Previously on Defiance...

By order of

THE DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS PROFESSOR

AND SENIOR UNDERSECRETARY TO THE MINISTER

IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE IN THE ARTS OF MAGICAL DEFENSE AND FOR PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN THE OWLS AND NEWTS...

STUDENTS ARE HENCEFORTH REQUIRED TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED STUDY GROUP SPEARHEADED BY MADAM DOLORES UMBRIDGE. THE NEWLY COINED GROUP IS TO BE KNOWN AS THE DEFENSE ASSOCIATION (DA).

THE ATTENTDANCE IS MANDATORY.

The general reaction of the entire student population was surprisingly common. It all started and finished in a single phrase and three words.

What the Fuck?

"THIS IS BEYOND LIMITS!" screamed the senior undersecretary to Minister of Magic and the DADA professor of Hogwarts. She cast a withering glare at Argus Filch who was staring back at her defiantly. "Let me repeat that for the last time, Mister Filch. I did not meet you and inform you to set up the notice in front of the Great Hall."

Filch looked at her as if she had just stated that she had grown an extra head. "Madam Umbridge," Filch croaked, "You came to my office two nights ago yourself and told me particularly to make sure that this was what you wanted me to do." He mumbled something obscure but she could not make any heads or tails of it. Dolores frowned. There was absolutely no way she had done what the squib was suggesting. She remembered her conversations with the Minister and then she had...

Hang on... What exactly had she done after that?

Pause.

Still nothing.

Dolores widened her eyes.

"Mister Filch, what exactly did I say to you? The exact wordings, if you could..."

Filch looked at her oddly and croaked. "You told me to frame a notice regarding a new official study group for helping students prepare for their OWLS and NEWTS. Also, that the attendance to this group would be mandatory."

Dolores grit her teeth. This was another prank played on her. The unfortunate thing was, she had been away to the Ministry for a day to collect some valuables, and had not been in the castle to put an end to the madness. It had been one complete day, and she was sure that many students had even informed their families about the sudden change in the Ministry-approved curriculum. Cancelling the group now would lead to further resentment. The face of the younger Mister Nott came to mind. An open show of resentment from the pureblood faction would mean the end of her career. The sharp words of the Minister came to mind.

You have to teach them something, or else get yourself off from the job.

"I am not going to be defeated by some school children and their pranks. If Dumbledore believes that these juvenile pranks are going to make me go away from Hogwarts and let him rule the castle, he is severely mistaken." Dolores muttered to herself, her mind beginning to hatch a plan to get something productive out of the change of situation.

"Mister Filch", she regarded the caretaker, "the next time I come to your office and ask for something, please make sure to ask it to me the next day before doing it or not. I believe the person who had come in disguised as me was some kind of imposter. The next time I ask you for something, make sure to come to my office and confirm that it is me or not."

"As you wish, Madam." Argus Filch jerked his head, as he turned and began walking away, his dishrag of a cat following his heels.

That evening, somewhere on the sixth floor corridor.

"Ah, Greengrass, I thought you had decided to call off your plan."

Daphne felt her eyes twitch. She did not know what it was about Potter, but the blasted boy could get on her nerves very effectively. Surprisingly even, she felt her emotional control slip out of her when dealing with Potter. It was a strange thing, but she resolved to figure out why.

"My father took his time to decide on your demands. Surely a lord of your stature will understand."

Harry's eyes flashed. "Whatever do you mean?"

Daphne stared at him for a moment. It seemed like she had hit a raw nerve. Perhaps Potter did not want to reveal the news of his lordship at the moment. She wondered why.

"That you hold the lordships of the Potter and the Black families? Surely it is not a surprise for you, is it?"

"I did not know that the news about my lordships were public." He looked at her scathingly.

"No, they are not. My mother works in the Department of familial records. She informed me."

"Ah." Harry paused, "So what has Lord Greengrass decided about our arrangement?"

"He has, but before I reveal it, I need to be sure that you will keep your end of the agreement."

"Fair enough." Harry muttered, raising his wand. Daphne noticed that the wand was lengthier than most and had a strange design. Potter seemed to be a well of surprises and eccentricities.

"By the ancient laws, I, Harry James Potter, lord of House Potter and Black, swear that I will uphold my vows and promises made to the Greengrass family if they agree to my requirements. As I have said, so mote it be."

Daphne pursed her lips. "He has agreed to it, on grounds that his answer be received under an oath of silence from the family of Potter and Black."

Interesting. Sirius was right. The man is one sharp player.

"Of course, I did not expect anything else." Harry returned, "Has he mentioned a date for the private meeting?"

Daphne nodded. She cleared her throat. "You had demanded me of three things. The favor- Lord Greengrass is ready for the private meeting whenever you are. He understands that you may have guests with you and has sworn that no one will be harmed or attacked unless in self-defense."

Harry nodded understandably.

"The oath." She paused, "I, Daphne Victoria Greengrass, swear as the heir apparent of the Ancient and Noble family of Greengrass to be in détente with the Houses of Potter and Black. Unless the agreement is broken in the future, under the consent of both parties, the House of Greengrass shall not take up wands against the Houses of Potter and Black. As I say it, so mote it be."

Harry nodded, observing the light-orange aura emitting out of the girl as the oath took effect.

"The third. Your question. The answer is yes. My father intends to come out of the war as neutral, without any harm on the House or the family. At least that is the immediate plan."

Diplomatic answer. Harry mused, but he had no choice but to accept it. "Very well, Miss Greengrass, whenever you are ready, inform me and I will help you for your DADA education. Though I must impress upon you that I am a hard worker at DADA and will expect a certain level of competency from you."

Daphne grit her teeth, refusing to say anything. She nodded primly.

"Very well then, I suppose you have a place in mind for the training?"

Why don't we use your own training location? Daphne yelled inside her mind. Outward, she smiled and nodded. "I do."

"And is it a place where I would find death-eater wannabes trying to spy upon me?"

Daphne raised her eyebrows. "I thought that we made it clear that we are neutral."

"No, Miss Greengrass, you made it clear that you are playing both sides. Being truly neutral and playing both sides has much similarity as a thestral has with a donkey."

Damn you, Potter.

"No," Daphne reined on her slipping (otherwise ironclad) control on her emotions. "The place I have in mind doesn't have any death-eater wannabes spying on you. Happy?"

"Very." Harry smiled. "He took out a piece of what seemed to be vellum, and handed it over to the girl. "Keep this with you. Whenever you feel like you have a location ready for use, write down the time and location on this vellum. I will get it. This vellum will be our source of communication."

Daphne stared at the thing in her hands. A fascinating and innovative combination of rune clusters and switching charms, she mused. Ingenious.

"How did you make this?" she could not help but ask- the curiosity vivid in her voice.

"Ah-ah-ah!" Harry wiggled his fingers animatedly. "We only swore about DADA, not charms. My private knowledge and accomplishments are exactly that—private."

Daphne glared at him, her face livid with indignation. For Merlin's sake, she had just made an alliance with the blasted boy just minutes ago, and yet his behavior was screaming out that he did not trust her one bit. This was not how she had expected things to go on. While she did not really have the best relations with people at Hogwarts, with exception of her sister and Tracy, she had tried really hard to try being on good terms with Potter. However, it seemed like Potter was completely hell-bent on treating her like a necessary evil at most. Stomping her foot in indignation, she turned and walked away.

Harry watched her go, and could not help but notice the seductive endowments the girl had. To be honest, Greengrass was one of the most beautiful girls in the castle, and certainly the most in his year. While it was sure that he had entertained an infatuation towards Cho Chang, her recent change of attitude was blaring out some kind of danger signal towards him. For Merlin's sake, the girl had just lost her boyfriend the previous year, and if the rumors were to be believed, Harry himself was associated with Cedric's murder. While it was all hearsay, no matter how aggravating and unbelievable in nature, it was almost creepy how the Chinese girl had rebounded back to him after Cedric's death. It was almost as if she was trying too hard to get his attention now that Cedric was dead.

Trying too hard.

The phrase could describe two other people residing in the same castle whose behavior in regards to him could be defined by the exact same phrase. One was Greengrass, and the other was Hermione (Granger, Harry corrected inside his mind). Greengrass was certainly trying to gauge him and his prowess and trying to manipulate him to teach her his skills. Granger was trying too hard to be close to him at all moments, trying to make him talk to her and reveal his thoughts. Surely, Dumbledore must have been forcing them to get closer to him and hunt for information.

Fat chance. Harry snorted inwardly. He cast a powerful Parseltongue ward (the journals he had had the good sense to collect from the Chamber of Secrets had powerful spells in them. The only negative was that Parseltongue was required to fuel those spells and it being a magical language, had to be spoken out for the spell to take effect. However, given the fact that there wasn't another Parselmouth in Magical Britain (except him and Voldemort) made the negatives much less, since no one would be able to understand Parseltongue anyway). The dome of protective magic surrounded him as he took out his Mirror.

"Padfoot."

In three seconds, the mirror vibrated audibly as Sirius was visible on the other side. "Hey Godson, how did it go?"

"Better than expected"

"She bought it?"

"Yes."

"So you are going to teach her, what? Defensive magic?"

"Whatever is in the syllabus... Yes." Harry answered with a nonchalant expression. Sirius looked strangely at him. "I do not remember you studying DADA in advance during your study sessions. At most, I would say you are half-way through fifth-year with the exception of those battle-spells you learnt from the other book."

Harry nodded.

"Then?"

"Well, it's like this. I know it, and you know it. Greengrass doesn't. Not my fault that she decided to act upon it without making sure that her bet is on the correct horse."

Sirius shook his head unbelievably. "I have released a monster." Harry smirked.

"For the record, Godson, why exactly are you being so cold towards the Slytherin princess? I believe she is quite fetching."

Harry beamed.

That very evening...

The entire student from fifth years and above sat at their respective tables in the Great Hall. The whispers in the crowd were at large considering how Umbridge had been all for theory and was now going to teach them practical application of spells. Half of the students hoped to learn something finally, while the other half were dejected that Umbridge would turn out to be a failure just like Quirrel or Lockhart had been. At least Lupin had been a decent teacher, werewolf or not. It was almost ironic that Umbridge had to show that she had better teaching skills that the animal she despised more than anything else- a werewolf.

Dolores Umbridge entered the Hall through the antechamber, wearing robes of bright pink as usual, followed by none other than Filius Flitwick. It was a known fact that Flitwick was an international dueling champion in his yesteryears, and many hoped that at least Flitwick would be able to teach them something.

"My dear students, after listening to your various queries about the nature of questions and examination patterns in your OWLS and NEWTS, I have decided that your queries hold some amount of justification. However, I have also realized that your DADA education has been intermittent at best and haphazard at worst. That is why, this study group will ensure that your education shall follow a more streamlined and proper process."

Everyone sat still, listening attentively at what the DADA professor had to say.

"As I have mentioned previously, the Ministry of magic intends to develop our time into an era of openness, effectiveness and accountability. Hence, I would gladly call in Professor Filius Flitwick to help and contribute to this study group by sharing his knowledge of dueling with everyone. In addition, we decided that it would be a great idea to have the students demonstrate their own abilities before we begin the study group formally. It would not do to have others have an incorrect idea of a student's true, or lack of, potential."

Very Slytherin. Harry noted. The toad had very subtly insulted him while making a very positive statement. He had to hand it over to her. Perhaps the toad wasn't a complete piece of gobshit.

The next two hours had been devoted to the students being arranged in different groups according to their years, and have them perform some standard set of fourth year spells openly. It was an almost successful study session with the students coming up, performing spells, and returning happily towards the tables. Umbridge didn't have to teach anything at all.

"Ronald Weasley."

Ron strode up proudly towards the center, where a makeshift elevated platform had been conjured by Flitwick. Umbridge looked at him like a hawk, knowing very well that this was one boy that was one of the major disturbing agents in her class.

"Mister Weasley, I wish that you demonstrate the stunning charm for me."

Ron looked at her in surprise. "The stunning charm? We have not learnt that bit yet. It is in the fifth-"

"As expected, all bark with no bite. Please get down Mister Weasley, the next time, please keep your heads down and try not to disturb my class. Thank you."

'But-"

"Thank you..." Umbridge stressed, pursing her lips.

"This is unfair,' Ron began indignantly, "you gave first year spells to the Slytherins and you are giving me this, you slimy toady hag you-"

Umbridge smiled. Her plan had worked perfectly. "Detention, Mister Weasley. Tomorrow evening, my office."

Ron glared at her and walked down the platform, ignoring the looks and murmuring obscure things under his breath. Umbridge looked satisfied. "Next on the list is... Hermione Granger."

Harry watched the entire scene unfold with great interest. Umbridge was making very good, personalized, calculated moves. Weasley had landed himself into detention and the hag had used his anger and lack of self-control against himself. This was turning out to be interesting.

"Hermione Granger."

Hermione walked up to the platform and whipped her wand out in her hand. At least Granger was the sensible one and actually knew the spells, Harry mused. If not for the fact that she had betrayed him, he would have taken great pleasure in the knowledge that the toad would not be able to insinuate ignorance when it came to Hermione Granger and her knowledge of spells. However, that did not mean that he would deprive himself of the pleasure of seeing the toad fluster as Hermione performed spell after spell, as Umbridge demanded it of her, for that was exactly what was happening.

"Now, the stunning spell." Umbridge replied, trying very hard not to show her annoyance as the blasted muggleborn in front of her demonstrated her proficiency in all the spells she had demanded of her. Hermione raised her wand and pointed it towards none other than Umbridge herself as she intoned.

"Stupefy."

The red shaft of light hurled out from her wand and shot towards the hapless professor, hitting her in the chest, sending her backwards as she hit the floor with a thud, unconscious. Instantly, shouts began throughout the crowd varying from shouts of laughter and congratulations to Hermione to complete disarray and insults towards her from the Slytherins for the same. Privately, Hermione herself was shocked. When Umbridge had demanded her to perform the fifth year spell, she had expected that the defense professor would at least have the capability to stop a stunning spell with a shield. It seemed that Umbridge was just as hopeless as Lockhart had turned out to be.

Flitwick shot her a look of approval as the tiny man strode up and enervated the toad, who got up clumsily, trying to keep whatever dignity she had, before raising her eyebrows and yelling, "Fifty points for attacking a teacher, Miss Granger."

Hermione gave her an 'unbelievable' look and retorted, "Oh I am sorry Professor, it was my mistake to believe that the defense professor of all people would have the minimum capability to cast a Protego and stop a stunning spell cast by a student. After all, you are sent from the Ministry as the proper and accountable DADA teacher, are you not?"

Umbridge fumed at the shenanigans and the insinuations put forward by this muggleborn scum about her in public. Her face turned a bright red as her fingers tightened around her wand, ready to perform a torture spell on the student, Cornelius Fudge be damned. The Cruciatus was almost at her lips and her arm was almost ready to raise the wand when-

"That was uncalled for, Hermione."

Every eye turned towards the source of the new interruption. Even Umbridge and her eyes widened as she recognized the person who had raised his voice against the muggleborn scum. Harry Potter was looking up, as he stood close to the platform, his eyes staring coldly at Granger.

"Harry, how can you-"

"Enough Hermione." Harry retorted. "Madam Umbridge is our DADA teacher, and one sent by the esteemed Ministry of Magic. It is completely beneath you to speak like that about her."

Everyone looked at Potter, gaping like fishes. Even Daphne could not help herself from being completely flummoxed at Potter's reaction. This was Harry Potter, the boy the Ministry had called delusional and a liar since the end of the Triwizard tournament. The boy whose reputation had been turned to shreds by the Ministry. The boy who had lost his family because of dementors which were believed to be under Ministry rule. Now the same boy was speaking for the Ministry. It was unfathomable.

"Harry, are you out of your-"

"ENOUGH!" Dolores fumed, ready to take advantage of the unexpected help Potter was providing. "As I believed I previously stated, fifty points from Gryffindor for attacking a teacher without reason. In addition, you shall join Mister Weasley in his detention with me tomorrow evening. Is that clear?"

Hermione cast a betrayed look at Harry.

"I asked if that's clear?"

Hermione shook her head. "Yes, madam Umbridge." Umbridge gave her a predatory look that promised distress and agony to the bushy-haired girl, who looked dejected as she turned to walk down the platform.

"In fact, there is something more that I would like to say."

Every eye turned back towards Potter who stood smiling. "Yes, Mister Potter?" Umbridge demanded, keeping up a look of fake happiness for the person who had just saved her skin. She gave him a look of appreciation and gestured him to continue. Potter bobbed his head like an obedient child and reverently glazed... "I know that I haven't had my chance to show my prowess with the fourth year spells yet, so it might be too deviant and unprecedented on my part, but I am sure that Madam Umbridge would be able to easily out-duel anyone in this room, no offence to Professor Flitwick of course. After all, it is her who is the Defense against the dark arts professor."

"None taken, Mister Potter." Flitwick beamed, though one could notice the shadow of a smirk on the half-goblin's lips.

Dolores Umbridge had been experiencing a myriad of emotions, starting from pleasantly surprised to confusion to outright shock and enragement. That blasted brat had not been on her side, he had simply taken advantage of the opportunity and pulled one over her. It was very Slytherin of him, a part of her could not help but realize. The boy had simply played her like a harp and now she was outwitted.

"I am not sure if that-" she tried but the words stopped in her throat as she regarded the faces of the heirs of the Pureblood faction stare blankly towards her, their faces carrying a disillusioned expression.

Damn it, what should I do now?

Had Daphne not been confident of her ironclad control over her facial expressions, she would have been surprised to not find herself rolling on the floor, laughing at Umbridge's predicament. Potter- the bastard, the quintessential slytherin had played her like a harp and outwitted her. Salazar Slytherin himself would be proud of a move. If Umbridge accepted to duel, Potter would be within his rights to wipe the room with her. If she did not, she would face problems, as the pureblood faction would be even more disillusioned with her skills and prowess, well more than what they already were.

Well played, Potter. Well played.

She turned towards Potter, who had an innocent expression schooled on his face. How was it possible that this boy, this perfect Slytherin had once been known as the Gryffindor golden boy, Daphne could not fathom. Right now, Potter seemed to be the epitome of Slytherin, and the ultimate prankster she had ever set her eyes. For a brief moment, she imagined herself on his arm, but then quickly discarded the notion as the memory of her meeting with Potter resurfaced. Potter had treated her as if she were scum, treating and poking at her with a long wooden pole, figuratively speaking.

At least he is good at it. I can appreciate and accept that at least.

Harry tried his best to keep up his schooled look plastered on his face. He had spent hours with his godfather, trying to perfect that look, all for this one moment. He could not fail now. He looked expectantly at Umbridge, who seemed to be divided between choosing between being killed and being burned alive. Finally, she seemed to have resigned herself to her fate as she nodded her head slowly.

He allowed a smile to wash over his face.

I swear I am up to no good.

It was almost funny, how his mind was uttering the same words that was the password for the map. Perhaps this was how the Marauders had actually felt when in school. Briefly, he rejoiced at the feeling of having something in common with his father and godfather.

"Mister Potter," Flitwick began as he took the opportunity. "Please stand on this end," he proclaimed, expanding the platform enough to have a duel over it. "Professor Umbridge, if you may?" he indicated Umbridge to stand at the other end, who haplessly walked towards the other end.

"What are the rules, Professor Umbridge? I wish to know them so that I can be sure not to expect unknown spells from you. I am after all, only a fifth year."

"Uh," Umbridge tried, but her flummoxed mind did not supply her with anything. "Of course, we will stick to fourth year spells and below for your ease." She smiled uncertainly.

"Thank you, Professor." Harry gave her a showy nod.

"Three, two, one... BEGIN!" Flitwick yelled.

Harry raised his wand upward with a flick, levitating Umbridge who shrieked in fright as Harry raised her up further and further ten feet, fifteen feet and upward, without even chanting any incantation at all. And then-

She fell down, yelling for her life, as Harry seemed to be trying to hold the spell up, or at least so he pretended. Umbridge screamed like a banshee as she fell all the way towards the ground, closing her eyes and screaming her lungs out, expecting to be splattered on hitting the floor only to-

She opened her eyes fearfully to see herself levitated just two feet above the ground. Ah, she hadn't fallen, she had splattered into gore and-

"EEEEEEEEEE!"

Apparently, Harry had lost control over his levitation charm once again as Umbridge dropped unceremoniously on the floor with a thud. The flapping sound was enough to let everyone know that her posterior would be paining for days.

"I am sorry, professor." Harry replied, his face holding the image of a very sorry schoolboy. "I lost control over the spell. I know it is a first year, but I promise to do better this time." Before Umbridge could even answer, he flicked his wand again as a bright blue spell shot out at her, giving her large elephant ears and a snout for mouth, with a tarantallegra (the dancing spell) and a Rictusempra (the laughing spell) in quick succession. The students were rolling on the floor laughing as they saw the disfigured professor dancing uncontrollably to Potter's spell. Hermione was holding her stomach as she laughed to the point of tears. Finally, Potter seemed to be satisfied as he smirked and thrust his wand forward and yelled. "Depulso."

The wave of magic that shot out of his wand was enough to lift the disfigured Professor off the ground and hurl her all across the Great hall, a significant distance of twenty feet before she hit the wall with a rather large thud, falling down unconscious.

"She could have raised a shield and stopped it." Harry cried out indignantly. Then his face changed expression as he looked at his wand thoughtfully. "I suppose I put it a little more power in the spell. Oops."

Mischief managed. He muttered inwardly.