Chapter 11

The next morning, it was a grim Professor McGonagall who made the announcement of what had been decide during the crisis summit that took place that very night.

The Headmaster Dumbledore was suspended and confined to his office until a later date. Everything was left in charge to the Deputy Headmistress, except for the security of Hogwarts and the tournament that were now under the direct ministry supervision. Beauxbatons board of governors already pre-emptively confirmed that Madame Maxime had been sacked and that she would face questioning if she was found alive. The newly appointed Headmaster would join as soon as possible. Karkaroff, the most suspicious of the Headmasters, was the only one to keep his job without any sanction as his questioning proved that he neither did or suspected anything of what happened during the first task.

As for the tournament, it would be maintained but for the sake of security, the students would be invited to spectate a recording instead of the actual competition. A post-traumatic stress disorder group talk leaded by a St Mungo's Medi-wizard had been opened for those who were in dire need of emotional support. And finally, the undersecretary Umbridge would now work at Hogwarts as the new 'Head of Security' while the Auror's department would be in charge of the investigation about the 'high suspicion of sabotage'.

That's pretty much summarized the announcement of that day, leaving out Dolores Umbridge speech whom was insinuating that Dumbledore was Headmaster in name only from now on and that she was taking over every aspect of the school, so long as security concerns were involved.

Hermione didn't knew how things could have turn out so spectacularly wrong but she had the gut feeling that there were more to it than met the eyes. She couldn't explain but it was like the whole situation was some kind of scheme and that whoever did it was getting exactly what they were hoping for.

And that Toad face smile was a little too satisfied given the circumstances. If she had to make a wild guess... if it hadn't been for the ministry, the Triwizard Tournament would have never happened. And who was in charge of the tournament? Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch. Then, who was the most benefiting from the first task upset? Again, the ministry as they finally got the chance to interfere with Hogwarts independence. If those weren't too much coincidence, she didn't knew what it was.

§§§

One week after Dolores Umbridge became the head of security, every property of the Weasley Twins had been seized and they were forced under Veritaserum to give the comprehensive list of their customers, which turn out to be more than forty per cent of the students and two professors to boot. The culprit teachers turned out to be none others that Septima Vector and Sybil Trelawney as they had a quiet feud against one another going on for quite sometime already.

The most funny fact about it was that the Professor Trelawney recognised that she started it, pretending that "she had foreseen it and only took preemptive action" while the professor Vector claimed that she always knew that the Professor Trelawney was a little crazy and only decide to play along for fun as to relieve some stress from the quite demanding subject she was teaching.

Hermione was completely astonished to discover that aspect of professor Vector personality who appeared to her always so serious and rigorous, as the living embodiment of the subject she was teaching. What would happened of her if her role model professors were to fall from their pedestal one after another?

§§§

"So it's been a week already. I have been extremely patient but our estimed Head of Security is preventing me to do any proper teaching." The professor Moody complained. "So, instead, I'm going to give you a lecture on the most terrible threat you will ever have to face. An enemy capable to wear you down, torture you and destroy any semblance of civilization in less than a week... I name... the Bureaucrats."

At this, everyone in the class, Hermione included, couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. A little laugh is of circumstance, especially since this lecture isn't totally unbiased but I'm really serious about it. Do you think the Deatheaters had to do paperwork? Do you think the Deatheaters are given a week suspension for killing an Auror? Do you think Deatheaters are realising the innocents muggleborn when there is the tiniest shred of doubt about their ascendancy? The answer is no.

And this, my young student is the proof that whatever the circumstances are, and even with the best intentions at heart, the Bureaucrates are always, and I mean always, working for the enemy. In quidditch, they would be the chaser who scored against his own team because it would be too unfair to have an easy win.

And in our case, my case, they are a Head of Security who is wearing pink, capable of torturing someone with only her obsession of kittens, pretending that teaching students how to practically defend themselves is actually endangering them and leaving a breach in her oh so perfect security system. That's what I'm talking about.

So the next time there would be a security breach, I'm afraid you will have no other strategy than 'running away and call for help' since I'm prevented from doing my job and teach you how to defend yourself in those kind of situations. And this, my students conclude my lecture."

He paused.

"And now, my dear students, and for the very first time, I'm going to give you an actual assignment." He hit his desk with both of his hands with a loud bang before adding, with fierce determination. "It will be due for the end of the year. You don't have to write anything, even a draft, and it will be a collective oral presentation. Either each of you failed or succeed.

And the subject is: 'What to do when the system is against you?'. That's it. For the first and only time in my class, you will be allowed to embrace the perspective of criminals and see how you would be faring on the other side of the fence. Of course, the subject is absolutely theoretical. I don't want to caught any of you breaking the school rules or god forbid, our Head of security rules. Did I made myself clear?"

Hermione found that particular assignment extremely enlightening. She exchanged a look with Harry that understood exactly the same thing as her. He gave them an actual assignment that could be summarized as:

"Do everything you have to do, break the rules if needed be, but do not get caught. I would deny everything and I won't be able to come to your help. Good luck."

Under our desk, Harry and Hermione took each other hand with the same determination as their professor. They knew what they had to do. And if they couldn't get caught, they had to enrol those that didn't had to follow those rules, that were literally the ultimate masters at not being caught or even seen. They had to ask the help of elves.

§§§

"Harry,

I took my time before answering your letter on that dream of you.

I made my research and there is no sign of his return. Even when he was keeping low profile, he couldn't help himself but kill people wherever he goes. Your dream follow that line too. So I search for missing people, actual murders and unsolved cases, both wizards and muggles. The past three years have been exceptionally calm, at least in UK.

I think you might be right. I won't doubt you in a million time. But I think he is out of the country for now. Or he is keeping an even more lower profil, only killing isolated people that haven't been missing yet. No matter which one it is, it's rather good as it mean he is either far, terribly weak or both. I would kept checking on the data just in case.

As for your other problem, I wish to talk to you about it in person, maybe for Christmas? I know you might not be used to it and that you might also had other project for Christmas but I beg you to reconsider. Hermione is very much welcome too. I think I could get her parents to join too. Our table is too big for only the four of us.

You should talk to Dobby too. I know you must have others things to think about as of recently but this little guy really as it hard. You are still the best friend he ever had but he might not be able to uphold that promise he made you in second year —and yes, he told me about it.

Take care. With love.

Sirius.

P.S.: I don't want to worry you over what is probably nothing but we might have more rats than we thought. I can't warn Hermione and you enough to keep your pet away, especially Hedwig. I can't wait to see you. Remus."

Harry was a little perplexe after reading that letter and ask advices from the only person he had an absolute trust in.

"Hermione" He wishpered "Please give me your opinion on this"

She read the letter several times and each time, the concern on her face was more pronounced, until she finally gave the letter back to Harry.

"This is second year all over again. Voldemort isn't here but there is definitely something going on. And we can't trust anyone." She whispered back.

"You sure?" Harry asked.

"You don't talk to him about any other problem so he is speaking of our current predicament. He practically beg us to go home for Christmas. You ask Dobby to never try to save your life again and Sirius write you that he might not be able to keep his promise. And Remus warned you about a plausible traitor and not to use Hedwig." Hermione summarized all the point of the letter. "I already had the feeling that someone had use the tournament to advance their own agenda. I don't think Dolores Umbridge is just here to actually accomplish something but I doubt any of us would like it."

"So this is a scheme and we got caught in it, once again?" Harry asked rhetorically, taking his head between his arm in frustration.

"We knew you couldn't escape it. You are a trouble-magnet after all." Hermione tried to joke.

Harry gave her a fake murderous look that was conveying his feeling perfectly at the time.

And so they had to find out what the fuck was happening, who was behind it and how to screw their plan before they could hurt Harry...

To be honest, Hermione was so worried than even Harry look composed in comparison. But for whatever reason, she was now capable to keep her cool and think clear despite her internal turmoil. The only time she had froze recently was with the Dragon and she was in a life and death situation at the time.

"I'm with you on it. I promise we will figure it out."

She was determined to protect Harry with all she got. Never again she would let him have to face the danger alone. They worked best together, Ron, Neville, Harry and her. If they stuck together, there was no way they would go down easily. They weren't first years or second years any more. They had some baggage. They had a good team work. And they could protect each other back.

But first, they had to gather information. And what better place for them to start than the lair of that cat lady?

§§§

Dobby, Winky, Neville, Ron, Harry and Hermione were in one of those abandoned classroom that was formerly in use before the war with Voldemort broke out. Back in the time, Hogwarts was teaching subjects that had been drop since then because there weren't popular enough. But now, it was a rather convenient reunion place for their little assembly.

Hermione had made sure that every single piece of the wall, as well as the door and the windows were all correctly unperturbed and then, she had put a repelling charm outside the door and an advance locking charm to it just to be sure. No one would be able to eavesdrop on them or even get close. And the only way for anyone but them to know about the reunion would have been to follow them, something that winky and dobby got covered.

"We are all here today because the Head of Security Dolores Umbridge would really much like that her temporary appointment for the sake of the Tournament turn into a more permanent one." She started straight of the bat.

Even Winky and Dobby approved wholeheartedly. Since Dolores Umbridge had been appointed, the 'routine control' in the kitchen had became a daily event and elves got punished really harshly each time she wasn't satisfied, which was really often. From a genuine accident once every two months, Dobby now had to tend to a Hogwarts elf every day.

"Our main target is Umbridge's office. From the Weasley Twins, we already know that the place must be filled to the brim with magical items and that our Head of Security obsession for kittens is absolutely true. What I'm concern about are the securities she must have set up there: alarms, traps and maybe even, recording devices. So I need one of us to get a detention with her and assess the room before we break in."

Everyone contributed with their own ideas but Hermione wasn't quite done yet.

"I think Harry should do it." She stated firmly before explaining. "I planned to enchant his glasses with specific magic detection beforehand. Since the place will be filled with artefacts, I want to know what to expect or at least, having a general idea. What we know of Dolores Umbridge is that she is a total maniac. So I want to know, where every single object in the room should be. If there are marks on the floor or accumulated dust at some unused place, I want to know about it too.

Plus, I have another reason to select Harry above anyone. For some reasons, she seems to dislike Harry with a passion. If given the chance, I'm fairly certain that she won't resist the temptation of personally give Harry a detention instead of letting another professor handle it. We don't want to look suspicious by doing repeated offence in front of her in the hope of getting a detention.

It would have to be a one-shot. Harry got a detention and collect all the data we need to break in. We wait for the right time to create a diversion and give Dobby and Winky the time to inspect her office from top to bottom. You already all know what we are searching for. If we found it, it would be easy to caught the real culprit of the sabotage red-handed, put an end to the ministry interference, and screw the plans of whoever is behind it all at once."

"I will do it." Harry confirmed.

"Dobby can't wait." The elf said.

"What about us?" Ron asked, pointing at Neville and him.

"I think it would be unfair to get Harry a detention twice, don't you think so?" Hermione asked.

"So the diversion is one us." Neville concluded, not really confident about it.

"Normally, I would ask Fred and George but thanks to her, they are already in probation for the year. I won't risk the two of them getting expelled." Hermione explained, truly sorry for Neville.

"Just so we know, how bad does it need to be?"

"Bad enough that we are 100% sure that any professor would call for her. Preferably, on the first or second floor."

"I have an idea." Suddenly stood up Neville.

Everyone turn to him, nodding in encouragement.

"Why don't we make a repeat of first year? I primarily thought of the blast ended skrewt but it would cause trouble to Hagrid. But why not something else? It's not like the Forbidden Forrest is lacking of suitable creatures or that it would be really hard to get one inside. Umbridge security aren't as flawless as she think, especially near the greenhouse."

"And we might not even get a detention for this!" Ron approved wholeheartedly.

"I think I know just the right monster." Harry said. "But Ron would definitely won't like it."

"Tell me you are not thinking of those spiders." Ron plead.

"I won't tell it..." Harry promised jockingly. "You did!"

And everyone laught at Ron despair. Everyone had saw Ron's boggart last year. They all exactly knew how truly terrifying those spider could be. But that was exactly the point.

"If I got eaten, I will come back to haunt you!" He promised to Harry.

"If you got eaten, I would certainly deserve it." Harry agreed. "But Neville won't let that happen, right?"

"I don't like spiders too" Neville admitted "But I would rather fail and roasted them all than let that happen to Ron." He added, determined.

"Just make sure not to roast yourself too. Fire and Trees don't mix well." Hermione remind him.

"Quite the contrary." Harry retorted. "I think they have a BURNING passion, don't you think?" He couldn't help but joke.

"Prat." Hermione responded with a nudge.

"If we are done, can Winky go back to work?" She asked.

"You are right Winky. I'm think we are done." Hermione confirmed.

§§§

After the reunion, Hermione felt like she had to do something before they went on with the plan, starting tomorrow.

"Harry, can I borrow Hedwige to sent a letter?" She asked.

"I thought we agreed not to use her." Harry remarked, surprised.

"That was for your correspondence with Sirius. And for anything sensible that we might not want to be known in case your letter are intercepted. I just want to send a letter to my parents. The usual things: How I'm doing in classes, maybe give them a quick update on our project for Christmas..."

"And you are worried Hedwig might get bored to death." Harry completed.

"I was more thinking along the line of getting whoever is intercepting your mail bored to death, if they truly exists." Hermione admitted. "If they think you stopped using Hedwig because of them, they might grew wary of it. But me borrowing Hedwig might have the opposite result."

"You truly are brilliant Hermione." Harry gave her a hug. He was truly thankful to have her.

"Neville and your idea tonight were more brilliant that mine." Hermione argued.

"Your job is to make up the plans and protect us from the rear. Your plan was the safest. But the guys think they could be a little bit more reckless and get away with it. If it wasn't for you, we would have just recklessly break in. It didn't even occurred to me that Dobby and Winky were most suitable for the job than we ever will be."

"If it weren't for you, Sirius would be dead and we would never have known that the situation was so grim before it was too late." Hermione insisted.

"I wholeheartedly agree that we would be both at wits end without one another." Harry got the last word, smirking.

Hermione punched his arm really softly as she had nothing else to retort.

"Why are you so adamant on beating me those days." Harry complained jokingly.

"You should stop saying I'm brilliant, try to flirt or make jokes the first chance you got." Hermione replied, honestly.

"Oh... sorry. It didn't occur to me... Sure... I promise I won't get under your skin any more." Harry apologized.

"That's not it. We agree not to talk about it and it's still fresh." Hermione pointed out.

Harry found himself suddenly extremely interested by something down the field.

"Say hi to Hedwig for me okay?" He asked, having the last word once again.

"Sure." She muttered and turn away to go write that letter.

§§§

Mum, Dad,

I know I'm a bit off schedule but a lot of things happened recently. The first task was a total failure. It's violent, barbaric and dangerous. Some people got hurt. That what it took for adults to finally question whether or not the Triwizard Tournament was a good idea. They must have come to the wrong conclusion as the Tournament would be maintained, but 'behind close door'.

Things aren't the same with Harry as of recently. There used to be a lot of ambiguity between us but now that we are in the clear, things aren't getting better. I don't know what to do and if it's possible to fix this. We are still best friend and objectively, everything is fine. There isn't even a tiny bit of friction between us. He is still acting the same. But I became a little bit self-conscious about certain things and I admit that I have a tendency of overreacting.

Except for those two things, everything is fine. I got straight A in every subjects since the last letter. Remember professor Trelawney? She is really as crazy as I thought. She started a prank war with another witch allegedly because she had 'foreseen' it would happen anyway. Dobby and Winky are still as happy as ever about their new job. Last time I saw her, Winky couldn't wait to get back to work. I'm trying to negotiate vacation with them but they can't get the difference between vacation and suspension so I gave up for now.

Is everything fine back at home? Sirius is thinking of renewing his invitation for Christmas and wanted to know your feeling about it. You already know Hedwig. Her treats are in my bedroom, second shelf on the left. Please take your time to respond. She isn't eating well and might be a little tired.

Miss You. With Love.

Hermione.

I choose to introduce Dolores Umbridge early on because I'm thinking of making her a recurring villain like Voldemort, Malfoy Sr or Lestrange.

I also choose to write a whole lot letters because I think it's lacking interaction on that department.

I'm also trying to make Neville even more involved and proactive. I can't wait to introduce Luna too but it's not the right timing.

Finally, Harry and Hermione interactions are slowly evolving. I wanted to introduce some others developments as well but I guess I would have to take the time.