Pennelope and The Order (Harry Potter Love Story) Book 5

The Ridding of Umbridge

I avoided Harry as we exited the castle, he knows to keep distance with me too.

I walked towards the forbidden forest.

"It's hidden in Hagrid's hut, is it?" Umbridge said eagerly.

"Of course not," I said rudely. "Hagrid might have set it off on accident."

"Yes," Umbridge said. "Yes, he would have done, of course, the great half-breed oaf . . ."

She laughed. I have the sudden urge to turn around and seize her throat, but I resisted. But my nostrils flared.

"Then . . . Where is it?" Umbridge asked with uncertainty as I continued to stride into the forest.

"In there, of course," I said, pointing to the dark trees. "It had to be somewhere that students weren't going to find accidentally, didn't it?"

"Of course," Umbridge said, though she sounds apprehensive. "Of course . . . Very well, then . . . You two stay ahead of me."

"Can we have your wand, then, if we're going first?" Harry asked, making me roll my eyes.

"No, I don't think so, Mr. Potter," Umbridge said sweetly. "The Ministry places a rather higher value on my life that yours, I'm afraid."

As we entered the forest, I can tell Harry's trying to catch my eye, but I'm too pissed with him.

"Is it very far in?" Umbridge asked.

"Oh yes," I said. "Yes, it's well hidden."

I changed directions to the spot where Arogog is, not where Grawp is.

"Er - are you sure this is the right way?" Harry asked me pointedly.

"Yes," I snapped at him. "It's a bit further in!" I shouted over my shoulder.

"Pennelope, keep your voice down," Harry muttered. "Anything could be listening in here -"

"I want us heard," I said, looking away from him. "You'll see!"

The trees darkened as we walked onwards, I glance around nervously when Umbridge isn't looking.

"How much farther?" Umbride demanded angrily from behind me.

"Not far now!" I shouted as we emerged into a clearing. "Just a little but -"

An arrow flew through the aid and landed with a thud above my head but into a tree. There's the sound of pounding hooves. I can feel the ground trembling. Umbridge gave a scream and pushed Harry in front of her like a shield.

I yanked Harry away from her and placed him next to me. About fifty centaurs emerged on every side, their bows loaded, pointing at Umbridge, Harry and me.

I smiled in triumph.

"Who are you?" A centaur said. "I asked who are you, human!" It said roughly.

"I am Dolores Umbridge!" Umbridge said in a high-pitched terrified voice. "Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic and Headmistress and High Inquisitor of Hogwarts!"

"You are from the Ministry of Magic?" Another centaur said.

"That's right!" Umbridge said in a higher voice. "So be very careful! By the laws laid down by the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, any attack by half-breeds such as yourselves on a human -"

"What did you call us?" A wild looking black centaur shouted.

"Don't call them that!" I said furiously, but Umbridge ignored me and continued.