Despite the access to the Floo in a Wizarding House as old as Grimmauld Place, Molly Weasley insisted that the family get a car, drive to King's Cross Station, and then go through the Platform along with all the other Muggleborns and lowly Half-bloods. Ginevra was used to this, but Violet had enjoyed the anonymity she had by coming by Floo the last few years. Sirius could not be bothered to take his goddaughter to school, happy it seemed to be rid of her. He allowed Remus and the Weasleys to do it.

A long procession of Ministry cars that Arthur Weasley and Violet's godfather, Sirius Black had been able to procure traveled the distance from the Black Townhouse to King's Cross.

Violet and Ginevra already dressed in their Slytherin robes led the way eager to be ahead of the rabble. Violet had shrunken their things so that it made minimal fuss in the Muggle world. Hermione had tried to emulate them, but refused to do the magic that Violet had done, saying, "It is against the rules, Violet!" Hermione was also dressed in her Gryffindor robes already, but was not able to emulate the Pureblood look that Violet and Ginny had been practicing since becoming Slytherins.

Violet had her newly minted Prefect badge already fastened to her robes, as did Hermione who was one of Gryffindor's prefects. The other Gryffindor prefect unfortunately was Ronald Weasley. But he had not put his robe or his Prefect badge on yet.

Just outside of the train, Violet allowed one hug for Remus Lupin. Ginevra was refused hugs from all, except the former Professor. Then, those two escaped the clutches of the Order for the safety of their friends on the train.

Once Ginny was settled with Tracey and Daphne, who had arrived before everyone else, Violet moved out of the compartment and walked up to the front compartment where she would join in with the other Prefects.

Violet was the first of the Slytherin prefects to arrive. The only other person that was there was the Head Boy, Cedric Diggory.

"Violet," Cedric said with a nod. "Welcome back to school, and welcome to the Prefects. I knew you would be one."

Violet nodded stiffly. Cedric gave her a look that appeared to be longing again for a second, but then turned to the others around him. Violet regarded him for a moment. He certainly was good looking and connected enough to be her boyfriend. However, she had deemed from information she had received from Tracy and Milli that he was too goody-too-shoes for her tastes.

Soon, others began to filter in. The girl who currently was Cedric's girlfriend, Cho Chang, a sixth year prefect from Ravenclaw was already there, trying to saddle up to Cedric. Adrian Pucey a sixth year Prefect a few paces from Violet. Draco had just come to sit down next to her. Then, Granger and Weasley arrived. Weasley had finally gotten his robes on, but they looked disheveled as if he had hurried to put them on, and the Prefect badge was not pinned straight, but somewhat sideways. With Weasley's appearance, their number was complete, Cedric raised his hand.

"Let's get things started," he said. "The train is already going, and I want you guys out patrolling so that there is little trouble."

He gave out the schedule for patrol. Violet and Draco as fifth year Slytherin's would patrol for hour number four. Granger and Weasley were first. Then, the four Prefects who had shown the least work last year were given the final two hours.

Violet and Draco walked hand-in-hand back to their compartment. Violet and Draco had to grab snacks from Vincent and Gregory, because the Trolley lady had already been by. For the next hour they just visited and reacquainted over summer. Violet waited until after Granger and Weasley had passed their train before she took charge of the meeting.

"Vince and Greg, stand guard outside. That is the sign for the others to come." Violet said. The Queen of Slytherin dismissed all but the Inner Circle and then they waited for those who were in just the outer circle.

Violet looked over her group. Draco sat at her side. Pansy, Daphne, Tracey, Millicent, and Ginevra sat to her right. Adrian Pucey, Miles Bletchley, Patricia Stimpson, and Francine Dorn who were the other Prefects served as the next band of the circle. This was followed by Michelle Harper, Astoria Greengrass, and then Malcom Baddock who made up the final portion of Violet's court.

"Let's begin, shall we?" She said looking around the room. She took a deep breath and started. "What I am about to tell you must not leave this room. If I discover that this secret was shared, you will find myself as your enemy and all your privilege in Slytherin will be over."

Then, after another moment of dramatic silence she said. "What Dumbledore said last year is true." She said. There were no gasps. Violet assumed that Draco already knew, as did Pansy and possibly a few others. The remaining could easily guess. "The Dark Lord used the TriWizard Cup as a Portkey to bring me to a graveyard where he used my blood in a ritual to rise from the dead. He then allowed me to return. He did not mark me, but he made it very clear that when the time comes, I am to obey him."

There were no answers to this as each one had their own searching moments. Draco was the next to speak.

"Violet speaks the truth. Right now, the Dark Lord is alive. My father has not taken me to see him yet, but has promised that I am to go to him next Summer."

Violet cleared her throat. "There isn't much we can do about the Dark Lord in the present, but each one of us needs to be aware. Most of us here are connected to him in some way. We will all need to prepare ourselves for how we will act when he appears publicly. But for now." She left that statement hang for just a moment before she turned to Milli. "What we need to work on now is the status of our position in Slytherin and Hogwarts. Milli, please report."

Milli opened up her journal, and began. "My father has told me personally that the Ministry intends to interfere at Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore failed to get a new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. The Ministry used this situation to place heavily connected Delores Umbridge into that position. Previously Madam Umbridge served as Cornelius Fudge's undersecretary. She harbors no love for Dumbledore, Half-bloods, or Muggleborn. I believe she will assert more than just ordinary authority for a Professor and begin to implement wholesale changes to the school."

Everyone nodded their heads at Milli's statement. Then, Milli continued. "Cedric Diggory will now be the Head Boy. He cannot be bribed. Head Girl, Anastacia Towler from Ravenclaw is susceptible."

"I have blackmail material on her," Tracey Davis added.

Milli smirked, while Violet said, "That is good." Turning to Milli, she said, "Continue."

"Our new Slytherin Prefects are Draco and Violet, as I had predicted." Milli took a moment to shine at the success of her famous formula.

Violet nodded. "Yes, yes," she said with a smirk. "Your formula is impeccable."

Others followed Violet's lead and after everyone congratulated her, Milli continued. "I would predict that next year, we should see Ginevra Weasley and Michael Harper as Prefects."

Milli smiled and then continued. "As for our goal of ruling Hogwarts by the end of this year, I believe technically you already do, Queenie."

Violet pulled out her wand and threw a tickling hex at Milli, but said nothing further. Milli decided to explain what she meant.

"The majority of the Houses greatly respect Violet Potter. She is the Girl-Who-Lived. She is the winner of the Battle of the Library. She has done little wrong in the eyes of the Student Body. She is the winner of the TriWizard Championship on behalf of Hogwarts. She has kept her name clean with all the political blow up that has been going on between Dumbledore and Fudge. Dumbledore insists the Dark Lord has returned and that you have seen him. Fudge insists there is no proof and holds up your official statement that you don't remember anything immediately after touching the Tri-Wizard Cup until you reappeared at the entrance to the maze."

Violet nodded, but added, "However?"

Pansy drawled, "The Dark families along with Fudge and the undersecretary have been insisting that his closeness with Lord Black might make a harmful situation for the Girl-Who-Lived. Several times now, they have tried to reopen the issue of your custody." After looking sympathetically at Violet, she finished her message, "At least that is what my father assures me of." Draco, Daphne, and a few others in Violet's inner court nodded their head in agreement with that.

Milli sighed. "Back to Violet's political position at the school," she said and with her own Slytherin voice of superiority she continued. "The Weasley threesome prevent the majority of Gryffindor from showing you any public support. The Hufflepuffs were angry that you took the glory away from their House's champion. But I believe the fact that Cedric did not perform well in the Final task will force them to recognize you for your win."

Violet said. "So, what we really need to do is put the Twins down in a way that keeps my hands clean and forces Gryffindor to look to me rather than they or their brother, right?"

Several spoke out in agreement at that. So, Violet said. "We each need to work on ideas for that. Ginevra and I have a few of our own, but they are a little too drastic and violent, though it may yet come to that."

There was little further business following that discussion. So, everyone broke up. Violet and Draco snuggled for an hour before it was their turn to patrol the corridors. Finally, after a long ride, Violet led her friends back into the Great Hall at Hogwarts.

After a carriage ride from Hogsmeade, Violet was surrounded by her inner court, Draco, Pansy, Daphne, Tracey, Millicent, and Ginevra. The first thing Violet noticed as she sat down was the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Delores Umbridge. The woman was squat with short curly mouse brown hair. That hair was held back by a pink Alice band. It matched perfectly with her pink fluffy pink cardigan she wore over her witch's robes. When she turned from talking to Professor Dumbledore, Violet saw she had a pallid toadlike face and prominent pouchy eyes.

Pansy leaned over to whisper in her ear. "That is Undersecretary Delores Umbridge."

Daphne gasped as her eyes looked over the new teacher. "What horrible taste in clothes!" She said. Violet just nodded in agreement.

After a few more minutes all the students were seated and Professor McGonagall had just brought in the Sorting Hat with the new First Years. After another song that Violet paid little attention to, it was time for the Sorting to begin. Again, Violet paid special attention to the Slytherins sorted into her house.

Joshua Goldstein, the younger brother of Anthony a Ravenclaw 5th year Prefect was sorted Slytherin. Gale Weatherby, a snotty dirty blonde who looked a little more important than she was went Slytherin. Finally, Azure Zabini, a confident looking girl – Blaise Zabini's sister was sorted Slytherin as well.

Dumbledore motioned for the Welcoming Feast to begin, and the eating began. After desert was put away, Dumbledore stood up once more to give the customary Welcoming Speech.

"Welcome to all – to our returning students and to our brand-new students," he said with arms open, "Welcome."

With twinkling eyes and gracious arms opened he spoke. "Let me make a reminder to all that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden yet again to all, especially to First Years." At that he gave a warning look at everyone. "Mister Filch has asked me to note the list of four hundred plus items that are contraband from use at Hogwarts, many of them made by Weasley Wizarding Weezlies. If you have any doubts about anything on that list, please check the list posted on the messenger boards in your Common rooms."

Then he pointed to where Rubeus Hagrid normally sat, but present instead was a woman. "Let me introduce some of our staffing changes. Here we have Professor Grubbly-Plank to temporarily teach Care of Magical Creatures while Hagrid is gone."

Draco on her right sighed audibly, "Thank God!"

"And here we have our new Defense against the Dark Arts Professor, Delores Umbridge."

There was again a splattering of polite clapping for the former undersecretary for the Minister, and Professor Dumbledore started to go on.

"As for Quidditch – " he started, but then he was interrupted.

"Ahem … hem … " Said her voice. She had not sat down, and was moving to push Dumbledore aside so that she might say something.

Dumbledore looked taken aback for a moment, and Violet smirked at how uncomfortable he was, then he sat back down smartly and looked alertly at Delores Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair, and Professor McGonagall's mouth was as thin as Violet had ever seen it. No one had ever interrupted Dumbledore's Opening Feast speeches before.

"Maybe she isn't half bad," Violet whispered to Pansy.

"She obviously doesn't know how Dumbledore likes to have things done," Pansy smirked back at Violet.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."

Her voice was high-pitched, breathy, and a little-girlish. Violet smirked, because she knew why Umbridge was here, to cause trouble for Dumbledore. She loved her already. She didn't mind her voice or her fluffy pink cardigan. Meanwhile, Umbridge gave another little throat-clearing cough ("Hem, hem") and continued: "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"

Violet's face was smiling as was Daphne and Pansy's. But she wasn't sure anyone else was.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

There was a moment where several whispers broke out about the Professor. Violet could almost hear those comments, and all of them were disparaging about this new professor.

Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again ("Hem, hem"), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."

Professor Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom bowed back. Professor McGonagall's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawklike, and Violet distinctly saw her exchange a significant glance with Professor Sprout as Umbridge gave another little "Hem, hem" and went on with her speech.

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress' sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation … "

Violet paid attention, even though the rest of the student body was tuning Professor Umbridge out. She drank in every word that was said. Her smile kept getting bigger and bigger as the new Defense Professor droned on.

"…because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent of preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

She sat down. Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead. Violet smirked while she also took up the clap. She noticed that several of the staff brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few other students joined in with her, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.

"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her. "Now – as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held …"

But Violet tuned him out, because she wasn't interested in Quidditch. Violet was very happy about that speech. It seemed that finally, the Ministry was going to start reigning in Professor Dumbledore.

Violet was ripped out of her thoughts as she heard the call for bed. She poked Draco.

"Draco, we're supposed to show the first years where to go!"

"Oh, yeah," said Draco. He told Vincent and Gregory, "I will see you two later!"

"First year Slytherins," Violet started, "Meet in the entrance hall by the main doors in five minutes."

Violet turned and watched as the second through seventh years headed toward the doors in a great mob. Violet led Draco away from the tables – he wanted to irritate Granger and Weasley, "We can do that another time," she told him. She led Draco to the doors by the entrance hall and watched as the first years slowly crowded around them. When everyone appeared to be there, she poked Draco that now was the time to start.

"Attention!" he announced. "I am Draco Malfoy. This is Violet Potter. We are your fifth-year prefects. Follow us as we head to our dormitories, and remember the path!" Then, Violet and Draco turned swiftly and began to lead them down across the entrance hall and down a flight of stairs.

Violet called out, "When we reach the Common Room, you will meet the sixth and seventh year prefects, as well as our Head of House, Professor Snape. Professor Snape will talk to you about Slytherin House, its rules and expectations. This will take approximately one-half hour."

"Stop your complaining," Draco drawled when the sound of first year students got louder. They continued to lead the students in silence down two more flights of stairs. Finally, they stopped, and Draco drawled again, "Here we are. Now, make a circle."

"The password is Azemiops feae. You will need to know that when you enter the Common Room."

When Draco said the password, the door behind them opened and inside they went to the Common Room. Violet and Draco marched the first years in front of the assembled group of Slytherin House. "Professor Snape," Draco said, "The first year Slytherins –" Then, he bowed slightly and he and Violet slipped back.

Then, Violet took the lead again: "These are the other Prefects. Your seventh year Prefects, Adrian Pucey and Patricia Stimpson."

These two stepped forward and each said, "Look alive and don't disparage your House."

Then, she presented, "Your sixth year Prefects, Miles Bletchley and Francine Dorn."

Again, these two stepped forward, but they had nothing to say.

"We are your first line outside of your own class." Violet said. "If you have any troubles, you should come to one of the six of us."

Then, Professor Snape stepped up. He looked down at them, taking each new student in, and finally he spoke, softly, but everyone could hear him. "Slytherin has two rules. You need to know them. Rule number one! What happens in Slytherin stays in Slytherin. There are to be no fights outside of the Common Room. We always present a united front. Our second rule is 'Don't get caught.' You are to follow the official school rules in public, but if you are private, you should use common sense. Don't use magic in the corridors. If you must, then don't get caught. Use your common sense. Do not invite students from other houses into this common room and DO NOT GIVE OUT OUR PASSWORD."

Professor Snape stopped for a moment to make sure that every one of them understood the gravity of what he was saying, and finally he went on. "I will post a schedule where I will meet with each one of you within the first month. I am always available to help you, but first you should address any problems or concerns to one of your Prefects. If they can't help you, then you may address me, but I will ask you if you have asked one of the Prefects first."

At this Professor Snape turned with a twirl and moved away quickly. Patricia Stimpson, the 7th year Prefect got everyone moving: "Now, you all will need your beauty sleep. Off to bed. Violet will show the ladies their Common room and Draco will show the men. Then, you are to be here at 7am tomorrow morning for breakfast."

Violet spoke up, "Come along ladies with me." Draco shouted, "And Gentlemen follow me."

Then, Violet led the ladies to a side passage, held up her wand and spoke, "Lumos." Violet led the girls to their rooms and made sure that they were situated, that everyone had what they needed and were taken care of. The other prefects had gone to check on the rest of the student body. When, the first years had brushed their teeth and gotten into their nightgowns, she made sure that lights were out and then snuck deeper into the dungeons to her own room for rest.