year 6.
Hallies pov.
the frosty air blew against my face, my grip tightened around my broom as i stared off at the same Quidditch pitch i had known all these years.
something about it was different. it still felt like it was that same night that Cedric had died.
"excited?"
i looked up to see one of my Hufflepuff teammates pulling on his gloves. he had such a wide smile on his face as he soaked in the smell of cold air, the thrill of the wind blowing at his reddened face. i looked away. how could i be?
"yeah" i muttered and turned on my heels and found myself behind the changing rooms.
i felt anxious. like i did at Quidditch try outs, or that first ever Quidditch match.
it felt impossible for my heart to be drumming this quickly. i could hardly breath, i wanted to cry.
i wished now more than ever that i had never tried out for Quidditch.
i couldn't perform up to my best right now. not in these conditions.
i clutched onto the fabric of my shirt, it was like i could feel my heart beating against my fist.
"Hallie..?" i felt a hand on my shoulder and i turned to look up, it was George.
his sweet smile pulled me back down to earth as i let out a shaky exhale.
"are you okay?" he pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me, not waiting for an answer because he knew what it was.
"its okay" he whispered, running his hand along my hair. i felt him kiss the top of my head. i closed my eyes, my ear against his chest as i listened to his calmed heart.
we pulled away from the hug and he tucked my hair behind my ears, his hands resting on my shoulders.
"Hallie, it's okay, you can do this." he smiled. i nodded, even though i hadn't believed it.
"i should.."
"yeah.." he nodded and leaned down to kiss my cheek, he smiled at me and jogged off. i grazed my fingers along my cheeks, letting his kiss linger for a moment.
i breathed in a breath. i could do this.
-
i laid in bed staring out my window. snow fell and built up on the window sill, the windows having a frosty layer over them.
Hufflepuff had won. i didn't feel like celebrating. all i did was catch a Snitch. what was the excitement in that?
the team went out for butterbeers to celebrate, i didn't feel like it.
George wanted to celebrate with just me but once again, i didn't feel like it.
i felt like a terrible person for blowing off everyone, but i just wanted to be alone.
-
Dear Hallie,
things here at the Ministry are intense.
i apologize that you have to deal with Dolores Umbridge. truly, she's a pain in the arse. don't tell anyone i said that.
it's okay to be sad. but don't push your friends away, especially not your big sister.
i'll try my best to write more often.
talk later, i love you.
yours truly,
Serenity.
i closed the letter and looked up at the bustling Great Hall, people were getting up from their seats and crowding towards the area in front of the entrance.
i got up, stuffing the letter in my pocket and followed along curiously.
"i am merely requesting that when it comes to my students you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices." Professor McGonagall spoke as her and Professor Umbridge were walking up the stairs, all the students watched and whispered as they raised their voices.
"so silly of me, but it's sounds, as if you're questioning my authority in my own classroom.." she paused and took a step up the stairs to look down upon Professor McGonagall.
"..Minerva."
"not at all.." McGonagall took a step up.
"...Dolores. merely your medieval methods."
"i am sorry, dear. but to question my practices is to question the Ministry—" now i really did feel terrible for my sister having to deal with her at the Ministry.
"—and by extension, the minister himself. i am a tolerant women. but the one thing i will not stand for is disloyalty."
McGonagall took a step down.
"disloyalty..?"
Umbridge turned to address us students, puffing up her chest to look higher.
"things at Hogwarts are far worse than i feared. Cornelius will want to take immediate action."
all the students began whispering to each other, most of them looking frightened. i furrowed my eyebrows. immediate action..?
were all of us going to have to go through the hell of her punishments? or her rules. i didn't know how i could put up with her much longer.
-
the following of the next few days school had become a personal hell.
more than it already felt like it was currently.
there were articles. as well as stupid rules pinned up on the walls.
Professor Umbridge walked around using her wand to separate people or fix someone's tie or uniform.
she kept an eye on everything and everyone.
she stood in class watching and asking questions as the Professors taught.
even as the twins showed their cool tricks and products to other students she would come along and ruin it. there were so many rules i could hardly keep up. she banned all Weasley products, the twins had to resort to sneakily trying to sell products in their common room, which wasn't turning out as they suspected.
George would complain to me every time we hung out, i comforted him, wishing i could somehow help but there was nothing i could do.
-
"what's going on over there?" George asked. i looked up from my shoes to see other students talking amongst themselves and all gathering around in the courtyard.
Professor Trewlaney was stood with her luggage being brought to her.
Professor Umbridge came walking towards her. a smug smile on her face as her heels tapped along the concrete. students whispering.
i looked to George as we found Fred and Sage.
"what happening?" asked George, leaning close to Fred.
"it looks to me, like she's being sacked" Fred whispered.
"six.. sixteen years i've— i've lived and taught here. Hogwarts is my home." Trewlaneys voice broke as she spoke, tears rushing down her cheeks.
"you can't do this.."
"actually i can." Umbridge smiled, holding the paper.
McGonagall pushed through the people, and rushed over to hold the sobbing Trewlaney in her arms as the evil Umbridge watched, the smug look on her face never faltered as she spoke.
"something you'd like to say, dear?"
"oh, there are several things i would like to say." her voice sounded shaky, not in an upsetting way but an infuriated kind of way. she continued to comfort Trewlaney.
there was a loud bang of an opening door, everyone turned to look, i peaked over heads as students parted and Dumbledore came through.
he walked over to Umbridge and the others.
"Professor McGonagall, might i ask you to escort Sybil back inside?" he spoke.
McGonagall immediately began to guide her inside, Trewlaney thanking Dumbledore profusely.
"Dumbledore.." the perky voice spoke, a tone like she was trying to prove something.
"may I remind you, that under the terms of Educational Decree Number 23, as enacted by the minister—" she began, trying to spit out her knowledge to nobody that cared.
Dumbledore interrupted,
"you have the right to dismiss my teachers. you do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds. that power remains with the headmaster." he sounded angry and Umbridge still kept her smug look.
"for now."
Dumbledore lingered for a second then turned around.
"don't you all have studying to do?" he spoke sounding angry. the students parted for him and immediately everyone began walking off to their classes frightened.
George and I turned on our heels, all the students speaking to each other about what had just taken place.
1334 words.
8/1/2023
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Fanfiction"i like you." he says, finally spitting the words out. i stare up at him, he's sweating from his Quidditch match and his hair is sticking to his skin. i smile, my cheeks turning red. "i think i like you too" i say. - Hallie Gold and George Weasley...
