Hey, Everyone! Sorry for the delay posting, I got very absorbed in stories I've been reading here.
This chapter classes continue, and Voldemort and Umbridge start making trouble. Enjoy!
Chapter 9: Double Trouble Brewing
After breakfast, Duncan filled in Professor McGonagall on what happened between himself and Harry and Umbridge. The Deputy-Headmistress and Gryffindor head was livid and determined to 'have a word' with the pink toad later in the day. Right now, all the professors had to prepare for morning classes.
"This bloody yank is worse than that oaf!", Draco griped as the students hiked to the arena used for the first task of last year's Tri-Wizard Tournament. "Dragging us all the way out here for class! As if that oaf's hovel weren't bad enough!"
"If the walk is too much for you, Malfoy", Hermione snarked, "then make Crabbe and Goyle carry you and quit complaining."
"How dare you, you filthy Mud….!"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Malfoy", Harry growled. Malfoy scoffed, but shut his mouth. A few minutes later, the Care of Magical Creatures Class was assembled in the arena. Duncan was waiting for them, and the Golden Trio smiled when they saw a familiar reptile on his shoulders.
"Good morning, class", Duncan smiled, scratching under the little dragon's jaw. "This is Scorch, my familiar. Can anyone identify him and explain why I am able to have him as my familiar? Neville?"
"He's a dragon; a Terrible Terror", Neville said. "His species doesn't get any bigger than he is now."
"Correct, Neville", Duncan grinned. "Ten points to Gryffindore. Dragons come in many shapes and sizes. Most breathe fire in one form or another, but other 'breath-weapons' are not unheard of: ice, acid, sonic attacks, venom, boiling-hot water, lightning, lava, spines, even molten amber that hardens on impact just to name a few. Does anyone know how many 'Alpha-level' dragon species there are?"
"Four, Professor", Raven said.
"And they are so named?", Duncan smiled.
"Because they have the power to command, control, and lead other dragons", Raven added.
"Very good. Ten points to Ravenclaw", Duncan said. "Two of them are Class 10 Leviathans; the Bewilderbeast and the Red Death, both of which are born Alphas due in large part to their sheer size. The other two are Strike Class dragons, known for their unmatched speed and power. These two must unlock and earn their Alpha status and power by either resisting or breaking the control of another Alpha. Does anyone know what exceptionally rare species they are?"
"The Skrill, Sir?"
"Correct, Hermione. Five points to Gryffindore. And the other? Anyone? The last Alpha-level dragon is the Night Fury; once known to the Vikings as 'the unholy offspring of Lightning and Death itself'. However, over time many misconceptions about dragons have been cleared up. Sadly, all the Alpha species are on the verge of extinction; the Night Fury is believed to already be extinct. For next time, at least one full page of parchment on the four Alpha species, and a few paragraphs on your favorite of the more docile species I've brought here today. Now pay close attention! While calmer and more docile than most species, they are still dragons and should be respected! We will be using the methods developed by the Viking Chief Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III of Berk, the first Dragonmaster and rider of a Night Fury nearly a thousand years ago. He also established the first academy of dragon-riders and in his later years turned the entire Barbaric Archipelago into the world's first dragon preserve."
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(Malfoy Manor)
MacNair and Fenrir Greyback both knelt before their Dark Lord in the great hall.
"Rise, my friends", Voldemort hissed amiably from his throne as he petted the head of Nagini. "And report. You first, Fenrir."
"The Causeway and Channel-Coast packs have pledged loyalty to you, My Lord", the wizard werewolf grinned wickedly. "The Highland pack refused…..until I tore out the throat of their Alpha. I have sent some of them to keep watch on Hogwarts."
"Well done, my friend", Voldemort smirked. "But I would expect no less from you. With those two coasts now guarded by watchdogs, no interfering fools can enter Britain from Ireland or the continent without my knowledge. And with watchful eyes on Hogwarts, that old fool Dumbledore can make no major moves from there in secret. MacNair?"
"I was finally able to find the Island of Gargantua", the ugly axe-man replied. "Between Ireland and Scotland, about fifty miles south of the Giants' Causeway. The concealment and repulsion wards were…..formidable, but I was able to breach them with my team. As we expected, the giants exiled there were grotesque due to centuries of in-breeding. Their chief, Head-Taker, agreed to join your cause on three conditions; freedom from the island, the Northern Highlands of Scotland as a new homeland, and(his grin widened) all the muggles he and his people can eat."
"I like the way this 'Head-Taker' thinks!", Voldemort chuckled. "You, of course, agreed to his terms?"
"Of course, My Lord", MacNair chuckled. "Of course, I may have neglected to tell him that they will all die once you have no further need of them."
"(Tsk*tsk*tsk*tsk)How forgetful of you, MacNair", the Dark Lord grinned. "And how goes your search for the Isle of Drear?"
"On-going, My Lord. But I am making progress."
"Good. Just think of the panic once I bend the Quintapeds to my will", Voldemort sneered.
Just then, Lucius Malfoy entered and knelt before Voldemort holding a letter from Draco. "Forgive the interruption, My Lord, but I bring word from my son."
"Speak, Lucius. What does the boy have to report?"
"He reports that his new status as a marked Death Eater has gone un-noticed. And that Fudge's toady is making things difficult for Dumbledore and the boy", Malfoy told him. "However, it seems that Dumbledore anticipated Umbridge's true purpose at Hogwarts, and took on Potter's cousin as the new Muggle Studies professor. The American has made the class mandatory for all purebloods and magick-raised!"
"WHAT?!", Voldemort roared, standing from his throne.
"There's more", Malfoy continued with disgust. "He has somehow arranged for muggle technology to work at the school and has 'updated' the class to include modern muggle history up to the present! I will be lodging a protest with the rest of the board of governors immediately!"
"Just like a Potter; butting in where he doesn't belong!", MacNair grunted.
"Indeed", Malfoy agreed. "He had the audacity to humiliate Draco and his friends in the very first class when they rightly voiced their protest of the class! This 'Duncan' has also been undermining the efforts of Umbridge to push the Ministry line denying your return, My Lord, and apparently he has already swayed a great many students to Potter's side."
"Damn Dumbledore, Potter, and this 'Duncan'!", Voldemort hissed. "No doubt he is also making contact with all the factions of magical creatures around the school as well! Greyback! MacNair! I want this American pest removed from the board, preferably before he contacts the acromantula nest in the Forbidden Forest! See what your operatives near the school can do to that end! Lucius! Tell young Draco to be ready to assist them from within Hogwarts if needed! And also tell him to complete his mission at the earliest opportunity."
"Yes, My Lord!", all three replied.
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Duncan grimaced at the stench coming from the door he was waiting near. Most everyone else found it merely unpleasant, but to Duncan's enhanced sense of smell it was truly horrible.
He heard the approach of the man he was waiting for before he saw him turn the corner amid the students in the hall between classes. The shaggy, red-eyed cat with him gave a growling meow and hissed at Duncan.
"Good day, Professor", Filch said in a pinched greeting. "Somethin' I c'n do for you?"
"Just a little chat, Mr. Filch", Duncan replied, handing the man a can of Coke then popping his own. "Have a drink while we walk."
"Well uh….thank you, Professor", Filch replied, taking a confused moment to figure out how to open the can, then took a sip. "Blimey! This is bloody good!"
"I know, right", Duncan grinned. "It's a muggle product, and one of my favorite drinks. I understand that you're a squib(Filch's expression darkened considerably). No need to get upset. I have nothing against those born without magick. In fact, my mother was originally believed to be a squib."
"What do you mean 'believed'?", Filch asked suspiciously.
"Her magick was only dormant. But the means to awaken and tap into her magick like any other witch was found", Duncan explained. "It has worked for others in the States as well. So it's possible that this is common for many, but not all, born 'without magick'. So there is a chance that…"
"..That I could finally have magick?", the old man finished.
"I've heard that your condition has often led you to be….overzealous in your punishments of students at times. I get the feeling that if you had magick, you might be more judicious in your punishments and general attitude toward the students", Duncan posited.
"Aye, I just might at that", Filch replied, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
"We can owl my mother about testing your potential", Duncan told him. "But first …."
Duncan suddenly whirled on Filch, seizing him by the front of his clothes, lifting him up and pinning the shocked caretaker to the wall! While nearby students cheered, Mrs. Norris yowled and hissed as if to attack Duncan. He looked at her and flashed his eyes with rage. The most vicious kneazle in the school recoiled immediately and dashed away in terror in the face of the apex predator before her. The students laughed at her as she scrambled away.
"W-what is this?" Filch choked out.
"I don't know if anyone told you, but I'm also the cousin of Harry Potter", Duncan growled. "And I know all about the 'detention' he got in his first year."
Filch's eyes widened in fear as he remembered that night. He had been told to give an appropriate detention assignment to Potter, his two little friends, and the Malfoy brat. He'd sent them to serve it with Hagrid, knowing Hagrid's job was taking him into the Forbidden Forest that night. Filch had figured to scare them out of their wits since he could no longer just chain students up in the dungeons for detention. Young Mr. Potter had nearly been attacked by….something.
"Dumbledore has authorized me to take any measures required to keep all the students safe", Duncan growled. "So regardless of the outcome of the test – yes, my mother and I will still try to help you – you will stop taking your self-loathing at your own inadequacies out on the students and deal with them fairly! Do I make myself quite clear?!"
The old man could not agree fast enough, giving his word. Duncan dropped him in a heap, and he gasped heavily to get air back in his lungs.
"And clean your damn quarters!", Duncan barked as he walked away amid the cheering and laughter of the students. "The stench is offensive even with the door closed!"
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Harry was sitting with Hermione and Ron in the Great Hall eating lunch. They were joined by Hermione's 'study group'; Susan Bones, Daphne Greengrass, and the newest member Raven Thunderbird.
"So Professor Rosenblatt is your cousin, Harry?", Raven asked with interest. "His Non-Magical Studies class has been nothing short of fascinating."
"And he makes Care of Magical Creatures fun and exciting, like Hagrid does", Daphne agreed, ignoring the sharp looks that Ron was shooting at the Slytherin girl.
"I find it amazing that he's never used magick in either class", Susan said. "You could almost think he isn't a wizard, but anyone can feel the raw power coming off him in waves."
"Yeah, Duncan is brilliant", Harry agreed, then they all heard raised voices just outside the Hall.
Duncan was almost to the Great Hall to get some lunch when he heard raised voices; Professor McGonagall and *groan!* Umbridge.
"Pardon me, Professor, but what exactly are you insinuating?", Umbridge asked in a snobbish tone.
"I am merely requesting that when it comes to my students, you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices", the Deputy Headmistress replied with authority on the steps leading to the grand staircase. Several students of all years and houses students exited curiously out the doors to the Great Hall, attracted to the argument. Duncan was glad to see Minerva act upon what he told her earlier. His respect for her rose a few more notches.
"So silly of me, but it sounds as if you're questioning my authority in my own classroom", the pink toad said haughtily as she stepped onto a higher step so she could look down at the taller witch, "…Minerva."
"Not at all, Delores", McGonagall replied firmly, stepping up herself, "merely your medieval methods."
"I am sorry, dear", Umbridge huffed indignantly. "But to question my practices is to question the Ministry, and by extension, the minister himself. I am a tolerant woman, but the one thing I will not stand for is disloyalty."
"Disloyalty", Minerva repeated softly, stunned that this woman actually believed her own words.
"I'd say that your loyalty is right where it belongs, Professor McGonagall", Duncan said loudly, drawing the attention of all as he came down the steps to tower over Umbridge. "To this school and to the safety and education of the students. You would do well to remember you are addressing the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor Umbridge!"
"This has nothing to do with you, Professor! Your disruptive influence is part of the problem!", the pink toad hissed as she looked defiantly up at him. Then she turned to the crowd of students. "Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared. Cornelius will want to take immediate action."
'Dumbledore was right about her', Duncan thought to himself as he shared a look with Minerva. He had to be ready to counter or undermine anything the toad planned.
Meanwhile, in the crowd of students, a certain greasy blonde 5th-year Slytherin saw an opportunity for revenge on the muggle-loving Professor who had humiliated him.
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Over the following weeks Umbridge, with the help of Minister Fudge, was appointed to the newly made post of "Hogwarts High Inquisitor" and began implementing and enforcing prudish and arbitrary new rules and restrictions on the students, and 'observing and questioning' the professors. All the while, Minister Fudge used his influence with the Daily Prophet to hail and encourage her efforts and to shape public opinion in his and her favor. Argus Filch took unusual delight in posting all the new proclamations. Since he was 'just following orders' he was certain it couldn't be held against him by Duncan. She had surprisingly even managed to annoy Snape!
However, smug as she was at her successes, she was growing steadily more frustrated with Duncan. His efforts to undermine and counter her authority were limited, but annoyingly legal. While interviewing Professor Flickwick(another of the Professors who was annoyingly loyal to Dumbledore) with an eye toward dismissing him later, Rosenblatt suddenly appeared and not-so-subtly reminded her that Filius was half-goblin and that she could direct any problems she had with the Ravenclaw head to him as GFMC liason! She angrily deduced that he would act on Hagrid's behalf when he returns as well! And as the liason, Duncan himself was untouchable, leading her to believe that was the real reason Dumbledore hired him.
On a day with no classes, she came upon the Weasley twins putting on a show of juggling a bright yet harmless spark back and forth to each other to a laughing and cheering crowd of fellow students. On a whim, she decided to break it up by sucking the spark into her wand. She smiled smugly at the disappointed looks on all their faces…..until another spark appeared from behind her, going directly to a smiling Fred so the show could continue. She turned, ready to reprimand whoever it was – student or teacher – who had ruined her fun. Her anger increased as she saw Duncan standing there.
"And just what do you think you're doing, Professor?", she huffed.
"Letting the students have some fun on a day off", he grinned. "Blowing off a little steam never hurt anyone."
"This activity is hardly safe nor sanctioned by…!"
"I sanctioned it", he said, cutting her off. "I'm right here to supervise and it's perfectly safe. In fact, I'm impressed with their skill at manipulating that spark without their wands."
The pink toad scoffed as she went back inside the castle. Something must be done about Duncan Rosenblatt!
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Several days later, Harry was walking down the hall near the entrance to the school. He had been trying to decipher the bad dreams he'd been having lately. His aunt and the Goblins of Gringotts may have removed the blocks on his natural legilimency and occlumency abilities, but he was still learning to use them. He was mentally kicking himself again for forgetting to bring his dream-catcher to Hogwarts when he noticed the crowd around the entrance. Then he saw his crush.
"Cho, what's going on?", he asked the pretty Chinese Ravenclaw.
"It's Professor Trelawney", she replied as they followed the crowd outside into the courtyard. They saw Filch carrying the last of Trelawney's luggage to the crying Divination teacher. Filch was followed by a smirking Umbridge. The near-sighted witch nearly tripped over her suitcase to approach Umbridge.
"Sixteen years I've lived and taught here", she sniffed and sobbed. "Hogwarts is my home. Y-y-you can't do this."
"Actually, I can", the pink toad smirked 'sweetly', holding up a document.
Minerva passed between Harry and Cho to go hold and comfort the sobbing seer, and glare at Umbridge.
"Something you'd like to say, dear?", Umbridge asked her smugly.
"Oh, there are several things I would like to say", Minerva retorted sharply, then turned to comfort Sybil. "There, there. Shhhhh."
"Mr. Filch? Please escort Miss Trela…..", Umbridge started to instruct the caretaker….
"Don't. You. Touch. Her", Duncan growled as he stepped up beside the two witches, glaring fiery daggers at Umbridge and Filch, the latter of whom blanched sharply.
"There is nothing you can do, Professor Rosenblatt", Umbridge sneered. "She has no creature blood, placing her beyond your protection."
"You sickening toad of a woman!", he snarled. "You disgust me! None of us here from the professors to the first-years to the house elves are fooled by your 'concern' for the school! It's as fake as leprechaun gold! You're worse than all the Death Eater scum who lied and bribed their way out of going to Azkaban! Even Voldemort is honest about what he is!"
" 'WAS', Professor!", Umbridge screamed after flinching at the name.
"IS, Madam!", Duncan retorted. "Anyone who denies the Dark Lord has returned and refuses to see or even acknowledge the evidence is either a FOOL or a COWARD or BOTH!"
Before Umbridge could verbally leap to the defense of Minister Fudge amidst the murmurs of the students, the main doors opened. Umbridge turned around to see the students part like the Red Sea for Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor McGonagall, Professor Rosenblatt, might I ask to two of you to escort Sybil and her belongings back inside?", he asked, never taking his steel gaze off of Umbridge.
"Of course, Professor", Duncan grinned, hefting the two trunks with ease while Minerva kept one arm comfortingly around Trelawney's shoulders. Duncan glared at Filch and nodded toward the remaining suitcase. The caretaker picked it up with a gulp.
"Sybil, dear. This way", Minerva said gently.
"Thank you", she sobbed in gratitude to Dumbledore as he took her hand as they passed.
"Dumbledore", Umbridge began with her usual haughty condescension, "may I remind you that under the terms of Educational Decree Number 23, as enacted by the minister…"
"You have the right to dismiss my teachers", he interrupted. "You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the headmaster."
"For now", she conceded sweetly with a flicker of annoyance in her eyes.
"Don't you all have studying to do?", Dumbledore called out to all the students as he turned to stride back inside.
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Later that evening, Duncan was eating dinner in his office while he graded papers, as it had become his habit on Fridays.
Down in the Great Hall, the rest of the faculty and most of the students were enjoying dinner…..
"TROLLS IN THE DUNGEONS!", Pansy Parkinson screamed as she burst in. "TROLLS! BIG! UGLY! I BARELY GOT AWAY!"
'Again?', the Golden Trio groaned to themselves as the rest of the students began to freak out.
"SILENCE!", Dumbledore roared, quieting the Hall. "Please do not panic! How many trolls, Miss Parkinson?"
"I don't know!", the 5th-year Slytherin girl cried, clearly still shaken. "I was too scared to count! All I know is that it was more than one I saw when I ran away!"
"Slytherin House will remain in the Great Hall, warded for protection", Dumbledore ordered. "Prefects, escort the other students to their dorms. Teachers? You will accompany me to the dungeons."
A few floors up, two trolls seemed to be following a scent…right to the door to the Non-Magical Studies classroom.
A hooded figure entered the girls lavatory on the third floor…
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Author's notes: A cliffhanger?! Yup! LOL!
Yeah, I brought in more elements of "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Jack the Giant Slayer".
Cho Chang. Harry is not yet aware of Hermione's feelings for him, and currently still has a crush on Cho. As far as he knows, Ron still fancies Hermione even after Molly's use of love potions was exposed and stopped. This will change the more involved they get.
Next chapter, Duncan deals with his unexpected 'guests', Draco fulfills his mission, and our heroes talk to Sirius.
As always, long reviews and suggestions are welcome! Flames will be used to grill burgers.
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