Lack of sleep, large amounts of alcohol and too much time over on The Infamous Man's forum can be a great thing for fic ideas... It can also be a horrible thing. Anyway here's another chapter, it'll be short and kind of boring since nothing major will happen until near the end. Sorry about that. Thanks again to all who voted in the Poll. I've already started working on the first chapter of the winner and, since no one has offered any titles, have named it as well.

Any similarities between this and 'Dark Defence' are done with Kyugan's knowledge and permission. Don't think I have anything else to add so, on with the show!

Harry Potter belongs to J K Rowling.

The Norse Gods belong to, em the Norse?

XXX

As winter's grip on the land grow stronger Loki felt his spirits rise. The cold was a long time ally of his, and would allow for even more creative moves against Hogwarts' High Inquisitor. Loki longed for a chance to target her directly but had given his word to Dumbledore at the beginning of the year. Shaking himself from a wondrous day-dream involving said Inquisitor, a cursed doorknob and a shallow grave Loki addressed his class.

"Now I feel the need to point out, that as a rule, only those who receive an Exceeds Expectations or an Outstanding will be allowed to take N.E.W.T level Defence Against the Dark Arts." Loki said as he flipped through a copy of 'Defensive Magical Theory' and corrected all the mistakes written in it. "If anyone is worried they won't be able to get such a result but hopes to take the class next year, I shall be providing extra classes after the break and will do one-on-one grinds near the exams themselves. If anyone wishes to apply for the grinds, a notice will be put up within the week in your House Common Rooms. Right there's the bell, off you go... Ms Granger, stay behind a moment will you?"

As the rest filled out Hermione moved to the front of the class. She looked nervous and somewhat tired, made sense with all the sneaking around involved in their little club. Loki picked up a bundle of parchment sheets and handed them to her. He then removed a roll of parchment from one of his desk's drawers and handed that over as well.

"Your essay. I finished marking it this morning." He said pointing to the roll. "Thought you'd like it back now rather then next class."

"Oh, em thank you Sir." Hermione stuttered. "but what are the other sheets for?"

"What sheets?" Loki asked with a confused look on his face. He made a point of looking at the sheets clutched in her hands before continuing. "I think lack of sleep is bothering you Ms Granger, now on to your next class."

Hermione just stared at him for a moment or two before understanding hit and she quickly stuffed the sheets into her bag.

"Thank you Professor Lyesmith." she said with a smile before rushing off to her next class.

X

As Loki strolled along the halls leading from his chambers to the kitchen he saw Professor McGonagall approaching. She was being followed by Darren and Ron, both of whom looking uneasy.

"Minerva." He said in greeting as he past. "What did they do now?"

"It is a matter for Professor Dumbledore Lokke." She replied without breaking stride. "I'm afraid we cannot stop."

"Something serious?" Loki asked, changing direction to walk along side her. "Anything I can do to help?"

"No, no. I shall speak with you in the morning." McGonagall assured him before moving on ahead. Loki watched as she led the boys away before shrugging and continued on his way to the kitchens. Along the way he came across a hideous sight, Umbridge running towards him in a fluffy pink dressing gown. Her hair was curled up by rollers and her feet made a muffled 'patting' as she rushed along in fluffy pink slippers.

"Ah Dolores, wonderful." Loki called as he moved to block her, she was following McGonagall and most likely hoping to get Darren in trouble. "I was going to take it up with you tomorrow but while I have you I may as well get it cleared."

"Not now." She snapped and tried to pass him.

"Oh come now Dolores." Loki laughed as he moved to block her again. "I was talking to the Headmaster earlier this evening about my plans to hold extra classes for my Fifth and Seventh Years after the holidays end, some of them are struggling with the subject."

"So, why are you telling me." Umbridge nearly yelled. "Move!"

"Well you see, the Headmaster told me I needed your permission due to Educational Decree Number Twenty-Nine. And I remembered just how busy you were that you couldn't review Gryffindor's Quidditch application so I thought I'd say it to you now so it'll be all sorted out by the time classes start again" Loki said, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Now it'll be mainly theory they study with me, but I will be giving demonstrations as to wand movements and what the effects to certain jinxes and counter-jinxes are. I'll go over the list I intend to show them, want to make sure it complies with Ministry standards on all. So I was thinking I'd start with carnemdet..."

"Whatever." Umbridge yelled as she shoved her way past him. "Tell me in the morning. I must see Dumbledore."

"Elf?" Loki called softly after she'd rounded the corner. As one of the many elves appeared Loki spoke again. "I need you to go and inform the Headmaster that Madam Umbridge is on her way up to see him... I doubt she'll wait for him to finish his current meeting either."

X

"Good morning Headmaster. Sleep well?" Loki greeted Dumbledore as he took his seat at the Staff table. "Was there trouble last night?"

"Oh Arthur Weasley was taken to St. Mungo's." Dumbledore answered. "He's fine but we sent his children home via Portkey. Nothing to worry about."

"Ah, I should send a get well card. Nice man Arthur." Loki said as he began loading up his plate.

"You know Arthur?" Dumbledore asked curiously. "I didn't know that. And thank you for the message last night. Had you not sent it I fear Dolores would of walked in on something she shouldn't have.

"Getting on or getting out of the bath?" Loki asked in total seriousness.

"In." Dumbledore answered, equally seriously.

"Ah, yes. That's something no one would want to walk in on." Loki joked. "You don't intend to tell me why Darren was there do you?"

"No." Came the simple reply. Dumbledore watched as Loki continued to pile food onto his plate. "I do believe I've never seen someone eat nearly half as much as you do Lokke."

"The only thing that can out eat me is fire itself." Loki joked. "Pass the rashers would you?"

Yule passed without incident and Loki finally got permission to have his extra classes the morning lessons restarted. January moved ahead without any major tragedies. From what Loki could tell, anyone not in Darren's little club from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff was willing to take the extra classes. About a third of the Slytherin's attended. They were the one's he'd noticed had been less supporting of Malfoy and his followers since the Quidditch match.

February on the other hand led to a few changes. The weather went from cold to cold and very wet. Snow became slush and paths became rivers of mud. But that was normal and life continued for a time. At least until Umbridge decided to shake things up.

X

Darren pushed his way through a knot of tall Slytherin's and saw what the students had formed a great ring around. Professor McGonagall was directly across from him and looked visibly sickened by what she was seeing. Near the entrance to the Great Hall was Professor Lyesmith, his face twisted in rage and disgust, being held back by Hagrid. In the middle of the ring stood professor Trelawney, her wand in one hand and an empty sherry bottle in the other. Her hair was sticking up on end, her glasses were lobsided, making one eye seem far larger then the other. The shawls and scarves she wore trailed haphazardly from her shoulders and gave the impression that she was falling apart at the seems.

"No!" She shrieked. "No! This cannot be happening... It cannot... I refuse to accept it!"

"You didn't realise this was coming?" Came a high girlish voice, oozing callous amusement. Standing to Darren's right was Umbridge. "Incapable though you are of predicting even tomorrow's weather, you must surely have realised that your pitiful performance during my inspections, and your lack of overall improvement, would make it inevitable that you would be sacked?"

"You c-can't!" Howled Trelawney, tears streaming down her face. "You c-can't sack me! I've b-been here sixteen years! H-Hogwarts is my home!"

"It was your home." Umbridge smirked. "Until an hour ago, when the Ministry of Magic countersigned your Order of Dismissal. Now kindly remove yourself from this Hall. You are embarrassing us."

"You're the embarrassment here!" Lyesmith roared as he broke free of Hagrid's grip and stormed into the ring. He crouched beside Trelanwey and tried to calm her down. "Come on Sybill, calm yourself. You are going no where."

"Oh really Professor Lyesmith?" Umbridge growled. "And your authority for that statement comes is...?"

"My position as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor means I am also in charge of when, and if, visitor may stay here." Loki snarled back. "After the Headmaster I am the only person on school grounds with authority to banish someone and I gave no such order. And until the Headmaster comes along and gives it personally she is going no where."

"Indeed." Said a deep voice. The oak doors had swung open and Dumbledore entered from the school grounds. "Sybill shall stay on My Authority!"

"Neither of you seem to understand." Umbridge said with an unpleasant little laugh. "I have a signed Order of Dismissal by myself and the Minister for Magic. Under the terms of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Three I have the power to inspect, place upon probation or sack any teacher that I feel is not performing to the standards required by the Ministry of Magic. I have found that Professor Trelawney is not up to standards and dismissed her."

"You are quite right, of course, Madam Umbridge. You can sack my teachers if they do not measure up to your standards." Dumbledore said with a half smile on his face. "However as Professor Lyesmith has pointed out, only he and myself possess the authority to send someone away from the castle."

"No... No, I'll go Dumbledore." Trelawney said weakly. "I sh-shall leave Hogwartd and s-seek my fortune elsewhere."

"No. It is my wish that you remain Sybill." Dumbledore said sharply. He then turned to Professor McGonagall, who'd joined Lyesmith in comforting Trelawney. "Might I ask you to escort Sybill back upstairs, Professor McGonagall."

"And what are you going to do once I appoint a new Divination teacher who needs her lodgings?" Umbridge hissed.

"Oh that won't be a problem." Dumbledore said pleasantly, a benign smile on his face. "You see I have found a new Divination teacher and he would prefer lodgings on the ground floor."

"You found?" Umbridge shrieked. "You found? Might I remind you Dumbledore that under Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two..."

"The Ministry can appoint a professor if the Headmaster cannot find one." Lyesmith cut in. "But Headmaster I really must protest!"

"I assure you Professor, I shall cause no difficulties." Came a voice from the main doors. Here stood a centaur with the head and upper body of a pale, white-blond haired man and the palomino lower body of a horse.

"This is Firenze." Dumbledore said, introducing the centaur to the gathered crowd. "I think he is most suited to the task."

"Headmaster, a word?" Lyesmith said quietly as the crowd departed. "While I am glad you managed to find a replacement so quickly. A centaur? Really?"

"Now Lokke. Is that prejudice I hear?" Dumbledore joked. "I'm surprised at you."

"Not prejudice, Sir." Lyesmith countered. "It's just that I know for a fact they tend to be as bad, if not worse, then their reputation makes them out to be."

"I can assure you Firenze shall be no danger to anyone." Dumbledore said. "Was there something else?"

"Yes." Lyesmith said in a dark tone. "As soon as I am free from my word, the High Inquisitor will suffer for what she attempted to do to Professor Trelawney."

"Fire her?" Dumbledore asked. "It is in her power."

"No. Humiliate her like that." Lyesmith snapped. "Once I'm free from my word, I shall get her for it."

XXX

Right fairly short chapter, and in my opinion fairly weak. Nothing major really happens until the end and even then it ain't great. I'll try and get another chapter out soon as an apology. If anyone gets the fire joke Loki made, let me know.

I'm dyslexic, so please point out any mistakes in spelling or grammar. Feedback via review or pm most welcome and needed, the more I hear back about my writing or the story the more I can improve. Well, I think that's everything I've gotta say so, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Thanks for reading.