𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 ━ Golden Trio Era

━chapter 10

Chapter 10
━━━━━━━━ ✥ ━━━━━━━━

"CHO CHANG? Still?"

Harry blushed furiously, practically dashing to Potions. Ron and Hermione were arguing behind them, something about Ron's lack of tact, as Millie had put it.

Adhara, on the other hand, thought it better to tease Harry.

"Didn't her boyfriend just die?"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"She was trying to get to talk to you alone, even I know—"

"She was just being friendly!"

Adhara rolled her eyes, matching speed with Harry and leaving the other three behind. When they reached the classroom, queuing to enter, she nudged Harry.

"She's obviously interested in you."

Harry didn't listen.

"And," Adhara continued, wrinkling her nose, "if you're still interested in her..." she paused, as though changing her mind about something. "...you can ask Millie for advice or something. Just don't come to me. I've got OWLs to worry about."

Harry, who knew very well that she was much more preoccupied with Quidditch, having missed it last year, elbowed her.

"Oh, sod off!"

━━━━

An expected dreadful day turned out to be worse than expected. History was boring, Potions was embarrassing, and somehow, Defence — usually Harry's favourite class — ended up being the worst.

Harry could feel the weight of his housemates' gaze on him, but that didn't make him waver. He kept his eyes, narrowed into a withering look, on Dolores Umbridge.

"Cedric Diggory," stated the toad-faced woman, "was murdered by Lucius Malfoy, who has been apprehended and imprisoned."

"He was acting on Voldemort's orders."

"He was acting on his own volition!"

Harry's jaw clicked when he grinded his teeth. This woman wasn't getting it. Whatever reason she may have to hide the truth, whatever reason the Ministry had to keep it under control was immoral to say the least. To lie about Voldemort's return, about Cedric's death because fucking Fudge didn't want to lose his position—

How could they so blatantly ignore what was the right thing to do?

Umbridge called Harry to her desk. He approached, anger simmering just below the surface.

"Take this to Professor McGonagall, dear."

Harry left, not looking back.

━━━

"Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?"

"Yes."

"You called her a liar?"

"Yes."

"You told her He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back?"

"Yes."

"Have a biscuit, Potter."

Professor McGonagall was frowning at him. She was angry, but as upset as she looked to him, Harry had the vaguest hunch that it was not all aimed at him.

Harry had the biscuit. He listened to his professor's advice with his jaw tight, unable to comprehend why he must stay quiet when he was right and they were wrong. How could they win this fight if they simply allowed the opposing party to walk all over them?