a/n: please note that the events of the fifth year will be somewhat shuffled around in this book, the basic plotline will remain the same but will occur at slightly different times.

Chapter Eighty-Nine

MINISTRY PASSES EDUCATIONAL Decree number 23: Dolores Jane Umbridge has been appointed to the post of Hogwarts High Inquisitor.

Aria slammed the newspaper down, causing Draco to jump beside her. "Merlin, Snape. It's six o' bloody clock in the morning. What could have possibly pissed you off this early?"

"You mean besides someone breathing too loud?" Anna teased from opposite them.

"Have you two not read the paper? Umbridge is now the High Inquisitor." She hadn't missed the large proclamation hanging on the wall on her way to the Great Hall either.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that now she has the power to inspect the Professors. She'll try and get my dad out of his job, I just know it!"

Draco glanced at the paper. "So?"

"So?" Aria laughed incredulously. "She's a stupid cow."

Draco shrugged. "You should give her a chance."

Aria glared at him and lifted her sleeve, shoving her wrist into his face. "I must give the women who did this to me a chance?"

Draco's eyes widened as he reached for her wrist, fingers softly resting just above her scar. "She hurt you?"

"Yes. But I must give her a chance." She mocked him and turned away after sending him one last glare.

"I didn't know that she hurt you."

"Yeah, well it doesn't matter now. I'll get her back."

Draco nodded. She felt him stand up and walk away.

"You've got him wrapped so tight around your little finger," Anna mumbled between mouthfuls of egg.

Aria rolled her eyes and stood up, heading to her first class.

It was Potions with her father. He smiled at her when she walked in and sat down.

As other students came in, Aria waited for Umbridge to come and give her father trouble, but fortunately, she didn't show.

"We have two imperative potions to study, potions that will be tested in your N.E.W.T. As everyone here achieved their O.W.L grade for Potions in their sixth year, it should be no trouble." Professor Snape opened his textbook. "Page twenty."

The lesson went on and on as he explained the benefits of Veritaserum and Wolfsbane Potion.

"Also, seventh years, there is an internship program I have been meaning to speak to you all about." He spoke as the class packed up. "You can receive first-hand experience in occupations that require Potions. I recommend you all sign up for this."

Aria was quick to leave the classroom, not wanting to stay behind and hear a lecture about her future.

She would only have to endure a few more hours until she could meet Harry in Hogsmeade. She could hardly wait.

ϟ

Harry had told her to meet him at the Hog's Head. It was a grimy pub with crappy lighting, but she spotted Harry and a small group of mainly Gryffindors by the window.

"You invited her." Someone muttered. Harry ignored the girl and hugged Aria.

"I'm glad you came."

She smiled. "Me too."

George waved her over and she went to go and stand next to him.

Aria examined the other students who had come. She recognized Katie and glared at her, along with Angelina, the rest of the Weasley's, and a whole bunch of people who Aria had not seen before.

Harry and Hermione spoke in hushed tones amongst themselves.

After a while, Hermione called everyone's attention. "Hi. So, you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper teacher. One who's had real experience defending themselves against the dark arts."

There were a few sounds of approval. Aria agreed too, but she stayed silent. After all, it wasn't as if anyone was happy to see her. She'd rather not draw attention to herself.

Hermione went on to mention how this would help in regards to passing the year and protecting themselves against any dangers.

"How do we know you-know-who's really back?"

Aria snapped her neck to see who had asked such a ludicrous question. George quickly rested his hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

"Dumbledore believes he is," George stated, massaging Aria's shoulder. Little did he know, his attempts at calming her had actually worked.

"You mean Dumbeldore believes him."

Aria felt herself grow tense again when the same boy accused Harry, but George kissed the top of her head and she held back.

"I believe that Voldemort's back because I fought him last year. Dumbeldore's already told the school that. If you don't believe him you won't believe anyone."

"Plus, I was there to see it," Aria added.

The boy snorted. "As if your word means anything."

"Ignore him," George whispered into her hair, keeping his arms firmly around her. She nodded at his suggestion but kept the boy's face in her mind.

"Last year he really did fight off you-know-who in the flesh," Hermione stated.

Harry was far too humble, explaining how everything he had done, he had done with the help of others. Even Aria had to admit that last year in the graveyard, she had not helped him one bit until the very end.

"If we're going to have any chance of beating... Voldemort, we need Harry."

There were some murmurs and displeased grunts from the back, but mostly everyone agreed to give it a go.

"So, all in favor of taking lessons from Harry?"

They began to discuss a meeting area.

"What about an unused classroom?"

"That might work."

"I think we should put our names down, so we know who was here." Hermione pulled some parchment from her bag.

As they lined up to write down their names, Aria notices how not one person failed to send her a glance.

When she reached the front, Hermione was hesitant in handing her the quill. "It's not that we don't trust you, Aria." She mumbled and put her hand protectively over the parchment. "It's just that you're very close with Malfoy and your father could get us into serious trouble for this. I just think—"

Aria snorted. "Excuses, excuses. I'm not going to beg to be in your stupid little group of do-gooders. I won't tell any professors either—for Harry's sake. You'll regret not letting me join, though." Aria huffed and turned to the boy who had disrespected her earlier. "Aguamenti!"

Water erupted from her wand and splashed the Hufflepuff boy, wetting him from head to toe. "You'll catch your death of cold in this weather. Put on some dry clothes." Aria teased and turned back to Hermione. "As I said, you'll regret this."

George reached for her arm. "Maybe it's better this way. I promise I'll tell you everything that happens—"

"You're agreeing with them?"

"No! I'm only trying to get rid of the complications. I—"

"So I'm a complication? Wow." Aria could not believe that George was making up excuses for them.

"That's not what I meant."

"Oh, I know exactly what you meant. Just bugger off."

With that, she stormed out, not missing when Hermione yelled out to her. "That is exactly the reason you're not welcome to join!"

She marched all the way to Hogwarts and into the Slytherin common room and despite her hatred for some of them, this was where she truly belonged.