magic • j. hale [✓]

Chapter 35

Ariella stumbles from where she stood. "No, surely not. You mean to tell me that a woman like Dolores Umbridge is the Headmistress of Hogwarts?"

"There is not much we can do." McGonagall shook her head sadly. "There must be a reason why Albus sent you here. Do you have any idea why?"

"I have." Ariella said solemnly. She quickly casted Muffliato to avoid any unwelcome eavesdroppers. "Are there any open teaching positions?"

"No, why do you ask?" Minerva asked.

"I know that I'm needed here in Hogwarts, this is the reason why Dumbledore sent me here. If I'm in Hogwarts then maybe I could help the children or something. Speaking of the matter, what has Harry been up to lately?"

"Oh," Minerva's voice quivered with grief. "Just the other night, it was. The Potter boy was caught teaching a group of students on basic Defense Against the Dark Arts. Named themselves Dumbledore's Army. Umbridge caught the gist of it through one of their members, Marietta Edgecombe. She wanted to be on Umbridge's good side, you see. And that led to Albus fleeing the castle and Fudge passing on an Educational Degree about that ruddy woman taking the place of Albus."

"Well, we can't really blame the children, now can we?" Ariella sighed, rubbing her temples. "It wasn't exactly a bad idea, it just needed more precaution about the members joining in. I suppose they met up in a place such as the Hog's Head?"

"I don't know." Minerva replied. "If you really need to be in the castle, then I suppose you would do well to be my teaching assistant. Of course, that is if you don't mind."

"That would be absolutely marvelous." Ariella smiled at her old Transfigurations Professor. "Other than that, what has Umbridge been doing to the school?"

"She has been abusing the children, you know." Minerva said slowly. "Makes them write in a parchment using a Blood Quill during their detentions with her. Potter was the first victim of hers. He had the fortitude to speak up during classes -"

"I should have known that he would do that." Ariella groaned. "I sent him a letter, you see. I warned him not to do anything against Umbrige because it would be bad for him."

"Well, you aren't exactly mistaken." Minerva said. She stood up. "I'll be heading to the castle to inform our Headmistress of our arrangement. While I do that, please go to the Ministry of Magic and do your best to get a secure position here in Hogwarts. The MInister still might listen to you and Umbridge is sure to listen to the Minister."

"It was nice seeing you today, Minerva." Ariella smiled as she stood up as well. "I sure hope that I'll be seeing more of you in the future."

Minerva nodded her head with a slight smile and Ariella turned around to leave the shop. She walked towards the end of the small village and spun around to disapparate from Hogsmeade and apparate to the Ministry of Magic.