Draco's POV

I decided I would sit next to Blaise Zabini today. He had recently proved himself useful and I thought it would be a good idea to give him a clear indication that he was now at the top of Slytherin. I could even tolerate his girlfriend now, because I had become used to the heavy sound of her breathing that reminded me of a forest thrashing wildly in a hurricane.

It was the weekend. At last.

The first few weeks at Hogwarts had been surprisingly eventful. Umbridge had wafted around the school trimming and pruning it here and there. She had even interviewed most of the teachers. I assumed that Fudge had told her to do this, because a few days later Fudge had declared her High Inquisitor. Whatever that's supposed to be.

One thing was certain. The teachers of Hogwarts were not happy about Umbridge. Apparently she had done something to one of the students, something inhumane. I snorted. It's likely that nothing happened. The Ministry doesn't want to get its hands dirty. That's why that oaf Fudge won't admit that He's back.

But it was plainly obvious that she was slowly taking over the school, one classroom at a time. I had recently contacted my father about this and he had told me to do what was always expected of me. To stay on top. I think he knows something about Umbridge. Maybe he knows what she's planning.

But what was mainly on my mind was my own task. I'd been thinking of ways that I could kill Dumbledore. Facing him in single combat was foolish – I wouldn't last ten seconds on a good day. No it'd have to be something different, sneakier...

"Hey, Draco."

Pansy's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was sitting across from me, pouring herself a glass of Pumpkin Juice. I could see the rest of the school behind her, seated at the four long tables of The Great Hall.

"Yes?"

"This is for you." She produced a letter from her pocket and handed it to me. The wax seal was
pink, and displayed a cat curled up in front of a large quill. The cat lifted its head to look at me, and then returned it to the ground, apparently disinterested. Umbridge.

"She handed it to me after class yesterday. She told me to give it to you." I nodded and opened the letter.

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

It would be greatly appreciated if you were to visit me, at any time of course. I would like to speak with you and your most trusted colleagues. I assure you that it will only take up a minute of your time.

Hoping to see you soon,

Professor Dolores Umbridge. Signed:
High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge.

Interesting... very interesting.

"What does it say?" Pansy asked sweetly.

I folded the note and placed it in my pocket.

"Umbridge wants to see us," I said as I scanned the hall for any sign of pink. She was nowhere in sight.

"Why?" Pansy asked, a seductive grin spreading across her face. Ever since I'd talked to her about Ryuu she'd become much more clingy – following me around, finding any excuse to put her hand on my shoulder or lean against me in crowds. I hadn't yet bothered to tell her I wasn't interested.

"We'll soon find out."

*

We moved through the halls in the usual fashion.
I was at the head, with Crabbe and Goyle behind me. Pansy followed them, in a line with Zabini and Reeah. Next was Nott. He preferred to stand by himself. After him were the others. They were a mixture of all ages and genders, and had yet to prove themselves. They were the Outer Circle.

We turned a corner to see an excessive amount of people in the hallway. Crabbe and Goyle automatically moved to the front and we sliced our way through the crowds. People parted so that we could walk through, and I smirked as a group of first years jumped into a classroom when they glimpsed the towering figures of Crabbe and Goyle.

Eventually we found our way to a large door. A red haired boy from the Outer Circle – Bryce Connolly – stepped forward and opened it for me. He then silently retreated, his job done.

We moved along once more, pushing people out of our way into the rainy courtyard. A few of them opened their mouths to protest, but with a cold glare from Pansy, they didn't dare to complain.
We slithered past a portrait of a giraffe to hear the loud cries of Sir Cadogan. "Ah! I see you Slytherins are up and about early today. Must be all the adrenaline in your veins I presume. The lust for adventure and honour!"

Wordlessly, Nott flicked his wand at a velvet curtain secured above the painting and it fell over the portrait, covering Sir Cadogan and muffling his frustrating pleas for assistance. We shared a snigger and a laugh vibrated through the group before we moved onwards.

We were getting closer to Umbridge's office now. The crowds were lessening, so Crabbe and Goyle moved back to their original position, allowing me to be seen by onlookers. Most people averted their eyes, afraid to pose any form of challenge towards us.

Finally, the dyed pink door of Umbridge's office stood in front of us, and I knocked. "Enter."

*

It was rather cramped for all twelve of us to be in Umbridge's office. The Inner Circle (which consisted of Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Nott, Zabini, Reeah and I) had all received chairs. The Outer Circle, however, stood. Most of them leant against the walls or cabinets. A few of them had to stand outside the door.

"Right then. Thank you Mr. Malfoy, for agreeing to visit me today." Umbridge began in a formal tone that I had heard people use many times before.

"To what do I owe this pleasure Professor?" I asked in the politest voice I could muster. Father had always said that it was a matter of upmost importance that I always act accordingly around people who work at the Ministry. Especially people with higher rank. The Malfoy name was very influential in the wizarding world, and it was only expected that I live up to it.

"I wish to ask a request of you," she proclaimed, "if you are willing to accept."

I stared directly at her, keeping my position in direct eye-level to her. She has power and so do I. It is only wise that we both show ourselves as having equal dominance. She had asked us here today, and obviously needed our help. Already she was showing herself to be more powerful than I, by ordering me around. Of course, the Ministry had the most influence, but she should never forget that I controlled Slytherin.

She continued. "I expect that there will soon be rebellion occurring at this school..." Several members of the Outer Circle looked at each other with confusion etched on their faces. "... Hogwarts will change to reach its maximum potential. Cornelius has warned me that some will not appreciate the sentiment."

She waited for me to say something, and when I didn't she focused her attention on Pansy. "Miss Parkinson."

Pansy flicked her hair behind her neck. "Yes?"

"Would you say that Slytherin work as a team?"

"Of course."

"And what about an individual of Slytherin?"

"...Pardon?"

Umbridge smiled. "Does a singular Slytherin act to benefit personal gain, or for the good of their house?"
Pansy appeared flustered. I could see that she hadn't understood what Umbridge was saying.

"Both." I cut in to Umbridge's surprise. "Without a strong house, Slytherin is fragile and has no influence in the school. So yes, in that retrospect we do work as what one might call a pack. However, we are not fools. If the situation arises we know that its every man for himself."

I hadn't even realised that I had observed this truth until I had said it out loud. Pansy was now looking at me as if I had just saved her from a burning building.
Umbridge's smile widened. "Lovely." she said simply.

I felt many of the occupants in the room nodding their heads in agreement. If it was one thing that both the Circles possessed, it was Slytherin Pride.

"This is exactly why Cornelius has told me that it is prudent to depend on Slytherin," she continued, the pink bow on her hat bobbing. "Well, that is all for today. I assure you that I will be seeing you all again soon enough."

A chorus of: "Thanks" and "Have a nice day"s filled the room as we filed out. I sensed that she still had more to say, so I lingered at the back of the group.

"Oh, and Mr. Malfoy?"

I turned to see her looking up at me. Her eyes were searching, calculating, and I wondered if she had been in Slytherin. A silence blanketed the space between us as she lifted her chin slightly.

"Good day."

I nodded, exiting the room and thinking that her statement meant a lot more than it seemed.

As I left I puzzled over the interaction for a moment, thinking about what Umbridge wanted Slytherin for. She'd spoken of rebellion, but did that mean in the school or the Ministry? Staff or students? What was more important was what I'd said about Slytherin. The realisation had done more than please Umbridge and win a truce.

It had given me an idea.

*

Ryuu's POV

I was surprised to see that Harry was the absent from this TFT meeting. Dammit. I had to stop using that term.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"Sleeping. He had Quidditch practise all day; and also he's been losing his temper..." Hermione didn't need to explain any further.

I quickly went through what I'd seen when I'd followed Draco's group that morning. "They went to Umbridge's office because Draco received a letter from her. They were in there for about five minutes or so, but I knew I couldn't risk listening at the door. I wouldn't have been able to escape fast enough."
Ron tilted his head. "Why would Umbridge send Draco a request like that? Why not just talk to him after class? This has got to be something important."

"Well obviously, Ron." Hermione retorted.

Ron lowered his chin slightly, looking cut. I made a whipped gesture and sound effect, and Hermione, recognising the motion began to laugh, harder than I expected. There was still a bit of awkward tension between myself and the trio. After all, they were Gryffindors and I was a Slytherin – it was in our nature to conflict. Mainly I found them annoying at times and some of their plans stupid. I think they thought I was a bit detached and cold, particularly since the incident at Grimmauld Place. We weren't the kind of people that would have naturally become friends. However, the more I worked with Harry, Ron and Hermione, the more I came to appreciate them. Talking to them became easy. I felt myself begin to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Ron said, ears going pink.

"It's a muggle thing," I said. "You wouldn't understand..."

"Well what does it mean?" Ron straightened. Hermione cleared her throat, still smiling and explained the meaning of being metaphorically 'whipped.' When she'd finished, Ron nodded and grinned. "Alright then...Wwcchhhhh."

In Ron's attempt to copy the gesture, he forgot he was holding his wand. As he flicked his wrist in the movement, a stinging jinx cracked against Hermione's leg and she gasped in shock.

"Ron!"

"Oh! Sorry Hermione!" Ron's face split in shock and guilt. He placed his hand on her leg, thought
better of it and quickly removed it as Hermione gave him a surprised look. There was a silence as Hermione rubbed her leg, to relieve the pain.

"Bad-um-chhh." I said as I mimicked the movements of a drummer. Hermione, again the only one understanding my jibe laughed at Ron's confused face.

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next chapter is one of my absolute favorites!!
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