Diggory Is Still A Loser (book 2)

25- SNEAK

Firenze's words rang in Celia's ears in the weeks that followed, but to her suprise, nothing bad happened.
Things in the DA were going brilliantly, and they even had a new member; Seamus Finnigan.
Harry had even relented and started teaching them all how to produce Patronus's.
This was a spell that Celia had a lot of trouble with, since all of her good memories reminded her of a bad memory.

"Don't forget that producing a Patronus, in a brightly lit room and while not under threat, is very different to facing a real Dementor" informed Harry, as he walked around the room, inspecting everyone's work.
"Oh don't be such a killjoy, they're really pretty" smiled Cho, as her swan Patronus swam around the room.
Celia glared at Cho, annoyed that Cho had achieved something before her.
"They're not supposed to be pretty, they're supposed to protect you. What we really need is a Boggart or something to practice on. That's how I learned to do it" admitted Harry.

"But that would be really scary. And I still can't do it" sighed Lavender.
"Neither can I" Celia said quietly, as Harry passed her.
"You just have to think of something really happy" replied Harry.
"I'm trying" insisted Celia.
"I know. And I get why this is hard for you... Try thinking of a memory of me and you. They can't all remind you of bad times".
"Harry, I think I'm doing it" shouted Seamus excitedly from the other side of the room.
Harry made his way over to Seamus, leaving Celia alone.

Celia looked jealously as Ron's dog Patronus chased Hermione's otter around the room.
She tore her eyes away from the Patronus's in time to see a small house-elf run into the room and head straight for Harry.
Celia frowned, and followed the elf over to Harry.
"Hi Dobby. What's wrong?" Questioned Harry.
"Harry Potter sir... Dobby has come to warn you... But the house-elves have been told not to tell" whimpered Dobby.
"What's happened?" Asked Harry.

"She... she... she" cried Dobby.
The elf seemed incapable of going against his master's wishes.
"Who is she Dobby?" Quizzed Harry.
Celia's heart sank, as she already knew who Dobby was talking about.
"Umbridge?" Gasped Harry.
Dobby nodded.
"What about her? Has she found out about the DA?" Asked Harry.
Dobby nodded again.
"Is she coming here?" Demanded Harry.
"Yes, Harry Potter. Yes!" Screamed Dobby.

Harru turned and faced the people in the DA, who had been watching the scene.
"What are you waiting for! GO! Head to the library, or your common rooms, or a nearby bathroom. Just get out of here!" Ordered Harry.
Nobody wanted to wait around, so they charged for the door, wanting to get out as quickly as possible.
Since she didn't want to get crushed, Celia allowed everyone to escape first.
Once everyone had gone, her and Harry made their own escape attempt.

But before they could get very far, they were jumped on by a gang of Slytherin's and hauled to Dumbledore's office.
Celia expected Umbridge to be there, but she wasn't expecting to see the Minister for Magic as well.
And he was not alone.
Percy Weasley, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Dawlish, and McGonagall were also there.
Celia stood beside Harry, unsure of how either of them were going to get out of the trouble they had landed themselves in.
"Let me handle this" whispered Harry under his breath, while Fudge spoke to Umbridge.
"No, I'm not letting you take the fall alone" hissed Celia.
"Please. I started the DA, so let me take the blame" begged Harry.
"Fine. But I won't deny my involvement, if they ask me".

Fudge questioned Harry, and Harry decided to feign ignorance.
Celia thought this was a good tactic, but she wasn't sure how long it would last.
Eventually Umbridge left the room to fetch the informant, who had told her about the DA.
She returned a few minutes later, with someone Celia recognised instantly, even though half of her face was covered.
"Marietta!" Gasped Celia.
She couldn't believe that one of her own roommates had snitched on them.

"Now now dear, don't be afraid. You've done the right thing. Why don't you tell the Minister what you told me" encouraged Umbridge.
Marietta raised her head, and Celia could see why she had been hiding it.
Her face had been disfigured by large purple pimples, that spelled out the word sneak.
Embarrassed by everyones reactions to her face, Marietta hid it and continued crying.
She refused to say anything, forcing Umbridge to recount the evenings events to everyone in the room.
Umbridge then revealed that someone had been sitting in the Hog's Head listening to their first meeting.
So Celia was sure that they were all going to be punished, because there were 2 witnesses to their crimes.

"The purpose of this meeting in the Hog's Head, was to encourage students to join an illegal society" finished Umbridge.
"You are wrong there" informed Dumbledore calmly.
Fudge laughed, "Oh really? Let's hear the next story you've made up to protect Potter. Our informant was lying? Or was there another imaginary Dementor? Or was it Potter's identical twin there that day?".
"Oh, very good Minister" chuckled Percy.

Celia glared at Percy, who had disowned his own family, to further his career.
"Shut up Percy, no one asked for your opinion, you back-stabbing letch!" Snapped Celia.
"Now now, Miss Diggory, let's not trade insults" replied Dumbledore, before turning back to Fudge.
"Sorry Professor" muttered Celia.
"Now. I won't deny that Harry was in the Hog's Head that day. But he was not breaking the rules, for the Ministry Decree banning societies didn't come into effect until after this meeting" reminded Dumbledore.

Celia grinned at the angry looks on the Ministry officials faces.
"That's all very well. But there have been numerous meetings since then, and they are illgal" informed Fudge.
"Do you have proof of such meetings? I thought Miss Edgecombe was only informing you on one taking place tonight" replied Dumbledore.
"Miss Edgecombe, was tonight the first meeting?" Questioned Umbridge.
To Celia's suprise, Marietta nodded her head.
Celia breathed a sigh of relief, and she began to think that perhaps there was hope for them afterall.

"Well, we know for definite that there was a meeting tonight. And Miss Parkison entered the secret room and returned with a list of all of those involved in this meeting" revealed Umbridge, as she raised the parchment the DA had all signed.
"Merlin's Beard, look what they've called themselves. Dumbledore's Army" gasped Fudge.
"Well, it looks like the game is up. Would you like a written confession from me?" Questioned Dumbledore.
Celia's face fell as she realised that Dumbledore was going to take the fall for Harry.

"This was all you?" Asked Fudge.
"Yes. As you can see, Dumbledore's Army, not Potter's Army" replied Dumbledore.
"No, that's not true. This was my idea" insisted Harry.
"Harry, there is no point trying to defend me. Now, please be quiet, or I will ask you to leave my office" said Dumbledore sternly.
"Yes, shut up Potter" snapped Fudge.
Celia gripped hold of Harry's hand, "You have to stay out of this".
"I can't" whispered Harry.
"You have to trust Dumbledore" insisted Celia.

"Dumbledore, you will be escourted back to the Ministry, where you will be formerly charged and sent to Azkaban" announced Fudge.
"Ah, I thought we might hit this little snag" admitted Dumbledore.
"Snag?" Frowned Fudge.
"Yes. You seem to be labouring under the illusion that I'm going to come quietly. You see, I have no intention of going to Azkaban, when there are much better things I could be doing with my time"
"Enough of this rubbish. Take him!".

The room suddenly exploded with light, and McGonagall pushed Marietta, Celia and Harry to the floor so that they were out of the way.
When they stood up, they found all the Ministry officials lying unconscious on the ground.
"Unfortunately I had to hex Kingsley too, or it would have looked rather suspicious. He was very quick on the uptake though, modifying Miss Edgecombe's memory like that. You must thank him for me later" Dumbledore said to McGonagall.

"Professor, I'm so sorry" apologised Harry awkwardly.
"It's O.K Harry. Listen to me, you must focus on your Occlumency lessons with Snape. Nothing is more important than you closing your mind" insisted Dumbledore.
"O.K" mumbled Harry.
"And Miss Diggory, don't forget that no matter how dark things get, there is always light to be found somewhere. And even though I won't be around, there are people at Hogwarts who you can rely on and confide in" reassured Dumbledore.
The headmaster then raised his arms in the air, as a large red phoenix flew over to him. As Dumbledore grabbed hold of Falks the phoenix, there was a flash of fire, and then the pair disappeared from sight.