Whatever Snape had told her had set Cassie's temper ablaze.

She stormed into the Great Hall like a thunderstorm, her stridee promising death to anyone stupid enough to cross her path. She barely made it to the Slytherin table before slamming herself down on the bench, nearly knocking over Theo's goblet of pumpkin juice in the process.

Theo raised a brow. "I'd ask if you're okay, but you look like you're about to commit murder."

Cassie didn't answer. Instead, she viciously stabbed her fork into a piece of roast beef, her knuckles whitening around the handle.

Blaise casually buttered his bread. "Who pissed in your potion this time?"

"Snape," Draco answered before Cassie could. "That's the only thing that makes sense. It's the only time she gets this homicidal."

 "Shut up, Malfoy."

"I'm right, aren't I?"

She ignored him, choosing instead to throw a deadly glare at a group of chattering Gryffindors across the hall. Unfortunately for them, one made the mistake of looking in her direction and laughing—at what, she didn't care.

That was the final straw.

Cassie shot up so fast her chair scraped against the stone floor. In three swift strides, she was at their table, grabbing some fourth-year Gryffindor by the front of his robes.

"What the fuck is so funny?" she snarled.

The boy's eyes widened in terror. "N-nothing—"

She yanked him closer, her voice a threatening whisper. "Try laughing again, I dare you."

"Cassie," Theo's voice came from behind her, calm  "Let him go."

Her grip remained for a second longer before she shoved the boy back, sending him stumbling into his friends. Without another word, she spun on her heel and marched back to the Slytherin table.

"Well," Blaise mused, sipping his drink. "That's three Gryffindors almost strangled today. Who's keeping count?"

"I am," Theo muttered under his breath. "And I'd rather not reach four."

Draco, who had been watching with his lazed expresion "So, what did Snape say?"

Cassie's jaw clenched.

None of your business, Malfoy," she snapped

Draco raised a brow, but it was Theo who sighed, shaking his head. "Well, whatever it is, stow it away, Cass. It's Defense Against the Dark Arts next, and I'd rather not have a dead pink toad on my watchlist today."

Cassie rolled her eyes and grabbed her goblet, gulping down pumpkin juice as if it could drown out the fury still simmering inside her.

She wasn't sure what had pissed her off more—Snape's insinuations or the fact that she couldn't even deny them. Either way, someone was going to suffer for it, and if Theo thought she wouldn't take it out on Umbridge, he was sorely mistaken.

By the time they entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Cassie's mood had not improved. If anything, it got worse the second she laid eyes on her.

Professor Umbridge was already seated at the teacher's desk, her expressionnauseatingly sweet. She wore the same fluffy pink cardigan as the night before, and atop her head sat that ridiculous black velvet bow.

Cassie gagged. Audibly.

Blaise coughed to hide his laugh, while Draco openly snorted. Theo, standing beside her, muttered, "Merlin, Cass, at least try to be subtle."

"I'm physically incapable of pretending I don't want to strangle her," she hissed back.

As they moved toward their usual seats, Umbridge clasped her stubby hands together and smiled—a sight that sent a shiver of revulsion down Cassie's spine.

"Well, good afternoon!" Umbridge trilled, clasping her stubby hands together as if addressing a room full of toddlers.

A few people mumbled a half-hearted "Good afternoon" in response.

"Tut, tut," she tittered, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply properly—'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"

Cassie rolled her eyes so hard she nearly gave herself a headache.

The class exchanged looks. Theo sighed, and the room filled with a chorus of reluctant voices:

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge."

"There, now," Umbridge cooed, her smile stretching wider, like a cat pleased with its obedient little mice. "That wasn't too difficult, was it?"

Cassie muttered something under her breath that definitely wasn't appropriate for a classroom setting.

"Wands away and quills out, please," Umbridge continued, as if this was some charming little etiquette lesson instead of a Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Cassie narrowed her eyes, feeling her irritation spike. Wands away? What the hell kind of Defense class was this? She shared a glance with Draco, who was already leaning back in his chair, looking equally unimpressed.

Cassie, however, was not amused.

Her quill scratched against the desk as she snatched it aggressively, ready to suffer through whatever drivel the toad spewed next. But then—

"No spells will be used in this class," Umbridge chirped, voice dripping with forced sweetness.

Cassie froze.

"What?" she blurted out.

Umbridge blinked. "Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Miss—?"

Cassie didn't even hesitate. "Black," she said flatly, arms still crossed, her hands nowhere near raising.

A few students exchanged nervous glances. Theo buried his face in his hand, already bracing himself.

Umbridge's smile barely wavered, but there was a flicker of irritation in her eyes. "Miss Black," she repeated, as if tasting something sour. "I understand that some students struggle with basic classroom etiquette, but in my class, we follow rules."

Cassie tilted her head, pretending to think. "Oh? I thought this was supposed to be Defense Against the Dark Arts, not Manners for Mediocre Ministry Minions."

A strangled cough of laughter came from Blaise. Draco smirked, lazily twirling his quill between his fingers. Even a few Gryffindors looked impressed.

Umbridge's smile stiffened. "Five points from Slytherin," she said primly.

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Right. Because that's going to teach me loads about defending myself."

"Ten points," Umbridge said sweetly.

Cassie let out a slow, exaggerated gasp. "Oh no. However will I recover."

Theo kicked her under the desk. Hard.

Draco, looking thoroughly entertained, rested his chin on his hand and whispered, "Please keep going."

Cassie barely held back a grin.

Umbridge, however, was losing patience. "No spells will be used in this class," she repeated, voice tightening.

Cassie's amusement vanished. Her expression hardened. "You're joking, right?" Cassie scoffed, leaning forward, her voice dripping with disbelief. "This is Defense Against the Dark Arts. You expect us to what—politely ask a Dementor to leave us alone?"

A few students snickered.

Umbridge's lips pursed. "You will learn the theory—"

"Oh, fuck off," Cassie snapped, throwing her quill down.

The classroom went dead silent.

Every head turned to her. Theo visibly stiffened beside her. Draco, for the first time ever, looked genuinely startled.

Blaise let out a low whistle.

Umbridge, however, simply stared at her as if she were a particularly nasty cockroach she had just found skittering across her desk. "Excuse me, Miss Black?" she said, her voice dangerously quiet.

Cassie stood up.

"I said fuck off," she repeated, her voice ringing clear across the room. "You are a joke. You're not teaching us magic, you're babysitting. What are you going to do when there's actual danger? Hand the Dark Lord a pink detention slip?"

There was a collective intake of breath. Even the Gryffindors were watching in awe.

Theo, looking incredibly pale, grabbed Cassie's wrist under the desk and squeezed—

Cassie barely registered it. She was seeing red.

Umbridge, still eerily calm, smiled—a sickly sweet expression. "Detention, Miss Black," she said smoothly. "For the rest of the week."

Cassie yanked her hand from Theo's grip and slammed it on the desk. "Oh, why stop there? Give me a month! Merlin knows you're desperate for power."

The tension in the room skyrocketed.

Theo's fingers dug into her wrist tighter. "Cass, stop." 

Umbridge's smile never faltered. "Raise your hand when you speak in my class, Miss Black."

Cassie let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Oh, you are insufferable."

Umbridge simply looked at her, unfazed. "Make that two weeks."

Cassie's jaw clenched, her fingers curling into fists.

"Three if you say another word," Umbridge added sweetly.

Theo shook his head at her, pleading. Cassie exhaled sharply through her nose, 

A tense, suffocating silence.

Then, Umbridge beamed. "Lovely," she chirped. "Now, shall we continue?"

Cassie sat on the desk, arms crossed, shooting Theo a glare. He just leaned closer, whispering, "You'll thank me later."

She scoffed, but didn't argue.

For a couple of minutes, the only sound in the classroom was the scratching of quills against parchment as everyone copied down the three course aims from the blackboard. Cassie barely paid attention, lazily twirling her quill between her fingers, thoroughly unimpressed.

Once everyone had finished, Umbridge clasped her hands together. "Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

A low, half-hearted murmur spread across the classroom.

"I think we'll try that again," Umbridge said, voice tinged with fake patience. "When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply, 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge," the class droned.

Cassie did not bother.

"Good," Umbridge continued, apparently satisfied. "I should like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk."

Cassie didn't even twitch. She sat still, arms folded, making zero effort to reach for her book.

To her mild surprise, Granger wasn't flipping through the pages either. Instead, she had raised her hand, her expression oddly blank as she stared down Umbridge.

That was... unexpected. Hermione Granger ignoring instructions?

But Cassie had bigger concerns—like the fact that Umbridge's eyes had landed squarely on her.

"Miss Black," Umbridge chirped, voice still annoyingly sweet, "was I not audible? Take out your book and start reading."

Cassie met her gaze, unimpressed. "I already know the whole book," she said flatly. "By heart."

A slight pause.

"Really?"

Cassie tilted her head. "Yeah."

Another pause.

And then—"It's trash. The Dark Lord would prolly be a better teacher than whatever babies crap this is"

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the class.

Draco's head snapped toward her, eyes wide. Pansy looked like she wanted to crawl under the desk. Theo? Theo had his head in his hands, shoulders shaking slightly. 

Umbridge's smile twitched. "Miss Black," she said, her voice just a touch higher, "do you think you are too good for this class?"

"Oh, I know I am."

Silence.

A sickly, stretched-out moment where Umbridge's fake patience started to fracture.

Then, she inhaled sharply, her expression smoothing out once more. "And tell me, dear, what exactly makes you think you are above Ministry-approved defense education?"

Cassie's smirk widened. "Oh, you mean the same Ministry that refused to acknowledge Voldemort's return because it was 'bad for morale'?"

Dead silence.

A few students flinched. Others outright gasped. Pansy whimpered.

Umbridge's expression didn't just crack this time—it shattered.

Cassie only leaned back lazily in her chair. "What? Did I say something offensive?"

"Miss Black," Umbridge said, her voice shaking 

Cassie pressed a hand to her chest in mock concern. "Oh, I see. You don't like hearing the Dark Lord's name. Must be hard, considering how deep the Ministry had its head up his—"

"Enough!"

Umbridge's shriek sent a jolt through the classroom.

Several students flinched. Others stared at Cassie like she had completely lost her mind.

Cassie just grinned.

Umbridge, pink-faced with fury, grabbed a fresh piece of parchment and scribbled something down in sharp, furious strokes. Then, with a flick of her wand, she folded it and sealed it.

She held it out with a tight, forced smile. "Take this to your Head of House. Now."

Cassie arched a brow, swiped the note from Umbridge's hand, and stood up.

Pansy's voice was a frantic whisper. "She can't go to Snape—she'll explode. Do something."

Draco just rolled his eyes, exhaling like he bore the weight of all the world's maturity.

Then, ever so casually, he raised his hand. His best pureblood prefect face slipped on, 

"Yes?" Umbridge barked, still fuming.

Draco's expression barely shifted as he drawled silkily, "Miss Umbridge."

Her face softened instantly. "Mr. Malfoy?" she cooed, her tone taking on an air of approval, knowing full well whose son he was.

"Yes, ma'am." Draco's smugness was presnet, but not overdone—just the right amount of pureblood arrogance. "I just wanted to let you know that our Head of House, Professor Snape, tends to be... partial."

Cassie's eyes narrowed.

Draco continued smoothly, "Since Black is the top scorer in his class, he won't give her an adequate lesson on discipline, considering the audacity she just showed."

The entire group turned to look at him.

A collective mix of awe and what the fuck just happened?

The whole class was staring now.

Draco Malfoy. Going against his cousin?

But Umbridge, seemingly oblivious to the absolute chaos that statement had just caused, lit up.

"Ah, yes, yes," she nodded eagerly, "as insightful as your father told me you would be—wonderful observation, Mr. Malfoy."

Then, her sickly sweet smile turned back to Cassie.

"You, Miss Black," she practically purred, "will go to Professor McGonagall immediately."

Cassie was still staring at Draco in complete disbelief.

Draco, for his part, only sent her a slow, lazy smirk as idf saying thank me later

**************************

Out in the corridor, she walked quickly, the note to McGonagall clenched tightly in her hand.

She barely turned a corner when—

"Miss Black!"

Cassie's steps halted. Floating in midair, juggling several inkwells, was none other than Peeves the Poltergeist, his wide, mischievous face alight with curiosity.

Peeves swooped down, bowing dramatically. "In trouble, are you?"

Cassie didn't slow. "Not now, Peeves."

Peeves cackled, floating along beside her. "Ooooh, what did ickle Blackie do this time?"

Cassie sighed. "It's that bloody Umbitch."

Peeves grinned.

Cassie glanced at him. "Do me a favor, yeah?"

Peeves saluted. "Anything for you, boss!"

"The moment she steps out of that classroom," Cassie said, "give her hell."

Peeves grinned wider. "Oh, I like you."

And then he vanished.

A door to her left suddenly flew open, and Professor McGonagall emerged, looking grim and slightly harassed.

"Miss Black," McGonagall started sharply. "What are you doing here?"

Cassie didn't even blink, just held up the letter. "Sent to see you," she said plainly. "From our very new Umbitch."

"Miss Black!" McGonagall scolded sharply, eyes narrowing.

Cassie walked into McGonagall's office, her boots clicking sharply against the stone floor. Without a word, she slapped the folded letter onto the desk. McGonagall raised a sharp brow at her before picking it up, slicing it open with a flick of her wand. Her expression was neutral as she began to read—but with each passing line, her lips thinned into a near-invisible line, and her nostrils flared ever so slightly.

When she reached the end, she carefully set the parchment down, smoothing it out as though giving herself a moment to process.

"Sit down, Miss Black."

Cassie dropped into the chair across from her desk, her arms crossed, expression unreadable.

McGonagall took a slow breath before reading aloud, 

"Professor ,

It is with great alarm that I must report the utterly reprehensible behavior displayed by Miss Cassiopeia Black during my Defense Against the Dark Arts class today. Her complete disregard for authority and common decency was appalling.

Not only did she refuse to follow simple classroom decorum—ignoring direct instructions to raise her hand before speaking—but she proceeded to respond with open hostility, declaring, and I quote, 'I already know this entire book by heart, and it's absolute trash.' When reprimanded, she continued to show complete contempt for the educational system established by the Ministry.

Furthermore, Miss Black resorted to the use of vulgar and highly inappropriate profanities directed at me,and the  ministry,' and—most disturbingly—she made an explicit statement that I will not repeat here, but which was both crude and deeply offensive.

In addition to her blatant disrespect, Miss Black made a highly concerning remark regarding He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, using his name freely and, in a most inappropriate comparison, suggested that 'even the Dark Lord would be a better teacher than this Ministry nonsense.' Such statements cannot be taken lightly, nor can they be ignored.

I trust that you will handle this grave misconduct with the severity it warrants.

Dolores Jane Umbridge
Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic

McGonagall slowly lowered the letter, fixing Cassie with disapointment reserved for her personally

"Miss Black," she said evenly, "did you truly—" she glanced at the parchment again, her lips pursing before she looked back up—"use such... colorful language towards a member of the Hogwarts staff?"

Cassie tapped her fingers against the armrest, considering. Then, she shrugged. "Depends. If you're asking if I told her to fuck off, then yes."

McGonagall closed her eyes for a brief second as if summoning patience from the depths of her soul. "And the rest?"

Cassie smirked slightly. "I mean, I don't remember calling her a Ministry pawn. I did think of saying 'corrupt bootlicker with the spine of a flobberworm,' but didnt quite get the chance to say it."

McGonagall inhaled sharply through her nose. "And the... comparison to You-Know-Who?"

Cassie tilted her head. "Technically, I just said even Voldemort would be better than her. Which, let's be real, isn't exactly a lie."

Professor McGonagall exhaled sharply through her nose, rubbing the bridge of it like she was reconsidering every life choice that had led her to this exact moment. "Miss Black," she said, tone clipped, "Professor Umbridge has given you two weeks of detention in her office, along with a threat to report you to the Minister himself and have you suspended."

Cassie just held up her hands, expression completely unapologetic. "What? Would you rather I lie?"

McGonagall shut her eyes for a brief moment, like she was summoning every ounce of patience in her body.

Before she could retort—

A loud, unmistakable shut up! echoed from the corridor.

Cassie arched a brow. Potter. Obviously.

McGonagall's head snapped toward the door, eyes narrowing. Then, without another word, she swept out of the room, her robes billowing behind her.

Cassie leaned back in her chair, amused. "Looks like I'm not the only one who pissed off that bitch" she muttered to herself.

A few minutes later, Potter trudged into the office, looking thoroughly unimpressed, a letter clenched tightly in his hand.

Cassie smirked. "Cheers, Potter. Pissed off that ugly-ass toad?"

Potter let out a humorless snort and plopped down into the seat next to her with a huff.

McGonagall re-entered the room, looking just about done with everything. "Well?" she demanded, rounding on him. "Is this true?"

Potter blinked. "Is what true?" He sounded far more aggressive than he probably meant to. "Professor," he tacked on belatedly.

"Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?"

"Yes," Potter said.

"You called her a liar?"

"Yes."

Cassie let out a sharp laugh. "Good one," she snorted.

McGonagall shot her a look so withering it could have petrified a basilisk.

Cassie just shrugged.

"You told her He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back?"

"Yes."

McGonagall sat down heavily behind her desk, frowning at him. Then, after a long pause, she reached for a tartan tin on top of her paperwork.

"Have a biscuit, Potter."

Potter blinked. "Have—a what?"

"Have a biscuit," she repeated, impatiently pushing the tin toward him.

Cassie gawked. "Hey! Where's my biscuit?*"

McGonagall didn't even spare her a glance. "You are lucky I'm not hexing you into next week, Miss Black.*"

Cassie huffed, crossing her arms. "Unbelievable. Favoritism."

Potter, meanwhile, just took the damn biscuit.

 "Potter, you need to be careful."

Potter swallowed his mouthful of biscuit, eyes narrowing. Her tone wasn't the usual stern, crisp command—it was lower, quieter, something bordering on actual concern.

"Misbehavior in Dolores Umbridge's class could cost you much more than House points and a detention."

"What do you—"

"Potter," Cassie interrupted, exasperated. "Use your common sense. What Minnie is saying—"

"Professor McGonagall," the woman corrected sharply.

Cassie ignored her. "Is that whatever we do in class, that pink misfortune on earth is going to run to the Ministry and report every little thing. And you know what that means. They'll twist it into proof that you're completely mental. You and Dumbledore both."

McGonagall inhaled sharply. "Exactly. You know where she comes from. You must know to whom she is reporting."

The bell rang overhead, signaling the end of the lesson. The distant rumble of students moving through the corridors filled the office.

McGonagall glanced down at Umbridge's note again. "It says here she's given you detention every evening this week, starting tomorrow."

"Every evening this week?" Potter repeated, horrified. "But, Professor, couldn't you—"

"No, I couldn't," McGonagall said flatly.

"But—"

"She is your teacher and has every right to give you detention." She fixed him with a firm look. "You will go to her room at five o'clock tomorrow for the first one. Just remember: tread carefully around Dolores Umbridge."

"But I was telling the truth!" Potter said angrily. "Voldemort's back! You know he is, Dumbledore knows he is—"

"For heaven's sake, Potter," McGonagall snapped, straightening her glasses in frustration. "Do you really think this is about truth or lies? This is about keeping your head down and your temper under control."

She whirled on Cassie next. "And you, Miss Black—you will watch your tongue, and your language, and your temper."

Cassie scowled "That's a lot of things to watch."

"Miss Black."

"Alright, alright," she muttered, leaning back in her chair. "You don't have to yell."

McGonagall pinched the bridge of her nose, as if debating whether to start drinking.

She stood up, nostrils flaring, mouth pressed into a thin, unimpressed line. Harry and Cassie stood as well, warily watching her as she thrust the tin of biscuits at him.

"Have another biscuit," she said irritably.

"No, thanks," Harry said coldly.

"Don't be ridiculous," she snapped.

He took one.

Cassie leaned forward instantly, fingers poised to grab a biscuit of her own, but McGonagall smacked her hand away without even looking.

Cassie recoiled, scandalized. "Oi, that's partiality"

McGonagall ignored her. "Did you hear Dolores Umbridge's speech at the start-of-term feast?"

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Of course we did."

"Yeah," Harry muttered. "She said . . . progress will be prohibited or . . . well, it meant that . . . that the Ministry of Magic is trying to interfere at Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall eyed him for a moment, then sniffed, walked around her desk, and held open the door. "Well, I'm glad you listen to Hermione Granger, at any rate."

Cassie cackled. "Oh, good one, Minnie." She held up a hand for a high-five.

McGonagall just stared at it.

Cassie grinned. "You love me too, Minnie," she said cheerfully, strolling past her and out the door.

*****************

One day 2 CHAPS- IS THIS MIX RIDDLE OR WHO

YEA GOIS ITS ME- I HAD SO MANY DRAFTS READY CLEARING IT OUT IN A DAY

ALSO MAKING UP FOR ALL MY ABSENCE

CAN WE HAVE POTTER AND BLACK BONDING OVER THIS? UMBITCH HATE?

HAHAH

TILL NEXT TIME

MXRIDDLE