"You wanted to see me, Headmistress?" Severus asked Umbridge, looking round at the struggling students with complete indifference. 

On the other hand, Draco was trying to stop himself from pulling Granger out of Bulstrode's death grip and lying his way out of the office.

"Ah, Professor Snape," the toad replied, smiling widely. "Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please."

"You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter," answered Severus coolly, observing the DADA professor like he would an insect. "Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient."

Draco was shocked. Umbridge used a whole bottle of Veritaserum on Potter? He was surprised that the Gryffindor wasn't still spewing out secrets. But then... Severus' stance made sense. He was eyeing Umbridge calmly, but through his thick curtains of hair greasy with potion fumes. Was he performing Occlumency?

Umbridge flushed and to all the surrounding spectators it looked like she was flirting with Snape.

"You can make some more, can't you?" She simpered girlishly, reminding Draco of Lavender 'Lav-Lav' Brown.

"Certainly." Severus sounded increasingly bored; a ploy, Draco knew – the Potions master was just as alert as he himself was. "It takes a full-moon cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in about a month."

Were they even still in school in a month? Umbridge swelled like the true toad she was and squawked loudly.

"A month? A month? But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Potter using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!"

Draco finally knew what was going on and, frankly, he wasn't surprised. Potter had probably tried to escape the school to his godfather or something. He always had been Gryffindorishly stupid like that.

Severus appeared slightly intrigued for the first time and remained so until Potter shouted gibberish at him. Then his godfather closed up once again, his face inscrutable.

"Padfoot?" Cried Umbridge. "What is Padfoot? Where is what hidden? What does he mean, Snape?"

"I have no idea," Snape said coldly. "Potter, when I want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a Babbling Beverage." Or the Babbling Curse, Draco thought dreamily, thinking of what revenge he could take on Potter. "And Crabbe, loosen your hold a little. If Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot of tedious paperwork and I am afraid I shall to mention it on your reference if you ever apply for a job."

Draco almost snorted with laughter. Had Severus been implying that Vincent would never have the brains to get a job? His godfather was lucky enough to be allowed to leave, despite having just been put on probation, and Draco was forced to stay there, bored out of his mind, looking eager. 

Granger made up a lot of codswallop about contacting Dumbledore in the Leaky Cauldron to stop Umbridge from cursing Potter (with the Cruciatus Curse, mind you; Draco hadn't known she was so far gone) and then said something about the weapon being in the Forbidden Forest. It was time for Draco to step in.

"Professor," he said, voice layered with false concern, "Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after_" Granger, he'd been about to say. He couldn't care less about Potter.

"I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Malfoy, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone?" Umbridge questioned sharply, knowing full well that the answer was 'yes' from everybody in the room. Most Squad members were only there to stay on their parents' good sides. "In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these_" she gestured at Potter and Granger's fellow troublemakers, "_escape."

"All right," answered Draco sulkily. He simply wanted to see Umbridge get her comeuppance.

Little did he know it would be so soon.

*****

A.N. One more chapter and then the Order of the Phoenix is finally over!

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