CHERRY, george weasley

064, professor sprout's office!

AS CERISE ENTERED HER HEAD of house's office, she let out a huge frustrated groan and sat herself opposite her. Professor Sprout looked at her worriedly, "Cerise?" She said softly as the tears started to roll down her face. Cerise handed Sprout the pink note.

The Herbology professor opened it and read over it carefully. "Tell me," she said, throwing the note in the bin, "what happened? From that note, all I know is you shouted at her, is it true?"

"I didn't... shout," Cerise said quietly, wiping her eyes. "I just told her the truth."

"And is it true that you told her You-Know-Who's back?" Professor Sprout wondered. Cerise nodded. "And you told her you hope she gets murdered by him, and you hope the Ministry rule that a tragic accident?"

Cerise shrugged, "I stand by what I said," she said, "She said my brother's death was a tragic accident, and that he wasn't back. How does she expect me to react? How does anyone expect me to react to that woman saying Cedric's death was a tragic accident?"

Professor Sprout listened to Cerise as she began her rant.

"Because I'm not going to be all fucking sunshine and daisies, am I?" She said, "I'm not going to dance around the classroom in glee. I have every right to feel the way I feel, I have every right to believe what is the truth. I have every right to say what I want — It's not my fault she took it to heart."

Professor Sprout sighed, and grabbed Cerise's hand, giving it a tight but gentle squeeze. "You need to be careful," she stated, "Misbehaviour in Dolores Umbridge's class could cost you much more than house points and a detention."

"What are you on about?" Cerise asked.

"Use your common sense, Cerise," Sprout said, giving the girl a kind smile. "You know where she comes from, you must know to whom she is reporting."

Cerise sighed and shrunk in her seat. She did know who Professor Umbridge was reporting to.

"It says here she's given you detention every evening this week, starting tomorrow," Sprout said, and seeing the horrified look on Cerise's face, she said, "She is your teacher and has every right to give you detention. You will go to her room at five o'clock tomorrow for the first one. Just remember: be careful around her."

"But I was telling the truth," Cerise muttered, "He is back, you know he is; McGonagall knows he is, Dumbledore knows he is—"

"Do you really think this is about truth or lies?" Sprout questioned, "It's about keeping your head down and your temper under control. I don't expect you to keep calm when she says things about Cedric, but I do expect you to try. She is reporting everything back to the Ministry. . . The Ministry of Magic is trying to interfere at Hogwarts. You must be careful."

The bell rang, signalling the end of lesson. Cerise groaned, and banged her head onto Sprout's desk. "Stay here for the hour," Sprout said, placing a hot chocolate in front of the girl. "Calm yourself down, and then we'll go to lunch."

So, Cerise did. She stayed with Sprout for the next hour, talking about future plans — Which Cerise didn't have any, not anymore anyway. All of her future plans involved Cedric, they were going to buy a house together and move in with their partners. They were going to get different jobs, and then tell each other all about their days at work.

After their massive argument, Cerise wasn't sure it would happen, but she still hoped it would. And now that Cedric's gone, she didn't know what she wanted to do in her future.

"Come on," Professor Sprout said as the bell rang — signalling lunch — leading Cerise down to the Great Hall, where everyone was already seated.

Seeing Umbridge's smirk as she stared at the girl, Cerise narrowed her eyes. "Be calm," Sprout whispered, "Don't get into any more trouble with her."

Fred, George and Lee gave the girl worried looks from the Gryffindor table. Cerise just gave them a fake smile, which they could tell was fake straight away.

Sitting herself next to Loralei and opposite Elijah at the Hufflepuff table, she piled some food onto her plate and slowly began to eat. "Are you okay?" Elijah asked softly.

Cerise narrowed her eyes. "Do I look okay?" She snapped, "That woman is looking for a slap! I'm telling you, by the end of the year, she would've gotten what's coming to her."

"What did she write —?"

"That I shouted at her," Cerise interrupted Loralei, "That I said Voldemort was back, and that I said I hope he murders her and I hope the Ministry rule it a tragic accident."

"I can't believe you said that," Loralei said, shaking her head. "You can get into so much trouble! She works for the —"

"For the Ministry," Cerise said, "Yeah, I know. Professor Sprout told me to be careful around Umbridge. Oh, yeah, and I have detention with the cunt every evening this week starting tomorrow."

"How exciting!" Elijah said sarcastically. Loralei kicked Elijah's foot, making him shut up immediately.

"I am going to have the worst week of my life," Cerise muttered, taking a small bite of her baby potatoes. "I can't believe I have to spend every evening with that woman, of all people! I'd prefer a detention with Filch, and that's saying something. He gives me the creeps."

"Well, you won't be alone in the detention," said Loralei, giving Cerise a small, comforting smile.

"What?" Cerise said, eyebrows furrowed.

"Fred told me, Ron told him, that Harry also had a screaming match with Umbridge," Loralei informed her, "About the same thing. Cedric's death being a tragic accident, You-Know-Who being back..."

Cerise frowned, and glanced at Harry. Fred and George were talking to him, and his eyes were on her. He gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"He's got detention this week, too."