The Phoenix daughter of Black

Chapter 10: Uncovering Allies and Defending Secrets

The following morning, the four girls gathered at the Slytherin table once more, their heads close together as they discussed the day's classes. Heidi, now an integral part of their group, sat beside Y/n, with Daphne and Tracey opposite them.

Heidi eagerly shared some insights with the group. "I was thinking about potential allies outside of Slytherin," she began. "I've heard Susan Bones from Hufflepuff talk about her aunt, who's the Head of the DMLE. Susan mentioned that her aunt warned her about Dumbledore's activities in the Wizengamot, saying they were suspicious."

Y/n nodded, her interest piqued. "That's promising. If Susan's aunt is skeptical of Dumbledore, she might be willing to help us."

Heidi smiled. "I'll talk to Susan and see if she'd be interested in joining our cause."

"That sounds like a good plan," Daphne added.

As they continued discussing their strategy, Y/n suddenly felt a foreign presence attempting to enter her mind. Her head snapped towards Dumbledore, who was gazing at her intently.

Refusing to be an easy target, Y/n initiated her Occlumency shields. Though she didn't employ her full strength, she forcefully ejected Dumbledore from her mind. He withdrew, his intrusion unsuccessful.

The Great Hall erupted in amusement at Dumbledore's bewildered expression. Even some of the staff at the high table couldn't help but exchange puzzled glances.

The four girls shared a laugh, and when they composed themselves, Daphne asked, "What just happened, Y/n?"

Y/n leaned closer and whispered, "Dumbledore tried to use Legilimency on me. I decided to give him a little taste of my Occlumency skills."

The other girls chuckled. Heidi noted, "He probably got suspicious after Potter and Weasley complained about you, and he wanted to see if you really possess those abilities."

After breakfast, they embarked on their respective classes. One of them was Charms, shared with the Gryffindors. They watched as Hermione Granger corrected Ron Weasley's wand movements during the Levitation Charm.

The Slytherin girls exchanged knowing glances. "I bet that's going to lead to something interesting after class," Tracey said.

Y/n nodded in agreement. "I have a feeling that either Weasley or Potter won't take kindly to being corrected by her."

As expected, their bet was spot-on. After the class, Hermione's correcting ways led to a heated exchange with Ron and Harry, which culminated in Hermione fleeing from the two boys in tears.

The three Slytherin girls simply shrugged and continued on to their next class.

The evening of Halloween brought an unexpected disruption to their plans. The students were compelled to sit at their house tables for dinner, leaving Heidi separated from Y/n, Daphne, and Tracey.

Professor Quirrell's dramatic entrance, claiming a troll in the dungeons, drew their attention. However, Y/n couldn't help but notice the lack of stutter in his frightened babble. She leaned over to her friends and whispered, "His faint  was about as real as a three-headed knarl."

Daphne snorted softly. "Agreed. It seems like he forgot to practice his stuttering today."

Tracey added with a smirk, "Someone should remind him that subtlety is a wizard's best friend."

Dumbledore quickly intervened, instructing the prefects to escort the students to their respective common rooms. Y/n voiced her annoyance at the idea of heading to the dungeons since the troll is supposedly there.

Tracey chimed in, "I mean, seriously, couldn't Dumbledore think for a moment?"

Daphne nodded, "Or at least be subtle about it."

Dumbledore paused for a moment, his curiosity piqued, but ultimately agreed to send the Slytherins to the library. While they made their way there, Y/n noticed Potter and Weasley slip away, likely heading to the girls' bathroom where Hermione Granger was still recovering from her earlier upset.

Y/n quickly relayed her plan to Ariana, her faithful basilisk familiar. With a nod from Ariana, Y/n activated her Phoenix Flash and sent Ariana to confront the troll and eliminate the threat. Moments later, Ariana returned, grinning happily. The troll was dead, and Hermione Granger was safe. Ariana informed Y/n that Hermione hadn't seen her during the encounter.

Y/n promptly Phoenix Flashed herself to the library, joining her friends, Daphne and Tracey. She cast privacy spells around them to ensure their conversation remained confidential.

Daphne and Tracey burst into laughter when they heard how Y/n had used Ariana to deal with the troll. The image of Hermione Granger trying to explain her survival without having seen the basilisk left them in stitches.

Eventually, Professor Snape arrived to inform them that the troll was dealt with, and they were free to return to their common room. 

The following morning, the trio found themselves summoned to Headmaster Dumbledore's office. They entered, finding the room filled with its usual assortment of peculiar instruments and magical artifacts.

Dumbledore greeted them and offered the uncomfortable chairs typical for such meetings. Y/n, however, decided to transfigure them into a plush sofa, earning a displeased look from the headmaster.

Before they could sit down, Y/n felt Dumbledore's intrusion once more. She swiftly employed her Occlumency skills, forcefully ejecting him from her mind. This second dismissal shocked Dumbledore even more.

Y/n sneered at him, her patience wearing thin. "Give it up, Dumbledore. Your attempts at Legilimency are becoming quite tiresome. It's far too easy to thwart your efforts."

Daphne and Tracey glared at Dumbledore as well, expressing their displeasure at his actions.

Dumbledore attempted to regain control of the situation. "My dear students, it was merely an accident. I assure you it won't happen again."

Y/n scoffed at his excuse. "Accident? Funny how you accidentally invade our minds. Perhaps I should tell Daphne's and Tracey's fathers, Lords Greengrass and Davis, about these 'accidents,' or maybe even Auror Tonks or Andromeda Tonks."

Dumbledore's expression faltered at the mention of these names, and he quickly changed tactics. He inquired about their alleged attack on Potter and Weasley, but all three girls vehemently denied any involvement.

After the trio mentioned that they were considering informing certain individuals about Dumbledore's behavior, the headmaster's resolve weakened. He knew he couldn't act against them without concrete evidence and using Legilimency on Potter and Weasley is, in fact illegal.

With a sigh, Dumbledore dismissed them and sent them back to the Great Hall for breakfast. Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, watched Y/n with a curious, knowing gaze. Y/n winked at the bird, acknowledging their unspoken understanding.

Back in the Great Hall, they found Heidi waiting for them near the entrance. In hushed voices, they filled her in on the recent events. Heidi was fuming and determined to help. She promised that Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott, her Hufflepuff friends, might join their cause in the coming weeks.

With that, they enjoyed their breakfast and looked forward to their continued efforts to unravel Dumbledore's plans.