Firecracker | George Weasley

Chapter 27

Scarlett was sat having breakfast with Andrew when they heard Umbridge screeching "Pardon me professor but what exactly are you insinuating?"

Scarlett and Andrew looked up from their food and then towards the entrance of the Great Hall where the voice came from.

"I am merely requesting that when it comes to my students you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices." McGonagall replied

Scarlett and Andrew got up to see what was going on. As they reached the door they joined the crowd of people who had already gathered to watch the argument between the two professors. Scarlett was too focused on what was happening to notice Fred and George who were standing in front of her.

"So silly of me, but it sounds as if you are questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minerva."

"Not at all, Dolores. Merely your medieval methods."

"I am sorry, but to question my practices, is to question the ministry and by extension the minister himself. I am a tolerant woman, but the one thing I will not stand for, is disloyalty."

"Disloyalty"

Umbridge turned to the crowd now addressing them all causing a pit in Scarlett's stomach to form. She knew whatever was going to be said was going to be trouble for Harry and she was going to protect him at all costs.

"Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared, Cornelius will want to take immediate action."

Umbridge turned around and stormed off leaving the crowd and McGonagall confused and worried.

Everyone began whispering to each other about what Umbridge meant. Scarlett instead focused on how to protect Harry. She turned to Andrew who was still gobsmacked at the public argument between professors.

"Snap out of it Andy, if the ministry is going to involve itself with Hogwarts, Harry is going to be the first to be isolated and victimised. I need to try and stop that." Scarlett said.

Andrew snapped out of it and focused on Scarlett "Okay, what do you need me to do?"

Scarlett was about to start listing some ideas when George put his arm around her while Fred, Hermione, Ron and Harry joined them

"What you two chatting about?" Fred asked as they approached

Andrew was about to reply but before he could, Scarlett elbowed him in the stomach, it barely affected him but because he knew how deadly it would have been last year when she was at full strength, he got distracted and focused on Scarlett's reply.

"Nothing just figuring out what that argument was about between McGonagall and Umbridge."

George looked between Scarlett and Andrew suspicious at what was going on. He noticed how Andrew was staring at Scarlett. He felt a twinge of jealousy but quickly pushed it aside realising how foolish it was.

"Yeah, I was asking how McGonagall was told about your brutal punishment Harry." Andrew finally said

Hermione looked down avoiding eye contact with those in the group. Scarlett noticed and couldn't help but gasp a little when she realised why Hermione was acting off. George noticed the slight gasp and followed Scarlett's stare to Hermione.

"Please tell me you didn't do what Scarlett thinks you did?" he said shocked

Hermione didn't look up as the group looked at her "They had to know what was going on! I'm not going to stand by and watch you get tortured. I did it for your own good." She protested but still kept her eyes to the ground.

Everyone stayed silent waiting for Harry to react

"You had no right Hermione." He said angrily

"In Hermione's defence, it's good she was told. There have been rumours about Umbridge's punishments and strictness since she started, it was only a matter of time till the professors heard and if Hermione hadn't told McGonagall, she would probably have asked you and you would either have lied which would not be good or you would tell her the truth but by then it would be too late for her to be able to do anything about it." Scarlett defended Hermione who looked up and smiled at her trying to convey her gratitude.