➵ Choice ➵ {DM and HP)

➵ Chapter 11 ➵

Snape doesn't bother to say it back and she clicks out of the room, her pink hat bobbing away. A moment later, a loud whack sounds near my ear and I turn to see Ron grimacing in pain as Snape puts away a rolled up piece of parchment.

"Everyone, bring your potions to the front, Weasley, for your obvious lack of respect, you and your partner earn an automatic zero."

I feel my heart sink at his word and Ron groans quietly in despair. We clean up our supplies and exit the classroom, our mood turned gloomy.

"Serves me right for losing Gryffindor points," I say, when we're well out of earshot of the classroom.

"No it's fine, I'm convinced he would torture the other houses, especially Gryffindor, if it meant Slytherin did well," Ron huffs and everyone murmurs their agreements.

"You don't think this is going to be a new thing, do you?" Harry continues, "Umbridge watching our classes."

"I don't know but I...." I trail off because the answer is standing right near the door to Charms.

Umbridge smiles sweetly at us and says, "Splendid. I get both Mr Potter and Miss Foster together, once again."

I meet Harry's eyes and we both share the same expression.

This is going to be hell.

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The next two weeks go by in a sluggish manner, with Umbridge popping up in random classes, questioning and watching us as if we were specimens under a microscope. She has definitely grown into her position, the power seeping it's way into her head until she's even more unbearable than before. She seems to think she has the same authority as Dumbledore, ordering even the calmest of teachers around and not hesitating to form a new rule if needed.

October has arrived, bringing colder winds and thick fog, which rolls over the hills and settles on Hogwarts like a wet blanket. This cold weather merritts many study sessions by the fire in the Ravenclaw common room, trying to keep the chill out as we read near the roaring flames.

Fred and George have been pretty MIA about their whole 'finding out my secret and destroying it Fred and George style' plan, which is definitely a relief.

I've grown to really enjoy Quidditch, and the practices seem to create a sort of escape from Umbridge, it seems like the only thing she can't touch. I look forward to the practices, always full of poking fun at Davies's serious attitude, me forgetting all the Quidditch vocab again, and Cho having to re-explain as Benjamin laughs at me.

I was walking to the Ravenclaw dormitories one Thursday after classes when I see Hermione walking towards me at full speed, her eyes dark with anger.

I stop and I start, "Woah, Hermione, what's happeni—"

I'm cut off as she grabs my arm, pulling me along with her down the corridor. She pulls me into a classroom and as my eyes adjust, I see Ron and Harry talking quietly in a corner. Hermione pushes past me and I follow her slowly, wary of her frustration.

"Hermione?" I ask carefully and she turns quickly to face me, her cheeks flushed with anger.

"We can't let her go without punishment!" Hermione exclaims, looking at Harry and Ron.

I feel uneasiness prickle in my belly as Harry nods.

"What did I do?" I ask quietly, scared of the answer.

Harry looks at me, his green eyes bright with confusion, "What? You didn't do anything."

I raise an eyebrow, equally confused, "Then why did...."

I trail off as I see their bewildered expressions.

"Nevermind, ignore what I said," I shrug it off, settling into a chair. "Who are we talking about?"

"Umbridge, of course," Ron grumbles.

"She doesn't teach us ANYTHING!" Hermione exclaims, fury hugging her words like a fiery blanket.

She begins to pace again and she spits, "That foul, evil, old gargoyle. We're not learning how to defend ourselves. We're not learning how to pass our OWLs."

Hermione pauses, then looks at us, hery eyes full of helplessness. "She's taking over the entire school."

"Yeah but what are we supposed to do about it?" I say, "It's not like we can overrule the Ministry."

We sit in silence for a moment before Hermione smiles, "I've got it. We can't get rid of Umbridge, but we can teach ourselves."

Harry, Ron and I look at each other in confusion.

"So you're thinking we form some sort of....club," Ron says, looking dubious.

"Yes, in a way. A club where we would teach eachother defensive spells." Hermione explains. "We could meet weekly or monthly to practice, we would just have to find a place big enough..."

"Would a classroom work?" Harry offers but Hermione shakes her head.

"No, that's too obvious, the last thing we want is someone stumbling in to find a secret club training to fight," Hermione says, and I have to agree.

"Could the Chamber of Secrets work?"

The instant I mention the name, everyone freezes. There's a moment of awkward silence, and I see Harry work his jaw nervously. Hermione and Ron both look at the floor and I feel the tension like a heavy cloud of fog.

"It was just a thought," I try to explain. "I know it's probably big enough, and it's the last place anyone would expect...."

More silence.

"We don't have to—" I start but Harry cuts me off.

"No, it's fine, it's a good idea," his voice is strained and he still looks at the ground, clashing with his reassuring words.

"Well, should...." Hermione stammers nervously. "Should, Eloise and I go look at it and we can report back?"

Even more silence.

"No," Harry stands, "I should go."

"Mate, are you sure you don't have t—" Ron starts.

"No, I want to."

Hermione looks at her watch and her eyes suddenly widen, "Oh no, Ron, I just remembered. We have an all prefect meeting at 4:30. That's in 10 minutes, we really have to go."

We all stand and I watch Harry carefully as he fiddles with his tie.

"You guys go, Harry and I can go," I say and Hermione nods, grabbing her book bag quickly and pulling Ron out of his chair.

She opens her mouth but I cut her off, "yes, we'll report back and we'll be carefull."

She smiles and they both walk out of the room, leaving Harry and I in silence.

"We don't actually have to go, it was a stupid suggestion," I say quietly.

"No, it's about time I return there, and there's no better time than the present," Harry says, attempting to give a reassuring smile but failing miserably.

He begins to walk out of the classroom and I follow him, anxiety flaring in my stomach.

What will we find down there?

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Author's Note:

Sorry for the short chapter, this felt like a good spot to stop. 

"If Tom is there, sign me up," ➵ Sophie's application to tag along

If you could teach any subject at Hogwarts, which would you teach?

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 ➵ Natalie