Thick Of It

The hallway outside Umbridge's office was filled with students lined up like prisoners awaiting judgment. Jason's name was called, and with an exaggerated sigh, he stepped into the office. The atmosphere inside was suffocating—pink wallpaper, lace doilies, and a cloying scent of perfume mixed with an air of oppressive authority.

Jason sat down, his body language the epitome of casual indifference. He leaned back in his chair, his arms folded, looking completely unbothered by Umbridge's scrutinizing gaze.

Umbridge: [with her sickly sweet voice] "So, Mr. Bourne, I've been told you might have information about certain… unauthorized gatherings happening in the castle."

Jason: [grinning faintly] "Information? Maybe. But you know, Professor, information doesn't come free."

Umbridge : " Jason , you will tell me that information as the High inquisitor i Order you ."

Jason :[throw a letter on desk ] " Here my dropout application if you force me " 

Umbridge: [leaning forward slightly] "And what, pray tell, would you like in exchange for this... information?"

Jason adopted an air of mock innocence, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Jason: "Oh, nothing too extravagant. Just a tiny favor—so small you wouldn't even notice doing it. And in return, you'll have everything you need to unravel your little mystery."

Umbridge tilted her head, her sugary demeanor slipping just slightly as suspicion flickered in her eyes.

Umbridge: "And what exactly is this 'tiny favor,' Mr. Bourne?"

Jason: [shrugging] "We'll get to that later. First, let me give you something to chew on—a name. Marietta Edgecombe. Her mother works for the Ministry. She's got a sharp memory and doesn't do well under pressure. Ask her the right questions, and she'll fold faster than a cheap deck of cards."

Umbridge's eyes narrowed, and a calculating smile crept across her face.

Umbridge: "You're quite sure of this?"

Jason stood up, smoothing his robes as if this whole interaction had been a pleasant business transaction.

Jason: "Absolutely. She's your golden goose, Professor. You'll have all the answers you need in no time. And after you've verified my information, we can discuss my little favor."

Without waiting for a response, Jason turned toward the door.

Jason: [as he opened the door and called out] "Next!"

Marietta Edgecombe shuffled in, her nervous expression betraying her discomfort. Jason gave her a quick nod before slipping out and closing the door behind him.

Outside, he waved nonchalantly to his friends gathered in the hallway, a smirk playing on his lips as he strolled away toward the Room of Requirement. His destination clear, his confidence unshaken.

Jason: [muttering to himself as he walked] "Now, let's get rid of 'Sneak' scribbled on my face. Hermione really is through ."

His friends exchanged glances, clearly curious but also amused by Jason's cool demeanor. Simon nudged Tobi.

Simon: "What do you think he told her?"

Tobi: [grinning] "Knowing Jason, something that'll cause chaos ."

Jason disappeared around the corner, his mind already racing with his next move. For Jason Bourne, the game it wasn't just about surviving it has becoming playing the players themselves.

=====

The Room of Requirement, usually a place of safety and learning for Jason and the group, now felt like a battleground. The air was thick with tension as Jason addressed the gathered students, their faces filled with a mixture of determination and apprehension.

Jason: "Alright, you lot. You've got the basics down, and you've come a long way. you have put it into practice, what you learn. It's not just about spells—it's about confidence, quick thinking, and knowing how to handle yourselves when it matters."

He paused, scanning the room, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by something more serious.

Jason: "From here, it's about building on that foundation. Advanced techniques, strategy, survival. But—"

Before he could continue, a deafening boom shook the room. Dust and debris scattered as part of the wall crumbled, revealing Umbridge and a group of Aurors storming in with smug expressions. The students froze in shock.

Umbridge: [gleefully] "Well, well, well. What do we have here? A little underground rebellion? ."

The group was forced out into the hallway under the watchful eyes of the Aurors. Jason's jaw clenched as he exchanged a quick look with Hermione and Ron, who were both fuming.

As they were marched away, Harry was pulled aside by Umbridge, who dragged him off toward Dumbledore's office. The remaining students stood in the corridor, exchanging whispers.

Hermione: [furiously] "I can't believe Marietta Edgecombe betrayed us. After everything we've done, after all we trusted her with!"

Ron: [grinning darkly] "Serves her right, though, having 'SNEAK' stamped across her face. Brilliant bit of spellwork, Hermione."

Jason leaned against the wall, his expression calm but his tone measured.

Jason: "She might've had her reasons. Pressure , fear of Umbridge... But it doesn't matter now. Trust is broken, and she's lost something far more valuable than our secrets."

Freya: [shaking her head] "I can't believe it. I was friends with her."

Jason put a hand on her shoulder.

Jason: "Sometimes people disappoint us. But it's better to focus on what you can do next. Besides, it's not all bad. You lot learned plenty—enough to hold your own if things go south."

Ron: [sighing] "How can you still be so positive, Jason? It's like the sky's falling, and you're still cracking jokes."

Jason: [with a small smirk] "Because, Ron, bad things happen all the time. The key is to stay steady and learn what to do when they do."

Hermione, still tense, turned to Jason as he handed her a slim, worn book.

Jason: "Hermione, take this. It's a book on Occlumency. If this is the last time we get to stand together like this, I want you to learn it. Protect your mind. You'll thank me later."

Hermione's eyes softened as she took the book, nodding.

Before anyone could say more, Harry appeared, his expression grim.

Harry: [his voice low] "Dumbledore's gone. He... He took the blame for everything and just... left. He's on the run now."

The group fell silent, the weight of Harry's words sinking in. Then came the triumphant, grating voice of Umbridge as she approached with Fudge in tow.

Umbridge: [smirking] "Off to your beds, all of you. Punishments will be dealt with in due time."

Fudge: [addressing the students like a politician at a rally] "Students, you've been hoodwinked by Dumbledore for far too long. But worry not! The Ministry is here to show you the truth. Under the capable guidance of your new Headmistress, Professor Umbridge, Hogwarts will finally be restored to order."

The students glared at them, the rebellion in their eyes more palpable than ever. Jason turned to his friends with a faint, reassuring smile.

Jason: "If they think this is the end, they've got another thing coming."

The group dispersed to their dormitories, but the fire of defiance burned brighter than ever. As they walked, Hermione glanced at Jason.

Hermione: [quietly] "Thank you... for everything."

Jason gave her a small, knowing nod.

The Gryffindor common room was quieter than usual, the fire crackling softly as Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together, their faces reflecting the collective weight of recent events. Harry, slouched in his seat, looked particularly frustrated.

Harry: "Damn it, everything is falling apart."

Hermione: [calmly] "Cool yourself, Harry."

Harry: [his tone sharper] "How can I? Order of light is getting pushed back , Dumbledore's gone, Umbridge is running Hogwarts into the ground, and my so-called 'training' with Snape is a bloody disaster."

Ron: [raising an eyebrow] "What are you even learning from Snape?"

Harry: [groaning] "Mind arts. He keeps barging into my thoughts, and I haven't managed to block him once. It's like having an angry bat constantly rooting around in my head."

Hermione, pulled out a neatly kept notebook and slid it across the table to Harry.

Hermione: "Here, Harry. Read this. It's got some useful tips and tricks."

Harry: [hesitant] "What is it?"

Hermione: [with a proud smile] "A book about mind arts. I've been going through it myself, and it's helped a lot. Jason notes"

Ron: [leaning back, looking smug] "Even I'm getting the hang of it, mate."

Harry: [looking exasperated] "Then why am I wasting my time with Snape? I could've been learning from Jason! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

Ron and Hermione exchanged a knowing glance.

Ron: "Well, you've already got enough on your plate, don't you?"

Hermione: "And learning from Jason isn't exactly... an option right now."

Harry: [frowning] "Why not?"

Ron leaned forward.

Ron: "Every time I see Jason, he's either buried in the library—it's like he's trying to read every book in the place—or blowing something up in his experiments."

Hermione: [nodding] "He's busy with some big project. He said he'll tell us about it once he makes some progress."

Harry let out a long sigh, leaning his head back against the chair.

Harry: [muttering] "Typical Jason. Always doing something ."

Hermione picked up the notebook and pressed it firmly into Harry's hands.

Hermione: "But for now, Harry, focus on this. Our OWLs are coming up, and you need to be ready. Just give it a try, okay?"

Ron: [grinning] "If I can do it, so can you. And trust me, that's saying something."

Harry looked at the notebook, then at his friends. Despite his frustration, he couldn't help but crack a small smile.

Harry: "Alright, I'll give it a shot. But if I end up with more headaches, I'm blaming Snape."

Ron: [chuckling] "Blame Snape anyway. It's always his fault."

The trio laughed softly, the tension lifting just slightly as they shared the moment.