Fragile Delay

Chapter 3 - Chapter Three

Devara paused for a little bit before continuing. "I just wanted to remind you that I'm always here if you need anything. I know we haven't been all that close in the past, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't help if I were able to."

Susan sniffled, but was able to muster up a wobbly smile. "Thanks, Devara. Your support means a lot."

"Anytime," she said, patting the girl's shoulder softly in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. She was about to head off to their dorms, but something had her lagging behind. "Hey...just because Umbridge isn't teaching us how to perform spells doesn't mean we can't learn. If you want to get together some time to practice, let me know."

"Yeah, that sounds nice," Susan agreed half-heartedly, though her voice held an undertone of steely determination. "I want to be prepared. I can't let myself be another one of his victims."

Devara grimaced at the grim reminder of what her housemate had lost. Of what all of them had recently lost the past year. "I get what you mean. Maybe we ought to bring the rest of our house in on it."

Susan shook her head. "If we bring in too many people it'll draw too much attention. Maybe some others in our year, but I wouldn't extend the study sessions too far. It is a good idea, though. Defense is one of our most important classes right now, but Umbridge is a rubbish teacher."

"How does tomorrow sound? Sorry it's last minute," Devara hurriedly apologized. "I'll bring a few people I trust, and you do the same."

To Devara's relief, a bit of light returned to Susan's previously sad eyes. "Tomorrow works perfectly. We'll meet in the library and figure out where to go from there, yeah?"

"Yeah," Devara felt a grin taking over, lighting up her face. She was far too timid to openly defy Umbridge to her face, but this was the next best way while also keeping herself and others safe. "See you then, Susan."

-

After Care of Magical Creatures, Cecelia reluctantly made her way to Umbridge's office. The sight of the place made her want to vomit with how much pink there was covering the walls and furniture. From the quick glance she got of the woman's tea, even that was pink. That couldn't have tasted good.

They were still waiting on Harry, and Cecelia made no effort at small talk. She sat in the chair designated for her across from Umbridge's desk, drumming her nails against the arm rest impatiently. He showed up about five minutes later, looking just as annoyed about being there as she felt.

"Oh, good, you've finally decided to arrive, Mr. Potter," Umbridge said sweetly, though her words were dripping with poorly hidden malice. "We can get started, then! How lovely."

She got out two pieces of parchment along with two quills. Oddly enough, she didn't bother getting them any ink. She slid them one of each of the items, smiling eerily all the while.

"You'll be doing lines for me, dear students," she said, gesturing towards the paper. "'I must not tell lies'."

Cecelia had to physically repress an eye roll. "How many times?" She asked drolly.

Umbridge's smile only grew, "Until the message sinks in."

As if that wasn't ominous. Cecelia eyed the parchment and quill concernedly, glancing over at Harry to see if he found anything about the situation odd as well. He had his eyebrows furrowed, staring at the woman in clear anger.

"Won't we need ink?" He asked, pointing it out before Cecelia had had a chance to ask. "You didn't give us any."

"Not with these quills, you won't."

A bad feeling settled into the pit of Cecelia's gut. She didn't bother beginning to write until after Harry had already picked his own quill up. With an annoyed scowl, she poised her hand to write before looking over at Harry when he let out a shocked gasp. To her horror, the words 'I must not—' were etched onto the back of his hand. The wounds were shallow, dripping down small slivers of blood.

"Anything the matter?" Umbridge asked, tilting her head condescendingly at them.

Cecelia considered saying something. But her mind went back to what Draco had said earlier. If she wanted to survive this war, she needed to play it smart, and getting on Umbridge's bad side would be the opposite of that. With a grim sort of acceptance, she kept silent. Harry did as well, shaking his head tightly.

They went on like that for hours. Cecelia's hand was shaking and burning, but she didn't stop. She didn't allow herself to show any sort of discomfort for fear of that being exactly what Umbridge wanted. And the last thing she wanted was to play into her hands.

After detention had ended, Harry booked it out of the room, hand shoved deep in the pockets of his robes. Cecelia just barely managed to catch the wrist of his other arm before he left, meeting his furious eyes with her own solemn ones.

"Don't mention this to anyone," Cecelia said. "Don't try to start something. It's not safe for you to do so right now."

Harry nodded, glancing quickly back at Umbridge. "You're pretty decent, Nadir," Harry said, head still bowed. "Thanks for sticking up for me back there. For sticking up for Cedric. I don't want him to be forgotten."

Neither do I, she didn't say. Instead, she watched as he turned his back on her and stormed off. Anger radiated from him in waves, though she was sure it wasn't directed towards her. She could hazard a pretty good guess of who it may be for, if only in part.

Remembering Draco's earlier warning, she turned back towards Umbridge with a sigh. The woman was sitting ramrod straight at her desk, eyes fixed towards her in an almost disturbing manner, as though she were waiting for Cecelia to say something.

"Something wrong, dear?" She asked with false sympathy. They both pointedly didn't look down at Cecelia's hand dripping blood onto the professors carpets.

"I wanted to apologize, actually," Cecelia said through grit teeth. "I shouldn't have argued with you earlier. I'm just...scared."

She hated that the last part was true. After everything that had happened in this castle during her time here, it was hard not to be scared. She couldn't imagine being someone like Harry Potter right now.

"I know you weren't aware," Cecelia said, clenching her fists, "but Cedric and I were dating. His death hit me pretty hard. Sorry if I seem particularly—volatile, right now."

Umbridge placed her hand on her cheek in a false way of understanding. "I appreciate you telling me, dear. I think I won't be needing to see you for the rest of your detentions. You've learned your lesson well enough."

The sight of the grin she gave afterwards haunted Cecelia all the way back to the common room.