A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Godzilla. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 63: Passing Time/
The days turned to weeks and the students of Hogwarts fell into a familiar routine. Harry's study group had grown more popular than ever, with different Professors trading off responsibility for acting as a 'head' for this makeshift club. They discovered through this that Professor Snape was actually quite good at teaching DADA.
Unexpectedly, Umbrage had actually backed off to an extent. It seemed she had actually looked into Harry's claims, and discovered that he wasn't lying. Dumbledore's signature was on the contract forcing Potter into the Tournament, right alongside Crouch Sr. She checked available records for Potter's claims of his inheritance and there it was. Instead of the lying child she expected to find, there was ample evidence that the boy was a well connected and canny lord to several powerful families. Try as she might, she could find zero evidence that Potter was working against the Minister. However, there was also plenty of damning evidence against Dumbledore.
There were reports of him having a strange obsession with Potter, as well of him wasting resources searching for Potter when he vanished. Why did it matter where he'd gone to? The boy was clearly alive and well, and had befriended several important Pureblood Heirs.
Dumbledore meanwhile continued to plot and plan. He was nearly done with the improved, and even stronger version of his control spell. Now he just needed a chance to test it. It was regrettable that the International Confederation of Wizards and Wizengamot had made the mistake of stripping him of his rightful positions… perhaps once he had control over the kaiju, he would show these fools the error of their ways. It was also becoming clear to him: his faculty was slow turning on him, one by one. It was clear that Potter had done something… It was too obvious that the Potter brat was a Dark Lord in the making. Tom's Horcurx must have consumed him at some point… or perhaps that ritual Pettigrew had performed had resulted in Tom's shade possessing Potter. Yes, that was exactly how he'd spin it. The tragic tale of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore needing to regrettably put down his favored student after said student showed dark tendencies. It would be simple… after all, Potter was living under the care of Sirius Black, and a known werewolf. Not only a member of a family well known for the Dark Arts, but a dark creature as well. Ah yes, this new plan was coming together nicely.
Fawkes watched Dumbledore continue to plot and trilled sadly. Once more, Albus proved himself unworthy to continue in his role of headmaster. However, Fawkes also knew that as long as Albus was here, inside of Hogwarts, his actions were restricted. He was contained. If he was stripped of his position here, he would be out there, able to do far more damage to the world. If Albus was out in the wider world as he was now… he could be one of the greatest threats the world had seen in many years. As well, if Dumbledore were expelled as Headmaster, that vile Umbrage woman would install herself as the Headmistress, much to the detriment of all of Hogwarts. Fawkes felt the presence of Hogwarts, the 'mind' of the castle itself. It was in agreement: Albus could not be allowed to leave Hogwarts for now. He was becoming absolutely crazed, obsessed in his foolish and likely doomed plan to control the kaiju… one would have a better chance commanding a mountain.
Fawkes made sure to share this information with Ithnari and Harry, so they would all be up to date with what was going on. Ithnari briefly considered eating Umbrage (seeing as she was never officially hired by the Headmaster, Umbrage wasn't protected as as a current student or faculty member), but decided against it. That much concentrated malice would likely make her quite ill.
Beyond the walls of Hogwarts in late December, Sirius was busy recruiting to build a stronger neutral faction within the Wizengamot. One step of this was getting more allies, starting with the formidable Dowager Augusta Longbottom. He met her in the halls of the ministry between meetings.
"Black, what did you need?" asked Augusta.
"Dowager Longbottom, I wish to speak to you as I am working to further build up the neutral faction within the Wizengamot," said Sirius.
"Drop the flowery language Black, we both know you prefer a more casual approach," said Augusta.
"Alright, I'll cut to the chase then," said Sirius, "Dumbledore is out of his mind. If there's any hope of maintaining a voice in the Wizengamot, we cannot rely on Albus. As you know he was involved in the kidnapping of several students, as well as personally signing the paperwork forcing my godson into the Triwizard Tournament. As I am certain you are aware, your grandson Neville is good friends with my godson Harry. I think it would be good for both our families if we established an alliance between our two houses. Given the actions members of my house have taken against yours in the past, I would be willing to make concessions to House Longbottom".
"Such as?" asked Augusta.
"Disownment of those that harmed your family," said Sirius, "as well as monetary aid in healing your family members. As well, I would search my family's library to see if they were attacked by some sort of old family spell".
"Seems fair," said Augusta, "who else are you considering for this alliance?"
"For one, I am fairly certain we can count on the Greengrass family," said Sirius, "they're already fairly neutral as it is, and Daphne Greengrass is also in Harry's circle of friends. Where the Greengrasses go, their close allies the Davis family follows. We already have the Potter seats on our side, as Harry has authorized me act as his proxy, at least until he completes his education. What other allies to you believe was can count on?"
"Difficult to say," said Augusta, "The Weasleys have long been staunch Dumbledore supporters, though how that may change given recent events is unknown. Molly on the other hand basically worships Albus as if he were Merlin reborn".
"I know he often prefers a more passive role and lets her rule the roost, but I also know that Arthur is capable of being quite assertive when it comes down to it," said Sirius, "If given the proper impetus, he'll take charge".
"Black, I think this is the beginning of a good path for our families," said Augusta.
A/N: And there we go! Next time, Umbrage strikes again, in an attempt to interrogate, as if that worked before. As well, the time is almost here. the invasion fleet approaches. See you then!