Chapter 13
She knew she didn't look good, but Daisy couldn't afford to waste time on such futilities as appearance when she barely had time to eat. Truth be told, she often forgot to do that as well being too absorbed in her work.
She divided her time between school classes, homework assignments, illegal defense classes, Horcrux research and studying for O.W.L.'s
Everywhere she went, she was with her head bent over a book trying to absorb as many words as possible. After all, she only had 24 hours available, and even if she would subtract some from those allocated for sleep, it always turned out to be impossible to get everything done. But Daisy would not give anything up because she cared too much about each activity so she would work hard until her body got used to these new rhythms.
She was officially going crazy and the shaggy hair combined with the dark bags under her eyes certainly didn't show otherwise. Even Hermione, of all people, asked her that morning if she wasn't overdoing it. Usually she was the one who looked bad for studying, but she looked gorgeous compared to Daisy.
However, she simply brushed off her concern with a joke and plunged back into her text of ancient runes.
Umbridge was only worsening the atmosphere inside the school, making it a real torture. After appointing herself Hogwarts high inquisitor, she began issuing increasingly ridiculous decrees, too hungry for the power given to her by the minister. She began showing up at classes, trying to evaluate the teaching methods of all their professors and thus deciding to dismiss Professor Sybill Trelawney. Although Daisy found the woman and her subject not at all trustworthy, she had to admit that she felt sorry for her. Being kicked out from what had been your home for years could not have been the best feeling.
Fortunately, Dumbledore intervened to bring her back to the castle, explaining to Professor Umbridge that although she had the right to dismiss teachers, she did not have the power to remove them from the castle, as that power still rested with the Principal.
Daisy for the first time in her life wanted to clap hands at the man and the feeling only grew when she replaced the teacher with Firenze. Daisy considered herself lucky to have witnessed Umbridge's face directly when she saw the centaur for the first time.
Not at all discouraged, the witch, founded the inquisition team with the sole purpose of controlling everyone. Members of the inquisition team (to which only students from the Slytherin house belonged) could take points away from other students and even prefects and headmasters thus defeating their purposes.
Her stress almost reached its limit, almost bringing her to tears, when during a secret meeting Dobby warned them of Umbridge's imminent arrival. Daisy and Harry were unable to escape with the others, and when she broke in, she found them. Obviously they had forgotten the membership contract so the escape of all the participants was in vain.
Pointing them out as the leaders of their group, Umbridge summoned the minister to Hogwarts determined to have them expelled. Dumbledore, however, prevented her from doing so, taking responsibility for the actions by reminding everyone present that the group had the name Dumbledore's Army, not the Potters'.
Officially charged with conspiracy, Dumbledore defeated the Ministry aurors and dramatically escaped arrest. Daisy was beginning to appreciate the man's drama. Perhaps she could have learned a little something from the principal after all.
The funny part of it all was that even Hogwarts itself refused to accept Umbridge as principal when she was named such. The woman tried everything but just could not get inside the principal's office.
As they all tried to figure out how Umbridge came to know about their small group, Hermione kept smiling smugly. The answer to their question was simple: just glance toward Marietta at the Ravenclaw table.
" I warned you. " Hermione said, looking proudly at the pustules on the girl's face that formed the word 'spy'.
" You are formidable. " commented Daisy, enchanted by her friend's sadistic behavior. " Will I see you tonight in detention? "
" Don't remind me. " Harry said, sending a look of pure hate in Umbridge's direction.
" Harry, don't get into any more trouble. " she admonished him, going to the Hufflepuff table and acting as if nothing had ever happened. She would give no such satisfaction to the new principal just as she showed no emotion that night as that damn pen etched the back of her hand.
She could discern a shiver of fear in the woman's eyes when she noticed the smile Daisy wore on her lips as she continued to write. She was in pain but wouldn't stop for a single moment, deciding that she would let the tears go once alone. Looking directly into Umbridge's eyes as she finished filling the parchment, Daisy swore vengeance at the woman as blood dripped onto the polished tiles of the room, and judging by the faces of the Weasley twins, she was not the only one.
As she was about to head for her dormitory, ready to cry all her tears, she suddenly remembered the Room of Requirement and wanted to check that it had not been destroyed. She was already fortunate that it hadn't suffered any injuries from the chaos caused by the destruction of the third Horcrux, and she was terrified that her safe place had been rendered useless by Umbridge.
When the door opened, showing her the room she used to share with Theo, the dam broke. The stress of the past few weeks and the burning pain in her hand were horrible but it seemed as if Hogwarts wanted to put salt in the wound.
It had now been a month since the interview was given and the couple never met again. The only comfort that soothed her aching heart was the glances the two exchanged when they passed each other in the corridors. At least she wasn't the only one who missed his presence.
When the door opened, she wiped away her tears and sent what she suspected was her brother away. But when she looked up and saw Theo ignoring her request and sitting beside her, her lower lip trembled and new tears overflowed from her eyes.
" It's okay, baby. " He comforted her, wrapping his arms around her. " Let me see your hand. I brought the Murtlap Essence. "
The girl obeyed, ignoring the gasp that escaped the boy when he saw the depth of the carvings. Perhaps writing so quickly had only made the situation worse, but Daisy needed to vent the anger she felt at that moment, and she preferred to have vented it on herself than on someone else.
As she cried with her head resting on the boy's shoulder, Daisy watched Theo gently wipe the blood from his hand before applying the potion. After all that time apart, she needed to touch him as much as possible, even if they were in such a situation. Just having him next to her relieved the weight she felt in her chest during those past few days.
" I smiled at her all the time like a psychopath. " she told him in a proud tone, whispering against his neck and having to suppress a smile when she realized she had caused him to shiver. " I think I scared her. "
" My smart girl. " He praised her, kissing her forehead. " Now are you going to tell me why you look so broken these days? " admitting how worried he was. When she told him how she spent her days, his face grew gloomy while he scolded her for not taking care of herself.
" At least from today I will have one less thing to do. " she said, ignoring the way the Slytherin mumbled something about that being the only activity that allowed her to interact with other people. " I know I was crying earlier but ... is it rude to ask you why your lips are not on mine? "
Theo seemed amused by the sudden question while looking at her lips with desire. He brushed her lips repeatedly, never using the pressure they both craved. " Because, if I kiss you, I don't think I'll be able to stop myself soon. " he admitted, warning her how many hours it would take before he could let her go. She would be intact but with very swollen lips.
" Never said I wanted you to stop. " she replied confidently against his lips as Theo finally swept her into a kiss that, although not enough to replace those lost during their distance, certainly came close to doing so.