Astra

LXXXV - The Work of the Owlery

ALONG THE WAY, ASTRA luckily ran into Peeves the Poltergeist, who happily decided to drop random copies of the Quibbler all around the school.

She opened the door casually and walked into McGonagall's office, tossing the piece of paper on her desk.

"What are you doing here, Astra?" she said stiffly, concern laced through her eyes.

Astra shrugged towards the paper, and McGonagall opened it. Her eyes widened, more with fear than surprise; Astra was pretty sure that she might have even suspected it.

"Well? Is this true?"

"I never got the chance to see what was written on it, but most likely not."

"Is it true you shouted at Professor Umbridge?"

"Nope."

McGonagall didn't look completely convinced, but continued. "Did you criticize her teaching methods and the ministry?"

"Yes."

"You knocked over a chair?"

"Yes."

"You spread propaganda through the school, giving copies of the Quibbler to your classmates and lied to her face?"

"Yes and no."

McGonagall sighed, taking off her glasses to rub her eyes. "Take a biscuit, Astra."

Astra smirked; this was surely better than being in Umbitch's class.

McGonagall was silent for about a minute before telling Astra to explain everything that had happened, so she did.

She didn't skim over anything, going into specific detail of the fact that she had not been completely rude to Umbridge, though leaving out the part about calling her 'Umbitch' and pasting copies of the Quibbler on her door.

"I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but you need to be careful, Astra."

Astra nodded as she did already know that.

"You know that Professor Umbridge has more power than other professor-"

"I'm not planning on breaking any of her rules, Minnie, don't worry. And besides, what's the worst that could happen? I'm already almost just as bad as Dad in the ministry's eyes."

McGonagall was about to say something else when the door flung open, revealing Harry.

"Mr. Potter? What are you doing?"

Harry angrily sat down next to Astra, throwing another piece of paper towards McGonagall. She sighed again, but nodded to Astra to go away, as she already knew everything necessary.

But it seemed like Harry didn't take her warning, and it wouldn't be the last time he did so.

***

Dinner in the Great Hall that night was not a pleasant experience for them. The news about their shouting match with Umbridge had traveled exceptionally fast even by Hogwarts' standards. Astra didn't mind this much, though, as it meant more views for the Quibbler.

Luna had announced that she left random Quibbler articles in every classroom, as well as the Ravenclaw common room, which Astra couldn't be more thankful for. 

However, it seemed that Harry took it worse than she did.

"What I don't get," he said through clenched teeth, laying down his knife and fork (his hands were shaking too much to hold them steady), "is why they all believed the story two months ago when Dumbledore told them..."