Small Doses [Draco Malfoy]

10

Fifth year came around and this year was one for the books. A woman from the ministry came to Hogwarts to teach the defence against the dark arts and speaking of that, that's where Ella was now, in her class.

"Good morning children. Ordinary wizard level examinations. O.W.Ls. More commonly known as OWLs. Study hard and you will be rewarded. Fail to do so, and the consequences may be severe. But you'll be pleased to know from now on you will be following a carefully structured ministry approved course of defensive magic, yes?" Umbridge asked the class.

"There's nothing in here about using defensive spells," Hermione said reading the books she had handed out.

"Using spells? We'll I can't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom. You'll be learning about defensive spells in a secure risk free way."

Harry spoke up, "what use is that? If we're attacked, it won't be risk free."

"Students will raise their hands when they speak in my class. It is the view of the ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations which after all is what school is all about."

"And how's the theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?" Harry spoke out.

"There is nothing out there, dear. Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourself?"

"Oh I don't know. Maybe lord Voldemort."

The tension in the class began. Ella was sighing in defeat, they just couldn't have a normal year could they.

"Now let me make this quite plain. You have been told that a certain dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie."

"It's not a lie. I saw him. I fought him."

"Detention Mr Potter."

"Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord?"

"Cedric Diggorys death was a tragic accident."

"It was murder. Voldemort killed him."

"Enough! Enough. See me later, mr Potter. My office."

The class was dismissed. Ella packed her books and headed out of class only to be stopped by Draco Malfoy himself.

"I didn't see you on the train," he spoke to her.

"I didn't know you were looking for me," she said raising a brow at him.

He scoffed. "I wasn't. I just was hoping you decided to quit school."

"Why would I do that when I love being here in your presence?" she asked, her mouth pouring out sarcasm.

He glared at her. "Watch your back," he said knocking into her shoulder. It was like last year never happened, he was a bully all over again.

...

Umbridge started to put rules up on a wall outside the dining hall and kept the castle locked down like a ship, making sure clothes were tucked in, couples kept a distance and teachers were drilled with questions every minute.

Ella overheard that Harry was planning to have a secret club to learn how to defend themselves. She decided to join. In the cold winter, she headed off to a bar off the side of the village.

Once inside there was a group of people, the golden trio facing them.

Hermione stood, speaking first, "hi. So you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper teacher. One who's had experience defending themselves against the dark arts."

"Why?"

"Why? Because you know who's back, you tosspot," Ron spoke up.

"So he says."

"So Dumbledore says."

"So Dumbledore says because he says. The point is where's the proof?"

"If Potter could tell us more about how Diggory got killed."

"I'm not gonna talk about Cedric so if that's why you're here, clear out now. Come on, Hermione. They're here because they think I'm some freak."

"Is it true you can produce a Patronus Charm?" Luna asked.

"Yes. I've seen it."

"Blimey Harry. I didn't know you could do that."

"And he killed a basilisk, with the sword in Dumbledores office."

"It's true."

"Third year, he fought off about a hundred dementors at once."

"Last year, he really did fight off you know who in the flesh."

"Wait. Look it all sounds great when you say it like that but truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn't know what I was doing half the time. I nearly always had help."

"He's just being modest."

"No, Hermione, I'm not. Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake you can just try again tomorrow. But out there when you're a second away from being murdered or watching a friend die right before your eyes. You don't know what that's like."

"You're right Harry we don't. That's why we need your help. Because if we're going to have any chance at beating Voldemort."

"He's really back?"

Everyone got in a line up, signing their names on the list. Ella signed her name.