Needless to say, every single day after Dolores Umbridge's appointment as High Inquisitor was a nightmare. Not only did she stop them from literally learning during class, but she also drained all the fun out of being at Hogwarts.

One gloomy afternoon, Analeigh was walking with Dean Thomas to their Transfiguration class after lunch. She would have walked with Hermione and the others, but she had forgotten her book in the dormitory and had to go back to fetch it where she bumped into Dean. It felt a bit strange knowing that he was Seamus's best friend and, well, Seamus was clearly not on speaking terms with both Analeigh and Harry since that first day back at Hogwarts when he argued with the two.

"You know, Leigh, I really do believe you and Harry," Dean said conversationally as they left the common room. Analeigh wasn't that surprised since Dean had defended her and Harry during their first day of class with Umbridge, but it still made her happy to hear that.

"Thanks, Dean," she said quietly. "Does Seamus know that?"

"I might have mentioned it once or twice, but it always ended badly," Dean winced. "I don't really bring it up nowadays. He's my best mate, so I can't just stop talking to him all at once for that. I know he'll realize he's wrong one day. Just give it some time, alright? My parents don't understand what's happening because they're muggles, but I know Seamus's family is just scared. They don't want to believe a dark wizard who destroyed everything before is back to do it again."

Analeigh bit her lip and chose not to retort because she knew she might just insult Seamus if she did. But after letting Dean's words process in her head for a moment, she couldn't help but understand where he was coming from. Fear made people so crazy things, and while she didn't like the fact that so many people were ignoring the truth about Voldemort's return, she couldn't completely blame them, either.

As the two Gryffindors made their way down to the first floor, they soon noticed that the halls were more packed and louder than usual. Murmurs of interest rang all around, making them wonder what in Merlin's name was getting everyone so riled up. Eventually, Analeigh and Dean bumped into Neville in one corridor and called out his name.

"Neville!" He stopped walking to acknowledge his fellow Gryffindors.

"Hi, Leigh, Dean," he said with a small smile, stepping aside to talk to them.

"Do you have an idea what's going on?" asked Analeigh with a frown.

"It's Professor Trelawney," Neville answered in pity. "Word is she's getting sacked from her post as Divination teacher."

With that, the three fifth years joined the crowd and hurriedly made their way to the entrance courtyard. It was heavily crowded, but they managed to get a good spot and watch what was happening. Professor Trelawney stood in the middle with her knitted rucksack bag, sniffling and dabbing her face with her handkerchief. Mr. Filch lugged her trunks out and dropped them by her feet carelessly as if he didn't feel any sympathy for the woman in tears before him.

And then, Professor Umbridge strode out of the large, front doors. A hush fell, and the only sound that could be heard were Trelawney's soft cries and Umbridge's heels clacking on the cobblestone floor on her way to the middle of the courtyard.

"Six... Sixteen years I've lived and taught here," Professor Trelawney said shakily. "Hogwarts is my home! Y-Y-You can't do this."

There was no remorse in Umbridge's eyes as she lifted up a formal letter stating Trelawney's dismissal.

"Actually, I can," she said smugly.

Another teacher suddenly ran out of the crowd and into the middle of the courtyard — it was Professor McGonagall. Analeigh felt a tug in her heart when the woman brought Trelawney into a hug, patting her back comfortingly.

"Something you'd like to say, dear?" Umbridge challenged her.

"Oh, there are several things I would like to say," McGonagall hissed before looking back at the crying woman next to her. "There, there, shhh..."

The doors reopened once again with a loud bang. This time, Dumbledore came strolling out. Analeigh hadn't seen him look that stern in a while as he approached the group of teachers.

"Professor McGonagall, might I ask you to escort Sybil back inside?" Dumbledore said.

"Sybil, dear," McGonagall gently tugged her along. "This way."

"Oh, thank you, thank you," Trelawney cried, briefly grasping Dumbledore's hand before being guided back into the castle by McGonagall.

"Dumbledore," Umbridge began with a smile. "May I remind you that under the terms of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Three as enacted by the Minister —"

"You have the right to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds," Dumbledore cut in fiercely. "That power remains with the headmaster."

For a moment, Umbridge was at a loss for words. Analeigh could tell she was doing her best to keep up with her polite facade. And then, she said, "For now."

Something dangerous flashed in Dumbledore's eyes, and Analeigh wondered if he was going to say anything else to Umbridge. But he chose not to talk back, keeping his mouth shut. And then, with a swish of his cloak, he was walking back into the castle.

"Don't you all have studying to do?" he boomed at the audience. Not wanting to disrespect their headmaster and because the show was now over, the students began to disperse and return inside as well.

Analeigh shared looks with Neville and Dean who stood on either side of her, all three of them feeling a mix of emotions. Without any words needed to be said, they made their way back to the Gryffindor Tower. An odd feeling settled in the pits of their stomachs as they silently replayed Umbridge's words in their heads. What else was this wretched woman up to? What more was she going to do to make Hogwarts less like a home and more like a prison?

★ ★ ★

The Gryffindor common room was fortunately unoccupied by the time Analeigh, Harry, Hermione, and Ron gathered there to talk about what had been happening lately. It seemed that Trelawney getting fired from her position as the Divination teacher was their breaking point — Umbridge was ruthless, and they couldn't just stand back and do nothing anymore.

"That foul, evil, old gargoyle!" Hermione ranted, pacing with her arms crossed. "We're not learning how to defend ourselves, we're not learning how to pass our O.W.L.s... she's taking over the entire school!"

The other three Gryffindors looked down because there was nothing to add or object. Quite frankly, she was right.

In the background, a radio was playing and currently reporting some of the recent disappearances in the wizarding world. Harry leaned over to the table to turn the volume up.

"Security has been and will remain the Ministry's top priority," Cornelius Fudge's voice said from the radio. "Furthermore, we have convincing evidence that these disappearances are the work of notorious mass murderer Sirius Black."

"Harry," a male voice hissed. Analeigh jumped at the sound and looked around her, but nobody else was there. Then, Harry dashed to the fireplace and crushed down before it.

"Sirius," he gasped. Analeigh, Hermione, and Ron quickly followed after him.

"Hello there, Leigh," Sirius grinned when he noticed her. "It's your first time talking to me through the fireplace, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It's good to see you, Sirius," she said warmly. Last year, Sirius had only ever spoken to Harry, Ron, and Hermione through the fireplace and agreed to meet up with them in Hogsmeade because he couldn't risk too many people knowing his whereabouts. He also wasn't aware back then that Analeigh was the daughter of his cousin, but now that he was, he knew he could trust her.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked him urgently.

"Answering your letter," Sirius replied, his face turning serious again. "You said you were worried about Umbridge. What's she doing? Training you to kill half-breeds?"

"Sirius, she's not letting us use magic at all."

"Well, I'm not surprised. The latest intelligence is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat."

"Combat?" Ron said incredulously. "What does he think, we're forming some sort of wizard army?"

"That's exactly what he thinks; that Dumbledore is assembling his own forces to take on the Ministry. He's becoming more paranoid by the minute," said Sirius. "The others wouldn't want me telling you this, Harry... but things aren't going at all well with the Order. Fudge is blocking the truth at every turn and these disappearances are just how it started before. Voldemort is on the move."

Analeigh felt her heart drop to her stomach. Even though she knew Voldemort was plotting something, and even when she understood just how powerful he had been and was now becoming once again, Sirius's words still sent a wave of fear and uncertainty through her.

"Well, what can we do?" Harry asked desperately. Sirius was about to answer, but a loud noise cut him short.

"Someone's coming," he whispered. "I'm sorry I can't be of more help. But for now, at least, it looks like you're on your own."

The flames crackled, Sirius's face disappeared, and then the fire extinguished into nothing. The four friends looked out the window thoughtfully; there was a flash of lighting, and then a low rumble of thunder. The weather seemed to perfectly match the atmosphere inside the castle nowadays.

"He really is out there, isn't he?" Hermione said gravely. "We've got to be able to defend ourselves. And if Umbridge refuses to teach us how, we need someone who will."

A/N: Oops short chapter + no Cedric action here, but he'll be back in the next one! I'm so excited for the following chapters bc they're gonna form the DA soon :>