Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter fifty two-the future

"Well, I don't fancy healing" Ron concluded the next day, flipping through on of the leaflets provided in accordance with the career advisory meetings students were required to attend with their head of house, mine has scheduled later this afternoon, "you need at least an E in N.E.W.T level Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense against the Dark Arts...blimey..."
"Well it's a very responsible job, isn't it?" Hermione observed, picking up a pamphlet with the words 'SO YOU THINK YOU'D LIKE TO WORK IN MUGGLE RELATIONS?' inscribed onto the cover in bright yellow font
"Yeah, I mean if I was entrusting someone with my life, I'd bloody well hope they know what they're doing" I said, making corrections on Harry's potions essay in an armchair by the fire
"Where's the fun in that?" I looked up as George and Fred Weasley approached us with identical impish grins
"Hello boys" I greeted, "what brings you two here?"
"Well, we've heard of Harry's little predicament, and we feel as though we might have the perfect solution" Fred said matter-of-factly
"What're you two talking about?" Hermione demanded, setting down her leaflet
"Harry, you do want to talk to Sirius, right?" George asked, and Hermione gave a small gasp
"Yes" Harry answered casually
""Don't be ridiculous" Hermione fussed, crossing her arms, "with Umbridge groping around all the fireplaces and frisking all the owls?"
"Ah Ah Ah, Hermione, that's where you're mistaken" Fred contradicted, "what's the one fireplace in Hogwarts not being monitored?"
"Umbridge's office" I said stormily, I had been contemplating the opportunity for weeks
"Right you are, (y/n)" George said cheerily
"Are. You. Insane?" Hermione whispered angrily, "how do you expect to get in?"
"He'll smoothen out that stitch when he encounters it" I said
"That's the spirit" the twins said in unison
"That's why you're our favourite" Fred said, slinging an arm over me while Ron shot them an indignant glare
"What about me?" He said, crossing his arms
"What about you?" George said apathetically
"I'm your brother, how can you favour someone over me?"
"You're our fourth favourite" Fred said, ruffling Ron's fiery hair
"There's only four of us" I said, gesturing to myself, Ron, Harry, and Hermione
"Exactly" they answered together, and everyone laughed, with the exception of Ron
"Right so, we're thinking of doing it tomorrow, just after classes, reckon we'll be able to guarantee you about twenty minutes" George
"What exactly are you doing?" I questioned skeptically
"You'll see" George said mysteriously, winking at me before exiting the common room with Fred

The idea of breaking into Umbridge's office almost pushed memories of last night from my mind. I had spent all morning occupying myself with unnecessary work in an effort to distract myself from the tumultuous mix of thoughts centring around the boy that displayed utter indifference at breakfast, mere hours after we had shared such an embrace of endearment, a result of years of festering tension reaching its breaking point. I had entered the great hall with Hermione, my body betraying my mind as my eyes leapt instinctively to the Slytherin table, where I saw Malfoy just as he always was; surrounded by his friends and admirers, his enthralling smirk never failing to bring anger to my heart. Worst of all was the way his eyes held such an illustrious glint at the female attention he effortlessly magnetised. Never had I ever encountered a soul that forged such an unbearable repugnance within me.

Yet what I detested, above his arrogance, his insolence, and his greed, was the way I excused it all just to feel his lips on mine.

I couldn't afford to lose any more sleep over this, especially with the strain of O.W.Ls weighing down on me. I left the unpleasantly frigid dungeon after sitting through another hour of Snape's relentless  lecturing

"What've we got next?" Harry asked, looking throughly disgruntled at the previous class
"Divination, but I won't be there I've got to go to my career appointment with McGonagall" I answered, and Harry's expression darkened even further
"Fair warning-Umbridge's observing them"
"Oh bloody hell that woman tests my nerves everyday" I sighed heavily, entering the transfiguration classroom, taking a seat in front of Professor McGonagall and determinedly avoiding Umbridge's unsettling stare
"Well, Miss Lestrange, this meeting is to talk over any career ideas you might have, and to help you decide which subjects you should continue into sixth and seventh years. Have you any thoughts about what you would like to do after you leave Hogwarts?"
"Just that I'd very much like something that would have unpredictability" I said thoughtfully, "no offence Professor, but I wager I'd lose my marbles sitting at a desk-bit like living the same day in a loop for the rest of your life..."
"Quite understandable, you were always one for adventure" Professor McGonagall said with a twinkle in her eye, and I smiled softly, "well, is there any particular area you take interest to? Perhaps a subject you feel you perform notably better in?"

I pressed my lips together in thought, before replying hesitantly

"Well...I quite like Defense Agaisnt the Dark Arts" I said, and a muffled noise arose from the corner of the room

Professor McGonagall continued, either having not heard it or simply choosing not to

"Oh yes, I'm told you've done exceptionally spectacular in that subject" she praised kindly, and I beamed with pride, "now, of course, there are copious numbers of occupations involving Defense Against the Dark Arts, most-"

She abruptly halted, pressing her mouth into a thin line as another quiet giggle floated from where Umbridge was standing, tracing the corners of her clipboard with her quill

"Perhaps you would like a glass of water, Dolores?" Professor McGonagall said coldly without turning away from me
"Oh no no, that's quiet alright" Umbridge said, "i merely wanted to point out the complication of your statement"
"Did you, now?" Professor McGonagall said callously without looking at her
"Yes, you see, Miss Lestrange's behaviour in my class has been anything but...what was it you said...ah yes-exceptionally spectacular" Umbridge said sweetly
"My apologies for not making myself clear" Professor McGonagall retorted, finally turning her head to glare at Umbridge, "Miss Lestrange has done exceptionally spectacular in every year which the subject has been instructed by a competent professor"

The sickly sweet smile melted away from Umbridge's pudgy face, as she scribbled furiously on her clipboard. Professor McGonagall continued, looking supremely unbothered

"Now, as I was saying, if you choose to pursue a career involving Defense Against the Dark Arts, you must consider the dangers of such a job. For you, I dare say you'll find yourself quite gratified as a ministry official-and no, not at an office position" she added, seeing the look on my face, "here are some leaflets on the Auror department and the Curse-Breaker department of the ministry, as well as various quidditch teams"
"Quidditch?" I asked curiously, flipping through the papers
"It would be a shame to waste such talent like yours" Professor McGonagall stated, "it's simply an option"

I entered my next class feeling conflicted at best; the career meeting had left me feeling excited about the prospect of the future, yet I couldn't acknowledge the aching pain in my heart that told me, between Voldemort's return and my betrayal to him and the death eaters, I was going to have a bit of trouble convincing myself I would live long enough to attend a job interview. In the middle of DADA, a loud bang emitted from across the castle, and Umbridge rushed out it of the classroom as fast as her stubby legs could carry her; the twins had set of their diversion. I shuffled out the classroom with the rest of the students, who were running after Umbridge, excited to be excused from class

"Harry please don't do this, it's too risky" Hermione pleaded, but Harry had made up his mind
"You've got twenty minutes, don't get caught" I said, and he nodded, heading towards the office while I dragged Hermione and Ron to the source of the racket.

My eyes widened in glee as I caught sight of the havoc Fred and George had wrecked. They stood in the corner of a winding hallway that was knee deep in a thick, murky green water, bright grins on both their faces. Several inquisitorial squad members surrounded the pair, looking extremely pleased with themselves. Filch wobbled over the where Umbridge stood, glaring triumphantly at them, waving a stack of papers in the air and screaming hoarsely

"I've got the form, headmistress" he said "I've got the forms and the whips waiting...oh let me do it now..."
"Someone hasn't gotten off in a while" I whispered to Ron, who snickered
"Very good Argus" Umbridge's approving voice rang throughout the hall as she turned to Fred and George, "you two are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers at my school"
"You know what" Fred said, turning to George, "I don't think we are"
"You know, Fred, I think we've outgrown full time education" George said merrily
"I've been feeling that way myself" Fred replied, nodding, "time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?"
"Definitely" George said airily, and before Umbridge could make a move they raised they wands and a loud snap occurred, followed by the sight of two brooms zooming into their outstretched hands
"We won't be seeing you" Fred said to Umbridge, mounting his brown
"Yeah, don't bother to keep in touch" George echoed, swinging a leg over his

And with that, they flew away in a fiery red storm, leaving behind a legacy that was sure to be gloried for decades to come