𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 37

As Natasha and Adrian stood in Dumbledore's office, finishing up their meeting about an issue with patrols, shouting could be heard from his window. The three in the room walked over to it, with Natasha gasping as she saw Professor Trelawney's belongings being thrown onto the ground.

Minerva was pushing through the crowd, and Albus said something quietly under his breath before turning to the Head Boy and Head Girl beside him. "Follow me down and help Professor McGonagall escort Professor Trelawney back to her classroom," he instructed, and with that, the three walked quickly out of the Headmaster's office, down to where the commotion was.

Some of the prefects were trying to direct students back to their classrooms, but some including Padma and Hannah were frozen in shock as their beloved Divination teacher was bullied by the toad-faced woman in pink.

Even Hermione who hated the woman was looking on at the scene with distress in her eyes, which quickly flickered to anger as she stared down Umbridge. "Professor!" Natasha called out, running to Trelawney's side.

Her respect for the woman had grown since she had foretold the prophecy regarding Natasha, and Minerva shot her a grateful glance as they helped Sybil stay on her feet. Umbridge glared at Natasha and was about to scold her when Albus came from the grand doors.

"Professor McGonagall, Miss Black and Mr Pucey, please help escort Professor Trelawney back to her quarters," he asked, and the three complied as Umbridge started to protest. Albus started to throw answers at her as Minerva, Natasha and Adrian helped Sybil back inside the castle, with Natasha and Minerva dealing with her belongings.

"Do you want some tea professor?" Adrian asked kindly, his cold Slytherin demeanour that he held in front of those he despised gone as a new boy shone through. Sybil nodded quietly, still wiping her tears, and Adrian turned to Natasha.

"Oh, I know you know the way to get into the kitchens Miss Black, don't think your father didn't go there during his time here," Minerva said, rolling her eyes slightly to suppress the small smile on her face.

Natasha saluted her head of house and ran off to the kitchens, not forgetting to tickle the pear in the painting. Inside the kitchens, the house elves were hard at work, preparing for dinner. Annie, one of the newest elves, was immediately in front of Natasha as she stepped in, and she bowed which Natasha shook her head at.

"Annie, we've known each other for my whole school career, you know I consider you my friend now," Natasha said, bringing the elf into a hug. Annie blushed profusely and hugged Natasha back.

"Miss Natasha is ever so kind to Annie, it is only respectful I bow to you Miss," Annie said politely, a huge, genuine smile on her face.

"Anyways, Annie, Professor Trelawney has had a really bad day, and I was wondering if I could get an herbal tea and some biscuits for her?" Natasha asked, and Annie nodded quickly, snapping her fingers.

A steaming cup of herbal tea arrived on a tray, the china cup sporting some roses and ferns. Some chocolate biscuits followed, and Annie held the tray in her arms, the teacup reaching her nose.

"You don't have to carry it Annie," Natasha said trying to take the tray, but Annie moved it away from her, shaking her head.

"It would serve Annie the greatest pleasure to accompany you to see Miss Sybil, Annie has made her herbal teas many times, and Annie knows Miss Sybil enjoys it when Annie delivers her tea," Annie stated, puffing her chest out slightly.

"Well, if that's what you desire," Natasha said, stepping at and holding the portrait open to allow Annie to step out. "Do you normally just walk the whole way?" the girl asked as Annie made sure her tray was perfectly laid out.

Annie shook her head and motioned for Natasha to hold onto her shoulder. "Dumbledore gave a few of us permission to apparate when he realised, we were lugging food around for some of the teachers all the time," Annie explained, before taking a deep breath and clicking her fingers.

The whirling feeling of apparition surrounded the Head Girl and house elf, making Natasha's stomach twist and churn. The feeling was still relatively new to her, as she had never done side-apparition until Aurelia had taken her to Kings Cross for Hogwarts, and she only turned seventeen in the summer just past.

The horrible feeling finally stopped as Natasha and Annie stoop at the entrance of the Divination classroom; Sybil's cries could be heard coming from inside. Adrian was waiting by the stairs and sighed in relief, grabbing Natasha's arm and keeping her close to him.

"I don't know how to deal with the whole emotions thing Nat," he whispered, his tone sounding urgent. Adrian had always been brought up to ignore his emotions and feelings, so dealing with a crying woman was something he was not familiar too.

"Emotional women are definitely a challenge, we're all different in how we wish to be cared for when we are vulnerable. Don't worry about it Adrian, Minnie and Annie are there with her," Natasha said supportively, hugging the boy's side.

He hugged her back quickly before looking at his watch. "We're going to be late to Herbology if we don't leave now Nat," he said quickly, and Natasha looked over to where Minerva was with Sybil, the older witch glancing over at the clock in the room and nodding.

"Minnie can handle this from here. Are you ready for a speed run?" Natasha challenged, and immediately, Adrian's competitive Slytherin side peaked, his eyes glinting with fire.

"I'll beat you there, Miss Black." And with that, the Head Boy and Head Girl ran away from the Divination tower, making it to Herbology with just seconds to spare, much to Professor Sprout's approval.

"Pucey! Black! Grab your gloves. We're revisiting second year herbology."