𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗬

ACT ONE, CHAPTER FOUR
blood traitors & lies.

TRIGGER WARNING: blood

VENUS COULD TELL that Harry wanted to be anywhere but the Great Hall. During dinner, the Hall was captured in whispers about him. Apparently the news about his argument with Umbridge had traveled exceptionally fast. The thing was that the whispers didn't seem to mind him overhearing at all — in fact, it was like they wanted Harry to hear so he could start shouting again. Seriously, what a bunch of idiots.

"He says he saw Cedric Diggory murdered . . ."

"He reckons he dueled with You-Know-Who . . ."

"Come off it . . ."

"Who does he think he's kidding?"

"Pur-lease . . ."

"What I don't get," Harry began in a shaky voice from his place next to Venus, laying down his knife and fork since they were trembling in his hand. "Is why they all believed the story two months ago when Dumbledore told them . . ."

"The thing is, Harry, I'm not sure they did," Hermione admitted grimly. "Oh, let's get out of here."

She slammed down her own knife and fork and stood up from the table. Venus sighed — she might as well follow them, she wasn't allowed to sit with Charlotte and Elijah during dinner, anyways — and joined Harry, Ron (who was very sad to leave his apple pie), and Hermione in walking out of the Great Hall. Everyone stared at them the entire way out.

"What d'you mean, you're not sure they believed Dumbledore?" Harry asked Hermione when they reached the landing of the first floor.

"Look, you don't understand what it was like after it happened," Hermione answered quietly. "You arrived back in the middle of the lawn clutching Cedric's dead body . . . none of us saw what happened in the maze . . . we just had Dumbledore's word for it that You-Know-Who had come back and killed Cedric and fought you."

"Which is the truth!"

"I know it is, Harry, so will you please stop biting my head off? It's just that before the truth could sink in, everyone went home for the summer, where they spent two months reading about how you're a nutcase and Dumbledore's going senile!"

Rain pounded on the windowpanes as they walked through the empty corridors back to the Gryffindor Tower. Venus couldn't help but feel like her first day had lasted a week, and she had even gotten detention in her last class. Not to mention the amount of homework she had to do before bed. How lovely. God, at that moment, she really missed Ilvermorny.

"Mimbulus mimbletonia," Venus told the Fat Lady before the Fat Lady could ask.

The portrait swung open to reveal the hole behind it. All three of them scrambled through it to be met with an almost empty common room. Nearly everyone was still down at dinner. Crookshanks — Hermione's cat — uncoiled himself from an armchair and trotted over to meet them while purring loudly. While Ron, Hermione, and Harry opted to sit at three chairs at the fireside, Venus decided to sit at the foot of Harry's chair on the floor.

"Hey," Harry said, gently tapping the side of her leg with his foot. "You okay down there?"

Venus shrugged. "I quite like the floor."

"Whatever you say, Star."

"How can Dumbledore have let this happen?" Hermione suddenly cried, making Venus jump and turn to her with wide eyes. She vaguely felt Harry put his hand on her shoulder, making butterflies erupt in her stomach. "How can he let that terrible woman teach us? And in our O.W.L. year too!"

Ron nodded. "Even Penelope — er, Lestrange said something."

"Well, we've never had great Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, have we?" Harry questioned. "You know what it's like, Hagrid told us, nobody wants the job, they say it's jinxed."

"Yes, but to employ someone who's actually refusing to let us do magic!" Hermione insisted. "What's Dumbledore playing at?"

"And she's trying to get people to spy for her," Ron added darkly. "Remember when she said she wanted us to come and tell her if we hear anyone saying You-Know-Who's back?"

"Of course she's here to spy on us all, that's obvious, why else would Fudge have wanted her to come?"

"Don't start arguing again," Harry protested as Ron opened his mouth to retaliate. "Can't we just . . . let's just do that homework, get it out of the way . . ."

They all collected their schoolbags from a corner and returned to their original spots. People were now coming back from dinner, but Venus decided to ignore them altogether. She placed her parchment out on one of her notebooks and got out her quill and ink.

"Shall we do Snape's stuff first?" Ron suggested, dipping his quill into his ink. "The properties . . . of moonstone . . . and its uses . . . in potion making . . ." He wrote the words across the top of his parchment as he spoke them. There." He underlined the title and then looked up expectantly at Hermione. "So what are the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion making?"

Hermione wasn't listening. Instead, she was squinting over at the far corner of the room, where Fred, George, and another boy were sitting at the center of a group of innocent-looking first years. The first years were all chewing something that seemed to have come out of a large paper bag Fred was holding. Venus raised an eyebrow at it.

"No, I'm sorry, they've gone too far," Hermione stated, looking positively furious as she stood up. "Come on, Ron."

"I — what?" Ron inquired, obviously stalling. "No — come on, Hermione — we can't tell them off for giving out sweets . . ."

"You know perfectly well that those are bits of Nosebleed Nougat or — or Puking Pastilles or—"

"Fainting Fancies?" Harry asked quietly.

As if on cue, the first years — one by one — slumped unconcious in their seats. Some slid right onto the floors while others merely hung over the arms of their chairs with their tongues lolling out.

Venus looked up at Harry. "Hey, you got it right."

He smirked at her, which made her heart begin to race. "Just had a feeling."

Most of the people watching were laughing. However, Hermione squared her shoulders and marched over to Fred and George, who were holding clipboards as they observed the unconscious first years. Ron — being the responsible Prefect he was — rose halfway out of his chair and hovered uncertainly for a couple of moments.

"She's got it under control," Ron muttered before sinking as low as he could in his chair.

"That's enough!" Hermione insisted forcefully, making Fred and George look up in mild surprise.

"Yeah, you're right," George agreed while nodding. "This dosage looks strong enough, doesn't it?"

"I told you this morning, you can't test your rubbish on students!"

"We're paying them!" Fred protested.

"I don't care, it could be dangerous!"

"Rubbish."

"Calm down, Hermione, they're fine!" the other boy voiced as he placed purple candy into the first years' open mouths.

"Yeah, look, they're coming round now," George said.

A few of the first years were indeed stirring. Several were shocked to find themselves laying on the floor and dangling off their chairs.

"How much you wanna bet that neither of them told the first years what the candy was going to do?" Venus asked Harry.

"Nothing," Harry replied. "Because you're right."

"Feel all right?" George questioned kindly to a small dark-haired girl laying at his feet.

"I — I think so," she responded shakily.

"Excellent," Fred uttered happily.

Hermione snatched the clipboard and paper bag of Fainting Fancies from his hands. "It is NOT excellent!"

"'Course it is, they're alive, aren't they?"

"You can't do this, what if you made one of them really ill?"

"We're not going to make them ill, we've already tested them all on ourselves, this is just to see if everyone reacts the same—"

"If you don't stop doing it, I'm going to—"

"Put us in detention?" Fred finished in an an I'd-like-to-see-you-try tone.

"Make us write lines?" George added with a smirk.

Hermione straightened up to her full height, her eyes narrowed in anger. "No, but I will write to your mother."

George took a step back from her in horror. "You wouldn't."

"Oh, yes, I would. I can't stop you eating the stupid things yourselves, but you're not giving them to first years."

Fred and George looked thunderstruck. Apparently Hermione's threat was extremely severe.

Harry leaned down so his head was closer to Venus'. "If there's one person you don't want to mess with, it's Mrs. Weasley. Trust me."

Venus nodded. "Judging by their reactions, I'm gonna take your word for it."

Hermione gave the twins one last threatening look before thrusting the clipboard and bag of Fancies back into Fred's arms. She stalked back to her chair by the fire and glared at Ron, who was very low in his seat now.

"Thank you for your support, Ron," Hermione told him icily.

"You handled it fine by yourself," Ron mumbled.

Hermione stared down at her blank piece of parchment for a few seconds. "Oh, it's no good, I can't concentrate now. I'm going to bed."

She opened her bag. However, instead of putting her books away, she pulled out two misshapen woolly objects. Venus watched her curiously as she placed them on the table, covered them with a couple of ripped pieces of parchment and broken quill, and stood back to admire her effort.

"What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" Ron questioned, watching her like he was fearing for her sanity.

"They're hats for House-Elves," Hermione answered, now stuffing all of her books back into the bag. "I did them over the summer. I'm a really slow knitter without magic, but now I'm back at school I should be able to make lots more."

"You're leaving out hats for the house-elves? And you're covering them up with rubbish first?"

"Yes."

"That's not on. You're trying to trick them into picking up the hats. You're setting them free when they might not want to be free."

"Of course they want to be free!" Hermione exclaimed, her face turning pink. "Don't you dare touch those hats, Ron!"

Venus stared after her as she left, ultimately sighing and rolling up her piece of parchment. "Might as well go follow her. Don't know about you, but I really do not feel like dealing with anything Lavender Brown related tonight — which is saying a lot, considering I literally met her yesterday." She stood up and swung her bag over her shoulder. "I'll see you two tomorrow."

"Hey, Star?" Harry began, making her stop and turn back to her. "Sorry your first day at Hogwarts was . . . eventful."

She smiled at him. "Don't worry about it. Goodnight."

Venus then left to go to her dormitory, her face feeling very hot and her stomach fluttering with butterflies.

╞════════ ༺ ༻ ════════╡

THE NEXT DAY was just as rainy as the previous. Venus — a plate of pancakes in front of her — sat at the Slytherin table with Charlotte and Elijah for breakfast. The rest of the Slytherins — minus Penelope Lestrange, who seemed to be in the middle of rolling her eyes at Draco Malfoy — gave them dirty looks, but they ignored them.

"At least we don't have Snape today," Charlotte commented as she spread some butter on her toast. "The last thing I need right now is Snape."

"I have him later," Elijah complained. "I hate potions. Seriously, all I want is to be a Charms Professor. I don't even need Potions for that."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Yet you're still one of the top students in the class."

"Doesn't mean I don't hate it."

"I don't know what I wanna do," Charlotte admitted. "Knowing Snape, he'll probably tell me to go get a job in the Muggle world like my parents, but that's so boring. He's just biased."

Venus' eyebrows raised. "Is this guy really as bad as you're painting him out to be?"

"Even worse," Elijah cut in. "Basically prejudiced to everyone who a, isn't a Slytherin, and b, are a Muggle-born."

Venus made a noise of disgust. "What is up with this school and their prejudices? Now, America isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but at least Ilvermorny didn't make No-Maj-borns — God, sorry — Muggle-borns feel like they're nothing."

Their conversation ended there since it was time to go to class. While Charlotte headed off to Herbology, Venus and Elijah went to Charms. Venus had double Charms with the Ravenclaws in the morning directly followed by double Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs. Professor Flitwick — the Charms teacher and Head of Ravenclaw House — and Professor McGonagall both spent the first fifteen minutes of their lessons lecturing the class on the importance of O.W.L.'s.

"What you must remember," Professor Flitwick began in his squeaky voice, perched on top of a pile of books so he could see over his desk. "Is that these examinations may influence your futures for many years to come! If you have not already given serious thought to your careers, now is the time to do so. And in the meantime, I'm afraid, we shall be working harder than ever to ensure that you all do yourselves justice!"

They then spent more than n hour reviewing the Summoning Charm, Accio, which Flitwick said was bound to come up in their O.W.L. He finished the lesson by giving them — according to Elijah — their largest amount of Charms homework ever. It was pretty much the same in Transfiguration.

"You cannot pass an O.W.L. without serious application, practice, and study," Professor McGonagall revealed grimly. "I see no reason why everybody in this class should not achieve an O.W.L. in Transfigurationas long as they put in the work." Neville made a sad little noise of disbelief. "Yes, you too, Longbottom. There's nothing wrong with your work except lack of confidence. So . . . today we are starting Vanishing Spells. These are easier than Conjuring Spells, which you would not usually attempt until N.E.W.T. level, but they are still among the most difficult magic you will be tested on in your O.W.L."

McGonagall was right. Venus realized the Vanishing Spells were horribly difficult. She did manage to vanish her snail in about ten tries. Hermione, on the other hand, vanished hers in three and earned both a ten-point bonus for Gryffindor and no homework. Everyone else was instructed to practice the spell overnight to prepare for a fresh attempt the following afternoon.

During the lunch hour, Venus and Charlotte wrote their essay on the uses of moonstone in potion making while at the Ravenclaw table, thanks to some notes Elijah had gathered from some books (seriously, he was a God send.) Finally, it was time for Care of Magical Creatures, which Venus shared with the Slytherins again, so her and Charlotte joined Harry, Ron, and Hermione in walking down to a cabin on the edge of a forest which was apparently called the Forbidden Forest.

Harry pointed to the cabin. "Star, that's Hagrid's cabin. He's usually the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, but he's been gone . . ."

"He means a lot to you," Venus noticed.

Harry nodded slowly. "He was the one who told me I was a wizard and saved me from my awful family."

"I'm sure he'll come 'round soon, Harry," Charlotte reassured him. "You know Hagrid, he loves Hogwarts."

Professor Grubbly-Plank stood waiting for the class about ten yards from Hagrid's front door, a long trestle table in front of her that was filled with many twigs. As their group approached her, a loud shout of laughter sounded behind them. Venus turned to see Draco Malfoy striding towards them followed by two large boys, an unfamiliar girl, and Penelope Lestrange. All of them — minus Penelope — were laughing as they gathered around the table. Judging by their glances to Harry, Venus guessed they were laughing about him. It made her blood boil.

"Well, isn't in the transfer student," Malfoy stated once he set eyes on Venus. "You know, it would benefit you a lot more of you hung out with our crowd instead of theirs. Or did they not teach you about blood purity in America?"

"Leave her alone, Draco," Penelope scolded. She turned to Venus with a smile. "Don't believe we've formally met. Penelope Lestrange."

Venus shook her hand, grinning as well. "Venus Black. Nice to meet you."

"Soft," Draco muttered, making the two larger boys chuckle.

Penelope glared harshly at them. "I suggest you two shut the fuck up before I punch the living daylights out of you. And Draco, don't forget what I said yesterday. Act nice. Don't be annoying little bitch."

That earned quiet laughs from Harry, Ron (whose cheeks were pink since Penelope joined them), and Charlotte. Penelope smirked triumphantly and crossed her arms across her chest.

"And, Malfoy . . ." Venus began. "Ilvermorny was actually co-founded by a descendant of Salazar Slytherin." She offered him a smile. "Maybe you should do some research before you talk to me."

"Everyone here?" Grubbly-Plank asked once all the Slytherins and Gryffindors had arrived. "Let's crack on then — who can tell me what these things are called?"

She gestured to the heap of twigs in front of her. Hermione's hand instantly shot into the air. Behind her back, Malfoy did a buck-toothed impression of her jumping up and down in eagerness to answer a question. Venus turned and glared at that, one that made Draco and the unfamiliar girl's laughing slowly cease to an end.

The twigs on the table leaped into the air and revealed themselves to be what seemed like tiny Pixie-like creatures made of wood. Each had knobbly brown arms and legs, two twig-like fingers at the end of each hand, and a flat, bark-like face where a pair of beetle-brown eyes glittered.

"Oooooh!" Parvati and Lavender chorused.

"Kindly keep your voices down, girls!" Grubbly-Plank urged, feeding the creatures with what looked like brown rice. "So — anyone know the names of these creatures? Miss Granger?"

"Bowtruckles," Hermione answered. "They're tree-guardians, usually live in wand-trees."

"Five points for Gryffindor. Yes, these are Bowtruckles and, as Miss Granger rightly says, they generally live in trees whose wood is of wand quality. Anybody know what they eat?"

"Wood lice," Hermione continued. "But Fairy eggs if they can get them."

"Good girl, take another five points. So whenever you need leaves or wood from a tree in which a Bowtruckle lodges, it is wise to have a gift of wood lice ready to distract or placate it. They may not look dangerous, but if angered they will gouge out human eyes with their fingers, which, as you can see, are very sharp and not at all desirable near the eyeballs. So if you'd like to gather closer, take a few wood lice and a Bowtruckle — I have enough here for one between three — you can study them more closely. I want a sketch from each of you with all body parts labeled by the end of the lesson."

Hermione, Charlotte, and Venus decided to share a Bowtruckle. While Hermione went to go retrieve a Bowtruckle and some wood lice, Charlotte and Venus got out some parchment, quills, and ink for their sketch. Hermione returned and gently placed the Bowtruckle down onto the grass. Harry and Ron also joined their group to try and draw the Bowtruckle, who didn't seem to like staying still. Harry then began to relay to them that Malfoy had said something about Hagrid messing with something too big for him. At Venus' confused expression, Harry quickly explained that Hagrid was half-Giant.

"Dumbledore would know if something had happened to Hagrid," Hermione replied at once. "It's just playing into Malfoy's hands to look worried, it tells him we don't know exactly what's going on. We've got to ignore him, Harry. Here, hold the Bowtruckle for a moment, just so I can draw its face . . ."

"Yes," Malfoy's voice stated near them as Harry held the Bowtruckle, Venus instantly drawing its face before it would move. "Father was talking to the Minister just a couple of days ago, you know, and it sounds as though the Ministry's really determined to crack down on substandard teaching in this place. So even if that overgrown moron does show up again, he'll probably be sent packing straight away."

"Draco, shut up," Penelope seethed.

"OUCH!" Harry suddenly exclaimed.

Venus' head snapped over to him, her eyes wide. Harry had apparently been gripping the Bowtruckle so tight in anger that it had almost snapped. The Bowtruckle had swiped at his hand with its sharp fingers, leaving two long and deep cuts. Harry dropped it, and the two larger boys with Malfoy laughed harder as the Bowtruckle ran off towards the forest.

"Are you okay?" Venus questioned in concern. "Here, let me see."

She gently took his hand. The cuts were bleeding and were dripping the red liquid onto his parchment. Venus looked around for a moment only to see Hermione offering a handkerchief to her. She smiled graciously and wrapped the handkerchief around Harry's hand to stop the bleeding.

Harry's cheeks were pink. "Uh, thanks, Star."

"No worries," she responded.

The bell then echoed distantly over the grounds. Venus rolled up her drawing of the Bowtruckle and followed in the direction of Ron, Harry, and Hermione to go to Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. Charlotte (unfortunately) had to leave them to go to Transfiguration.

"If he calls Hagrid a moron one more time . . ." Harry snarled.

"Harry, don't go picking a row with Malfoy, don't forget, he's a Prefect now, he could make life difficult for you . . ." Hermione revealed.

"Wow, I wonder what it'd be like to have a difficult life?"

Ron laughed, but both Venus and Hermione frowned. Together they crossed over the vegetable patch.

"I just wish Hagrid would hurry up and get back, that's all," Harry said in a low voice as they approached the greenhouses. "And don't say that Grubbly-Plank woman's a better teacher!"

"I wasn't going to," Hermione voiced calmly.

"Because she'll never be as good as Hagrid."

The door of the nearest greenhouse opened. Some fourth years spilled out of it, including Ginny, who Venus hadn't really seen much of.

"Hi," Ginny greeted brightly as she passed them. "Venus, you have any idea where Elijah could be?"

"I think he's in Ancient Runes right now," Venus called after her.

Luna Lovegood then emerged from the greenhouse, trailing behind the rest of the class, a smudge of dirt on her nose and her hair tied in a knot on the top of her head. The second she saw Harry, her eyes bulged excitedly and she made a beeline straight for him. Most of their classmates turned to watch.

The girl took a great breath. "I believe He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, and I believe you fought him and escaped from him."

"Er — right," Harry responded awkwardly.

Luna was wearing a pair of orange radish earrings, which Parvati and Lavender noticed since they were giggling and pointing to her earlobes. Venus rolled her eyes. Seriously?

"You can laugh!" Luna told them, her voice raising. She was apparently under the impression that Parvati and Lavender were laughing at what she had said rather than what she was wearing. "But people used to believe therewere no such things as the Blibbering Humdinger or the Crumple-Horned Snorkack!"

"Well, they were right, weren't they?" Hermione inquired impatiently. "There weren't any such things as the Blibbering Humdinger or the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

Luna gave her a withering look and flounced away, her radishes swinging madly. Parvati and Lavender, along with basically everyone else, were laughing hard.

"D'you mind not offending the only people who believe me?" Harry asked Hermione as they entered the greenhouse.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Harry, you can do better than her," Hermione stated. "Ginny's told me all about her, apparently she'll only believe in things as long as there's no proof at all. Well, I wouldn't expect anything else from someone whose father runs The Quibbler."

Venus frowned. She didn't like that side of Hermione very much.

A boy in Hufflepuff robes then stepped up to Harry. "I want you to know, Potter, that it's not only weirdos who support you. I personally believe you one hundred percent. My family have always stood firm behind Dumbledore, and so do I."

"Er — thanks very much, Ernie," Harry replied.

Professor Sprout — Herbology teacher and Head of Hufflepuff House — also began her lesson by lecturing about the importance of O.W.L.'s. To be honest, it was only making Venus more anxious. God only knows how Elijah was feeling. Sprout then gave them another essay at the end of class, which darkened Venus' mood a little more.

An hour and a half later, the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs all trooped back up to the castle. None of them talked very much since it had been another long day. Venus and Harry both came to the conclusion that they should head straight to dinner instead of dropping off their bags at Gryffindor Tower since their first detention with Umbridge was at five o'clock.

The two of them — still stuck in silence, they definitely needed something to eat — along with Ron and Hermione had barely reached the entrance of the Great Hall when an angry-looking girl approached them.

"Oy, Potter!" the girl yelled loudly.

"What now?" Harry complained.

"I'll tell you what now." The girl poked Harry had in the chest with her finger, making Venus laugh quietly to herself. "How come you've landed yourself in detention for five o'clock on Friday?"

"What? Why . . . oh yeah, Keeper tryouts!"

"Now he remembers!" the girl continued. "Didn't I tell you I wanted to do a tryout with the whole team, and find someone who fitted in with everyone? Didn't I tell you I'd booked the Quidditch pitch specially? And now you've decided you're not going to be there!"

"I didn't decide not to be there!" Harry insisted. "I got detention from that Umbridge woman, just because I told her the truth about You-Know-Who—"

"Well, you can just go straight to her and ask her to let you off on Friday, and I don't care how you do it, tell her You-Know-Who's a figment of your imagination if you like, just make sure you're there!" She turned to Venus. "Sorry, and you are?"

"Venus Black," Venus answered. "Ilvermorny transfer student."

"Angelina Johnson, Quidditch captain. Will you be trying out?"

Venus shook her head. "No, I'd much rather prefer to be in the stands."

Angelina gave her a curt nod, glared at Harry, and stormed away.

"You know what?" Harry asked to Venus, Ron, and Hermione as they entered the Great Hall. "I think we'd better check with Puddlemere United whether Oliver Wood's been killed during a training session, because she seems to be channeling his spirit."

"What d'you reckon are the odds of Umbridge letting you off on Friday?" Ron inquired skeptically as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.

Venus winced as she piled some mashed potatoes on her plate. "Sorry Harry, but it's slim to none. It wouldn't hurt to try, though."

Harry shrugged. "I'll offer to do two more detentions or something, I dunno . . ." He paused to swallow a mouthful of potatoes. "I hope she doesn't keep me and Venus too long this evening. You realize we've got to write three essays, practice Vanishing Spells for McGonagall, work out a countercharm for Flitwick, finish the Bowtruckle drawing, and start that stupid dream diary for Trelawney?"

Ron moaned, and for some odd reason, glanced up at the ceiling. "And it looks like it's going to rain."

"What's that got to do with our homework?" Hermione questioned, her eyebrows raised.

His ears turned red. "Nothing."

At five to five, Harry and Venus decided it was time to go. They bade Ron and Hermione goodbye and set off towards Umbridge's office on the third floor. They both stopped in front of the door. Venus let out a deep breath and wiped her sweaty palms on her robes.

Harry looked over at her. "You ready?"

She shook her head. "Absolutely not. You?"

"I'd rather sit through an hour of Ron and Hermione bickering."

Venus chuckled. "Come on, let's get this over with."

Harry knocked on the door.

"Come in," Umbridge's sugary voice encouraged, making Venus cringe.

The two entered cautiously and looked around. Venus had to blink to get used to it for a second. The surfaces had all been draped in lacy covers and cloths. Several vases full of fried flowers each rested on its own doily. One of the walls was decorated with a collection of ornamental plates, each one decorated with a large technicolor kitten wearing a different bow around the neck. Venus and Harry continued to stare at the decorations, obviously transfixed.

"Good evening, Mr. Potter and Miss Black," Umbridge greeted.

Venus turned look at Umbridge. She had not noticed her at first because her flowered set of robes had blended very well into the tablecloth on the desk behind her.

"Evening," Harry replied stiffly.

"Well, sit down."

Umbridge pointed to a small table draped in lace beside which she had drawn up two straight-backed chairs facing each other. Two pieces of blank parchment laid on the table, apparently waiting for them. Venus moved and sat down in one of the chairs while Harry stayed in his place.

"Er," Harry said. "Professor Umbridge? Er — before we start, I — I wanted to ask you a . . . a favor."

Umbridge's bulging eyes narrowed. "Oh yes?"

"Well I'm . . . I'm on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. And I was supposed to be at the tryouts for the new Keeper at five o'clock on Friday and I was — was wondering whether I could skip detention that night and do it — do it another night . . . instead . . ."

Venus knew at the beginning that it was no good. It was a futile attempt, really — but she admired him for trying.

Umbridge smiled widely. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no. This is your punishment with Miss Black for spreading evil, nasty, attention-seeking stories, Mr. Potter, and punishments certainly cannot be adjusted to suit the guilty one's convenience. No, you and Miss Black will come here at five o'clock tomorrow, and the next day, and on Friday too, and you will do your detentions as planned. I think it rather a good thing that you are missing something you really want to do. It ought to reinforce the lesson I am trying to teach you."

Venus could see that Harry's temper was getting the best of him again. Their eyes locked, and she subtly shook her head. Umbridge only wanted him to give her a reaction. Harry dropped his schoolbag and sat down in the straight-backed chair in front of Venus.

"There," Umbridge stated sweetly. "We're getting better at controlling our temper already, aren't we? Now, you are going to be doing some lines for me, Mr. Potter and Miss Black. No, not with your quill," she added as the two of them bent down to open their bags. "You're going to be using a rather special one of mine. Here you are." She handed them both a long, thin black quill with an unusually sharp point. "Mr. Potter, I want you to write I must not tell lies. Miss Black, I want you to write blood traitor."

Venus blinked. "Blood traitor? But—"

"Do as I say, Miss Black."

"How many times?" Harry inquired with fake politeness.

"Oh, as long as it takes for the message to sink in," Umbridge responded. "Off you go."

She went back to her desk, sat down, and bent over a stack of parchment that Venus could only guess were essays for grading. Venus raised her quill, but soon realized she was missing something.

"Um, Professor, you didn't give us any ink," Venus announced.

"Oh, you won't need ink," Umbridge told them, the slightest suggestion of a laugh in her voice.

Venus and Harry met eyes again. She shrugged and looked back down at her parchment. Placing the point of the quill on the paper, she wrote Blood traitor.

Instantly, Venus dropped the quill and gasped in pain, Harry doing so as well. She looked down at her left hand to see the words she wrote carve themselves into her skin. Venus looked over to see Harry's hand also had the words I must not tell lies. His hand healed, leaving the place where the words had been slightly redder than before but quite smooth. However, when Venus looks down at her own, the words on her hand have begun to bleed.

Umbridge were watching them with a smile. "Yes?"

"Nothing," Harry answered quietly. He looks up and notices Venus still staring at her hand in shock, and he takes it with his free one. "It's okay, Star."

Nothing was definitely okay, but she shakes it off and picks her quill back up. Once again, she writes down blood traitor, the words carving into her skin in a searing pain and more blood dotting over her hand. This process went on many times to the point where blood started to drip down Venus' hand and land on the parchment. Along with the blood droplets was Venus' blood used as ink.

Outside of Umbridge's window, the sky turned dark. Neither of them asked when they should stop. Venus blinked back her tears — she knew Umbridge was looking for signs of weakness. She wouldn't get them. Venus Black was strong, even though her hand was bleeding a lot.

"Come here," Umbridge finally urged after what seemed like hours.

Venus stood up. Her hand was stinging and was now covered with dried and fresh blood.

"Hand."

They extended their hands. Venus tried to not hiss in pain as Umbridge's stubby finger grazed over the cuts.

"Tut, tut, I don't seem to have made much of an impression yet," Umbridge voiced, making Venus knit her eyebrows together. She was literally bleeding. "Well, we'll just have to try again tomorrow evening, won't we? You may go."

The two left the office without a word. Hogwarts was quiet — it was surely past midnight. Venus kept her gaze on her bleeding hand. Harry extended his hand to her, and Venus placed her other hand in it, lacing their fingers together. Venus and Harry then walked back to Gryffindor tower, hand-in-hand, not quite believing how Umbridge could be using a torture device for detention.

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let me at umbridge. I will swing.

AYO I ALSO PUBLISHED A RON WEASLEY FIC CALLED BRUTAL THAT CONNECTS TO THIS ONE SO GO CHECK IT OUT <33