Chapter 47

                                    

                                          
She wondered what Umbridge was aiming for with these inspections. Her questions, her manners, and even asking biased students... It looked pointless as it would just paint a very skewed picture of the teachers. Well, most of them anyway. She couldn't believe that even Umbridge's assessment of Binns and Trelawney were too far off the mark.
Amelia was heading to the library after Transfiguration with McGonagall. They were now making more complex animals vanish. She did quite well, but she felt there were much to improve on. McGonagall suggested a few tomes which Amelia was more than glad to read. 
Perhaps during the next DADA lesson.  Umbridge had not discovered that she had bewitched her books. Then again, Amelia wasn't impressed by Umbridge. The woman probably had barely enough knowledge to even teach second years.
The library was busy this Saturday morning. Despite it being only the first week of October, the fifth years were busy. Amelia too, mainly due to Prefect duties, was busy for much of the time. Yet luck was on her side, DADA helped her keep up to date with everything. Since she never did what Umbridge said, she could use those hours on more important tasks.
Amelia wondered as she settled in a quiet corner. Last year she had gifted Hermione a private study to work and study I. She wondered whether Hermione still used it frequently with Umbridge around. After all, that item is highly illegal.
Amelia spend hours within the library, studying up Transfiguration (which was not needed), finished up on the essays for Herbology and Ancient Runes, and was now halfway through Potions. She was so focused, she didn't even hear Hermione approaching her or talking to her.
"Amelia, sweetheart, hello?"
"Huh, what? Hermione?"
"You were focused," Hermione chuckled, sitting next to her for who knew how long. "I was trying to catch your attention yet you didn't even hear me."
"Gods, I was so absorbed in my work... I can get carried away when it comes to Potions. Is it just me or is Potions just great?"
"Well, I'll admit I like the subject, just not Snape," said Hermione, smiling softly with admiration on her face. "Did you know you're pretty when focused on something you love?"
"Oh... uhm, no...? Really?"
"Of course, but I find you always pretty," said Hermione with a giggle. "And I am so proud of myself I got you flustered for once. It's hard to be on your level of compliments with the right timing."
"Well, I'm not going to complain," laughed Amelia which came with a harsh hush from the librarian Pince. "So," Amelia said in a soft tone. "What's up? Anything I can help you with?"
"What's your opinion on the DADA lessons?"
"Utter garbage," Amelia answered yet unsure of why she asked this. Surely, she knows her opinion. "We're not learning anything useful. Which is not only bad for our OWLs but also for what we'll face with You-Know-Who. Why do you ask? Surely, our brainwaves are the same?"
"Of course," Hermione chuckled. "But, well," she looked around the spot Amelia was working. No one was close by but this made Amelia slightly concerned. It's unlike Hermione to do something... against the rules. "Tomorrow is the first Hogsmeade trip. Could you come to the Hog's Head?"
"Hog's Head...? Hermione, what's this about? And we're going out that day remember? It's for you becoming Prefect," Amelia said confusedly. "Took much effort on Anne's side to set it all up."
"I know, I know!" said Hermione quickly. "And we're still going! I'd love nothing more than to do... whatever you have planned for me. It's just for a few hours in the morning. Nothing more."