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chapter forty seven | loose ends

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KAYA'S BOYFRIEND AND HIS TWIN had become celebrities, and the story of their flight to freedom was retold so often over the next few days that within a week, even those who had been eye-witnesses were half-convinced they had seen the twins dive-bomb Umbridge on their brooms and pelt her with Dungbombs before zooming out of the doors. Kaya knew Fred would have loved it - it was a shame he wasn't around to hear or see it all.

She understood it was selfish, but Kaya couldn't help but feel slightly deflated after her boyfriend's departure. She supposed it was because it all happened so quickly - one minute he dropped the L-bomb and the next he was flying out of the hell they called school without her. Of course, she was happy for him that he'd gotten himself out of there - especially since the use of whips on students had just been passed - but she wasn't going to be over the moon he had left her behind, was she?

Not to mention, it had almost been a year since Cedric's death, and right now it seemed to be even more obvious than ever. Because, this time last year they were busy hyping Cedric up for the third task and having parties, ready to crown him as the Triwizard Champion. And now he's gone - and Kaya's still trying to pick up the pieces, especially considering the fact that his killer wasn't even being acknowledged.

And so, all she can do now is just try her best to cope with it all - being left behind, the anniversary of her friend's death, hiding from Umbridge, and her end of year exams.

Kaya felt quite drained, in all honesty.

But, although Fred might've left, he certainly didn't fail to leave her anything to remember him by, as the girl was receiving little reminders of her boyfriend almost everywhere she looked.

For one thing, he and George had not left instructions on how to remove the swamp that now filled the corridor on the fifth floor of the east wing. Umbridge and Filch had been observed trying different means of removing it but without success. Eventually, the area was roped off and Filch, gnashing his teeth furiously, was given the task of punting students across it to their classrooms. Kaya and her friends were certain that teachers like McGonagall or Flitwick could have removed the swamp in an instant, but, just like in the case of Fred and George's Wildfire Whiz-bangs, they seemed to prefer to watch Umbridge struggle. She couldn't blame them one bit.

Kaya hadn't even realised until he'd left, but Fred had left one of his Quidditch jumpers in her bag - her favourite one of his, to be exact. He knew she'd always liked the softness and coziness of it, and so, being the angel that he was, he left it behind.

The girl either wore it in the evenings on top of her clothes, the bagginess of it due to the size difference acting almost like a blanket and made her feel even more cozy, like wrapping her up like a cuddle. The best way to describe it was a hug from miles away.

If she wasn't wearing it, it would sit on her bed, and sometimes she'd grab ahold of it, every now and then, and hold it up to her nose, the comforting smell of her Fred seemingly taking away all her stress for a moment. Sometimes she even put it over her pillow and fell asleep with his scent surrounding her all night.

Of course, the two still had their book to keep in contact, and Kaya liked having the jumper near when writing to Fred through the pages. It was the closest thing possible to having him here.

Inspired by Fred and George's example, a great number of students were now vying for the new positions of Hogwarts' troublemakers. In spite of the new door, somebody managed to slip a hairy-snouted Niffler into Umbridge's office, which promptly tore the place apart in its search for shiny objects, leapt on Umbridge when she entered and tried to gnaw the rings off her stubby fingers. Kaya had suspected Lee and Maddie were behind it - especially since they, as well as many other students, also dropped Dungbombs and Stink Pellets so frequently in the corridors that it became the new fashion for students to perform Bubble-Head Charms on themselves before leaving lessons, which ensured them a supply of fresh air, even though it gave them all the peculiar appearance of wearing upside-down goldfish bowls on their heads.

Jaeden had made sure to get several pictures of the pranks with the camera he'd gotten last year, not only to show the twins, but because it was very clearly one of the best things that came out of this school year.

It also became obvious just how many Skiving Snackboxes Fred and George had managed to sell before leaving Hogwarts. Umbridge only had to enter her classroom for the students assembled there to faint, vomit, develop dangerous fevers or else spout blood from both nostrils. Shrieking with rage and frustration, she attempted to trace the mysterious symptoms to their source - but Jaeden and Lee had once told her stubbornly they were suffering from 'Umbridge-itis', and so many students jumped on the bandwagon and claimed they also had caught the disease.

After putting four successive classes in detention and failing to discover their secret, she was forced to give up and allow the bleeding, swooning, sweating and vomiting students to leave her classes in droves. Even Kaya had used a couple Nosebleed Nougats herself (she didn't fancy vomiting or sweating, and so a bleeding nose seemed to be the best option).

Not to mention the chaos caused by Peeves, who seemed to have taken Fred's parting words deeply to heart. Cackling madly, he soared through the school, upending tables, bursting out of blackboards, toppling statues and vases. Twice he shut Mrs. Norris inside a suit of armour, from which she was rescued, yowling loudly, by the furious caretaker. He smashed lanterns and snuffed out candles, juggled burning torches over the heads of screaming students, caused neatly stacked piles of parchment to topple into fires or out of windows; flooded the second floor when he pulled off all the taps in the bathrooms, dropped a bag of tarantulas in the middle of the Great Hall during breakfast (which Kaya wasn't a great fan of, truth be told) and, whenever he fancied a break, spent hours at a time floating along after Umbridge and blowing loud raspberries every time she spoke.

But, amongst all the amusement that came with the pranks of the Hogwarts students, the reality still stood that it was not long to go now, until their final exams. It was the final exams, too, and Kaya and her friends were absolutely bricking it. Every free moment was devoted to revision, and the dreaded feeling that it was all she was going to be doing for the next couple of weeks made the girl want to cry.

Furthermore, it had been hers and Jaeden's last Quidditch match ever this previous Saturday, and both had played as if their lives depended on it. After all, it had been a case of now, or never when it came to winning.

Hufflepuff had won, much to Kaya's delight, and she had admittedly shed a tear or two when the entire team flooded her with tight hugs as a sign of love and gratitude for her years as one of their Chasers (in fact, Maisie would say they treated her as if she were their Captain). It was times like these it was really beginning to hit Kaya that, fuck, she really was leaving. This was it.

Even Jaeden was more sentimental this time, and didn't seem to care that much that he'd lost (for once) and had just been grateful to play a game that was remotely fair. He liked to think the reason the Slytherin team had been a lot more tame this game when it came to cheating because they knew how much he valued fair play, and it was his last time playing Quidditch in his silver green robes. It had been quite an emotional day.

On the subject of Quidditch - during the final match, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, Ron seemed to finally block all the nerves that came with being Keeper and made some amazing saves - Kaya only wished Fred and George could've seen him.

But now, with Quidditch finally over, revision was the only thing that seemed important anymore - at least, that's what the teachers made it out to be. Not to mention how the fifth and seventh years ended up in the library more than their own common room.

"Alright, Miles?" Kaya said, sitting opposite the blonde who currently had his head down, frowning at a book placed before him. "Figured out how to revise for your Arithmancy, yet?"

"Yeah, yeah," Milo looked up. His expression did not match the tone of his voice. "Not bad. Pretty good. I've got the schedule sorted, you know the one we made together. Balancing my time well. I got some notes from my teacher actually, to see what I need to improve on..."

"Right," Kaya nodded.

"And nothing's fucking going in!" He said, raising his voice slightly in frustration. "Nothing! I must've gone over all these equations about fifty times and I still can't get them to stick!"

"I'm starting to doubt they're even real, none of them make sense anymore," Maisie chimed in, also clearly struggling with her Arithmancy. "They all just look like scribbles on a page,"

"That sounds like a you problem," Kaya nodded. "Shouldn't have picked Arithmancy. I'm telling you, that shit has never made sense,"

"It used to, but then I took it for NEWTs. Big mistake."

"Well, I'm struggling with Herbology," said Kaya. "I accidentally poisoned a plant the other day because I used the wrong thing for it. I've had to add in more revision for it, I thought I had the hang of it and I wouldn't have to revise much, but here we are..."

"Guys!" Jaeden's jolly voice sounded over the trio's dreaded tones as he headed over with a merry stride in his step. "Guess who I just asked out!"

Kaya sighed. Not this again.

"Just have a look at this, will you Jaeden?" she said, passing him a sheet of parchment covered in ink from several scribbles made on it.

"What is it?" Jaeden frowned.

"It's my revision schedule,"

Jaeden's confused expression seemed to become even more baffled.

"Right... what am I looking for?"

"Does it say anywhere on there, 'listen to Jaeden witter on about his futile crush on Alicia Spinnet'?"

"No, and that doesn't matter anyway, because-"

"Jae!" The three chorused, gesturing to the pile of books and notes in front of them.

"Well, you all look like dicks right now, because it wasn't actually Alicia I asked out,"

Kaya, Maisie and Milo immediately shut up, and exchanged looks of surprise. Jaeden's expression grew smug.

"No?" Kaya raised an eyebrow.

"No," he grinned, sitting down. The other three stared, waiting for him to continue, but the brunette boy instead picked up one of Kaya's Transfiguration books.

"Who did you ask out, then?" Milo asked.

"Sorry," Jaeden grinned. "You all made it very clear you're too busy revising,"

Kaya huffed, and rolled her eyes.

"Just tell us-"

"Nope!" The Slytherin said. "You said it yourself, K, it's not on your revision schedule-"

"Jae!"

"You all switch up so quickly," Jaeden said with a cackle. "Okay - well, you'll be pleased to hear it wasn't Alicia-"

The three jokingly let out a cheer.

"-It was Angelina,"

There was a pause.

"Oh, shit?" Kaya said, her eyebrows creasing slightly, however the grin still remained on her face. "I feel bad - I didn't even catch onto the fact that you liked her?"

"Well - your brother was getting beaten up, so you were a bit busy,"

"I s'pose..." Kaya trailed off.

"Nice one, though!" Milo said with a bright expression. "I'm assuming she said yes, or you wouldn't be so happy?"

"Of course she said yes, look at me!" Jaeden chirped. "I'm a catch! I'm a hoot!"

"Wouldn't go that far," Maisie said. "What're you gonna do, then?"

"We said we'd perhaps go to Hogsmeade maybe after the exams. That way we won't be all stressed with revision, and shit,"

"Oh, wait, no, I see," Kaya grinned. "You took so long to ask her out because you were waiting for the Quidditch season to end. Can't have a Slytherin and a Gryffindor canoodling when you're supposed to be enemies," she added sarcastically. Jaeden blinked.

"I didn't think about that," he said with wonder. "But I s'pose it is a good thing I left it this long..."

"I could tell she has a crush on you," Maisie said with a proud look, as if she'd been the first to figure out some kind of mystery. "I knew it. She always tried to talk to you, but you were busy pining after Alicia,"

Jaeden scratched the back of his head with a sheepish glance.

"And to think," Kaya said, with a laugh. "I thought we'd never see the day where Jaeden stopped going on about bloody Alicia Spinnet. Times really are changing,"

"Oh, shut up," Jaeden said, sitting down next to his best friend and elbowing her. "Have you done any revision for Defence?"

"No," Kaya said. "I dunno how to, to be completely honest. All the examiners will probably think Umbridge's methods are wrong,"

"What are you gonna do?" Maisie asked with a sympathetic glance, clearly thankful she had decided not to choose the subject.

"Bullshit through the whole thing and cry afterwards, most likely,"

"Sounds like a plan," Jaeden nodded. He and Kaya fist bumped, before he said, "just think, this time next month, it'll all be over. It'll go by quick, I reckon,"

Kaya hoped this was true.

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For must have been the first time ever, Kaya thought, Jaeden was actually right. The exams were a blur - with the exception of the few moments during the assessments where there was that small moment of uncertainty once she'd finished her paper and was sitting in silence for a good ten minutes (that felt like ten hours) questioning if any of her answers made sense.

That didn't happen too often though, as Kaya always found herself using up the entire time given to them to complete their exams, and more or so struggled with the fact that she usually didn't have enough time to write everything that was in her head. Hopefully whatever it was she did manage to get down would be enough.

What's more, news of an event that happened during the fifth years' astronomy exam ended up with the school gamekeeper missing, and Professor McGonagall injured.

"As if this year couldn't get any fucking worse," Milo had said.

The only thing keeping Kaya and her friends in high spirits now was that summer was round the corner - they'd finally completed their exams. Their main interest that they'd been preparing for for seven years was finally done.

Now they were counting down the days until they'd finally left, for good.

But the worst wasn't over, yet. Especially after the news that McGonagall would be sent to St Mungos to recover from the school after defending the cowardly attack on Hagrid, who was now also missing.

As if it wasn't already bad enough, Hogwarts was turning into a literal hell.

And Kaya knew it would only be a matter of time until she and Jaeden finally got their punishment Umbridge had promised them, all those weeks ago.

"Miss Bennett! Mr Ezra!" A sickening voice sounded one day as the two best friends were just about to head out to the grounds.

They both hesitated and exchanged grim looks, before turning to face the old woman heading their way.

"You didn't think I'd forget about your awful little tantrums in the hallway, did you?"

"No, Miss," Jaeden said through a very sardonic tone.

"Because, I do believe a punishment is still in order, don't you?" She said, through a horrible smile.

Kaya crossed her arms over her chest. If it's the whips I'm going to kill her.

"Come, come, my office. Now,"

Kaya and Jaeden both trailed after the woman slowly, muttering to each other, as if it were going to suddenly buy them any time - so they did not notice the moment in which Ron Weasley ran up to the woman in pink, and then afterwards when Umbridge suddenly became panicked and the Inquisitorial Squad started swiftly moving through a commotion caused in a corridor (most likely caused by Peeves, Kaya had thought).

So, both were extremely surprised when they finally reached Umbridge's office to find three fifth years already inside.

Harry had his head facing the fireplace, Diana Silverstone was standing next to him, and Hermione also seemed to be caught up in whatever was going on, at this moment.

Umbridge swiftly moved forward and grabbed the boy by his jet black hair, before dragging him out of the fireplace and bending his neck back as far as it would go, as though she were going to slit his throat. Kaya's eyes widened.

"You think," she whispered, bending Harry's neck back even further, so that he was looking up at the ceiling, "that after two Nifflers I was going to let one more foul, scavenging little creature enter my office without my knowledge? I had Stealth Sensoring Spells placed all around my doorway after the last one got in, you foolish boy. Take his wand," she barked at someone behind Jaeden, and the two seventh years turned to find Draco Malfoy and Millicent Bullstrode suddenly appear in the office.

Kaya was confused.

"Theirs too!"

Diana's and Hermione's wands were easily wrestled from them, although Diana did give Draco Malfoy a great kick in the kneecap in return, causing him to stumble backwards quite a few steps and grunt in pain.

Kaya took this opportunity to slip hers up the sleeve of her jumper in hopes of hiding it. Jaeden seemed to get the memo, and stuffed his hand into his pocket in front of his wand, in protection.

"Now, I had a different punishment in mind for you two..." Umbridge continued, turning to the pair. "But you both seem to be quite good friends with Mr Potter here, no? So, I think it only right..."

The woman nodded at someone, and Kaya felt them wrap their arms around her from behind, stuffing their arm up her sleeve and retrieving her wand. She elbowed the boy in the stomach and he flinched, letting out a yelp, but it was too late. He'd already taken her wand. Jaeden put up more of a fight, however, and so resulted in having his wand stripped from him by use of the Summoning charm.

Umbridge turned turned back to Harry.

"I want to know why you are in my office," she said, shaking the fist clutching his hair so that he staggered.

'I was - trying to get my Firebolt!' Harry croaked.

"Liar." She shook his head again. "Your Firebolt is under strict guard in the dungeons, as you very well know, Potter. You had your head in my fire. With whom have you been communicating?"

"No one-" said Harry, trying to pull away from her.

"Liar!" shouted Umbridge. She threw him from her and he slammed into the desk.

There was a commotion outside and several large Slytherins entered, each gripping Ron, Ginny, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Maddie Jordan, her friends Jake and Jess (Kaya thinks?) and two other Ravenclaws she did not know - one blonde girl and one dark skinned boy she recognised from the D.A. All nine of them had been gagged.

"Got 'em all," said one Slytherin, shoving Ron roughly forwards into the room. "That one," he poked a thick finger at Neville, "tried to stop me taking her," he pointed at Ginny, who was trying to kick the shins of the large Slytherin girl holding her, "so I brought him along too."

"And these," another boy said, shaking the two Ravenclaws by the collar, "tried to help Jordan. So they've earned themselves a spot, too,"

"Good, good," said Umbridge, watching Ginny's struggles. "Well, it looks as though Hogwarts will shortly be a Weasley-free zone, doesn't it?"

Kaya felt a large burst of anger in her chest, and so clenched the handle of the cabinet behind her, preventing herself from doing anything she might regret. She still couldn't remember what exactly it was she'd done to Andrew Edwards (although she for sure didn't regret that).

Malfoy laughed loudly and sycophantically. Umbridge settled herself into a chintz-covered armchair, blinking up at everyone else with that same god awful smile she always wore when things were going her way.

"So, Potter," she said. "You stationed lookouts around my office and you sent this buffoon," she nodded at Ron - Malfoy laughed even louder - "to tell me, whilst I was giving two students a punishment, the poltergeist was wreaking havoc in the Transfiguration department when I knew perfectly well that he was busy smearing ink on the eyepieces of all the school telescopes - Mr. Filch having just informed me so."

"Snitch," Maddie muttered.

"Clearly, it was very important for you to talk to somebody. Was it Albus Dumbledore? Or the half-breed, Hagrid? I doubt it was Minerva McGonagall, I hear she is still too ill to talk to anyone."

Diana Silverstone looked like she might explode. Malfoy and a few of the other members of the Inquisitorial Squad laughed some more. Harry was shaking.

"I highly doubt that. Perhaps if it were you hit with a few stunning spells, you might be in a critical condition," Diana spoke up. "It's common knowledge you're a bit of a... well, shit witch. But not McGonagall. Not at all."

Malfoy stopped laughing.

The blonde looked as though she might kill. In fact, Kaya would not be surprised if she did. The Silverstone girl's eyes did not finish piercing Umbridge's until the teacher herself looked away.

Kaya was reminded that Diana's grandmother had been here just a few weeks before, and wondered what could've gone down between the two.

Diana glanced sideways and her lips curved upwards upon seeing Jaeden's satisfied look at her words. Kaya's eyebrows creased, slightly. She didn't know they were friends?

"It's none of your business who I talk to," Harry snarled, bringing Umbridge's attention away from Diana's insult and back to him.

Umbridge's slack face seemed to tighten.

"Very well," she said in her most dangerous and falsely sweet voice. "Very well, Mr. Potter ... I offered you the chance to tell me freely. You refused. I have no alternative but to force you. Draco - fetch Professor Snape."

Malfoy shoved Harry's and Diana's wands inside his robes and left the room smirking.

There was silence in the office except for the fidgetings and scufflings resulting from the Inquisitorial Squad's efforts to keep everyone under control. Ron's lip was bleeding onto Umbridge's carpet as he struggled against Warrington's half-nelson. Ginny was still trying to stamp on the feet of the sixth-year girl who had both her upper arms in a tight grip. Neville was turning steadily more purple in the face while lugging at Crabbe's arms.

Diana had her eyes focused on one of the lights above her, with a mysterious aura around her, as if she were planning something (Kaya supposed she ought to not be surprised - the girl's a Silverstone. She could probably do anything). Hermione was attempting, in vain, to throw Millicent Bulstrode off her. Jake and Jess were both struggling. The Ravenclaw girl and boy were being held by one large Slytherin and so were both trying to free themselves in a joint effort, but neither were doing very well.

Luna, however, stood limply by the side of her captor, gazing vaguely out of the window as though rather bored by the proceedings.

Kaya and Jaeden were (for once) trying to use their brains and think of a tactic to set themselves free, like in crime films when they use really weird moves to knock out their enemies - but none of which were working, of course.

Maddie Jordan seemed to be the most successful. She was shoving and swinging her arms and legs with all her might, giving the Slytherin holding her in place a pretty good beating - yet even that wasn't enough to break free from his grip.

Malfoy soon returned with Snape behind him, and Kaya was immediately taken back to her days in Potions where her stomach would fill with a feeling of sickness just at the sight of him entering. She found it strange, how such feelings from when she was just sixteen could so easily resurface at eighteen. She'd grown so much since her final lesson with Snape, and yet she still found herself incredibly uncomfortable in his presence.

"You wanted to see me, Headmistress?" he said, looking around at them with an expression of complete indifference.

"Ah, Professor Snape," said Umbridge, smiling widely and standing up again. "Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please."

"You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter," he said, surveying her coolly through his greasy curtains of black hair. "Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient."

Umbridge flushed.

'You can make some more, can't you?' she said, her voice becoming more sweetly girlish as it always did when she was furious.

"Certainly," said Snape, his lip curling. "It takes a full moon-cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in around a month."

"A month?" squawked Umbndge, swelling toadishly. Diana let out an obnoxious chuckle at the sight of the woman. "A month! But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Potter using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!"

"Really?" said Snape, showing his first, faint sign of interest as he looked round at Harry. "Well, it doesn't surprise me. Potter has never shown much inclination to follow school rules."

"Proper rebel," Jaeden mumbled.

"I wish to interrogate him!" repeated Umbridge angrily, and Snape looked away from Harry back into her furiously quivering lace. "I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!"

"I have already told you," said Snape smoothly. "I have no further stocks of Veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison Potter - and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy with you if you did - I cannot help you. The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to give the victim much lime for truth-telling."

"You are on probation!" shrieked Umbridge. Maddie let out a loud snort and had to cover her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from letting out any other laughter. Snape looked back at the Headmistress, his eyebrows slightly raised.

"You are being deliberately unhelpful! I expected better, Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you! Now get out of my office!"

Friends with Lucius Malfoy? I should've guessed, Kaya thought. She exchanged a raised eyebrow with Jaeden who was quite obviously thinking the same thing.

Snape gave her an ironic bow and turned to leave.

"He's got Padfoot!" Harry suddenly shouted. Kaya's attention diverted to him with a baffled look. "He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!"

"Padfoot?" cried Professor Umbridge, looking eagerly from Harry to Snape. "What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What does he mean, Snape?"

Snape looked round at Harry. His face was inscrutable. Kaya could not tell whether he had understood or not, but he did not dare speak more plainly in front of Umbridge.

'I have no idea,' he said coldly. "Potter, when I want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a Babbling Beverage. And Crabbe, loosen your hold a little. If Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot of tedious paperwork and I am afraid I shall have to mention it on your reference if ever you apply for a job."

He closed the door behind him with a snap. Maddie stuck her middle finger up at the place he'd just disappeared from.

Umbridge was heaving with stress and frustration. Kaya was picturing Filch bursting in at any moment with a handful of whips ready for the lot of them. She could only hope it would be over soon.

"Very well," Umbridge said instead, pulling out her wand. "Very well... I am left with no alternative... this is more than a matter of school discipline... this is an issue of Ministry security... yes... yes..."

She seemed to be talking herself into something. She was shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot, staring at Harry, beating her wand against her empty palm and breathing heavily.

"You are forcing me, Potter... I do not want to," said Umbridge, still moving restlessly on the spot, "but sometimes circumstances justify the use... I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice..."

Diana was still staring at the lights.

"The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue,"said Umbridge quietly. Kaya's mouth fell open.

"What?!" The blonde Ravenclaw yelled in disbelief.

"Professor Umbridge - it's illegal!" Hermione shrieked.

Umbridge took no notice. There was a nasty eager, excited look on her face that Kaya had never seen before. She raised her wand.

"The Minister wouldn't want you to break the law, Professor Umbridge!" cried Hermione.

"What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him," said Umbridge, who was now panting slightly as she pointed her wand at different parts of Harry's body in turn, apparently trying to decide where it would hurt most. "He never knew I ordered dementors to go after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same."

Apparently Umbridge hadn't finished dropping bombshells just yet.

"It was you?" gasped Harry. "You sent the dementors after me?"

"Somebody had to act," breathed Umbridge, as her wand came to rest pointing directly at Harry's forehead. "They were all bleating about silencing you somehow - discrediting you - but I was the one who actually did something about it..."

"He's fifteen!" The Ravenclaw girl yelled with a mixed tone of shock and rage. "You sent Dementors after a fifteen year old boy!"

Umbridge ignored her.

"...only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? Not today though, not now-" And taking a deep breath, she cried, "Cruc-"

"NO!" shouted Hermione in a cracked voice from behind Millicent Bulstrode. "No - Harry - we'll have to tell her!"

"No way!" yelled Harry, staring at the little of Hermione he could see.

"We'll have to, Harry, she'll force it out of you anyway, what's... what's the point?"

Kaya really wished she actually knew what it was they were hiding from the woman.

"Well, well, well!" said Umbridge, looking triumphant. "Little Miss Question-all is going to give us some answers! Come on then, girl, come on!"

"Hermione, no!" Ron shouted.

"Have you gone fucking mental?!" Maddie said.

Ginny was staring at Hermione as though she had never seen her before. Neville, still choking for breath, was gazing at her, too. Diana even looked up at her in disbelief, for a second. But Jaeden actually managed to notice something that Kaya didn't - and that was the fact that, even though she was supposedly crying, there was no trace of a tear.

"I'm - I'm sorry everyone,' said Hermione. "But I can't stand it,"

"That's right, that's right, girl!" said Umbridge, seizing Hermione by the shoulders, thrusting her into the abandoned chintz chair and leaning over her. "Now then... with whom was Potter communicating just now?"

"Well," gulped Hermione into her hands. "Well, he was trying to speak to Professor Dumbledore,"

Kaya exchanged wide eyes with Jaeden.

"Dumbledore?" said Umbridge eagerly. "You know where Dumbledore is, then?"

"Well... no!" sobbed Hermione. "We've tried the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks and even the Hog's Head-"

"Idiot girl - Dumbledore won't be sitting in a pub when the whole Ministry's looking for him!" shouted Umbridge, disappointment etched in every sagging line of her face.

Everyone's - except Diana's - eyes were fixed on Hermione, wondering what it was she was going to say next. Kaya didn't want to believe she was telling the truth. She wouldn't rat them out like that, really?

"But - but we needed to tell him something important!" Hermione wailed, holding her hands more tightly over her face.

"Yes?" said Umbridge with a sudden resurgence of excitement. "What was it you wanted to tell him?"

"We ... we wanted to tell him it's r-ready!" she choked.

"What's ready?" demanded Umbridge, and now she grabbed Hermione's shoulders again and shook her slightly. "What's ready, girl?"

"The... the weapon," said Hermione.

"Weapon? Weapon?" said Umbridge, and her eyes seemed to pop with excitement. "You have been developing some method of resistance? A weapon you could use against the Ministry? On Professor Dumbledore's orders, of course?"

Kaya almost sighed with relief. Okay, so she's definitely bullshitting. Thank fuck.

"Yes," gasped Hermione, "But he had to leave before it was finished and now we've finished it for him, and we c-can't find him to tell him!'

"What kind of weapon is it?" said Umbridge harshly, her stubby hands still tight on Hermione's shoulders.

"We don't really understand it," said Hermione, sniffing loudly. "We just did what Professor Dumbledore told us to do."

Umbridge straightened up, looking exultant.

"Lead me to the weapon," she said.

"I'm not showing... them," said Hermione shrilly, looking around at the Inquisitorial Squad through her fingers.

'It is not for you to set conditions,' said Professor Umbridge harshly.

"Fine," said Hermione, now sobbing into her hands again. 'Fine... let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact, I wish you'd invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th-that would serve you right - oh, I'd love it if the whole school knew where it was, and how to use it, and then if you annoy any of them they'll, be able to sort you out!"

Kaya had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from grinning.

These words had a powerful impact on Umbridge.
She glanced swiftly and suspiciously around at her Inquisitorial Squad, her bulging eyes resting for a moment on Malfoy, who was too slow to disguise the look of eagerness and greed that had appeared on his face.

Umbridge contemplated Hermione for another long moment, then spoke in what she clearly thought was a motherly voice.

'All right, dear, let's make it just you and me ... and we'll take Potter, too, shall we? Get up, now.'

"Professor," said Malfoy eagerly, "Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after-"

"I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Malfoy, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone?" asked Umbridge sharply.

"As if you'd help, anyway," Diana told him with a dirty look.

"In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something that schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these-" she gestured around at everyone else "-escape,"

"All right," said Malfoy, looking sulky and disappointed.

"And you two can go ahead of me and show me the way," said Umbridge, pointing at Harry and Hermione with her wand. "Lead on."