Mayhem

The castle grounds were gleaming in the sunlight as though freshly painted; the cloudless sky smiled at itself in the smoothly sparkling lake, the satin-green lawns rippled occasionally in a gentle breeze: June had arrived, so was their exams. The forth years exams were supposed to start a few days before the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, so most of the forth years were spending their times in the library. Chris was confident over almost every subject, even Herbology. She had improved a great deal on that subject, Professor Sprout, personally told her one day. 

"So I have to read all of the properties of Deadly Nightshade plant," asked Chris opening the Herbology book.

"Yup," Jason replied while reading History of Magic notes.

They were sitting in a corner of the library after dinner.

"Have you read all of these?" Jason gestured at the History of Magic notes.

"Yes, I like History of Magic," Chris replied without looking up from her book. "I guess, perks of not coming from a wizarding family."

"True," Jason laughed. "Even bloody Goblins seems interested to you."

"In fact, they actually are very interesting," said Chris looking thoughtful. "They accuse Wizards of being unfair and not trusting them but technically, they don't trust wizards either."

"I hate Goblins," Jason shrugged. "Anyway, do you have an extra quill? I don't seem to find mine," he added, looking around moving his books and parchments.

"Yeah, in my bag," Chris replied and disappeared behind her book.

Jason rummaged through Chris' bag and held out a green onion.

"Chris, what's — this?" He said, holding the onionlike object up to eye level.

"Oh, it's a Gurdyroot," said Chris glancing at the object in Jason's hand. "They're really excellent for warding off Gulping Plimpies."

Jason stared blankly.

Chris giggled and kiss him on the cheek.

"You look cute when you are confused," she said. "Luna put one of these in all of our bags. She believes in them and I don't like to argue with her."

Jason chuckled.

"Hey don't judge, you haven't —"

Chris abruptly stopped as a loud voice called her.

"Chris! Come to the common room! It's an emergency!"

It was Colin's voice. Chris stood up very fast.

"Hey, you okay?" Jason looked startled.

"No," Chris said, messily stuffing her things inside her bag. "I — just realized — Colin asked me to — er — meet. Sorry, gotta go. He needs my help — with studies. I'll see you later, I promise, bye."

Chris swing her bag on her shoulder and sprinted out of the library, leaving a very surprised Jason.

"Gobble," Chris panted in front of the fat lady before she could ask for the password.

"Sure," she said grimly.

Thinking what terrible thing had happened now, Chris climbed through the portrait hole and found the common room buzzing — but not with excitement.

"What happened?" Chris asked running towards her friends who were clustered around something.

"Chris!" Colin looked angry, frustrated and worried. 

As Chris reached them, her friends moved aside and Chris saw Dennis and two of his friends were trying hard not to cry while holding their left hands gingerly. Beside them two girls didn't hold back, they were crying in pain.

"What the —?" Chris gasped. "Tell me it's not what I think."

"It is," said Harry loathing. "She had put them in detention too."

"Chris, we need your healing gel," said Colin urgently. "Hermione had gone to bring murtlap essence but it's not as effective as your healing potion."

"Yes, of course," Chris pulled out a vial from her locket and give it to Colin. "But it won't enough for all of them."

"It's alright," Ginny said. "We will mix it with raw murtlap essence and it will work."

At that moment, Hermione entered with two bowls of murtlap essence. 

Colin helped his brother and Chris, Hermione, Harry and Ginny helped Dennis' friends.

"But why?" Chris asked Dennis while applying the mixture on one of Dennis' friend's hand. "This is straight right cruel."

"We supported you," Dennis said timidly.

"You what?" Chris asked shocked.

"She was speaking badly about you at our class and boasting about how the ministry is right," said Dennis a little angrily. "She said, the day is not far when you and Harry will go to Azkaban with Dumbledore. I couldn't take it anymore."

"And he called her out," said a red-haired girl looking impressed (Hermione was tending her hand). "And we supported him and she put all of us in detention."

"You shouldn't have supported me," said Dennis turning to the girl. "It should have been only me. You all shouldn't get punished because of me."

"Why? What are you trying to say? Are we not brave like you?" said the girl looking a little hurt.

"Of course not, Maria," said Dennis quickly. "I didn't mean it like that. You were very brave today."

The girl, Maria blushed furiously. Hermione, Chris and Ginny looked at each other and hid their smiles. But then the entire Umbridge episode settled into Chris' brain and she felt anger rising deep within her. 

"Colin, I'll be right back," Chris said suddenly and was surprised hearing the harness in her own voice.

Colin again looked alarmed. He knew that look on Chris, he had seen it before. It was scary. Colin grabbed Chris' arm.

"No," he said a little loudly. "You aren't going to meet her."

"How do you —?" Chris' anger changed into surprise.

"I know you," Colin whispered. "And also nowadays, you get really scary every time Umbridge does something."

"That dipstick old bit—"

"Chris!" Hermione warned pointing at the second years, who were staring at Chris, looking awestruck.

Chris cursed under her breath and sauntered towards her room. She laid down on her bed staring at the ceiling, she tried to calm herself down but it was very difficult. Chris felt she had no control over her anger. Hours passed as Chris tried to clear her mind. Finally, as the midnight struck on Chris' watch, she noticed Danielle and Lauren were asleep in their bed but Ginny still didn't come to sleep. So Chris got up and walked down to the common room.

In the Common room, Colin, Ginny, Hermione, Harry and Ron were sitting with Fred and George. They were only people left in the room. Chris walked to them and sat on a chair beside Ginny. Everyone turned to look at her.

"You okay?" asked Ginny.

Chris nodded slightly then looked at Fred and George.

"What's up?" 

"Well, glad you asked," said George smiling. "We were just talking about how our headmistress had forgotten about our beautiful fireworks."

"And so we thought it's time for our next mayhem," Fred grinned. 

"And after today, she needs to know what happens when you mess with the wrong Gryffindors," said George.

"So it's business as usual from tomorrow," Fred continued briskly.

"Whatever it is," said Chris. "I am in."

"Though it will be great to have you in this," said Fred seriously. "We can't take you, Chris."

"But why?" Chris asked shocked.

"It for your own good and I keep my words in certain matters," Fred glanced at Hermione, who looked uneasy as Chris followed Fred's gaze.

"Anyways, we're thinking of doing it tomorrow, just after lessons, because it should cause maximum impact if everybody's in the corridors," smirked George. "I hope you all like it."

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To be continued. . .