the lucky one

anger issues

Miranda feels happier for the rest of the weekend than she has done all term. The knowledge that they are doing something to resist Umbridge and the Ministry, and that she is a key part of the rebellion, gives her a feeling of immense satisfaction. She and Hermione headed downstairs from their dormitory together, discussing the rather lengthy essay Snape had set them, and not until they are halfway across the sunlit common room do they notice the addition to the room that has already attracted the attention of a small group of people.

    A large sign has been affixed to the Gryffindor notice board, so large that it covers everything else on there. The new sign is printed in large black letters and there is a highly official-looking seal at the bottom beside a neat and curly signature.

    Miranda and Hermione read the notice over the heads of some second years. Hermione frowns anxiously, lips moving as her eyes scan the loopy cursive, "She didn't."

    Miranda reads the notice through again. The happiness that had filled her since Saturday is gone. Her insides are pulsing with rage. "This isn't a coincidence,"  she shakes her head. "She knows."

    "She can't,"  Hermione insists, disbelieving.

    "Oi!" Miranda beckons over the two boys, who have just come down from their own room. "Have you seen this?"

    "What?" Harry's eyes slide rapidly down the notice. His expression becomes stony.

    "Someone must have blabbed to her!" Ron says angrily.
     "They can't have done," Hermione insists again, in a low voice.
     "You're so naive," Ron scoffs, "you think just because you're all honorable and trustworthy —"

    Hermione sucks in her cheeks. "No, they can't have done because I put a jinx on that piece of parchment we all signed," Hermione tells them grimly. "Believe me, if anyone's run off and told Umbridge, we'll know exactly who they are and they will really regret it."

    "What'll happen to them?" Ron leans in eagerly.

    "Well, put it this way," Hermione hints, "it'll make Eloise Midgen's acne look like a couple of cute freckles. Come on, let's get down to breakfast and see what the others think. . . . I wonder whether this has been put up in all the Houses?"

    It is immediately apparent on entering the Great Hall that Umbridge's sign had not only appeared in Gryffindor Tower. There is a peculiar intensity about the chatter and an extra measure of movement in the Hall as people scurry up and down their tables conferring on what they had read. Harry, Ron, Miranda, and Hermione have barely taken their seats when Neville, Dean, Fred, George, and Ginny descend upon them.

    "Did you see it?"
     "D'you reckon she knows?"
     "What are we going to do?"
     They are all looking to Harry. Hoping for some sort of direction. An answer Miranda knew he could not give. She wonders if it's too much. The pressure. She longs to ask, but doesn't want to set him off.
     "We're going to do it anyway, of course," Harry answers determinedly
     "Knew you'd say that," George beams and thumps Harry on the back.
     "Here comes Ernie and Hannah Abbott," Ron glances over his shoulder. "And those Ravenclaw blokes and Smith . . . and no one looks very spotty."

    Hermione looks vaguely alarmed. "Never mind spots, the idiots can't come over here now, it'll look really suspicious — sit down!" she mouths to Ernie and Hannah, gesturing frantically to them to rejoin the Hufflepuff table. "Later! We'll — talk — to — you — later!"

    The day continues on in a dreary fashion, Miranda watching the minutes in each of her classes tick down at a sloth like pace. They still are unaware of the full extent of Umbridge's power, the effects of her so called decree. These unknowns make Miranda wary. Wary of what is to come. She looks forward to the meeting all day. Finally, the time arrives.