All characters and events that you recognise from the Harry Potter books belong to jk Rowling. Any others belong to me.
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"At the end of June, Tonks contacted a close friend who she thought would be interested in joining the order. Her name is Amanda Humphrey, and she agreed. We sent her on a surveillance mission half way through July, and she hasn't been seen since."
"What was the surveillance mission?" James asked.
Dumbledore sighed and sat down. "Following a prominent ministry member who we know is in cohorts with Voldemort. The ministry member is Macnair, and nothing has changed with him, as in he hasn't disappeared off the radar. This was quite a high risk mission, and I am rather worried. I need you four to find her."
They nodded. In the first war, this was the exact sort of mission that the four specialised in. They hadn't failed before, and didn't plan to start now.
"We'll talk to Tonks and see what she can tell us about Amanda. Where does she live?" Lily asked.
"Godrics Hollow. That's where Tonks was going on the day she found you both, actually."
They all nodded again. "We'll get straight on it."
Dumbledore smiled gratefully. "I didn't doubt it. Floo directly to my office when you have found something out. But be wary, the new Defense Teacher won't take kindly to two dead people, a supposed murderer and a werewolf in the school. If it becomes impossible for you to come to my office, I will contact you all."
"Is that likely?"
Dumbledore nodded gravely and stood up. "I must go. Good luck."
And he swept out of the room before any of them could ask anything more.
"Let's contact Tonks."
Remus sent a patronus to Tonks, asking if she was available. When she sent one back, they all Flooed to her house.
It was a bit like stepping into the past for Lily and James. They had spent a very long week in this house, which hadn't changed at all. But they couldn't help but note how much had changed in their lives since they had last been there.
They all embraced Tonks, and she lead them into the sitting room. Her hair was a light blonde today, she probably didn't have the energy to change it - or so the bags under her eyes would indicate.
"We're sorry to impose like this, I can imagine you probably want nothing more than to go to sleep." Lily said gently.
Tonks waved the claim away. "Don't worry about it. What can I do for you all?"
"We were wondering what you could tell us about Amanda Humphrey. She hasn't been seen since July and was on a high-risk mission for the Order."
Tonks raised her eyebrows. "Amanda is one of the most reliable people I know. I've known her since we were eleven. Chances are, if she hasn't come back to report, it's not her decision."
"Is there anywhere she might go? Her own safe house that we can check?" James asked.
"Not that I can think of. Besides her own house and her parents house, I don't think so."
The four nodded. "Where's her parents house?"
"I can give you the address. And her own. She lives in Godrics Hollow."
Tonks summoned some parchment, ink and a quill, and wrote down both addresses.
"She's quite a private person. I know she's friends with Jemma Handy and obviously myself, but I'm not sure if she is good friends with anyone else."
"Do you have a picture of her? And Jemma, while you're at it?"
Tonks stood and left the room, returning a few minutes later with a few photos.
Amanda was a tall, slim woman with brown wavy hair and a rather large nose, while Jemma was short and blonde with a large mole on her left cheek.
They stood either side of a younger Tonks and were all beaming and waving up at them.
"Is Jemma a member of the order?"
"She's still deliberating." Tonks gave a half smile. "Jemma is very quiet. Doesn't like getting in trouble. Amanda is very private with her own life, but she knows just about everyone. Very nosey, but she gets away with it because she's quiet. She comes out of her shell with the people she's close to, which I don't think is very many people. If I can think of anyone more then I'll let you guys know."
"We'll find her Tonks."
Tonks nodded and gave a feeble smile.
"I know."
The four arrived back at Potter manor half an hour later.
James lead them into one of the empty storage rooms on the highest floor, and they conjured a large table.
Lily and Remus worked on creating a map (a bit like a hologram) which rested upright on the table. They then marked the locations that needed to be checked, including Macnair's residence. Lily then began a very detailed list of everything that they knew, questions to be asked, things to check and things to be confirmed. They all sat around the table and began writing in the list.
"Okay. So what do we know?"
"Well we know that she was tailing Walden Macnair, who Harry has confirmed to have been in the graveyard the night of Voldemort's return. Macnair works for the Ministry Of Magic as an executioner and avoided Azkaban by saying he was under the imperious curse." Remus absentmindedly scratched his neck.
"Do we know exactly what happened with Macnair in the graveyard?" James asked.
All eyes turned to Sirius.
He sighed and bit the inside of his cheek. "I can't remember what Harry said about Macnair." He finally conceded. "I remember him confirming the Death Eaters who were there... but I'm not sure what he said about Macnair."
Remus sighed. "I feel like we may eventually have to find out. We could ask Dumbledore. It may be important."
The other three nodded, Sirius somewhat reluctantly.
"Okay. So we also know a bit about Amanda. She's loyal and nosey, probably why Dumbledore put her up on the mission."
"And Tonks said that Jemma is quiet and likes to avoid trouble, which may be why she doesn't want to get involved with the order. Wants to put it off as long as possible maybe?" Sirius mused.
The others nodded in agreement.
"I think we should go to Amanda's house. See what's been happening."
"Do you think she'll be there?"
"I reckon that if she is, it's only because she can't leave because of Death Eaters. I think that she probably has information, but no way to get it to us safely."
The others nodded.
"If that's true, then they're probably holding something over her. Like a loved ones safety. Maybe her parents? Either way, I think we should talk to her parents too."
With a rough plan, they all stood up and grabbed their cloaks.
They all changed their appearances to be on the safe side, and stepped downstairs.
Sirius looked at them all reminiscently as they finalised their plan.
"Why you looking at us like that?" James smirked.
"It's just like old times. Well, minus the traitor."
"It's definitely better without the traitor." Remus admitted. "Come on, lets go."
Hogwarts
The fifth years filed in to the Defense Against The Dark Arts classroom. Harry and Ron has just spent a very tedious lesson in Divination, where (unfortunately for Harry), Trelawney was still predicting his imminent death. Double potions - with the Slytherins, no less - was absolute torture. Snape still loathed Harry, and the feeling was quite mutual. He had ordered them to make a Draught of Peace, but, Harry being Harry, he forgot the hellebore. He wasn't the only one who had missed a step, yet he was the only one who received a fail because Snape vanished it. It was in that moment, that Harry looked at Snape with as much loathing as he could muster, and was henceforth docked 5 points from Gryffindor. In History of Magic, even Hermione was bored by Binn's droning.
They could safely say, that Mondays were not good days.
Harry was filled with pent up anger (from Snape and partly Trelawney's grim predictions), boredom from History of Magic and trepidation regarding the Ministry worker who had swept into the room. She had a horribly-pink Alice band on her head and her stubby fingers smoothed out her (unsurprisingly) pink outfit.
Harry sighed internally. Here we go.
Once everyone was seated, she began the lesson.
"Good afternoon everyone!"
A few grumbled "good afternoon" unenthusiastically in return, but for the most part, people were silent.
"Tut tut tut! Now that won't do at all! I will say 'good afternoon class' and you will respond with 'good afternoon, Professor.' Let's try that again. Good afternoon, class!"
"Good afternoon Professor Umbridge!" They chanted back, feeling thoroughly patronised.
Many of the students were sharing incredulous looks and raising their eyebrows, yet the Professor either didn't notice or ignored it.
"Now, I would like you to get out your textbook, and put your wands away."
There was a collective groan. They were in for another dull lesson.
"I am well aware that your teaching in this subject has been very uneven and fragmented, but I am pleased to announce that we will now be following a carefully structured, ministry approved course from now on. Please copy down the course aims:"
She waved her short, black wand at the blackboard, and the course aims appeared:
1. Understanding the principles of defensive magic
2. Learning to recognise situations in which the magic can be legally used.
3. Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.
She stood at the front of the classroom with an infuriating triumphant look on her face as everyone began writing.
Once the scratching of quills had subsided, she continued.
"I should like you to turn to page 5 and read chapter one. There will be no need to talk."
She retreated to begind her desk and surveyed the students.
Harry and Ron shared a look when they read the title: "chapter one, basics for beginners."
There was no doubt about it, it would be a very long lesson.
Harry wasn't sure what was more riveting: sitting in silence and reading, or listening to Binns drone on for an hour.
He read the first paragraph without taking any of the words in, and looked to his left to see Ron doodling on a spare piece of parchment. He turned his head towards his right and received a surprise.
Hermione hadn't even opened the book, but sat with one hand in the air, staring pointedly at Professor Umbridge.
He looked at her inquiringly, but she shook her head and continued to stare at their Professor, who was now reading her own book.
Several minutes passed, and soon Harry wasn't the only one watching Hermione. After all, it was a lot more interesting that pretending to read.
Umbridge eventually looked up, after the sound of the turning of pages stopped.
"Would you like to ask something about the chapter, dear?"
"No, not about the chapter." Said Hermione.
"Well we're simply reading now. You are more than welcome to talk to me at the end of class."
"I would like to ask something about your course aims." Hermione explained, ignoring Umbridge's last statement.
"Well miss..?"
"Granger."
"Miss Granger, if you read them thoroughly enough I do believe that they are perfectly clear. But right now, we are focusing on the chapter." She said very sweetly.
"Yes, well I still have a question nonetheless. I was wondering why there is nothing there about using defensive spells?"
Sure enough, the rest of the class reread the aims, and looks of confusion appeared on their faces as they looked between the board, their notes, and the professor.
There was a brief silence, in which Umbridge figured out what to say.
"And why would you need to use defensive spells, Miss Granger? I certainly can't see why you would need to in my own class. Surely you aren't expecting to be attacked here."
Harry and Ron shared and incredulous look, to which Ron snorted derisively. "We're not going to use magic?" He asked loudly after Umbridge turned to him.
"Raise your hand when you speak in my class, Mr-?"
"Weasley." Ron comically and condescendingly thrust his hand into the air.
She turned her back on him, and when she looked back, there were multiple new hands up in the air.
Umbridge's bulging eyes lingered on Harry's, and then she turned back to Hermione.
"You wanted to ask something more, dear?"
"Yes, Professor." Hermione was smart enough to keep the formalities in place. "Isn't the entire point of this class to teach us how to defend ourselves?"
"It is not up to you to decide what the 'entire point' of my class is, Miss Granger." Her voice was slowly becoming less sweet by the minute. "You will be learning about defensive spells in a risk free environment, as you should have been from the start."
"Well what use is that?! If we're going to be attacked it won't be risk fr-" Harry exclaimed loudly.
"Hand, Mr Potter."
Harry thrust his clenched fist into the air, but she turned away.
"And you are?" She asked Dean.
"Dean Thomas, Professor."
"And what would you like to ask, Mr Thomas?"
"Well Harry has a point." Dean said "If we're going to be attacked it won't be risk free."
"Well, do you honestly expect to be attacked in my classroom?"
"The odds are pointing to yes." Harry muttered loudly.
She ignored him, and continued with a (clearly well rehearsed) monologue.
"Each teacher will use a different approach to this course, and I do not mean to insult them," she began unconvincingly, "you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class. Wizards who have indeed taught you beliefs and spells that you should not know. And that you do not need to know."
"Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it." Lavender interrupted.
Umbridge ignored her. "You have been introduced to spells that are inappropriately complex and unnecessary. You have been frightened into believing that you will be attacked every day."
"No we haven't-" Hermione began, but Umbridge cut her off.
"It is also my understanding that the unforgivable curses were performed in front of you last year, and one of them was even performed on you!"
"Yeah well he turned out to be a nutjob but we still learnt some very valuable things!" Ron exclaimed loudly, his mind going back to Harry's revelation about the graveyard.
"You have also been exposed to some very dangerous people. Including, a disgusting half breed."
There was uproar at that last comment. Fortunately, the noise drowned out Ron's extremely crude swear words.
Dean's voice carried above them all: "Professor Lupin was the best teacher we've ever had!"
All the students nodded vehemently and voiced their agreement loudly with that statement.
With a flick of her wand, she had silenced them all.
"That, is enough. You do not need to use defensive spells, because there is no-one who is out there to attack you."
Harry broke through the charm. If Umbridge was any regular teacher, or if it was any other student, she would have been impressed. It was a very strong silencing spell.
"That is absolute rubbish! You can't honestly be naïve enough to think that there is no one out there to attack us! There is always people out there! And how on Earth do you expect us to get out alive if we ever come to face them?!"
The other students nodded vigorously, unable to make a noise. Even if they didn't agree that Voldemort was back, they completely agreed with Harry's statement. A few were impressed that he managed to break through the charm, and there was no denying that he was a talented wizard.
"You need to learn some manners, Mr Potter." She flicked her wand and released the spell, but if she hadn't used her wand, no-one would have noticed. They were too busy watching the exchange.
"And who do you think would want to attack children, like yourselves?"
She fell right into the trap.
Hermione sent pleading looks towards Harry, but he dismissed them and responded instantly.
"Voldemort." He said simply.
There were a few shrieks and shudders and the name, but other than that, everyone was silent.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr Potter."
The mocking smile had vanished from Umbridge's face, and she stepped towards Harry menacingly, while speaking to the room.
"Let me make one thing, perfectly clear." She began, not taking her eyes off of Harry. "You have been told, that a dark wizard known as Lord Voldemort has returned. This. Is. A. Lie!"
"It's NOT a lie!! I saw him. I FOUGHT him!"
"Detention, Mr Potter!"
Harry's face contorted into a snarl.
"This is a lie! The ministry has guaranteed that you are all safe. There is no one of the sort out there. It is a lie. If you still have any qualms, come and talk to me. If someone is continuing to spread these lies, come to me." She turned away, but turned back as the scratching of a chair reverberated off of the walls.
Harry was stood up, almost shaking with rage. "So according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord?"
Eyes widened all around the room.
"Cedric Diggorys death was a tragic accident!"
"NO IT WAS NOT! IT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT! HE WAS MURDERED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! AND YOU KNOW IT BUT YOU'RE REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH BECAUSE YOU ARE SCARED!" He actually bellowed these words.
"Come here Mr Potter."
He stayed stood behind his seat. She sighed and wrote a note, then passed it to him.
"Take this to Professor McGonagall."
He stormed out, slamming the door shut behind him.
"Please continue reading." She asked, the faux-sweetness turned on again.
Thank you for reading! As always, leave any thoughts or comments in the review section.
Until next time :)