𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗬

ACT TWO, CHAPTER FIVE
the stakes are high, the water's
rough, but this love is ours.

"ELIJAH."

"I'M NOT jumping into the Black Lake, Lottie."

The month continued to progress into March, which also meant that O.W.L.'s were approaching at a rapid rate. Elijah had started furiously starting to study since the beginning of the year, but it only got worse as the days got closer to June. He would mostly be found in the library by himself or locked away in Ravenclaw Tower. Charlotte apparently had enough of this, so she suggested that they all have a study session out by the Black Lake instead to get some fresh air.

Venus, Charlotte, and Elijah sat underneath a tree by the Black Lake, their bags with their books and notes scattered around them.

Charlotte groaned and shut her Potions book. "This is so boring. Why can't we just have fun for once?"

Elijah gave her a look. "You were the one to suggest we study outside. So . . . we're studying."

"Why can't we start studying, like, a day before the exam?"

"And why on Earth would we do that?" Elijah demanded, looking horrified. "That gives a huge window to fail, that's completely unacceptable—"

"Okay, okay," Charlotte grumbled, leaning back against the tree they were sitting around. "I'll start studying . . . two days before the exam."

"Charlotte."

"You know how I feel about my full name!"

"Guys," Venus interjected, laughing slightly. "How about we study for, like, ten more minutes and then stop?"

"I want to stop now," Charlotte complained. "Ugh, I should've known asking you two to study was a bad idea. You're no fun."

"Sorry I'm trying to get good grades," Elijah replied.

"You're going to get good grades regardless, Eli."

Surprisingly, Elijah shut his book as well. "I just wish this year would be over with."

Venus placed down the piece of parchment that her Charms notes on it and frowned. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, first, Umbridge. She's absolutely dreadful, and I hate that the Ministry is interfering here. Second, O.W.L.'s. What if students aren't good at tests like that? I think it's so stupid that a test grade determines your entire future."

"You?" Charlotte asked, an eyebrow raised. "You, Mr. I have to study all the time, complaining about exams? Merlin, I never thought I'd see the day."

"Yeah, well, when you have very high expectations placed on you, you tend to resent something that you used to love doing."

Charlotte straightened up. "Oh, is this about your parents again? Elijah, I told you—"

"They're making me hate learning because they're putting so much stress on me," Elijah admitted. "I'm sick of it."

"You're so much more than a test score, Eli," Venus stated quietly. "The fact that they believe you aren't is horrible."

"What have I been telling you since first year?" Charlotte continued. "Try your best. If your parents make you leave because of grades, come stay with me. My parents love you."

"Or me," Venus agreed. "Mom and dad have been asking to meet you."

Charlotte smirked. "You've talked about us to your parents?"

Venus rolled her eyes. "Yes, you loser. You two were my first friends at Hogwarts — I obviously had to let them know."

"I wonder how much different it was back then at Hogwarts," Elijah voiced. "I mean, your parents are both Purebloods, but I don't think it would've gone over well that your father was dating a Ravenclaw."

Venus shrugged. "They never really talked to me much about Hogwarts growing up. I mean, they didn't really need to — we were in America after all." She sighed a little. "I just wish they would tell me what's going on in the Ministry right now. They always told me what was happening in MACUSA. Ever since we moved, I've just kind of been left in the dark."

"I'd be surprised if the Ministry employees knew what was going on," Charlotte replied. "I feel like some of them believe Harry but don't want to speak up to Fudge or Umbridge in case they get fired."

"This whole thing is stupid," Venus stated bitterly, crossing her arms. "Why won't they just believe him? He wouldn't make something that serious up. I've known that even before I met him."

"Because it's Harry," Elijah offered. "They were intimidated by him then, they're intimidated by him now. He's also pretty much Dumbledore's right hand man, and Fudge has always hated Dumbledore."

"Listen, I'm not a big fan of Dumbledore, but Fudge needs to wake up and see that Dumbledore doesn't want the Minister's job," Charlotte announced. "The Ministry's getting corrupt."

"The Ministry's been corrupt."

"Fair enough."

Venus crossed her arms across her chest. "I know things are getting better after The Quibbler article for Harry, but it's obvious he's still got all of this weight on him. Who are we kidding, it's Voldemort."

"Talk to him about it," Charlotte suggested. "Harry likes to do this thing where he secludes himself away when things get tough in risk of other people getting hurt. Heroic, but utterly annoying."

"You might be the exception because you're his girlfriend now," Elijah added. "Or . . . actually, no, he'll probably want to seclude you more."

"It's a cycle," Charlotte continued. "You'll get used to it."

"I can take care of myself," Venus argued.

"Yeah, we all know that. Harry's just protective over everyone he's close to. Ron, Hermione, us, the twins, Ginny—"

"Oh shoot," Elijah interrupted, his eyes widening as he frantically looked down at his watch. "Sorry guys, I have to go. Ginny asked me to help her practice a charm, and our meeting time was, like, five minutes ago."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Ginny, you say?"

"Shut up," Elijah told her, his cheeks flushing red as he stood up. "I'll see you two later. Don't forget to study!"

Venus and Charlotte watched him leave for a moment. She shook her head in amusement and put her notes back into her bag.

"You know, it's amusing to see how the two of them just dance around each other like there's not something there," Charlotte admitted. "They're so oblivious it hurts. Kind of like what you and Harry used to be."

"Or you and Neville right now?" Venus questioned, slightly smirking.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that." Charlotte paused for a moment, seemingly thinking something over. "Hey, Venus—"

"If you're going to ask me to jump in the Black Lake, I'm also going to have to decline."

"Ugh, you guys are so boring."

╞════════ ༺ ༻ ════════╡

VENUS WAS IN the middle of having a peaceful dinner with Hermione and Ron (not Harry, whom had eaten early because he had another Occlumency lesson) when a scream suddenly sounded from outside the room.

She jumped so hard that she dropped her fork to her plate with a clang and her head whipped towards the entrance hall. "What—?"

"Bloody hell," Ron commented, also looking towards the entrance hall. "What's that all about?"

Along with the rest of the students and teachers that occupied the Great Hall, they all flooded out into the entrance hall. Instantly, a great ring formed around the situation, some even going up the marble staircase a little bit to get a better look and to make more room.

A woman, looking utterly mad, was standing in the middle of the entrance hall with a wand in one hand and an empty sherry bottle in the other. Her hair was sticking up on end and her glasses were lopsided so that one eye was bigger than the other. Innumerable shawls and scarves were trailing haphazardly from her shoulders and gave the impression that she was basically falling apart at the seams. Two large trunks were laying on the floor beside her — one of them was even upside down, looking very much like it had been thrown down the stairs after her. The woman was staring in horror at a woman at the foot of the stairs . . . Umbridge.

"Professor Trelawney?" Hermione inquired quietly, mostly to herself.

Venus looked over at her. "The Divination Professor?"

Ron nodded. "That's the one. Um . . . I think Trelawney won in the competition against Hagrid of who was going to be sacked first."

Hermione whirled towards him. "This is not a time for joking, Ron!"

"No!" Trelawney shrieked, cutting off their conversation. "NO! This cannot be happening . . . it cannot . . I refuse to accept it!"

"You didn't realize this was coming?" Umbridge's completely annoying high girlish voice responded, sounding callously amused. "Incapable though you are of predicting even tomorrow's weather, you must surely have realized that your pitiful performance during my inspections, and lack of any improvement, would make it inevitable you would be sacked?"

"You c-can't!" Trelawney howled, tears streaming down her face from behind her enormous glasses. "You c-can't sack me! I've b-been here sixteen years! "H-Hogwarts is m-my h-home!"

"It was your home, until an hour ago, when the Minister of Magic countersigned the order for your dismissal," Umbridge revealed. Venus was utterly revolted to see Umbridge's toadlike face watch Trelawney sink onto one of her trunks while sobbing uncontrollably. God, this woman was awful. "Now kindly remove yourself from this hall. You are embarrassing us."

Umbridge watched with an expression of gloating enjoyment as Trelawney broke down. Trelawney shuddered and moaned while rocking back and forth on her trunk in attacks of grief. Another sob was heard in the hall — this time, it was from Lavender and Parvati, who were both crying silently while holding each other. Then there were footsteps. McGonagall had broken away from spectating the scene and walked straight up to Trelawney. She patted her firmly on the back and withdrew a large handkerchief from within her robes.

"There, there, Sibyll . . ." McGonagall told her. "Calm down . . . blow your nose on this . . . it's not as bad as you think, now . . . you are not going to have to leave Hogwarts . . ."

"Oh really, Professor McGonagall?" Umbridge interrupted in a deadly voice while talking a few steps forwards. "And your authority for that statement is . . . ?"

"That would be mine," a deep voice announced.

The oak front doors suddenly swung open. Students that were standing beside them moved out of the way as Dumbledore appeared in the entrance. Venus didn't know what he could've been doing out in the grounds, but it was quite an impressive sight to see him framed in the doorway against an oddly misty night. Dumbledore strode forwards while leaving the doors wide open behind him. He approached the place where Trelawney sat on her trunk, tearstained and trembling, with McGonagall alongside her.

"Yours, Professor Dumbledore?" Umbridge repeated, letting out a singular laugh that was very unpleasant to hear. "I'm afraid you do not understand the position. I have here—" she pulled out a parchment scroll from within her robes, making Venus roll her eyes "—an Order of Dismissal signed by myself and the Minister of Magic. Under the terms of Educational Decree Number Twenty-three, the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts has the power to inspect, place upon probation, and sack any teacher she — that is to say, I — feel is not performing up to the standard required by the Ministry of Magic. I have decided that Professor Trelawney is not up to scratch. I have dismissed her."

Dumbledore was smiling as he looked down at Trelawney, who was still sobbing and choking on her trunk. "You are quite right, of course, Professor Umbridge. As High Inquisitor you have every right to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to send them away from the castle. I am afraid—" he gave her a courteous little bow "—that the power to do that still resides with the headmaster, and it is my wish that Professor Trelawney continue to live at Hogwarts."

Trelawney gave a wild little laugh with a hiccup. "No — no, I'll g-go, Dumbledore! I sh-shall l-leave Hogwarts and s-seek my fortune elsewhere—"

"No," Dumbledore refused sharply. "It is my wish that you remain,Sibyll." He turned to McGonagall. "Might I ask you to escort Sibyll back upstairs, Professor McGonagall?"

"Of course," McGonagall agreed. "Up you get, Sibyll . . ."

Sprout then came hurrying forwards out of the crowd and grabbed Trelawney's other arm. Together, her and McGonagall guided her past Umbridge and up the marble staircase. Flitwick went scurrying after them while squeaking Locomotor trunks! Trelawney's luggage then rose up into the air and followed her up the staircase, Flitwick bringing up the rear. Umbridge was still standing there in shock while staring at Dumbledore, who continued to smile at her.

"And what are you going to do with her once I appoint a new Divination teacher who needs her lodgings?" Umbridge whispered, but it still carried around the entrance hall.

"Oh, that won't be a problem," Dumbledore replied pleasantly. "You see, I have already found us a new Divination teacher, and he will prefer lodgings on the ground floor."

"You've found—?" Umbridge exclaimed shrilly. "You've found? Might I remind you, Dumbledore, that under Educational Decree Twenty-two—"

"—the Ministry has the right to appoint a suitable candidate if — and only if — the headmaster is unable to find one. And I am happy to say that on this occasion I have succeeded. May I introduce you?"

He turned to face the open front doors, in which the night mist was now drifting in. Followed by the sound of hooves with a shocked murmur around the hall. Those nearest to the doors hastily moved even farther backwards, some of them even tripping over to clear a path. Through the mist came the figure of a Centaur — icy blonde hair, astonishingly blue eyes, the head and torso of a man, and a palomino body of a horse.

"This is Firenze," Dumbledore said happily to a very thunderstruck Umbridge. "I think you'll find him suitable."

Venus looked around the room as commotion rang throughout the hall. She was only looking for one specific person, and she found him by a gang of Slytherins. Venus said a quick goodbye to Ron and Hermione before approaching Harry. He looked over at her as she got closer, and worry instantly settled into her heart. The skin on his face was redder than normal and he seemed to be breathing heavily. It could've just been from running up the stairs, but Venus had a feeling it was definitely from his Occlumency lesson.

"Hey," Venus greeted. "You all right?"

Harry shrugged. "'M fine."

She gave him a disbelieving look. "You don't have to lie to me, Harry." Venus then held out her hand. "Come on. I want to talk to you real quick."

Harry instantly laced their fingers together, making Venus' heart race. She pushed through the crowd while keeping a tight grip on her boyfriend's hand so they wouldn't get separated. Finally, they got out of the crowd and reached one of the window seats down the hallway. Venus sat down and Harry followed her lead, placing their interlocked hands in his lap.

"What's going on, Star?" Harry asked.

Venus let out a deep breath. "I need you to tell me how I can help you."

Harry blinked. "Pardon?"

"Voldemort being back. The dreams you keep having about the Department of Mysteries. Your Occlumency lessons." She stared seriously into his pretty green eyes. "It's taking a toll on you. I can tell."

Harry didn't say anything for a long moment. All he did was continue to look at her, his eyes studying her face underneath the torch lights that made her skin look golden. Venus watched as she did so, her heart beating against her chest. Finally, Harry spoke up again.

"I think these are things I have to do alone," Harry revealed quietly.

"But the thing is, you don't," Venus argued.

"Darling—"

"No, just listen to me for a second. None of us know what you're actually going through. I'm not going to tell you I get it, because I don't. But . . . Harry, you have to know that all of us are right behind you. Whenever you need to vent, whenever you need to yell, whenever you need to cry — we're there." She held up their interlocked hands. "Especially me. The stakes are high right now, but we've got? It's ours. No one else can take it, and that's stronger than the rough waters right now."

Harry shook his head. "How did I get so lucky to have you as a girlfriend?"

Venus shrugged. "Maybe that's one thing you actually can thank the Ministry for. Making me move here with my parents."

He placed a disgusted look on his face. "Me? Thanking the Ministry? I don't know, maybe I'll do that when hell freezes over."

Venus rolled her eyes in amusement. "Come here, London boy."

And as they sealed the night off with a kiss, both Venus and Harry knew that they could depend on each other for anything — no matter how big or how small it was.

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sorry for no update lately, this chapter was kind of hard to write and I've been pretty busy with starting college <3

also sometimes I just think about how much I love the name venus like wow