Evanora

THE REIGN OF UMBRIDGE

I was on my feet towards the radio at this point approaching it slowly.

"Security will remain the Ministry's top priority. Furthermore, we have convincing evidence that these disappearances are the work of notorious mass-murderer Sirius Black. Make no--" the voice was cut off by the voice off by a voice from the fireplace. I whirled around and quickly went to the fireplace, followed by Harry.

"Eva! Harry!" Sirius whispered hoarsely from the fireplace.

"Sirius! What are you doing?" I asked.

"Answering your letters of course," he replied. "You spoke about Umbridge. What's she doing? Training you to kill half-breeds?" I looked to Harry.

"She's not letting us use any magic at all," he replied.

"Well, I'm not suprised. . . The latest intelligence is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat,"

"But why? Why wouldn't he wan't us to be able to protect ourselves?" I asked.

"He thinks Dumbledore is assembling his own forces to take on the Ministry. He's becoming more paranoid by the minute," he said. "The others. . . wouldn't want me telling you this Harry. But things aren't going at all well with the Order. Fudge is blocking the truth at every turn and these 'disappearances' are just how it started before. Voldemort is on the move." A small noise sounded. "Someone's coming. . . I'm sorry I can't be of more help. But for now, at least, it looks like your on your own." he disappeared in the flames.

I got up and went toward the window. It was storming. Though I enjoyed calm rain, I didn't like storms.

"We've got to be able to defend ourselves," I said. "If Umbridge refuses to teach us, we need someone who will."

I turned around to Harry. His hair was messy and his eyes illuminated by the lightning from the window behind me.

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"This is mad! Who'd want to be taught by me?" Harry said they we trod down the snowy path after me into Hogsmeade. "I'm a nutter, remember?"

"Says Malfoy," I said.

"Let's face it, mate, you can't be any worse than old toad face," Ron said.

"Thanks, Ron."

"I'm here for you, mate." Ron said.

"Who's meeting us, then?" Harry asked.

"Just a couple of people. . ." Hermione said, following after me.

We came to an old shack with a goat in it.

"Lovely spot," Ron commented sarcastically.

"Thought it'd be safer somewhere off the beaten track," Hermione said.

A lot of people ended up showing. I sat at the front nervously. I wasn't one for public speaking, but it didn't matter. I had to do it, it was the right thing anyways.

"Erm, hi," I said, standing up to the room full of people. I looked toward Hermione for words and she motioned for me to continue, but stood up next to me. "So, you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper teacher,"

"One who's had real experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts," Hermione chimed in. I eased up a bit.

"Why?" a kid asked.

"Why? Cause You-Know-Who is back, you tosspot," Ron said snarkily.

"So he says," the kid nods toward Harry, who merely glances up from his chair.