A place had been discovered that was exactly what they needed to start their defence classes. Neville had apparently been walking past a seemingly normal wall in the corridor that had the tapestry of Barnaby the Barmy, when a large door suddenly formed against the brickwork. At the time, Neville had been thinking about possibilities for a place for the group to start their practice. This is what caused the room to materialise and spurt all sorts of things that would be brilliant for defensive spells. Dummies, pillows and even bookcases of books formed with the room, making it the perfect place to hide from Professor Umbridge.
"It doesn't come up on the map," Harry mentioned as he held the large parchment out in front of him, switching his gaze from the room to the map.
"Do you remember this room, Georgie? It was a broom closet before," Fred spoke up, his hands on his hips and looking up at the chandelier that lit up the room.
"You've been here before?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," George answered. "We set off some dungbombs in Filch's office in our second year and needed a place to hide. All we had to do was think of a place and this came up, only it was a cupboard back then. I think I remember Sir Nicholas calling it The Room of Requirement."
"It's brilliant. It's like Hogwarts wants us to fight back," Harry grinned. "Get the word out for a meeting tonight."
Heading back out into the castle, Blair was ready to head to the Great Hall to finish her homework. She headed through the corridors with Fred and George chatting behind her, them planning to head out to the Black Lake for some private finalisations on their Headless Hats demonstration. They were planning to do it in the Great Hall, but Blair made it clear that she wanted to focus on her Astronomy homework.
"See you tonight, sweetheart," George called while pecking her forehead, heading past the Great Hall with Fred close behind.
"Bye."
Blair turned to head into the hall but stopped when she came face to face with a familiar Slytherin. Fletcher stood in the archway with his arms crossed with a scowl on his face that was worthy of a Malfoy's. She took several steps backwards so that she wasn't so close and went to walk around him, only to have Fletcher step in front of her.
"Can I help you, Potts?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, not in the mood for his snobby attitude and condescending tones.
"I know you did it."
Every action Blair has ever done in her life came back to her. She ran through every single wrong she had ever done and thought that Fletcher had somehow found out about her worst fears. Maybe he found out about Grimmauld Place and that Sirius Black was part of the Order of the Phoenix. Maybe he was going to gloat in her face now before heading to Umbridge, informing not only her but the Ministry of Magic as well. It would surely end in Sirius being given the Dementor's kiss and all of those involved in the Order being trialled for treason. But how could Fletcher possibly know about all that?
"What are you on about?" she played it cool, ensuring to roll her eyes for extra effect. But Fletcher didn't falter and kept his scowl, glaring down at her with his fierce slanting eyes.
"You know, Rosier. Don't play innocent and sweet with me," he spat. He stepped closer to move him and Blair out of the walkway of the Great Hall, now drawing the attention of pass-byers. It would have been normal to see the Head Boy and Head Girl chatting in the corridor. However, Fletcher posture was hunched and his expression looked to be made of stone. Blair did her best to hide her panic and anxiety, keeping her straight figure and looking up at Fletcher with a look saying 'I haven't got time for this shit'.
"Ever since that night of patrolling, I can't remember shit," he seethed. His voice was low but the corridor had quietened enough to hear the faintest of whispers. Blair's past worries of somehow letting the secret of the Order out diminished, but wasn't replaced with the feeling of relief. The memories of scavenging Snape's classroom before oblivating Fletcher flowed into vision instead and a weight piled on to Blair's heart. Was her charm work not as good as she thought? Memory charms were meant to be long lasting and near impossible to break unless done by the caster. But if the execution of the spell was wrong in some way, the effects could ware away over time.
"Yeah, now we've got some activity," the Slytherin smirked. "Now, how about we take a trip to the Headmistress's office?"
"Headmistress?" Blair repeated, hoping to diverge the topic in a final attempt of redemption.
"Dumbledore's old hat now. He's a liar and hasn't got much time left here," Fletcher clutched her wrist. "It's only a matter of time before the Ministry take him to Azkaban, where he belongs, and Professor Umbridge will be head of the school. Now, quit stalling. You're in for-"
"Oi Potts! What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"
George ripped Fletcher's hand off of Blair's arm and pushed him backwards, causing the boy to stumble but keep his footing enough to stand. Blair soothed the prominent red mark that had formed in the shape of Potts' fingers prints before raising her head to see the back of George's tall figure. She saw Fred standing further down the corridor with the rest of the onlookers who had formed a circle around her and the two boys. Fred stood with a hard look on his face and his arms were crossed over his chest, watching his brother face the Slytherin that nearly everyone despised at Hogwarts.
"You grab her like that again and I'll burn your fingers off," George spat, his wand slipping into his hand from an impressive non-verbal summoning spell.
"I don't remember talking to you, Weasley," Fletcher sneered with his wand in hand also. "This is between me and your little blood traitor here. I'm finding out what she did and making sure Professor Umbridge carves out her hand until it falls off."
A spark of yellow shot out from George's wand and bounced off the field that Fletcher was able to cast beforehand. Yelps and exclaims of shock rippled throughout the large group of onlookers, before looking over each other in order to get a glimpse of the duel that was bound to take place. Blair backed away from George and didn't feel the need to intervene. She wanted to see Fletcher get what he deserved and if it meant not being brought to Professor Umbridge afterwards, then she'd gladly watch George bring about some justice.
"Expelliarmu-"
Purple light surrounded Fletcher and his brown locks frizzed into a ball, giving him the classic 80s afro. Laughs erupted from the crowd and Fred hooted for his brother, grinning at the sight of his impressive wand work. Blair was shocked to not hear spells from George's lips and only see prestige wand work. It was exceedingly difficult to perform wordless magic even for the most skilled of wizards. Professor Flitwick had been trying to teach the seventh years to cast spells without verbally saying the spell, but no one had succeeded yet. People like Lee had tried uttering the spells under their breaths and feigning success. However, Flitwick's short height allowed him to hear the words that were meant to be for the ground below them. So the fact that George was doing it without difficulty was mind blowing.
"Lookin' a bit frazzled there, Potts," George sniggered. "Need a comb?"
Flicking his wand, a hairbrush appeared out of the end and flew over to Fletcher. It then started to forcefully pull at his frizzy hair, causing the boy to swat at it and cry out in pain. The brush pulled at his roots and the crowd was filled with laughter once more, Professor Flitwick appearing and standing next to Fred's legs.
"M-Mr Weasley! What is going on here?!" he asked, wanting to step forward but also not at the same time.
"Just a bit of charm work, sir," Fred said through his laughs. "Georgie can do wordless magic now."
"Can he?" Flitwick replied with wide eyes, watching George suck the hair brush back into his wand with a grin. "How extraordinary!"
"Enough!"
The laughter stopped and Fletcher flattened his hair with a smoothing spell, setting it back into its perfect state. George's amused smile dropped as the boy fiercely glared back at him, dragging his eyes to Blair who stood behind George's protective stance. His stare pinned her in her place and the panic returned. He now looked serious and didn't look to be in the mood to duel anymore. He was going to do what Slytherins did best.
"What on earth is everyone doing in the corridor?! Move at once!"
Students parted for the stubby woman in pink that pushed her way through, cringing and mumbling as they dispersed. They had wanted more duelling but the appearance of Professor Umbridge had stopped that completely. And no one wanted to give her a reason to dish out more detentions, resulting in the corridor now being bare besides the Professors and very few students.
"Professor Umbridge! These two have been breaking multiple Educational Decrees!" Fletcher announced and pointed a finger at George and Blair. "Performing magic in the corridors and...-and doing something to me! Blair did something to me!"
"What did she do, Mr Potts?" Umbridge stepped forward with an inquisitive stare, stepping next to Fletcher and looking at the two in front of her. "There is certainly no magic outside of classrooms!"
"Ah but Professor!" Professor Flitwick called and stepped forward, taking the woman's attention. "Mr Potts here was also performing magic. I would like to take Mr Weasley to his head of house to receive detention that she would see fit. As for Miss Rosier, I don't see any reason to punish her at all!"
"B-But she did something!" Fletcher fought, looking hopelessly pathetic in front of Professors Flitwick and Umbridge, as well as George and Blair. "I can't remember what it was, Professor, but I know she did something!"
"Mr Potts, I do not have time for your childish endeavours," Umbridge sighed and pursed her lips when turning back to Flitwick. "And I suppose... I suppose it is up to Mr Weasley's head of house to sort this out. But I do not want to see this sort of behaviour again, Mr Weasley. Am I clear?"
"Oooo as clear as your beautiful skin, Professor," George grinned and Blair stifled a laugh. The woman pursed her lips once more before turning and walking away, leaving Fletcher to run after her.
"But- but Professor! Rosier did... something!"
Blair saw it was safe to finally step forward and be level with George, watching the two obvious Slytherins march away. Blair couldn't believe that she had gotten out of prosecution and was sure that Fletcher would never get the words out to Umbridge about her memory charm. She hadn't anticipated George stepping in and duelling with Potts in the corridor, but the turn of events had been amusing to watch and gave a satisfying end.
"What a twit," George stated, wrapping his arm around Blair's waist and pressing his lips against her scalp. "I'm sure he won't be much of a problem anymore."
"Mr Weasley! Miss Rosier!"
The two froze and looked down to Professor Flitwick, seeing him staring up at their figures with the urge to scold them both for causing such a commotion. But he obviously couldn't bring himself to do it.
"I-I am disappointed in the both of you..." his scolding was forced and reluctant. He trailed off when he saw George rolling his eyes and Blair giggling lightly.
"We'll see you later, Professor."
George guided Blair down the corridor knowing that she had ditched the plan of finishing off her homework in the Great Hall. Fred's head appeared out from behind a pillar and saw the two approaching; making him jump out and start praising his twin for the show he had blessed him with. While they headed for Black Lake, Professor Flitwick watched them leave with the itch to give them his own detentions.
"M-Mr Weasley! Y-You will serve detention with Professor McGonagall- oh sod it..."