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Part One / Chapter Thirty-Two
Normally, Venuswould be excited to return back to Hogwarts after a lengthy holiday but this year did not meet the same end. Venus, along with everyone else, dreaded having to return to Dolores Umbridge's tyrannical territory. Even with Dumbledore still Headmaster, her educational decree's put the D.A. in a tighter lock. This did not make any of them happier of returning to their beloved school.
Venus, Ginny and Constance circled the board of Wizard's chess that sat in between Harry and Ron. Venus sat beside Harry and Constance sat beside Ron, more because he was winning. Ginny was the mediator, and sat on the ground in between the two boys. Hermione laid on the other side of the board, a book in one hand, and a quivering Crookshanks in the other. Venus realized how much she missed Snowflake as she watched Crookshanks muzzle into Hermione's neck.
"Harry dear," said Mrs. Weasley, poking her head into his and Ron's bedroom, where the pair of them were playing wizard chess watched by Hermione, Ginny, and Crookshanks, "could you come down to the kitchen? Professor Snape would like a word with you."
It seemed as if Harry did not immediately register what she had said; one of his castles was engaged in a violent tussle with a pawn of Ron's, and he was egging it on enthusiastically. "Squash him — squash him, he's only a pawn, you idiot — sorry, Mrs. Weasley, what did you say?"
"Professor Snape, dear. In the kitchen. He'd like a word."
Harry's mouth fell open in horror. He looked around at them, all of whom were gaping back at him. Crookshanks, whom Hermione had been restraining with difficulty for the past quarter of an hour, leapt gleefully upon the board and set the pieces running for cover, squealing at the top of their voices.
"Snape?" said Harry blankly.
"Professor Snape, dear," said Mrs. Weasley reprovingly. "Now come on, quickly, he says he can't stay long."
"What's he want with you?" said Ron, looking unnerved as Mrs. Weasley withdrew from the room.
"Did you get yourself into trouble?" Venus asked, somewhat accusingly. Harry's charm gleamed a bright red.
"Of course not!" Harry defended himself, he looked at Venus and his charm dimmed into a pale pink. He shot up from his seat and toward the kitchen door, disappearing behind it.
They all sat silently, the only sounds coming from Crookshanks, who purred and meowed gleefully.
"Er — Vee?" Ron said; Venus furrowed her eyebrows, seemingly unfazed that Ron had begun calling her Vee. "Why didn't Dumbledore tell the rest of the Order about your visions?"
"I don't think they're visions at all — I mean, I'm not sure myself, but I call him 'the voice' because I've never actually seen what he looks like." Venus explained.
