Wizarding World one-shots

Proper Young Lady (Glasswood)

Radiant Glasspetal walked to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, her hands shaking with excitement as she stared at the letter in her hand. Oliver was already in Hogsmeade, waiting for her to meet with him tomorrow.

All she had to do was sit through detention and she would be able to meet him in the morning.

Shouldn't be too hard.

"Come in!"

Radiant pushed open the door to Professor Umbridge's office and stepped inside.

She did a double take upon seeing how pink and lacy everything was. The kittens with bowties on the walls looked at her and hissed. She fought the urge to hiss back.

"Good evening Miss Glasspetal," Professor Umbridge said with a freakishly large smile.

Radiant nodded in greeting and made a motion to sit down. Umbridge shook her head, clicking her tongue against her mouth.

"Miss Glasspetal, that isn't a proper greeting. Please, start over from the top."

The seventh year Gryffindor raised an eyebrow but stood back up without comment. Any hopes she had about this not being hard were diminished.

You're going to see Oliver tomorrow. Just hold out until tomorrow.

"Good evening Miss Glasspetal."

"Good evening Professor Umbridge," Radiant said through gritted teeth.

Umbridge's smile grew and she motioned to the opposing chair from her own. Radiant sat down without comment, crossing her legs in front of her. Then, she remembered her mother lecturing her about that when she was younger and uncrossed them.

A single piece of parchment was on the table in front of her.

"Today, I figured we might do something a little more... traditional for your punishment. I see you are still wearing your trousers, even though I told you ladies must wear skirts."

"But Professor, this is my seventh year and it was always okay before-"

Umbridge's shrill laugh interrupted her.

"Miss Glasspetal, may I remind you that I am the High Inquisitor. What has been 'okay' at Hogwarts before is not now. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes ma'am."

Umbridge smiled once again. "You'll be doing a few lines for me. Not with your quill, but with a special one of mine."

Radiant took the long black quill with a very sharp point.

"I would like you to write, 'I must act like a lady,'" she said softly.

Don't laugh, don't laugh, Radiant told herself.

She sat back down behind the desk, picking up a stack of papers that needed to be graded. Radiant looked around for ink, finding none.

"Professor, do you need me to grab my own ink or will you provide it?" Radiant asked.

"Oh, don't worry. The pen will write either way."

Radiant shrugged and set the tip of the quill down, writing: I must act like a lady.

She inhaled sharply in pain as she wrote. The words were there, but with red ink. No, it wasn't ink. It was blood. The words appeared on the back of her left hand as if cut by a small knife. As soon as she stopped writing, the wound started to heal.

Radiant looked up, seeing Umbridge staring at her with her wide tight lipped smile.

"Is everything alright dear?"

"Yes," Radiant answered shortly. "Yes it is."

"Well then, I see no point in you stopping."

Radiant turned back to the parchment, writing I must act like a lady once again. Just like before, the words were etched in her skin before healing.

I must act like a lady, Radiant wrote.

Just get through this night. You'll see Oliver tomorrow.

I must act like a lady, Radiant wrote again.

You'll see him tomorrow.

I must act like a lady.

Just make it through this.

I MUST ACT LIKE A LADY.

I MUST ACT LIKE A LADY.

I MUST ACT LIKE A LADY.

"Come here, let me see that hand of yours."

Radiant said nothing as Umbridge grabbed her calloused hand with her short stubby fingers. One singular tear rolled down her face, landing on the parchment with a small plop.

"It seems I made quite the impression on you Miss Glasspetal. Maybe you'll think twice before ignoring my suggestions next time?"

Radiant simply nodded.

"Now that's just the way a proper young lady would respond. You may go."

Umbridge watched as Radiant slowly got to her feet, grabbing her things with a sluggish pace. A large, satisfied grin was on her face.

"Good night Miss Glasspetal."

Radiant turned from the door, her eyes hollow.

"Good night Professor."

– – – – – – – –

Snitch, the owl Radiant shared with Oliver, was sitting on her windowsill when she got back to her dorm. She cooed as Radiant gently stroked her feathers, nuzzling her head against her bloodied hand.

"Can you deliver a letter for me?" Radiant asked, her voice quiet.

Snitch jumped on her shoulder in response. Radiant sat down in front of the desk, writing five simple words with her uninjured right hand.

Meet me at the pitch.

She tied the letter onto Snitch's leg and released her into the night air. As soon as her light wings faded from view, Radiant started to head back outside her dorm.

It was a struggle to get to the pitch after curfew with all the patrols, but somehow, she managed to get there without any issues. Just in time too, because as soon as she stepped foot on the field, a figure on a broom appeared in the sky.

"Radiant? What's going on?" Oliver dismounted his broom and jogged over to her, concern evident in his dark eyes.

Radiant said nothing as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his chest. A second later, she felt his arms wrap around her.

"Lass, you're scaring me."

She pulled back just enough so he could see her face.

The hollow look in her eyes was still there.

"I just need you to hold me." Radiant whispered.