Chapter 201: The Hut Light

"This is all my fault," Ron announced as Ginny and Hermione told him what happened after the match. Ron was looking more anguished than ever.

"You didn't make me punch Montague," said Harry angrily.

"— if I wasn't so lousy at Quidditch —"

"— it's got nothing to do with that —"

"— it was that song that wound me up —"

"If I showed up dead tomorrow, do you think this Quidditch argument will matter?" Chris said suddenly, the argument was looking very stupid to her.

"Er — what?" Harry was about to argue with Ron when the words registered in his brain.

"Wait, what?" said Colin, Ginny, Ron and Hermione together.

"Chris, what happened? Tell us the truth," Ginny said looking very serious. "Exactly, what happened with you?"

"Relax, it's nothing," Chris smiled. "I'm not dying tomorrow. I just said that to break the argument over there."

"But something is going on with you, isn't it?" Colin said.

"Well. . ." Chris sighed. "Earlier, Umbridge kind of threatened me."

Finally, Chris told them everything, about Umbridge and the last smirk from Montague.

"Umbridge was the one who sent the Dementors after me?" Harry was looking horrified.

"Yeah."

"And now she said she has more powerful people behind her?" Ginny said looking confused.

"Yes."

"And Montague smiled after getting beaten by four people?" Ron said looking scared.

"Yep."

"You don't reckon Umbridge set him up to provoke Harry, Ginny, Fred and George, do you?" Hermione said tentatively.

"Yeah, I kinda do."

"What if you were right, Chris? What if Umbridge is working for Malgino?" Colin said looking surprised. "And what if when she said she has more powerful people behind her, she was mentioning Malgino and You-Know-Who?"

"Maybe Colin," Chris sighed rubbing her face. "Everyone of your guess is possible. I just don't know what to do next."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"You know, the things we just figured or did not figure, we should tell them to someone," Chris said feeling frustrated. "But Dumbledore is not talking to us, we can't send letters to Bill or Remus and Sirius is out for his mission. The only options are Professor McGonagall and Snape."

"And we don't know how will they react at our interference," Ginny said.

"Exactly, maybe McGonagall will understand but I don't know," Chris shook her head, looking more agitated.

A silence settled among them for several minutes.

"Why no one told me that she sent the Dementors after me?" Harry said not looking very angry. "Hermione, you knew, didn't you?"

"Harry, I —" Hermione said anxiously. "We just thought, you know, you were so angry sometimes and then you were snapping at Umbridge, she was giving you detention — we guessed if we tell you this then you will react badly and Heaven knows, how would have you behaved with Umbridge —"

"It's alright, I get it," Harry sighed.

"Do you really?" Ginny said looking surprised.

"Yes, because right now I'm feeling like killing that horrible woman," Harry scoffed. "And this year I'm dealing with my anger issues a lot, I know. I don't know why but I feel angry most of the time."

"Maybe it's because of Him," Ron said. "You know, the connection between you and Him."

"It's alright Harry, we will find a way," Colin said hopefully. "We will Chris."

Chris smiled a little then got up and walked to the window, watching the snow swirling down against the pane.

"I hope so," She said and then it caught her eye.

In the mass of darkness from the Hogwarts grounds to forbidden forest, a small light coming from the edge of the forest. Chris gasped. Everyone looked at her. She grinned broadly as she looked back at them.

"Hagrid is back!"

It took them a few seconds to fetch Chris and Harry's Invisibility Cloaks, Harry's Marauder's Map, Hermione and Ginny's hats and gloves.

"Hermione, you go with Ginny," Chris suggested as Harry's cloak wasn't covering all Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Take my cloak."

"What about you and Colin?" Hermione asked.

"We will manage," Colin grinned. "Let's go."

Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged confused looks and Ginny gave a "hmph" before disappearing under the invisibility cloaks. Chris and Colin followed them out and set off to the opposite empty corridor then transformed into dog and snake.

Soon, they were out into the silent, snowy grounds. Sliding on the thick snow on your belly was definitely a weird feeling for Chris. Though she ignored it and hurried to Hagrid's hut. But when she neared the door, she heard Hagrid wasn't alone.

"Term started more than two months ago. Another teacher has had to cover your classes. None of your colleagues has been able to give me any information as to your whereabouts. You left no address. Where have you been?" said a horribly familiar voice.

There was a pause.

"I — I've been away for me health," said Hagrid's voice.

"For your health," said Umbridge. "I see."

"Yeah," said Hagrid, "bit o'— o' fresh air, yeh know —"

"Yes, as gamekeeper fresh air must be so difficult to come by," said Umbridge sweetly.

"Well — change o' scene, yeh know —"

"Mountain scenery?" said Umbridge swiftly.

"Mountains?" Hagrid repeated, clearly thinking fast. "Nope, South of France fer me. Bit o' sun an' . . . an' sea."

"Really?" said Umbridge. "You don't have much of a tan."

"Yeah . . . well . . . sensitive skin," said Hagrid.

"I shall, of course, be informing the Minister of your late return."

"Righ'."

"You ought to know too that as High Inquisitor it is my unfortunate but necessary duty to inspect my fellow teachers. So I daresay we shall meet again soon enough."

"You're inspectin' us?" Hagrid echoed blankly.

"Oh yes," said Umbridge softly. "The Ministry is determined to weed out unsatisfactory teachers, Hagrid. Good night."

The door opened and Umbridge came out. She closed the door behind her, violently then marched towards the castle.

As soon as she was out of earshot, there was a knock on Hagrid's door. Chris guessed it was Harry and Ron. The door opened and Hermione and Ginny screamed. 

"Who's that?" Hagrid looked around hastily.

Chris turned back hurriedly. She was in a dark corner so Hagrid couldn't see her and she didn't see Hagrid.

"God Gin, Hermione, are you two trying to call Umbridge back?" Chris whispered coming towards the door but then as she looked at Hagrid she almost screamed too.

Hagrid's hair was matted with congealed blood, and his left eye had been reduced to a puffy slit amid a mass of purple-and-black bruises. There were many cuts on his face and hands, some of them still bleeding.

"Merlin's beard, keep it down!" Hagrid said looking at Chris. "Chris! Shoulda known! Get in all of you."

"I'm sorry!" Hermione gasped as she, Ginny, Ron, Harry, Chris and Colin got inside. 

"Sorry, but Hagrid your face —" Ginny said pulling off the cloak.

"It's nuthin', it's nuthin'!" said Hagrid hastily, shutting the door behind them and hurrying to close all the curtains.

"It doesn't look like nothing, Hagrid," Chris said seriously crossing her arm. But just then Fang jumped at her, licking her face enthusiastically and Chris's all seriousness dissolved into giggles.

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To be continued. . .