Please note that I do not own Dungeons and Dragons,their relevant editions, Pathfinder or Harry Potter. Dungeons and Dragons are owned by Wizards of the Coasts, Pathfinder is owned by Paizo and Harry Potter and its franchises are owned by JK Rowling. The following story is just for my enjoyment and hopefully yours as well.

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Chapter 10: Unexpected Turn of Events

They sat by the hearth, a fire burning within and keeping the atmosphere comfortable. However the mood was anything but comfortable despite the friendships between the five present. The Right Hand had been arguing for some time, at least several hours late into the night but they didn't worry about getting caught by Filch or any prefects. They were in the Room of Requirement which sufficed to hide them from Hogwarts and its roving staff. The late night patrols were an initiative started by Umbridge to counter the late night attempts of students from a supposed deviant group leaving the castle late at night, even in the cold of winter.

However despite the harsh measures by Umbridge the late night patrols had little luck. At first Umbridge had gotten many prefects from different Houses to aid in finding the delinquents but somehow one way or another, those supposedly involved –there were no substantial evidence or even names to go with the truant students- always managed to get away. Most of those who had escaped were usually pursued by Gryffindor prefects and their explanation was always a variation of the same answer, "Magic"

That of course drove Umbridge to remove all other House prefects except Slytherins. However despite this 'adjustment' as the DADA professor called it, they still had little luck, since there were not many Slytherin prefects and despite Umbridge's 'suggestions', the naming of prefects were always left to the Heads of Houses and in this instance Severus Snape constantly butted heads with Umbridge, which left the Under-secretary baffled at the Potion Master's reluctance.

Draco, seizing an opportunity decided to join the late night patrols, which had begun to use Slytherin students. This was to ensure the interests and safety of the Hand were not jeopardized by the patrols as well as to provide any information which could be used in future. While Umbridge did not trust Draco, she trusted his House loyalties and his contempt of those beneath him. Draco inwardly guffawed at that since he held those who did not understand arcane wizardry as worthy of his contempt, which was to say everybody else except the Hand.

Draco's skilful enchantments, most of them dominations and charm spells helped to make the students he usually patrolled with more amenable to his desires. Most of the other apprentices assumed he was only skilled in conjuring devils but he had a way with ensnaring minds as well. He attributed this to his character and being the son of Lucius Malfoy who had been one of the most manipulative wizards around.

Despite the added bonus of having a familiar who could eavesdrop on conversations, Draco was considering leaving the patrols since it was beginning to take a bad rap. Umbridge was being undermined by Snape who despised the woman for using his students in such a manner. It wasn't the fact that Slytherins were being made to hunt down other students from possibly different Houses but it was that she was overriding his authority as Head of Slytherin House. Severus Snape didn't entertain usurpers to his power and was secretly –according to some unverified rumours- undermining her every decision.

Moreover the other Houses were beginning to take action against Slytherins. In the course of the patrols, many innocents were being mercilessly caught and interrogated by Umbridge. The precise method was unexplained to the faculty or students but according to Harry and the evidence of scars on the kids, she was using some dark magic to sniff out the students involved.

Coupled together with the beatings that innocent kids got when they were caught and there were whispered instances of extortion and even more serious crimes such as molestation, the patrols were now a legitimate target for reprisals at least in the eyes of the faculty and students. The other Houses were striking covertly and even at times openly against Slytherins, whether involved with the patrols or simply bystanders. This in turn invited revenge attacks from Slytherins. Most of the assaults were done through enspelled and jinxed items or minor curses that were at times mostly benign but left pimples, caused projectile vomiting or even explosive diarrhoea.

The faculty on the other hand were helpless but not completely toothless. Some of them were now loyal to only their Houses and such favouritism was being stamped out by Dumbledore but even the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot couldn't be everywhere and the biasness among the faculty flourished. In short, the situation at Hogwarts was slowly deteriorating. Whatever friendships or camaraderie's forged in better times was being eroded away by Umbridge, who still wanted to continue the patrols. Dumbledore wanted it to stop but Minister Fudge was actively supporting his Under-secretary and there had always been something between the Headmaster and the Minister and so the patrols had to go on.

Draco did not feel threatened by the attempts on Slytherins. In fact he was one of the few untouched by the attacks, as many had gotten to know him and in recent months, there was just something about Malfoy that made him too dangerous to trifle with. Most of the students couldn't put a finger on it and those who were supposedly thought they were in the know were always those who spread crazy rumours. The conjurer also showed a complete lack of interest in his fellow Slytherins and on more than one occasion had left them to be chased by angry mobs of Hufflepuffs.

He simply saw no need to give his loyalty to such insipid people. After all, he called another man master and another being lord. Hell was a far more instructive teacher and Ira Gold was by far a better wizard. Slytherin and Hogwarts could burn in hellfire after he graduated, provided there was even something to graduate from if things did not worsen any further.

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Draco sat on a plush chair by the fire, Pease perched on the handle as it held a rat in its claws. It methodically skinned it and it squealed in pain even as the imp dangled its tail stinger in front of its beady eyes, teasing it with instant and merciful death. They had come a long way; Hermione thought to herself, that even such cruelty doesn't bother me.

She was sitting beside Harry on a long couch with a collapsible writing desk in front of her. She was busy scribing into her spellbook using Draco's spellbook, or at least one of them, most of them conjurations that borrowed their energies from the Nine Hells. Pease was a faithful servant when it came to his master's arcane needs.

Harry was busy looking into a crystal ball propped onto a tripod. The images playing within showed a few Gryffindors, third or likely fourth years, patrolling the hallways at night. Despite the warnings and spate of detentions, the professors couldn't stop the students from other Houses protecting their fellow House mates. Added to that fact that the detentions were handed out by Umbridge and most of them directed towards the other Houses, students patrolling couldn't care less about what the horror in pink could do to them. And there was even a few rumours going about that the Heads of other Houses as well as faculty members who were secretly supporting their House students only, though no one could prove any of it.

"It's getting worse," Luna said. She was reclining on plump pillows on the floor with Neville. The fire and a cantrip or two made the cold an insignificant problem. Draco snorted, "Of course it's getting worse. Have you been out there? Every night it's the same thing over and over again. Slytherins catch some Gryffindor out to meet his girl or some Ravenclaw pulling an all-nighter and then what? House Gryffindor and Ravenclaw join up and those responsible end up with broken bones or jinxed faces. But do any complain or make reports? Not bloody likely," Draco chuckled, "they don't even want to tell the truth because they know the minute their out of Pomfrey's sickbed, they can go right back to dishing out what they got. And the circle of violence continues!" the conjurer gave a small chuckle, mostly for himself.

"It's madness! Someone should stop it already," said Hermione. She was upset at the fact that one person could cause so much damage but that wasn't the entire truth. What Umbridge was doing to the school was horrible but animosity had always been there. It just needed someone to feed it or kick it in the bum or something like that.

"Who can?" Neville began, "not even Dumbledore can make them stop and he's already trying to stop the Ministry from involving themselves into Hogwarts affairs further. Could you imagine if he wasn't doing what he's doing now?! We'd all be dancing to Headmistress Umbridge's tune if the Ministry had its way!"

Draco turned slightly pale, "Don't even say that man! Could you imagine?!" Harry called for quiet and said, "The patrol led by Lee Jordan met two Slytherins," he gave a small grin, "looks like the battle's over" The scene within the ball showed a triumphant young black man pushing his dreadlocks aside even as he called for fellow Gryffindors to give chase. The Slytherins looked to be in pain, their crotch area it would seem.

Hermione sighed, "If only Ira were here. That would quell this problem entirely" Draco chuckled and the diviner gave him a hard stare. The conjurer returned the look and said, "Ira could do much but could he prevent bad blood and old bad blood at that? You know that he doesn't concern himself with much of Hogwarts affairs and could he be expected to stop this?"

"It's better than simply doing nothing," Hermione grumbled. Luna said, "But we aren't doing nothing exactly. We're helping to minimise the damage and aid our friends" That was true enough. A few spells of enchantment from Draco, some illusions from Luna and even a defensive spell or two from Harry had kept some fights from getting truly violent.

The diviner sighed, "It's not enough. We can't just let Umbridge ride roughshod over the school and students. She's mad as a rabid dog!" Neville snickered, "Rabid cat you mean!" The laughs diffused the tension and Harry said, "We could help out and not just with spells. We still haven't even talked about Dumbledore's Army" Those words sent chills through Hermione and while it vibrated through the mind link, Harry paid it no heed. Hermione had shared with him what had happened during the Ball but the abjurer couldn't fault Ron though he did not like what the ginger haired wizard had tried to do.

"Yes that ragtag group of underdogs, led by one of our closest friend," Draco yawned, "it's simple isn't it? We join in and keep an eye on them. Or at least you lot join. I'm already on Umbridge's side and it would look bad if I were found along with Ron and the rest"

Neville sighed, "Draco's right. We can't arouse her suspicions any more than necessary. She may not fully trust Draco but at least she knows she's got him under her thumb. However the same is true of Ron and his group. We can't just join him out of the blue since we haven't even talked to him in a very long while. He might just give us the boot!"

Hermione sat straighter, "He will talk to me. I will join the D.A and keep you guys apprised of what's happening within" Concern flooded through the link and Harry said, the words almost a whisper "Are you sure?" The diviner just nodded. Draco clapped his hands, "That's well and all but we haven't talked about one other thing," everyone turned to face him and the Diabolist sighed, "the Room! Neville found it due to whatever pressing need he had at the time," the transmuter blushed, "but Weasley and gang have a greater need than we do! How long before we lose the place to them?!"

They all gave looks of introspection and Harry said, "We may not have to worry about that. Most of their lessons have been within the castle's dungeons and even in the Forbidden Forest" The conjurer sighed, "For now but what about a day or week from now? Dean or Seamus could just walk by and the Room would open itself up to them!"

Hermione waved her hand, "If we lose the Room so be it. We have the Chamber" Neville grimaced, "You all may like the Chamber but I hate the confined space. It's too cramped. I much prefer this to the cave"

Luna soothed him, "If it comes down to it, then we deal with the problem. For now why don't we concentrate on getting information. It may come down to a battle considering what's happening"

Draco nodded and said his farewell. He and his familiar left the Room followed by Luna and Neville. To allay suspicion they cast spells of Invisibility to ensure secrecy. Hermione and Harry were the only ones left. Harry wanted to touch his love but she pulled away but then went into his embrace. They cuddled together for some time before leaving to their respective rooms.

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The next day revealed three dead bodies in one of the hallways leading to the Gryffindor dorm room, one a Gryffindor and two Slytherins. A group of Hufflepuffs, all girls, found the corpses, running to Madam Pomfrey while screaming at the top of their lungs. By the time Pomfrey could gather the important members of the faculty to meet at the scene of the crime, a large group of students had ringed the dead like vultures. Some of them cried for those they knew while a few snickered, which promptly led to one of the worst fights Hogwarts had ever seen, the past few weeks notwithstanding.

By the time the teachers reached the crime scene, prefects were lying prone on the ground and pockets of furious spell duels were flashing. The other Houses ganged up on Slytherin, as the wounds that were sustained by the Gryffindor, a first year student whose name was not known, looked like the boy had died trying to defend himself from multiple attackers, mainly that of the two Slytherins.

The House of Slytherin on the other hand had conspiracies about what really happened. Their dead, innocent second years, were the targets by gangs of Gryffindor patrols who had lost one of their own, even as the brave and proud Slytherins had their lives snuffed out. The fact that the wands of the dead students were not in their hands did not dissuade the opposing parties from trying to kill each other.

The teachers managed to break up the fighting and sent the students packing to their dorms; some went to the infirmary to heal their grievous wounds, now considered proud battle scars. The three dead boys were taken away and examined. All three had been shredded or mauled by something monstrous and there were even marks and evidence of weapons used. The brutality of the crime was staggering since the boys, contrary to the rumours had no defensive wounds whatsoever. Which meant they had lied there and been slowly dissected alive.

The reaction was as expected. The media particularly the Daily Prophet ate the news up and spat back a version which by any sane person's reasoning would be considered fictitious at the very least. But the damage was done as the public's cry for blood nearly drowned out all voices of moderation and calm.

Blame was heaped upon Fudge's administration, who promptly dumped it on Hogwarts. The planar creatures brought into the world by Ira were executed through liberal use of the Killing Curse, since they were considered the culprits even though none of them had escaped their pens or could even wield weapons. But there was no reasoning to be done and Hagrid wept openly even as his beloved pet died by the scores.

Warrants were then issued for the arrest of Ira Gold, who was responsible for the procurement of the strange beasts. But he could not be found so a careful eye was kept on the lookout. Rubeus Hagrid might have lost his job and would have possibly sent to Azkaban had it not been for Dumbledore. That was the last action taken by the Headmaster, as he was blamed for the deaths and summarily removed from his position.

Dolores Umbridge, Under-secretary to the Minister of Magic was chosen to be the old man's replacement and she swiftly adjusted to the position. She first attempted to arrest Dumbledore for supposed crimes but the phoenix Fawkes allowed him a 'stylish' escape as noted by Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt.

After that, Headmistress Umbridge began enforcing new school rules, banning any extra-curricular activity which was not approved by the Ministry. Some of the faculty members lost their jobs as their subjects were not considered 'educational material' and students were barred from performing any group activities outside classes on penalty of expulsion. More new rules were created to treat the other Houses harshly while Slytherin was mostly untouched.

Professors from other Houses, tired of Umbridge's pretensions and hateful of the harm she was bringing to their students had joined together of sorts. They began openly favouring their own Houses rather than Slytherin and it was even rumoured that Severus Snape, the Head of Slytherin House, was aiding the other Houses. However this claim was unsubstantiated and any Slytherin caught mentioning it suffered for it by the Potion Master's own hand.

After a month or two, the people within Hogwarts had become their own worst enemy. But what they didn't know was that the deaths of the three were accidental. And it had been performed by a Slytherin, though one of questionable loyalties to said House. But the man did not care, since he held court with immortal beings from the Pit of Hell itself.

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