Chapter Nineteen:
The Suspension Of Delores Umbridge
(Author's note: Yes, the chapter title is a pun on 'The Sacking Of Severus Snape' in The Deathly Hallows – but most of the contents of this chapter, as of my story generally, were written before I read the last book in the official series! And please keep sending detailed, well-rounded reviews! I like to know what in my story is working well for you readers!)
(Second Author's note: Chapter updated. I'd left out a couple of details!)
As Remus Lupin and Fenrir Greyback fought their final dogfight, Harry angrily spun round from the wounded and whimpering wolf girl that was Luna Lovegood.
Overwhelmed by the fighting in the cell room – and frightened by the sudden turn of fate against her – Professor Umbridge shot jinxes at Fred and George, forcing them back, as she made a bolt for it. Her stubby legs were now taking her in the direction of the pink Wellington boot that had been dropped at the far side of the room when she and Greyback had made their unwelcome arrival…
A Portkey!
"Stop her!" Harry yelled at the top of his voice, realising Umbridge's intention, as he scrambled to his feet. Pushing the squealing Lavender Brown aside, before she could cast another spell with her just-retrieved wand, Harry dashed for the Portkey – aiming to intercept Delores Umbridge in time…
All of his allies were down, or being pressed by the enemy. Meanwhile, the Headmistress gave a choked cry of fury as she saw Harry coming. Forcing herself into an almost-comical sprint, Umbridge drew within near-reach of the coloured boot. Gasping, she bent down to touch it, as her momentum carried her on…
Harry leapt for her, and collided into the screaming Professor – just as she grabbed the Portkey. His leg struck out in the confusion, making contact with the Wellington boot…
The cell room suddenly turned into a blurred image that swirled around both Harry and Umbridge. There was a roaring sound, and a twisting sensation that gripped the entirety of Harry's bruised body. Then the two of them were staggering onwards from their impact, as the world straightened itself upright once more.
They crashed into the corner of a thick wooden table – then collapsed, falling in different directions. The pink boot was sent, bouncing, out of sight somewhere nearby.
Harry allowed the dizziness in his head to subside - then he rolled over and rose upon his hands and knees. He quickly looked around and took in the other tables, glass-fronted cabinets, and countless shelves of old wood which contained leather-backed books, some of which had been written by wizards and witches centuries ago.
They were in the library.
Delores Jane Umbridge was hurriedly climbing to her feet. She winced as her hand reached up and felt the bruising on her arm, caused by colliding side-on with the desk. She was without her wand. Harry spotted it lying on the floor near some shelves – where it had landed after flying from the Professor's grasp upon their abrupt arrival.
Harry quickly reached for his – only to find it missing. He panicked.
Oh… Hellfire! I dropped it in the cell room, in my rush to stop Umbridge…
"You hor-hor…horrible…young man!" the Headmistress stuttered, all false pretense at hospitality now gone from her syrupy tones. "You will suffer for what you have done! You are ru-ruining everything!"
"I have suffered enough from the likes of you!" Harry snapped, squaring up to her. "How would you like it, being branded a liar – when you've told the truth? How would you fare, being hunted down by your Dementor assassins!"
"I…I… I'm sorry!" The toad-like woman wailed. Then her questing eyes found her wand. And, with another burst of speed, she made a beeline for it.
Harry caught up with her, just before she could reach the wand. He grabbed Umbridge by her peach-coloured dress jacket, and tried to yank her back.
His hated foe screeched. Half-mad with terror now, she twisted round and threw a rabbit punch at Harry, catching him below his ribs by surprise. As he staggered back, the Headmistress scooped up her wand and paused to recover her breath. Then her wand tip was raised in his direction.
Move it! Harry's mind yelled.
Adrenaline flooded his body. He dived behind the nearest stack of bookshelves.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The unforgiveable curse struck the books behind the spot where Harry had been just a moment earlier. The blast caused them to fly off the shelves, and Harry's already-untidy hair was thrown further askew. Seeing that she had missed, Umbridge ran after Harry on her short legs, chasing him around the extensive layout of bookshelves – trying to force the wand less wizard into a corner. But not quite succeeding.
"Impedimenta!" Umbridge called out – only to miss her fleeting target again. "Stupefy!" Another set of displaced books fell to the floor.
"Protifico…" She huffed as she turned down another aisle. "Come back here – YOU WRETCHED BOY!"
Umbridge's expression was livid now, and she began to gasp for breath. Harry then saved his own life by grabbing a dusty, thick tome to shield his face from his opponent's next shot with the killing curse. As the zapped book crumbled in-between his fingers, a finally-cornered Harry began throwing more books at the detestable Professor, forcing her to raise her arms to defend herself. One book struck the shoulder of her wand-arm, stunning her – another volume caught her head.
"Agghh! Avada Ked…!"
"SHUT UP!" The thick book now in Harry's hands swung round in an arc, and struck Umbridge's ear. With a cry, she went down and rolled over on the worn carpet – her wand falling next to her outstretched hand.
Harry panted and looked down at her – his heart pounding.
That was definitely satisfying!
The seconds ticked by. Umbridge did not stir. Her eyes were closed, her permed hair was in disarray, and her face was bruised and puffy.
In the sudden silence, Harry could hear fighting somewhere in a nearby corridor, beyond the half-open library door at the end of the room.
His throat went dry, as a chilling thought struck him.
I can't tell if she's breathing… Is she de…?
Harry moved in closer, still armed with his book. He took another step.
With a sudden motion that belied her squat appearance, Umbridge's eyes shot open, and she snatched at her wand before rolling onto her back. The tip was now pointed at Harry.
"Crucio!" she croaked.
Harry toppled to the floor, screaming. The unexpected pain lashed across his being, torturing his nerves. He rolled from side to side, as he gritted his teeth, seeking respite from the agony…
"Got you, Mr Potter!" he managed to hear his enemy laugh as she rose to her feet. "Punishment at last! Now…, beg me to kill you! Go on – do it!"
"Never!" He would not submit. But even as Harry screamed out his defiance, he wondered how long he would last, before he passed out…
Suddenly, Umbridge yelled loudly. The Cruciatus Curse was broken – and as Harry panted for breath, his bloodshot eyes saw the Headmistress trying to fight off a grey-striped cat that had jumped onto her shoulders from behind. The animal hissed angrily, and scratched away – inflicting claw marks to Umbridge's face. The ex-Ministry official tried to force it away – only for the feline to leap off her and dart around the corner of the nearest bookshelf.
"What…?" Umbridge gasped, as she tried to work out where her attacker had gone.
From his position, Harry could see the cat's shadow. It suddenly changed and grew larger, then straightened into the form of a woman…
"Expelliarmus!" a bitter, terse-sounding voice rang out. "Levicorpus!"
A shriek erupted from the lips of Delores Umbridge – as she was first separated from her wand, then suddenly yanked upwards into the air, turning heels-over-head in the process. Finding herself dangling from the library ceiling by her ankle, Umbridge frantically waved her arms in the air – unable to reach her wand on the carpet far below.
"Professor McGonagall! Release me – I order you!"
"Silence – you pathetic excuse for a human being!" The head of Gryffindor house snapped back as she kept her wand trained on Umbridge. The Scottish-accented voice was a welcome sound to Harry, through the ebbing of his pain. "You are going to answer for both of your reigns of terror at this fine school!"
There was a sudden 'bang' at the end of the room. A slowly-recovering Harry blinked in surprise as the Death Eater named Rookwood was catapulted through the doorway. He slumped – out cold – upon the floor, his face turning into that of a baboon as a result of the jinx-mix which had struck him. Then another man crossed the threshold – and nodded with satisfaction at his work, before hurrying over to the others.
"Good lord – Harry! Here, let me help you." Percy Weasley plucked up Umbridge's wand and tucked it into his belt – then he helped to raise Harry, placing him into a more comfortable position against one of the bookcases. Then both he and the haggard, but relieved, face of Professor McGonagall glanced up at the captive, upside-down figure of the Death Eaters' accomplice.
"Are you all right, Harry? I was witness to that Cruciatus Curse." Professor McGonagall's' free hand gently touched Harry's shoulder, as she shot him a look of concern.
"I'll live…" he gasped. The werewolf condition in him was already at work, repairing the damage done to its host's body from the unforgiveable curse. "Thanks – both…of you. Wa-wasn't expecting to see you here…, Percy."
Percy managed a small smile. "I decided that I could do more by getting on board – rather than being on the sidelines, passing orders to Aurors."
"Mr Weasley! Get me down – please!" Umbridge yelled at him, as she continued to dangle from her ankle. Her face was reddening as a result of her unnatural posture.
Percy took a step back – just in time to avoid the drop of blood from Umbridge's cat-clawed face splashing onto him. He actually raised a grin. "You're going nowhere, Professor Umbridge! You are suspended – literally – as Headmistress of Hogwarts. And you're under arrest! Using a Cruciatus Curse will be added to your other crimes!"
There was the noise of further pounding footsteps in the corridor outside the library. Harry and Percy tensed themselves – then relaxed as Professor Horace Slughorn, sweating and dishevelled in his brown suit, white shirt, and not-quite-straight bow tie, quickly took in Harry's condition and pulled out from his jacket pocket a test tube containing a purple liquid.
"Good show, Harry me boy! Here – get this down you. I've been storing these, ready for this day…"
Trusting the potions teacher, Harry gingerly sipped the cool, concentrated drink. Immediately, a warm, invigorating sensation flooded his fatigued body. His lingering pains slowly faded away altogether.
"Cheers, Professor…" Harry got his breath back, and he smiled. "I take it the rebellion's in full swing from within, then?"
"Absolutely, Harry." Slughorn pulled out a tissue and dabbed at his shiny forehead. He then nervously tugged one end of his walrus moustache. "The Head Pupils who didn't get out when you did… Well, I'm afraid they've been Imperiused by the Death Eaters – and they're on their broomsticks outside, fighting your invading armada…"
Harry nodded. "I know – I've seen them…"
"However, the rest of the pupils have mobilised themselves – thanks to the appearance of your fellow fighters," Slughorn continued, now beaming. "I'm proud to say that even half of the Slytherins have turned against Bellatrix Lestrange and her cronies. The Callows – those wretched Death Eater teachers – have pushed the pupils too far."
"But there are still a number of Dementors about, Harry," Professor McGonagall chipped in. "They retreated into the school, to hide from the dawn. The other teachers, plus the ghosts, are even now giving those horrible fiends a merry dance."
"I'm glad to hear it. What about the sword of Godric Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked, on a whim. "Can that help us?"
"Unfortunately, no. That Lestrange woman has locked away both the sword, and the weapons of the houses of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw," she responded. "But the spear of Salazar Slytherin – she gave that to Draco Malfoy and his girlfriend, Pansy Parkinson…"
Harry snorted. So Malfoy's now got a girlfriend, himself… Suddenly, his thoughts turned to Luna and the others back in the cell room. "Wait! I've got to return to Professor Lupin and my friends!" he declared, fearful of what was happening to them. "That pink welly over there – it's a Portkey. It'll take us there…"
He was suddenly interrupted by the rush of heavy footsteps and the blood-chilling howl of wolves ringing out from close by. Hagrid – accompanied by Fang – burst into the library, his cheeks flushed as he gasped for breath. Unable to lock the door in time with magic, he took out a flintlock from underneath his wide belt – just as the gold-collared wolf slammed the closed door wide open again with its raised forepaw. The beast, now standing on all fours, snarled – exposing blood-drenched fangs still lined with the remains of human flesh.
"Oh, my word…" McGonagall trailed off, as she took in what was happening.
Hagrid fired as the creature pounced. There was a tremendous 'bang', and a shrill whine, and then the werewolf was thrown backwards – a bullet hole in its forehead.
Hagrid quickly reloaded the flintlock, looking over his shoulder towards the others. "There'll be more cummin'… Harry!"
Slughorn hurried over as fast as his bulk allowed him to, and he cast a locking spell on the door – then went to check on the other exits from the library. Meanwhile, Hagrid strode over to Harry and helped him up.
"Yeh made it, lad! Tha's grand!"
"I'm glad to see you too, Hagrid…" Harry's smiled faded as he saw tears on the half-giant's face. "Wha…? What's happened?"
"Grawp." Hagrid sniffed. "He took down some of thur trolls an' giants. But…but a troll clubbed 'im. Beat 'im to death…" He let go of Harry, retrieved a brightly-coloured (and already half-wet) handkerchief, and loudly blew his nose. Then, hearing and seeing the still-protesting Professor Umbridge dangling above him, Hagrid's expression brightened somewhat.
"Get…me…DOWN" she shrieked. "This instant! Or you will really suffer when you all lose this bat…"
"Serves yeh right, yeh blackheart!" Hagrid pointed his wand at her, and called out, "Silencio!"
Harry grinned at the sight of Umbridge's lips suddenly being glued together. Her eyes went wide, and she continued to struggle feebly against her magical binds. The scratch marks on her were still red.
"I need to get back to the others – in Professor Lupin's cell…!" Harry reminded McGonagall, Slughorn and Percy. "I think they should be alright, but still…"
"Then I'll come with you, Harry," Slughorn announced, patting his jacket pocket. "I've a few more elixirs to help those in need."
McGonagall nodded. "We'll hold the fort here, then – and keep watch on her above. But Harry, somebody needs to get to the Headmaster's study! Professor Flitwick is under Lestrange's Imperius Curse. He's close to activating a horrible spell that will kill anyone unprotected…"
"The Gaunt Stone – and the Oblivion spell." Percy completed her sentence, nodding grimly. "We know.
"We cudden't get to Professor Flitwick's office – thanks to thur Dementors and werewolves," Hagrid added. "An' since takin' over as Headmaster, Flitwick's changed thur means to get in his office. It's now one of those logic puzzles 'em Ravenclaws are fond of."
"And it took Lestrange and her brighter cronies about four months to get past the Headmaster's locking spells and the puzzle, to capture Professor Flitwick, McGonagall helpfully declared. "So get a clever Ravenclaw over there! That's my advice."
"I've got just the lady in mind." A grin grew over Harry's face – then it faltered as his anxiety for his friends returned. "I hope she's now recovered from Umbridge's spell!"
"Wait! I have an idea!" Professor McGonagall suddenly ran off to the door at the far end of the library. A moment later, she returned through the doorway with four clanking suits of armour that she had just animated. They walked in step behind her, then took up position near the centre of the room, brandishing halberds, maces, and shields. Harry looked at them in amazement, glad that he wasn't having to fight against the hollow knights himself.
The main library door shuddered. A crack began to appear in the thick wood. A howl of rage broke out on the far side…
Hagrid shook Harry's shoulder, then he stepped closer to the door – his flintlock cocked and ready to fire. "Get goin', Harry!"
Harry nodded to Hagrid, McGonagall, and Percy. "Good luck – all of you!" He and Professor Slughorn then hurried over to the pink Wellington boot, and – together – they laid their hands on it…
*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*o*
Both the cell room and the Turkish bath chamber were busy with human activity as Harry and Slughorn materialised amongst the Flitwick Freedom Fighters milling to and fro. The wands that were raised in readiness were lowered, and replaced with loud cheers when the new arrivals were recognised. Thanking them, Harry then shooed them back to their ongoing work, as he checked on his friends.
In the cell room itself, Neville and Charlotte had regained consciousness. Lavender Brown had been disarmed, and was now the prisoner of the Weasley twins. In addition, Ron, Hermione, and Marcus Belby had arrived – complete with Hans Grogan, who was still feeling the restraints of the full body-bind spell placed on him.
"Harry!"
"Ron!"
The two young men clapped hands on each other's shoulders, and Hermione gave Harry a quick hug, as he held her in turn. Then they led him to a resting Luna, who had reverted back to her human persona. Although sporting a torn jacket and a burnt jumper and shoulder, she was fine, and she carefully got to her feet as Harry came over to hug her. He was careful not to touch her where she was injured.
Luna saw his look of concern. "Don't worry, Harry! It'll heal. I'm far better off, compared to Greyback, so I hear…" She filled him in on what Tonks had recently told the group. She also added that, bereft of clothes – as well as his wand - Professor Lupin had opted to remain in his half-wolf form. He and Tonks were now keeping watch, guarding the only door from the bath chamber that led back up to the rest of the castle. Hermione quickly filled Harry and Luna in on the betrayal by Viktor and Hans – and what had become of the celebrated Bulgarian Quidditch Seeker.
Luna gave Harry's hand a firm squeeze. "Anyway, I'm glad you are alive! What happened with Umbridge? You went after her…"
As Slughorn gave Luna a vial of energy-restoring elixir to drink – before moving onto Neville and Charlotte – Harry briefly related the scenes in the library to Luna, Hermione and Ron.
"McGonagall and Hagrid are holding her prisoner? That's great news!" Ron whooped. "And Percy's helping out, too? Good for him!"
"But as Professor McGonagall's told Harry, we still have to get over to Professor Flitwick's office," Hermione solemnly reminded them all.
"Good to see you again, Harry!" Fred butted in. From a mokeskin pouch that he had on him (which acted as a pouch of unlimited contents), he pulled out the items retrieved from Harry's room at Hogwarts: the Marauders Map, the invisibility cloak – and, incredibly, Harry's Firebolt. "Here – you wanted these!"
Harry beamed. "Thanks Fred. And George too."
"You're very welcome." Fred rejoined his brother in their watch over Lavender.
By now, Lupin and Tonks had been relieved of guard duty, and had joined the four teenagers. Lupin gave a wolfish smile, and nodded as Harry activated the Marauders Map. The parchment unfolded by itself, and displayed the position of everyone still alive within the school itself.
Harry turned to Luna. "Are you up for going to the Headmaster's office, and stopping that Oblivion spell, Luna?"
She smiled serenely. "With the challenge of a logic problem being the lock to Professor Flitwick's door? That's what we Ravenclaws use to secure entry to our Common Room. A riddle of one type or another. I'm definitely game, Harry!"
He reached out and affectionately stroked her long blonde hair. "I thought so. Now, let's look at the wider picture on here…"
The six of them studied the map carefully, as they located the whereabouts of Professor Flitwick and Bellatrix Lestrange. Not surprisingly, both of them were in the Headmaster's study.
In the corridors before Flitwick's quarters were four hazy dots that were flitting around. No names were attached to them. This was in contrast to the usual marker of two feet pacing around the map, for each individual.
"What on earth…?" Ron squinted his eyes, and looked again.
"They'll be the Dementors, I reckon." Hermione gave her opinion. "And look over here, on the east side! Those giant spiders from the forest – they're moving away from Selwyn and Mulciber. They're Death Eaters! They seem to be directing the spiders towards Professors Faraday and Sprout!"
"The spiders must have been confounded…," Tonks ventured, her face etched with concern.
"Wait…! Now they've halted… Wow! The spiders are retreating from Faraday and Sprout," Ron observed. "And – yes – they're going for the Death Eaters, instead!"
"Professor Faraday is very good at charming creatures." Luna smiled.
As they all watched the unfolding events depicted on the map, Harry and his friends saw Mulciber's name actually disappear from the parchment. The moving trail of Selwyn's footprints suddenly picked speed, pursued by a number of tags marked simply as 'Spiders'.
"One less Death Eater to worry about!" Harry exclaimed with satisfaction. "Where's the library, now…? Thanks, Hermione… Great! The werewolves are still locked outside. So our friends are safe, for the time being…"
"Good for them." Tonks pointed with her long finger at another section of the map. "But here's trouble."
Harry suppressed a snarl as his eyes fell upon the label of Draco Malfoy. His marker was another dot – not the symbol of two feet – and it was moving swiftly along the corridors of the first level of the castle. It paused upon reaching two names that Harry recognised as being school friends of Fleur's, from Beauxbaton's School. Then the footprint markers of the two girls disappeared. First one student – followed seconds by the other.
Luna gave a gasp.
Lupin growled. "He hass…killed…themm!"
Now Draco's marker moved rapidly towards a crowd of other pupils on the map. They began to scatter, heading away from him – as if in panic.
"What's going on?" Hermione raised a hand to her mouth.
"He's on a broomstick! Killing anybody in his way!" Harry's face tightened in anger, and he looked up at Luna with a grave expression. "It's time. I have to fight him," he told her.
Luna nodded sadly, and she held his hand, not wanting to let go. "Take care, Harry. What-whatever happens…, I love you." She forced herself to smile. "I'll see to the Gaunt Stone."
Harry felt rooted to the spot. He took in the faces of his friends – wondering if he was going to see any of them alive again…
Swallowing hard, he kissed Luna on the lips, conveying to her what he couldn't put into words, given the circumstances. It was just a quick peck – but she hugged him tight in return. Reluctantly, they parted.
"Take the invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map," he advised her. He turned to Ron and Hermione. "What will you two be doing?" he asked them.
They exchanged a look, then nodded together.
"We're coming too, Luna," Ron announced. "There's room for three under that cloak, even if we are bigger than when we first used it. And here's your wand, by the way, Harry."
Harry grinned as he took it. "Thanks for keeping it safe."
Their plan of action agreed upon, Harry rose and picked up his broomstick. Marcus Belby, Fred and George made it known they were going to keep guard over Lavender and Hans, and also watch out for any enemies passing nearby.
"How about you guys?" Hermione put to Professor Lupin, Tonks, Neville, and Charlotte.
Tonks grinned and stroked the half-lupine teacher. Lupin was licking his fangs in a meaningful gesture. "I think we intend to cause more heartache for the opposition, Hermione," the pink-haired witch happily declared. "Remus may be missing his wand. But leave things to us!"
Neville and Charlotte glanced at each other. He nodded at her to speak.
"As far as we're concerned, we're still in the game!" Charlotte wiped her spectacles with the cuff of her sleeve, before slipping them back on. "And… I want to know how Alex is faring."
Harry nodded. "I hope he's all right. Clifford, as well."
"Harry, m'boy!" Slughorn hurried over to him. His fat hand reached into another of his jacket pockets. This time, he handed over a circular, metallic object with the rough size and shape of a stopwatch.
"Yes, Professor?"
"I managed to pilfer this from the desk of Professor Amycus Carrow, after he and his wife panicked when the alarm was raised." Slughorn snorted his contempt for the Death Eater. "I saw him use it, when he got the better of me and Professor Sinistra back when they invaded the school. It's an emitting device that grants temporary invisibility to the user. Powerful enough for you and your broomstick, I reckon!" Slughorn quickly recited the spell words that Carrow had used on the invisibility emitter to cloak and de-cloak himself.
"Great! Thanks, Professor !" Harry took the emitter and pocketed it, then turned back to Ron, Hermione, Luna, and the others watching him. With a quick round of exchanged hand squeezes and 'good luck's', Harry gave his friends a hopeful smile, which they all returned.
I'd better go… Before I lose the will to move altogether…
Holding back both his fear and the threatening onset of tears, Harry turned and got onto his broomstick. As he flew off, gliding through the bath chamber and back up to the ground floor corridors of Hogwarts, Harry felt a chill dread in his very bones. Once more, destiny was pulling at him. He knew that, for him, the battle would soon be other – one way or another.
He would soon face his final opponents.