Nothing Without You (That Special Something sequel)

Chapter 20: Fired

21st April 1996. 11:34.

EDUCATIONAL DECREE NUMBER TWENTY-EIGHT

Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as the Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Fan-flipping-tastic.

I didn't even need to be told. As soon as that decree was passed, I strutted over to my office, got out my wand, and began to pack my things. I had forgotten how easy it was with magic. I wasn't worried about my job. I knew I would come back as soon as Dumbledore returned (although I would really miss my students). It was my students, in fact, that I was worried about. What Umbridge would do with the school, I didn't know. But I was extremely worried I would go back to a pink castle, or Filch's torturing chamber re-opened.

I heard the familiar high heels clicking up the stairs to my office, and I rolled my eyes. I didn't even look at her.

"I see you've got the message." She giggled, looking around my almost empty office. She held out a piece of parchment. "Your eviction notice."

I grabbed it, crumbled it up and threw it in the fire. "Thanks." I said, sarcastically. She breathed, and then walked around my office, examining it. She tapped my red balloon from Sirius, which was still floating like it was just blown up. I whipped around and scowled at her. "Don't touch that."

She giggled. "Why not?" 

"Red and pink don't go." I smirked, snatching it from her and tying it to my last suitcase. I waved my wand, and my draws emptied themselves, filing them intto the correct place. Empty ink bottles and wrappers in the bin, other random crap in my suitcases.

"You don't seem too upset." She said, condesendingly. "You need to leave quickly. I don't want you near my students any longer."

I whipped around and towered over her again. "You may be their headmaster, but they will never be you students." I picked up my suitcases. "Try not to die on your way out."

I kissed Harry on the head. "I'll see you soon." He nodded. "And I am so proud of you with the DA and everything."

"Thanks." He laughed. "I'll see you in the summer."

"Try not to get into too much trouble." I told him. I winked. "Just enough to piss Dumbridge off."

I waved goodbye to Harry and his friends, and walked over to the magic carriage waiting for me. I waved one last goodbye, and got a bit upset. I was seriously going to miss this place. Even if I was coming back.

I got off when the carriage arrived at Hogsmeade. I saw the Hogwarts Express, sitting happily in the station, and I walked over to the three broomsticks. It was busy, but I squeezed through and ordered a butterbeer to go. I guzzled it down before I even left the bar. I walked along a few steps, and, with a last long look, I apparated.

"What a three we are." Remus said, as I sat down at the table of Grimmauld place in time for lunch, feeling a lot better already. Maybe it was the sausages.

"Do you remember when we graduated with great marks?" Sirius laughed barkishly next to me. "What ever happened to all that hope?"

"I know!" I chuckled along with them. "Now you're a wanted criminal, I'm a mentally unstable ex-azkaban-er, and you're a washed up werewolf teacher!"

"Don't worry!" Mrs Weasley told us, handing me a plate of yorkshire puddings. "Once the war is over and Sirius is innocent, things will be peachy."

"I hope so." I sighed. "But for now, I'm pretty good." I winked at Sirius, and he put his arm around me.

"I'm thinking," He started, pressing my cheek in his. "We move you into my room. We can finally know what its like to be a couple."

I looked at him, astonished.

"Preparing for when the war is over!" He winked.

"I would love to!" I sighed, and I leaned in for a kiss. It had never felt better to be connected with him. He was my soul mate. I had always known it.

"Eat your food!" Mrs Weasley said sternly, but she smiled at me.

"How's Harry?" Sirius asked, once we had snapped out of the lovey-dovey phase.

"He hates it there." I told everyone. "With no Dumbledore or the DA, or even DADA lessons to enjoy, it's basically a hell-hole. Especially with all of those dreams."

"I wish I could see him!" Sirius growled, biting hard into his broccoli. "I wanna see that Umbridge's face when I turn up."

"I think everyone would." I agreed. I dropped my fork. "I am stuffed!"

"Me too." Remus concured, dropping his fork.

"Go unpack." Mrs Weasley told us. "I'll get dessert ready."

"Thanks, mum!" I laughed. She winked at me.

I finally felt happy for once. Maybe time with Sirius was a good thing. I had finally had time to see what life as a couple would be like, and I realised, a lot like James and Lily. But I wanted that. It was nice.

We even had prepared for parenting, a little. Not just with Harry, but with Buckbeak, the hippogriff staying with him. We were quite good at it. But we promised not to have children until the war was over, but that didn't stop us from practising making one.

But I won't go into that.

I had even helped with some cooking, and contributed with serious conversations with the Order. I thought I was really onto something. I finally felt like I was in my place. Like my hopes had been filled. This was better than being an Auror. Because it was, if you think about it, a lot happier. I felt at home, and in a way, at peace. And altogether, extremely happy.

But I knew this happiness wouldn't last for long.