𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗬

ACT ONE, CHAPTER SIX
umbridge's got the power, but
mcgonagall is having none of it.

THE NEXT MORNING, Venus, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were expecting to carefully look through Hermione's copy of the Daily Prophet to find the article Percy Weasley had mentioned in his letter. However, the delivery owl had barely flown away when Hermione let out a large gasp. Venus blinked in surprise and watched as Hermione flattened out the newspaper to reveal a huge photograph of Dolores Umbridge, smiling widely and blinking slowly underneath the headline of the paper.

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM
DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"

"High Inquisitor?" Harry repeated darkly, dropping the rest of his toast onto his plate. "What does that mean?"

Hermione began to read aloud. "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 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 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 asked loudly.

"Wait, there's more," Hermione revealed grimly. "'—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 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 finished reading and looked around at the three of them. "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 replied.

Venus sighed and spared a glance at her left hand, which clearly read the words blood traitor. "You know, my parents work for the Ministry. I wonder why they haven't mentioned anything to me. There's no way they agree with Fudge on this at all — I just don't think they want to lose their jobs . . ."

A grin was then unfurling on Ron's face.

"What?" Venus, Harry, and Hermione chorused.

"Oh, I can't wait to see McGonagall inspected," Ron admitted happily. "Umbridge won't know what's hit her."

Hermione then stood up. "Well, come on, we'd better get going, if she's inspecting Binns' class we don't want to be late . . ."

Umbridge was not inspecting their History of Magic lesson — which was still incredibly dull, by the way — nor their double Potions class. Venus sat at her usual table with Charlotte and Neville. Snape passed back their moonstone essay, and both Venus and Charlotte managed to get an A on it. They discreetly high-fived under the table.

"I have awarded you the grades you would have received if you presented this work in your O.W.L.," Snape explained with a smirk as he handed back the essays. "This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect in your examination." He reached the front of the class and turned to face them. "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 detentions to those dunces who get D's."

Malfoy laughed to his friends. "Some people got D's? Ha!"

"Literally shut up," Penelope Lestrange scolded.

Snape gave them another potion to make. This time it was a Strengthening Solution — not as hard as the Draught of Peace, but Venus was careful to not mess up any steps. By the end, hers and Charlotte's potions were a clear turquoise shade like they were supposed to be. They delivered a labeled flask of it to Snape's desk and high-fived again. Potions dream team for the win.

"Well, that wasn't as bad as last week, was it?" Hermione questioned as her, Venus, Charlotte, Ron, and Harry climbed the steps out of the dungeon and approached the Great Hall for lunch. "And the homework didn't go too badly either, did it?" Ron and Harry didn't answer. "I mean, all right, I didn't expect the top grade, not if he's marking to O.W.L. standard, but a pass is quite encouraging at this stage, wouldn't you say? Of course, a lot can happen between now and the exam, we've got plenty of time to improve, but the grades we're getting now are a sort of baseline, aren't they? Something we can build on . . ."

"Cool if Eli joins us too?" Charlotte inquired as they sat down at the Gryffindor table, noticing Elijah walk over from the Ravenclaw table.

"Hey," Elijah greeted. He then noticed the piece of parchment in Charlotte's hand. "Oh my God, Snape gave back your moonstone essays?"

Hermione nodded. "Obviously, I'd have been thrilled if I'd gotten an O—"

"Hermione, if you want to know what grades we got, ask," Ron cut in sharply.

"I don't — I didn't mean — well, if you want to tell me—"

"I got a P," Ron revealed as he ladled some soup into a bowl. "Happy?"

"Well, that's nothing to be ashamed of," Fred suddenly announced, joining the group at the table with George and their other friend — Lee Jordan, Venus lerned. "Nothing wrong with a good healthy P." He nodded to the Ravenclaw and Slytherin. "Eli. Charlie."

"But doesn't P stand for . . ." Hermione trailed off.

"Poor, yeah," Lee confirmed. "Still, better than D, isn't it? Dreadful?"

Harry suddenly began to choke over his roll. Venus' eyebrows knit in concern as she heard him cough while Hermione was still talking about O.W.L. grades.

"So top grade's O for Outstanding," Hermione voiced. "And then there's A—"

"No, E," George corrected. "E for Exceeds Expectations. And I've always thought Fred and I should've got E in everything, because we exceeded expectations just by turning up for the exams."

Charlotte rested her chin on her fist. "Yeah, you know, I couldn't see you two in a desk job."

Hermione continued on. "So after E, it's A for Acceptable, and that's the last pass grade, isn't it?"

"Yep," Fred responded. "Then you get P for Poor—" Ron raised his arms in mock celebration "—and D for Dreadful."

"And then T," George added.

"T?" Hermione echoed, looking very appalled. "Even lower than a D? What on Earth does that stand for?"

"Troll."

"Oh my God, I'm going to get a T," Elijah fretted.

"No, you're not," Charlotte reassured him. "You're going to get all O's, I can already see it."

"You lot had an inspected lesson yet?" Fred asked them.

"No, have you?" Hermione answered.

"Just now, before lunch," George stated. "Charms."

"What was it like?

Fred shrugged. "Not that bad. Umbridge just lurked in the corner making notes on a clipboard. You know what Flitwick's like, he treated her like a guest, didn't seem to bother him at all. She didn't say much. Asked Alicia a couple of questions about what the classes are normally like, Alicia told her they were really good, that was it."

"I can't see old Flitwick getting marked down, he usually gets everyone through their exams all right," George responded.

"Who've you got this afternoon?" Fred questioned to Harry.

"Trelawney—" Harry began.

"A T if ever I saw one—"

"—and Umbridge herself."

"Well, be a good boy and keep your temper with Umbridge today," George told him. "Angelina'll do her nut if you miss any more Quidditch practices."

Everyone went their separate ways for classes. Venus followed Elijah and Hermione up to Arithmancy, which was a good lesson and wasn't being inspected by Umbridge. However, they then had Defense Against the Dark Arts with her. Venus wasn't very keen on seeing the woman — not after she cut her hand open and made her bleed — but she took her usual seat next to Harry while Charlotte and Elijah finally found a table near them. Harry and Ron took turns explaining what had happened in Divination with Umbridge and Trelawney as they all took out their copies of Defensive Magical Theory. Before any of them could ask any questions, Umbridge called them all to order and the classroom went silent.

"Wands away," Umbridge instructed with a smile, and everyone put their wands away. "As we finished chapter one last lesson, I would like you all to turn to page nineteen today and commence chapter two, Common Defensive Theories and Their Derivation. There will be no need to talk."

She sat down at her desk. The entire class gave an audible sigh as they all turned to page nineteen as one. Venus slumped her chin into the palm of her hand and looked back down at the page. However, Harry elbowed her arm. She looked up with her eyebrows knit to see him pointing at Hermione, who had her hand in the air again.

Umbridge — this time realizing ignoring her would do no good — stood up, walked around the front row of desks, and bent down closer to Hermione. "What is it this time, Miss Granger?"

"I've already read chapter two," Hermione answered.

"Well then, proceed to chapter three."

"I've read that too. I've read the whole book."

Umbridge blinked but recovered her poise very quickly. "Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counterjinxes in chapter fifteen."

"He says that counterjinxes are improperly named," Hermione recited. "He says counterjinx is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable." Umbridge raised her eyebrows, obviously impressed against her will. "But I disagree."

Umbridge's eyebrows rose a little higher and her gaze became colder. "You disagree?"

"Yes, I do," Hermione agreed, speaking in a clear voice that attracted the rest of the class' attention instead of whispering like Umbridge. "Mr. Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, doeshe? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively."

"Oh, you do, do you?" Umbridge questioned as she straightened up. "Well, I'm afraid it is Mr. Slinkhard's opinion, and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger."

"But—"

"That is enough." Umbridge walked back to the front of the class and stood before them. "Miss Granger, I am going to take five points from Gryffindor House."

"What for?" Harry demanded angrily over the outbreak of muttering.

"Harry," Venus protested. "No, not again, your hand—"

"For disrupting my class with pointless interruptions," Umbridge explained smoothly. "I am here to teach you using a Ministry approved method that does not include inviting students to give their opinions on matters about which they understand very little. Your previous teachers in this subject may have allowed you more license, but as none of them — with the possible exception of Professor Quirrell, who did at least appear to have restricted himself to age-appropriate subjects — would have passed a Ministry inspection—"

"Yeah, Quirrell was a great teacher, there was just that minor drawback of him having Lord Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head," Harry stated loudly.

Venus had never heard silence quite this loud. However, her eyes widened. This Quirrell guy had Voldemort on the back of his head? God, she really needed to catch up.

"I think another week's detentions would do you some good, Mr. Potter," Umbridge announced.

Venus put her face in her hands. How very.

Harry's hand got even worse. It hadn't healed overnight and was bleeding again by the following morning. He had gone to Venus to try and help clean it, and she had used a simple Tergeo charm to clean up the blood and admitted that it was the best she could do, but he was still grateful.

However, as the two of them plus Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall, Harry's bleeding hand was the least of their problems, because Angelina Johnson cornered Harry immediately as they arrived at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. She shouted so loudly that Venus removed herself from the situation and sat down at the table so she wouldn't face the brunt of Angelina's fury.

Professor McGonagall even had to step in. "Miss Johnson, how dare you make such a racket in the Great Hall! Five points from Gryffindor!"

"But Professor — he's gone and landed himself in detention again—" Angelina complained.

"What's this, Potter?" McGonagall rounded on Harry. "Detention? From whom?"

"From Professor Umbridge," Harry muttered.

"Are you telling me that after the warning I gave you last Monday you lost your temper in Professor Umbridge's class again?"

Harry kept his gaze on the floor, Venus suddenly very grateful that she was not in his shoes. "Yes."

"Potter, you must get a grip on yourself!" McGonagall exclaimed. "You are heading for serious trouble! Another five points from Gryffindor!"

"But — what? Professor, no!" Harry protested. "I'm already being punished by her, why do you have to take points as well?"

"Because detentions do not appear to have any effect on you whatsoever! No, not another word of complaint, Potter! And as for you, Miss Johnson, you will confine your shouting matches to the Quidditch pitch in future or risk losing the team Captaincy!"

McGonagall strode back towards the staff table. Angelina gave Harry a disgusted look and stalked away. Harry flung himself onto the bench beside Venus, absolutely fuming. Venus gave Harry an innocent smile and offered him a piece of bacon. Harry took the piece of bacon and bit into it, nudging Venus' shoulder with his a little as a thanks.

"She's taken points off Gryffindor because I'm having my hand sliced open every night!" Harry announced. "How is that fair, how?"

"I know, mate, she's bang out of order," Ron replied.

Hermione merely rustled through the pages of her Daily Prophet and said absolutely nothing.

"You think McGonagall was right, do you?" Harry demanded as a picture of Cornelius Fudge obscured Hermione's face.

"I wish she hadn't taken points from you, but I think she's right to warn you not to lose your temper with Umbridge," Hermione admitted.

Venus nodded. "More detentions and you'll end up like me — so dizzy you can barely walk up the stairs because you've bled so much. Please, just promise you'll be more careful."

Harry was hesitant at first, but he succumbed under her pleading gaze. "Fine. I promise, Star."

They didn't speak much during Charms — since Venus was sitting by Elijah again — but it was interesting when they got to Transfiguration. As Venus sat next to Hermione, she noticed Umbridge in a corner with her clipboard. This was sure to be interesting.

McGonagall marched into the room without giving the slightest indication she knew Umbridge was there, making the class go silent. "That will do. Mr. Finnigan, kindly come here and hand back the homework — Miss Brown, please take this box of mice — don't be silly, girl, they won't hurt you — and hand one to each student—"

"Hem, hem," Umbridge said, and Venus cringed at the noise — the same one she had used to interrupt Dumbledore on the first night.

McGonagall ignored her. Seamus Finnigan — the one who had a big problem with Harry — handed Venus back her essay. She was elated to see that she got an E.

"Right then, everyone, listen closely — Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again I shall put you in detention — most of you have now successfully vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have the gist of the spell," McGonagall continued. "Today we shall be—"

"Hem, hem," Umbridge repeated.

"Yes?" McGonagall inquired, turning to face her with her eyebrows knitted.

"I was just wondering, Professor, whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspec—"

"Obviously I received it, or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom." McGonagall turned her back on Umbridge, and Venus shared a small smile with Hermione. "As I was saying, today we shall be practicing the altogether more difficult vanishment of mice. Now, the Vanishing Spell—"

"Hem, hem."

McGonagall rounded on Umbridge in a cold fury. "I wonder how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."

Umbridge looked like she had just been slapped across the face. She didn't speak, but instead she straightened the parchment on her clipboard and scribbled furiously.

McGonagall addressed the class once more, looking very unconcerned. "As I was saying, the Vanishing Spell becomes more difficult with the complexity of the animal to be vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. This is not, therefore, magic you can accomplish with your mind on your dinner. So — you know the incantation, let me see what you can do . . ."

Umbridge continued to take many more notes while she sat in the corner. The Vanishing Spell was indeed much harder with the mouse than it was with the snail. By the end of the lesson, Venus only had a snout with some whiskers left from the mouse while the rest of it was gone. She dropped it into the box Lavender was passing around and noticed Umbridge rise with a grim expression.

They began to file out of the classroom. Harry suddenly nudged Venus, who looked over to see Umbridge approaching McGonagall's desk. Venus nudged Ron, who then nudged Hermione, and they fell back to eavesdrop.

"How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Umbridge inquired.

"Thirty-nine years this December," McGonagall replied while snapping her bag shut.

Umbridge made a note. "Very well, you will receive the results of your inspection in ten days' time."

"I can hardly wait," McGonagall responded in a coldly indifferent voice. She then strode off towards the door and noticed their group. "Hurry up, you four."

She swept them before her. Venus hoped that was the last time she would see Umbridge today, but as they met up with Charlotte to go to the forest for Care of Magical Creatures, they noticed her and her clipboard waiting for them beside Professor Grubbly-Plank.

"You do not usually take this class, is that correct?" Umbridge questioned to Grubbly-Plank as they arrived at the trestle table where the captive Bowtruckles were scrabbling around for wood lice.

"Quite correct," Grubbly-Plank confirmed. "I am a substitute teacher standing in for Professor Hagrid."

Harry exchanged uneasy looks with Venus, Charlotte, Ron, and Hermione. Malfoy was whispering with those two larger boys — Venus learned them to be Crabbe and Goyle — obviously very excited to tell tales on Hagrid.

"Hmm," Umbridge hummed in response before dropping her voice, although it was still very clear to hear her. "I wonder — the headmaster seems strangely reluctant to give me any information on the matter — can you tell me what is causing Professor Hagrid's very extended leave of absence?"

Malfoy looked up eagerly.

"'Fraid I can't," Grubbly-Plank revealed. "Don't know anything more about it than you do. Got an owl from Dumbledore, would I like a couple of weeks teaching work, accepted — that's as much as I know. Well . . . shall I get started then?"

"Yes, please do," Umbridge encouraged, scribbling upon on her clipboard.

Umbridge — unlike McGonagall's class — wandered among the students and questioned them on magical creatures. Most people answered well. Venus felt a sort of relief at this — she really didn't want to see her friends upset.

"Overall, how do you, as a temporary member of staff — an objective outsider, I suppose you might say — how do you find Hogwarts?" Umbridge asked after a lengthy interrogation with Dean Thomas. "Do you feel you receive enough support from the school management?"

"Oh, yes, Dumbledore's excellent," Grubbly-Plank responded. "No, I'm very happy with the way things are run, very happy indeed."

Umbridge looked politely incredulous and made a tiny note on her clipboard. "And what are you planning to cover with this class this year — assuming, of course, that Professor Hagrid does not return?"

"Oh, I'll take them through the creatures that most often come upin O.W.L. Not much left to do — they've studied Unicorns and Nifflers, I thought we'd cover Porlocks and Kneazles, make sure they can recognize Crups and Knarls, you know . . ."

"Well, you seem to know what you're doing, at any rate." Umbridge made a very obvious tick on her clipboard and looked to Penelope Lestrange, whose gaze was as icy as the surface of Europa. "Now, I hear there have been injuries in this class?"

Malfoy was quick to answer it for her. "That was me."

Penelope elbowed Malfoy. "That was my question."

He ignored her. "I was slashed by a Hippogriff."

"A Hippogriff?" Umbridge repeated, now scribbling frantically."

"Only because he was too stupid to listen to what Hagrid told him to do," Harry cut in angrily.

Venus slapped a hand to her forehead. Charlotte sighed. Ron and Hermione groaned. Even Penelope rolled her eyes.

Umbridge's head turned slowly in Harry's direction. "Another night's detention, I think. Well, thank you very much, Professor Grubbly-Plank, I think that's all I need here. You will be receiving the results of your inspection within ten days."

"Jolly good," Grubbly-Plank commented, and Umbridge set off back towards the castle.

"You're an idiot," Venus heard Penelope tell Malfoy. "No, don't give me that look — you know Potter's right. If you hadn't insulted that Hippogriff you wouldn't have gotten that tiny scratch and whine about it for a whole fucking week."

Venus raised an eyebrow at Harry. "So much for keeping your promise."

"Star—" Harry began.

"Be careful at detention tonight, okay?" she told him worryingly. "I don't want you to bleed as much as I did."

╞════════ ༺ ༻ ════════╡

HARRY, INDEED, DID bleed as much as Venus did. He returned to the Gryffindor common room when it was almost midnight. Venus instantly stood up from her place by the fire and walked over to him. She gently took his scarf-wrapped hand and frowned down at the red liquid staining the fabric. Venus frowned and looked back up at him, her eyes sad.

"I'm okay, Venus," Harry reassured her.

She shook her head. "Come on."

Venus led him back over to the fire. She sat in her usual spot on the floor in front of Harry's chair.

Hermione pushed a small bowl of yellow liquid toward Harry. "Here, soak your hand in that, it's a solution of strained and pickled Murtlap tentacles, it should help."

Harry placed his hand into the bowl. Crookshanks nudged against Venus' legs. She scratched behind his ears before he jumped into Harry's lap and settled down.

"Thanks," Harry replied.

"I still reckon you should complain about this," Ron stated in a low voice. "Even V's carvings still hurt sometimes."

Venus shrugged at Harry's concerned gaze. "Just a little sting once in a while. I'll be fine."

Harry shook his head. "No."

"McGonagall would go nuts if she knew—" Ron insisted.

"Yeah, she probably would. And how long d'you reckon it'd take Umbridge to pass another Decree saying anyone who complains about the High Inquisitor gets sacked immediately?"

Ron was quiet at that.

"She's an awful woman," Hermione said in a small voice. "Awful. You know, I was just saying to Ron and Venus when you came in . . . we've got to do something about her."

"I suggested poison," Ron admitted grimly.

Venus pointed to him. "Amen."

"No . . ." Hermione trailed off. "I mean, something about what a dreadful teacher she is, and how we're not going to learn any defense from her at all."

Ron let out a yawn. "Well, what can we do about that? 'S too late, isn't it? She got the job, she's here to stay, Fudge'll make sure of that."

"Well. You know, I was thinking today . . ." Hermione gave Harry a slightly nervous look."I was thinking that — maybe the time's come when we should just — just do it ourselves."

"Do what ourselves?" Harry questioned suspiciously, his hand still floating in the bowl.

"Well — learn Defense Against the Dark Arts ourselves," Hermione announced.

"Come off it," Ron groaned. "You want us to do extra work? D'you realize Harry and I are behind on homework again and it's only the second week?"

"But this is much more important than homework!"

Harry and Ron stared at her incredulously. Venus found it kind of admirable how much Hermione was pushing for this.

"I didn't think there was anything in the universe more important than homework," Ron responded.

"Don't be silly, of course there is!" Hermione insisted, her face alight. "It's about preparing ourselves, like Harry said in Umbridge's first lesson, for what's waiting out there. It's about making sure we really can defend ourselves. If we don't learn anything for a whole year—"

"We can't do much by ourselves," Ron interrupted in defeat. "I mean, all right, we can go and look jinxes up in the library and try and practice them, I suppose—"

"No, I agree, we've gone past the stage where we can just learn things out of books. We need a teacher, a proper one, who can show us how to use the spells and correct us if we're going wrong."

"If you're talking about Lupin . . ." Harry began.

"No, no, I'm not talking about Lupin," Hermione reassured him. "He's too busy with the Order and anyway, the most we could see him is during Hogsmeade weekends and that's not nearly often enough."

Harry frowned. "Who?"

Hermione sighed. "Isn't it obvious? I'm talking about you, Harry."

It was silent for a moment. The only noise was the breeze rattling the windowpanes and the fire crackling.

"About me what?" Harry inquired.

Venus looked up at him. "She wants you to teach us Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Harry stared at her, his pretty green eyes locked with hers. He looked away and turned to Hermione, who was watching him expectantly. Harry finally looked at Ron, who was frowning slightly as he thought it over.

"That's an idea," Ron stated at last.

"What's an idea?" Harry inquired.

"You. Teaching us to do it."

"But . . ." Harry was grinning, apparently thinking they were joking. "But I'm not a teacher, I can't—"

"Harry, you're the best in the year at Defense Against the Dark Arts," Hermione told him.

"Me?" His grin widened. "No I'm not, you've beaten me in every test—"

"Actually, I haven't. You beat me in our third year — the only year we both sat the test and had a teacher who actually knew the subject. But I'm not talking about test results, Harry. Look what you've done!"

"How d'you mean?"

"You know what, I'm not sure I want someone this stupid teaching me," Ron revealed, glancing in between Hermione and Venus with a smirk. "Let's think. Uh . . . first year — you saved the Stone from You-Know-Who."

"But that was luck, that wasn't skill—" Harry protested.

"Second year, you killed the Basilisk and destroyed Riddle."

"Yeah, but if Fawkes hadn't turned up I—"

"Third year, you fought off about a hundred Dementors at once—"

"You know that was a fluke, if the Time-Turner hadn't—"

"Last year, you fought off You-Know-Who again—"

At this point, Venus was very confused. She hadn't done her research on Harry — okay, sue her, that would've been a little creepy — but all of that sounded very heroic. Definitely enough for him to teach them Defense.

"Listen to me!" Harry exclaimed, almost a little angry because both Ron and Hermione were smirking now. "Just listen to me, all right? It sounds great when you say it like that, but all that stuff was luck — I didn't know what I was doing half the time, I didn't plan any of it, I just did whatever I could think of, and I nearly always had help—"

"But that's what would make you a good teacher," Venus interjected calmly, noticing his temper was rising. "You'd teach us to react the right way in situations like that."

"Don't sit there grinning like you know better than I do, I was there, wasn't I?" Harry snapped, making her smile slightly drop. "I know what went on, all right? And I didn't get through any of that because I was brilliant at Defense Against the Dark Arts, I got through it all because — because help came at the right time, or because I guessed right — but I just blundered through it all, I didn't have a clue what I was doing — STOP LAUGHING!"

Harry jumped to his feet. This made the bowl of Murtlap essence fall to the floor. Venus jumped at the sudden noise of the shatter and Harry's yelling, but suddenly felt her arm sting. She hissed in pain and looked over from her place on the floor. There was a long scratch on her wrist that was now dotted with blood. She raised her head and immediately thought uh-oh. Harry looked utterly angry.

"You don't know what it's like!" Harry shouted. "You — none of you — you've never had to face him, have you? You think it's just memorizing a bunch of spells and throwing them at him, like you're in class or something? The whole time you know there's nothing between you and dying except your own — your own brain or guts or whatever — like you can think straight when you know you're about a second from being murdered, or tortured, or watching your friends die — they've never taught us that in their classes, what it's like to deal with things like that — and you two sit there acting like I'm a clever little boy to be standing here, alive, like Diggory was stupid, like he messed up — you just don't get it, that could just as easily have been me, it would have been if Voldemort hadn't needed me—"

"We weren't saying anything like that, mate," Ron said, looking very aghast. "We weren't having a go at Diggory, we didn't — you've got the wrong end of the—"

He looked helplessly at Hermione.

"Harry, don't you see?" Hermione questioned timidly. "Venus was right. This . . . this is exactly why we need you . . . we need to know what it's r-really like . . . facing him . . . facing V-Voldemort." Still breathing hard, Harry sunk back into his chair. "Well . . . think about it. Please?" Harry didn't say anything and just nodded. "Well, I'm off to bed. Erm . . . 'night."

Ron stood up as well and looked to Harry. "Coming?"

"Yeah," Harry answered. "In . . . in a minute. I'll just clear this up." Venus then stood up — careful to avoid the broken china — before Harry stopped her and stood up again as well. "Uh, Venus, can you stay for a second?"

"Uh, sure," Venus agreed as Ron left the room. "What's up?"

"I hurt you. Don't think I didn't notice the bowl cut you."

Venus shook her head, a small smile on her face. "It's okay, just a scratch. Nothing I can't handle."

"Let me see," Harry urged.

"Harry—"

"Let me see, Venus."

Venus sighed. She held her forearm out to Harry, who took it gingerly in his hands. Shivers were sent up her spine at his touch. She watched as he inspected the cut, which had stopped bleeding and was now only red and raw.

"Don't blame yourself," Venus said as she gently took her arm back. She took her wand out of the waistband of her jeans and pointed it at the broken pieces of china. "Reparo."

The pieces flew back together and formed the bowl, good as new.

"So, you're not going to push me like they are?" Harry asked her.

Venus shrugged. "I've only just heard of everything you've done from Ron. No offense, but I actually didn't do my research on your past experiences before I transferred here."

Harry placed a hand on his heart dramatically. "I am deeply offended."

She laughed slightly. "It all sounds very eventful. But I think Hermione's right, Harry." Venus took a step closer to her, inclining her head to keep their gazes locked while Harry swallowed nervously. "Listen, it might sound crazy, but . . . even in a class where all we do is read, I can really tell you've got a knack for Defense. Considering you fought Voldemort and survived — apparently multiple times — I'd say you're better than everyone at this school. And I'm not just saying that because you're my friend, I'm saying that because I believe it's true."

Harry let out a deep breath. "I don't know, Venus . . ."

"And that's perfectly fine." Feeling bold, she reached and took the hand that wasn't hurt and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Just give it some thought."

He nodded, his cheeks dusting a light shade of pink. "I will."

"Goodnight, Harry," Venus told him softly as she — much to her dismay — let go of his hand.

Harry smiled at her, one that made her heart race. "Goodnight, Star."

Venus grinned back at him and left the common room, completely unaware to the fact that Harry watched after her with that same smile, his heart also beating against his chest from the girl named after a planet.

» • » ✧ « • «

nobody:
venus: *mentions how pretty harry's eyes are every time she looks into them*

me too homegirl