NOW

Chapter Eleven Part Two

He left before she could say something and made his way to Umbridge's office. On the way he met Harry. "Thanks for the spell.", said Harry after a while. Percy thought back to when he gave the Gryffindor the counter-spell to Evanesco, after potions.

"Snape wasn't being fair. I just gave you something to insure he will be next time." Percy shrugged off the gratitude.

"Still. You didn't need to do that.", said Harry as they reached the right room.

Percy reached to knock when he turned around one last time. "We're not all bad people, Harry." He knocked and opened the door for Harry after Umbridge's sugary voice called him in. Harry entered cautiously and Percy followed. He closed the door behind him and looked around the room. It was decorated clothes and vases. One wall was a collection of ornamental plates, each decorated with a large technicolor kitten wearing a different bow around its neck. Percy watched the cats as they crept around in their own little worlds.

"Good evening, Mr. Potter. Mr. Jackson." The teacher stood before her desk and watched the students.

"Good evening, Professor.", replied Percy and nudged Percy to say something as well.

"Evening", said Harry stiffly.

"Well, sit down." Umbridge pointed towards the table beside her with two chairs that had two black parchments laying on it. Percy went to sit but noticed the Gryffindor wasn't moving. "Er. Professor Umbridge? Er - before we start, I- I wanted to ask you a ... a favour." Percy furrowed his brows and watched the Gryffindor. What was he doing?

"Oh yes?"

"Well I'm ... I'm on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. And I was supposed to be at the tryouts for the new Keeper at five o'clock on Friday and I was - was wondering whether I could skip detention that night and do it - do it another night ... instead." It was awful watching Harry stumble over the words and Percy wondered why he had even tried, there was no way Umbridge would let him slide.

"Oh no.", said Umbridge, smiling so widely Percy felt the need to flinch. "Oh no, no, no. This is your punishment for spreading evil, nasty, attention-seeking stories, Mr. Potter, and punishments certainly cannot be adjusted to suit the guilty one's convenience. No, you will come here at five o'clock tomorrow, and the next day, and on Friday too, and you will do your detentions as planned. I think it rather a good thing that you are missing something you really want to do. It ought to reinforce the lesson I am trying to teach you."

Before Harry could do something stupid Percy took his arm and forced him to sit down. At Harry's questioning look, he just shook his head and went back to watch the witch before him. She smiled triumphantly when she saw them both sat.

"Now, you two are going to be doing some lines for me. No, not with your quills," she added, as Harry bent down to open his bag. "You're going to be using a rather special one of mine. Here you are." She handed them both rather long, thin black quills with unusual sharp points.

"I want you to write 'I must not tell lies' ", she told them softly.

Percy saw Harry opening his mouth and asked: "How many times?" Before he could do something stupid again. Percy sent Harry a look to behave and directed his attention back to the teacher.

"Oh, as long as it takes for the message to sink in.", said Umbridge sweetly. "Off you go." She moved over to her desk and sat down to watch them.

"You haven't given us any ink." Harry tried to sound polite.

"Oh, you won't need ink," said Professor Umbridge with the merest suggestion of a laugh in her voice. Again Percy grew concerned. She was genuinely happy. Why?