A few days after the students got back from the Christmas hols, Dumbledore made an announcement: "All Fifth Year students need to schedule time to meet with their Head of House to discuss career options."

"What!" Ron gasped; he had no idea what he wanted to do after school.

"Did you not know that all Fifth Years had to talk to a professor?" Hermione smirked. "Do you know what you even want to talk to Professor McGonagall about?"

The ginger boy blanched.

"Hem, hem." Umbridge stood up and smiled her sickly sweet smile. "I have tacked sign-up sheets by your Head of House's office. You have until Friday to pick a time. You cannot pick a time that is not on the sheet. We can't have any of the meetings conflicting each other, can we?"

As the pink toad sat back down, Hermione glared at her and a growl rumbled from her chest.

"You alright?" Harry asked. He was concerned for his friend. Something about Umbridge rattled Hermione and he wanted to know what it was.

"That bitch is going to be 'supervising' the interviews." The young animagus used her fingers to air quote 'supervising'. "And giving the Ministry's… Oh, I'm sorry, her opinion on our choices."

The Twins shared a looked. They had suffered under the Ministry toad's rule, she had banned Weasley Wizards Wheezes; but Hermione seemed to absolutely loath the woman.

As Hermione had predicted, Umbridge made the Ministry's view very clear. The Pink Toad didn't comment on what the pureblood males chose. For all Pureblood females, Dolores would ask. "Are you betrothed to anyone? No?! Well!"

Umbridge was slightly more antagonistic to the half-bloods. "Hem, hem, perhaps you should choose something easier for yourself. Don't try to set a goal you will not reach." That was followed by her patronizing smile.

And she was absolutely horrible to the muggleborns. Whenever a muggleborn would say what job they wanted, the pink toad would snort and then sneer. "Do you really think you're going to get a job in the Wizarding World? Who would hire a muggle born?"

Needless to say, Hermione was very nervous as she made her way to Minerva's office. Gathering her Gryffindor courage, the young animagus rapped on the door.

"Enter." Minerva briskly stated.

Hermione eased the door open and calmly approached her mother's desk.

Minerva pointed to a chair in front of the desk. "Please have a seat."

The younger witch sank into the seat and refused to acknowledge the Pink Toad standing behind her màthair.

"Miss Granger." The elder animagus sat her elbows on the table and placed her chin on her steepled fingers. "Do you have any idea what you want to pursue after you graduate Hogwarts?"

Mother and daughter both ignored their unwanted guest's condescending giggle.

"Yes I have Professor." Hermione leaned slightly forward. "I plan on getting a third level mastery in both Charms and Potions; as well as a fourth level mastery in Transfiguration." "Actually a sixth."

Dolores burst into laughter. "My dear Miss Granger, there is no such thing as a fourth level mastery and to think that you could receive a single mastery in just one subject is laughable."

Minerva bit back the growl that threatened to escape. "What do you plan on doing with your masteries?"

"Well, the Charms and Potions would be supplemental to the Transfiguration." Hermione blushed and then mumbled. "I would like to teach Transfiguration here someday."

The elder animagus had to keep the elation off her face with Dolores there.

"Really?" The Ministry Toad sneered. "You think that you, a muggleborn, can teach at a prestigious school such as Hogwarts!?"

It took all of Hermione's strength not to snap at the irritating pink woman.

"Miss Granger, have you thought about how you want to apprentice under?" Minerva inquired.

"No, I haven't." the younger witch lied.

Umbridge chortled. "Of course you haven't."

Both animaguses had to bite back a growl.

"Now today we are going to be learning Alarte Ascendare." Harry smiled at his fellow members of the D.A.

Before the bespeckled boy could finish his introduction, the wall behind him buckled.

"Everyone!" Hermione shouted. "Out the backdoor!"

As the students fled, they accidently left the D.A. roster for Umbridge to find.

Over the next few hours, Dumbledore was forced to flee the castle and all members of the D.A., except for Marietta Edgecombe who had SNEAK written across her forehead, received detention with Umbridge.

If the students thought the Education Decrees were unfair before, it was nothing compared to what happened after the Pink Toad discovered the D.A. She created the Inquisitorial Squad, made completely of students who helped her enforce the rules.

"Inquisitorial Squad?" Ron frowned. "More like Snitches."

"Actually, it's more like Hitler Youth." Hermione muttered.

"What?" Ron asked, thoroughly confused.

The witch just shook her head. "Doesn't matter."

"You alright Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione's behavior was troubling for him, ever since the D.A. was disbanded was disbanded she seemed depressed.

"It's nothing!" Hermione snapped. She couldn't tell them that she was upset that her father was missing and the Ministry Toad had made it neigh impossible for her to see her màthair.

A/N: The Transfiguration Masters don't like to broadcast exactly how many masteries there are, especially to the Ministry.

Sorry for the delay and how short this one is. I moved into my dorm this past weekend, first week of classes was this week, and I had a cold that wiped me out. But, I got a chapter done! And I hope you all enjoy it. :D

Many thanks to Warriorwitch13 for betaing this.