Falling Star

A Terrible Week

"Umbridge is an absolute toad."

I give Hermione an amused look. "In general or did something else happen?"

"Both." She sits next to me at dinner with a huff. "She's sitting in on classes now. Observing professors."

That was strange. I don't think I have ever even seen Dumbledore observe a class before. "What? Why?"

"Something about the Minister of Magic. Nothing good no doubt," Hermione replies.

"Why is the Ministry so concerned about Hogwarts all of a sudden?" I wonder aloud.

Hermione shrugs as the boys join us at the table. They must have caught the last thing I said because Ron chimes in with, "I don't know, but I need them to send Umbridge back to wherever she spawned from."

"Agreed," Harry says, leaning in closer to us. "I heard she almost made Trelawney cry during class today."

That probably wasn't hard to do given how jumpy the Divinations professor was, but it still makes me angry since Umbridge was involved. Everyone at the table voices their irritation at this in some manner.

"So now not only do I have to see her during DADA, I have to see her in other classes as well? Wonderful."

That's just what all of us needed-more Umbridge.

***

"Wands away! Wands away!" Umbridge shrill voice chirps as we enter the classroom. This is how she begins every class, and it makes my skin crawl every time.

Once everyone is seated, the pink clad professor stands at the front of the room and eyes each of us with a pitying expression.

"I had no idea just how unregulated Hogwarts was getting. It is a good thing I showed up when I did. I want to apologize to each of you that you have had to endure this for so long," she tells us, looking earnestly distraught.

I have to focus very hard on not rolling my eyes.

After a moment, she continues. "I cannot believe how dangerous your previous Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were. I must say, your last safe and orderly class must have been years ago with Professor Quirrel."

I snort, then cough to try to suppress it. Of course, Umbridge's eyes immediately lock onto me.

"Are you quite alright, Miss Malfoy?" She asks, faux concern on her face.

Stay quiet, stay quiet, stay quiet.

"I just find your choice of Professor for the last 'safe and orderly' class...interesting," I reply, ignoring my better judgement and already knowing I will probably regret it.

Harry cuts in before Umbridge can reply. "Yes, the one with Voldemort on the back of his head is definitely quite safe."

"Extremely," I laugh. "Definitely the safest we have ever had." Umbridge is turning red. The rest of the class sits still, eyes wide, watching this unfold as intently as they would a Quidditch match.

"Apparently your last detentions didn't leave enough of an impression. Maybe a week's worth will do the trick. Now, since you have thoroughly wasted everyone's time, I have no use for you both in class today anymore. Dismissed." Umbridge declares, her tone clipped.

Harry and I silently grab our bags and leave the room, everyone's eyes burning holes in our backs. My stomach clenches at the thought of a week's worth of detentions with Umbridge, most likely writing more lines with that awful quill. The scar on my hand from the last detention has faded to almost nonexistent. I want to cry at the thought of those words marring my skin again.

"You alright?" Harry asks, looking over at me as we walk in the direction of our dormitory.

I nod. "Just not looking forward to whatever she has planned for us later. I should have kept my mouth shut."

My father's reminder to "represent the family well" flashes through my mind. I'm sure I will get an earful in my next letter from home.

"She started it. I think she was trying to get a rise out of us. Unfortunately for us, it worked."

We arrive at Gryffindor tower, and the common room is mostly empty except for a few 6th and 7th years who didn't currently have a class. Among those is Fred, who eyes Harry and me with confusion.

He waves me over with a crooked grin. I tell Harry that I will see him later and make my way over to join Fred on a couch.

"Don't you have class?" he asks.

"Yeah, Umbridge, but I got kicked out. I didn't hold my tongue very well," I joke, rolling my eyes.

Fred immediately frowns. "Did you get detention again?"

I bump his knee with mine, not liking how serious he had just gotten. "Since when do you care about detentions? Don't you hold the record for having the most without getting expelled?"

"I care since I know what that toad does to you during them."

I sigh. "Yes. For a week."

"She gave you a week's worth of detention?" he asks, alarmed.

I nod. "Apparently my last detention didn't leave enough of an impression," I explain, doing my best Umbridge impression.

"That's awful. Are you sure I can't fill her office with toads?"

I giggle. "As much as I would love to see that, no, you can't."

***

By the end of the third night of detention, my hand feels like it is on fire. Each detention has lasted for an hour: an hour of Harry and I continuously writing lines with the blood quill. When Umbridge dismisses us, I almost sob with relief.

I'm exhausted, but I still need to go by the library for a book to complete some Care of Magical Creatures homework. I clutch my injured hand to my chest and make my way there. Hopefully, the library will be mostly empty this late.

There are a few students milling about the library, but, for the most part, I was correct in my assumption. I find the book I need easily enough, and I am about to bring it to the circulation desk when Draco spots me from the aisle across from mine.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. I've needed your History notes since yesterday. Where have you been?" he asks as he walks closer.

Avoiding the question, I say, "Notes are in my bag. Here." I shove the book I need to check out into his hands and start to rifle through my bag for the notes.  Finding them, I try to quickly hand them over.

"Thanks." Draco touches my arm. "Woah, Li, you're bleeding."  He tugs the sleeve of my robe up, exposing my hand.

"It's nothing." I pull my hand back, but I can tell by Draco's expression that he has already seen enough.

"What happened?" he questions.

"Umbridge," is all I provide as an explanation.

He opens his mouth and closes it again. After a few moments, he finally asks, "She does this during detention?"

My eyes burn as I nod. I clear my throat. "The first time wasn't so bad. But tonight is the third night in a row of it and..." I trail off.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I scoff. "You couldn't have done anything. And I wasn't in the mood for a lecture."

Draco scowls at that comment. "I'm not Father. And I could have given you a numbing potion to help with the sting."

I forget how talented he is with potions. I smile slightly. "Is that still an offer? I have two more nights of detention to get through."

He nods. "Meet me at lunch tomorrow. I can give you some then."

"Thank you," I say, some of the dread for the next two days fading.

"Now will you try to stay out of trouble?"

"You know I can't promise that."