A Dementor's Kiss - Phan

Crossfire

An attack, retaliation, and Bubotuber pus.

 ~

Phase one relied on mass involvement of students, so, for the next few days all was quiet – at least on the outside. Through letters, notes, toilet cubicle graffiti, hidden messages, word of mouth and any other means possible, the layout of the plan was spreading throughout the castle. In the core of the operation were the students that had gathered to bring it all together and finalise the strategy, and as such one of the more passionate members of each house had taken control over their quarter of the students.

For Gryffindor, Chris had, predictably, accepted leadership. A quiet, intent frenzy had taken over his usual light-hearted manner, and students scattered out of his way as he marched stormily through the corridors. Carrie had taken Hufflepuff and PJ’s best friend Sophie was masterminding Ravenclaw, while a pale, blonde-haired boy was running the Slytherin side. Dan was secretly very glad his friends hadn’t expected him to lead Slytherin, as public speaking and giving people orders were not his strong points. He was quite happy to follow the orders that his far more capable (and charismatic) friends gave him, and offer input whenever it was required. Together with Phil, he was on the front lines of the attack. Really, he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

The fundamental flaw in Umbridge’s decree was not in the hidden, small-print afterthought, but in the first part: boys and girls were not allowed to be in close proximity to one another. Boys and boys, however…

It took professor Umbridge nearly a whole day to notice the change. She was used to seeing all-girl and all-boy groups of friends; that was natural and even more common after her newest decree. Likewise, she was used to seeing same gender pairs walking around together – after all, 85% of young people have same gender best friends - but what she wasn’t so used to however was seeing all the students seemingly in the whole of the castle hanging around in same-gender groups exclusively of two.

Two second year girls sat close together on the bottom stair of the marble staircase, heads close together, giggling over something they were reading in a magazine. On the other end of the stair lounged two sixth year boys, leaning against each other and staring up at the ceiling while they discussed their latest Astrology exam. Two Slytherin girls were doing each other’s hair in the entrance hall while another pair stood almost cheek to cheek comparing their new nose studs. A Ravenclaw boy was helping another with his Quidditch robes and two Hufflepuff girls were walking towards them, arm in arm, animatedly discussing next weekend’s match.

Umbridge frowned. Perhaps it was her imagination, it was just a coincidence that there were so many duos in one place. She turned to her left. On the floor, leaning up against a statue of Maud the Malicious, sat a first year girl with brown hair braided to one side. Laying across her lap, reading from a History of Magic book, lay a blonde girl that Umbridge recognised from the class she’d just taught. The Ravenclaw was very shy and barely spoke in lessons, and because of this she was a favourite of Umbridge’s. She was one of the good ones, mostly because she was so terrified of all the teachers and pretty much everything else.

“Paulina,” Umbridge asked sweetly as she approached. “Can I ask you something?”

Paulina dropped her book in surprise, her blue eyes wide with terror as she looked up. “Yes, of course.” She squeaked.

“Maybe I’m being silly,” Umbridge said with a high-pitched, girlie giggle. “Do you think my new decree is good? Why, people seem to only be talking to one other person these days!” She laughed again for good measure.

Paulina was trembling slightly, but her face was earnest. “Oh, no,” she shook her head. “I think it’s really good. I’ve spent more time with Annie than I ever did before. Because we can’t get too close to boys anymore, we have to remember who our girl-friends are.”