Oleandra Gets a Big Head (Not Literally)

Oleandra did not like Transfiguration class one bit; she had the distinct impression that Professor McGonagall had it in for her. Hermione had once told her it was only her imagination; the Transfiguration professor was completely impartial, unlike a certain Potions professor.

Oleandra wasn't so sure that was true, as Professor McGonagall had many reasons to dislike her. After all, her Transfiguration skills were horrendously bad, she had led the Slytherin Quidditch team to victory in her first year, got caught wandering the halls at night, almost got caught leaving for Hogsmeade in her second year… There was also the time Oleandra had almost accidentally blasted Professor McGonagall's head off, but there was no way she could be connected to that event.

Now, the reason why Oleandra was grumbling to herself inwardly about Transfiguration and teachers instead of doing something more productive was that she was currently standing in line to enter the Transfiguration classroom.

Not too far away from her, the Gryffindors seemed to be fighting about something. Oleandra listened in; apparently, Lavender Brown's pet rabbit had just died, fulfilling Professor Trelawney's prophecy that the thing she would be dreading would happen on the sixteenth of October. Oleandra nodded to herself knowingly; as expected of Professor Trelawney, a true seer!

During class, Oleandra couldn't help but notice that a rift had formed between the golden trio right down the middle, Harry being caught in the middle. Oleandra didn't really care about drama, but the golden trio were sitting right in front of her, making it difficult to ignore. Despite herself, she found herself listening in on their conversation during class, completely missing what Professor McGonagall was attempting to teach her.

After a fruitless hour of Transfiguration, the bell rang, signalling the end of the class.

"One moment, please!" Professor McGonagall called out to the students attempting to leave. "All of those who are in my House, remember to hand in your Hogsmeade permission forms to me before Halloween. No form, no visit, so don't forget!"

Longbottom raised his hand, thinking he had lost his form. In turned out that he never had it in the first place, as his grandmother had sent it to Professor McGonagall directly!

"Ask her now," Oleandra heard Ron hiss to Harry.

"You forgot to have your form signed?" Oleandra leaned in to say. 

"Err—," Harry spluttered. "No, the Dursleys wouldn't sign it after I, um—"

"Oh, right," Oleandra said, remembering how Harry had blown up his aunt. "Want me to forge your aunt's or your uncle's signature? I'm pretty good at runes, so my hands are really steady."

Oleandra grinned and wriggled her fingers for good measure. This was a perfect opportunity to stick it to Professor McGonagall, as well as have Harry owe her one.

"Aunt Petunia," Harry said immediately. "I mean, my aunt's name is Petunia Dursley. She writes in these great big loopy letters."

"Harry!" said Hermione, aghast. "You can't just forge someone's signature. You're both definitely getting detention when you're found out. And Black's still out there, you'll be safer in the castle."

"Blimey, Hermione," said Ron. "You really want Harry to stay here by himself? 'Sides, Hogsmeade is perfectly safe. I say, let Oleandra do her thing, while Professor McGonagall is still occupied with Neville."

Oleandra rapidly scrawled an approximation of what Harry's aunt's signature would look like according to his description on to a piece of parchment.

"Close enough," whispered Harry, glancing to the front of the class. "Okay, now, do the permission form."

Oleandra repeated her movements, producing an exact replica of the test signature on the form.

"Thank you so much," said Harry gratefully. "You all go on ahead, I'll hand in my form to Professor McGonagall."

Oleandra rejoined her sister and her friends outside the Transfiguration classroom.

"What did Potter want with you?" asked Draco.

Oleandra extended her index over her lips to shush him, and leaned in to listen in to Harry's conversation with Professor McGonagall on the other side of the door.

"Here's my form, Professor," Harry said, trying to act nonchalantly.

"Is that right, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, eyeing the form she had just been handed.

…

"Just a moment, Potter," said Professor McGonagall quietly. "Did you really think you could fool me?"

"Professor?" said Harry, beginning to sweat bullets.

"Do not act the fool, it ill becomes you," she said, seething in quiet fury. "I've seen your aunt's handwriting before, when she begged Professor Dumbledore to be admitted to Hogwarts. Furthermore, the ink doesn't come from a Muggle's pen, and it's also fresh. You must think I'm stupid, don't you, Potter?"

"No, Professor," he said miserably. "I just wanted to go to Hogsmeade with my friends."

"Ah yes, your friends," she said, smiling dangerously. "It couldn't have been Weasley's or Granger's idea, which leaves…"

"Uh-oh," gulped Oleandra. "Time to leave."

"Very well done," said Draco with a nasty grin. "You've landed him in detention."

"And you've landed yourself in detention as well, Greengrass," said Professor McGonagall, putting her hand on Oleandra's shoulder.

"GAH!" screamed Oleandra in shock. How had this old lady got here so fast?

"I think putting your detention on Halloween should make for a suitable punishment," said Professor McGonagall. "This way, you'll both get to not visit Hogsmeade together, just as you wished."

"Whatever," sneered Oleandra, rolling her eyes, "Not like I haven't seen it all before already."

She regretted saying those words the instant they left her lips, because Professor McGonagall came down on her like a hawk.

"Is that so, Greengrass?" Professor McGonagall pressed her for answers. "Care to share when you'd ever have had the chance to see the village before your now cancelled first visit?"

"I can go wherever I want, when I want," said Oleandra defiantly, trying to think up a believable lie that wouldn't get her in any additional trouble. "Remember how we entered Hogwarts during the Sorting Ceremony, last year? I went to Hogsmeade during the summer, that's all there is to it. Or is that not the answer you wanted to hear?"

Harry stared at Oleandra in amazement. He would never have imagined someone daring to talk to Professor McGonagall in this manner!

"Severus will be hearing about this," said Professor McGonagall, who was now smiling faintly. "I'm fairly certain he does not tolerate insolence from his students."

Uh-oh.