The body count only grew as the weekend rolled around, and the twins toiled away at their solution. And Hermoine said that in the way that it was, though she was terrified that soon 'body count' may mean actual deaths.

At least…that would get Umbridge fired on the spot, right?

Right?

She vanished the thought from her mind.

First, the idea of anyone being that sacrificial lamb made her sick.

Second…she actually wasn't sure that would even do anything.

Friday night, Hermione found herself up late with Seamus in the Room of Requirements, as he re-dressed Marietta's wounds. The curly-haired ginger was spitting furious.

"I would have told Umbridge if I could," She had told Harry with as much venom as she could muster when she was brought it, "If it wasn't for the fucking charm."

"Good thing Hermione was smarter than you then, huh?" Seamus had said coldly but healed her all the very same.

Hermione had overheard a huge row between Harry and Cho for the comments she'd made, with Cho trying to defend her friend however she could.

"She'd get us all killed, Cho-," Harry had exploded, the most furious she'd ever heard him, "And do it gladly!"

"She didn't ask for any of this!" Cho yelled back, "To be disfigured and…and tortured!"

"She could have left!" Harry said, "I begged them to. She knew what she was getting into-,"

"How could anyone know?" Cho sounded hysterical, "That it would come to this?"

Then, they'd noticed Hermione on her way back to Seamus, arms full of gauze, and had jumped apart like someone had stabbed them with a hot poker.

Cho couldn't meet Hermione's gaze.

When she found Harry later and asked him if he was okay, he'd only pressed his lips together.

"I'm fine," He lied.

"But Cho-,"

"She's scared," He said quietly, "We all are."

Marietta didn't have the legs to take her far, since both had been broken, but if they could, Hermione was sure she'd go right to Pomfrey, or maybe Umbridge, and actually kill herself trying to divulge the secret.

Yes, Umbridge seemed to be able to easily pluck those likely in the club, as best as their efforts were.

Lavender still wasn't targeted…yet.

They tried to beg her to hide away.

"She'll certainly know something's up," Lavender said seriously, "I'll wait for Fred and George's illness and take that, I don't want to draw attention to myself."

For now, they could only try to heal those who came in and keep their wits about themselves.

"Hermione," Seamus finally said, Marietta nodding off into a restless sleep.

"Hmm?" She raised her head from her palm, blinking wearily.

"I need you to do something for me."

Hermione stood, trotting over to Seamus, and placed a kiss on his forehead, "Anything."

"I need you to meet up with Finn tomorrow."

Hermione stiffened, "I don't-,"

"I need to stay here," Seamus whispered, "Who knows what the weekend will bring? I could be the difference between a wain losin' their arm or not!" He argued, "But we can't push it back. And you're smarter than I am-,"

"Seamus-,"

"It's true," He insisted, "And cleverer."

Hermione swallowed hard, looking down.

In some ways, what a relief it was to be the one not needed here. Wasn't she always the most valuable player, besides Harry? Wasn't she proud Seamus was so necessary, even for such terrible reasons?

"Is this just an excuse for me to meet your family?" She managed to tease.

Seamus broke into a grin, "Sure, Hermione, I tipped Umbridge off to systematically hunt our friends just so you and my sister could meet in person." He didn't sound upset, but almost humored at the idea. Maybe he was so tired that he thought it was a good joke (which it wasn't).

"Alright," Hermione agreed, "Red hair? Green eyes?" She asked.

"Yeah. She'll be at the pub at noon. She usually wears a plaid jacket." He supplied, "She'll talk to you. Plus, she's been badgering me about us. She'll be thrilled."

Hermione looked out over the beds of sleeping, wounded students, "Should I tell her why you couldn't meet?"

"Tell her I got detention," He seemed wary to bring up Nathair, though she wasn't sure why, "She'd believe that over that I'm playing nursemaid."

"Not nursemaid," Hermione insisted firmly, "You're indispensable."

Seamus didn't answer right away, just leaned into her side, pressing himself against her figure.

"What I really am...I'm just tired."

XXX

Finn was easy to spot. Even as haggard as Seamus described her to be, she still was - by far - the most stunning woman in the room.

And, as soon as she spotted Hermione, her face morphed into confusion, and then a full-on grin.

"Oh, Hermione!" She waved her over excitedly, "Hi!"

"Seamus sends his regards," Hermione said casually, as though they were just meeting up for a cuppa and not for a treacherous scheme, "But he mouthed off to a teacher and found himself in detention today." The lie rolled easily from her tongue.

In reality, as expected, both the Creevy brothers had come in just before Hermione had been about to leave, both bleeding. Colin was furious, hoping he'd heal up by next Wednesday, though his wand-hand was smashed to bits and his prognosis was not looking that bright.

Finn laughed out loud, "Yes, that sounds like him."

"So-," Hermione began, always feeling uncomfortable with the idea of small talk, "The Ministry-,"

"I think…" Finn proclaimed loudly, "The weather is absolutely gorgeous. Let's take a walk, shall we?" She said meaningfully.

The weather was not gorgeous, but it was fine - not underwhelming or overwhelmingly good or bad- if one was speaking truthfully.

"The walls have ears," Finn said quietly, as soon as they found themselves on a path winding around the town, through a thick grove of trees.

"Sorry," Hermione felt stupid for not thinking of that, "I'm just…anxious. Seamus wants your help with something…soon."

"I had expected," Finn nodded solemnly, "Your friend needs that…thing, doesn't he?"

"Uh-huh," Hermione bit her lip, gnawing on it, "Are there any chances you could…get us a 'tour'?" Hermione asked, trying to seem casual, "On Wednesday?"

Finn blinked, though surprised, "Really, Wednesday?" Hermione took her hesitation that it was soon.

"We want this done quickly."

"Well," Finn rubbed her arms, her auburn hair falling over her shoulders, "I suppose…I have been flirting with a Mystery worker…" She pressed her lips together, "I can try," She said, "No promises. Lifting that sort of…certification isn't easy."

"Naturally," Hermione agreed, "And if you feel uncomfortable…" She trailed off. Seamus had been adamant that Finn had to help. In his mind, she owed him. Hermione, having seen the carnage of late, didn't want to force anyone into danger, and somehow, the Ministry might be even worse.

"It's fine. I'm the older one, I'm meant to be taking this on." She said firmly, "Mam agrees with me."

"She knows?" Hermione choked.

"Well…" Finn stared at her feet, "Not the specifics. What time?" She breezed past Hermione's question.

"We're still trying to figure that out. How to…get there."

Finn rubbed her chin, "Come around 6 pm. That's after they call close-up. Most of the ministry is biting at the bit to get out on time; no one likes being there late, except for a few truly motivated. I'll invite my contact to drinks and try to get him a bit tipsy. Say I forgot something back at the office. Meet you there…" She swallowed, "Do you know what's in those rooms? The other ones?"

"No, why?"

"I don't know either, but it's…it makes me feel uneasy. My senses go haywire," She looked mildly guilty, "I don't know if I can help, other than keep watch."

"Harry has a good team with him." Hermione said, "And he would be horrified that you did something you didn't want to."

"Any chance I can convince you to lock Seamus to his bed and keep him away?" She asked with a knowing, sad smile, "I had to ask. He's such a Gryffindor."

"He's braver even than me," Hermione said earnestly.

"Look, enough of this talk. I'm so curious!" Finn said, a bounce to her step.

"About…?"

"You! Of course!" Finn said, "Seamus is a typical boy; can't get anything out of him."

Hermione could have lied and escaped, now that they had their plan in place. Instead, she reminded herself that she wanted to get on Seamus' family's good side.

"What do you want to know?" Hermione asked, shoving her hands in her pockets.

Finn looked down the path, "Whatever you want to tell me. Or not. I think, maybe, I'd like us to be friends. I've been desperate for another girl in my family," She added with a grin.

Hermione, still unsure, swallowed. She'd never gotten along the way girls usually did.

Finn sensed her unease, "Tell me about your color-coded schedule for exam study. I would have died to have something so useful."

Hermione let out a tiny smile, "Really?"

"I swear."

And after that, it didn't feel so nerve-wracking talking to her.

Hermione was actually in quite bright spirits upon her return, which were all dashed to find the common room in total disarray.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked Dean, who just nodded his head toward Fred and George as he patted a small child's back. Worry rocketed through her, until she saw a very tired pair of Weasley twins watching the room with barely concealed grins.

"Well?" Hermione demanded, stomping up to them, "What has McGonagall looking like it's the end of times?"

"Haven't you heard, Granger," George asked, yawning into his hand, "There's some kind of yuck going around."

Hermione wanted to jump in a circle but restrained herself. Instead, she raised a thin eyebrow, "Oh?"

"Uh-huh," Fred said, "Those who catch it - and we don't know how yet - are uncontrollably sneezing and producing the most disgusting neon pink mucus. The mucus also seems to be super hot, and mildly acidic. Seems to be fast-spreading."

Now that she really looked at it, the entire common room was bathed in noxious bright pink goo and mildly smoldering armchairs. It was the most disgusting and best thing she'd ever seen.

She swallowed back a grin, "How horrible."

"Yeah," Fred said, leaning his head back, closing his eyes, " Such a pity."

XXX

Despite the best efforts of the Heads of Houses to keep students who were showing symptoms away from each other, somehow, (through the twin's potions doled out to a trusted group intent on spreading it), the Great Hall by lunch on Monday was nearly empty. And, for those who remained, about four students were hauled out after sneezing on the table and melting through goblets and plates.

"How terrible for all involved," Fred was saying loudly, "Who knows what this could be?"

"Laying it on a bit thick, there," Ginny said. For those in the D.A. who did not want to get sick, Fred and George had both an antidote and a 'vaccine' potion against it, meaning that anyone who knew could elect to never get it at all or miraculously get better earlier when the mood suited them.

Lavender, after coming in from her date last night, had strode right up to the twins, winked at Hermione and Parvati, and downed it with a smile on her face.

Then she'd sneezed on her favorite shoes, burning the velvet, and swore so loudly that even the twins blushed at her colorful language, only second to the colorful goo dripping down her nose.

Harry had strongly encouraged most of the D.A. to take it or allow themselves to be sneezed on by a friend. There were only a few that had chosen not to. Harry had argued for a long time with a few of his trusted that if they all were somehow fine, that would be very suspicious, so Neville and Luna had 'taken ill' so as not to arouse any suspicion.

Not that there was any. The idea that the twins could engineer something was…nearly laughable. The teachers were running around exhausted just trying to keep it under wraps, not wonder where it came from.

Seamus had taken the vaccine, same with Hermione, and watched as students dropped like flies.

"Umbridge is pissed," Ron snorted into his lunch, and Seamus dared a glance at the teacher's table.

"No one to torture," Seamus agreed. The infirmary had long ago run out of beds and students were now being sent back to their common rooms if they only had mild symptoms.

The worst of them were in with Pomfrey, who was scratching her head about this mystery illness, something no potion seemed to be able to counteract.

"I wish no one had worse symptoms," Hermione muttered, glaring at Fred and George.

While most of this was just plain old annoying and mildly gross, some students had manifested scabs, vomiting the goo - which tore up their throat like hell, and a high fever.

"If they knew, they'd thank us," Fred said firmly, "They may think they're getting the short end of the stick, but we're saving them!"

Hermione stared at the pair of twins before shaking her head, "I've created monsters," she hissed to herself.

"Oh; she's on the move," Cormac whispered, scootching down towards the group. A whole slew of heads went up to see Umbridge taking off from her seat and stalking over to Dumbledore. It was hard to discern what she was saying, but there was a lot of gesticulating and her face was growing redder and redder.

"Is she going to ban being sick?" Seamus wondered, "You know she'll try it." He added seriously.

"She's furious," Hermione said, licking her lip nervously, "Oh, I hope we don't get Dumbledore in trouble!"

"Like he can control it?" Ginny shrugged, "Kids pass along nasty stuff. It's not the first time an unknown magical yuck has popped up and won't be the last."

"I mean, Dumbledore can handle it, right?" Ron asked uneasily, "He's…he's Dumbledore!"

"Surely she's trying to convince him it's a national crisis and try to unseat him," Hermione said with a scowl, "Are we doing the right thing?"

"Yes," Harry answered immediately, "He has to know…right? And if he didn't think…he'd shut it down." His voice begged for confirmation, but everyone just watched the pair out of the corner of their eyes.

"Yes," George finally whispered, "We are. He might not be able to protect students from her without causing the Ministry to fire him, but we can."

Seamus held his tongue; he thought that Dumbledore should be able to do far more, but what was that old quote? If you want something done right, you do it yourself.

"Only two months left," Hermione whispered, but her shoulders were still rigid. It sounded more like a promise to herself than a comfort to the group, "Two months."

No one asked what would happen if Umbridge came back next year.

XXX

The morning of Wednesday the first came quickly; classes were strange since 90% of the school was out with what had been dubbed The Goo. Teachers mostly just gave study sessions, which was much appreciated by those who were remaining. All for the best. As the date for the Ministry came, Seamus didn't think he'd be able to focus on anything at all, his heart pounding furiously, like a jackrabbit's back leg going and going and going.

The morning of the 1st, the group that was poised to go all gathered at breakfast, grim faces all around. The excitement had dissolved away into nervousness, which was probably for the best. Seamus had been up late the night previous, giving Padma and Dean explicit instructions on how to help anyone who got under Umbridge's thumb while he was gone. Ron had been up all night too, along with Ginny and a few 7th-year students. They had decided the best way was to fly on their brooms, and they'd spent the whole night transfiguring sticks into brooms and putting them out in the Shrieking Shack.

"I don't like this…" Hermione had muttered the night before, watching the 7th-years use their nearly completed training to aid Harry. They didn't know specifically why they were doing this, but no one was against Harry here.

"It's a risky plan."

"Not that…flying," Hermione had said, "Hate it completely."

Seamus inhaled hard, "Stay here, then," He said, though he knew it was a useless request, "Safe."

"I'll get over it," Hermione merely said, ignoring his plea.

Now, those planning on meeting up (sans Colin, Lavender, Neville, and Luna who would meet later), were all eating slowly, unable to form words to speak to each other.

There was a sound of thundering and something clattering on the stone floors.

"Look what I found! Look what I found!"

Seamus whipped his head around to see Filtch struggling to carry the ten brooms into the Great Hall.

"Fuck," Ron swore and then covered his mouth immediately, eyes widening. Luckily, the clamor from brooms dropping from his arms was enough to cover his slip-up.

"What, pray tell, is all this?" McGonagall asked tiredly.

"Got a tip from Mr. Malfoy that he heard from someone in Hogsmeade that someone was lighting up the Shack last night. Went to inviestage and found ten brooms stashed away; some group of students are trying to make a break for it!"

Hermione was nearly hyperventilating. Seamus grasped her hand firmly under the table, half in comfort, half in warning.

Harry was staring uncomprehendingly at Filtch; the one time he actually did his job, he ended up thwarting their plans! What were the odds?

"Surely our most… adventurous Gryffindors, hmm?" Umbridge said in a nasally, infuriating tone as she grasped one, stalking over to the table where the group sat. Seamus hoped they all had damn good poker faces.

"Don't be absurd, that's not even Mr. Potter's or Mr. Wealsy's brooms," Hootch said, coming over to examine them, "And Miss Granger?" She snorted, "She is not what we would call a master flier."

"It could merely be someone from Hogsmeade, Dolores," Dumbledore agreed, frowning, "We cannot assume it was students who know better than to be out of bed after hours."

"Why would anyone do that?" Sinatra asked out loud, confused, "Why is Hogsmeade the location for a midnight flight for tourists?"

Shut up, shut up, shut up… Seamus stared at her, willing her to be quiet.

"Well, someone put them there!" Umbridge thundered, seemingly intent on taking the whole lot of the Gryffindor table for questioning, "And I intend to figure out exactly-,"

"They're mine!" Someone from a different table called out, scrambling to stand. Everyone turned, the room absolutely silent (mostly due to the low numbers) to see Cho standing up.

"Miss Chang?" Flitwick choked on his tea, "You?"

Cho swallowed hard. Marietta was behind her, scowling deeply, back turned entirely away from her friend.

Seamus had a feeling that they wouldn't be friends after this.

Good riddance to that would-be snitch!

"Yes, Professor Umbridge," Cho said, blinking, a sort of calm gracing her, a sense of righteousness. She spared one singular glance at Harry, so quick one could miss it, as though to apologize for their prior fight.

"Why?" Flitwirk blurted, just as taken back as Seamus was.

"Yes," Umbridge said, narrowing her eyes shrewdly, "Please, tell us."

Cho looked around, straightening out her shoulders, "I reserve the right to be questioned with an advocate present," She said simply.

"Let's not do all that," Umbridge huffed, "If you just tell me now, I promise that your punishment will be just." From her toadish smile, Seamus doubted it. Cho pressed her lips together firmly, shaking her head.

"She's not gunna talk," Anthony advised Umbridge, "Until you get an advocate."

"This isn't the Wizagamont Courtroom, boy," Umbridge snapped, "And she is making this much harder on herself."

"Well, she does have a right, Professor," Flitwick cut in, "Though little used. And," He raised a wrinkly finger, "It does say that she gets to choose her advocate."

"That law is in regards to adult trials," Umbridge dismissed, "Not naughty students."

"It never specifies," Terry said, holding back a smirk "We checked. It says in the case of any questioning where one is concerned about repercussions. It's Wizard Law."

Umbridge was furious. If students could have known this whole time that they were allowed an advocate, well…there was a good reason she wanted to get Cho to come quietly. She also looked like she wanted to change that immediately.

"Students practicing magic do not have the same protections as graduated adults," Umbridge tried one last time.

"True," Dumbledore agreed, "They ought to be allotted even more, wouldn't you agree?"

"Fine!" Umbridge roared, "With me!"

The hall was silent as Cho was led out by Umbridge. As soon as she was gone, the group ate their breakfast as fast as they could muster and found the nearest abandoned classroom, the Room of Requirements too far.

"Fuck, what now?" Ron threw up his hands, "Up all night, and for that? I'm fallin' asleep on my feet! Gimme some of that Goo," Ron held out his hands, "I need to sleep today if I'm to make the trip tonight."

"Me too," Ginny agreed, "There is a plan, still…right?"

"Maybe we push it back," Parvati whispered, wringing her hair in her fingers.

"No!" Seamus said, "It has to be tonight!"

"Finn's meeting us," Hermione agreed with a nod, "And if we wait longer…we still have the element of surprise. We may not tomorrow."

Seamus was embarrassed to admit he hadn't even been thinking of Finn. It was just this pulsing with him, this draw, this need. A sense that tonight was the night it had to be. He didn't fully believe in divining, but well…

"I agree," Ginny said, "We've been waiting long enough. So…" She looked at Harry expectantly.

"Plan B," Harry said, running his fingers through his hair, "Floo networks."

"Umbridge is surely watching all of them, isn't she?" Hermione said nervously, eyes wide, "Even Dumbledore's. I don't think we want to alert her Ministry contacts that we're there unauthorized."

"Not all," George said, raising a finger, "Probably not her own…"

"Really?" Ron asked, dubious.

"Why would she need to track her own Floo?" George pointed out, "If it's hers, she would likely know who comes and goes. So…" He looked at Fred with a dastardly smile, "We just need to get her out of her office, don't we?"

"Swamp? Explosions?" Fred asked excitedly.

"All of it," George agreed with a rickety laugh.

"You'll get expelled!" Hermione sputtered, eyes wide.

"That's exactly the plan, Granger," Fred said, tapping her head, "Let's get her spitting mad."

XXX

Seamus sat at dinner, but he couldn't eat a single bite. It was half an hour before he was due to meet up and that feeling of nerves had only grown within him.

"Does it always feel like this?" He asked weakly. Hermione shrugged.

"All our other…adventures have been more 'spur of the moment', no time to sit with it," Hermione grasped his hand, "I'm worried too."

They were set to meet Kellen O'Hare in ten minutes, and he'd put a strong invisibility spell over them all. It was something of his specialty, which came in handy right now. Not imperviable to all counter-curses, but better than anything they could muster, even Hermione.

Fred and George were in deep conversation with each other, as pleased as punch, whispering about how to best get Umbridge off her ass and running blindly from her room, hopefully leaving the door unlocked. Harry had a knife that could open any locked doors, but Umbridge's dark magic may be stronger. They hoped they wouldn't have to find out.

Harry gave the signal; a mild incline of his head. Fred and George stood, trying to maintain their glee, bounding off to set off their diversions exactly at 5:50. Floo travel didn't take long, but they wanted to prepare themselves for small issues.

Then, he nodded to Hermione and Seamus to leave next. They were the only other two here in the plan. Ron and Ginny were sleeping and 'sick', the same with Neville, Luna, and Lavender. Colin was still nursing his hand. They'd all meet up in the hallway with Kellan.

For the best; it was hard for Umbridge to argue they were unlawfully gathering to cause trouble if no one was together.

Outside the Great Hall, Seamus pulled Hermione into a classroom.

"Seamus, we need to go-," He cut her off with a firm kiss. Something in his lips silenced her, and he pulled back, placing both his hands on either side of her cheeks.

"Hermione…if this goes south…if I-,"

"Shh…" She shook her head, "Seamus, don't say those things."

"I love you," Seamus said, smiling weakly, "I figure I have probably since the Yule Ball, in some way. I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner."

Hermione pulled him into a tight hug, pressing her nose into his shirt, "No apologies. This isn't a goodbye," She insisted.

"I know," He said, but he couldn't be sure.

"I love you too," Hermione muttered into his embrace, "And I'm not saying it because I think something terrible will happen, only because it's true."

"Naturally," Seamus said. They swayed, conjoined, for a moment but they both knew time was pressing upon them.

Kellan was waiting, arms crossed.

"Has it worked?" Hermione asked, but as she spoke, she stumbled into someone.

"Ow!" Ron yelped, invisible, "You stepped right on my foot!"

Relief flooded Seamus; this was a really great spell! For the first time, he wondered if this may actually work.

"This will feel cold," Kellan apologized. He waved his wand, muttering a spell Seamus hadn't been taught, and immediately, he felt chilly. He blinked and realized he could see the other invisible friends of his, all ghostly more than fully present.

"Cool!" He whispered, grinning. In an instant, Hermione joined. They were the last to link up.

"Everyone took their antidote?" Hermione asked the formally-sick.

"Duh!" Ron rolled his eyes, "I think a trail of smoldering goo would tip us off, don'tcha?"

"I was just asking, Ronald-,"

"Oi!" Kellan clapped his hands, "We can still hear you," He warned, "And a collection of invisible voices isn't going to send the alarms at all." He added sarcastically.

The whole group settled into silence, looking sheepishly around.

"Alright…" Harry said shakily, "I guess…we should…to Umbridge's." He seemed far less confident than Seamus would hope, but then again, it's not like he'd be any better.

They moved in a tightly packed group, taking scarcely used hallways. At Umbridge's office in the Defense Room, everyone pressed to the wall. Neville pulled out a pocketwatch, holding up two fingers. Just as he was doing so, a loud explosion - so startling that it shook the castle - caused everyone to jump.

"They're early," Hermione whispered, annoyed.

"Couldn't help themselves," Ginny said, trying to hold in giggles. She went to a window of the classroom, watching as the most impressive display that Fred and George could offer was being blasted into the sky.

Right on cue, Umbridge stormed out of her office, red in the face. She went to slam her door, thundering out like a bull let loose. Just as the door was about to snap shut, Colin jumped and managed to catch it right before it locked behind them.

Harry beamed, sending the 4th year a huge grin and a thumbs up.

They filed slowly in, Harry last. He locked the door behind them.

"Ugg," Ron shuddered at the cats prowling the plates, "Ew! This is an unnatural obsession with cats, it is!"

"Why cats?" Lavender whispered, confused, "They're so cute...and fluffy...and innocent-,"

"I hear that if you live with a cat and die in your flat, a cat will eat your face," Colin said, "That seems like something Umbridge would do. Just saying."

Neville passed by the group to examine the Floo, but as he did, he bumped Umbridge's desk. Her prized teacup wobbled precariously before falling off the side of the ornate wooden desk, threatening to crash on the tiled floor. Seamus managed to grab it right before it hit the ground, making a most impressive dive, to the relief of everyone.

He sighed as he set it back on her desk, turning around and giving a big thumbs-up with a grin.

"Alright," Hermione said, hands on her hips, her figure shadowy and waning in and out, "It looks fairly straightforward from he-,"

The sound of the lock clicking made everyone freeze in place. They all shot each other frantic expressions and tried to press themselves to the far wall as much as they could. Seamus bit down on his tongue hard, willing himself to become a statue in place.

Umbridge thundered back in. Fred and George were still causing mayhem, so it was obvious she hadn't caught them yet. She went to a box at the corner of her office, gleefully muttering about the Weasley twins' assured exit from Hogwarts. Luna had to contort herself like a snake to get out of her way, her grubby hands just barely missing a strand of her hair.

She found what she wanted and started toward the door, an item concealed in her fingers.

Then…she paused. She looked at the tea cup and very carefully aligned it so that the handle was facing the door, scowling deeply.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Umbridge spun around with a far more placid smile on her face than what she likely felt.

"I know you're in here," She said with a rolling laugh, something so evil, so nefarious it sent a shiver down Seamus' spine, "Just come out now and all will be forgiven…" She began to fling her curtains back, as though expecting someone to be hiding in plain sight. Everyone shared frantic, horrified looks. She didn't know who it was, but she knew there was an intruder.

Neville was shaking in the corner, fingers clenched on his wand firmly. From across the way, Harry gave a firm shake of his head and jerked his hand toward the door as though to say 'Abort! Abort!'. Ron flung his hands out to say 'no way' and pointed frantically toward the Floo. If only a few managed to get in there…it would be worth it.

Harry tried to gesticulate his displeasure, but no one was listening.

Seamus, instead, was focused on Lavender. He had dated her long enough to know her and know her well. They shared similar minds sometimes, which meant he could track her thoughts perfectly as they floated and landed on everyone here.

If she found Ron, Hermione, or Harry, she would assume the other two were here. Plus, they had to go on. They were a trio; you couldn't break the trio.

Seamus was the healer. He saw Lavender glance at his hands, at his wand, and swallow, before her gaze switched.

Colin had already been questioned, so he wouldn't be someone that Umbridge would waste time with again.

Luna was so…Luna that she doubted even Umbridge would consider her worthy of questioning.

Ginny was a master at hexes and someone you wanted on your side in battle.

So that just left her and Neville.

Between the two…they both knew Neville had more drive, more fury. He cared more about Harry and all of this for longer than Lavender had been a part of it, and he had something to prove that she didn't.

He could almost read her conclusion; give Umbridge what she wants…

All of this was in a split second, and Seamus was only fast enough to translate her expression.

He went to grab her across the room; she was the Secret Keeper. She couldn't! But Lavender was too fast.

She purposely made a dive for the door to the classroom, clumsily knocking over a vase on Umbridge's desk.

"Aha! You've been caught!" Umbridge said, managing to grasp Lavender by her braids, " Finite !"

The strength of the spell splashed all about the room, narrowly missing Ginny as she frantically scooted away from it.

Lavender stood, head held high, glaring.

"Miss Brown, what a surprise you are," Umbridge said honestly, grinning ear to ear, "Traipsing with Mr. Potter, I assume?"

"Him?" Lavender feigned extreme disgust, "Seriously? He's such a loser."

If Seamus didn't know the leaps and bounds that she'd made to become better, he'd believe her and think she'd been a double agent this whole time.

"Then why, praytell, were you invisible in my office?"

Lavender crossed her arms, pouting like a child, "You took my copy of Witch Weekly, and there's an article on how to do a blow-out that I just can't miss!"

It was so dumb. But she did it so well that maybe, Seamus hoped, maybe she'd be believed that she was the daftest bimbo who ever walked this earth.

"Well, we can't have such scandalous material in the hands of young minds," Umbridge said, completely believing her.

"You know, Professor, it could tell you if you're a warm autumn or not. I'm not sure that color pallet really makes you shine," Lavender said, tapping her chin. Ginny held in a snort behind her hand. Harry sent a harsh glare, shaking his head.

"Well, if it's just this you want…" Umbridge summoned the offending magazine with a spell, "You wouldn't mind answering a few simple questions, to be sure."

Lavender balked, but she didn't show it, "Whatever. I just want it back." She rolled her eyes.

Umbridge grinned like a Cheshire, dragging them both out of the office into the classroom where Malfoy was hanging around.

"Get Snape immediately! And tell Filtch to keep on those blasted twins."

The door locked behind her.

Everyone waited until they could hear the slow growl of Snape in the room next to them. Hermione immediately went to the fireplace, fingers shaking hard as she found Floo powder in a bowl on the top of the mantle.

"How many can fit?" Neville whispered, "We shouldn't go one by one."

"No," Hermione agreed, "Erm…okay…okay…" She looked around the group, "We can go in two groups, I think, but quickly. One right after the other. Harry, Ginny, Neville, and Ron in one group and me, Luna, Colin, and Seamus in the other."

The first group started crowding into the fireplace, but right as they grasped floo-powder, a terrible scream exploded through the room.

"Lavender!" Seamus gasped, stumbling toward the door, but Hermione pulled him back, "They're torturing her!" He argued, wanting to go and punch Umbridge's face in.

He recognized that scream; it was a specific sound, something strangled, and horrible. He'd only heard it once before, last year. Neville grabbed his heart, inhaling like someone had just grasped his innards and clenched them down.

"It's a Cruciatus," Ginny answered the words he couldn't articulate, face going ashen.

"And we need to go! She'll suffocate the sounds of the Floo," Hermione said, her face grave.

"She could die!" Seamus snarled, "You can't…ask me…it's Lav!"

"Seamus," Luna said quietly, "She is much stronger than you give her credit for. And we emptied the D.A from the Room. If she needs to give in, she can." She assured.

"I'll kill Umbridge. I will, I seriously will!" Seamus snarled, furious to be leaving, but knew that his task was much more important.

"Good," Ron snorted, "I'd throw you a party." He dropped the Floo powder in and said 'Percy Weasley's Office' and at once the first four vanished.

"She's doing this to get us all out of here," Colin pointed out, "Don't be dumb, Seamus! She knew what she was doing."

"Seamus..." Hermione met his expression, "If you need to stay, stay. I won't be mad. But you have to decide right now."

Hermione or Lavender?

He loved Lavender...like a second sister. But she wasn't family. And Seamus had to believe that she'd grown stronger than ever before.

Or, that if she wasn't...she'd know when to give up.

Besides, the idea of letting Hermione go into this alone made him feel like he wanted to hurl. The urge, the need, the pressure about this day and this event tickled in the back of his mind, like pinpricks after your leg fell asleep, and moved him forward.

Seamus's bones felt like jelly as he crowded in.

As Luna threw down the Floo powder, Hermione's fingers intertwined with his, giving a firm squeeze.

The last thing he heard as they were flung across Wizarding England was Lavender's screams still echoing, as though pulled with them, a hundred miles away.