Reviews:
DrakeGrimmhound : Thank you, I am doing my best to try and make it as natural as possible.
Chaos Snow Kitsune : True, it's pretty much how it always works, Umbridge pisses off Harry then she suffers later, it won't be an instant thing though.
micetto : Astoria was two years younger but in the world of fanfic everything goes, remember that in canon Harry did not have a pet basilisk nor was he a tiger animagus.
Chapter 26 -
"Harry!" Harry heard a voice call, he turned around to see the youngest Greengrass sister walking towards him.
"Hello, I remember your name, Astoria right?" Harry asked as she stopped in front of him.
"Yes, I am." She smiled, looking pleased that he remembered. "Are you going to the great hall?"
"It is breakfast time so yeah." Harry nodded, he watched as her face shifted from happy to embarrassed.
"Um...I...I was out exploring and...I...uh..."
"Got lost?" Harry guessed.
"Y..yeah." She said, lowering her head slightly.
"Come on then," Harry said as he tapped her on the back and signalled her to follow him. Harry began walking with Astoria quickly following after him and walking alongside him. "don't worry about it, you are not the first and you probably won't be the last person to get lost."
"Thank you." Astoria said in a quiet voice.
"So Ravenclaw huh?" Harry asked as the two walked together.
"I think I am smart." Astoria smiled.
"Suppose we will see won't we? If you don't mind me asking, yesterday you looked a bit weird about being sorted into Ravenclaw."
"I thought that I was going to go in Slytherin like Daphne." Astoria confessed.
"Don't suppose it matters either way." Harry replied. "A house is a house." Harry said, earning a smile from Astoria.
"Oh can I see your animagus form now?" Astoria asked, remembering her conversation with him from the train. "You promised remember?"
"I did promise, didn't I?" Harry nodded just as he stopped with Astoria stopping next to him. "Alright ready?" Harry asked.
"Yeah!" Astoria nodded as her face took on an excited look.
"Stay ready." Harry grinned right before he shifted into his tiger form.
"Whoa!" Astoria gasped as she jumped back, her eyes were wide and disbelieving as she looked at him. Harry looked quite amused despite being a tiger, he greeted her in the form of a chuffing noise. "Wow!" Astoria breathed out. "You're so beautiful! Can...can I touch you?" She asked hopefully. Harry nodded, Astoria tentatively raised her hand and placed it his head. "Wow." She said before she began petting him. "That feel so nice. Oh, can I ride you?" Astoria asked, however as soon as the words came out of her mouth she began looking apologetic. "Oh I am sorry, that's probably rude and..." Astoria found herself cut off as Harry laid down on the floor. "Oh, I guess that means I can ride you?" She asked, Harry nodded and Astoria smiled before climbing on Harry's back.
Harry slowly rose up as he did not want to throw the girl off, Astoria giggled as Harry began walking towards the hall. Previously Harry was going to keep his animagus form hidden or at least not bring attention to it but he realised that after Ron let it slip then there was no real point in doing so. Might as well own it. Harry slowly walked towards the great hall with Astoria holding onto his neck and doing her best to not pull on his fur. The duo attracted more than a fair share of stares and shocked looks, apparently a first year Ravenclaw riding a white tiger was not a common sight, who knew?
When the two arrived at the great hall everyone in the hall stared at them, as of the moment only a few students had woken up and the only teachers currently at the teachers table were all the head of houses apart from Snape. Two of those students were Daphne and Tracy who were sat at the Slytherin table with gaping mouths. Everyone watched as Harry calmly walked over to the Ravenclaw table, he got down onto the floor and allowed Astoria to climb off.
"Thank you!" Astoria smiled as she got off, she was slightly embarrassed from all the attention she was getting but was more happy just because she was able to actually ride a tiger. Harry shifted back into his human form and smiled at her.
"You're welcome, now you go and enjoy breakfast." Harry said as he ruffled her hair before he headed to the Slytherin table, he glanced back and saw many Ravenclaws quickly trying to sit next to Astoria. He sat at the Slytherin table, opposite Daphne and Tracy with a smirk on his face. "Hello ladies." Harry smiled at them before he started eating.
"I...what was that?!" Daphne blurted out.
"That was me making your sister cool, you are welcome by the way." Harry said after swallowing.
"Your animagus form is a tiger?! That's so cool!" Tracy exclaimed.
"Thanks." Harry replied before turning to Daphne. "Your sister was lost and we met as she was trying to find her way to the great hall, she reminded me how I promised to show her my animagus form and it just went from there."
"Hmm, well...thank you for helping her." Daphne said eventually.
"You're welcome."
"By the way, not that I mind but why are you sitting here at the Slytherin table?" Daphne asked. "Shouldn't you be sitting at the Gryffindor table?"
"As far as I am aware there are no rules against sitting at other tables, besides I would like to think that the three of us are friends so why can't I sit with my friends?" Harry asked.
"Potter!" A voice stopped any reply from the girls, the trio looked up to see Malfoy standing there with Crabbe and Goyle behind him as usual.
"Hello Malfoy, you look the same as usual." Harry said in a sad voice.
"Shut it Potter! What are you doing at the Slytherin table?" Malfoy glared at Harry.
"I am sitting Malfoy, if the act is too complicated for you to understand then I can explain it to you." Harry replied.
"You don't belong at the Slytherin table Potter!"
"Malfoy you have your entire life to be an arse, just do us a favour and take today off." Harry replied in a bored voice.
"Leave Potter!" Malfoy ordered.
"I don't see why I should, there are no rules against sitting at other house tables plus I am sitting with my friends." Harry said as he gestured to Daphne and Tracy.
"Freinds?!"
"Malfoy I am truly losing all hope for you if you do not even know what friends are. It is basically like your relationship with Crabbe and Goyle except the girls don't suck my cock." Harry replied in a dry voice, Malfoy's face turned an almost Weasley shade of red.
"What is going on here?" A drawling voice interrupted, stopping Malfoy from saying anything. They all turned to see Professor Snape stop in front of them.
"Hello Professor, how are you today?" Harry asked in a polite voice, he was tempted to just insult the man but he knew that he was no longer protected by the rules of the tournament and therefore he was susceptible to point loses and detention, of course he could refuse the detentions but that would invite more trouble and for now at least Harry would have preferred not to have that. He would also be a fool to not consider how useful a good reputation could be for him, sure he had a few rocky starts in second and fourth year but he was pretty sure he could make it work. Besides, doing what he wants without getting into trouble is part of the fun.
"I would be a lot better if I did not have to see your face Potter." Snape sneered at him, Draco snorted but Harry did not react. "Why are you sitting at the Slytherin table?"
"Because I wanted to talk with my friends." Harry said as he gestured to Daphne and Tracy.
"Listen Potter you arrogant brat, I..."
"What is happening here?" A girlish voice asked as Madam Umbridge walked up to them.
"Hello Professor," Harry said to her before Snape or Malfoy could say anything. "the Professor and Mr Malfoy were simply asking me about why I was sitting at the Slytherin table, I was merely explaining how I wanted to sit with my friends and how there are no rules against sitting at other tables."
"Mr Potter is correct about the rules," Umbridge said to Snape. "and I do believe I heard you insulting Mr Potter, that is hardly professional, is it Professor Snape?" She asked. Snape looked like he was resisting the urge to glare at her. Instead he settled for storming off, Harry did not know what the man was thinking but it made him look like a five year old throwing a tantrum. "Good day Mr Potter." Umbridge said to Harry before walking off.
Harry felt a shiver go down his body and suddenly felt dirty as an urge to wash himself briefly came over him but he pushed it aside. Yes the woman may have done something nice for him and pissed off Snape, both things that he liked, she was just creepy and Harry could tell that there was something she wanted from him.
"You think you're so special Potter?!" Malfoy snarled at Harry, furious that once more things had gone the way that Harry wanted.
"Malfoy are you always this big of an idiot or do you just wish to show off when I am around?" Harry said as he rolled his eyes. "It is amusing to listen to you try and fit your whole vocabulary into one sentence but you should really stop, you are just embarrassing yourself. I do not engage in battle with the unarmed which is why I will not fight you in a battle of wits, I'd recommend trying your luck at something easier, like those two trolls behind you. They're about a level above your speed but I am sure that you could reach their mental capabilities with enough dedication and practise."
"Screw you Potter!"
"I have no doubt that you wish to Malfoy but once more, I am straight." Harry shrugged. "I am sorry if that disappoints you, I assume that disappointment is something your family is used to though, after all what else would your parent call you?" Harry smirked at Malfoy. Malfoy growled and moved to remove his wand only to pause when he saw Harry's wand pointed at his crotch. "No, go on Malfoy. you were about to act like a man for the first time in your life, shame that it you continue to do so it will be the last time in your life." Harry said as he gave Malfoy a challenging look, Malfoy gave Harry a look of pure hatred before he stormed off with Crabbe and Goyle following after him. Harry rolled his eyes again and returned to his breakfast.
"Well Potter..." Daphne said after a few moments. "at least you keep things entertaining." she commented.
"I try my best." Harry grinned.
Soon it was time for the first defence class of the year, when Harry entered he sat at the back just in front of the desk that Daphne and Tracy shared,
In the defense classroom the students were all waiting for the defense teacher to arrive, some were playing and others were chatting. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were 'subtly' glaring at Harry who was currently looking back and talking to the two Slytherin girls.
"She probably won't be that bad." Daphne said optimistically when they began discussing what the lesson would be like.
"Please," Harry snorted. "Quirrell was an incompetent stuttering idiot who only taught theory for the most part," Harry said as he decided not to mention that the man had Voldemort sticking out the back of his head. "Lockhart was an incompetent dumbass who only wanted book sales, Moody turned out to not be Moody and in fact a death eater disguised as him. Our only competent defence teacher so far was Professor Lupin and as far as the ministry is concerned he is a just a 'dark creature'. Maybe we will be surprised but I highly doubt it would be in a good way."
At that precise moment Dolores Umbridge entered the room from the teacher's entrance, she started off by burning a paper bird that was flying around the classroom, effectively killing the happy mood at a speed that could only be beat by a group of dementors.
"Good morning class." She said in a sickly sweet voice as she gave them a wide and disturbing smile. "No, no that won't do." She said when the class gave a half-hearted reply. "A little louder please, 'good morning class'."
"Good morning Madam Umbridge." The class said reluctantly. Not Harry though, part of growing up and attending muggle schools meant that he had to take part in the school plays. And unlike Dudley, Harry had quickly realised he could not sing so always just stood at the back and mouthed the words, which turned out to be good practise for now.
"I told you so." Harry whispered to Daphne and Tracy as Umbridge walked to the front of the class, the former gave him a small nod as she was already able to tell that the lesson was not going to be as good as she would have liked. Umbridge's ridiculously cheery attitude was already ruining it.
"There, that wasn't so difficult, was it? 'Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations'," Umbridge spoke as the words formed on the black board. "more commonly known as 'owls'. Study hard and you will be rewarded, fail to do so and the consequences may be severe." She smirked. Harry along with others did not miss how the woman seemed disturbingly happy at the mention of consequences. Umbridge waved her wand and books flew off of the teacher table with one going to each person. "Your previous instruction on this subject has been disturbingly uneven, but you'll be pleased to know that from now on you'll be following a carefully structured, ministry approved, course of magic. Has everyone got their copy of 'Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Silkhard'?" She asked, the class responded at a barely heard level. "No," Umbridge tutted her teeth, "that will not do at all, when I ask a question I expect a 'Yes, Professor Umbridge' or a 'No, Professor Umbridge'. Now does everyone have their copy?"
"Yes Professor Umbridge." The Class droned.
"Good," Umbridge smiled, "wands away, read chapter one, there will be no need to talk." She said. "Yes?" She asked when Hermione raised her left hand.
"There's nothing in here about using defensive spells." Hermione pointed out.
"Using spells?" Umbridge let out a short and amused laugh. "I can't imagine why you'd want to use spells in my classroom." She said as if the very thought was ridiculous.
"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked with disbelief
"You'll be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk freeway."
"What use is that?" Ron asked "If we're going to be attacked, it's not going to be risk free." Harry rolled his eyes, he was doing a lot of that recently, and focused in the direction of the book in his hand.
"Students will raise their hands in my classroom." Umbridge turned around as if the sight of Ron upset her, a moment later she turned back and spoke to the class with a smile.
"Professor," Hermione once again raised her left hand. "Isn't there a practical portion for our owl exams?"
"It is the view of the ministry" Umbridge spoke. "that a theoretical approach will be more than sufficient in helping you pass your exams".
"Without practising them first?!" Ron blurted out with disbelief.
"You are to raise your hand first Mr..."
"Weasley," Ron said, answering the unasked question about his name. "but what I was basically saying was you can't expect us to just do the theory and not practise against what's out there."
"There is nothing out there, who do you imagine would want to harm children such as yourself?" Umbridge asked, Harry took a lot of effort to stop himself from reacting when in all honesty he was willing to go up to the front and write an entire list of possible dangers.
"Oh I don't know, how about you-know-who?" Ron said, "Dumbledore says he is back."
"Ah but Dumbledore has no proof," Umbridge countered with an annoying smirk. "Mr Potter has never publicly stated that you-know-who has returned, the only people who have claimed so are Dumbledore and his followers in a rather obvious attempt to ignite panic and chaos, the ministry will not tolerate such lies. Mr Potter, would you like to say something?" Umbridge asked Harry who glanced up from the book.
"Not really." Harry shrugged before he returned to his book, Umbridge gave a pleased smile before walking back and sitting at her desk while Hermione barely kept Ron from saying anything more.
"I can not believe you read that book and didn't fall asleep." Tracy commented as she, Daphne and Harry walked out of defence class.
"Please, I am not reading that bullshit." Harry snorted. "I read a bit of it before class and skimmed the rest, it's shit."
"But you were reading it in class." Daphne pointed out.
"Was I?" Harry smirked as he pulled his book out, he waved his wand around it and the cover changed into one that said '100 unique curses'.
"You were pretending?!" Daphne blurted out. "Genius! I wish I had thought of that.
"Stop it, you'll make me blush. I can show you both how to do it later if you want."
"Thanks Harry." Tracy smiled at him. Harry smiled back at the two, looking very pleased with himself, by the way they were looking at him he was pretty sure that he had just mastered friendship.
A.N: Hi guys, how are you doing? Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Yes unfortunately Umbridge exists (hate the character but I thought that the actress played her really well), now it's just a question of when and how to get rid of her. I am going to have Harry try and appear more behaved in the public eye for a couple of reasons, the first being that he is no longer protected by the tournament rules and the second being the benefits of a good reputation plus one other reason which will be revealed later in the story.
As for Astoria I think I am either going to keep her as a friend of Harry or maybe have her look up to him, I haven't decided yet. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it, feel free to leave a review.