The Tales of Lyla Everglade: Book 2: The Order

Chapter 14: It Can't Get Worse

The last days of the Christmas Holiday were punctuated by a fight between Snape and Sirius and the departure of your family. They promised to visit during the summer.

You all were headed back to Hogwarts and to say that no one was particularly excited to go back was an understatement. There was a distinct feeling of dread.

You got into a groove of school again. You teachers trying to drive home that you needed to be ready for your levels. Like you didn't know already.

In the beginning of January there was a massive breakout from Azkaban. This caused panic and fear. Umbridge tried to stifle that. There was a bump in members in the DA however.

The Hogsmeade visit landed on Valentine's. So you went on a lovely date with Fred in the village. He and George had begun to look for places to open a shop. They thought about Hogsmeade but that wouldn't do for their first store. They'd have to get a place in Diagon Alley. They'd been looking at one place in particular they were still ironing out the details.

Harry had given an interview with Rita Skeeter for the Quibbler, Luna's father's magazine. It was his entire story of the night the Dark Lord came back. This turned public opinion of Harry a bit and caused Umbridge to lose her mind. She banned the magazine.

The second quidditch match of the season was difficult one because while everyone didn't feel like the lifelong ban of Harry and the twins was fair. Hufflepuff couldn't help but be a little excited for the prospect of winning. You sat in the stands with Fred, George, and Harry. Ginny was amazing. Ron was less than ideal in his ability to protect the goal. Hufflepuff lost barely. It was a somber win for Gryffindor and not one anyone felt good about. Ginny was very down herself about the whole thing

Some time after that Hagrid returned. You were so happy to him. You ran and gave him a giant hug.

"I've missed you Professor." You said looking up to a grizzly sight.

Hagrid had a nasty black eye. You winced at the sight. He chuckled.

"Aye, it's sight. Little accident is all." He said not so reassuringly.

"Ok, Hagrid."

"Sorry to hear about your mum. I know the situation wasn't good, but it still hurts. I would know found out me own mum passed, recently. It's the not known what they'd think of you now..." Hagrid said softly.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'm sorry about your mom." You say patting the giant man's arm.

He smiled a little smile that didn't reach his normally twinkling black eyes. You wondered what kind of mission Hagrid went on and how bad it must have been.

It wasn't too long after his return that he like Trelawney was put on probation. It was a step above firing him. Trelawney was sacked, but much to the horror of Umbridge was replaced by a centaur. She hated it.

That's not even to mention Umbridge's pack of hyenas that were primarily Slytherin, called the Inquisitorial Squad. They were above the Prefects and had the authority take house points away. You looked at one the wrong way you lost points.

You'd also had your meeting with Sprout about what you wanted to do once you left Hogwarts.

"So what career were you thinking of my dear?" Sprout asked.

"I would really love to teach. Something like charms or Transfiguration or muggle studies. I know quite a lot about Muggle culture." You excitedly.

"I think you would be well suited to teaching. You often help in class and have a very good knowledge of all your subjects." Sprout said happily.

*ahem* came from behind you and made you jump a mile. There was Umbridge. You'd heard from Harry that she'd been sitting in on certain meetings.

"Yes, Madam Umbridge?" Sprout said clearly trying not to punch her in the face.

"I don't know if you have her most current marks in front of you?"

"Yes. She's passing you class."

"Yes but I don't think someone with her sensitive disposition could handle the pressures of the environment of a classroom." Umbridge said looking at sympathetically.

"I'm sorry, Professor. Forgive me for asking but what do you mean?" You ask trying to remain calm.

"Well you are very sensitive my dear. You have lost far too much in your young life. You don't need anything pushing you towards any dangerous or self destructive tendencies brought on by your genetics." She says patting your hand.

Did this bitch just say that you couldn't handle being a teacher because your mother was a drug addict? You are shaking with anger. You kept your face blank. You slowly turn back to Sprout. She however was not hiding the emotions going through her. She had narrowed her eyes at Umbridge.

"Professor Burbage would love to have you her. I'm sure Flitwick and McGonagall would as well. You'd probably have your pick once you'd done your internship. I will do whatever you need me to do to help the process." Sprout said firmly.

Umbridge made a sound like she'd protest. You didn't want to Sprout be put under scrutiny like Trelawney and Hagrid.

"Professor, I thank you for your help, but I will take all the advice given under advisement." You said pulling Sprout to you.

She nodded and went back to glaring at Umbridge and dismissing you.

You were livid. You ranted to Fred about the whole thing. He'd let you work yourself out and then just hold you in DA meetings. You felt like DA meetings were the only good thing you had going for you.

You should've foreseen the end of it. It was going to well. You were happy. That couldn't be allowed.

You were having a really good class learning about the patronus charm. You'd managed with an extreme amount of focus to conjure a white stallion that pranced all around you. Harry was impressed. Hermione's otter swam in circles around your stallion.

"What are you thinking about?" Fred asked quietly.

"My first day at Hogwarts, my last Christmas in the states, your family, my family, our friends, and you. Mostly you." You say.

"I'm your happy thought?" Fred said his eyes soft.

"Yeah..." you say.

He swept you up and kissed you throughly breaking your concentration and causing your stallion to fade away.

"I love you so much." He said kissing you.

"I love you, too. Now...." you didn't get to finish your thought before a house elf came running to Harry.

He was frantic. He was telling to leave because they knew and they were coming. Harry looked up panicked at you and the others.

"Get the younger kids out first." You say.

You hurried them out. You got everyone running out before you saw the Squad appear. Fred grabbed your hand and you ran. George not far behind. You'd instructed kids to seek shelter in bathrooms or empty classrooms and not to go back to their common rooms straight away. You felt something hit you in the back. A spell. Someone had thrown a curse at you. A painful curse. You cried out. George caught you as you fell. He was knocked down by the burly boy known as Crabbe. You were trapped by Pansy, Crabbe, and another Slytherin, Knott. Fred stepped in front of you. George did the same.

"You really are partaking from both twins, huh, Yank?" Pansy mocked.

"Shut your stupid, ugly mouth, Pansy. I swear I will punch you in it." You said trying to push the boys aside.

"Oh my, such violent talk..." you heard the sickly sweet voice of Umbridge say.

She had Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Ginny. At least they didn't get everyone. It looked like you'd all taken a beating. They dragged you to a room for detention before taking Harry to Dumbledore's office. When they came down, Dumbledore was on the run and Umbridge was Headmistress. You were punished as Harry was, with a quill that used your own blood for ink by drawing out whatever you wrote on your hand. You'd secretly been given something for the pain and scarring from Sprout.

It was a staunch reminder that things can and do get worse....