Liar. Harry Potter's sister ~ Book 2

chapter fifteen

I jump backwards, the scream knocking me to my senses. I look down awkwardly, shuffling my feet and swiping my hair out of my face. I feel my face grow hot. That's the second time something like this has happened. I take a deep breath, looking away instantly, my eyes wide. I hit myself multiple times mentally. I hunch my shoulders in embarrassment, pressing my hands to my face, to hide my flushing cheeks.

"What the-" Draco says. I look up and see his eyebrows furrowed. He looks completely unfazed, unlike me, about the previous moment, other than a faint pink tinge on the apples of his cheeks. He leans forward and grabs my hand dragging me through the empty corridor and pushing aside the tapestry. He leads me down a flight of stairs and out into the courtyard where crowds of students were gathered, whispering and talking frantically, looking panic-stricken. We pushed our way through the crowds and saw that the onlookers had formed a ring around the centre of the courtyard.

Professor McGonagall was stood directly in the middle of the circle, looking faintly sick, accompanied by Professor Trelawney, the divination teacher. She was holding an empty sherry bottle in one hand and looked utterly furious. Her glasses were lopsided on her nose, making one eye significantly more magnified than the other. Several trunks lay scruffily at her feet, a few of them upside down, giving the impression that they had been thrown down a flight of stairs.

"No!" She shrieks, her voice quavering almost as much as the sherry bottle in her hands "NO! This cannot be happening... cannot... I refuse to accept it!"

"You didn't realise this was coming?" Said a high, girlish voice, sounding callously amused. Umbridge was stood not five feet away from Professor Trelawney, a look of pure evil and hatred spread across her toad-like face. How did she get down here so quickly?

"You c-can't sack m-me!" Professor Trelawney howled, tears streaming down her cheeks from behind the massive lenses, "S-sixteen years I-I've been h-here! H-Hogwarts is my h-home! Y-you can't d-do this!"

"Actually I can." Umbridge says, holding up a folded piece of parchment, bearing the stamp of the Ministry on the front. I was revolted to see the enjoyment stretched across her face as Professor Trelawney sunk down onto one of her trunks, unsteadily. She shuddered, rocking back and forth on her trunk, sobbing uncontrollably. My heart broke. She was never a bad person. She was always looking for the best in everyone, she doesn't deserve this. Sure at times she can be a bit... crazy, but she's a lovely person, really.

Professor McGonagall hurried forward, patting Professor Trelawney firmly on the back, attempting to calm her. She pulls out a large handkerchief and presents it to her for her to wipe her nose on.

"Is there something you would like to say, Minerva?"

"Oh there are several things I would like to say," Professor McGonagall spits, before rearranging the sleeves on her robes and putting a comforting arm around the hysterical Trelawney. There was a loud creak and each and every head in the crowd turned towards it. The enormous oaken doors, that connected the Entrance Hall to the courtyard were swung open. The students scattered and separated as Professor Dumbledore stood in the framed doorway. He strode over to Trelawney, his robes swinging at his ankles, and put his hand on her shoulder, before turning to McGonagall.

"Professor McGonagall," He begins, his face calm but words firm, "Might I ask you to escort Sybil back inside."

Professor Trelawney looks up, her eyes big and glassy, but her face spread with glee. She stands up and is guided back into the castle by Professor McGonagall, muttering endless thank you's and prayers.

"Dumbledore," Umbridge says, her mouth pursed tightly and a look of rage plastered across her stupid little face. "May I remind you, that under the terms of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Three, the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts has the power to inspect, place upon probation and sack any teacher that she - that is to say, I - feel is not performing to the standards of the Ministry of Magic."