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"Jemina, what the hell are you doing here?" Ernie whispered as he, Justin, Susan and Hannah pulled her and Noah to the side while the others were making their way into the castle. "Don't you know they might kill you?"

"We're just worried, Jem," said Hannah with concern. "Deanna's not here for us anymore."

"Look, get away now." Justin said firmly. "You can go to Hogsmeade and try talking to Madam Rosmerta. Use her Floo Network and get to my house, you can stay there for now."

Jemina's laughter made them all stop and wonder why she was doing so when they were all serious. Noah could only sigh, knowing how this was going to go. Susan frowned at her. "We're being serious, Jem."

"And I'm serious too." Jemina smiled reassuringly at them. "I made a promise and I'll keep that no matter what. So let's go before those bastards come here and talk to us again."

Surprised at the animosity in her voice, the four older Hufflepuffs just sighed and nodded, the six of them joining the line of students naturally while Noah and Jemina stuck together. Noah whispered to Jemina. "Do you have any news on El?"

"I heard she was on the run and she sent her family somewhere." Jemina whispered back. "Why? Is she alright?"

"I was just worried." Noah sighed and shook his head. Jemina simply nodded, feeling the same. At least, her parents were safe and not in danger. She just hoped Eleanor would not be captured by those Death Eaters. She knew though that Eleanor was smart and fiery. She just hoped Eleanor would be fine in the end.

Jemina and Noah went into the Great Hall which seemed so gloomy now with banners of the Dark Mark all around. Their Professors had curt looks on their faces, sitting down and exchanging glances. The menacing Death Eaters too were there and Jemina could see them glaring at her. Jemina simply rolled her eyes and sat down at the very end of the table with Noah, ignoring the gasps and whispers all around.

Severus Snape suddenly went to where Dumbledore usually did, making Jemina glare at the former Potions Professor. How dare he stand where Dumbledore stood? Did that man have no shame? Snape simply looked over the students, an emotion flickering in his eyes when he saw Jemina Nightingale there before he quickly steeled his eyes again and spoke. "I am Severus Snape, the new Headmaster of Hogwarts."

Jemina's eyes widened at that and whispers rose again among the students. She looked to Noah, asking with her eyes if it was true and Noah could only nod with sadness in his eyes. The two of them knew one thing though. If Deanna heard about this, they were sure Snape would be dead.

"We'll have the speech later. Now, we shall eat." With one last glare at the students, he turned around and sat where Dumbledore usually sat, making Jemina clench her fist around her fork. The food then appeared in front of them, but even the food didn't look so inviting now. It didn't have that warm appearance to it.

"Did you hear? Deanna Dumbledore and Harry Potter are gone." One of the Hufflepuffs near them whispered to his friend, but Jemina and Noah were so close to them that they could hear. The two exchanged glances and nodded at each other, pretending to eat so that they wouldn't get caught eavesdropping.

"Deanna Dumbledore? The Daredevil? Why?"

"Who would want to come back after your father dies here at the school? Would you?"

"That's understandable... But Harry Potter?"

"Maybe... Maybe the two of them have a mission?"

"Like something Dumbledore told them to do before he died?"

"They were in the Tower when Dumbledore died. Who says it's not possible?"

Their conversation stopped there and they continued to talk about other things. Jemina and Noah stared at each other, wondering if they were right. Did Dumbledore really leave Deanna and Harry a mission? Is that really why they were gone? Jemina always thought Deanna left because she said she might put Hogwarts in danger but all along they had a mission?

On the side of the Gryffindor table, Neville and Ginny were sitting with Seamus, the three of them eating as silent as the other Gryffindors. Maybe it was because a lot of their old friends weren't there. Hermione, Dean, Colin... Or maybe it was because Snape was the new Headmaster. But the atmosphere in their table was definitely too quiet.

"Did you see her?" Seamus suddenly whispered to Ginny and Neville. "Jemina Nightingale is here."

While Ginny was confused about that, Neville's eyes widened. "WHAT?" He whispered back.

"Who's Jemina Nightingale again?" Ginny suddenly asked, making the two boys frown.

"Don't you know?" Seamus asked in disbelief. "The shy Hufflepuff who was always with Deanna Dumbledore. She's in your year."

"Really?" said Ginny with surprise and confusion still in her voice. "What about her?"

Now, Seamus and Neville were looking at her like they've never seen her before. How could she not know the shy Muggleborn who was always with Deanna? The Muggleborn who was always bullied by the Slytherins? And unknown to everyone, the Muggleborn who was always staring at a certain Gryffindor. Before they could say anything though, Snape suddenly stood up, the Great Hall falling silent at once.

"Now..." Snape said in his cold and curt voice. "It is a new age and a new time. The Dark Lord aims to give the students of Hogwarts a bright future with the new curriculum this year. We will be getting rid of unnecessary beliefs and create a new world of greatness. And to help us with this goal, please welcome Amycus and Alecto Carrow, your new teachers for this year."

There was a scattered round of applause at that and only a few students actually clapped for them while the teachers did so with fake smiles on their faces. The Carrows met Jemina's eyes and glared at the Hufflepuff who was only crossing her arms. Jemina simply raised her eyebrow, meeting their glare with her own. Noah noticed the whole thing and tugged on Jemina's arm but she did not dare take her eyes away from them until they finally looked away.

"To advance to excellence, there are some things we must address." Snape paused for a moment to look at them. "First, from now on, you must address the Dark Lord as how he must be addressed. There shall be no more calling of You-Know-Who or his name."

Jemina looked like she wanted to shout because of that rule but she held her anger in, clenching her fists instead. Snape continued on. "Next, do not mention Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter or Deanna Dumbledore."

There was a burst of whispers all around and Jemina looked extremely angry now, only the hold of Noah on her hand was keeping her calm. Even Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout and Hagrid were looking as angry as Jemina. Neville and Ginny were clenching their fists, trying their best not to speak up.

"Silence." Snape simply said and the Hall fell silent at once. "We shall not honor the names of Blood Traitors and Filth such as those people. As you can see, Harry Potter has decided not to attend to save himself from the fate he deserves."

This time, it was Noah who was angry and Jemina who was trying to calm him down. She rubbed a thumb over the back of his hand, making Noah take a deep breath before smiling at her.

"And the pair of father and daughter. As you know, Albus Dumbledore was Grindelwald's friend, the two of them having dark plans for the Wizarding World. I have no doubt his daughter is the same. She's not here as well to continue the plans of her father to take over the Wizarding World and turn it into a place of inequality. She is a traitor and a disgrace –"

"I think you're talking about yourself, Professor." Jemina suddenly said loudly, gasps coming from everyone as she stood up. The members of the staff were all looking alarmed and they looked as if they wanted to speak up, but the Carrows glared at them, making them all sigh in defeat. Ginny's eyes widened as she stared at the Hufflepuff who was standing bravely and meeting Snape's eyes. Who was she?

"Jem, don't." Noah whispered and tried to pull her down, but Jemina took his grip off her, glaring straight into Snape's eyes.

"You said they were traitors and filth..." Jemina let out a scoff. "Isn't that you, Sir?"

Snape kept his eyes emotionless, meeting Jemina's glare with a calm look. "Miss Nightingale –"

"How dare you speak their names after killing our Headmaster?" Jemina raised her voice, the anger burning in her eyes. "You don't deserve to speak their names with that greasy mouth of yours. And neither does that noseless bastard you call Voldemort."

Everyone was looking at Jemina now in horror and she could see them shaking their heads and telling her to sit down, but she couldn't do that now. Not when he was talking badly of Deanna. Now, Snape tilted his head curiously while Alecto Carrow stood up. "Oi, Mudblood. Come follow us."

The two Carrows walked towards Jemina who was still staring at Snape with anger in her eyes. They grabbed her arms tightly but Jemina shook them away from her, glaring at them and fixing her robes. "I can walk out by myself." She sent one last glare at Snape before leaving the Great Hall with the Carrows behind her.

Everyone stared at the three leaving figures in both horror and awe. Ginny had her mouth open, wondering why was that Hufflepuff doing that when these were dangerous times. Neville leaned in and whispered to Ginny. "You asked who Jemina Nightingale was? That's her."

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