The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 29: Firework Fiasco

*CW: Extreme Violence*

"Hurry up!" Umbridge hissed, "Bring them in here."

Yeah.... Dumbledore's Army was caught. While searching the Room of Requirement, Umbridge managed to get her hands on a whole list of names, so Harry and I weren't going to be the only ones in trouble. At the moment, the two of us were being dragged all the way to Dumbledore's office to be questioned by the Minister.

"STOP! YOU'RE HURTING ME!" I cried.

"Well, maybe if you stopped moving," Draco scoffed, "You wouldn't be in as much pain!"

"Or perhaps, you could loosen your grip, you bloody git!" I spat.

"Professor?" Draco called, prompting Umbridge to turn around, "She won't stop complaining."

I rolled my eyes, facing Harry, who wore an extremely angry look. Harry's guard was Theo, who eyed me oddly the entire time. Suddenly, a hand grabbed my chin, whipping my head to face the person. It was Umbridge, and the fact that she was touching me made me want to spit in her face, but I was not trying to be sent to Azkaban for "assaulting" a Ministry official.

"Let's take care of that mouth... shall we?" Umbridge hissed, pulling out her wand, "SILENCIO..."

I narrowed my eyes at her as the sound of my own breathing dissipated. Draco roared with laughter, Theo following. Slowly, I faced Harry, who looked even more angry now. On the other hand, I just became more annoyed.

"Now, let's go boys," Umbridge said coldly, "I don't have all day."

Draco and Theo shoved me and Harry into Dumbledore's office. If I still had the ability to speak, I would've gasped. This was my first time in here. The walls were covered with moving portraits of past Hogwarts Headmasters, famous wizards, Quidditch players... and even the muggle British Prime Minister. There were many glass cabinets full of old antiques and odd magical items.

It was then that I examined the people in the room. There were a couple Ministry workers there, some of which were questioning Dumbledore. In the corner of the room, there was a girl with a rather smug look on her face. I also recognized Percy Weasley, who stood next to the Minister with his arms crossed. He scanned me disgustedly, in which I returned a rather dirty look. It would've been a nice surprise if the twins found out he was here... and by nice, I meant nasty.

"Hello, Dolores," Minister Fudge greeted, "You have something for us?"

"Yes, Minister!" Umbridge exclaimed, "A whole list of names for an illegal organization called... Dumbledore's Army!"

The Minister gasped, facing Dumbledore, "Albus... explain yourself."

Dumbledore sighed, standing out of his chair, "Well... the evidence is all there, I suppose."

"Mostly Gryffindors," Umbridge scoffed, reading the names off the list, "There are a few students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff... and, of course, no Slytherin students."

Harry and I shot each other nervous glances as Umbridge read off each individual name from the list.

"Harry Potter... Hermione Granger... Ron Weasley... Ginny Weasley... Fred Weasley... George Weasley..." Umbridge sighed, "That's four of your siblings, Percy."

Percy groaned disgustedly, rolling his eyes, as Umbridge continued listing names, "Neville Longbottom... Dean Thomas... Seamus Finnigan... Angelina Johnson... Katie Bell... Alicia Spinnet... Lee Jordan... Colin Creevey... Dennis Creevey... Nigel Wolpert... Cho Chang... Marietta Edgecombe, who has been most grateful to tell us about Dumbledore's Army."