Lucy Riddle and the Boy Who Lived

The Great Exit

Chapter Eighteen

Lucy couldn't help but sulk for the next few days.

Someone had found out about her history, and now everyone knows that Lucy Donavon is, in fact, You-Know-Who's daughter. All the Houses would stare at her incredulously. They don't mess with her at all though. Even the Slytherins have nothing to say to her, and that's a first.

Ever since it was leaked out, no one has seen or heard from the headmistress all week. It's been said that she was looking for Dumbledore, but Lucy highly doubted it. She had sent an owl home to ask about it, and her reply should be back right about . . . now.

She spotted Styx coming through the windows with other people's deliveries. Styx landed on Lucy's shoulders without a sound. Lucy never stopped wondering why she never made a sound. She unwrapped the letter and gave Styx a piece of bacon before watching her set off to the Owlery.

Lucy quickly unfolded the parchment and scanned it's contents:

Hey, baby girl,

    Dolores Umbridge was the headmistress for Hogwarts? If I had known, I would've taken you straight home! You have to tell me these things — you don't know anything about that woman. Rodolphus and Dolohov don't like her either. She's a Death-Eater, love. Umbridge loved the Dark Lord with all her heart. She would've even went to Azkaban for him — which she did — and stayed in that cell if it weren't for us bailing her out. That was when there was a mass breakout, years ago.

    You better be careful with that woman. She's crazy. She wouldn't be at Hogwarts anymore if she knew the Dark Lord was still alive. Umbridge will most likely be out looking for her master. Don't fret about it. Just make sure you do not go anywhere near that woman. She's hiding from everyone including the Ministry of Magic.

    But anyway, we all miss you a lot. Reply soon before we think you're kidnapped!

With love,
Mum, Dad, and Grandma
(Woman, stop writing me as her bloody grandma!)

Lucy showed her friends the letter. Ron and Harry let out a quiet laugh while Hermione studied the piece of parchment like it was the most important thing in her life. She was mumbling some incoherent words. Suddenly, she just screamed, causing the rest to fall out of their seats.

"Guys, get off the floor! What are you all doing down there?" Hermione asked. They all opened their mouths. "You know what? Never mind. Just get up here."

They did as they were told and listened as Hermione started to explain her theory.

"That explains it all. Why Umbridge wouldn't teach us any real spells in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She's a Death-Eater. Professor Umbridge is probably one of V-Voldemort's — don't you all look at me like that, its time to finally acknowledge him — spies trying to get to you, Harry! That's the only explanation as to why she was headmistress and why she left. She's even hiding from the Ministry of Magic. She wouldn't be if she were committed, right?"

"Oh, Hermione, how smart you are," Lucy said. She handed Hermione her letter to study.

It was a nice day. The lot went outside to have a bit of fresh air like the rest of the Hogwarts students. No matter what, Lucy could feel the stares of all the children. She couldn't help but feel self-conscious under their gazes. She was like a wild animal in a zoo, the freak show.

They all sat below a large tree. The breeze was playing with Lucy's hair, tickling her face. She'd see the occasional rabbit hop around or a snake greeting her before heading off towards the lake.