Mass Collision

10. The Plans

I skipped lunch and wandered around the castle instead before heading to Transfiguration. When I entered Umbridge was standing in the back of the classroom.

"That will do," McGonagall said as she entered the room. "Mr. Finnigan, kindly come here and hand back the homework — Miss Brown, please take this box of mice — don't be silly, girl, they won't hurt you — and hand one to each student —"

"Hem, hem," said Professor Umbridge, employing the same silly little cough she had used to interrupt Dumbledore on the first night of term. Professor McGonagall ignored her. Seamus handed back my essay with a question mark and an A on it. It was only mostly finished because I got bored and just turned it in.

"Right then, everyone, listen closely — Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again I shall put you in detention — most of you have now successfully vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have the gist of the spell. Today we shall be —"

"Hem, hem," said Professor Umbridge.

"Yes?" said Professor McGonagall, turning round, her eyebrows so close together they seemed to form one long, severe line.

"I was just wondering, Professor, whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspec —"

"Obviously I received it, or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom," said Professor McGonagall, turning her back firmly on Professor Umbridge. Many of the students exchanged looks of glee. "As I was saying, today we shall be practicing the altogether more difficult vanishment of mice. Now, the Vanishing Spell —"

"Hem, hem."

"I wonder," said Professor McGonagall in cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, "how do you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."

Professor Umbridge looked as though she had just been slapped in the face. She did not speak, but straightened the parchment on her clipboard and began scribbling furiously. Looking supremely unconcerned, Professor McGonagall addressed the class once more.

"As I was saying, the Vanishing Spell becomes more difficult with the complexity of the animal to be vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. This is not, therefore, magic you can accomplish with your mind on your dinner. So — you know the incantation, let me see what you can do...."

I zoned out as she said we could start vanishing them. I said the incantation and the mouse disappeared. "Nice," I muttered with a small smile before laying my head on my desk.

I gave back the mouse unvanished and left the class quickly, not wanting to stay around any longer. I went outside for Care of Magical Creatures. I hate being outside. If it wasn't for the fact I was being forced to take this class I would go back to the castle and sleep. Harry once again got himself in trouble with Umbridge as she was inspecting the class and I had to pull him aside afterwards.

"I swear Harry. You need to be more careful. You can't keep getting detention. I know she's hurting you somehow. I've heard whispers," I told him. I've heard some of the third years' rumors about her and what her detentions are like.

He grabbed his arm from me, "I'm fine. And how do you expect me not to get mad at her and speak out? You have no idea how hard this is!"

"Yes, I do. There have been times I've been so mad I want to kill someone. And you're not fine!" I grab his hand and unwrap it to see 'I must not tell lies' carved into it. "A blood-quill?" I wasn't shocked. Of course that toad is absolutely insane. "You are going to be more careful or I will have to kill her. I made a promise to keep you safe and that's what I'm going to do no matter how I have to do it." He nodded and we went our separate ways to our common rooms.