Hello again! This is the first chapter of The Order of the Phoenix. This is the year I have been waiting FOREVER for. Like literally.

If you haven't checked out my fan art for this story, feel free to do that with the links on my profile. You might have to do a bit of scrolling for the tumblr one.

I have decided that instead of waiting to finish this one before starting another HP fanfic, I'll go ahead and write two at once. However, the chapters for the other one will probably not come as often. I'll let you know when that story gets posted if you are interested.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Fifty-Two: Year Five

Justin and Umbridge

Mum hugged me for the fourth time that day. "Promise me you two will be safe this year. I don't want you getting 'urt."

Seamus rolled his eyes, "We won't Mum. We promised you in the car two times."

Mum pursed her lips, "I know...Are you sure you don't want to stay home? I'll teach you from the cottage. It'll be lovely."

I interjected, "No, Mum. We're fine. We won't talk to Harry or Dumbledore."

Mum nodded, "Good. Well, you'd best be off. Yer friends must be lookin' for yeh. Go on, loves."

We hugged her again before walking to the train. The steam coming from the train was overpowering so I could barely see a thing.

Suddenly, I ran into a firm body. I looked up and glowered, "Justin."

He smirked, "Darcy. How are you?"

"I'll be better when I'm far away from you." I said. Seamus watched us quietly, his hands clenched.

"Oh come on, you don't mean that. I mean...I was your first boyfriend. You'll always have a special place for me."

I nodded, "You're righ'...a special place in 'ell."

Seamus smiled and suppressed a laugh while Justin frowned, "Come on! I want to be friends like we used to be. Is it really so hard for you to forgive me for...what? What did I even do?"

I glared at him, "You 'ate my friends. I'm pretty sure you 'ate my brother too."

"So what? It doesn't really matter. Will you..." He sighed and ran his hand through his dark, and admittedly still memorizing, hair. "Will you at least consider forgiving me?"

I sighed and crossed my arms, "I guess. But I really 'ave to go." Without saying anything else, I stalked away with Seamus.

"Yer not really going to forgive him are you?" He asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe."

"Wha'? Why?" Seamus asked, his eyes wide.

"Because 'e didn' actually do anything that he needs forgiving for. 'e just doesn' like my friends." I licked my lips, "I think I wrote 'im off too fast."

"What are you saying? You're not actually wishing you didn't break up with 'im are yeh?"

I made a face, "No! But I think we worked well as friends."

Seamus sighed, "Okay...but give it some time to think. Okay?"

I smiled and ruffled his hair, "Of course, dummy. I'm not completely stupid."

We got onto the train and began searching for our friends. It took a while, but eventually we found them packed into a single compartment.

" 'ey guys." Seamus said.

Fay jumped up, hugged and kissed Seamus, and hugged me tightly. "I can't believe I didn't see either of you at all this summer. And all because of my stupid parents."

We all laughed at her comment. Everyone who had ever known Fay knew she had extremely overprotective parents. Something told me they didn't know that Fay and Seamus had shagged. She explained to us that they had found out about Seamus during summer holiday.

"So tha's why you didn't come to the wedding." I said.

Fay nodded, "Yeah. Now they want to meet you." She said to Seamus.

Seamus gagged on his licorice wand. "Wha'?"

Fay giggled, "Yeah. They want you to come over during Christmas."

Seamus blushed, "Yeah...yeah..sure."

George nudged me in the side while he and Fred laughed. I chuckled quietly too. Then I realized...

"Oh!" I cried, "I forgot to write to you!" I dug through my bags to find the item that was on my mind. I pulled it out and tossed it to Fred. "Take a look."

He held the Prefect's badge in his hand carefully. Then he showed it to George who made a face. Neither of them spoke. Then they turned to me.

"We are so disappointed in you." Fred said.

George nodded, "Didn't we teach you better than that, Darcy?"

I shrugged, "Wha' can I say? I have a knack for trouble."

Everyone laughed at the irony of it all. Even though they were very good at pretending at it, I knew the twins were actually happy for me. George probably more so than Fred.

I looked at the time, "Oh shite. I've got to meet the other Prefects at the end of the train. I don't think I'll see you again until we get to 'ogsmeade." I said, throwing on my robes and swiping the badge from George's hands.

"Don't have any fun!" Fred called as I left the compartment.

I found my way to the end of the train a few minutes later. The Head Boy and Girl, both of whom I had never spoken to before, we talking quietly to themselves. The Hufflepuff Prefects, Hannah Abbott and Ernie MacMillan, were talking to the Ravenclaw Prefects. I walked over to Ron who was standing awkwardly in a corner.

"Hi, Ron." I greeted. "Fancy seeing you 'ere."

He smirked, "Yeah, I bet. You're not a big surprise though, but-"

"Everyone was expecting Hermione, I know." I said, smiling. "I'm not 'urt, someone must have changed Dumbledore's mind."

"Alright, can I have everyone's attention please?" The Head Boy said, "My name is Adam Hart, I'm the Head Boy and this is Harriet Goldman. Congratulations on being made Prefects. I hope we are able to make this year run smoothly. To do so, we have planned once-a-month meetings so we can file any reports of suspicious behavior or ask any questions. We have also," Adam started passing out papers to each of us, "made a patrol schedule. Each one of you will take a train car. Tonight, the Gryffindors will cover patrols from midnight to 3. Understood?"

We all nodded. The Head Girl, Harriet, stood to say her piece. "Now, I know that sometime this power can go to your head. You think you can tell anyone what to do just because you can. I urge you not to do this. It never ends well. Also, I don't want to hear about trouble that any of your friends get into and you don't report it because they are your friend. It doesn't work like that. Feel free to take housepoints, but don't become a dictator about it, got it?"

We nodded again and dispersed, Malfoy giving Ron and I a dirty look as he passed. I sneered at him and pulled Ron back from jumping Malfoy.

I made my way to the train car that I was assigned to, but nothing interesting happened except for a first year who got lost on his way to the bathroom.

Finally, after two more hours, the train whistle rang, signalling our arrival at Hogsmeade. I hurried off the train and met with my friends who were just getting off.

"Come on, you lot." Fred said, "Wouldn't want to be late for the carriages again would we?" He winked at George and I who both blushed. "I'm correct, aren't I, in saying that this evening is the one year anniversary of your first kiss?"

Fay squealed, "How romantic! Maybe they should get their own carriage!"

"No!" George and I cried together.

I licked my lips, "It's not a big deal."

"Yeah." George confirmed, "It's not like it's our actual anniversary!"

Fay sighed, "Fine. But I promise, when it's your actual anniversary...no one will be bothering you that day."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever you say, Fay." I threw my arm around her and walked out of the train to the carriages waiting for us.

We all piled into one. I sat beside Dean and George, who pulled me close to him with his arm. "Happy First Kisseversary..." he whispered into my ear. I shivered which caused him to laugh.

"So, Prefect." Fred said, "What'll your first order of business be?"

I grinned, "I'll definitely throw you two tosspots into detention the second I see any kind of mischief."

"Oh, but you wouldn't do that to poor Angelina." Fred said. "She couldn't loose her Beaters before the first game!"

I crinkled my eyes, confused at what he was talking about. "What?"

"Didn't you hear? Angelina is the new Quidditch captain. She's holding tryouts for a new Keeper once October comes." George said.

I turned to Seamus, "You should try out! Yer a brilliant Keeper!"

Seamus shrugged, "I don't know...I know Ron's had his eye on the Keeper position for a while."

"So?" Fred said, "Ickle Ron's a Prefect now! He's got more important things to worry about!"


As we entered the Great Hall, I took a look at the teacher's table. There was everyone

"Now we have two changes in staffing this year," Dumbledore continued. "We are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly Plank who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave."

Hushed whispers began. Hagrid was gone?

"I also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge. I'm sure you will join me in wishing Professor Umbridge good luck. Now as always our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you-"

Umbridge cleared her throat daintily, "Hem-Hem..." She stood and made her way to the front of the room. Everyone was stunned. Never, in anyone's years at Hogwarts had a new teacher made a speech during Start-of-Term Feast. Not even Lockhart. "Thank you, headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." She pursed her lips and smiled. "And how wonderful it is to see your bright shining faces looking up at me today." No one was smiling. "I'm certain we're all going to be great friends."

George and Fred snickered, "That's likely."

Umbridge, who had obviously heard them, stared down at them menacingly. But she continued, "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of a vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this..." She nodded at Dumbledore who nodded back happily. "historic school, progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected and prune practices that ought to be... prohibited!" She giggled and smiled once again. My stomach churned. This year was definitely not going to be normal. But then again, when was it ever?

"Thank you Professor Umbridge." Dumbledore said as Umbridge headed back for her seat. "That really was most illuminating."

I laughed quietly, "Sure, if you think demonic giggles and smiles is illuminating."

Seamus grinned and nudged me playfully. George and Fred couldn't stop smiling. They clearly had something up their sleeve to break Umbridge and I was going to be there when it happened.


There was a very tense air in the Gryffindor Common Room. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the moment that Harry walked into the room. Seamus, Dean, and I were huddled around a new edition of the Daily Prophet. It read, as it had been reading all summer, that Harry and Dumbledore were potting against the Ministry.

"Look at this," Seamus whispered, "'New information has arisen that Dumbledore used the Imperius Charm on the entire Wizengamot and the Minister of Magic himself to enable Harry Potter to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Investigation is underway and an official trial will be held. If the accused, Dumbledore, the Headmaster of said school, is found guilty of the offenses, all titles will be removed from his name and he will immediately be placed in a high security cell in Azkaban.' See?" Seamus said, "It's all here." He shook his head.

"Everything seems like a lie now." Dean said quietly. "My mum was panicking about sending me back to school because she thought Dumbledore lied to them when he told them all about Hogwarts when I was eleven. She thinks I go to some sort of cult school now."

The portrait to the Common Room opened. Harry came in, a frown on his face. His eyes were cast downward, avoiding all of our heated gazes. He glanced up and unfortunately caught Seamus' eye who glared at him.

He was almost to one of the couches when he turned around and faced us. "Dean, Seamus, Darcy... Good holiday?"

"Alright." Dean said, "Better than theirs anyway."

Seamus angrily threw the Daily Prophet onto the table. "Me Mum didn't want us to come back this year."

"Why not?" Harry asked, though it was clear he knew the answer.

"Let me see..." Seamus began, "Eh, because of you. The Daily Prophets been saying a lot of things about yeh Harry, and about Dumbledore as well-"

"What and your Mum believes them?"

Seamus huffed. I stood up. I could tell things were going to get messy, "Well no one was there the night Cedric died, Harry."

"Well I guess you should read the Prophet then like your stupid mother. It'll tell you everything you need to know."

"Don' you dare talk about my mother like that!" I said angrily, stepping forward.

Harry glared at both of us, "I'll have a go at anyone who calls me a liar."

"What's going on?" Ron said, walking into the Common Room.

"He's mad is what's going on!" Seamus said. "Do you believe the rubbish he's coming up with about You-Know-Who."

Ron nodded, "Yeah I do. Does anyone else got a problem with Harry?" He glanced at me quickly before continuing around the room. When no one answered, Harry and Ron stomped up to the boy's dormitories.

It was quiet in the Common Room as everyone stared at Seamus and I. He frowned, took my hand and dragged me out the door to the empty corridor.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

He growled, "How could he have said that, about Mum? Doesn't he know everything we've been through?"

I sighed, "When people are angry, they say things they don't mean. Harry didn't mean any of that, and neither did you."

He looked at me, "I think I did mean some of it. Is it really so hard for people to accept that I have opinions?"

"No, of course not." I said, "But you don't have to say them outwardly. Can't you keep them to yourself for a while? At least until all of this dies down?"

Seamus sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "I guess. But if he says something stupid..."

"I know. I know." I said, "Come on, let's get back inside. I have patrols with Ron tonight."


Later that night, I met Ron in the Common Room with our badges clipped to our robes. "Ready then?" I asked.

He gave a short nod and followed me out of the Common Room. We walked down a few corridors in silence until I said, "It feels weird doesn't it? To be prefect? I mean, it feels like only yesterday we were being sorted into our houses."

Ron shrugged, "Sometimes I feel like that. But, most of the time I think about how much everyone has changed since we met. Like Seamus. He well...he was a bad example. He hasn't changed all that much. But Hermione, she's changed. She used to be this insufferable know it all and now..." he blushed, "she's not."

I smirked, "You can tell me if you fancy her you know. I won't tell."

Ron blushed even harder, "I-I do not. I'm only saying she's changed."

"Well what about me?" I asked.

He squinted and thought for a moment, "Well, in first year, you seemed very concerned about your studies. You were almost unbearable as Hermione. But you were different from her. You were fun about it. In second year, you were kind of self-conscious and anxious for some reason. After that though, you seemed to get confident. You're also very intelligent so that hasn't changed. But you seem...I don't know. More mature."

"Watch it Ickle Ronnie-kins." A voice said from the shadows, "Wouldn't want Georgie to beat you up!"

Fred and George came out from their hiding place. "Hello, Blackbird. Ickle Ron."

Ron glowered, "I'm going to go patrol the North Corridor, Darcy." He stalked off.

I turned quickly and glared at both of them, "See what you did? I was trying to get him back in a good mood from what happened earlier."

George shrugged, "Wouldn't have helped. Ron is a grudgeholder."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. What are you two doing out here. It's past curfew!"

They exchanged looks, "So?"

"So! So! Do you want to get detention?"

George gave me a sly grin and a kiss on the forehead, "You wouldn't give us detention would you, Darcy?"

I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes and him, "I might."

"Sure..." George mused, "I'd like to see you try."

I huffed, "Getting me angry isn't helping your case, Weasley."

Fred chuckled, "But you're adorable when you're angry, Blackbird."

I clenched my fists and said, "Fine. You win. What are you doing out here?"

"Well, we were going to give Umbridge a warm welcome but if our prefect says to go to bed-"

"No!" I cried, "Go! Go now! Make her cry!"

George laughed, "Well if The Prefect has ordered it, then we must do it. See you soon!" He winked and pulled Fred into the darkness again.

I shook my head. Those two really were idiots sometimes.

So?

What did you think?

I hope you liked it because I worked very hard on it. :)

The chapter should be coming in a couple of days, possibly Tuesday (April 15).

I don't really have anything else to add except...see you soon! ;)

xxx

rosslynchandbeyond