Ninja Wizard 38
By David
Author's Notes: All characters with the exception of "Tino" belong to JK Rowling. Any dialog in bold indicates Japanese being spoken.
Ninja Wizard 38
"Examinations, Battles, and Harry Leaves"
Harry stood on the top of a mountain that overlooked a small valley and shifted his pack. He headed down the side hoping to reach the small lake he saw by nightfall. He decided to make camp here for the night and see how he felt about staying here for as long as he needed to. He had a lot of thinking to do, a lot of planning, and a lot of training to do as well. So much had happened in the space of that week, from the petition, to the fifth year OWLs (Ordinary Wizarding Levels), to the battle he witnessed between Hagrid and Umbridge's people where McGonagall got hit by four or five stunners, to the battle at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Mysteries, to finding his parent's will in Dumbledore's office, to the destruction of Albus Dumbledore's office, and then his decision to leave Hogwarts. In his letter to Hermione he called it a strategic retreat so he could deal with things in his mind, heart, spirit, and soul. He truly needed this time to build up strength and to come back stronger than ever. He was done playing. This time things would be a lot more serious as Voldemort had announced his return the night of the fight at the ministry and Fudge finally admitting it. He knew that now people would be looking to him now that he understood the prophecy. Dumbledore had withheld a lot more than that and Harry was sure his parent's will contained a lot more answers. He would open it when the time was right.
He arrived at the side of the lake and looked in both directions before spotting his stopping point for the night. He walked a bit more and found a small cove with plenty of shade trees nearby. It was perfect for what he had in mind and decided this would be his home for the time being. He set down his pack and went about setting up his camp. Tomorrow morning he would make it a bit more permanent. For now he was tired and he needed sleep. He unrolled his sleeping bag from his pack and laid it out flat. He built a small fire and then put up protection wards around him with his wandless magic, not trusting his wand. If he used it one time the Ministry would come running and Harry didn't need that. He knew Dumbledore would be at the front of the pack and he wanted to avoid him for now. He sat on his sleeping bag wearing only the fundoshi and began to meditate, sinking down into Getsumi no Michi. The familiar feelings of the ancient ninja discipline washed over him and he felt better immediately. He relaxed his mind and decided a long cleanup session was needed. Harry stretched out inside the bag without opening his eyes and he went to sleep. As he slept he went and began making repairs to his mental shields, his house, and the property. All of the cabinets and other things would have to be resorted and reorganized over a few days, perhaps a week or two to be precise. He would do his physical training during the day and work on his mental defenses at night. He hoped Hermione wouldn't be too upset when she read the letter.
"Harry," she cried as she lay on her bed back home. "How could you leave like this? I can help you."
Thomas and Cassandra Granger looked at each other as they watched their daughter sob herself to sleep. Thomas crept in and retrieved the letter she'd violently thrown against the far wall and took it downstairs to read. He hoped that Hermione would forgive them for invading her privacy. Thomas slipped on his reading glasses and cleared his throat.
"My dearest Hermione. I love you. If there is anything I am absolutely certain about it is that. You are my everything. You complete me in ways I could never begin to describe. I want you to be a big part of my life today, tomorrow, and forever. But right now I must go away for a time to renew myself and to grieve for the things I have lost in my life, to train, to plan, to think, and to reach down deep into myself and find what it is I am looking for. I urge you to do the same. I was so afraid of losing you down there. I wished I hadn't taken you with me despite what you said about wanting to go with me there. When I saw you get hurt I blamed myself for causing you pain. I know you said you wanted to help me and that you went there of your free will but I am responsible for your safety and I am sure that will be a subject your father will take up with me when I return. I swore him an Oath of Honor to protect you and I failed. I must atone for that.
Hermione, it is more important now than ever that we must be ready. No matter how many of us will march against him it will be up to me to defeat him. A prophecy was made and I am going to tell you what it was. It goes like this: The One with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches, born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies, and the Dark Lord shall mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not, and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives, The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies. That's the prophecy. That's what Voldemort wanted. That's one of the things Albus Percivial Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was withholding from me. I have the other item he hid from me when I went to his office for a "conference" after the action at the ministry. It was my parent's will.
I don't know how to deal with him right now. He is just one of the many reasons why I left. That's something else I have to deal with. The either him or me thing. I'm also taking time to grieve for the loss of Sirius. You know how much he meant to me. He was one of the links to my parents. Now Remus is the last living link to my parents. That bastard has so much to account for. Not only will I avenge the deaths of my parents, but the deaths of so many people who have died at his hands. He needs to be stopped before he ends up destroying a world I have come to view as my second home. I will return. I will come back be sure of that. I cannot ask you to help me or to have you by my side. That is your choice. If you want to be there I cannot stop you. I will love you no matter what. Encourage our friends, keep their hope alive and strong and it will serve to keep the hope alive in you. I will see you soon. Love Harry," Thomas read and then put down the letter.
"They will need our support dear," Cassandra said quietly.
Thomas nodded. "Yes they will. I should go and call the Dursleys later."
Both of them headed upstairs to find Hermione sitting up on her bed. Thomas handed the letter back to her. He sat down on her left as Cassandra sat on her right. Both wrapped their arms around her.
"We will do everything we can to help support you and Harry," Thomas said.
"You won't be alone in this," Cassandra said.
Hermione looked up at them. "Thanks Mum, Dad."
They sat there for a time and then headed downstairs. There was a lot to talk about.
Vernon Dursley handed a similar letter to Remus Lupin and sat back with a sigh. He opened the bottle of scotch and poured some for himself and Remus as the man read the letter quietly. He looked up after he placed the letter back on the table.
"I am surprised that Molly hasn't flown over here yet," Remus remarked.
Vernon chuckled at that. "Petunia can be quite fearsome herself at times."
"I found that out once already, if you remember," Remus said.
"Heh. How can I forget?" Vernon said.
Remus had brought a Boggart to the Dursleys inside a trunk and was taking it down to the basement for Harry to practice his Patronus charm on when Petunia spotted him and asked what it was. Remus skirted around the issue and then suddenly found himself being lifted off the floor by the front of his jacket and Petunia's lungs were working overtime demanding to know what it was. Remus quickly backed down and told her and got an even louder earful. Remus made sure she knew everything from then on.
"I don't suppose we could send Petunia and Molly after Voldemort. They'd scare the hell out of that old boy," Remus chuckled.
Vernon had to laugh out loud at the image of Molly and Petunia backing Voldemort into a corner and letting go at him with a verbal tirade that would scare the hell out of anyone.
"That they would," Vernon smiled as he had a drink.
"We would what?" Petunia said as Molly Weasley and her entered the kitchen.
"We thought of sending the both of you after Voldemort. The both of you would really scare the hell out of him while dressing him down in the most fearsome manner womanly possible," Vernon said.
"Well now, that is an idea," Molly said, considering it. "Lord knows, a strong woman in his life would fix him good."
Vernon and Remus looked at each other and grimaced. Petunia went to the stove as Molly sat down at the kitchen table.
"Any word from Harry yet?" she asked.
Before Vernon could answer, the phone rang. He went to get it and had a long conversation with Thomas. He returned to the kitchen to see Remus refill his glass with the scotch and then fill up Vernon's once more.
"Thomas, dearest. He's found the letter Harry sent Hermione and it said pretty much the same thing ours did," Vernon reported.
Petunia sighed. "I do hope he's alright."
Dudley was sitting on the stairs listening in and he got up quietly and headed back upstairs. He picked up the letter that Harry had sent him through Hedwig and read it through once more. He sat there at his desk for a time and thought about things. He suddenly made up his mind about something, grabbed paper and pen, and started writing. There was work to be done before Harry came back.
Deep in the forest of England by a small clear blue mountain lake, Harry Potter woke up to the sounds of the early morning. He stretched and grunted. The mental work had taken most of the night and he had managed to clear and repair at least half of the damage done by Voldemort when he went smashing through his mind for the Prophecy. Harry smiled at the memory of Voldemort's reaction to Chico and Pancho and their friends running him down and making their displeasure known. Harry mentally made a note of Voldemort's fear of dogs. Might come in handy for the next time. He stood up and hung his sleeping bag out on a thick tree branch to air out and then started his daily workout. As he ran his six miles, his mind drifted back to the morning after the three houses had delivered the petition.
"Do you think it's going to work mate?" Ron asked as they walked through the halls to their first class of the day. "Things are truly getting out of control around here."
"I hope so," Harry said. "Wasn't my idea, and I wasn't there when you guys voted on it as a house."
"Rita would have a field day with this," Hermione said.
Luna Lovegood appeared out of nowhere and smiled. "I met Daddy this morning. He said everybody's talking about the interview, and he ran the piece about the three houses presenting Umbridge with the petition. We're getting a lot of support."
Ron grinned brightly as Hermione hugged Harry.
"Let's pass the word on this," Harry said.
"Doing that right now," Luna smiled.
She passed them by and headed down the hall to charms with Flitwick. People were still talking about the dramatic exit by Fred and George and Harry knew those two would forever leave their mark on Hogwarts forever.
"So what's been decided?" Ron asked.
"I've heard the head boy and girl for the three houses told their people go about your usual business for now," Hermione said.
"Good. Let them handle the rebellion for now," Harry said. "I want to play low key for now. Something tells me all of this isn't over just yet."
Hermione and Ron shivered at that pronouncement. They knew Harry enough to know he wasn't kidding about things like that. They had learned long ago to pay attention to his feelings, intuitions, and his visions. They went into charms class and it began as always. Since the fifth year OWLs were coming up in May, Flitwick had decided to start doing a review the first hour of each class to go over material learned. As it turned out that had been a good move on his part.
The next morning Harry was coming down the stairs to see a group of people standing in the hall with Umbridge. She noticed Harry watching her and she smirked at him very nastily and Harry had a feeling she was up to something. He walked into the hall to find a number seven floating in the air, no doubt a reminder to Umbridge that she had only seven days to give up the Headmistress post or Hogwarts walked. As she walked into the hall the suits of armor began croaking as she walked past them. The look of fury on her face made Harry smile. He was truly enjoying this. Umbridge took the stage and walked over to the podium where she mounted a box placed on the floor to raise her higher over the podium.
"Get the hell off me you overweight fat broad!" the box yelled suddenly.
Harry sat up, wondering who had done that. A quick look to his right confirmed it had been the twins. The hall broke out in laughter.
"Shut up!" Umbridge screamed, jumping off the box and threw a hex that shattered the box completely.
People did shut up moments later.
"The examiner have arrived this morning," she gloated, noting the panic stricken faces looking up at her. "Anyone missing their examinations will not be allowed back to Hogwarts next year, have their wands snapped, and excommunicated from the Wizarding World. That decree has been posted as of now."
That started the talk in the hall as people turned to each other. Harry knew nobody was ready for this since it was now March. He wondered if this was a ploy to get back at them for the petitions. Harry looked up to see an older witch march up to the front.
"I am Griselda Marchbanks. I have been in communication from Minister Fudge and informed him of the situation. Since the examinations board is a separate entity from Hogwarts and the Ministry, we have the power to administer the examinations when we choose to. In light of the announcement, we shall begin the examinations immediately. One group of the examiners will test the fifth years and up while the second group of examiners will test the first to the fourth years. There will be no deviations nor interference with this," she stated.
Boy did that set off Umbridge. She absolutely went ballistic and Harry knew for sure that her plan to force Hogwarts to abandon the petition had failed. All three houses cheered loudly at the announcement. There would be extra work to be sure, but it would be worth it. To knock Umbridge down a peg or two would be well worth the trouble. Slytherin House looked pissed off at the announcement as well and Harry knew they would go to any lengths to cause trouble. Apparently the other houses had the same though so they began traveling around Hogwarts in packs of threes or fours. The examinations would commence immediately after lunch.
"I thought she was gonna die on the spot," Ron grinned as the talk in the commons room got started.
"Would have saved us a lot of trouble," Lee Jordan said as he opened his transfigurations book.
"What do we have first after lunch?" Harry asked as Hermione sat down next to him on the couch, holding a piece of parchment.
"Transfigurations first, both the written and the practical. Then it's Charms, ending with astronomy tonight," she said.
"They aren't wasting any time," Lee commented. "Sounds like they are on our side and you gotta like that."
"The examinations board always has been a separate entity from Hogwarts and the Ministry," Hermione said. "It was decided long ago to do it after too many conflicts with the Ministry and Hogwarts. This also left them free to judge apprentices as well and no favorites were played."
"Good of them," Harry said. "That makes them beyond reproach."
"I just hope we pass this lot before stuff begins to happen," Rom sighed.
Harry nodded as he turned to his transfigurations book and Hermione started helping people. He had the feeling that things would start happening tonight.
The day went by with hardly any incidents with the exception of the Slytherins glaring at people. They had been unable to do anything now that people were moving around in Hogwarts in groups. Having Colin and Dennis Creevey popping up all over the place with their ever present cameras deterred the Slytherins and Peeves naturally did his very best to make their lives as miserable as he could. Filch was nowhere to be seen. Word had it he had decided to exile himself in his quarters and would come out only when the hell was over and he could take his leave of Hogwarts. McGonagall had convinced him to stay after much convincing. She had convinced him that Umbridge wouldn't last forever here. How she knew was anyone's guess. Perhaps she had insight from Trelawney. Harry hoped that was one prediction that would come true.
Later that evening Harry set up his telescope on the top of the north wall that faced Hagrid's hut. He closed his eyes and sighed as he felt the cool night air on his face.
"A pleasant evening, is it not, Mr. Potter?" a voice said.
Harry looked to see an older man standing next to him. Harry recognized him as Professor Tofty from the introductions that afternoon.
"Yes it is," Harry said. "Just what I needed right now."
"I think we all could use it," he said in a softer voice.
Harry suddenly knew the older man was telling him something.
"Yes sir," Harry nodded. "All of us sure do."
The man smiled and moved off to another person as Harry began working on his examination. As he looked up he noted the light on in Hagrid's hut. Harry stretched for a moment and then saw his front door fling wide open and then sail off somewhere in the dark. Something was wrong.
"What the hell?" Harry said out loud, drawing Hermione's attention.
She moved over to Harry. "What's wrong?"
"Hagrid's front door got knocked off it's hinges," Harry said.
"What's going on?" Ron said as he came up next to them.
His question was answered a moment later as Hagrid appeared in his doorway holding two men under each arm as he struggled out of his hut.
"NO! I'M NOT LEAVING HOGWARTS EVER!" he bellowed.
Harry suddenly felt fear as he saw four people race out of the hut with their wands leveled at him, firing stunners. Hagrid tossed the two under his arms a respectable distance as he turned to face the four firing on him. Umbridge stood on the steps of the hut yelling at Hagrid.
"YOU WILL LEAVE THIS SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY! YOU ARE FIRED FOR SUBSTANDARD TEACHING!" she yelled.
Harry watched as the four charged Hagrid. He slapped each one with a massive hand, sending them in all directions. Suddenly the front doors of the castle opened and McGonagall raced out.
"Stop!" she shouted. "Leave him alone!"
What happened next went beyond horror. The four wizards turned as one and fired stunners at McGonagall, knocking her backwards several feet when she got within range of their wands. She landed hard on the ground and Harry could see her robe smoking. He was moving, racing down the north wall stairs and back into Hogwarts. He raced out the doors and skidded to a top next to an unconscious McGonagall. He checked her and found a pulse in her neck signaling to him she was still alive. But it was awful slow and Harry knew she needed immediate medical assistance. Hermione and Ron arrived seconds later.
"Ron, get Pomfrey! Hermione, see what you can do for her," Harry said as a loud cry of rage went up from the hut.
There was no doubt in anyone's mind Hagrid was extremely pissed. Harry raced forward in time to see Hagrid deliver fast punches to each of the five wizards sending them flying in all directions. Umbridge had attempted a getaway but found Fang in her face showing to her all of his very large and extremely sharp teeth. Hagrid turned to her and lifted her of the ground and bodily shook her.
"You chicken shit bitch!" Hagrid roared.
Harry was still a distance away and he heard that quite clearly. He had no doubt Umbridge heard it too.
"You didn't have to do that!" he snarled at her. "You killed her! And for that you get this!"
Harry watched as Hagrid got a grip on her belt and the neck of her robe and gave her a mighty heave ho. She flew through the air while flapping her arms.
"Look ma, no broom!" Harry cracked as he raced up to Hagrid.
They watched her crash land in the pigpen with a mighty crash in the… well, something. Sure was messy and smelly. Harry turned to Hagrid.
"You gotta get out of here," he said. "Head for bird rock. I'm sure some of my brothers are still there."
Hagrid nodded and gathered up Fang into his arms and bounded off in a direction. Harry stepped back into the shadows and made himself invisible. He retrieved Colin's camera and got a few shots of Umbridge face down in the pigpen and then sitting up with stuff all over her. Harry grinned. This would make Umbridge look very bad. He turned in the direction of what he had told Hagrid was bird rock. That was where the ninja encampment had been during the Triwizard tournament. Master Koshou and a large group of the ninja had headed home afterwards. Master Koshou had privately informed Harry that there were matters that needed his attention. He knew that Tino was still here, he just hoped that there were a few of the brothers still here. He sighed and looked up towards the castle, seeing torches lighting up the north lawn where McGonagall was. He needed to get back.
The castle was in total bedlam. People crowded the stairs as the stretcher bearing McGonagall followed Pomfrey up to the hospital wing. People were pointing and whispering to each other, many of the Gryffindor girls were crying, Hermione with them, and the Gryffindor boys looked very serious. Harry had the feeling there would be a fight between the Slytherins and Gryffindors if he or the Gryffindor head boy didn't take charge. Harry moved up behind Colin Creevey and slipped him the camera. Colin took it and disappeared. Harry knew the boy wonder was on the job. He spotted Ron.
"What's the word?" he asked.
Ron turned to see Harry. "Don't know yet, but from Pomfrey's expression it don't look good. I'm thinking St. Mungo's for sure."
"Hagrid's someplace safe for now," Harry whispered.
"Good," Ron said.
A few of the teachers began sending people back to their commons rooms and would send word once they knew of anything. Harry allowed himself to be sent back as well.
"Revenge? A way to disrupt the examinations?" Lee Jordan asked as they sat in the commons room.
"No question of it," Harry asked. "Umbridge is extremely pissed and this was her big shot at trying to regain control."
"Well she's in it now. No way the ministry's going to support her once this gets out," someone said.
Harry had to agree. However, things were slowly getting out of control and Harry had the feeling it wasn't over yet.
Harry had to chuckle as he tiredly sat down with his housemates the next morning as he spotted the large pictures of Umbridge landing in the pigpen with her face in the stuff, sitting up in it, and then slipping and sliding all over the place as she tried to get out of there. The hall liked the entertainment and what was even better the Inquisitorial Squad couldn't do squat. The large pictures were very well stuck to the walls. Umbridge stomped in, saw the pictures, and screamed bloody murder at the sight. The teachers at the table shrugged their shoulders as one told her they were unable to find out who had done it. Harry sighed as he looked at his testing schedule. Today he had Divination, the written and practical in DADA and that made him smile, and then after lunch the written and practical in potions. He crossed his fingers and hoped for the best.
Divination was a flop. Harry knew for sure he'd flunked that one badly. He regretted having taken that one at all. But the DADA written and practical went much better than he'd anticipated. He knew Umbridge was watching as he beat the Auror recruited for the practical part of the DADA testing. Professor Tofty smiled once the test was over.
"I have heard that you are capable of a full fledged Patronus," he said, his eyes alight with excitement. "For an extra point, can you do one for me?"
The Auror stood behind the old man and watched. Harry drew inside himself for a moment and found a thought that made him very happy, a memory of Hermione kissing him earlier that morning, the morning sun catching her hair just right.
"Expecto Patronum," Harry said, thrusting his wand forward.
The silvery mist came out and formed into the Stag that Harry knew so well. Everybody at that moment had stopped to see what was going on and stared in awe at the sight of the majestic Stag moving about. It walked right up to Umbridge and got into her face, staring at her fiercely. She paled and the Stag snorted in her face and then turned back to Harry. The Stag nuzzled Harry's face once before fading away.
"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!" Tofty exulted as the Auror shook Harry's hand.
"Thank you sir," Harry said with a smile.
As he walked past Umbridge with head held high, she snarled at him. Harry laughed all the way out the door.
The hall was buzzing at lunch of Harry's stunt during the DADA practical. If that served to encourage people, it worked. A lot of people that had been in the DA reported success at the DADA exams than most people.
"That's going to be the snake that will bite Umbridge on the ass," Ron chortled.
"Especially when that gets public," Ginny said. "I'm willing to bet you Mum's gonna be furious."
Harry grinned. "I sure as hell don't want to be them when Molly gets in their faces."
There was a lot of laughter at that and Harry felt like relaxing but didn't knowing that the potions exams were next. He crossed his fingers and hoped for the best.
History of Magic written exam was taking it's toll on Harry. He wiped his face once more and stared at the paper trying to remember what the answer was. A strange feeling was creeping over him. He was so tired, having done two more exams that morning. It was now the fifth day of the countdown to the ultimatum that Umbridge had gotten from the three houses and the tension was growing. Harry looked up at the clock and sighed. It was only four thirty in the afternoon. He looked back down at the question and it swam before his eyes as he tried to remember what the answer was. The next thing he knew his head was down on the table and he'd fallen asleep. He found himself in the hall once more where his dreams had always started. This time the door was wide open and he moved towards it. Something seemed to direct his steps and he followed. He strode down the many rows of shelves containing the glass balls until he came to row ninety-seven and turned down it. He spotted something on the floor as he reached the half point. He stopped and watched in horror as the person on the floor groaned and lifted an arm trying to ward off something.
"Oh come now Black," Harry recognized the voice of Voldemort coming from his mouth. "All you need to do is reach up and get it for me. Then you can die."
To Harry's shock and horror, Sirius moved and revealed an extremely bloody face.
"Kiss my furry ass," he groaned.
Voldemort laughed. "Defiant to the end, Black? Crucio."
Harry watched as Sirius writhed in pain as his scar erupted in pain. He woke up on the floor gritting his teeth as people were jumping up and looking down at Harry. Tofty appeared and helped Harry to his feet and took him outside the hall as two more wizards appeared and restored order.
"Harry, are you alright?" Tofty asked as the old man pressed a glass of water into his hands.
Harry drank it down and leaned back against the cool stone wall. His mind was whirling with the implications of what he had just seen. His godfather was in danger.
"Just tired," he sighed, deciding not to say anything to Tofty.
"Still have time to round off your last answer," the old man said.
Harry shook his head. "No. I'm done. I'm going up to my room. Tired."
"Okay then. I'll collect your paper," Tofty said and went back into the hall.
Harry headed up to the Gryffindor tower where he knew Ron and Hermione would be right at this minute. He needed to let them know where he was going.
"I'm headed to the Ministry," he said after he finished telling them of what he saw. "McGonagall's gone to St. Mungo's so she's no help."
"Harry, firecall him first at Grimmauld Place. See if he's there," Hermione said. "We can act as lookout while you use Umbridge's fire."
Harry quietly thanked his luck his friends were with him on this. "I can't let you do that. Don't want you all in trouble on my account."
"We're wasting time," Ron said as they met up with Luna and Neville in the hall.
Hermione quickly explained the situation to them and they were eager to help. They spread out as Harry used the magical knife that Sirius had given him for his last birthday and headed straight to the fireplace. He sprinkled the floo powder into the fire and called out for number twelve Grimmauld place. What he got was a very deranged Kreacher.
"Kreacher, where's Sirius?" Harry shouted. "Is he there?"
Kreacher smiled at Harry and Harry knew without a doubt that Kreacher had finally gone off the deep end.
"What's the Potter boy's head doing there, Kreacher wonders?" the elf sniggered.
"Where is Sirius?" Harry demanded.
"Out," Kreacher replied. "And never coming back from the Department of Mysteries! Master is gone!"
Before Harry could react he felt a great pain at the top of his head and inhaled a mouthful of ash and began choking as he felt himself being dragged out. He moved back rapidly in an effort to shake off his attacker but whoever it was hung on tight. Harry managed to turn around and looked into the face of a very angry Umbridge.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" she trilled in a high falsetto.
Before Harry had the chance to react, something got hold of his wand from his chest pocket inside his robes. That finally spurred Harry into action. He stomped down on the woman's toes as hard as he could, making her shriek in his ears. The pain at the top of his head suddenly went away. Harry watched her limp to her chair and sit down. Harry looked around the office to find Malfoy standing there with his wand pointed straight at his face, Crabbe holding Ron in an choke hold, Millicent Bulstrode had Hermione pinned to the wall, a nameless Slytherin girl had Ginny by the arms, and Warrington had Neville.
"Shit," was Harry's first thought.
Umbridge glared at them all before settling in on Harry. "I want to know who you were talking to."
"None of your fucking business," Harry said coolly, having gone calm.
He was waiting for the perfect opportunity to act. What nobody noticed was the small silver ball floating above their heads in a corner of the office, recording everything. Umbridge bounced out of her chair and slapped Harry across the face.
"How dare you talk to me like that!" she screamed. "No matter, I shall make you talk. Crucio is good for making people talk."
That spurred Hermione into action. "You can't do that!" she screamed, pounding on Bulstrode's back. "If any of you Slytherins allow her to do this, all of you are guilty of conspiring to commit an unforgivable!"
Umbridge laughed. "As if anyone's going to be telling anyone about this!"
"The Ministry will know!" Hermione tried again.
"Silly girl!" Umbridge grinned manically. "Do you think they will find out about this? I think not. Potter is just too damn troublesome, even after the Dementors I sent after him."
"YOU DID WHAT!" Hermione screamed, making Bulstrode cover her ears. "YOU SENT DEMENTORS AFTER MY HARRY!"
Harry decided to let Hermione have Umbridge. Umbridge prattled on, not realizing the danger she was now in.
"Oh yes," she said gleefully. "I sent them after him last summer. That didn't work out so well with his stupid muggle cousin and that idiotic squib woman being witnesses for him. I was so furious when he wiggled out of the charges in a full Wizengamot trial!" she screeched, turning psychotic once more.
Harry knew beyond a doubt that Umbridge was clearly very demented. He risked a glance at Malfoy and saw the shock on the boy's face. Malfoy apparently was now realizing the trouble that he could be in if this went way too far. By now it already had and Harry decided it was time to stop it.
"Now, once more, who were you talking to?" Umbridge advanced, her wand in front of her as Harry backed up towards the stone wall.
Then all hell broke loose.
There was a soft popping sound and the room suddenly filled up with smoke. Harry reacted, chopping Bulstrode across the top of her chest hard and then kicking upward, knocked Malfoy down. Ron stomped down hard onto Crabbe's foot making the boy let go of him. Ron spun around and planted a hard left into Crabbe's stomach and then an equally hard right into Crabbe's face. Crabbe was down for the count. Bulstrode tried to regain control of Hermione but lost when Hermione managed to throw her clear across the room and then went after Umbridge. Umbridge looked up to see an express freight train named Hermione Granger bearing down on her and suddenly realized she had really fucked up. Hermione literally picked her up and tried to run her through the stone wall. The toad sagged and then Hermione delivered a heavy right that knocked Umbridge for a loop. Neville found the door and yanked it open. Ron and Ginny followed Neville out the door and Harry reached for Hermione and got her attention and got her out the door. They raced for the stairs as Umbridge got out her door coughing hard to regain her breath.
"I got your wands," Neville said as they raced down the stairs.
"Where to?" Ron yelled.
"Hagrid's hut," Harry yelled as they headed for the main doors after hitting the ground floor.
Harry and Hermione collected their wands from Neville as they hit the ground floor and he took the lead. They never saw Umbridge duck back into her office.
The cool night air served as a slap in the face and woke them up and cleared their minds. Harry was now fully alert as he led the group towards Hagrid's hut. Harry's plan was to 'hop' to the headmaster's office then to the Ministry of Magic. They arrived at Hagrid's hut and went inside the door less hut. The place was a total mess as Hermione lit the lamp that hung next to the door.
"He put up a fight," Ron observed as he looked around. "What's the plan?"
"Do tell," the voice next to Harry's ear purred as a wand tip was pressed against the base of his right ear.
By the look on Hermione's face Harry knew just who it was.
"Why can't you be a good little boy and die!" Umbridge snarled.
"You first," Harry said calmly.
Neville, Ron, and Ginny were grouped together and Umbridge flicked her wand at them before anyone had the chance to move. Magical ropes appeared out of nowhere and tied up the three of them together. Harry groaned as Umbridge shoved him forward. Harry crashed onto the table, slid across it and down to the other side. He heard a rapid shuffling and then quiet.
"Harry," Hermione's scared voice called to him.
Harry moved so he could see half the room in one of Hagrid's large mirrors. He saw Umbridge standing there with her wand at Hermione's neck and he knew she would do something terrible. Harry slowly stood up.
"Good boy," Umbridge purred once more. "Now, let us continue the discussion. Who were you talking to?"
"Nobody. We were trying to locate Dumbledore," Hermione said in a tiny voice.
Umbridge smiled triumphantly. "And where is he now?"
"In the forest," she said.
"Well then, you shall take the lead, Potter. I shall be right behind you with Miss Granger as my hostage," Umbridge gloated.
Harry sighed and left the hut with Hermione behind him and Umbridge right behind her. They walked a mile or so when out of nowhere a bunch of arrows slammed into the tree trunk inches from Umbridge's head. Hermione took advantage of the surprise and moved away from Umbridge and Harry swept her behind him. Umbridge turned to them with a deranged look in her eyes.
"What is this?" she asked.
Figures came out of the woods and stopped in a half circle around them. The Centaur Harry recognized as Bane stepped forward.
"So this is how humans treat their children," he said as he crossed his arms, staring at Umbridge.
"You have no business being here, you filthy animal!" Umbridge roared. "I am here on Ministry business, and when I am done here, I shall return with the Dangerous Animals department and corral all of you!"
Bane reared back the anger flashing in his eyes.
"She means it, Bane. She'll try to destroy you all," Harry stated. "She needs to be stopped!"
"No she will not," Bane said softly. "This place belongs to Hogwarts, little toad like woman. Dumbledore is ruler here, not you. Take her!"
The Centaurs charged as Umbridge tried to use her wand but Harry managed to knock it out of her hand at the last second. The last they saw of her was her being carried away.
Hermione and Harry raced for Hagrid's hut to find Luna standing there and the others freed. He sighed in relief.
"The Centaurs have her," he stated as Ron chuckled.
"We're wasting time Harry," Ginny said.
Harry reached into his pocket for his pocket watch and stared at the smashed watch. He dropped the now useless watch on the table.
"We floo directly in," he said and reached for the floo powder on the mantle of the huge fireplace, balancing carefully on a chair to do so. Ron caught the pot and set it on the table. Harry went first and popped out of the fireplace in the grand foyer, expecting to see the place bustling with people. Instead it was quiet as a ghost town.
"This is strange," he said as the others came out behind him. "It's not even six yet, and this place is empty."
"I got a bad feeling about this," Luna said.
Harry rarely paid any attention to Luna due to the fact that he'd always thought her to be strange but now he was taking her words into consideration. "You're not the only one. Everybody double up. We're going in."
Neville took Luna, Ron went with Ginny, and Hermione went with Harry. They followed Harry to the elevator and they dropped down to the Department of Mysteries floor. This was it. The dream he had was coming true. He was about to find out what the prophecy was about.
The hall was exactly as he remembered it from his dream and when he had come down here for his trial at the beginning of the school year. The door at the end of the hall stood wide open. Harry opened himself to Getsumi no Michi and immediately felt things. There were people in there. He knew the trick would be getting in there, getting Sirius, and getting out. Easier said than done. He took a breath and led the way into the room. It looked a lot more dramatic than it had in his dream. Harry looked around at the doors as the one closed behind him. Harry reached out with his feelings and found the right door to his left. He walked up to it and opened it and knew it was the right one.
"Wands at the ready," he whispered. "Be ready."
Harry entered first and his senses were assaulted by the power that resided in the room. He let them lead him deeper into the room and down to row ninety-seven. He turned to his left and they began looking at the glass balls on the shelves until they got to the end. Harry blinked in confusion. There was no struggle going on here. There was nothing but darkness, dust, and silence.
"Harry, there's a glass ball with your name on it," Ron breathed into his ear.
Harry turned and looked. There it was. Unharmed and in one piece. Harry reached for it and picked it up. Instead of feeling cold, it felt warm and alive. He could feel it pulsing in the palm of his hand, and then his senses were screaming danger. Harry shifted into combat mode and raised his right hand just as a silver mask appeared.
"Very nice Potter," the voice of Lucius Malfoy sounded. "Now be a good little boy and give me that before you break it."
No wonder it had been so easy. No wonder Sirius wasn't here. It had been a fucking trap, and Harry had fallen into it.
"I don't think so, you dark dork," Harry calmly said as he began retreating.
Lucius lunged at Harry and Harry jumped back, introducing his foot to Malfoy's shin, making the man hiss in pain. Harry turned to see the others running for the door. They had to get out fast. Harry felt the heat of a spell coming at his back so he ducked fast making sure Hermione had gone around the corner first. The red beam missed him and impacted a shelf full of curious objects and it came crashing down. That was the signal to start the battle. Harry and Hermione went in one direction while Neville and Luna continued up the middle as Ron and Ginny went right. Harry slipped the glass ball into his robe and covered his retreat with a bunch of stunners, not hitting anything. He hoped they at least would slow them down.
"Where are they?" a voice called out, one that Harry recognized.
"Somewhere in here," Lucius shouted. "Cover the door!"
That told Harry there would be at least one DE covering the only route of escape. He'd deal with that one when he got there. He had no idea just how many there was in there. His senses told him of a couple of men and one woman. He wondered who the woman was and then she spoke up.
"Little baby Potter, where are you?" she called out in a terrible falsetto.
Harry saw one DE behind the lady and tried his hand at voice throwing.
"Behind you, you ugly hag," Harry called out.
Bellatrix Lestrange spun around and fired Crucio, knocking the DE down and causing him lots of pain as Harry fired a stunner at her. She rolled out of the way at the last second but the stunner hit the DE and threw him back the way he had come. He landed somewhere in the dark with a loud crunch and Harry knew he'd broken some bones. Okay, one down. This was good. Harry heard the sounds of spells being cast somewhere to his left and turned to see Hermione taking on two of the DE's and winning. An orange beam cut across her right shoulder, making her scream in pain. Hermione had been hit with the cutting hex.
"You motherless bastard!" she raged at her unknown assailant. "Scared of a girl!"
Harry waited and the visage of Lucius Malfoy appeared out of the dark.
"Afraid of a little worthless mudblood like you?" he chuckled. "I think not."
Just as he raised his wand, a red beam appeared and slammed into his back and pitched him forward. Harry grimaced as Hermione's right fist sped right into the aristocrat's face, breaking the finely honed nose. The man dropped to the ground as his wand flew in one direction.
"What the hell is it with Malfoy's and Hermione's right cross?" Harry wondered as he dropped down next to Hermione.
"They have a tendency to piss me off and Mr. Right here wants to meet them," Hermione replied, waving her right fist in the air.
Harry chuckled as he helped her to her feet. She waved her wand at the cut and stopped the bleeding. Harry nodded and they moved off into the rows of shelves once more.
"You alright?" Ron asked as they passed him.
"Owe you one," Hermione said.
"History of Magic final," Ron grinned.
Hermione sighed. "You're incorrigible."
Harry had to chuckle. They were in the middle of a battle and they were arguing over an exam. He shook his head and headed for the door.
Neville and Luna had their hands full. They were working their way back to the entrance like professional Aurors would, Neville covering the rear and Luna covering the front. Neville was shooting hexes and spells more out of keeping the DE's from shooting them in the back rather than trying to take them on. They made it to the entrance and settled into a position and kept pinning down the DE's, hoping Harry and the others would show up soon. Harry took point and Ron took the rear, placing the girls in the middle. It was hard going, moving, shooting, ducking, and constantly checking for targets. One did produce it's self. Lucius was unaware that he was about to back into Harry. Harry spotted a piece of wood that looked like a paddle and he grabbed it. He raised his left foot and kicked Lucius in the rear, sending him sprawling over a chair. Harry grinned, the opportunity was too good to pass up. Harry took a firm grip on the paddle and began spanking Lucius Malfoy with it. Lucius began screaming out in pain as his limbs began flailing. Hermione and the others stared at Lucius getting what he truly deserved, a very long overdue spanking. Harry whacked his ass at least twenty times and then stopped.
"Now go to your room!" Harry thundered into the man's left ear in a very authorative voice.
Lucius stood up and rubbed his ass. "Yes Daddy," he said in a little boy voice, and then walked off into the darkness.
Harry left the paddle on the chair and turned back to his friends. Ron was rolling on the floor laughing his ass off as Hermione looked at him in shock.
"You paddled Lucius Malfoy," she said in admiration.
"Yup, and I'm not going to forget it for a very long time," Harry said, taking her hand. "We gotta move."
They moved, heading for the door once more. They could hear shouting and the sounds of shooting spells. Harry picked up a small piece of wood and threw it against the far wall and six DE's including Bella charged at the far wall shooting spells as they went.
"Dumb dorks," Ron muttered as they found Neville and Luna pinned down by a pair of DE's.
Harry and Hermione took out one while Ron and Ginny took out the one at the door. The six of them were on their feet and racing for the door. Harry stopped and turned to give them cover. Something hit the floor in front of him and he fell into the hole the spell that was fired at Harry left behind. As he did so the glass ball came rolling out of his pocket and rolled right off the broken board in front of him as he tried to catch it. He slid down after it but his feet stopped him and the glass ball broke just inches from his fingertips. A ghostly lady appeared and looked at Harry. She then quoted the entire prophecy and Harry's eyebrows shot up in surprise and shock. The prophecy was about him. Each word was seared into his brain as he heard them. Then she faded away once she was done quoting it. Harry suddenly realized this was one of the many things Dumbledore had never told him. He took a moment to write the Prophecy down on a tiny piece of paper in his mind and then inserted it inside Poncho's collar once the dog appeared in front of him. The dog nodded and faded from sight. There. The Prophecy was now protected. Harry scrambled to get to his feet and came face to face with a man. An angry man with a wand.
"Sirius?" Harry whispered as the sight of the familiar man in front of him.
The man grinned. "The one and only, kiddo!"
The sight of Sirius made Harry glad to see him. Everything would be fine now. But the worst was yet to come and Harry didn't know it. He followed Sirius up the broken stairs and through the door. Spells followed them through the door and there wasn't a chance to close it. Sirius and Harry moved into the large room with all of the strange stuff in it. Off to one side was a huge glass tank with something swimming around inside of it. On the other side of the room was a veil stretched across a frame. Harry's senses told him there were things beyond it. He turned as the DE's burst through the door and attacked. Harry saw Lucius Malfoy's angry face as he had realized just what had happened to him.
"Prepare to die, Potter!" Lucius roared in anger as the DE's squared off with them in a second battle.
"I brought some friends with me," Sirius smiled. "Wanna meet them?"
The DE's paused for a moment and that was all the time needed for Remus, Tonks, Moody, and Kingsley to appear.
"Hi there!" Tonks chirped brightly. "Can we join the party?"
"DIE!" Bella screamed, popping out from behind Lucius and started firing off spells as the DE's reacted.
Tonks, Remus, Kingsley, and Moody all reacted by shooting spells of their own. The room was suddenly filled with bright beams of light going in every which direction. Harry did his level best to take down as many of the DE's as he could. The fighters eventually scattered and that made things a lot harder. Harry concentrated on Lucius Malfoy as Hermione covered him. Neville and Luna were at the door to the room working in concert with each other, timing their spell casting just right so they wouldn't deplete themselves. Sirius was off to one side dueling Bella while laughing his head off at her efforts.
"Ah come on baby cousin, can't you do better than that?" Sirius laughed as he avoided a spell cast in his direction.
Bella really blew a fuse and started throwing spells and objects at Sirius, which he avoided with ease as he laughed even more. Harry blew a hole in the floor with a misdirected spell and watched Lucius jerk back from the tiny chunks of rock and stone as Hermione knocked him back with Expelliarmus. Lucius managed to hang onto his wand and cast the cutting curse, hitting Hermione as she tried to avoid it. She cried out as it slashed across her stomach. She fell to the floor as she began to bleed. Harry heard Lucius laugh and he heard the blood roaring in his ears. He charged Lucius and started shooting spells at him as he used a shield in an attempt to stop Harry from killing him. The shield weakened and a spell got through, the stunner hitting him right in the forehead, knocking him unconscious. Harry turned to help Hermione and tried his best to stop the bleeding. He managed to stop the bleeding a little and looked up in time to see Sirius dance to the right and then slip on something on the floor. Bella seized the opportunity to throw Expelliarmus at him and it connected, sending Sirius flying backwards towards the mysterious veil. Harry realized too late what was going to happen and even as he was casting a rope spell in an effort to save Sirius it was far too late. Harry watched Sirius fall through the veil and into the beyond.
Harry snapped himself out of the memory as he finished his six miles. He went to the edge of the river and filled up his water bottle and took a long drink. He stared at the river for a long time wishing desperately he could turn back time so he could save Sirius. He would have given anything and everything to save his Godfather. He sat down on the log by the fire and sighed. What had happened was done, and there was nothing he could do now. He took another long drink of the cool water and watched the bird fly low over the river, his thoughts going back to that night. He would avenge Sirius.
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Next Episode: Battle Part Two, Harry Returns