'Tell Me Pretty Lies,' by moongirlel

Chapter 86: Inquisitorial Badge of Honour (pt. 2)

[idfc - blackbear]

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Thur. 12th October 1995 - 4:11pm...

Earlier today, Umbridge made her mission to interrogate another handful of other Professors.

For someone who claims she's doing well by our educational system, she's surely interrupting our classes and preventing us from learning pretty often.

Ironic, isn't it?

Professor Snape was the first one on the list, and needless to say, he was far from impressed.

Due to his answer to her questioning his position as a Potion's teacher, knowing full well he was always desiring the role of the Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor, we all knew he wasn't at all pleased.

I wouldn't be either to say the least.

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For the first time in months, I found myself walking towards the Herbology Greenhouse.

I needed peace and quiet, somewhere I knew nobody would disturb me and my thoughts. No matter how damaging they already were.

Opening the door, I close it behind me. Hitting my boots against the rug, I clean them off.

"Jane?"

I yelp, turning around quickly to see Neville.

Of course, he practically lives here. If so, why am I so surprised to see him then?

I've been so caught up with Professor Umbridge and the media, I forgot about my Gryffindor friends; and what their hobbies were.

Then again, I guess it doesn't really matter what they've been doing — They've made it crystal clear to me through their actions, they're no longer interested in anything I'm doing.

He placed a pot down, and dusts his hands off.

I grab the handle to the door, "Sorry— I can leave—"

"No, it's okay. You can stay. I always hide out in here. But you... already know that." He grins awkwardly from ear-to-ear.

I shuffle towards him, crossing my arms over my chest.

His gaze flickered down to the badge hanging on my robes, then back to my face. "Harry told us that you, um... joined the Umbridge squad."

"Of course he did..." I mutter. "I did." I say in a louder tone.

"Jane, I don't mean to pry— and I'm not trying to be mean or anything." He takes a deep breath, "Why did you do it?"

"Even if I told you, my brother's probably twisted some type of explanation for you and your friends regardless." I shrug, leaning against the table.

"...yeah," He nods. "He did go on a rant about it to us. In the common room, in front of our whole house."

Oh.

So, now I have a whole Hogwarts house against me. Wonderful.

"I do want to hear your side of the story." He goes on, "Although..."