The next few weeks went by with Professor Umbridge taking the place of Headmaster. Originally, I thought this would've been the worst moment of her reign with her terrorizing the school. In reality, she ended up having no control over the students; Professor Dumbledore leaving Hogwarts seemed to spark off a series of rebellious acts to take place.
Fred and George were using every product they had to cause trouble for Umbridge. Their most recent creation involved enchanted fireworks that she couldn't learn how to control.
Her first day of being headmistress resulted in her sprinting from class to class. All the Professor's would summon her at every sign of the enchanted fireworks, since they 'couldn't get rid of it' without her help.
"Thank you so much Professor!" Professor Flitwick squeaked out, "I could have gotten rid of the sparklers myself but I wasn't sure whether or not I had the authority..."
The fireworks caused plenty of disruption during class but neither the Professor's nor the students seemed to mind. In fact, it gave everyone the perfect opportunity to annoy Umbridge.
I was currently peaking out from behind a curtain with Fred and George laughing behind me. They had just set off a package set that included 20 mini fireworks that would set each other off one at a time.
"Oh my gosh she's right about to step on it!" I whispered excitedly as Umbridge got closer and closer to stepping on the trigger mark. The twins shushed me and in the next couple of seconds a loud booming echoed through the corridor.
We covered our mouths tightly to keep the laughter inside. The face she made when a firework popped on her nose almost made me fall over.
"Don't stun them Filch!" Umbridge shouted angrily even though she was the only one holding a wand.
"Right you are headmistress!" answered Filch, kissing up to her even though we all knew he was a Squib. Which meant he had no magic to use anyways. He grabbed a broom from a nearby cupboard and attempted to swat them down, but had no luck since the fire set the broom ablaze.
"They're so impressive," I awed seeing the hundred of little colors racing through the air.
"Just wait to see if she tries vanishing them," George pinched his nose.
"Why? What then?" I turned.
"The multiply by ten every time you do," Fred chuckled.
The next few classes were hysterical to sit through since none of the teachers made an attempt to fix the disruptions in class.
"Oh dear," Professor McGonagall boredly sighed, seeing another dragon fly into her room, "this won't do. Miss Brown, will you please find the headmistress and request her assistance." Instead of continuing teaching, she sat back in her chair and began reading a book on her table.
"McGonagall is officially my idol," I giggled next to Hermione.
"It is incredibly magic," Hermione surprisingly applauded the twins work. The dragon flying at the ceiling didn't hurt anyone, but just crackled above our heads.
"Did you know they're planning on leaving?" I sighed sadly, "the twins?"
"What before end of the year?" She asked shocked.
"Yeah. They already have all their products lined up and ready to sell so they don't need school anymore. They've also already found a location for the store."
"And..." she said slowly, "how does that make you feel?"
"Sad," I admitted truthfully, "But that could also just be because i'm super emotional on my period right now. I guess I didn't realize how little time we had left together. The age difference between us hasn't mattered until I came to terms that I would have to spend two whole years of school without him."
"Well he can come to Hogsmead weekends still? And your games and holidays," she tried to cheer me up.
"Yeah yeah," I drawled and let the conversation slip away. The class came to end quite quickly and I gathered everything into my bag.
"Coming?" Hermione waited by the door.
"I'm actually going to say hi to my dad I'll meet you there," I assured and watched her walk away. I hadn't seen my dad in a couple weeks now besides the occasional wave and smile during dinner.
I went towards his office, humming a song under my breath and was surprised to see his empty classroom. The room that had once been filled with different paintings and pictures, was now bare with the cream color of the wall being the only decoration.
"Dad?" I asked trying to see if he was in his office. The door was shut, and a couple seconds laters after I called out he opened it.
"Hi sweetheart," he smiled and welcome me in.
"What's going on? Are you leaving?" I frowned seeing his empty office. All of his things had been put away and piled into his suitcase, "when were you going to tell me?"
"I was actually going to find you at dinner," he sighed and pushed his hands through his hair, "Their next target after getting rid of Dumbledore is me, and then McGonagall."
"What! Whose target?"
"The ministry's," he shrugged.
"But they can't do that!" I resisted against him, "how can you just accept it without fighting, i'm sure they don't have the power—"
"They do unfortunately," he gave a sad smile, "I don't want to end up having them use you and Ruby as leverage to get me to leave. So I will be staying at Grimmauld until further notice."
"I'm sorry," I sighed, "I've hardly been able to visit you at school this year and now I won't even be able to wave to you in the hallways."
"Don't worry honey," he chuckled and brought me into a strong embrace, "you can always send me letters and I'll respond every day I promise," he kissed my forehead. I shut my eyes, and enjoyed the moment, knowing that this would be the last time I saw him for a while.
"Don't leave without saying bye to Ruby," I pulled away and said to him sternly.
"Oh I wouldn't dream of it," he laughed, "I'll see you once the train brings you to the platform okay?" I gave a big smile and walked out of his office.
It was going to be a weird transition having my dad move out of the castle. It felt like everyone from the order was slowly leaving us. Umbridge's presence was only going stronger and the resistance we had within the school was weakening. Teachers were now leaving and the DA was forbidden to meet; even we weren't dumb enough to try to organize the group and get caught again.
I knew I had tons of studying to do for my approaching OWL's so instead of attending dinner I headed up to the common room. I felt like the past few weeks had been nonstop action and it was nice to have a moment to myself.
Don't get me wrong, although I loved being so busy and having fun with all my friends, I sometimes really need to take a break from reality to relax in my own bubble.
I was happy to find that besides one first year taking a nap on the couch opposite of the room, the common room was empty. I kick my shoes off and perch them on the stool in front of me before taking out my notes.
The exam I was most nervous for was history of magic so I need to make sure to memorize all the important dates and events within the Wizarding World.
I was sort of a disadvantage too because the last couple years I had learned the past of America in the Wizarding World over at Ilvermorny; I had to do a 360 when I came to Britain and it only made the subject more difficult.
I took out my Muggle pencils/pens and got to work on my study guides. I was flipping through every textbook that was available in the common room, and highlighting different notes on the pages. I wasn't worried about transfiguration or defense against the dark arts, but astrology was also some thing I never mastered. I was on my third piece of parchment writing one of the stars shape and direction, when I didn't hear Fred came up from behind the couch and scared me.
"Boo," he blew into my ear making me jump in the air.
"Shit when did you get in here," I placed my hand over my heart but realized that several people had entered the common room. I must've been so focused on writing down my star chart that I didn't even catch the time that dinner was over.
"I got here just now and you missy skipped dinner!" He pouted.
"Yeah I was busy studying, the nerves of exams are crawling up on me," I admitted.
"Ah one of the pleasures of ditching my final year," he laughed. A few secons went by when I brought up the uncomfortable question I've been dying to ask.
"So uhm you're still leaving then?" I asked slowly. He took a moment to respond and sat closer to me.
"I think we'll be leaving this week," Fred whispered. He had a frown on his face, and I knew he felt guilty for leaving me so soon.
"Hey no babe it's okay," I cupped his chin with my hands, "I mean we knew you'd leave soon right? As long as you have a kickass exit I won't be too disappointed."
"Swear?" He looked at me with his twinkling brown eyes and I couldn't help but giggle.
"Yes I swear."
"You're the best did you know that," he smiled goofily at me.
"Oh I know," I winked and pressed my lips to his. He responded immediately and I laughed when he tried to make the kiss deeper.
"We are literally in the common room," I giggled.
"Good I like people knowing you're mine." I raised my eyebrows at his comment.
"Oh do you?" I smirked feeling my heart flutter at what he said.
"Mhm all mine," he wrapped his arms around me, and cuddled me into his chest. We sat there for a few minutes, enjoying the calming silence between us, and the chatter amongst other friend groups. Ron and Harry had come to sit on the couch opposite of us so we stopped talking about him leaving early.
"I hope I get to stay with your family this summer," I mumbled quietly and played with his hands. I couldn't help but think how the time and distance apart last year heavily affected our relationship.
"I hope so too. But I'm also of age so if anything we can stay somewhere together, or I can visit yours," he bopped my nose and I scrunched it up, "I'll miss your cute face."
"Eh and I might miss yours," I teased.
"I forgot to give you this," he fumbled in his pocket. I laughed at how deep he had to reach in his pants before pulling something out, "Aha!" I'm his hands he held a wrapped square brownie.
"Is that...a brownie," I looked up at him feeling an enormous amount of warmth in my heart. This entire week had been an emotional roller coaster and it didn't help that I was on my cycle.
"Yeah? You like those right?" he said chucking.
"I..I love them," I pouted and could feel tears pooling in my eyes.
"What why are you crying then?" he looked at me concerned.
"Because that was so sweet!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around him in a huge hug. I dug my face into his neck and sniffed away the tears that had escaped my face. I was so overwhelmed with how kind the gesture was for him to bring me a brownie after dinner. I know it wasn't that big of a deal but I have been craving chocolate all day and he was just the cutest.
"Why are you so mental," Ron shook his head criticizing my reaction.
"Why do you always judge my emotional sensitive side! Wouldn't hurt you to have more feelings than a freaking ant." Everyone laughed at my outburst and Ron just put his hands up in surrender.
"Don't worry love I don't mind," Fred assured kissing my cheek.
I just huffed and snuggled back into Fred's arms. I tried to enjoy the warmth and relaxation I felt before the hit of exams would pull me underwater.
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A/N
we're getting close to the ending! Have a couple surprised up ahead for you guys :*