It was week two since the school-year had started – after the toad had slapped Harry with a week's detention for telling the truth – when everything was sure to go to hell in a handbasket. All the students who knew the truth all but choked over the Daily Prophet over breakfast.

"MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM: DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR

In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation, giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

… … … …

Well, wasn't that just grand. Marina's mood worsened with every line. Ron, no doubt incensed that Percy was a brainwashed idiot, literally tore the paper to pieces when he was done.

"Fudge is getting desperate," Angelina muttered and tossed her edition. The house team was in their Quidditch robes, since they were going to squeeze in a training session before classes; this time with their Seeker present – and their new Keeper, Ron.

"He's been desperate since the minute we told him Voldemort was back," Marina grumbled. "It's another month before the vote. She can do a lot of damage in that time."

She couldn't help but wonder how her father was taking this. Harry had steadfastly refused to tell Sirius just what had been happening during detention – but there was no way Marina could keep that secret. Not when the sight of the scars on his hand made her blood boil. It had, apparently, taken half a dozen people to keep her Dad from storming Hogwarts and cursing the toad. For real. This new development would not go over well.

Worse, Umbridge was refusing to let them use magic during D.A.D.A., punishing so much as pulling out your wand in her class. Thanks to Fudge's idiocy, the children remained unable to protect themselves.

But worst of all – even the Order managed to boot Fudge from office, they'd be stuck with Umbridge for the year. And Harry had his O.W.L.s. Marina had her N.E.W.T.s, for Merlin's sake.

"It's an unqualified disaster," Elvira announced grimly, weeks later. Umbridge had been 'observing' the teachers, to the point that even Snape seemed ready to hex her. Dumbledore remained hidden in his office, doing who knew what. Hagrid was still not back, officially late, and by the toad's latest decree, even McGonagall seemed to lack as a teacher.

The only light on the horizon was that the vote was taking place today. So by tomorrow at the latest, they should know if there was any hope – or if they'd have to go to war against Voldemort and the Ministry.

"HISTORICAL DECISION IN THE HALLS OF THE WIZENGAMOT – OFFICIAL VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST MINISTER CORNELIUS FUDGE

Never before in the history of wizard has a Minister of Magic ever been voted out of office. But Mr Fudge seems not to be doing a satisfactory job, at least judging by the outcome of the full Wizengamot vote yesterday afternoon. In an overwhelming majority, our highest judges decided that it was time for the minister to relinquish his office.

'I am very relieved that sense had prevailed over prejudice and fear,' told Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, our correspondent. 'These are not the times to let ambition and insecurity rule our actions. Our very survival depends on it.'

It is no secret that Madame Bones is a firm supporter of Albus Dumbledore and his organisation, the Order of the Phoenix, which has reportedly been revived to fight the Dark Lord and his followers.

'Fear has ruled this administration's actions of late, and that is unacceptable,' said Benjamin Nott, a pure-blood member of the Wizengamot with the recently divorced Narcissa (Malfoy) Black standing by his side. 'For all our children's sake, we must face the truth.'

Rufus Scrimgeour, the Head of the Auror Office, was in attendance and visibly satisfied by the verdict. 'My people and I have been preparing what we hope to be adequate defences. We cannot do our jobs however, if people do not listen to us.'

Unknown at this point is who is supposed to replace Mr Fudge, now that he is being forced out of office. We are reasonably sure that the Order has a plan for that as well.

When questioned on the matter of Harry Potter's and Marina Black's claims that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, it was Pallas Whitmore – a respected long-time member of the Wizengamot – who replied. 'Many of us saw it with our own eyes. Harry and Marina have been subjected to nothing but slander from Fudge's ministry, when they were trying to save us all. It is abominable.'

… … … …"

And that was that. The entire school was staring at them again once they'd finished reading.

"That's the first piece of good news since June," Hermione muttered, acutely aware of hundreds of eyes on them.

"It'll still take about a month to get him out. And we were right – we're stuck with the toad this year."

Harry and Ron exchanged a look, feeling not as apprehensive as they should have in response to her comment.

Hermione had, somehow, convinced Harry to give everyone who was interested real lessons in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Her brother had subsequently come to her and asked to help since the numbers of interested people seemed to be staggering.

Marina stared at the list Harry had just presented her. The foursome had snuck out at the first Hogsmeade weekend, met with lots of people and decided to form a group to teach themselves how to fight. Oddly enough, Marina felt… proud. Heaven above, she really was her father's daughter, wasn't she?

Anyhow, given the menace that was Umbridge, the membership list was impressive. She also noted that they had left a space for her – so she signed it.

Harry Potter

Hermione Granger

Ron Weasley

Susan Bones

Marina Black

Carmen Nott

Patricia Stimpson

Angelina Johnson

Katie Bell

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Alicia Spinnet

Elvira Rookwood

Jolene Wood

Draco Malfoy

Theo Nott

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Colin Creevey

Dennis Creevey

Ginny Weasley

Tyler Nott

Lee Jordan

Samantha Prince

Lavender Brown

Neville Longbottom

Luna Lovegood

Anthony Goldstein

Hannah Abbot

Parvati Patil

Cho Chang

Marietta Edgecombe

Michael Corner

Padma Patil

Terry Boot

Ernie Macmillan

Justin Finch-Fletchley

Zacharias Smith

Demelza Robins

Vincent Ackerley

Hiding this whole thing was going to be an uphill battle, she just knew it.

Marina blinked out of the memory. Umbridge's decree that banned all groups, teams, clubs and such had come the next day. Somehow, she had found out – and Hermione assured them that if someone had sold them out, they would know.

Dumbledore's Army. Ugh.

Nobody had objected to the name, not even Marina. Ginny and the others just wanted to thumb their nose at the ministry. But they didn't know that she, at the very least, couldn't trust the Headmaster like she once might have. The more she thought about it… the angrier she got.

It had seemed almost… kind when the man had let Harry go after the Philosopher's Stone. Unpardonably reckless and irresponsible, but kind. Plus, at thirteen she hadn't really appreciated just how easily Dumbledore could have stopped Quirrell.

Sending Fawkes to help against the basilisk… well, Malfoy had made anything else impossible. Except… if a bunch of second-years could find the chamber… how in Merlin's name could Dumbledore not?

There was no use getting started on the dementors. But leaving her father to rot in Azkaban? Why?

But the worst offence by far had been using Harry as bait during the Tournament. It had taken Marina most of the summer to realise… he could have stopped it. Voldemort would, in all likelihood, still have gotten his bony hands on them, but Harry wouldn't have had to fight a dragon, the grindylows, a Selma, a manticore… Any and all of those things could have been fatal.

Dumbledore had known something was seriously amiss and had used her little brother as bait to draw out whoever had been manipulating the events.

And now he didn't even deem to talk to them. Her brother had been getting his hand sliced every damn night, but refused to ask for Dumbledore's help – because Harry had had the veil ripped away too.

The DA was their only way to fight back, as of right now, even if their parents didn't necessarily approve. Well, except her Dad, of course.

Plus, when Ginny had suggested it… well, she hadn't exactly seen anything, but something had told her to leave the name be.

But the implied loyalty to the Headmaster rankled. She reminded herself that she was doing it for the children.

And for Harry.

Marina thought to herself that if Ron got any more nervous, he would surely faint and fall off his broomstick. The first match of the season was against Slytherin. Draco was up there, probably wishing to be anywhere else. He was persona non grata since he'd become friends with Harry.

And then she heard it and felt herself pale.

"Weasley cannot save a thing,

He cannot block a single ring,

That's why we Slytherins all sing:

Weasley is our King.

Weasley was born in a bin

He always lets the Quaffle in

Weasley will make sure we win

Weasley is our King."

Collective outrage filled her from all sides. And dread. Because if Ron had one weakness, it was his insecurity. This was very bad. Lee's attempts to drown the Slytherins out were wasted.

"Weasley is our King

Weasley is our King

He always lets the Quaffle in

Weasley is our King."

She saw Harry stop mid-air and watch what they all knew would happen. The morons in green all but screamed out their lungs with their new rhyme – and Ron let it get to him. Slytherin scored.

It was a painful thing to watch, especially for her since she could feel Ron's shame and anger. Good grief, even Draco was disgusted – and only a few years ago, he would have done this himself.

Harry, as per usual, saved the day and caught the Snitch. Ron, of course, was in no mood to celebrate.

Someone else would have to cheer him up, Marina thought, as she senses a wave of such rage come from the twins that she started sprinting towards the team, the rest of their friends in tow. When she got there, she heard Zabini – that, that, bastard – taunt the twins about their parents. Just as she came to a halt, the moron had the bloody nerve to insult Lily.

Harry, who had been holding back George up until then, froze. He released the redhead and, together, they took a few steps forward.

Thank Merlin and Morgaine for their friends. Angelina, Alicia and Katie were still holding Fred, so Carmen, Trish and Sam grabbed George. Theo, Hermione and Draco all but shackled Harry with their arms and legs – Susan had followed Ron.

Meanwhile, the teachers had gotten close enough to overhear Zabini and his insults. And the freaking moron came closer.

If only, she thought, there was a way to make him pay without getting us all expelled. Harry's anguish and pain almost brought her to her knees. He never could take someone insulting Lily.

When the idiot was close enough, her instincts took over. Somehow, without any clue how she was doing it, she drew on Harry's agony and rage, and shoved Zabini backwards.

As their skin connected briefly, she could feel all that emotion… pouring into the Slytherin.

Zabini collapsed like a sack of rocks, gasping for air.

She watched dumbfounded as Blaise tried to struggle back to his feet. Her and the rest of the school. But Zabini was too busy wilting under the force of… what exactly? She'd barely touched the dimwit.

Her empathy told her that he was crumbling under pain and anger unlike any she'd ever sensed in anyone… but Harry.

Chills ran down her spine. Was it possible she had just… forced Harry's agony onto someone else?
"What the heck?" Harry questioned behind her, the scene finally bringing everyone back to their senses.

"You got me," she mumbled, thoroughly confused.

Marina had known the empathy could increase her power, if used correctly. But to use it as… what? A weapon?

"What did you do?" Angelina asked quietly, aware of the teachers listening.

"Not a damn thing. Just pushed him away."

She'd tell her friends her suspicions later – but sure as hell not in front of the teachers. Especially not Snape and Umbridge, who were just waiting for an excuse to take points. Or worse.

But, by Merlin, Marina would have to do some serious research.