The Space Boy and The Red Head

10 - DUMBridge Is the Worst

Monday - 8th January 1996

First class of the day. Double transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. She secretly was quite fond of the boys. Even sharing the same belief as Sirius, that they were a the schools newest band of marauders. She saw how alike to the original group these four were and it filled her heart with a bittersweet sense of nostalgia. Though, you wouldn't be able to tell at first glance that she had a sweet spot for these kids. Looking closer you might see the way her lips would threaten to curl up into a soft smile, hear a soft chuckle covered by a gloved hand or even see the sparkle in her eye as something they did would bring back happy memories.

The four boys were sat at the back of the class, speaking in hushed tones about the success of their prank that morning. It had been good to try to bring a bit of joy back to the school, especially with Umbridge acting like a dementor, sucking out all the student's happiness.

The door opened and in walked Professor McGonagall. She took out a piece of chalk and began to write on the board in the front of the classroom.

"Now, I expect you all to remember doing this topic before, but, this year we will be looking at it in more detail. Meaning that this term, we will be looking at the process, not just the results, understood? Please take out your textbooks and open them to the relevant chapter. Page 87 ought to do it."

The class dragged on for the boys but they still found elements of it interesting.

"We should do it!" Exclaimed Lee as they walked to their next class. The others looked at him.

"Do what?" Fred asked.

Lee rolled his eyes, "become animagi, duh! You told me all about the things the marauders used to do as animagi, imagine how useful it would be for our pranks."

"That might be the only smart thing you've said today Lee" said Fred. George was grinning beside him, nodding in agreement.

"I don't know, it can be really dangerous if you get it wrong. And you heard McGonagall, it's really difficult, not to mention illegal" said Apollo. Though he wasn't so much scared as he was aware that he wouldn't be able to do it. The process required keeping a leaf in your mouth for a whole lunar month, and other things that would be impossible with his wolfy problem.

"Aw don't be a chicken. Come on Apollo. We'll be fine and anyway, we're amazing at potions and charms. Or have you forgotten about our new range of products?" Encouraged Fred. The other boys all looked at Apollo expectingly. Despite the anxiety within him, he couldn't help but grin at their shenanigans. He let out a sigh that turned into a slight chuckle.

"Fine. We can try but I can't guarantee it'll work" he said. He'd come up with an excuse for himself later.

Potions class went by quickly. As did lunch. During the meal they had heard about the next Dumbledores Army meeting. They were looking forward to it immensely, they liked getting to practice spells, and cause little amounts of chaos. It felt like a great chance to relax a little, a rare instance with Umbridge' constantly watching everyone.

Apollo was trying to hide the piece of chocolate he was nibbling on from his friends. It's not that he was bad at sharing with his friends, it's just that he was very keen on this particular one. And he didn't have much of it left.

George knew Apollo was eating chocolate in class. But he didn't bother him for it. He knew how much his friend loved this particular brand, it made him happy to see the joy it brought Apollo. It made him even happier remembering it was chocolate that he had picked up for his friend the last Hogsmeade weekend before they left early at Christmas. Apollo had been ill the week before and Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let him go out since it was snowing. Usually they would have just sneaked off down a hidden passage way but George had had to admit that Apollo didn't look fit for the task that day.

Heels clacked as the short toad of a Professor, walked in. Dressed in pink as usual. The class collectively rolled their eyes as she cleared her throat. Without a word she sent textbooks floating down the room, one landing on each desk. Then they all opened to the same page.

Umbridge was about to catch Apollo sneaking another piece of chocolate when George managed to stop him in time. He placed his hand on the other boys, holding it in place under the table until the Professor's scanning eyes passed them. George and Apollo looked down at their hands for a second, still together under the desk. The Weasley boy cleared his throat and moved his hand away. Their cheeks were both as flushed as could be and neither could make eye contact.

"You will be working in silence today. I don't want to hear a peep out of anyone, understood?" She said in an annoyingly nasally voice.

"With a new term comes a new topic. And the Minister of Magic himself has asked that I teach you this. This term you will be learning about the Dangers of Halfbreeds and how to identify them" she spat the word halfbreed out. Apollo could already feel his blood beginning to boil. Maybe they wouldn't cover werewolves again? He thought. Snape had already covered that back when Lupin taught here.

"I expect two pages of parchment on this topic by Friday. Begin"

The first pages of the textbook covered half giants and half trolls. It was said they were more dangerous than the full blooded counterparts as they had increased intelligence due to their human dna. Then it told tales of men lured to their death by those with Veela blood. Then it moved on the discuss vampirism. And then centaurs. Apollo admired centaurs for their ability to read the stars so well but this book was not painting them in a very nice light.

Finally he got to the page he'd been dreading. The words written in bold on the page felt like a knife wound. Although no one was looking at him, it felt as if everyone was watching him. Like everyone could see through him. Like they all somehow KNEW.