Students gather, watching with shocked bated breaths as Umbridge, with her sickly sweet voice, banishes Trelawny from Hogwarts.
Sure, Mary thinks, Professor Trelawny was a strange old bat, but, with a hot stab of anger, she glares at the pink witch. Professor Trelawny was harmless, and as befuddling as Divination was, it was still a deeply ingrained part of history, a subject that has right in part of being passed down.
The Hufflepuff balls her fists up, ready to march forward in the centre of the courtyard to tell the frog off, Ministry of Magic or not.
A hand places itself on her shoulder, and she stops, staring as the elusive Cass smiles down at her, warm brown eyes soft with affection.
The Hogwarts alumni glances up again and Mary follows her eyes to stare at Steph, standing on one of the pillars like a heaven-sent angel, blonde hair falling around her like a golden halo, the sun bathing her in light as she stares down Umbridge with dooming condemnation.
The courtyard is transfixed on her, in her domain, and everyone knows that when she speaks she speaks as Hogwarts itself and for those under its care.
Professor Trelawny is under her care, as someone chosen to teach and guide her students, as an extension of protection of the students for where the Castle and its guardians cannot reach, and everyone knows this.
Stephanie takes a step forward into air, and falls, touching the ground with nothing more than an echo of a thump, striding with strong steps with her robes billowing behind her in a faux imitation of a dress.
Umbridge stumbles back as Stephanie approaches, face placidly blank but eyes glowing an eerie golden, maybe from the trick of light, but Mary can’t be sure if she’s imagining things.
“You have no say in who is or is not to stay here.”
Her words chime like clinking glass, echoing like the ocean across sand, travelling to every corner of the courtyard like a haunting siren’s song.
“I am—“
“I do not care for the Ministry of Magic, and I certainly do not care for you.” Stephanie cuts her off. “If it wasn’t out of respect for Albus, you would not be here. Though I, and some others—“ a pointed glance up, “—are beginning to question his decision to allow the Ministry to trample over our toes.”
“I—“ Umbridge stutters, glancing up and around. Blinking, Mary realises that some more Guardians had appeared in the midst of the standoff, all appearing as shadowed silhouettes on top of or leaning against the pillars.
“Leave,” Steph dismisses bluntly, “and do not bother Professor Trelawny any further.”
“Professor,” Duke says, walking out of the shadows with a kind smile and eyes only for the shaking divination teacher. “Minerva, if you will.”
Professor McGonagall hurries over to them, Duke and Trelawny meeting her halfway.
“There will be a path leading you straight to your quarters if you wish,” Duke offers, and Trelawny silently nods.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it, Alfred will probably have tea ready for you,” Duke smiles.
“I will come with,” Cass says, disappearing from Mary’s side and appearing next to them. “Bring cookies?” Cassandra asks Duke.
“I’ll ask Alfred if he has any choc-chip ones,” Duke grins.
The professors and Cass disappear inside Hogwarts, and Duke disappears with a flourished bow, presumably to the kitchens where Alfred probably was.
“Alright,” that’s enough, show’s over kids. Go back to your classes!” Jason shouts from atop a ledge.
The students move as bodies of water back inside, clearing the walkways up again.
Jason jumps down. “You should head back to your office as well,” he warns Umbridge, eyes gleaming green.
Seething, Umbridge tries to apparate back, cursing beneath her breath. Her magic fails, and she opens her mouth to start another argument, but is quickly shut down when Jason just coldly meets her eyes — no one stepping in.
Mary swallows, nerves fluttering her stomach as Umbridge passes by her.
She glances back at the courtyard where Jason and Stephanie stand, the circle of shadowed figures disappearing one by one, and knows that Hogwarts will be just fine.