Potter Couple and the Order of the Phoenix

Chapter 3: Professor Dolores Umbridge

The journey to Hogwarts was a good one, Harry thought as the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station and the students boarded the carriages to the school. Malfoy made trouble like he usually did though he stayed well away from Hallie since she kicked him between the legs two years ago. The Great Hall was packed as usual and McGongagall did the Sorting Ceremony like always. Dumbledore stood up to speak, and the hall went silent. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he called excitedly. "We have a couple changes in staff this year. First, we are welcoming Professor Grublly-Plank, who will take over Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on an extended leave." There were a few claps but nothing more. It was common knowledge that most students liked Hagrid's teachings. "Also, we're pleased to welcome Professor Dolores Umbridge. She will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Harry nearly fell asleep when Umbridge started speaking about 'Ministry-approved' methods of teaching. It took Hallie's and Annie's nudges in the ribs to wake him up. He heard the last words of the speech, which Ron had now asked Hermione what Umbridge meant by all that. "It means that the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts." she said bitterly. "Hallie, you were right! How...?"

Hallie looked angrily at Umbridge as she sat back down and Dumbledore dismissed the students to their common rooms and said, "Always trust your gut feelings, Hermione." Hermione nodded and went to take the first year Gryffindor students on their trip to the Gryffindor common room. When they got to the room, Harry saw Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan sitting down. Hallie's anger rose even more when Seamus started in on Harry about Voldemort's return. "Seamus, either keep your mouth shut or sing soprano like Malfoy did two years ago when I kicked him in the family jewels."

"You believe him?" Seamus asked incrdulously. She nodded and pulled up a chair to speak to him directly. "I'm sorry to say this, but your husband's a nutter! Me mum doesn't even believe it!" Before Hallie could speak, Harry came in and started in.

"I suggest you read the Prophet like your stupid mother, it'll tell you everything you want to know," he growled.

"Don't you dare talk about my mother like that, Potter!" Seamus warned.

"I'll talk how I want to about anyone who believes the Ministry and the Prophet, Seamus. They're all out to get me, and apparently so are you." Harry said in a low and angry voice before turning on his heel and going toward the dormitory. Hallie followed and asked if he was okay. "I'm fine, Hal...no, I'm not fine. I feel so angry all the time. What's wrong with me?"

"Harry, there's nothing wrong with you," Hallie assured him with a hug and peck on the cheek, "If there is, I'm with you every step of the way, right?" Harry nodded. "Good. Now, why don't you calm down a bit. I brought some of dad's newer wines so we can share a glass like we used to. Maybe during the weekend, we can head down by the lake and have a few drinks, eh?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Harry said smiling for the first time. "At least you're not using Veritaserum like you did in your first year. I'm glad you asked how I'm feeling instead of forcing it out of me like then." Hallie smiled and gently pulled her hair, which had grown longer and thicker since their first meeting, into a ponytail and slid into bed. "I love you."

"I love you, too, honey, but just calm down a bit. Take a load off." she said with a grin and fell asleep. Harry soon did the same and didn't wake up for a while untile class the next day.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was first on the fifth year schedule this year and Harry couldn't help but feel that something was going to go wrong in class with Umbridge teaching. Hallie had set off to her double Potions class with her fellow fourth years while Harry left for the third floor. It wasn't until after Umbridge came in that Harry's feeling of dread came true. Not only did Umbridge refuse to let them use the defensive spells needed, but she also gave Harry detention for saying that Voldemort had returned.

Back in the common room, Harry was sitting in one of the more comfortable armchairs when Hallie and Annie came in looking disgruntled about something. "Umbridge?" Harry asked them as they plopped down across from him on the sofa. They nodded. "Did she give you detention for believing me?"

"Yep," Hallie said curtly, "and she said that I could've picked a better man to be my husband." This made Harry clench his fist and he stood up. "Don't do it. We don't want her to know that she got to us."

"Got to us?" Harry repeated, "She didn't get to us, Hal! She's just trying to make us crack or something. During detention, I'm going to have a talk with her about what she said to you and I really don't give a damn if she gives me more detentions. Perhaps I should talk to Dumbledore about this as well." Hallie's jaw dropped as he stood still and added, "No. Instead, I'll talk to McGonagall. She seems to hate Umbridge more than we do." Annie went pale at the tone of his voice but she couldn't help but grin at her brother-in-law. Looking at his watch, Harry saw that it was nearing the time for his detention and left. When he got to Umbridge's office, he knocked and entered.

"Ah, Mr. Potter," said Umbridge in her sickly girly voice, "I'm glad you could make it. Have a seat unless there's something you wish to speak to me about first."

"Yes, there is," Harry said trying to keep his temper at bay. Umbridge stayed silent and listened to him speak. "My wife came to the common room earlier and said that you told her she could have picked a better person to be her husband. Is that true?"

Umbridge's smile faded and looked as if she'd been slapped in the face. "I-I merely suggested that someone else could be more...er...suitable for her than you, Mr. Potter. I didn't say she should divorce you or anything. After all, you did make the Unbreakable Vow during your wedding." Harry's blood started to boil at the mention of that vow he and Hallie made. "Mr. Potter, what are you doing? I suggest you put your wand away this instant."

"No, I will not!" Harry hissed, his temper rising rapidly, "You want me to die, don't you? You think that if Hallie breaks the Unbreakable Vow, or I do, that the both of us will die! Is that right?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Umbridge lied quickly. "Why would I do that? You have no proof of that. Now, calm yourself and take a seat. I want you to write 'I must not tell lies'.

Harry sat down and did his lines, though he found out in moments that he was writing in his own blood. After the detention, he marched himself to McGonagall's office and knocked on her door. Minerva McGonagall opened it and saw Harry's murderous look...then let him in right away. "What is the meaning of this, Potter? What's wrong?"

"That cow, Umbridge!" Harry shouted, "She wants me to die!" McGonagall blanched at this news and sat down holding her chest. Harry recounted what he spoke to Umbridge about. "How she knew that Hallie and I made the Unbreakable Vow during our wedding, I have no bloody idea. She wanted Hallie or myself to break a vow that could kill us both!"

"Harry, I suggest we go to Professor Dumbledore about this. I should get Severus as well, since he was a witness to your marriage to Miss Parker at the time." she said haughtily. Together, they went to Dumbledore's office to find Hallie there with him. "Headmaster, I trust that Mrs. Potter told you the whole story?"

"Yes, Minerva," Dumbledore said gravely, "and Dolores will know that I do not tolerate death threats in this school from students or suggestions from teachers." He looked at Harry and Hallie intently and added, "I'm very surprised that Dolores did not try to use the Imperius Curse or the Confundus Curse on either of you to force the divorce."

"Headmaster, I shall talk with Madam Umbridge about this," Snape said idly, "then I will talk with the Minister himself. Cornelius is rather intimidated by me." Dumbledore nodded, but Snape continued while looking Harry in the eyes, "Mr. and Mrs. Potter, I assure you that I will do everything in my power to stop that vile woman from harming you further. You have my word."

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry slightly taken aback by Snape's devotion, "it means a lot to us." Snape nodded and swept out of the room leaving Harry and Hallie alone with the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress.