Sit deus nobiscum omnibus

During the days after the realization of just how bad Umbridge was, the slytherin house had become increasingly more aware of every little thing that the woman was doing. It had also become increasingly obvious just how badly she was affecting the rest of the students, in every year.

The halls were eerily quieter, especially around the halls by her class, no one wanted to seem to risk giving her the excuse to issue any detentions. Of course the only people that seemed to be exempt and somehow oblivious to what was happening were of course the terrible trio and apparently every teacher under Hogwarts roof.

The changes were subtle, yet seemed to be staring you right in the face. The Hufflepuffs were more timid and painfully quiet compared to their usual upbeat selves, they seemed to only be slightly more comfortable to express their emotions when they were separated into their smaller groups but even then it was obvious they were trying to stay unnoticed, never seeming to dare be themselves in the great hall where Umbridge was. The ravenclaws were far more interested in their work now more than usual, although that could be reasonably related to the fact that their learning style in defense was now strictly book work, but they too seemed to be more spatially aware of everything around them and keeping to themselves. The only interhouse talkings seemed to be between siblings but even that was out of the eye of Umbridge who seemed to have a distaste towards siblings in different houses, and children in general most likely. The slytherins aren't exactly known for their enthusiasm or their outgoing personalities however even the slytherins had started to reign in how much they'd speak out about- well anything; however they had taken to watching. As they roamed the halls they were all very aware of every person they passed, their eyes unknowingly turning to look at passersby hands as if to see just how many people Umbridge had wanted to scar and punish.

To no one's shock the only people who seemed to only slightly change were the gryffindors, now that's not to say that Umbridge had favoritism towards them no that would be the slytherins, it was just that Longbottom and his fanclub seemed to all get their own passes to exclude themselves from any detention. Did that mean the headmaster knew of what the woman was doing? No one knows, but it meant that the gryffindors were divided. That much was obvious.

While usually gryffindor were a united pain in the ass, the last few months they seemed to ever so slightly be drifting into what outside eyes could only assume were the affected and unaffected. The affected side was seemingly bigger than the other side, however Longbottom and his fanclub were so loud and over confident that the slight quietness from certain members of the house was unnoticable at least to the staff. The Weasleys of all ages, Granger, and a few throughout the years, the ones who hung to the chosen ones every word were the unaffected, the oblivious.

The arrogance that their fellow gryffindors seemed to show during half of their houses’ crisis seemed to be making the affected more aware of just how privileged and doted on the chosen one really was. Longbottom wouldn't know silence if it slapped him in the face, and he definitely didn't know the meaning of the word stand down. Out of everyone in the school, Longbttom and his two lap dogs were the loudest. The ones that never - not even for a second- let Umbridge dictate their opinions, or atleast force them to pretend she had like the rest of the school. Yet not once had they had to sit one of her detentions, and people were starting to notice- notice that even while the boy was all but shouting his disagreement to the world that not once had he been inside the woman's office for detention or even a stern talking to. The students were silently growing angry, rivaling their previous hate from second year when they were all convinced he was petrifying people. And wasn’t that something.

How the teachers seemed to not notice what the woman was doing or even become curious as to why their students were suddenly more quiet than ever before was a mystery in and of itself. It just showed that Hogwarts teachers were so incredibly dimwitted and oblivious that it was now a problem.

Dumbledore and Black were so incredibly focused on Hadrian and yet had their heads so far up their asses that they could probably turn themselves inside out that the change probably didn't even clock in their minds, and seriously, they were focused on a boy so much that they were oblivious to the fact that the woman they shared a table with was apparently insane. Well to give the man his credit, Dumbledore did have a knack for hiring people that apparently didn't have a working cell in their brain at least not a sane one.

The slytherin group were waiting somewhat impatiently for the replies from their parents, or atleast Lord Malfoy considering the man was practically the school boards leader in all but title. They were almost notably fidgety, an itch of impatience inside them all, just hoping and in Hadrian's case praying that their parents would do something before someone else , someone close to their house would get hurt again. After all it was only a matter of time before the woman made some stupid implausible excuse to give another detention.

It was roughly three days after they had sent the letter with Goyle to pass on before they received any letter in return. The morning that the letters came, they were all ironically scattered around the very women's class, the slytherins always seemed to arrive a few number of minutes before their classmates so to see them walk past as they were in their seats wasn't an unusual occurrence.

Hadrian as well as the rest of his house had unknowingly started to pass glances at the hands of their school mates when they were in view, as if waiting to see some sort of scar or open wound. They had yet to see one, everyone having seemingly gone to a small effort to keep them hidden. However, at that moment while watching the hands of his classmates walk by Hadrian as if on instinct let his gaze wander to where his classmates hands skimmed past the edge of his desk, the table a perfect height for what he was doing that it happened. A passing gryffindor let her hands almost brush against his desk unknowingly, as she passed Hadrian sent her hand a quick glance not expecting to see something as they had all yet to, but as the gryffindor fully passed his desk Hadrian seemed to actually take in what his eyes had seen.

He all but bolted up sraightbacked in his seat when he realized, not that he hadn't really already been sat like that, it was like he had been shocked. There on the girl's hand was an obvious array of cuts. Hadrian couldn't make out what it said, but he knew what it was. The lines, although unreadable, were obvious and harsh. It made Hadrian's stomach all but turn inside out. Although he, as the rest of his house had been, was searching for the very thing he had just seen he was shocked to actually see it. Incredibly unprepared for it to be real.

The cuts were a deep red, obviously having dried recently.The sight made something in Hadrian stir, although the girl was now sitting half a class away he couldn't help but almost stare at her from his seat that was diagonal to him despite their distance. Although he was more lost in thought then actually looking at her. He watched as she moved, quietly animated as she was in the presence of the woman who had been the cause of her pain. Hadrian flickered his gaze to Umbridge subtly as the girl did, obviously the girl would also be wary of where the woman was in the room. Even as class started Hadrian couldn’t help but get lost in his head.

Knowing of the harm Umbridge was doing and actually seeing it were two different things. The blood brought up memories Hadrian had wanted-no hoped that he had forgotten. The cuts. The pain. The wariness that came with it after. The sheer desperation to run away from the pain. Hadrian was feeling it all at once. He struggled to stay still in his seat. Umbridge's voice being the only thing keeping him as still as he was. He could feel the eyes of a few of his friends looking at him, obviously aware of his discomfort and confused all the same.

Sitting through the rest of the class was gony for most, of course not including Longbottom and his herd of ass kissers. Umbridge issued a detention to an unconnected gryffindor, the flinch that came from a few students was not unnoticed by others. After all they all knew where and what would happen to them during that painstaking hour. Hadrian's eyes flickered up to quickly glance at the door to Umbridge's office that was just to the corner of his view. Being so close to the room he knew people- children- had been all but tortured sent a fierce chill up his spine. As it probably did to others as well.

The rest of the school day Hadrian pushed away from the glances of his friends, who he could all but sense wanted to ask what had happened in Umbridge's class. The day almost seemed to drag on for hours more than it actually had.

Finally, the group of slytherins were able to make their way to their common room. Amidst the chatter that met them as they entered their common room, the group made their way to the sofas at the end of the room, as they usually did. It was silent between them all, all seeming to want to relish in the comfort of the soft seats before even thinking of speaking. Hadrian's entire body seemed to relax as he sat, every muscle seemingly untightening at once. In the common rooms they were able to really let their guard down after all.

Draco seemed to want to speak, most likely to ask Hadrian what had been bothering him all day when much to Hadrian's relief Snape had at that precise moment decided to leave his chambers and make his way over to their group almost soundlessly. Snapes chambers were just off of the common room, giving him quick access to the common room if needed.

Snape paused at the foot of the sofas and held himself in the same put together manner as he usually did, even after a full day of teaching. It Was somewhat respectable that the days never seemed to affect him visibly.

“Hello professor.” Pansy greeted from her seat right next to the man.

“Hello.” Snape mumbled back in Pansy’s direction before turning to face them all as he continued. “I have been asked by Lord Malfoy to pass on this to you Mr Malfoy.”

Snape moved his hands that had been clasped behind his back into view, a thick letter in his hand, he outstretched his arm slightly to hand Draco the letter. Draco met him halfway, slightly getting up from his seat as he did. He offered the professor a small nod as he sat down again.

“Thank you professor.”Draco answered, his eyes mostly focused on the letter in his hand.

Snape nodded, observing them silently before returning to his chamber. Leaving them all in the silence he had brought with him. Of course that did not last long.

“What is it Draco?” Theodore asked, peering over Dracos shoulder from his seat next to him.

“I’m sure it's a response to our letters Theo, they took their time.”Daphne spoke, she too was trying to see what could be in the letter despite being sat on an entirely different sofa to the boys. Theodore nodded at her words, it was the only obvious answer after all. Draco broke the seal of the letter and pulled out its contents which happened to be a stack of thinner letters that had less formal adressmet on them, each reading a different name. There of course was one for Draco, then one for Pansy, one for Theo who slightly jumped in excitement at having a letter and finally one for Daphne who politely took both hers and Pansy’s to their seats.

They all opened their letters, some more gently than others, although no one could blame Theo for his excitement as they were all sitting in anticipation to see what was said.

“Father says that a meeting has been set with the school board active immediately. He also expresses his own distaste for what Umbridge is doing stating that none of them even thought to imagine that her ‘discipline’ that had been mentioned to them would include a blood quill. He’s praising us all for our thinking as all the letters will definitely not be ignored. - well it seems we have done it. Umbridge shouldn't be here past February at the latest March.” Draco informed them, a smile making its way to his face at his fathers apparent praise. Afterall the plan had been his, he was worthy of the praise Hadrian thought.

“Father is not impressed.” Theo laughs, a small smirk and smile making it to his face as he reads. “Ha! Father is calling the woman every name under the sun. Father despises blood quills, my grandfather had scars from them himself you see. Wow who knew my father could spit so much venom about another snake.” Theo continued. As he finished he stood and made his way to Blaise and Crabbe and Goyle who sat on the adjacent sofa to show them his letter. A smile makes its way to Hadrian's face.

“My mother and father are also very unimpressed with the woman, seems we have ruined Umbridge's reputation among our families and their friends. Although they don't add as many names as Nott seems to have.” Daphne explains. A smile on her face.

“My parents are the same, the only difference is that my father says that he, my mother and Lady Narcissa are going to inform the Dales about what has happened just before yule in a couple weeks. We did it.”Pansy smirks, her smirk quickly turning into a large smile.

“Nearly. The hearing will be soon, that's when we will have actually done something. Until that we still have to put up with her remember.” Blaise added, dampening the mood. Theo gave a small whack to his shoulder from his seat on the arm of the sofa beside Blaise at the boys words.

“Don't ruin this Blaise. The bitch is all but packed and out the door.”Theo said with a glare which quickly turned into a large smile as he finished. He’s met with smiles, and Blaise's small scoff of laughter as they all drift into their own conversations.

Hadrian silently made his way up from his seat and walked his way to his dorm. While he was happy, incredibly so, he wanted to be away from the sheer thought of the woman. Umbridge deserved far worse than what she would get, Hadrian was sure of it. As he made his way into his room he leaned against his desk, positioned just to the side of his bed close to the back wall. He lets out a sigh as he closes his eyes. That day had been far more than he had thought it would have been.

Not a moment later a knock is heard from his door,quickly followed by a creak as it is pushed open. Hadrian turned slightly, still leant forward against the desk, to look at the now open door. To his slight surprise it was Draco who made his way into the room closing the door behind himself. He walked towards Hadrian, who stood up straight as his friend approached and stood just in front of him.

Hadrian sort of leant back against the desk, just slightly sitting on it as he faced Draco who had a small smile on his face. Although the concern in his eyes was painfully obvious. Of course he wasn't going to just drop what had happened, Hadrian knew he'd be asked about it, he was foolish to think otherwise and was silently glad it was away from the rest of them. All of them at once would have been far too much for him.

“Are you okay?” Draco asked, his head tilted just slightly to the side as he asked. His eyes staring straight at Hadrian.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” Hadrian responded, although had to hold back a face at just how badly his voice seemed to betray the words he had just spoken.

“Okay, that was convincing.”Draco said sarcastically. “In Umbri- In Her class you seemed to be uncomfortable and out of it and you haven't exactly been yourself since. What is it?” Draco calmly asked, a sort of sad look on his face.

Hadrian almost cringed at the amount of worry that was in Draco's eyes. It almost hurt him to know he was worrying anyone, let alone Draco. He sighed and slightly readjusted himself where he was leaning as if he was now incredibly aware of the muscles in his body.

“Listen, it's nothing.''Hadrian said, trying to convince Draco and somewhat himself that it was just nothing. although the unbelieving look that Draco sent his way told Hadrian that it hadn’t worked. “Okay, so I saw one of Umbridge's works on a Gryffindor girl's hand as she walked past and it set me off.”

“Set you off?” Draco asked, a look of sheer concern and slight anger on his face. He also seemed to hold himself back from moving close to Hadrian as he did. “What does that mean?”

“It’s nothing-” Hadrian said, seeing Draco about to interrupt him and quickly cut him off. “Okay not nothing- i just don't want to talk about it. Not now at least, probably not for a while. Just seeing the dried blood. It messed me up a little.”

Hadrian slightly gulped, the look in Draco's eyes as he looked to meet them was gut wrenching, the boy had his mask up but it was only a small one and wasn't working, Hadrian could see the mix of emotions as they flashed across his eyes. Draco moved slightly closer, placing a hesitant hand on Hadrian's arm and squeezing ever so subtly before removing it. His eyes never leaving Hadrians.

“Okay.” Draco nodded. “I wont bring it up, or tell anyone- because hopefully at some point you’ll explain to me what you mean. Although I can already guess.” He said, mumbling slightly as he finished as if he didnt want Hadrian to hear that he might have some idea already and Hadrian was a little grateful for it. He smiled at Draco who smiled back.

As Hadrian looked in Draco's eyes he knew right then that for once, he might actually not be alone anymore.

Umbridge wasn't going to be a problem for too much longer anyhow.

With a nod and a few words, Draco left to return to the group who were still animatedly talking in the common room. Leaving Hadrian alone to have time to himself, and that Hadrian was grateful for. Slowly as the door clicked shut, he heard Draco's steps disappear and he let out a calm breath. Now being able to calm down just as he had come to his dorm to do.

As Draco made his way back to his seat, the attention of his friends quickly went his way.

“You okay Draco?” Pansy asked, her eyes flicking to the stairs that Draco had just come from and back to him, as waiting for Hadrian yet knowing he wasn't coming down. After all they had all seen how unnerved he had been all day.

“Yeah, Hadrian just needs a few minutes.” He replied with a small smile on his face.

“Okay what is it? You have that look that we are about to have to talk about something.” Blaise said, focused on Draco as he released a small sigh in return. The group's eyes were all but pinned to Draco, waiting for whatever it was that he was about to say. Draco picked up the letter that he had discarded in his seat on his trip to follow Hadrian, he glanced at it before speaking.

“Father wants Hadrian with us all for yule.The dark lord has seemingly also taken notice of Hadrian” Draco replied. Gasps were heard from all of the group, Goyles face slightly dropped as he finished.

‘Well shit’ They thought.