knew we couldn't stop them. Thankfully, Dennis agreed to stay out of the crossfire.
Everyone has done their best to annoy Umbridge, along with Harry's charms of inconvenients. Tonight, however, is the time for Regulus and I to start on Umbridge.
Harry is sitting at Gryffindor table, far from hearing range, which is perfect. I hiss a quick question to Regulus asking if he's ready. He hisses back an affirmative. Together, we turn to the fifth year Slytherins. Theo and Draco have explained the plan to them. All at once, ten wands cast Depulso at their food, hitting the Ravens. This causes a full on food fight, which I see three of the four Heads of House join in. Snape, however, is staring me down.
Together, Regulus and I brandish our wands, keeping them under the table.
"Furnunculus," Regulus hisses. Screams ring out from the Staff table causing everything to stop. No sounds were made, nor food flying through the air. Umbridge is yelling in horror about the boils forming on her hands, arms and face. He seems to have overpowered the charm a bit.
While everyone is focused on the boil covered toad, I decide it's my turn to strike. The spell I use doesn't have a name, nor has it been used consistently. As far as I'm aware, Umbridge will be it's second victim. "Tenebris cultro!" Within half a second, her distressed words of disgust turn to piercing screams. She doubles over clenching her stomach.
Snape's eyes haven't left us at all. I guess I'll have to explain the second spell to him. Dumbledore quickly dismisses everyone, while Madam Pomphrey starts trying to treat her. I'll have to talk to her too.
The next morning, Snape calls us into Dumbledore's office. Inside, the five School Heads and the Medi-Witch wait patiently.
"Before you ask, yes, we cursed her. No, we won't remove the spells. The second one can't be removed, at all," I state before any of them can speak.
Dumbledore lets out a heavy sigh. "I was afraid of that," he says, sadly. "How long does she have?"
"Headmaster, I don't plan to be a murderer," I assure him, a bit offended by his blatant disregard of my morels. "The curse won't kill her, but it won't go away either. The only other person I've read about being afflicted, went on to marry and have a child. Life can continue for her, but only if she lets it."
A gruff voice calls out from the wall. "If I may inquire," Ex-Headmaster Phineas Black says. "You speak of the Sallow girl, correct?"
"Yes, Sir. I found the spell written in a journal by Great Grandfather Ominus. Grandma Anne was cursed with it in 1890, causing her excruciating pain to the point of leaving Hogwarts. Her body was overloaded by ambient Ancient magic in her homestead. It also said her brother was expelled but not charged for murdering their uncle."
The room's occupants, excluding Dumbledore, slowly relax with the knowledge of Umbridge's non-fatal condition. "I wanted to kill her," Regulus tells the room, emotions hidden behind a mask of indifference. "She permanently scarred the ones I love, and I'm sure Grandad Phineas will tell you, the Blacks protect their own."
The former Headmaster nods, hesitantly. He did disown his muggle loving son, so can't honestly agree with his great nephew, but will back him on his statement.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, I suggest finding a new Defense professor by Halloween. After all, something dramatic always happens," I smirk. "Better to be prepared, yes?" Regulus and I stand, exiting the office to go find breakfast.
