I walked down to Severus's room and threw the door open angrily, hesitating when I saw Dumbledore. Damn, my badge is definitely gone now.

 "Ah Ms. Riddle," Dumbledore smiled.

 "Hello Professor," I nodded.

 "How may I help you, Riddle? Shouldn't you be in class?" Severus drawled.

 "I was sent to see you," I glared and he raised an eyebrow.

 "Sent?" he asked, looking slightly disappointed in me.

 "Professor Umbridge," I spat, walking over and handing him the letter. He read the letter, his lips in a tight line and his coal colored eyes narrowed considerably.

 "Is this true?" he asked finally.

 "Is what true?" I sighed.

 "Did you yell at your professor?" he asked.

"Yes."

"You called her a liar?"

"Yes."

"You said Voldemort was back?"

"Yes."

"You used magic when she specifically told you not to?"

"Yes."

"You slammed your books down and threw a chair backwards?"

"Yes."

"You seemingly threatened her?"

"No."

"No?"

"I didn't threaten her," I said. Before she wrote the letter, at least.

 "It says she felt threatened by your anger and use of wandless magic," he said, his eyes scanning the letter. I felt Dumbledore's eyes on me, but I looked right at Severus.

 "That's her fault, not mine," I shrugged.

 "Miss Riddle you are a prefect and a role model for the younger students, you should not be behaving as such," Severus snapped.

 "Professor, do you know what she's teaching us?" I asked, raising my voice slightly.

 "It is none of my concern," he muttered.

 "Magical theory! She is teaching us the theory of defensive spells! I'm being a role model by standing up for what's right, and telling off a teacher who is as good as killing us! Voldemort is back, and if she doesn't train the students they will all die!" I said.

 "The Ministry knows best," he said after a short while between tight lips.

 "You do not believe that," I said lowly.

 "Professor Dumbledore, surely you can do something!" I pleaded.

 "I cannot, the Ministry is beyond my control," he said calmly.

 "But Professor!" I cried, and he stood up.

 "Miss Riddle, please have a seat. Would you like a cockroach cluster?" he offered and I declined.

 "Now, I understand you have an uncontrollable temper and you have been through a lot today, but you must realize there are some things beyond your control. However, you must be careful around Professor Umbridge," Dumbledore said.

 "Be careful?" I raised an eyebrow.

 "She is reporting to the Ministry, and the fact you are a death eater will make her even more on edge. One more step out of line, and you could possibly end up in Azkaban," he said very seriously.

 "There's no way," I shook my head stubbornly.

 "I am afraid so," he nodded, "now according to this note...you have detention tonight."

 "Professor, please do not make me go to her detention...look what she makes us do," I said, putting out my left hand and letting him see the scars which read 'I must not be disrespectful'.

 "I am afraid I do not understand," Dumbledore said after a moment.

 "She gives you a 'special' quill which uses your blood for ink and makes the lines you're writing appear on your hand," I said and Dumbledore frowned.

 "The Ministry is beyond my control," he said again, though he was much more disturbed.

 "She is your employee!" I cried and Dumbledore headed for the door.

 "I'm sorry Miss Riddle," he said, and then left.

 "Severus I cannot go to this detention!" I glared.

 "Leah, please follow the rules for once!" Severus snapped, looking stressed.

 "Are you going to take my badge away?" I asked hollowly and Severus stared at me for a while.

 "I should," he said and I dropped my gaze. Father's going to be so disappointed. I unfastened the pin and dropped my badge on his desk.

 "I should go," I sighed, standing up. I reached the door and turned around sadly.

 "I'm sorry I've let you down, Severus," I said quietly and then closed the door softly behind me.

Father, I'm so sorry, I thought to myself.

"Leah," called Severus as I made my way down the hall. I turned around and waited for him to walk over.

 "You have not let me down," he said, pinning my badge back on.

 "Now go, classes have ended and I'm sure Draco is waiting," he said, patting my shoulder, and I smiled slightly.

 "Thank you," I said, and then walked down the hall, almost breaking into a run to get to Draco.  I turned the corner and slammed into someone, being knocked to the ground. I sat there, slightly shocked momentarily and then looked up.

 "How did I possibly knock you down?" Leon sneered and I glared up at him.

 "I saw that," Arianna smirked, taking my hand and pulling me up. I ripped my hand out of hers and glared.

 "Feisty Riddle, calm down. I only want to help," she said, smiling sweetly.

 "Which is why...I'm getting rid of the Alex problem," she smiled and I looked at her closely.

 "What are you up to?" I hissed and she laughed, walking off.

 "You'll thank me later," she called and I looked down at a smirking Leon.

 "Sup baby?" he winked and I rolled my eyes, walking past and gripping my induction ring.

'Alex where are you?' I thought. I waited a moment and didn't get an answer.

 'Alex?' I asked again.

'Alex!' I screamed in my head and I stopped, holding my breath, waiting for an answer.

'Jesus Leah, what?' asked an angry Alex.

'Where are you?' I asked frantically.

'The astronomy tower, I'm meeting a friend,' he said and my eyes widened. I didn't answer, only ran to the astronomy tower as fast as I could. I really wanted to slow down, but I couldn't and I thanked the Lord I wore sneakers today. I ran up the stairs to the tower and pushed open the door quietly.

 "Alex, take off that ring," giggled Ariana.

"I can't, that'd be too dishonorable," he said and Ariana laughed.

 "Alex, how can we possibly take this any further with the reminder of Leah on your mind? It's bad enough you have to wear that engagement ring," she pouted, and I peeked around the corner to see Ariana sitting on the windowsill with Alex.

 "Please Alex, I don't want you talking to her, she's dangerous," she bat her eyes and leaned in, pecking him on the lips. I really could care less if he made out with someone, but if it's Ariana, she isn't doing this because she likes him.

 "Ariana, I feel like you're only saying that because you're enemies," he said gently, taking her hand.

 "I'm saying it because I don't want her coming to your rescue," she said coldly, and he looked confused before she let go of his hand and pushed him out of the window. I gasped, feeling shock take over my body, and I heard him screaming. His panicked voice echoed through my head.

Leah! 

Then came the thud. I hid in the shadows as Ariana passed with a satisfied smirk.

 "Alex, check... next comes Pansy," she laughed quietly and I waited for her to pass before running to the window. I looked down to see Alex on the ground, lying still, and lifeless. I felt my chest constrict and I bolted out of the room in a sprint.

"Leah?" Draco asked when I ran past him.

"Get Dumbledore!" I yelled and kept going.

'Alex?' I tired the ring, but I felt the connection break as soon as I heard the thud. I was feeling very breathless but I didn't stop until I reached Alex. I dropped next to him, feeling for a pulse, but there wasn't one. He looked like he broke his neck on impact. I cried, clutching his hand and rocking back and forth slightly.

 "Alex, oh my God, Alex!" I cried.

 "No, no, no, Alex," I sobbed, looking up at the stars.

"Shit!" I cursed into the quiet air, and it was beginning to get dark. It was around dinner time. I hesitantly left Alex's body and ran in the front doors, immediately seeing Draco and Dumbledore.

 "What's wrong?" Dumbledore asked.

 "Alex...the astronomy tower..." I panted.

 "What about it?' he asked.

"He's dead...he's dead," my voice cracked and the students around us stopped. Several gasped.

The quiet was soon broken by everyone talking at once and Severus came up to me, seeing my obvious panic.

 "Are you alright?" Severus asked in concern. The students already in the Great Hall were crowding around to see what was happening.

 "Alex is dead!" I repeated and the Hall gasped. Dumbledore started outside and the group of us followed. Nearly the entire school was outside with us. 

 "Oh my," I heard McGonagall say sadly, and I heard cries start as people saw the body.

 "He fell out the window just as I walked up," I whispered. I need to handle Ariana on my own or she'll just go after my friends and family faster. Draco wrapped his arms around my waist.

 "I'm sorry sweetheart," Draco whispered and I nodded. Pansy came up and took my hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. I wasn't in love with Alex, but we were friends, to an extent. Alex had his awful moments, but he was also a good friend. Flitwick raised his wand so Alex levitated, and then carried him inside, a heavy silence filling the air.

 "I need to see father, will you two come?" I whispered and they nodded, each holding one of my hands in their own.

***

-Shay