If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

Chapter Eight

Infiltration

Harry leaned back against the wall, the torches above him dimly lighting the abandoned corridor as a set of two footsteps began resonating in the hall. He forced himself to keep his hand away from his wand as he waited as the two people he had been tracking during the night slowly neared his position.

It had been a couple of days since the Slytherins had pestered him about finding a way into the trio's confidence, and they hadn't even talked to him since. He was honestly fine with it at this point, after all the thinking and reminiscing he wanted nothing to do with them. The problem was that he had become extremely curious of Parkinson, who was avoiding him just as deftly as the others.

There were times throughout the day, during their free periods, where she completely disappeared from the Marauder's Map, and he couldn't even try to follow her since she'd disappear at the most unpredictable times - sometimes even while walking with the group of Slytherins. He had considered questioning her about it during class when they were paired off, but it would get him nowhere and only alert her to the fact that he was paying attention.

Instead, he opted to watch from the sidelines quietly as he considered his next move, not just with his housemates, but with the three Gryffindors in his crosshairs. Which was why he was currently waiting for the golden sidekicks in an abandoned corridor near midnight.

Their footsteps were getting closer by the second, and Harry even managed to hear their muffled voices arguing as they patrolled the castle. With one last sigh, Harry fixed his glasses and passed his hand through his stubbornly messy hair, just in time for him to be hit by a blazing light emanating from Granger's wand.

"You!" Weasley snarled. "What do you think you're doing here!"

"I was really hoping I wouldn't have to stun you this time, Ronny," Harry said conversationally, pushing himself off the wall. "Don't give me a reason to."

"Stick it up your arse, Potter."

Harry pushed down his sarcastic reply, with great difficulty, before turning his attention to the other one. "Granger, good evening."

"If you think you can sweet talk me into not taking away points from you, you are sadly mistaken." She told him evenly.

"Me refraining from stunning you and propping you on the ceiling of the Great Hall for everyone to see in the morning is why you're not taking any points from me. I'm saving the sweet-talking for something else."

"You want to ask me for a favour?" She arched an eyebrow.

"God no," he scoffed. "It's more of a business proposition."

"You must be mental if you think Hermione would ever get into bed with a snake." Weasley said angrily.

"You'd be surprised at what I can do with a bit of time and effort," the words left his mouth faster than he could process them, and Harry grinned at Weasley's fuming expression.

"Five points from Slytherin for disrespectful behaviour against a prefect, Potter," Granger said with a stinging smile. "Make another comment like that, and I'll leave without even listening to what you have to say."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Fair enough," he shrugged with a smile before nodding towards Weasley. "Does he have an off button or can I use a silencing charm on him?"

Granger stared at him, unamused, while Weasley threatened him incoherently.

Harry sighed. "Fine, have you convinced boy wonder to create his super secret drama club?"

"Why do you ca-"

"Ron, quiet!" Hermione snapped. Weasley looked ready to hex her, but instead he did what he was told. "No, we haven't. What's it to you? Last time we talked you didn't want anything to do with it."

"Things change, I want in."

"Why?" She asked through squinted eyes.

"My sucker punch needs a bit of work," he said with a sardonic smile. "I was hoping our resident hero might help with that."

"The answer's no, dickwad." Weasley intelligently answered.

"Didn't mummy tell you to be quiet and let the adults talk?

"Ron's right," Granger cut in. "The answer's no."

"Without even hearing my offer?" Harry said with mock hurt.

"Yes," she replied. "You could be offering removing Umbridge from the castle and the answer would still be no. I don't trust you, you have proven yourself to be nothing more than a rude jerk who's looking for any reason to pick a fight with us out of the blue."

"Trust me, I have my reasons." Harry said coolly.

"Then what are they? Tell me, please, what good enough reason is there to be as much of an arse as you are? And then tell me why I should care about those reasons and just let you into my life - our lives."

"Because without my help, you three are screwed. I don't know if you've realised, but Umbridge now has a whole lot more of control inside the castle, and the moment she gets a whiff of what you're planning, she'll ban study groups larger than two people. And once that happens, where will you go to train? Unless you're thinking fitting everyone inside the Gryffindor dormitories, there isn't any place you can hide from her - and even then, I doubt Umbridge would respect the sanctity of the dormitories."

Hermione titled her head. "Are you really that arrogant that you think you're the only one who knows Hogwarts' secrets? Did you really think we wouldn't find out about the Room of Requirement? Professor Lupin sends his regards, by the way."

"Yeah," Ron added. "He was so happy to help once we told him about you. Whatever you did to him, you really pissed him off."

Harry looked at their challenging grins, their faces glowing with victory, and he tried to hold it in - god knows he did. But he burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry," he wheezed. "You two just looked so confident and proud, it was almost adorable."

"You think you can bluff us into thinking the room doesn't exist?"

"Oh, absolutely not. The Room of Requirement definitely exists, it's on the seventh floor in the left corridor near the weird painting of the dancing trolls. You have to pace around it three times and yadda yadda yadda, but I'm sure you know all of that. What you don't know, is that the room isn't just some dingy old closet that is enslaved to whoever passes by. The room has a conscience - a soul, if you will - and it doesn't just let anyone in. It has favourites, you see, and you're looking at the favouritest of them all, which is why it only opens to me."

It was almost sad to see their expressions change, Weasley flushed with anger while Granger looked irritated, probably by the injustice of it all.

"In layman's terms, so that you two dummies will understand, I just took a big dump on your plan and flushed it down the toilet. So you can either make the deal with me or get used to Umbridge's methods of teaching."

"I don't believe you," Granger said stubbornly, stepping into his personal space.

"Do you want me to give you a demonstration? It will take a while to get all the way up there, but I could use the exercise."

"Even if the room doesn't open up to us, which I don't believe you, we'll find another place. And even if we don't, we'd rather stick with Umbridge than be forced to trust you."

"Ooooh - stings, doesn't it?" Harry smirked. "Learning you're not the smartest person in the room."

Granger glared up at him, while Weasley threw curses with his eyes - not that either of those expressions did anything to his chirpy attitude.

"You know, I'm almost happy that you're rejecting me this much, it'll be much more satisfying when you come begging me to join you three." With that he turned away. "Oh, and tell Lupin I miss him," he shouted back. "I couldn't have done this without his help."

The next morning, Harry awoke with an enormous smile on his face as the events from last night flashed through his eyes - the victory had been so sweet that he'd forgotten about going back to the Room of Requirement and had slept in the Slytherin dormitories. He had woken up in his bed, and in one piece, which was logical since he hadn't been attacked in his sleep since first year, but still - it proved to be compelling evidence to going back to sleeping in the dormitories than having his elaborate plan to sleep in the room.

When he left his bed, Harry noticed that it was late and everyone else had already left to the Great Hall. He went through his morning ablutions quickly and with an unbreakable feeling of merriment that he wasn't sure he'd ever felt before in his life. Sure, beating Neville in a duel in front of everyone was extremely rewarding, but he barely put up a fight. Granger on the other hand was a force to be reckoned with, there was no denying that, and beating her was the sweetest feeling he could have dreamt of.

He was almost skipping as he made his way to the Great Hall before taking a sit with the group of fifth year Slytherins that was huddled together.

"It's done," Harry told them.

"Really?" Daphne arched an eyebrow at him. "A few days ago you were scrambling for ideas, and now you managed to convince the three musketeers over there to include you in their secret plans?"

"Well, when you put it like that it does sound hard to believe." Harry shrugged amicably, his mood too good to be disturbed, as he grabbed a batch of pancakes from the centre.

"Am I wrong?"

"Not completely, they still don't know that they've granted me a spot in the group, but they'll know soon enough."

"We're gonna need a little more information than that, what exactly do you mean?"

"Well, that's too bad cause you ain't getting it," Harry smiled sweetly at Daphne. "Now, what are we talking about in this lovely morning?"

"This," Parkinson spat as she threw the Daily Prophet at him.

Harry raised an eyebrow at her lousy attitude before he picked up the paper and began reading.

MINISTRY LOOKING TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE EDUCATION AT HOGWARTS

DOLORES JANE UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER HIGH INQUISITOR

In an astonishing move last night, the Ministry spokesperson revealed a decision that will change the future of education in Wizarding Britain. A new legislation was passed at the end of last week titled the EDUCATIONAL DECREE NUMBER TWENTY-THREE which appoints seizable level of control of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"The Ministry has grown uneasy about the current events, curriculum, staff, and all around safety of the school," Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley, revealed to the Daily Prophet this morning. "Hogwarts is the most prestigious school in the country, representing us to the international magical community, and the events from the previous four years, as well as how they have been handled, is frankly concerning to many Ministry officials."

The events referred to by the ex-Hogwarts student, who recently graduated in the class of 1993, are the mysterious death of ex-muggle studies professor Quirinus Quirrell, the alleged opening of the Chamber of Secrets - as well as the petrification of various students, the hiring of a werewolf and alleged attacks of convicted murderer Sirius Black, and the mysterious death of Hogwarts student Cedric Diggory in the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament.

"For centuries, the Ministry has been forbidden from interfering in Hogwarts business, with all the power held by whoever was currently holding the Headmaster position. These troubling events have sparked the conversation of the lack of involvement of the Ministry in the school, but it wasn't until the tragic passing of Cedric Diggory that a need for change has been clear for everyone to see.

"All of this culminated in the last week when the EDUCATIONAL DECREE NUMBER TWENTY-THREE was passed, giving some control to a chosen individual in the Ministry, titled the High Inquisitor, so that change can finally be enacted. The High Inquisitor has a remarkable control to finally bring order to one of the most prized magical institutions in the world, allowing them to revolutionize the curriculum, appoint proper staff, implement reshaping rules that will guide our children to a better future, and ensure the safety of all the inhabitants of the castle and its grounds."

The High Inquisitor was revealed to be none other than the acclaimed Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge, who was recently appointed into the Defence Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts and has been a massive success with students, teachers, and parents.

"We are confident that Madam Umbridge will bring a new era at Hogwarts, revolutionizing every aspect of the institution and bringing change like nothing we have ever seen before."

"So?" Harry asked the others as he finished reading. "I mean, it's not like we didn't have previous knowledge of this - Daphne told us days ago, the Daily Prophet is honestly getting sloppy with how late it's reporting this."

"The problem isn't the news that Umbridge has been appointed our overlord," Blaise said grimly. "The problem is everything she can control."

"Security, curriculum, staff, even the school rules." Draco listed.

"There's nothing she can't control!" Theo exclaimed. "And I don't doubt that she has the power of expelling a student if she wants to, so long as they're breaking a small rule."

"And she controls the rules, so she can add an insignificant rule that will be broken and have enough evidence for expulsion." Pansy added darkly.

"This honestly surprises you?" Harry asked bluntly. "You're all morons," he told them when they all nodded. "It was obvious that she was going to take over completely, she all but told us that at the beginning of the semester with her little speech."

"Potter, I don't think you're seeing the big picture," Parkinson told him, surprisingly patiently. "Do you really think the students here will take well to her changes? You've seen how Umbridge is in class, this place will become a fascist dictatorship before we even leave for Christmas."

"If we're even allowed to leave by then," Blaise noted.

"So what? A few kids angry, at most we'll have the Weasley twins doing a few pranks here and there."

"Are you really that naive? Have you not paid any attention during our History of Magic classes?"

"Do people usually pay attention in History of Magic?" Theo asked sarcastically, only to be shut up by a glare by Pansy.

"Umbridge will take complete control of the school as fast as she can before the power can be taken away from her, and when students inevitably rise against her, she'll punish them worse than she is now - which, may I remind you, her current method is torture. If we're lucky, we'll get a full, blown-out revolution inside the castle as the students and other faculty try to fight Umbridge and the Ministry."

"And if we're not?" Blaise asked.

"If we're not… we may be facing the mass murder of the inevitable resistance that dares to stand up against her. Either way, Hogwarts has become ground zero for one of the most dangerous places in Wizarding Britain, whether you're on Umbridge's side or not."

"The Ministry wouldn't allow for that!" Malfoy exclaimed. "There's no way this would get as bad as you're saying it will."

"This is Umbridge we're talking about, you do realise that? Or have you forgotten how many people she hast dirt on, how much power she holds at the Ministry, how not even the Minister can go against her - even if he wanted to."

"But surely nothing can happen to us, right?" Draco asked. "We're pure-bloods, and our families are… well, you know what they are."

"I don't think Umbridge cares much if your blood is pure or filthy," Daphne said. "She's sent some pure-blood Slytherins to detention, even little Michael Flint had them, and you know how connected his family is to… you know."

"So she's a blood traitor?"

"I don't think so either," Harry commented. "She's doing everything she can to torture Longbottom and put down Dumbledore."

"Then what the hell does she want?" Theo asked, impatiently.

Harry looked up at the teacher's table, immediately spotting the pink-robed toad who was looking down on them, a sweet smile on her face as she drank from a cup of tea.

"I have no idea."

Harry's day was essentially ruined after the events of the morning. Every class he attended was not enough to capture his attention from his Umbridge related thoughts and what would happen in the coming months. He didn't doubt Parkinson was wrong, especially not with Umbridge. She had proved how she would easily abuse power since the moment she entered the castle, and she didn't even bother to hide her sadistic nature and general cruelty.

The castle had gone into a frenzy with the daunting news, and it was clear that everyone was panicking, especially those who had suffered from Umbridge's torture sessions. Michael even came to visit him in his free period during the afternoon, and Harry was forced to comfort him and promise him that everything would be okay, something that he definitely didn't believe. Even Granger was trying to catch his eye during their classes, but he ignored her - it was best to let the fear set in her completely before they talked again. Though he doubted she would wait long before she confronted him herself.

Fortunately, Umbridge didn't do anything in the day, classes passed and there were no major changes, something that was extremely concerning to Harry. He didn't know whether she was just toying with them and letting them waste all their panic before starting changing things or if she was simply planning ahead, either way, he didn't like her inaction.

Umbridge was the most dangerous person inside the castle, even more than Dumbledore. But not because of her newly appointed power, like most of the student body assumed. She didn't seem to be particularly powerful magically, and even though she had political power, it would be useless to her if the chips were actually down, and he had to fight his way out. No, the biggest reason as to why she was so dangerous was that he had no idea what she wanted.

There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to her cruelty, no clear motivation, no side in the war, nothing. He couldn't fight an enemy he didn't know, he needed to get into her head, to think like her, to know what she wants so that he had a chance at survival before resorting to extreme measures like escaping the castle.

If he wanted to stay alive, the best way would be to manipulate her somehow, which would be easy, he'd just have to suck up to her. The problem was that he would become enemy number one of the students that go against her, and his hatred of her was too much for him to even be in the same room as her. He had no idea if he could do it or not, but he would try to.

Even if he didn't choose to go that route, the information on Umbridge was more than necessary. If he couldn't get into her good graces with his knowledge of her, he could use it to his advantage to be able to fight her, to anticipate her next move.

Either way, he really needed to learn more about Dolores Umbridge. But Greengrass and Malfoy had already sent him packing when he asked for them to find out more about their Defence professor. His last choice was Parkinson.

When the two of them left the Transfiguration classroom for the last period of the day, Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the group, forcing the two of them into the nearest broom closet.

"Cosy," she raised an eyebrow at him. "But I'm afraid I don't go around kissing anyone who drags me into a closed off place."

"That's not- I wasn't- shut up," Harry said through gritted teeth before enchanting the door with a silencing charm, preventing the sound from escaping the room. "I need your help."

"With what?"

"Umbridge."

"I think I left my toad repellent at home," she deadpanned. "So I won't be able to help you there."

"Your father has a lot of influence in the Ministry, doesn't he?"

"Yes," she answered carefully. "Why?"

"I need you to ask him to give me everything he has on Umbridge."

"What are you going to do with that information?"

"Well, firstly, I need to know who to trust, so I need to know whose parents Umbridge has in her pocket and the such. Secondly, I need to know how she thinks if I'm going to be able to get into her good graces. This isn't just for me, this could help you a lot as well. If what you said does happen, we'll need it more than ever."

Pansy bit her lip. "My father is out of the country at the moment, and he won't come back any time soon. But I'll ask my uncle, I'm sure he'll be able to help me with that."

"And you'll share what he gives you?" Harry asked, noting her language.

She gave him a saucy smile. "We'll see if you're worthy of it."

Harry grabbed her arm before she could leave. "That's not an answer I'm willing to take."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "You're no fun. Yes, yes, I'll share it with you." She paused before growing more serious. "I think you're right, we do need this, but it won't be enough. And neither will be creating a secret study group with a few Gryffindors."

"What are you trying to say?"

"The same thing I told you a couple of weeks ago, that if we're going to make it out of this, you're going to finally decide whether you want to step up or not. The next months will be essential in whom the students of Hogwarts will follow, and right now, Longbottom isn't doing jack shit, and neither is anyone else. The students need a leader, and I think - I know - that you're it."

"Why are you so obsessed with me becoming a leader? What's it to you?"

"I can't tell you that."

"Look, if you want a leader, a hero, you have Longbottom. He was the one who defeated Voldemort when he was a kid and is probably destined to do it again."

"Destined," Pansy laughed. "Fate and magic have a funny way of working, nothing is ever as it seems when those two are involved."

"Great, I love cryptic lines." Harry said irritably.

"Good, because that's all you're getting for now. I'll get you the information you need, in the meanwhile, chose who you want to be, before the world choses for you."

Sorry this chapter took a while, I was swamped with exams and projects, but I should be good for the next three or four weeks before the final stretch of the semester. Hopefully I'll manage to return to my schedule of two updates per week during this time.