The Siren's Call (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

101. Corruption

"But it does not matter if she won't speak, I can take up the story from here. You will remember, Minister, that I sent you a report back in October that Potter had met a number of fellow students in the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade-"

"And what is your evidence for that?" Professor McGonagall cut in quickly.

"I have testimony from Willy Widdershins, Minerva, who happened to be in the bar at the time. He was heavily bandaged, it is true, but his hearing was quite unimpaired. He heard every word Potter said and hastened straight to the school to report to me-" Umbridge began.

"Oh, that's why he wasn't prosecuted for setting up all those regurgitating toilets," McGonagall said with raised eyebrows. "What an interesting insight into our justice system!" Dioleh smirked and let out a cough to hide her laughter. Glancing over at Draco, she saw he was also grinning with amusement.

"Blatant corruption!" a portrait shouted indignantly. "The Ministry did not cut deals with petty criminals in my day, no sir, they did not!"

"Thank you, Fortescue, that will do," Dumbledore replied soothingly.

"The purpose," Umbridge resumed, "of Potter's meeting with these students was to persuade them to join an illegal society, whose aim was to learn spells and curses the Ministry has deemed inappropriate for school-age-"

"I think you'll find you're wrong there, Dolores," Dumbledore interrupted.

"Oho!" Fudge cried excitedly. "Yes, do let's hear the latest cock-and-bull story designed to pull Potter out of trouble! Go on, Dumbledore, go on! Was Potter's identical twin in Hog's Head that day? Or is there the usual simple explanation involving a reversal of time, a dead man coming back to life, and a couple of invisible dementors?"

Letting out a hearty laugh, Percy Weasley chortled, "Oh, very good, Minister, very good!" Despite their blatant mockery, Dumbledore was still smiling.

"Cornelius, I do not deny, and nor, I am sure, does Harry, that he was in Hog's Head that day, nor that he was trying to recruit students to a Defense Against the Dark Arts group. I am merely pointing out that Dolores is quite wrong to suggest that such a group was, at that time, illegal. If you remember, the MInistry decree banning all student societies was not put into effect until two days after Harry's Hogsmeade visit, so he was not breaking any rules in that Hog's Head at all."

"That's very fine, Headmaster," Umbridge replied, recovering the quickest from the shock that had just shot through them all, although Lucius let out a relieved breath. "But we are now nearly six months on from that introduction of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four. If the first meeting was not illegal, all those that have happened since most certainly are."

"Well," Dumbledore said. "They certainly would be, if they had continued after the decree come into effect. Do you have any evidence that these meetings continued?"

"Evidence?" Umbridge sputtered. "Have you not been listening, Dumbledore? Why do you think Miss Edgecombe is here?"

"Oh, can she tell us about six months' worth of meetings?" Dumbledore inquired, looking to the girl with a kind expression. "I was under the impression that she was merely reporting a meeting tonight."

"Miss Edgecombe," Umbridge said. "Tell us how long these meetings have been going on, dear. You can simply nod or shake your head. I'm sure that won't make the spots worse. Have they been happening regularly over the last six months?" Dioleh could see Harry tense as they waited anxiously for her answer. After a pause, she shook her head.

"I'm not sure you understand the question, dear," Umbridge said forcefully. "I'm asking you if there have been regular meetings for the last six months." The girl shook her head again.

"But there was a meeting tonight!" Umbridge cried, rounding on her and beginning to shake her.

Instantly, Dioleh cried, "Let go of her! What do you mean by it?" At the same time, Dumbledore had risen to his feet with his wand raised. Umbridge pulled her hands away as though she had been burned before turning her glare over at Dioleh.

"I cannot allow you to manhandle my students, Dolores," Dumbledore said severely.

"You want to calm yourself, Madam Umbridge," Kingsley said. "You don't want to get yourself in trouble, now."

"No," Umbridge said, finally turning her glare from Dioleh. "I mean, yes, you're right, Shacklebolt. I-I forgot myself." She turned her eyes back to Dioleh. "I think she knows more than she's letting on." Dioleh let out a shocked cry as she was suddenly pulled out from the group, her hand leaving Draco's. He had to quickly stop himself from dashing forward. "You see, Minister, Ms Granger, here, skipped detention with me for this meeting."

"What?" Dioleh cried, shoving her way out of Umbridge's grip. "You told me detention tonight was moved!"

"Professor, it's true," Draco said. "She told me just after you told her."

"My son is not a liar, Dolores," Lucius said.

"Perhaps he wasn't when you last saw him, Lucius," Umbridge said. "But I have some recent behaviours of your son to bring to your attention." Dioleh was trembling with such a range of emotions she wasn't sure if she wanted to cry or shout. "This girl has been corrupting him!" Umbridge's voice had reached such a loud volume, Dioleh felt her flight or fight responses triggered and she felt her chest begin to shake with restrained tears. "She has pressured him, manipulated him, and has gone as far as to turn him against me!" Dioleh let out a sob as every memory of Umbridge flashed before her eyes and her breathing got out of control.

She felt like her knees were going to give out. Before she could make any more noise, Draco went forward, taking her in his arms and holding her to him as she buried her head in his chest and drew in deep breaths to try and calm herself even as her anxiety attack caused her to feel like she was being crushed. Draco glared over her head at Umbridge.

"Enough, Dolores," Dumbledore said severely.