When Myths Meet Magic || 5

13|| Piper

Piper walked in silence as the other Slytherins chatted away when they made their way down to Care of Magical Creatures. Normally it would grate on her nerves that Pansy had turned on her for Draco and was now finding every excuse to add hate on Piper, except her mind was elsewhere. But it was immediately brought back to the present when she saw who was teaching the class.

"Holy crap!" Piper slowed her pace when she saw Chiron, then began to speedwalk so fast you'd think she was training in Olympic Speedwalking. "What're you doing here?" she asked as she reached the old centaur, looking around. The Gryffindors had yet to arrive, and only a few other Slytherins looked at Chiron.

"I'm substituting for Hagrid," Chiron said grimly (although he always seemed to be grim. Or maybe it was the ageing lines from the thousands of years he'd lived). "Just started today when I came back."

"Where is Hagrid?" Piper asked anxiously.

"I don't know," Chiron sighed. "I was around the Forbidden Forest, recruiting the other centaurs and magical creatures within away from Voldemort's side. Hagrid went with Madame Maxime to the mountains. I haven't heard from him since."

Piper bit her lip in worry but couldn't say more as the Gryffindors neared, accompanied by someone new.

"Ah gods," Piper muttered to herself, tearing her eyes away from Umbridge. An inspection, how perfect.

"What the heck is Chiron doing here?" Jason whispered as Piper joined their group.

"He's the sub for Hagrid now," Piper whispered. "Great day for Umbridge to inspect, huh?"

Thalia was watching Umbridge suspiciously. "She can't kick Chiron out if he's not even teaching here, can she?" she asked.

Umbridge approached Chiron with her clipboard, a pleasant smile forced on her face. For once, she did not seem eager to watch his every movement as she had with the other teachers.

"You do not usually teach this class, is that correct?" she asked.

Chiron nodded. "Quite right," he said. "I'm a substitute teacher standing in for Professor Hagrid."

"Hmm..." Professor Umbridge lowered her voice, although anyone trying to listen could still hear her quite clearly, which included the entire class and probably the bowtruckles on the trees as well. "I wonder — the headmaster seems strangely reluctant to give me any information on the matter — can you tell me what is causing Professor Hagrid's very extended leave of absence?"

Chiron shook his head as if he was sorry. "I'm afraid I cannot," he said smoothly. "What I know is probably half of what you know. Professor Dumbledore just sent me an owl asking if I could stand in while Professor Hagrid is away, that's all. Shall I get started, then?"

"Please do," said Umbridge, scratching away at her clipboard. As Chiron proceeded the lesson about care for bowtruckles, Umbridge circled the class, leaning in and asking the students questions about the class.

"So tell me, dear," she said as she watched Piper carefully pry a bowtruckle off a fallen tree branch. "Your old teacher is a half-giant, correct?"

"Yeah," replied Piper carefully. "He hasn't got a hostile bone in his body, though."

"Hmm. And he has taught this class well?"

"Oh yeah, Hagr — Professor Hagrid's a great teacher. Of course, you'll always have those people who despise him though." Piper looked in Draco's direction, and Umbridge followed her gaze.

"And you are well aquatinted with the Gryffindors?" Umbridge questioned lightly.

Every muscle in Piper's body tensed. "Not really, no. We just sat in the same train compartment the first day, but I don't know them well. We're not friends. I don't even really like them. No connections whatsoever," she said very carefully, her tone laced with charmspeak. "By the way, I love your hat," she gushed, looking at Umbridge's rather dead hat.

From the next group over, she could see Jason shooting a quick glance at her.

"Hmm," said Umbridge again, half smiling before moving on to the next poor victim. Piper relaxed and watched her bowtruckle cling to her robes.

>>>•O•<<<

"Why'd'you reckon she said that?" Jason muttered to Annabeth.

"Umbridge hates Gryffindors. We all know that by now," said Annabeth. "And it would be better for someone of us to be on Umbridge's good side."

"Won't Draco tell Umbridge otherwise though?"

"Yeah but Umbridge won't believe him. Not with Piper's charmspeak, at least. It's really quite brilliant, if you think about it."

Jason's brow furrowed further. "I guess..."

"Just think of it like this," said Thalia. "If Piper gets on the inside then we can get the info that could definitely help the Order of the Phoenix. This could be vital in the battle against Voldemort — if there is a battle, at least."

"You think Umbridge is working for Voldy, then?" Percy asked.

"Harry's scar did hurt when Umbridge touched him," Hermione interjected from the side.

Annabeth frowned. "Really? Why didn't he tell us?"

Hermione shrugged. "But we did consult Sirius about the matter, he doesn't think Umbridge is involved."

Annabeth frowned again. "Really? Why didn't you tell us?"

Hermione shrugged again.

"She definitely is evil enough," decided Jason. "But it would be risky to be so close. She does work for the ministry, after all."

They fell silent as one of the Slytherins walked by.

"Yeah, but it could be vital to keep a close eye on her," argued Percy once the Slytherin had passed.

"A close eye on whom?" A voice asked from behind them.

Annabeth jumped. "Erm, this bowtruckle. See, it's a little bit more faded and brown than the other ones. It might be sick."

"Hmm," said Umbridge, smiling but with acid in her eyes.