"Hey," Harry was waiting by the fire as Amisty walked back into the common room. "Just got back from detention?"
"Yeah," She replied breathlessly, heart pounding.
"C'mere."
He scooted to the side, opening up space for her to sit next to him. She took it, immediately wrapping her arms around his neck.
He smoothed down her hair gently, "She's a wicked woman, Am, don't let her get to you."
"She... she -- "
"I know," Harry whispered, untangling himself from her with careful movements and holding up his right hand.
Amisty couldn't stifle her gasp in time.
In Harry's familiar messy scrawl, scarred across his hand in silvery white, were the words: I must not tell lies.
"Harry..." She murmured, running her thumb across them. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't think she'd be doing it to anyone else," He admitted, examining her own hand. Her own penmanship wasn't as deep as his, but it was visible. "I don't know how she thinks this is going to make you pipe down, though."
She couldn't even manage to fake a smile. "I have to go back tomorrow evening."
"Do you want me to wait up for you?"
Her hesitation is enough of an answer.
Harry smiles faintly, "It hurts less as you go on, as ridiculous as that sounds."
She rests her head against his shoulder, relieved to feel she wasn't quivering. His arm goes around her shoulders and she sinks into the familiar comfort.
"Hey, you gotta get up to your dormitory before you fall asleep," He teased, nudging her with his elbow after a few minutes of silence passed. "I'll never hear the end of it if, and Malfoy's already enough of a pain."
Amisty rolled her eyes, "Thanks for finding such a polite way of saying 'I'm kicking you off the couch.'"
"You're welcome," He grinned. "Good night, Am."
"'Night."
-=+=-
Hermione gasped, flattening out the Daily Prophet with eyes as big as saucers.
Ministry Seeks Educational Reform
Dolores Umbridge Appointed First-Ever "High Inquisitor"
"'High Inquisitor'? What does that mean?" Harry hissed, his toast slipping out of his fingers.
Hermione took a deep breath, "In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"'The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time,' said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. 'He is now responding to some concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve.'
"This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two h was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.
"'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts,' said Weasley last night. 'Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success -- "
"She's been a WHAT?" Harry snarled.
"Wait, there's more," Hermione replied.
" ' -- an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts.'
"It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of 'Hogwarts High Inquisitor.'
"'This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the "falling standards" at Hogwarts,' said Weasley. 'The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.'
"The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.
"'I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation,' said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. 'Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation.'
"Among those 'eccentric decisions' are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, and delusional ex-Auror 'Mad-Eye' Moody.
"Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.
"'I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose confidence,' said a Ministry insider last night.
"Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts.
"'Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office,' said Madam Marchbanks. 'This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore.' (For a full account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17)."
Hermione shoved the paper away, eyes blazing, "So now we know how we ended up with Umbridge! Fudge passed this 'Educational Decree' and forced her on us! And now he's given her the power to inspect other teachers! I can't believe this. It's outrageous..."
"I know it is," Harry growled.
"I just don't understand how hard a concept it is to grasp that Dumbledore most certainly doesn't want to be Minister," Amisty groaned, rubbing her face with her hands.
Ron, though, was grinning.
"What?"
"Oh, I can't wait to see McGonagall inspected. Umbridge won't know what's hit her," Ron almost laughed, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth.
Hermione rolled her eyes, swinging her school bag over her shoulder, "Well, come on, we'd better get going, if she's inspecting Binn's class we don't want to be late..."
-=+=-
They got their moonstone essays back in Potions, and Amisty managed, to her surprise, to earn an 'A'.
"I have awarded you the grades you would have received if you presented this work in your O.W.L. This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect in your examination," Snape informed them, swirling to the front of the room. "The general standard of this homework was abysmal. Most of you would have failed had this been your examination. I expect to see a great deal more effort for this week's essay on the various varieties of venom antidotes, or I shall have to start handing out out detentions to those dunces who get D's."
"Some people got D's? Ha!" Draco snickered from the front of the room.
They were to brew a Strengthening Solution today, and it was far easier than that stupid Draught of Peace. When she finished, the potion a mere shade darker than it was supposed to be -- she didn't think she stirred it entirely around on the last stroke -- she turned it in and returned to her desk, already tired.
There was a note waiting for her, delivered -- judging by the neat folds and glint of green as a tiny glass dragon scurried across the floor -- by Draco Malfoy.
May I speak to you after the lesson?
She glanced up, finding where he was in the room. He was standing in the front, chatting with Parkinson and the rest of the Slytherins. Once he looks up, grey gaze meeting hers, she gives a tiny smile. The bell rings and there's a rush of robes as everyone hurried off to lunch.
Amisty grabbed Hermione by the elbow, "I'll be at lunch in few minutes, gotta take care of something."
"Alright," Hermione raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Don't do anything too stupid."
"I appreciate your level of faith in me," Amisty rolled her eyes.
Hermione laughed, "I'll see you then."
Amisty turned the corner just outside the entrance of the classroom, leaning against the wall.
Draco slipped her hand into his and spun her around so her back was pressed against his chest, "Hey."
"You're in a good mood," She giggled, tilting back her head to look up at him properly. "What's up?"
"Other than the 'O' in Potions?" He grinned, toying with her hair. "And the beautiful girl in my arms?"
"Stop that," She blushed, punching his shoulder.
He caught her wrist, and she didn't realize his mistake until his eyes darkened to the color of storm clouds. Never a good sign.
"Amisty, what is this?"
She tugged her hand away, hiding it in her robes and turning her back to him, "It's nothing."
"There is writing cut into your hand, Amisty," He snapped, curling a bruising hand around her shoulder. "That's not nothing."
"I'm dealing with it, Draco, it's just a detention punishment. It'll fade," She lied, knowing full well the scar wouldn't fade, but Draco didn't need to know that.
"What detention?"
Her face burned, "I snapped at Umbridge after she insulted my mother."
She had fully expected him to be sympathetic, to understand the predicament she was in and at least attempt to console her.
To say the least, she wasn't at all pleased when his reaction was, "You did what?!"
"I argued with a horrible woman after she insulted my mother, Draco," She repeated, eyes narrowed.
"Amisty, you absolute idiot."
"Excuse me?" She spat, drawing away from him angrily. "I was defending a person I loved."
"That's quite possibly the stupidest thing you've ever done. You can't go around yelling at Professors, especially one assigned by the Ministry. You do tend to overreact... she probably didn't mean to insult anyone. She's been a phenomenal teacher for the Slytherins."
She stepped back, voice cold and eyes even colder, "Oh, I see."
"What?" He stared at her, clearly surprised.
"She's the perfect example for you, isn't she? Hates half-breeds, hates Dumbledore, hates Harry, believes the lie that You-Know-Who is still dead," She spat. "Not to mention she favors the same ideals you and your father adore. If you're not of pure blood you're to be stepped on."
"I don't -- "
"Bye, Draco," She whirled around and stormed away, ignoring as he shouted after her.
The angst is strong with this one. And I'm back! Kinda... I'm back, but I'm also finishing up my show season and starting finals/state test season so I'm not sure exactly how much time I'll be able to stay on a steady schedule, but I'll try to keep the updates one a once every other day schedule like usual. Thanks for understanding, and sorry if you don't. And don't kill me just yet, as one of my favorite quotes of all time from I have no idea: It needs to get worse before it can get better.