Things did not improve. At all.

True to her word, Marina had told Harry everything – in company of almost the entire Order.

Harry had sat there, as if hit by a full-boy-lock, and stared at them with wide eyes. He had never been so afraid his entire life, or at least as long as she'd known him, and had trouble digesting this particular news.

Frankly, Marina had been more concerned how his friends would react. She needn't have worried.

Hermione had been the first to recover from the initial shock and had promptly sat next to Harry and taken his hand in a vice grip; probably the only way he'd have felt anything right then anyway.

Ron, Susan, Neville and Luna had followed closely behind, crowding around their friend. The rest hadn't been long behind and formed a circle around her poor brother.

They weren't afraid of him, despite the sliver of evil soul he had inside him.

That, more than anything, had given Harry the strength to work through this giant-size bludger. All the Order members had been quick to promise him to do everything they could to free him from his hitchhiker.

And then … Harry had asked to speak to Dumbledore alone. Marina and her father had left very reluctantly and only after Harry's tenth promise that he was okay. As if.

Whatever had been said between her brother and the headmaster, the latter had all but swum in shame when he had left.

Then everyone had gone to their respective homes for Christmas – and, in their case, the full moon – before all of them had again assembled for New Year's. Marina had caught flashes on severe unease from Harry, but it had dissipated on its own. No one was scared of him and made a deliberate effort to touch or hug him more often.

Subtlety was not their strength.

But after that, they'd had to return to Hogwarts – and Umbridge.

If it hadn't been for the DA, many of them would have asked to drop out, probably.

Alright, so they'd been melodramatic. The seventh-years had their N.E.W.T.s this year, the fifth-years their O.W.L.s. No one was messing up their future because of one giant pain in the rear.

It was hard to remember that more was at stake than their nerves. Umbridge, if possible, had gotten worse over the holidays.

Since none of them wanted to get their hands sliced, the DA kept their mouths shut and worked harder than ever in their meetings. Harry, however, had found another way to fight the toad. Hermione had come up with the idea of forcing Rita Skeeter to write the truth – word for word – as Harry told it.

If the cockroach hadn't been an unregistered Animagus, she would never have done it.

Hogsmeade had never required so much stealth. Marina had come along, on her brother's request, and identified some of the Death Eaters Harry didn't recognise.

Thanks to Amelia, the Prophet had printed it simultaneously with the Quibbler, reaching just about everyone.

Faced with so much detail, and the fact that not even Fudge had denied that they'd been tortured last summer, the tide was turning. People were starting to listen to Amelia, preparing for the worst.

Umbridge was livid. Despite her ban, every single person in the castle had read the interview. The teachers, forbidden from commenting, had awarded Gryffindor points for no reason at all, showing their approval.

The euphoria hadn't lasted.

Very soon after they'd told the truth – and been forced to slash their own hands once again – Umbridge had fired Trelawney.

None of them were big fans of the eccentric witch, but she hadn't deserved that. Dumbledore had insisted she stay at Hogwarts – and hired Firenze as her replacement.

So, yes, the toad had been stewing for weeks, on the warpath. It was only a matter of time before she sacked Hagrid.

And during this entire mess, they needed to focus on exams. Joy.

Their only resistance, that wouldn't get them expelled, was the DA. Considering how little confidence Harry had at first had, he made on hell of a tutor.

Even the Patronus gave only limited trouble. Ron pulled it off at his third try, a Jack Russel terrier bounding out of his wand, barking happily. He beamed proudly.

Marina knew exactly what Harry, Ron, Angelina, Katie, Ginny and the twins were thinking about that made them so happy: they'd won their last Quidditch match and with it the Cup. Ron had miraculously gotten over his nerves after Ravenclaw's first goal and saved every other throw. It had been something to watch.

In fact, she supposed why so many pulled off the difficult spell: everyone was just too damn happy that Slytherin hadn't won the Cup – even Elvira, Draco, Theo, Daphne and Astoria. Anything to make Umbridge unhappy.

Easter passed with surprisingly little ruckus. Fred and George had spared everyone the pranks they had been playing on Umbridge so they could study for exams; surprisingly enough, they had studied themselves, sometimes. Apparently, they hadn't forgotten that Molly would only keep laying off of them if they achieved at least one or two N.E.W.T.s; it really shouldn't be a problem.

McGonagall approached her in the corridor.

"Black, we need to talk." And so, she followed the witch into an empty classroom.

"It seems that Potter wants to become an Auror," McGonagall began, but stopped when Marina slumped into a chair.

"Sorry, Professor. That's what I was afraid of."

"He shows aptitude."

"Of course he does," Marina sighed and straightened in the chair. "It's not his talent that worries me. You'd think he'd have enough of facing dark wizards at this point."

But he was too much like James and even Lily. Neither one of them could have stood by and done nothing. Having the Order, her and her father as role-models didn't help matters any.

"He is unsure what subjects to take."

"Why? You told him he needs Defence, Transfiguration, Charms and Potions, right?"
"Yes, but – aside from Potions – he seems to find that… too easy."

Two years ago, Marina would have disagreed. But his grades were superb since then.

"I'll talk to him," she acquiesced with a sigh. "He's too good at Runes not to take it."

"You may also find that Professor Umbridge is determined that Potter not become an Auror."

And just like that, despite her own reservations, she was outraged on her brother's behalf.

"I'd like to see her try and stop him," she huffed. "He's better than her at Defence, has more nerve and inner strength than anyone gives him credit for, and has the current Minister of Magic on his side. The toad will lose this battle."

"Potions," Harry groaned. "Why does it have to be Potions?"

As promised, Marina had cornered him in the Common Room that evening. He was fine with Transfiguration and Charms.

"Because dark wizards like to poison people," she deadpanned. "Also, I'd recommend Herbology; you'd be surprised how many plants can be used as weapons."

"Fine. I'm okay with Herbology. And I like Runes. But…"

"There is no getting out of Potions, Harry," she said firmly. "Not if you wanna be an Auror."

"I'm lousy at Potions."

"No, you're not. It's Snape that's making you nervous," she said, hoping her own experiences were the same as his.

Their talk was overheard and soon everyone was debating what classes to take next year; if they received the O.W.L.s necessary.

"You have an advantage, you know," she said with forced cheer. "Between Remus and Dad, you got most of it covered already. Mad-Eye will stop by again this summer; he's even agreed to teach your friends too, if they're interested. And everyone's agreed to take turns tutoring Potions. We'll get everyone through their N.E.W.T.s somehow."

"And how do I even get that far?" Harry asked, exasperated. "Snape hates me."

Moments like these made her wonder if maybe she shouldn't have decided to keep some of her mother's journals to herself. She knew exactly why the oversized was acting that way.

"No, he hated James," she corrected quietly. "You remind him too much of your Dad."

Given what she seen in her Mum's memories … well, James had been a jerk when he'd been at school. Her father, too.

After a few minutes, Harry broached a new subject.

"Dumbledore wants me to take more Occlumency lessons. From Snape."

Marina, who had been sipping from her tea, choked on it and coughed for a minute. Then she stared at him, aghast.

"Absolutely not. Good grief. If you need more practice, I can ask David to teach you. Elias. Anyone but him."

Lately, the Headmaster was consulting others on his decisions. He really must have been feeling mightily guilty. This time, it seemed, he hadn't or her father would have disabused him such an idea.

"Exams are in a week," Hermione interrupted. "What do we have to expect?"

Yep, the young witch reminded her distinctly of Trish before their O.W.L.s; hopefully she wouldn't faint as well.

The entire school got yet another nasty surprise the next day. Apparently, Umbridge had rallied her friends and supporters in the Ministry and had gone behind Amelia's back.

Dumbledore was officially relieved of his office, under allegations of conspiracy to become Minister of Magic himself.

McGonagall and the other teachers did their best to rally, focusing on getting them all through exams instead of making their displeasure known.

Marina knew they were all on thin ice now. The DA was still technically illegal, despite Amelia's best efforts to get most the educational decree's overturned – after the disaster that had been Trelawney being sacked. Without Dumbledore to protect them, they had to proceed with extra caution not to get caught.

Umbridge suspected what they were doing but had no proof. A dozen times already, she'd held one of the DA-coins Hermione had spelled. But the galleons looked perfectly normal unless you knew what to look for, so the toad had dismissed them and kept searching.

Fred and George had made it their lives' mission to drive Umbridge insane. There was no corridor left that wasn't in uproar with their prank fireworks, swamps or other things they'd invented to drive people round the bend.

None of the teachers were even slightly inclined to help the new Headmistress. On the contrary, all of a sudden they seemed incapable of dealing with these things themselves.

Utter mayhem ruled Hogwarts now.

Before anyone knew it, the week was over and the members of the Wizarding Examination Authority arrived. Privately, Marina and Harry couldn't wait to see the toad's face when all the DA members aced their Defence Against the Dark Arts practical exams.

Personally, she thought everyone's exams went reasonably well. The order was the same it had been in her fifth year: Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, Defence and Ancient Runes and/or Muggle Studies in the first week, and then Potions, Care of Magical Creatures. Still, some of them had yet to do Astronomy, Arithmancy, Divination and History of Magic.

N.E.W.T. students were usually examined together with O.W.L. students in the theoretical part. For the practical, they were separated.

Marina had dropped Astronomy, so she had no business in the tower. Instead, she was sitting just below where her brother and his friends were filling out star-charts right now. Carmen was there too, anxious about Theo. Their friends were using the time to study or, novel idea, actually catch some sleep.

Halfway through what she estimated the allocated exam-time, the school's massive doors opened and the toad came out, in company five others.

Umbridge was not the type to take midnight strolls.

Everything insider her clenched painfully when she realised the witch was headed for Hagrid's hut. Mentally, she prayed that Harry hadn't noticed.

Such hopes were crushed when a very loud BANG sounded from the grounds. Everyone was bound to have noticed now.

Carmen and Marina were pressed up to the edge of the balcony, staring in the direction of Hagrid's home. What in Merlin's name was Umbridge doing?

She got her answer when the hut's door burst open and Hagrid came out, roaring in anger and dealing with six people trying to stun him.

"No!" a voice cried above them and Marina recognised Hermione. So much for the exam.

"Be reasonable, Hagrid!" one of the bastards cried.

"Reasonable be damned," Hagrid roared. "Yeh won't take me like this, Dawlish!"

Of course. Dawlish had been loyal to Fudge and was still very loyal to Umbridge.

Amelia or Scrimgeour should have sacked him weeks ago.

When Fang got stunned leaping to Hagrid's defence, the half-giant snapped. Howling in fury, he picked up the coward who'd cast the offending jinx and tossed him away – ten feet at least.

It was the first time she had seen Hagrid truly angry. Probably the first time anyone had.

She looked to her left and saw all blood had drained from Carmen's face.

"Look!" one of the Patil twins squealed above and Marina saw another figure had exited the castle and was running towards the atrocity taking place.

"How dare you!" the person shouted, still running. "How dare you!"

"McGonagall," Carmen mumbled quietly.

"Leave him alone! Alone, I say!" McGonagall demanded angrily. "On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such –"

All the fifth-year girls above and Carmen screamed in horror. No less than four of those cowards had turned and shot Stunners at McGonagall. When the beams collided with her, she glowed an eerie red for a moment, then was vaulted off her feet and dropped.

She didn't move afterward.

"Galloping gargoyles!" a male voice shouted from above. Marina recognised it as one of the examiners but couldn't remember his name just now. "Not so much as a warning!" Outrageous behaviour!"

Breathing heavily, Marina gripped her wand, wishing for all the world she was down there to make them pay.

Hagrid didn't have that issue.

"COWARDS!" he bellowed, his voice carrying easily. "RUDDY COWARDS! HAVE SOME O' THAT – AN' THAT –"

In his rage, Hagrid swung his massive arms at his attackers, knocking them out cold.

Then he bent, picked up his dog, and ran towards the gates.

"Get him, get him!" Umbridge shrieked, but her one minion left didn't seem all that keen. On the contrary, he stumbled over his unconscious cohort, backing away from the livid half-giant.

In the distance, she saw Hagrid leave Hogwarts grounds and get to safety. Well, from the toad at least.

Impatiently, Marina and Carmen waited for the exam to end. Then they collected their fifth-year friends and went in search of the others. Basically, it assembled most of the DA.

Hermione and Susan had trouble speaking, trembling with rage. Actually, no one was doing much better.

At around four in the morning, everyone headed to bed.

Marina didn't. She'd been to see Flitwick, who did as she asked and sent a Patronus message to her father. The Order needed to keep a look-out for Hagrid. And Amelia needed to clean house fast.

Afterwards, she headed to the infirmary. McGonagall had been brought there by her attackers.

"How is she?" she asked Pomfrey without preamble.

"You saw?"
"Yes. I was in the astronomy tower – below the exam room –, waiting for Harry, when …"

"You should not be here."

Marina froze. No. He couldn't have the gall.

She turned around and sure enough: Dawlish was sitting in a chair across from McGonagall, for all the world as of he belonged there. As if he hadn't put her here.

Before she knew what she was doing, she had her wand in hand.

"Get out," she forced through her clenched teeth.

Dawlish stood, eyeing her wand warily. His partner … Selwyn, looked as apprehensive.

"You wouldn't dare," Dawlish declared, but didn't sound half as sure as his words.

"You bloody cowards did this to her!" she thundered, not caring who might here. "Get out or I swear by Merlin, I'll hex you into the middle of next year!"

Dawlish's hand twitched towards his wand, but she didn't wait. She cast to silent jinxes, effectively subduing him. His partner pulled his wand.

"Don't be stupid, Selwyn," she snarled. "Mad-Eye trained me. You don't stand a chance.

Now get out of here. I don't give a rats-ass what Umbridge has on you. You people are a disgrace to the Auror Office!"

Obviously realising that she was quite serious, Selwyn levitated a still frozen Dawlish towards the door. Just before they left, Marina added –

"And you tell that miserable toad that she's gonna pay for this!"

The doors fell shut behind them. Madame Pomfrey stared at her, equal parts impressed and aghast.

"She'll expel you for this."

"Let her," Marina huffed. "I had my last exam today – and Madame Marchbanks won't revoke my grades just because the toad throws a tantrum. I'm gold. There is nothing else she can do to me."

"Expelled? Expelled?"

Apparently her father had trouble with the concept.

"Her N.E.W.T.s will count, Sirius," Amelia assured him while he paced the kitchen like a caged animal. "Marchbanks was quite firm, actually. All taken exams count, Umbridge be damned. It's even in the WEA's rulebook somewhere."

Remus was surprisingly silent on the whole matter.

"What were you thinking?" her Dad demanded and rounded to face her.

Marina met his glare with her own and crossed her arms.

"That I'd already taken my last exam, so I was in the clear, and those miserable cowards hit McGonagall with four Stunners! And they call themselves Aurors."

"Not for much longer," Scrimgeour promised her in his usual grim, crabby fashion. Much like Mad-Eye really. "They're suspended pending the investigation."

"The entire O.W.L. class saw it happen, along with Marchbanks and Tofty. And I'm pretty sure Carmen and I weren't the only older students watching either."

"I'll handle it," he promised again, then excused himself.

"You have to do something about Umbridge," Marina told Amelia quietly. "Merlin knows what she would have done to Hagrid if those Stunners had affected him."

"Right now, I expect she's preoccupied dealing with the Weasley twins' exit."

Marina couldn't help the grin. At breakfast this morning, word had spread that she had gotten herself expelled in her outrage over McGonagall.

Fred and George had decided, as they had now pacified Molly by taking their exams, that school was over for them. And so they had pulled one last prank – turning Hogwarts into one giant swamp-land peppered with exploding fireworks – before summoning their brooms and taking off under thunderous applause.

"No Black has ever been expelled," her Dad said darkly, still hung up on it.

"No Black ever had to deal with Umbridge," she countered. "Besides, I'm not officially expelled. Technically, I'm skipping school. She can't expel anyone without the Headmaster's seal and Dumbledore's office won't let her in."

"I'll write you special permission to be home," Amelia said, smiling. "As soon as Umbridge is gone, you can go back and attend graduation."

"Thanks, Madame Bones."

After the Minister had left, her father finally calmed down somewhat.

"Honestly, Dad," she shook her head. "As if you hadn't done the same thing."

"She's got you there, Padfoot," Remus said humorously. "Let's just wait. Harry's last exam is today and then we can see about getting rid of Umbridge."

And so they went about their day. Which meant work for her father and Remus.

Marina was left to fill out her application to the Auror programme and contemplating alternatives – just in case she'd bungled her exams.

Half the day passed in peace, though pretty damn boring and lonely without her friends.

She was sorting through old trunks of Black heirlooms – deciding which to donate and which to burn – when the fireplace came to life.

Marina flinched so hard, she almost fell from her chair. No one came out of the Floo-powder powered flames, but a piece of parchment flittered out.

She caught it and was hit with dread and fear. It was Carmen's handwriting. Her wand trembled as she tore the missive open.

"Marina,

The kids are gone. From what Anthony Goldstein says, Harry had another dream/vision during History of Magic. The DA got close enough to the foursome to overhear: apparently, your brother thinks that Voldemort has you in the Department of Mysteries and is torturing you for the prophecy.

Hermione evidently tried talking him out of going there but … it's Harry. It seems they checked via Floo powder but the only one he reached at your upstairs fireplace was Kreacher, who told Harry you were gone.

Umbridge caught them, but some quick thinking got rid of her; thanks to the centaurs and Hagarid's brother - don't ask.

I wasn't there or else I would have told him you're fine, thanks to that nifty bracelet you charmed.

Long story short, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Susan, Neville, Luna, Ginny and Ty went off on thestrals to rescue you.

Gather the cavalry. Elvira, Jolene, Angelina, Sam, Katie and I will already be on our way when you get this.

Love,

Carmen"

Marina had to read it twice to understand. Then she dumped the entire pot of Floo powder into the fireplace and screamed Order members' names. She had no time to go looking. Either they were home and heard her – or not.

She didn't need her Sight to know that Harry was walking into a trap.