CHAPTER FORTY-TWO ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── "This isn't what I wanted. None of it. You know that."
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Y/N POV
The sun had began to set over Hogwarts, filling the corridors with eerie shadows. The castle felt different these days — darker, heavier — as if the very atmosphere was dulled by Umbridge's presence at the school. Even the usual conversation in the Great Hall had silenced to a mere whisper. No one wanted to upset her, for they knew the consequences of her torturous punishments.
I stood in the Room of Requirement, watching as students around me practiced their spells. The meetings had become more intense lately, with Harry leading us through all of the defensive spells he knew.
"Those wishing to join the Inquisitorial Squad for extra credit, may sign up in the High Inquisitors office." Umbridge's voice rang through the entire school.
"As if." I said to myself and scoffed.
"Don't worry about it, y/n." Harry said, his voice reassuring as he patted my back.
I smiled to him, then turned back to practicing.
"Stupefy!" I shouted, flicking my wand toward Dean Thomas. The boy went flying backward, landing harshly on the floor.
"Oi!" Dean called out, groaning as he pushed himself up on his elbows. "A little warning next time, yeah?"
Harry Potter chuckled from behind me. "Working hard is important. But there's something that matters even more; believing in yourself. Think of it this way; every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than what we are now. If they can do it, why not us?"
As I continued practicing spells, I watched as Neville Longbottom shuffled over to me, a hesitant look on his face. "Um...y/n? Could you, uh...help me?"
I nodded to the boy and smiled. "Of course, Neville. Show me what you've got."
"Expelliarmus?" he muttered, but nothing happened.
"Neville, all you need to do is say it more proudly. Try to shoot my wand out of my hand." I said and held out my wand.
"I don't want to miss and hurt you." He said.
"It's okay, I can take it." I said and chuckled.
The boy sent me an unsure look, his brows furrowing. I smiled and him and nodded, signaling that it was okay.
