Clara sat in Umbridge's office, hands around her scarf like she was trying to strangle the piece of fabric. "Do you know why you're here?" Umbridge asked sweetly. Clara bit back a retort, and forced herself to nod. Umbridge pushed parchment and her quill toward Clara, who immediatley started to write, wanting to get it over with. Over and over, the words carved themselves into her hand. 'I shall not spread rumors' 'I shall not spread rumors' 'I shall not spread rumors' By the time Clara was finished, her hand was bleeding profusely, and her eyes stung as she half-ran from the office. Right into Harry and Hermione. "Sorry" Clara mumbled. "Murtlap essence" said Hermione matter of factly. Clara tiltled her head in confusion. "Your hand, murtlap essence will help with the pain" Hermione explained. Clara nodded. "Clara, can you meet at the hogs head this weekend?" Hermione asked. "For what?" Clara wondered aloud. "To learn defence agaist the dark arts properly" Hermione said, walking away as Clara nodded. Clar knew what she had to do now. The prefects had all been told the second years were going to hogsmeade this weekend, to let them see the village. And Clara knew who she wanted coming with her to the hogs head. Harmony. She walked briskly into the great hall, right up to the Slytherin table. Draco was seated next to Harmony, of course. Clara took a breath, and stood up taller. "Harmony, I need to talk to you" Clara said softly. Harmony looked at Draco, then at the girl seated next to her, seeming shy. "CC-" Draco began, using her nickname, but stopped speaking when Clara glared at him. "Please Harmony, I wouldnt ask if it wasn't important" She pleaded. The blonde-haired girl got up from the table, and followed Clara out of the Great Hall. "Do you like having Umbridge as a teacher?" Clara asked Harmony, smiling. Harmony shook her head. "Look, I'm not supposed to tell you this, so act suprised when you find out" Clara told Harmony. "Your going to Hogsmeade this weekend, and I want you to meet me at the Hogs Head". "Why?" Harmony asked. "She speaks!" Clara grinned. "Look, I can't tell you much here, but it will be worth your while, I promise". Harmony thought for a second, and Clara waited patiently. "Yes, I'll come" She said, and walked back into the Great Hall. Clara smiled. If only people knew that not all Slytherins were evil.
