Notes: (X) is POV change and/or time jump.

Thanks to: Cabuckeye for editing.

Warnings: it's shonen ai, slash, gay, there are boy/boy pairings. Tom and Harry are dating. They are not breaking up for any girls. Get over it.

Chapter 34: Sweet Revenge

Cautiously, the three of them made their ways up the stairs and stopped at the entrance hall. In front of them stood a huge crowd of students along with a mixture of teachers, the screams coming from in the middle of it all. As they looked around trying to figure out the source of the sound Harry noticed that more students were coming out of the Great Hall from dinner to also try and figure out what was going on.

"This is odd," Harry muttered and Tom nodded in agreement. As soon as the words left Harry's mouth he pointed to a woman standing in the middle of it all. "Aderes, isn't that Professor Trelawney?"

"Yeah…" He didn't sound too happy to Harry. The woman gave another scream as she stood there, her wand in one hand and a sherry bottle in the other. To Harry it looked as if the woman had gone completely mad. He took a step back frowning, but Tom stopped him. "You should see what the Ministry do to people, Harry," he said deathly calm. "Then you can consider yourself, what side do you take, when the supposed good is more corrupted than the darkness?" Harry, of course, had no answer to that. Instead, he just stood there watching as the scene started to unfold.

Snape pushed his way through the crowd, Tom and Harry following behind quickly. When they made their ways to the center of the circle, they finally took notice of the two trunks on the floor and just how mad looking Trelawney looked. Harry couldn't think of any possible reason as to why any of the professors would get this out of hand, and then he noticed Umbridge standing directly across from her.

"No! You can't get rid of me! I predicted things for you," she screamed tears running down her face.

"It's alright Sybill, just calm down," McGonagall soothed handing the woman a handkerchief. "You know you don't have to leave Hogwarts," she said smiling slightly and patting the woman on the back.

"You didn't realize this was coming," Umbridge asked evilly, a wide grin on her face. "Why, that 'prediction' you made caused you to look even more suspicious," she grinned. "And due to that, I have all the rights to kick you out, after all, we don't need a dangerous teacher here and should you stand in my way McGonagall-"

"You bitch," Tom, growled walking forward into the circle. Both Umbridge and McGonagall obviously looked shocked and turned to look at the one who had spoken, Snape standing halfway into the circle and off balance having tried to stop Tom from entering it.

"What did you just say," she asked her voice filling with poison as usual. "As a mere student this has-"

"As a mere student this has everything to do with me," he growled standing between Trelawney and Umbridge. "As a student I think we all have the right to who we have teach us and what we learn. You sit behind a desk and parrot off things you think are 'acceptable,' can you even do a defensive spell," Tom demanded.

"You understand nothing," she shrieked glaring at him. "The Ministry does everything to keep-"

"Fudge does everything he does because he's a coward," Tom scream. "How long has it been since he's actually done something to better the wizard community? It sure hasn't been in a year. Calling Harry Potter a liar, because he's to scared to admit Voldemort is back. Well those death eaters didn't escape on their own," he said so loud she winced.

"Detention!"

"And where are all those Dementors," Harry suddenly yelled stepping beside his boyfriend. "Well? They're loyal to the Ministry? It's funny how they're all missing from Azkaban and attacking people at random in the streets now isn't it," he threw at her. Umbridge took a step back pulling her wand out.

"H, how dare any of you-"

"Umbridge, you have far outlived your welcome," Snape drawled taking a step behind the two boys. "You now interfere with actually destroying our family, regardless of how mental it may seem."

"If you stand against me, than you're against the Ministry!" She warned, but no one seemed to care or pay any attention to her words. They had all been fed up with her rules and decrees from day one.

"You ban what we can read and what we can say or who we can talk to," Harry said shaking his head. "What kind of freedom is that," he demanded glaring. "It's like you work for the Dark Lord anyway and he's trying to cut us off from the world! It's like the Ministry is trying to get Voldemort back into power!"

The room went deadly silent at that. No one had, had the nerve to say it before, but Harry finally had and it had more then once been on the minds of everyone else. It did seem like the Ministry was working for Voldemort or worse, their own type of lord that would soon over throw both sides, that lord being Fudge no doubt.

"I knew it! We all knew it! You're all trying to over throw the Ministry, well I-"

"I believe you are mistaken," Dumbledore interrupted. Everyone looked away from the teachers to their headmaster who'd just come from the entrance. He looked calm regardless of the situation and Harry wondered just how much trouble Tom and him were going to get into after all of this was said and done.

"Don't try and change my mind," she screamed hysterically. "I know you're against the Ministry! You're students and these other people you consider teachers, nothing!"

"Yes well, these students may come to this school, however, I do encourage free will and thinking skills thus allowing them to choose whichever path they find themselves best suited for. As for whether Sybill has to leave or not, that falls into my power. Though she may not teach, that doesn't mean she's not allowed to stay," he said firmly just daring Umbridge to challenge his authority.

Before Umbridge could say a word McGonagall and Sprout who'd come from the crowd came over to Trelawney and helped her up the stairs while Professor Flitwick came running out and cast a charm on Trelawney's trunks to follow her up the stairs. The four teachers didn't look back, leaving Umbridge alone with Snape, Harry, Tom, and by far the worse, Dumbledore.

"Y, yes well, even so," she growled seeing she had no choice in this matter, Trelawney already having been removed from the Hall. "They should be punished for this and almost attacking a teacher again!" She said in an attempt to try to get the students in trouble now since she couldn't get to the teachers.

"Attacking," Snape, echoed rolling his eyes. "The only attacking anyone has done is you as far as I can tell. The one crying and hurt is on our side I believe, not yours."

Enraged Umbridge pulled her wand out and aimed it at Snape as if he'd tried to curse her, which, he hadn't moved a inch besides his mouth.

"Dolores, I wish to not cause any harm to the students nor do I wish to see any more harm done to my teaching staff," he glared warningly at her. "And even worse you are embarrassing this school beyond means in front of our new Divination teacher."

"You," She asked narrowing her eyes. "According to decree number twenty-three and twenty-two I have the power to inspect, place upon probation, and sack any teacher I wish as well as replace them," she said suddenly in a death calm tone. No one had ever heard her talk that way.

"Only if the headmaster fails to appoint one," Dumbledore corrected a grin on his face. "And I assure you, not only have I found one. In fact I believe you may actually be pleased with this new teacher."

At that, Dumbledore took a step back from the door and opened the oak doors more his smile growing. The room became quieter, but whispers of conversation still being said to one another as the sound of horse hooves began drifting into the castle. The student's closest to the door let out small gasps and ran away from the door to the other side of the room. Just as they made their ways over there, a Centaur stopped in the doorway.

"This is Firenze," Dumbledore said doing nothing to conceal his happiness. "I think you'll find him very suitable," he said his smile never leaving as Umbridge was too shocked to speak in protest.

'This just got very interesting,' Tom said to Harry as he jerked Harry into the crowd with him to melt back into it. If they had any luck, the witch would be too stupid to remember which students had spoken out against her and they wouldn't have to attack her just yet.

(X)

"I am not leaving you alone in that room," Tom muttered to Harry as they sat at the table in the Great Hall. He was watching the other students, especially Parvati and Lavender who couldn't stop talking about this centaur and wanted nothing more than to make Harry quit the class. "Can't you just drop out and change?"

"I thought you liked toying with the Divination teachers," Harry grinned, but his humor was quickly lost on Tom who was jealous and worried about just how much Harry would take to this new found teacher. "Listen, I swear I won't do anything wrong, you can even stalk me," he said taking a bite of his food. "Nothing will happen, you'll see."

"It's not just his looks," Tom murmured looking away. "Centaurs are a lot better at predicting things than that human ever was. All she is good for is prophecies," he sighed. "But it's thanks to her that…" his voice trailed off and he went silent.

"Aderes…?"

"I'm telling you that Umbridge is just getting started," Hermione said off handedly as she read her daily prophet. This caught the attention of both Ron and Harry who were now staring at her as if she was nuts.

"How can you possibly think she can get any worse," Ron asked in shocked. "I mean, seriously Hermione, she's a monster and she's already thrown out Trelawney."

"Yeah, but she's going to want revenge since Dumbledore appointed a new teacher without asking her first." she sighed. "And not to mention that little out burst you and Aderes had. I still can't believe you two did that and considering Dumbledore both got you out of detention for that, yeah she's got to be pissed." She stated bluntly.

They nodded in agreement with her regardless of them not really wanting to. Still, even if she did try to be more evil than she had before, Harry doubted she could top what she'd been doing since she'd gotten there. Not only that, but the other students were beginning to resist her more, because of Tom's and his small speech.

Harry attempted to try and talk to Tom, but the boy would say nothing more to him so Harry just gave up and talked to Ron and Draco the rest of the morning. Soon enough it was time for them to head to their first class with Firenze and sure enough, Tom was stalking him in shadow form.

"If he was so worried about the centaur seeing him for what he is, then why he is stalking you in a magical shadow form," Ron whispered to Harry curiously.

"I stopped questioning his plots that fall into the odd category," Harry replied in a low mutter. Ron nodded slowly and they entered the classroom, only to find themselves standing in a forest.

Instead of the abandoned classroom that was usually here, it was now what looked like a full-fledged forest, the ground covered in dirt and moss, trees, even the ceiling was bewitched to be a sky.

"This is…not what I had expected," Ron said in awe looking around the room. Many of the students had taken seats against trees or rocks and were doing their best not to get anywhere near their new professor.

"Harry Potter," Firenze said in what sounded to him as a happy tone. The centaur moved towards him his hand held out.

"Hi," Harry replied nervously taking his hand. "It's umm good to see you." He said not really sure what else to say.

"It was foretold that we would meet again."

"Yeah…that's what you told me before leaving," he smiled at that.

"Yes, and amusing the people you've gained into your herd," he finally seemed to be smiling. Harry blushed looking away and the centaur let go of his hand. He walked over to the nearest open spot and sat down, Ron taking a seat next to him.

As the last student took a seat within the classroom, Firenze began walking around as if inspecting every student within the room. After he seemed satisfied, he nodded and let out a slow breath.

"For centuries centaurs have looked to the heavens in order to try and decipher the future and what it may hold. We have done this much longer than humans and have long ago dropped the limitations your old teacher had," he said calmly. "Lie back upon the floor and stare at the heavens so you to may try to observe the future," he explained as he began to walk around again his tail swishing back and forth as he did.

'See, he's not trying to rape anyone,' Harry mentally scolded his boyfriend. 'It's just a class.'

'Just a class yes, how long it's going to stay that way is another matter,' he hissed. Harry said nothing to this just shook his head and followed along with the rest of the lesson.

"As we look at the stars and planets we attempt to read the future hidden within their depths, however, not even centaurs have managed to always be right. In order for us to try and read things more clearly we burn certain herbs while star gazing to try and see what we may."

And soon enough the students found themselves in groups of two within the room burning herbs and trying to pick out certain symbols or shapes that their teacher had asked them to locate. When no one had located anything he had asked them to, he didn't looked surprised, rather just smiled at them and nodded.

"It took even centaurs many years to be able to read these signs and even than they can be read wrong. It does not surprise me you saw nothing today," he said calmly. He was about to say something else when the school bell rang and nearly all the students jumped having forgotten they were still in the castle.

"That was odd," Ron muttered as they doused their fire. "I barely had any idea what was going on."

"Well, that's why we're in a class," Harry snickered. "To learn."

They both headed towards the door to go to their next class when Firenze suddenly stopped near them.

"You're friends with Hagrid, are you not?" Both of them stopped and turned around to face their new teacher.

"Yes…" Harry replied cautiously.

"He may stay, just please close the door," he said nodding to Ron. Ron quickly did as he was told and took a place beside Harry. "…I have respect for Hagrid and how he treats the creatures of the forest," the centaur said at length. "However, I cannot get to him seeing as how I've been forbidden to go near the forest anymore. I wish for you to give him a message."

"A message," Harry asked curiously.

"Tell him that his attempt is not working and that he would do best to drop it."

"His attempt is not working?" Harry blinked.

"And that he would do best to drop it," he repeated. Harry nodded slowly and was about to leave before his curiosity and worry got the best of him.

"Just what is it that he's been attempting," Harry finally asked before the door had been open. Firenze didn't reply at first, but nearly studied the boy again before shaking his head.

"I've to much respect to tell anyone his secret." He sighed. "However…You would do well to watch the herd you are forming for yourself…it would not be a surprise should you lose someone close to you." And with that said, the centaur walked away.

After the two finally made it down half the corridor Ron and him finally began to talk again.

"I can't believe that, he basically just said your friends are going to die," Ron said sounding more than a bit mad. Harry just shook his head at him not really wanting to deal with it at the moment. After all, it was obvious that Firenze had already figured out about Tom.

'I guess you were right, we'll have to be careful around him,' He sighed not really up to the challenge of hiding his boyfriend from yet another person.

'I don't think he's against me,' Tom said when he'd finally finished thinking the class over. 'I believe in this matter, he's on our side…he must have read the stars already, his herd must have seen a good outcome if we were together.'

'I hope so…'

(X)

March began to blend in with April and soon enough he was getting used to storms nonstop and random stalking by Umbridge. The teacher had taken it upon herself to follow Harry and Tom to most of their classes or to meals almost every day since the incident in the Entrance Hall.

Currently the group of five was leaving the grounds after the Care of Magical Creatures lesson, which of course, Umbridge was at. She had been attending every single one of these classes since the "entrance incident" as they were beginning to call it as well.

Finally, Harry was sick of the weeks that had been going by without him being able to tell Hgarid Firenze's message so he pretended he'd lost his book at some point and headed back to Hagrid's hut, Tom close at his heels.

"She's not following is she," he asked carelessly. He was too annoyed with how long it was taking for him to be able to talk to Hagrid alone to really care if she was or not. As far as he was concerned they could stun her and leave her for death if she was.

"No she's not," Tom grinned and wrapped an arm around Harry's waist, or at least attempted. Harry pulled away at the last moment and didn't stop until he was standing in front of Hagrid.

"We need to talk," he said emotionlessly. Hagrid looked a bit surprised to see Harry standing in front of him and set down the container he was holding on a table.

"Well, what'd yeh need?"

"Firenze told me to tell you your attempt is not working and it'd be best to leave it be." There was an odd silence for a few seconds before Hagird made an odd snorting noise and picked the container back up.

"Did 'e now? Well, ain't none 'o his business," he muttered.

"Hagrid, what are you trying to do, honestly?"

'You're getting blunter,' Tom tried to warn him quietly, but Harry ignored him.

" 'Arry, this ain't got nothin tah do with you either," he said and before he realized what he was doing, he'd dropped the container.

"You know what Hagrid, I really used to think of you as a close friend, almost like some kind of dad or something," he muttered a scowl on his face. "I'm glad I realized the truth though before it got any worse," he growled and stomped back off towards the school. Hagrid looked shocked at what Harry had just said, but Tom ignored him and ran after Harry. After all, that was his priority, not the half giant.

(X)

"So many…so much homework," Harry groaned. There had indeed been a huge increase in work. Not only outside the classrooms, but inside them as well as all the teachers began pushing just how important OWLs. were and what they'd be getting tested over. Tom and Hermione had begun their almost relentless attacks at Harry and the others to study harder and take more notes as the horrible tests drew closer.

Harry was actually surprised to find out though that Hannah Abbott beat him in the need for a Calming Draught, considering all the problems Tom was making him do before he went to bed every night.

The only thing that was keeping Harry sane anymore were his D.A. meetings where he got the satisfaction of knowing all the D.A. members would receive "Outstandings" in their Defense Against the Dark Arts OWLs. This feeling was increased as he looked around the room and saw all the other people in it with Patronus soaring around them.

"I can't believe how far we've gotten," he laughed hugging Tom randomly. "This is so great, everyone's doing so well." Tom couldn't help, but smile at the look on his boyfriend's face and Harry's spirits rose even more. "I love you," he blurted out and gave him a quick kiss before running off to go help Neville who had nearly poked his own eye out trying to do the spell.

"Well there's something you didn't expect," Draco smirked walking up behind Tom. "And to think you thought he hated you."

"Shut up," he muttered his face red. "It's not like that's the first time he's ever told me that…"

"It is in public."

(X)

The class had been going well and Harry was so happy he felt like he could produce the biggest Patronus ever made. He'd walked back over to Ron and Hermione and was beginning to ask them a question when the door to the room opened and than clicked shut. Everyone in the room froze unsure of what to do until they noticed the house elf standing in front of Harry and tugging on his robes.

"Dobby," Harry asked slightly shocked.

"Get them out of here," Tom said suddenly. "House elves don't run in for good reasons," he growled looking around. A bunch of concerned whispers began as one person from another began talking about what could possibly be going on. "Now Harry, order them to go," he screamed. Harry took a step back, but nodded slowly. Dobby to was nodding and pointing at the door.

"We house-elves were told not to tell, but Dobby likes Harry Potter, yes he does!" Upon saying those words, he slammed his head into the wall. Draco stared at him.

"My old house elf works at Hogwarts," he asked in a shocked tone. Dobby let out a loud squeak seeing Draco and threw himself onto the floor bowing.

"OLD MASTER DO NOT HURT ME! DOBBY HAS COME TO WARN-"

"Oh get up already," Malfoy growled. "If it's a warning we have to leave then, call off the class Harry!"

"EVERYONE GET OUT OF HERE!," Harry suddenly screamed and the classroom soon became filled with chaos. They ran out of the room as quickly as they could, Dobby screaming thank you to both Harry and Draco as they did, since he didn't have to actually tell anyone anything. "Dobby," Harry said after they'd gotten out of the room. "I forbid you to speak of this at all to anyone and you were never here, nor are you allowed to beat yourself up anymore," he growled and set the house-elf down.

"Oh thank you Harry Potter!" He quickly scampered off to return to the kitchen.

"Crazy elf," Harry muttered as he began to run, Tom grabbed him and shoved him back into the room, Draco as well. They had almost made it to the safety of the dungeons by flo powder when Umbridge stunned them.

(X)

"I don't believe it," Fudge breathed after the three students had been shoved into Dumbledore's office. Kingsley Shacklebolt was standing beside him along with another tough looking wizard Harry had never seen before. To Dumbledore's side was Professor McGonagall, Percy not to far from them taking notes. Instantly Harry felt like grabbing his wand and attacking the son who'd killed his own mother, but he did his best to remain calm, as Tom had told him to.

"Yes, I'm displeased to say that Mr. Malfoy will not be too happy to hear about his son's choices within this school," Umbridge grinned as she let them go. Growling Tom took a step forward and glared at the others in the room just daring for one of them to attack Harry or Draco.

"But even so," Fudge said looking away from Draco to Harry. "Harry Potter, I'd have never guessed," he said sarcastically with an evil grin on his face. "Well, regardless, I expect you know why you're here," he asked all too happily. Harry was beginning to wonder whom he hated the most in the room.

'Don't agree, they have no proof,' Tom warned him. Harry felt a surge of confidence from his words.

"No, not unless you plan on trying to get me expelled for once again not doing your own job," Harry hissed. McGonagall was tempted to tell Harry to watch his mouth, but upon seeing, the look from Dumbledore and Tom remained silent.

"Oh, you don't huh? No idea you've been breaking school rules or decrees," he demanded with a glare.

"No more than you've been treating the wizarding community right…wait no. I haven't done THAT much," he scowled. Tom held back a snicker and dropped a hand on his shoulder.

"Listen Potter," Umbridge said breaking into the conversation. "We have proof that you were running an illegal class in this school," she said delightfully. "There's no way you can possible get out of this!"

"And I have proof that someone in here is a murderer and it wasn't for business," Tom glared folding his arms across his chest. "But I suppose my words hold no water."

"No they don't and we have real proof for a real reason," Umbridge glared. "Willy Widdershins has told us you were planning this club while at Hogsmeade," she said in her poisonous voice, her toad smile on.

"Oh, so that's why he wasn't prosecuted for setting up all those regurgitating toilets!" Professor McGonagall said in somewhat shock. The other portraits in the room instantly began screaming in outrage at the way the Ministry was dealing with criminals these days.

"Calm down," Dumbledore sighed and the portraits did just that. "Dolores, do you have any real proof of this meeting haven taken place?"

"Yes, yes of course we do," she said evilly and ran out coming back in a few moments later with Cho's friend Marietta being led in.

'She can't talk,' Tom snickered to Harry who instantly felt very relieved. 'Hermione and I came up with a good way to deal with these types of things.'

The girl indeed did not wish to talk at all, rather she was in a horrible state of shock from the word 'Sneak' having formed across her face in huge purple blotches that had yet to go away regardless of it having been hours ago when she'd told.

Harry was very proud of his friends to find out she not only looked horrible, she could no longer talk and at some point was deliberately lying to Umbridge after Shacklebolt had whispered something.

'We'll get out of this,' he told Harry quietly.

"Is this the best you can do to try and get us thrown out of Hogwarts," Tom finally asked sighing. "Should we report this that the Minister of Magic is going around looking for excuses so he can expel kids he doesn't like? And shockingly Lucius Malfoy's own son? What, did he stop sending you money?" That seemed to hit a mark and Fudge instantly retaliated as Tom had expected.

"We have proof," he growled throwing the parchment on the floor with everyone's name on it, or at least had been. It now contained nothing more than the names of famous witches and wizards, the words "Cards Needed" and "Cards Obtained" on the top of it.

"Your proof," Tom asked blinking. "Is a list of Chocolate Frog cards names?"

"What?" Fudge instantly looked down and grabbed it. No one had touched the paper or pulled their wands out, it was impossible for magic to have been done. "But this is…this can't…"

"I understand you must hate us, but you could have had least put together a more…believable trial…,"Tom muttered shaking his head.

"You," Umbridge suddenly said grabbing Draco by the shoulders. "If you tell us everything we'll give you immunity! We'll allow you anything you want and your father will gain much power," she shrieked. Draco hadn't spoken a word since the entire ordeal had started.

"Talk about what? How stupid you are," he asked his tone remaining calm, but arrogant.

TBC