AN:
Some Answers:
Dragon0102 chapter 19 . Jun 20
I was actually thinking of Mad Max. The first two movies are pretty great to find low level tech skilled folks. Welders, mechanics, metal workers etc.
Great suggestion.
erozoth chapter 19 . Jun 20
Maybe another two chapters. Sixth year is important for Darrow as he has some special 'items' he wants to 'collect'
Kulha chapter 19 . Jun 20
There will be butterflies…as the story needs it. Some people will be included in the pantheon, it's why he took all the items from the Xenaverse.
anubis1650 chapter 4 . Jun 20
I'm undecided on the Song of Ice and Fire universe. There isn't really anything of value there for him aside from maybe dragons and Valaryan steel. Truthfully undecided for now. I was actually thinking to do a separate story where Darrow gets stuck in the Ice and Fire Universe as a result of ARTY malfunctioning due to him transforming into a God.
Basically a split off reality.
chapter 19 . Jun 20
Thank you! I will keep listening to the Muse.
HughJasz chapter 19 . Jun 20
Yup there is no way the statute will survive the digital age. I just don't see it happening. Muggle borns will for sure want to be insta famous.
frankieu chapter 19 . Jun 20
Thank you!
chapter 19 . Jun 20
Esu'at is from Ra's tribe so they will be Egyptian based but overall it doesn't really matter.
BadReader chapter 1 . Jun 20
Still a few more chapters till he gets to be in Stargate.
ZhaWarudo chapter 19 . Jun 20
You have to remember Harry Potter is happening in the 90s. Cellphones looked very different back then. Even if Nick and Claire as werewolves are more in touch with the muggle world they are not technologically savy they would be hard pressed to know the glowing thin rectangles with no buttons are cellphones and not lets say mini TVs or other things.
Joe Lawyer chapter 19 . Jun 21
His powers will evolve. The way I see the Xenaverse gods powers are part self actualization, part lieanage, part affinities, part domain, part followers.
You bring up some really good points. I'll have to think about them and how to approach the plot points.
Guest chapter 19 . Jun 20
He will for sure go tech scavenging. And lol yes I also thought about him getting some technically able Slaves from Star Wars to speed things up.
Dscot chapter 19 . Jun 23
Darrow can only access movies and shows, no anime and no games.
Thank you all for you input it is appreciated and please don't be surprised if I 'steal' some of your suggestions.
Story inspired heavily by 'Cruel To be Kind', '12 Steps To Omnipotence', 'Rise of an Empire' and a million and one other fanfics. If you see stuff and think that it's similar to another fanfic. it's probably because we read the same story and I liked that plot line or idea.
BEWARE this is a 'Gary Stu, wish fulfillment, power fantasy type story.
Thank you for reading!
Enjoy
Chapter 20
Year 7, Day 124: Harry Potter Universe, December 1995
I couldn't help but watch with bored intensity as Largnack and three other lackeys pretended to review the report documents while ever so often lifting their gaze just to give me a skeptical look.
I sipped my tea and Nick did the same, they have been at this for ten minutes.
It was all a show of course, I sent over the papers four days ago and I know they went through them with a fine tooth comb. He was trying to 'break' me so to speak, make me lose my cool and all that, that way he would feel like he had the upper hand in the negotiations.
He flipped over a page and put down the stack on his nicely gold ornate desk. It really was a nice desk and a nice office I have to give him that. The gold accents and threads all around the room were visible yet not overly so in your face but to one with an eye for it, it screamed 'I have a mountain of gold', which he might actually have considering how much I showered him with the metal for his services both on and off the books.
Overall Largnack had style.
The ugly goblin looked at me then briefly looked at Nick and then back to me.
"And your father has reviewed and approved this plan of yours?" Oh right, another problem the greedy little creature was having is that I was not in my Michael persona but as Darrow.
With and the werewolf couple into the fold now we had decided it was time to start raising Darrow's profile more, to be seen as the heir apparent not only just in name. This just overall meant more public appearances and Gringotts was a good place to start.
It's understandable as to why he was skeptical, even though my appearance was mature beyond my years, I was very big lad after all, I still tried to keep a youthful look in my facial features, that and technically I was only 16 years old and what 16 year old comes and presents him with a plan to fleece the muggles out of billions of pounds.
"Of course, where do you think my father has been getting his financial advice from?" I responded casually.
The goblin's gaze shifted to Nick.
"Michael puts his full trust in his son. Darrow has been on the other side of every single deal we have made." The wolf added.
Largnack snarled. "So you're the Seer!" A reasonable assumption after all the stock, commodities tips and advice the goblin received as both payment and to curry favour from Michael.
Timing the market a few times is luck, doing it consistently and specifically over half a decade is either insider trading or straight up looking into the future.
And don't be confused, the goblins were by no means allergic to making profits in the muggle economy not when the profits could be turned to precious metals that the creatures valued so much, Merlin knows what magics they were planning with it, probably another rebellion.
Besides anyone with a brain knew the somewhat open secret of the Ministry, their budget was supplemented by income from muggle business endeavors and of course all of it was managed one way or another through the goblins. Hell even the rich ancient pureblood houses had to dabble in muggle economies, the land holdings alone demanded some connections.
Still that's neither here nor there right now.
"Just a strong financial education, an obsessive interest in the markets and what some have called unnatural talent." I replied with a sly smile. It was all bullshit of course I just curated future knowledge to what would work in this reality. Not everything was exactly the same after all.
"Hmpf." He let the matter drop. "And you're sure these Asian Tigers are going to fail? Their economies are seeing unprecedented growth." He said skeptically.
Seer or not I couldn't blame him this was serious business I was proposing. I was going to take advantage of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
I technically didn't need the money in this reality since most of my muggle and magical businesses were mostly make work projects to keep the werewolves employed, though the magical ones were also used to gather assets for the eventual move to the Stargate world.
However it was a good practice run for when I would use it in the resource universes in about a decade of 1 to 1 time.
"Their economies are all based on cheap credit, a peg to the US dollar and of course a lot of hype. As the US will inevitably raise the interest rates and the cheap flow of money slows in those economies, capital will be spooked." I said firmly.
"Once capital starts leaving the currencies will devalue, significantly. It will start with Thailand then Indonesia and South Korea. It will extend to a lesser extent to Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines and Malaysia. The signs are all there if you know where to look, the big trading houses of Europe and the States are already preparing for it. You will see concrete signs and market moves starting as early as spring of 1997. They will try to prop up their currencies but of course they will fail."
The lackeys at the separate desk had stopped all pretense of ruffling through the papers and were intently listening to our conversation.
Largnack leaned back in this oversized ornate chair, which looked more like throne, and looked intently at me and then at Nick and then back at me.
I didn't have to use my mind reading skills to realize the creature was trying to figure out how he was being played. Largnack and Michael were not friends. They were business partners. A trust cultivated on many little transactions, gold, more gold and favours.
After half a decade there was a certain rhythm to the course of business and type of deals that happened so when one partner wanted to up the tempo by a factor of 100 you couldn't help but be suspicious, because if you weren't you were a sucker and when it came to money to goblins were many things but never suckers.
"Why us?" He finally asked. "This can all be set up on the muggle side. You don't need Gringotts for this, you don't need Me." He emphasized.
"As you know my father is a very busy man." I said slowly. "I still have school to attend and unfortunately this is something outside of Nick's skill set." The werewolf only nodded.
"And we both know" I said referring to the goblin. "That we are not talking about a few million pounds here, a one and done type of deal. This is currency markets, stock market and real-estate all rolled into one across multiple countries, billions if not tens of billions of pounds." I said leaning in now while intensifying my tone.
"This requires infrastructure, accounts and businesses all certified and verified along with knowledgeable, disciplined and compliant traders that will not ask questions and will toe the line when needed. People will notice, governments will notice. " I said firmly.
"This will require time and effort neither I nor my father have to spare right now." I said firmly leaning back again in my chair. "As well if let's say persuasion is required on the muggle side to ensure things go smoothly everyone knows the ministries are less likely to interfere if it's related to goblin financial affairs." I said with a smile.
Largnack looked at us in silence for a few moments.
"Still" he said. "The terms are quite generous. You provide the capital and funds to set up the infrastructure and we do the leg worth. Thirty percent for zero risk on our side. Your father is generous but he is not a fool and neither am I." He said annoyed. "So stop wasting my time and say what else he wants."
It's true, we were providing all the funding and taking all the risk and the terms were generous but that was on purpose specifically because I wanted them to take care of everything and not waste my precious immortal time.
However I did want one thing from the goblins, it wasn't even a big deal since I would eventually get the information through other means but it would speed up the process considerably.
"A small favour, some help" I said. "Upon which the deal is not contingent." I paused briefly. "As you know my father has been trying to acquire house elves, as many as he can get. He is quite fond of the creatures but so far our luck has been very poor. Only seven elves in the past five years." It was only two days ago I received notice of two more elves that will be delivered in the New Year.
"The creatures are hard to come by." Largnack commented.
"Which is why my father needs help in getting information on any families in Britain that have elves along with outstanding debts and who owns them? My father would be very interested in purchasing the debts of those families especially if they are of a dark persuasion." I said predatorily.
To his credit the goblin didn't blink or show any emotions he only once again stared at me tensely in silence.
"You and your father are playing a very dangerous game, boy." He finally said.
"We are a very dangerous family." I responded back in that same predatory smile.
I didn't break eye contact with him as he took the time to consider my offer and its implications.
"I will do what I can." He finally said relenting.
'Greed, I can always rely on good old greed' I thought. I was the golden goose and this was potentially the mother lode of eggs.
"That's all that we ask." I said leaning back in my chair relaxing.
"Let's talk details."
Scene Break
Year 7, Day 126: Harry Potter Universe, January 1996
The lively music of the obviously too inebriated band whose ability to continue playing was only because of the enchanted instruments doing all the heavy lifting, filled the usually dingy, rough and cavernous like space of the Sickle's Heart pub on the south west shore of Ireland.
Even the most dark affiliated places tend to lit up and have some fun on the momentous day of when the earth completes its rotation around the great big ball of magical fire that makes everything possible on this little speck of blue planet.
It was half past midnight into the New Year and for the questionable patrons, dark wizards, creatures, werewolves, hired wands and those with a criminal inclination of this even more questionable establishment the party was just getting into full swing.
There was after all a very good reason to celebrate, for anyone that was in the known, knew the dark truth, the dark lord was back and making moves.
The atmosphere in their world was changing anyone could tell that, the recent attacks on ministry officials, various guild members, business and muggleborns, sporadic as they were, were just more confirmation of the return. Even the unusually harsh punishments driven by factions of the Wizengamot for those caught were taken as a sign of the changing tides.
Soon they would rise to power, their kind, no more ministry restrictions, no more hiding, muggles would learn their place and serve their true masters. They were the superior kind they deserved to rule they knew better, they were better!
Or so the promised tidings were. Each group of course had their own ideas of what the New World would entail however the common overarching thread among them all was that they would be sitting on top of the food chain when it was all done.
Among these believers was one 40 something year old wizard by the name of Tillard Trembley. A wayward third son of the somewhat noble house Trembley, while not a famous family it was one that has been on the 'isles for at least the last three centuries.
Having found himself with no inheritance courtesy of his older brothers and the unfortunate luck the family had in the past century, coupled along with a sense of adventure and misguided superiority to those of lower birth the youngest of the brood had increasingly found it easier to make a living by selling his services to the highest bidder.
That these highest bidders were often of a dark character was usually left unsaid in polite conversation.
Tillard was quite enjoying the festivities of the night, being in a very joyous mood, so when a group of overly makeup-ed whores suddenly plopped at his group's table, none at his table were stupid enough to not realize they weren't whores especially not with the sober burly wizards sitting at the bar giving them the nod of approval, making spicy conversation with promises of a good night, Tillard not being a prude nor having any problem with paying for it eagerly participated.
After all there was only so much enjoyment one could take from imperiused muggles, sometimes you needed a proper sheath for a wand and there was nothing quite like a magical cunt.
It wasn't long after that he soon found himself out back of the pub hungrily and somewhat drunkenly playing grab ass with the short brunet whore that took his attention for most of the evening.
"So why don't we cut the chase?" he said with a bit of a slur. "How much for tonight and how much if I take you right here?" He continued leaning in and kissing her neck.
The whore giggled while her petit hands wandered down to his bulge. "For a wizard like yourself, of proper birth" she said coyly between giggles. "I think we can work something out" she leaned in pulling him closer "You're not like the rest of them inside." She finished whispering in his ear.
He liked where this was going, he was of proper noble birth not like the riff-raff inside. 'Oh how they will learn once the Dark Lord ascends' he couldn't help but think.
That train of thought was suddenly cut short when, in a somewhat similar situation that was happening to various questionable individuals across the British Isle's, he felt himself stiffen up and freeze as the tip of a wand poked his left side and a soft whisper of Petrificus reached his ears.
Before his eyes could scream out in rage at the betrayal of the whore he felt the familiar pull of a Portkey and less than a moment later he found himself assaulted by a batch of colorful spells that tied him up even more in a grey room filled with poor lighting in the midst of various wizards and witches.
There past his frozen eyes he saw the whore move towards the group.
"Lara are you alright?" One of the men rushed towards her.
"Bloody hell! I'm never doing that again I don't care how much you pay me!" she said loudly. "I'm fine James, this prick was getting real handsy." She said and the men shot him a dirty look. "Are Annie and the rest back?"
"Most are, Annie as well." A different voice interjected. Tillard saw a tall old man walk into his view. "The brothers I have a feeling are enjoying the chase." He saw the others defer to him, like a lion he commanded the space.
"Shouldn't we knock them out or something?" The younger man said apprehensively as he looked at both Tillard and the old man.
"Not to worry. Once Darrow and I are done with them they won't remember much of anything…if they survive…Darrow often times doesn't know his own strength." He said with a sly smile that unnerved the couple and made Tillard break into cold sweat.
"Now you've both done your parts. Please feel free to go upstairs and freshen up, you can stick around or go home, it's up to you. You'll see tea, coffee and snacks already prepared." The old man said firmly.
Tillard saw the couple hurriedly leave and the old man lean over him using his more than a head taller height for great effect.
"Now let's see what we have here." He said as his eyes matched Tillard's. The frozen and tied up wizard couldn't help but feel a shiver run up and down his spine, his sense screaming to get out. Tillard felt the man's eyes boring down into his, a presence building inside his mind like little roots growing in his brain, despite the freezing charm his body started to shake his magic desperately trying to fight.
"Quite the fine specimen you are dare I say a Proper wizard…Darrow will quite enjoy learning from you." The man old man said with a predatory smile.
"Legilimens"
Scene Break
Year 7, Day 127: Harry Potter Universe, January 1996
The flames of the old stone, yet clean fireplace, flared green wildly indicating a Floo connection was coming through and not a moment later a plump middle aged witch followed by an equally plump middle aged wizard stepped through.
The Millers set about to their routine on opening their bakery getting it ready for the New Year just as they've done for the past fifteen years when Mr. Miller finally took it over from his great grandfather.
Mrs. Miller had considered it a rebellious move against his father who had wanted to join him in his solicitors practice but he couldn't help that the art of making cakes and overly nice pastries was his calling.
As he saw his wife move about with purpose around the shop activating the various enchantments so that floating brooms, dust pans and wipes started their activities to keep the shop in spotless condition he went about taking out the various ingredients needed for the day and firing up the ovens to just the right temperature.
They were early risers, before dawn, had to be in order to get everything ready and the first batch of pastries fresh for the morning rush.
His monotonous almost robotic movements honed for more than a decade and a half were interrupted by the blood curling shrieking scream of his wife.
"Martha!" He yelled dropping the flower pot on the counter and rushing to the front of the shop. There he saw the various equipment about their business wiping and cleaning and the front door open.
She had gone to clean the front entrance and put up the sign with the daily specials. He quickly rushed outside desperately looking for his wife. It didn't take long for his eyes to settle on the back of her frozen figure and the scenery she was looking at.
"Martha!" He yelled and rushed to her. Broken from her trance she ran to him crying. "The aurors, we need the aurors!" she said.
He took her into his embrace and quickly hugged her. "It's ok, it's ok, you go inside and call the aurors and St. Mungos, I'll do what I can. Ok go inside." She nodded, wiped her tears and went inside.
As he took out his wand he couldn't help but slow his approach not only out of caution but pure shock of the scene before him.
He stopped at the edge of the round large courtyard that was practically a monument itself within Diagon Alley where witches and wizards would in a few hours rush all about their business going from shop to shop and alley way to alley way.
Instead of the expected emptiness of the pre-dawn hour there were almost a dozen floating crosses arranged in a star shaped form upon which an almost naked bloody man was hung in sacrificial manner.
As he approached closer Mr. Miller couldn't help but hear the drip-drop of blood echoing as gravity called it towards the earth from the various open wounds on their bodies some conspicuously coming from their barely covered nether regions.
"Bloody Merlin" He couldn't help but express as he took in the scene before him.
The most disturbing thing he would later note when retelling the story were the missing eyes, ears, noses and tongues along with the bloody cursive M carved into their chests.
Scene Break
Year 7, Day 147: Harry Potter Universe, January 1996
"Come in!" I heard the shriek voice of the toady looking DADA professor.
As I stepped into her office I saw that it was pretty much decorated the same as in the movies. The obnoxious pink and moving cat pictures, which resemble gifs, were all around the walls.
"Mr. Miercuri, please come in, sit." She beckoned.
"Thank you Professor." I said and took a seat at her desk, neatly organized.
"Now you were quite insistent on having this meeting today even though I was all booked for my office hours so how can I help you today? Or is there something you wish to report as part of your Prefect duties?" she asked with that condescending smile.
It's true, I did insist on this meeting right after her office hours were done. So far my interaction with Umbridge had been minimal.
Unlike the movies where for time purposes they showed the cut scenes of her being just terrible in real life it was much more gradual and not as noticeable.
The removal of the practical component from DADA, being strict on enforcing school rules, even antiquated ones, introducing small restrictions here and there, forming the inquisitor squad to help out the prefects so on and so forth.
Small changes introduced over the course of several months, it wasn't nearly as drastic as presented in the movies, some of the restrictions were just common sense and some were just reinforcement of rules on the books.
You really weren't supposed to do magic in the school hallways nor were you supposed to make out, still of course others were just unreasonable.
Though overall most students had very little interaction with Umbridge outside of DADA class, hell I hadn't even seen the hand wounds from the bloody quill on any students below 5th year, and really it was mostly Potter and the Gryffindors that were the target.
That is of course until today when doing my library rounds I saw it on a third year Gryffindor boy. It took some coercing but he eventually spilled the beans, not that I needed him to since I simply read his thoughts.
"Professor I'm going to be straight with you." I said firmly and seriously which seemed to wipe the smile off of her face. "I'm here because I know you are using a blood quill in your detentions. I'm here to tell you to stop before you seriously injure a student and have to suffer the consequences. What you are doing is wrong both legally and morally if you continue I will have you thrown out, shamed and even sent to Azkaban."
She stared at me unmoving while I matched her gaze neither of us blinking.
"Mr. Miercuri" she started with a barely contained vicious smile "It is no student's business how I conduct my detentions. The ministry has sent me here to bring back order to Hogwarts and has trusted me to take the necessary measures as I see fit." She said barely containing her disdain.
"And I do not take kindly to your threats. It is fully within my power as High Inquisitor to expel you. You cannot simply threaten a teacher and…"
"You're poor." I said interrupting her.
She was astounded for a moment.
"Excuse me?" she asked confused.
I sighed.
"You're poor." I said again firmly. "You come from a decent enough lineage but not a wealthy one. You've spent the last few decades clawing yourself up through the ministry ranks so you may have some savings to live a comfortable life but overall you lack the wealth and backing needed to fund your political ambitions." I continued.
She was now staring at me brows crunched unsure what to say.
"Worse than that, you have a bad attitude. You don't have any allies. You are good at you do, I can see you can find people's weaknesses and exploit them for your benefit but your bad attitude has not enamored you to your colleagues. They tolerate you because what you can do for them but the key word is tolerate, the moment you stop being useful they will discard you like a used up piece of tissue paper."
I could see now her eyes were widening in disbelief but I could tell I was hitting some hard chords she didn't like to think about.
"You have also given up your Ministry position to come teach here, a big mistake in my opinion. I know you hoped you will become the new Headmaster or sum such nonsense in an attempt to build influence through the school but you fail to realize the reason Hogwarts professors are influential is because the students respect them even idolize them. It's those students that eventually take up position of influence in the country."
"However without their love and respect you're just another teacher. You don't seem to realize the precarious position you are actually in. If you don't succeed at Hogwarts your career is over" I said and paused for a split second.
"Minister Fudge will discard and disavow you the moment complaints from parents come in. After the last few months his ratings are the most important thing for him."
"So you're poor, with fleeting political capital and flimsy allies. While my family directly employs dozens and indirectly hundreds of witches and wizards. We own businesses. We have supported over two dozen Ministry projects. My father financed the new Zinger Magical Arts & Cultural centre in Wales. I am the Triwizard champion." I said firmly.
"You wouldn't be able to expel me even if I slapped you in front of the whole school." I paused and looked at her outraged face for a moment.
"Now I know you are smart so think about the other men and women of power within the Ministry and ask yourself how many of them would go to bat for you when they will be offered a better deal, a deal which comes with galleons." I finished.
She was ready to blow. The only problem was she couldn't really refute anything I have said so I continued.
"Look professor, I think overall some of the changes and rationality you bringing to the school is much needed. Hell with the practical component taken out of the Defense OWLS the focus on theory from an academic point of view is what's needed. You drilling us on how to take high pressured tests is a much needed skill this school lacks especially if any of the students will wish to pursue a high-school diploma and higher education in the muggle world."
It's true she was the first teacher to focus on test taking skills, not practical in the real world but super practical for test taking. As someone who already did Muggle University I couldn't even start to express how important that was.
"You have no idea how important theory and test taking skills are in the muggle academia system especially at the undergrad level." I continued.
"So I'm willing to give you a chance." I said and stood to leave. "Stop the blood quill business or after I'm done with you being crucified in the middle of Diagon Alley will be the least of your worries." I said making my way to the door. Rumors were of course flying on who was responsible and the DMLE was suspecting my family, for good reasons too but they had no evidence.
"Oh, and do ease up on the clubs, the kids need a place to expend their energies or else they will become rowdy." I said walking out of her office leaving her to fume in her own outrage. I doubt there have been many people that were truthful to her in the last few decades.
Aside from Umbridge, in fifth year there was nothing important that was happening at school. It was really mild compared to the previous four but OWLS were this year and the kids deserved a quiet year normal year. Plus a change in teachers now would probably mess up quite a few students especially if the Ministry brought the DADA practical back.
Overall I was hoping that I was able to reign in Umbridge without taking any drastic action but deep down I had a feeling her ambition and set way of thinking would get the better of her plus she really seemed to have it in for Potter he inquisitor squad was really trying to track down Dumbledore's army.
I inwardly sighed as I walked back to the library, its best I prepare something for that eventuality.
Scene Break
Year 7, Day 156: Harry Potter Universe, January 1996
"Stupefy! Expelliarmus! Incarcerous!" I watched with a small smile as Luna made short work of one of the Weasley twins, Fred I think.
I had followed them in God mode into the RoR to check up on how 'Dumbledore's Army' was performing. Some of the 7th years were quite decent, mostly Cedric and his friends. Potter was quite good as well given his guts and experience and the twins were fairly creative in their spell work and did really well when, not surprisingly, worked in pairs.
The best of all was still Luna. Due to our practice and her divine boots everyone was finding it impossible to hit her. She was more mobile and faster in her spells than anyone else she also had a lot more experience dueling stronger more unforgiving opponents, Me.
The rest were…ugh…below average. How most of these kids survived the Hogwarts battle is a mystery to me either pure luck or the mish mash of riff-raff Voldemort cobbled together was terrible. Which wouldn't be surprising since it was really the upper circle of death eaters that were the competent wizards.
And that was partially why I was here today. I was expecting it to happen sooner or later but I was still kind of pissed that it happened.
Voldemort broke out his upper cadre of Deatheaters from Azkaban.
Now I knew this was going to happen and I let it happen. I do need him to step up his game a bit on the terror front. Things had calmed down considerably after the show of force we put on in Diagon Alley, apparently the low level scum don't want to end up crucified or so the rumors went, I'm sure it will pick up again once some time has passed.
But still the more I thought about this Azkaban break-out the more annoyed I became. And the reason for that was the Dementors.
Those fuckers immediately turned coat and join Voldemort while I could barely get one to say a few words? What kind of major bullshit was that?
What did he have that I didn't? Why did they serve him and not me? I tried being reasonable I only ever fucked around with one of them, I tried talking with them but they just ran away from me like I was the cursed one and not them.
To think I had a mind of making them my ethereal grim reapers, my soul sucking hounds of death but nope these fuckers won't even give me the time of fucking day and now dare go against me? Oh I felt boiling rage just thinking about it.
No, this won't do.
Scene Break
Year 7, Day 210: Harry Potter Universe, March 1996
My warning to Umbridge had only partially worked. I hadn't seen the blood quill used on anyone else not even Potter since our little talk over two months ago, she had even relaxed her crackdown on clubs as long as they were approved by her personally and no 'inappropriate' and unsupervised magic was done.
However unfortunately that meant she increased her crackdown in other areas, specifically catching Potter and Dumbledore's Army in the act.
So here I was in god mode watching Dolores Umbridge as she Bombarda the wall of the Room of Requirement. The Slytherins and Filch were all huddled around her looking in anticipation. Malfoy of course had a smug self-satisfied smile resting on his face.
It's obvious that he is already relishing the trouble this will bring Potter. Unfortunately for him I'm going to ruin his wonderful evening. 'Him and everyone else in the castle that is.'
As I saw the first 'brick' stones give away I went back round the corner and made myself visible.
-'KABOOM!'
-'THUD'
-"AHH!"
I heard the wall explode away and the students scream so I took a deep breath counted to three and put on my game face.
"Get them!" I heard the vicious voice of the high inquisitor.
'Show time.' And I hold back my creeping smile.
I started speaking loudly, practically shouting as I was rounding the corner.
"OY! WHAT'S WITH THE RUCKUS! NO MAGIC IN THE HALL…" I stopped and looked 'confused' staring at the Slytherin group. It seems I startled them and all their attention was now on me. So I took initiative before she could start leading the conversation.
"You're not the usual troublemakers." I said and then looked at the pink clothed woman. "Professor Umbridge? What's going on here?" I asked. "I'm doing the rounds…and there was noise like an explosion." I said and approached them. I made sure to fixate my gaze on the destroyed wall.
"Mr. Miercuri." She started in her high pitched insufferable tone. "This is inquisitor business. We are apprehending troublemakers enga…"
"Is that wall DESTROYED?" I asked loudly and incredulously cutting her off.
I moved past her and start feeling the wall with my hands.
"Mr. Miercuri!" she started even higher pitched than before. She did not like to be cut off.
"Is that the Room of Requirement? You lot what are you doing there? WHO DID THIS" I asked shouting.
Malfoy looked like he wanted to say some snarky spiteful comment but Umbridge beat him to it.
"Mr. Miercuri!" She shouted louder than she intended. To her credit she immediately composed herself. "As I was saying these students were engaged in illegal and unauthorized activities drastic measures had to me taken to…"
"Are you saying YOU DID THIS?" I asked. I could see by the way her upper lip trembled, turning into a thin straight line that she was fuming now. So I pressed forward.
"ARE YOU MAD!" I shouted louder than expected which startled her and the mini death eaters. "You destroyed a wall of the Room of Requirement! This is an Ancient room, a priceless creation of the founders! ARE YOU NUTS?" I was shouting now and with each word getting closer to them, leaning over her, my spit practically landing on the toad.
I was scaring them; I could see it in their eyes, Umbridge included. While some of the students like Crabb & Goyle were big lads, I was 6'2" square of jaw, wide of shoulders and over 220lbs, I was bigger. All of that combined with my body language and tone screamed violence…the physical kind. In the wizarding world magic is the answer to everything so wizards almost never get into physical altercations nor do they threaten each other with it.
It was all an act of course but they didn't know that.
"Mr. Miercuri! Prefect or not I will not TOLERATE this behavior! I will have you in Detention with the REST OF THESE TROUBLEMAKERS!" I'll give her that, she wasn't backing down.
"Detention! ARE FUCKING MAD? Do you not understand what you've done? You've basically destroyed a NATIONAL MONUMENT!" Now she was looking at me even more incredulously. I could see Potter's group was still unsure what to do.
"The history of it, the ancient magic, the enchantments and rune arrays on the stones are literally worth more than…" and here I stopped. Made my eyes widen as if I was realizing something life changing and put on my most terrified face.
"OH JESUS FUCKING CHRIST! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" I took a step back as if I was in shock. "Oh fuck! Oh fuck! WE ARE IN DANGER! WE ARE ALL IN DANGER! WE NEED TO LEAVE NOW!"
My sudden turn of demeanor shocked them frozen. I half turned to Potter and his group.
"You need to get out. NOW!" They were looking at me like deer in headlights. I didn't wait for them to move I suddenly thrust out with my left hand and made a pulling motion from the group towards the gap in the wall.
The group was violently jerked through the air outside the room where they tumbled and crashed with the Slytherin group.
"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Umbridge shouted and started to make a move with her wand towards me.
Before she could complete her flick I moved faster and grabbed the wand right out of her hand. She was shocked.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I'll have you arrest…"
"WHAT AM I DOING? What am I doing?" I shouted once again and then composed my-self. "Do you not realize what you've done?" I asked again.
"You've destroyed a wall of the Room of Requirement." I said splittingly. "You have put everyone in this castle in DANGER!" I say eye-poppingly.
"This room turns into what the user desires it to be. This room self-resize based on what a wizard needs. I've turned it into everything from a small change room to the size of the fucking Quiddich pitch!"
"And you destroyed a wall! A whole fucking wall that's holding the ancient enchantments and rune arrays! If they fail this dimensional pocket could return to its original size which we have no fucking idea what it is!" She almost made to speak but I didn't give her a chance and barreled right through.
The walls obviously didn't matter but she didn't know that. Overall spatial magic was complicated, done by professionals and anchored in runes to prevent surprises and I doubt anyone knew how the founders created this room especially since it was 'lost' for decades if not hundreds of years.
"The real size could be size of a broom closet which would mean that any second now literally mountains of old furniture, junk and other crap will come barreling out crushing us and everything else in its path as the elves have been using this place as storage for over one thousand years!"
The fast and loud movements of my mouth were unashamedly launching tiny yet not insignificant blobs of 'outraged' spit towards her face. 'Ha!'
"Or it's actually the size of the castle itself which means it will expand and violently explode everything in its path. Us, the castle, the grounds, everything." I said.
I could see that Hermione wanted to say something but then stopped her-self. Logically it made sense. Spatial charms for the most part were used to make things larger, bigger. They were also known to sometimes fail kicking everything out of the space and even injuring people. The Room of Requirement was leagues above 'normal' spatial magic.
It seemed even Umbridge was concerned now. I could see it in her eyes she was going through scenarios unsure what to do.
"We need to ACT now!" I didn't wait for her, my wand whipped in my right hand and with a wave a school of giant fish Patroni radiating bright warm light filled the hallway both calming and blinding the students.
Scene Break
Flipping the page over with a lazy wave of his fingers the Headmaster frowned once again as he read the rest of the article detailing how the most recent Winzengamot meeting had almost come to physical blows…again.
He wasn't Chief Warlock anymore so he could not preside over meetings one of Fudge's stooges did now. 'Cornelius, how paranoid have you become?' he thought. A longtime friend with a good working relationship that had soured when Dumbledore backed Harry on the claims that Voldemort returned.
Fudge had been under tremendous pressure after the world cup and tournament fiasco. 'Sympathizers' in the Ministry, high ranking as well, the betrayal of Crouch had stung not only him but everyone. Crouch had been respected a pillar of the community, he had sent his own son to Azkaban except now it turned out not to be true.
The current administration looked weak like they were losing control and the appearance of Peter Pettigrew only made things worse. 'Sirius, another one of my failures. I let you rot in there for fourteen years. We all thought the worst. We all wanted to blame someone. I should have pushed further once I had the power. Will he ever forgive me?' He asked himself.
So many people were looking for someone to blame and Sirius fit the 'bill', scion of the wealthy and dark family Black, ardent supporters of the Dark Lord. Belatrix's reputation alone overshadowed all else. 'My fault…traded the calm that followed for the price of one man's life.'
Fudge was able to divert blame to the previous administration as it rightfully was and scored some points that way but the problem was Sirius. Once the DMLE sorted out everything with the solicitors Sirius came out swinging.
'And boy did he swing!'
He had an axe to grind. He had been imprisoned in Azkaban taken from his friends, from Harry, while others like the Malfoys were free.
Accusations of corruption and incompetence were flying left right and center. He attended every meeting, every trial and drove harsh punishments to all caught. He was relentless, if there was even an inkling of suspicion that you were a sympathizer he would 'hound' you down.
The Black family was an 'Ancient and Noble House' and coupled with their very vast wealth meant that his voice was heard in the Wizengamot and beyond. People were listening and power was gathering.
This 'scorched earth' like approach made everything even more polarized. Every meeting was a dirty fight, every agenda point a battle field. Dumbledore didn't like it but he supported it nonetheless, publically. 'How could I not…after everything. I OWE it to him…to everyone.' That and the fact that Sirius was to an extent right, the Ministry did need a shake-up corruption and incompetence had seeped in once again.
Still he didn't want to replace Fudge, truly he did not. For all his faults Cornelius was 'malleable', he kept things running, moving along compromise was found under his administration. 'Maybe too much...' And the headmaster sighed.
Even so Cornelius was still a skilled politician and when backed in a corner would not go down without a fight. That's why he was now stuck with Umbridge as DADA and 'High Inquisitor.'
A way to discredit him as Headmaster. 'Too many incidents at Hogwarts.' Fudge was quoted as saying.
Cornelius was seeing Hogwarts as fostering rebellion against him. 'Ha!' he thought. 'Hogwarts is also giving you your biggest life-line. The irony.'
More specifically the Tri-Wizard champion Darrow Miercuri.
The boy's interviews and reports of the events were casting major doubt on whether the Dark Lord returned or not after all what was more logical a bunch of old sympathizers trying to kill Harry or Voldemort and nine hardcore death eaters losing a fight to two forth year students that weren't even using lethal spells.
Fudge had latched on to this and it was his most strongest and compelling argument. 'What kind of dark lord doesn't have his manhood?' 'These 'sympathizers' are nothing more than has-beens, dregs of society, supporters that felt wronged by us 'proper wizards.' 'Grudges against the ministry, 'passed' over for promotions, low-lives.'
Even after the attacks on their estate and businesses House Miercuri affirmed they did not believe it was Voldemort.
'Our security forces believe it was a hate motivated attack against our werewolf employees.' He remembered the quote of Nicholas Lemington the 'Manager' as he's known around the community.
'Rumors have it he's the one that convinced Mr. Miercuri to finance the cultural center.' Dumbledore mused for a moment. 'An excellent move to win support in both the traditionalist and progressive circles. Especially with Ms. Zinger leading the initiative. He brought the money and she brought the credibility.'
Dumbledore had already confirmed through his contacts that Nick was a werewolf. It wasn't hard the boy was registered and his papers were all up to date. It was easy to believe that it was coloring Nick's judgment on the attack.
It wasn't a small attack either four killed and three apprehended though injured. Two of the employees and two of the attackers. And it all so happened that all of the locations targeted were staffed by werewolves.
'More turmoil between the two communities.' He sighed.
The three were questioned under Veritaserum but nothing conclusive was found.
And then just a few months later as the New Year was starting the horrific scene in Diagon Alley. Almost a dozen crucified, ears, eyes, noses, tongues, ripped apart by dark curses never to be regrown or healed. Four of them died of their injuries.
And of course the cursed M carved in their chest a nasty piece of spell work, the survivors will be set upon by random fits of excruciating pain for the rest of their lives.
Rumors set out of who could have done it but for anyone with two brain cells knows that had been a warning sign a statement from house Miercuri.
Of course there was no conclusive evidence, whoever worked on the poor bastards was an expert, no pensive, no memory charm no skilled Legillimence was able to discern anything from their minds…what remained of them.
When Kingsley and Amelia tried to force the issue and get Mr. Miercuri in for questioning they were met with both internal resistance, an obvious sign that some were on the dole, and external.
If the solicitors weren't enough then the more than a dozen or so 'armed' werewolves that appeared when they approached his estate as more than enough to stall any forceful actions.
'Mr. Miercuri is currently unavailable. Any legal matters can be discussed with his lawyers at their office.' The werewolf manager's answer had been to the half dozen aurors that came with Amelia and Kingsley.
Then a few weeks later Voldemort breaks his old allies from Azkaban. That he should have seen coming, but they were all distracted by the Diagon Alley Crucification, and who could have foreseen the Dementors siding with the Dark Lord suddenly.
Albus couldn't help but shake his head.
'The fight was, getting dirtier, more brutal, Voldemort and now potentially another unknown variable to contend with.'
After Darrow's little speech he had tried to first read surface thought of the boy but as Snape reported he was more than proficient in Occlumency. His mind was closed and when he could glimpse thoughts he couldn't be sure they were the real ones.
He had to admit he had been tempted to bring him to his office and ruffle around in his mind but thought better of it. He did his research on the boy and his family. Aside from no one knowing where their vast wealth came from, wealth which they were extremely generous with, everything else was 'good and normal'.
Darrow was academically inclined with top marks, had a core group of friends in Ravenclaw and some in other houses even a few acquaintances in Slytherin. Muggleborns, half-bloods and purebloods he didn't care at all for blood lines and purity that much had been obvious from his speech. He was liked by most of the staff and elves, Snape not included. He was kind and helpful to younger students and respected by the older ones.
The only 'troubles' reported about Darrow had been just the usual shenanigans boys his age engaged in. Sneaking with his friends into the Astronomy tower and drinking 'Because it was a cool spot. No one would think about it.'
After hours 'parties' in empty classrooms, smoking and covering up with badly applied refreshing charms. Sneaking into the kitchens for midnight snacks.
Dumbledore couldn't help but roll his eyes. 'Teenagers…they all think they know better, that they're smarter, unique. Like we haven't seen it all!'
Things that as teachers eventually you had to turn a blind eye every now and then lest you find that you've put all your students in detention.
Everything about Darrow was 'normal'. 'As normal as can be for a Ravenclaw'. A powerful and competent Ravenclaw. 'Unnaturally powerful.' He thought.
Severus had reported that Voldemort had been injured…gravely. He spent most of the summer hidden, recovering only issuing orders through intermediaries.
It's why the argument of it not being the real Voldemort was so compelling. No one that young could be that powerful to not only best the Dark Lord but to injure him severely. He hadn't been and neither was Grindelwald.
He wished he had a better picture of what happened in the graveyard that night.
In a brilliant move Malfoy managed to declare that he was assaulted, knocked unconscious and thus being framed all before the Aurors came back from Hogwarts and in an even more brilliant political move he had McNair and Pettigrew declared insane and subsequently kissed so hard by the Dementors that they were nothing more than vegetables.
All he had were Harry's memories to go by which were mostly focused on Voldemort himself. He saw glimpses of Darrow fight the Deatheaters, well more like run around them, displaying the same athleticism shown against the dragon.
It was obvious the boy was trained which made sense since he was a dueling champion and that he was of a 'superior physical quality'. Aside from Quiddich, most wizards' idea of physical effort is walking to the Floo.
Darrow on the other hand regularly swam in the lake, worked-out outside and had been blessed with a strong body.
Darrow was strong in body and magic, that was obvious, the question was 'how powerful was he?'
'Did he best them or merely surprised them with his competence and physicality?' he asked himself. From Harry's view Darrow came into his vision as a blur and briskly stopped in front of Voldemort catching everyone off-guard then unleashed the lightning storm point blank.
He reviewed that memory again and again and still he could not place the magic used. It wasn't like the spells the Death Eaters or the Order used turning them in to smoky wisps of light and dark tendrils. No it was something different.
Darrow had simply moved fast, physically through space, faster than the eye could perceive.
The injuries and dismissal of Voldemort as being nothing but a low life copycat suggested that he wasn't a supporter and yet when he looked at all the factors combined there was just something that didn't quite add up.
'Maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe he truly doesn't believe that was the actual Voldemort…he was raised muggle…American muggle. His view might just be differ….'
Dumbledore was jolted out of his thoughts and bolted upright wand at the ready.
He felt magic…approaching.
'A strong desire of protection, happiness, of love and sacrifice. A patronus?'
Just as he finished his thought a giant white fish flew through the wall of his office and stopped in front of him mouth agape and eyes unblinking.
And then he heard a familiar voice.
"ATTENTION ALL STAFF AND PREFECTS! This is Prefect Darrow Miercuri. We have an emergency situation on the 7th floor. Headmaster Dumbledore and professors Babbling, Vector and Flitwick please report immediately to the 7th floor. All other staff and prefects please prepare students for imminent evacuation of the castle."
"I repeat: ATTENTION ALL STAFF AND PREFECTS! This is Prefect Darrow Miercuri. We have an emergency situation on the 7th floor. Headmaster Dumbledore and professors Babbling, Vector and Flitwick please report immediately to the 7th floor. All other staff and prefects please prepare students for imminent evacuation of the castle."
Dumbledore blinked once at the fish, took a deep breath. 'I'm not going to like this.' And disapparated.
Scene Break
He apparated in one of the classrooms near the stairs where the hallway began, he didn't want to risk doing it in the hallway and accidentally appear right into someone potentially killing them both.
He was glad for that decision as he opened the door to the classroom immediately a student bumped into him.
'A young Gryffindor boy.' The name was on the tip of his tongue and just as it came to he noticed the hurried commotion of the other students that seemingly froze once they realized he was there.
"Headmaster!" Came multiple shouts at once.
Next he saw something that was for sure going to bring him a prolonged headache for weeks to come.
Darrow was holding a pink wand sidewise in his left fist, hand extended in the direction of the opposite wall where his wand holding right hand was pointing, the end at which the DADA professor was held immobilized in the air.
Hi right hand was extended towards the collapsed wall of a very oversized classroom encasing the hole and the remaining wall and hallway in a milk white casing that he recognized as a very powerful version of the Protego shield charm.
Preempting everyone's babbling the headmaster took action.
"SILENCE!" he shouted decisively. No sonorous this time just raw authority. It was felt as all froze once more. He let the silence sit for a split moment then took charge.
"Cedric, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco remain. The rest of you back to your dorms and listen to instructions from the prefects. Dismissed!" He commanded leaving no room for discussion.
Both groups left but Filch remained.
"Headmaster! I demand that…" Umbridge never got to finish her sentence as with a wave of his hand Dumbledore took her voice and turned to the Prefect.
"Darrow you will put professor Umbridge down gently, right now!" he said and to his small relief Darrow did as instructed.
"Dolores you will get your voice back once I'm done. Now SIT" he said and a chair was conjured while an invisible force pushed the DADA teacher into it.
"Explain please." He said to the man of the hour.
As Darrow recanted the tale of how he came about to see the RoR wall was destroyed and what it could mean for Hogwarts Dumbledore felt an anger and annoyance surge within him he hadn't felt in years.
He was upset with Umbridge being here and destroying a wall of the RoR.
He was upset Darrow was technically right though practically wrong, after all he did not truly believe the founders would have not taken precautions against that. Though he couldn't prove that, not immediately at least.
He was upset Harry had formed a secret group, though he understood their feelings.
Hell, he was upset he had forgotten the location of the Room of Requirement in the first place.
For a quick second he really wanted to shout at them at all of them, it wouldn't be productive or useful outside of making him feel better, but better thoughts prevailed when he heard his name.
"Albus! What's going on here? Who is hurt? I came as fast as I could!" the headmaster turned around and saw the flustered nurse approaching them.
He sighed and responded.
"No Poppy, luckily no one is hurt, however young Darrow here has discovered a situation which may be the 'end' of us all." He said resigned. The nurse gasped and made to say something but Dumbledore beat her to it.
"I will explain once everyone else is here. They should all be on the way, I doubt any of the professors actually listened to Mr. Miercuri's instructions."
Just as he finished professor McGonagall and Babbling round the corner.
"Albus what's going on?" they both said.
The headmaster let out a deep breath.
'I feel the headache.'
Scene Break
I could tell the old man was at least somewhat annoyed. I felt it for a split second his real emotions surfaced a mistake…or did he do it on purposes knowing I could feel it.
By now he must have realized I'm training in Occlumency and Legilimency, Snape must have at least told him.
I still had my shield encompassing the wall for effect as I saw as the professors fill up the hallway.
Once Vector, Flitwick and Snape arrived the Headmaster succinctly and to the point explained the situation at hand.
McGonagall was shocked and outraged, Snape was giving me a dirty look while Vector was also shocked and frozen for a moment but to my surprise both Flitwick and Babbling immediately rushed inside the RoR asking me to drop my shield.
They both started to wave their wands in some intricate patterns all around the walls while chanting.
"Incantato Revelio"
"Incantato Magica Prima"
And everywhere their wands passed over lit up in colorful runes and enchantments. Professor Vector having recovered joined them inside and eventually so did Snape.
By now the rest of the staff appeared and the Headmaster was updating them on the situation.
I saw Flitwick stop and look all around the room then proceed to go to the center of it. There he raised his wand up and repeated a chant in a language I did not recognize three times.
As he finished the third time a powerful white light exploded from the tip of his wand in a transparent dome.
I couldn't help but be amazed. Everywhere the light of the dome passed the walls light up in intricate geometric patterns adorned by runes and shapes.
The professors inside stopped and we all looked all around amazed at the cascade of colours.
"It's beautiful." I heard Hermione whisper.
It was it really was. I couldn't deny that. This was some serious magic the founders had etched into the 'wall' of this self-contained space.
"Headmaster" Babbling started as she exited the room. "I'm afraid the complexity of the runes and shapes is beyond our ability to determine if it's safe or not right now. We need more time to study it." She said.
"The same with the enchantments, they are very complex and there are many I don't even recognize. I'm afraid Darrow is right. At least until we have some more time to study it. We need the ministry's help on this one."
Dumbledore looked at them for a moment and sighed. He pulled out his wand from his oversized sleeve and put the tip to his throat.
"ATTENTION ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS! THIS THE HEADMASTER SPEAKING." his voice reverberated in the hallway and beyond. This was more than a just a normal sonorous since it didn't feel like he was shouting but that his voice was simply amplified. The sound waves reaching your ear directly.
"PREPARE FOR ORDERLY EVACUATION OF THE CASTLE. PREFECTS ARE TO READY STUDENTS IN THE COMMON ROOMS. EVACUATION WILL COMMENCE ONCE HEADS OF HOUSES ARE THERE. ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE TO REPORT TO THE QUIDDICH PITCH."
He repeated the order three times and then briefly spoke with the teachers which immediately set off on their tasks.
As I was being shoed away by the headmaster I overheard the lingering conversation.
"Do you think this is truly necessary Albus? Surely the founders would have taken precautions against it."
"I sincerely hope not Poppy, otherwise a thousand years of history will be vanquished and us with it…very violently."
Scene Break
The following are headlines found in the various magical newspapers and publications following the evacuation of Hogwarts:
'DANGER AT HOGWARTS! NATIONAL MONUMENT DESTROYED! STUDENTS EVACUATED' by Clarke Parker.
'UNSPEAKABLES AT HOGWARTS! SCHOOL EVACUATED! PARENTS FURIOUS!' by Andrew Flemish.
'FOUNDERS ROOM DESTROYED! HEADMASTER AND HIGH INQUISITOR SUSPENDED!' by Rita Skeeter.
'TRIWIZARD CHAMPION & PREFECT DARROW MIERCURI SAVES STUDENTS! ACTS FAST EVACUATES SCHOOL' by Andrew Flemish.
'HEADMASTER AND DADA TEACHER SUSPENDED! PENDING INQUIRY' by Nigel Holdsten.
'FOUNDERS ROOM REGENERATING! MINISTRY DEEMS SCHOOL SAFE! STUDENTS TO RETURN IN A WEEK' by Clarke Parker.
'HIGH INQUISITOR FOUND USING ILLEGAL BLOOD QUILL. MINISTER FUDGE OUTRAGED!' by Rita Skeeter.
'GRIFFYNDORS TARGETED! PARENTS DEMAND ACTION!' by Andrew Flemish
'THE FOUNDER"S ROOM: A MYSTERIOUS NATIONAL MONUMENT!' by Nigel Holdsten.
'SIRIUS BLACK: "WE WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS ABUSE OF POWER!"' by Andrew Flemish
'MINISTRY INVESTIGATES HEADMASTER & HIGH INQUISITOR FOR CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE' by Rita Skeeter.
Scene Break
Year 7, Day 297: Harry Potter Universe, June 1996
We had just finished our OWLS and everyone in the school was in a joyous mood.
After the whole evacuation debacle, and me enjoying another 15-minutes of fame, school became quite boring, incredibly boring actually.
Umbridge had lost her career with everyone in the Ministry completely turning on her once it came out she not only used a Blood Quill but also destroyed the RoR, even after the room started recovering.
Sure house Miercuri influence and galleons might have had something to do with it but really Sirius was apoplectic when he found out about her hurting Harry.
She was lucky to escape imprisonment but overall she was basically persona non grata in any public circles. Decades of career advancement thrown away because she couldn't contain her impulses.
'Moronic if you ask me.'
Hooch took over DADA once again, fortunately the Ministry did not add back the practical component for OWLS so the focus was still on theory. Boring but reasonable, I'm pretty sure Hooch just kept the toad's teaching plan and for good reason, it wasn't that bad for theory only testing.
Unfortunately Fudge, along with his pureblood backers probably, managed to spin some of the blame on the Headmaster himself. The result of that was his indefinite suspension pending a criminal negligence and other charges investigation.
Say whatever you want about Fudge but the man was good at working the press and politicking his way around the Wizengamot. The reason the suspension was indefinite was mostly because they really had no conclusive evidence so the anti-Black faction in the Wizengamot and Ministry were just delaying and delaying procedures.
Sirius pretty much had to be physically restrained every single meeting he attended in the Wizengamot lest he and Malfoy have at it, which they did a couple of times. If I understand correctly no charges were ever brought forward simply because half the chamber would swear the other half started it.
'Polarization to the max!'
Now with school done normally I would be out of here pretty fast but, and by now I shouldn't be surprised by it, this universe really liked its storylines so a little winged silver haired bunny has brought a little pack of lions to ask for my help.
"So McGonagall told you to stay put while she looks into it but you want to rush to the Ministry anyway?" I paused for a moment. "And you've tried calling using the flood?" I asked the group.
"Yes! We did no one was answering. There is usually someone there!" Hermione spoke.
"Look mate, we don't have time to waste. Luna said you can help us, you have a magic carpet that can fit us all, yes? Can we borrow it? We'll take good care of it!" Ron said with a desperate tone in his voice.
I get why he's a bit shook. His dad did get attacked earlier in the year and he doesn't want the same thing to happen to Sirius.
"So you want to go there to get a prophecy about you and Voldemort and you think he kidnapped Sirius?" I asked turning to Harry.
"Yes!" he said and paused. "Darrow I know you don't believe it but it's really him and he will kill Sirius just to get back at me!" Harry continued in a pleading tone. "So please, I'm not asking you to come, just lend us the carpet. That's all."
I didn't say anything for a few moments, I just looked straight at Harry and then at Luna who was sporting a whimsical smile as if unaffected by the tense atmosphere. Not even Mandy and Terry said anything as they were waiting for my cue.
Potter of course got frustrated and he turned to Luna. "He won't help us. I told you this was a bad idea!" he said ruefully to her in an upset tone. "Come on this is a waste of time. Let's go we'll find another way." He said urging the group to move on.
"Wait!" I responded suddenly putting my hands up as if in surrender. "I'll help!"
"You are?" Ron asked a bit shocked.
"I am." I confirmed.
"First thing we need to do is-"
'SCLAP!'
I suddenly smacked my palms together into a loud clap distracting them then I threw my hands forwards spread out in spirit finger fashion.
"INCARCEROUS!"
Ropes shot out of my fingers tying each of the group and immobilizing them.
"Hey! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!"
"You Bastard let us GO!"
The various members shouted however their efforts were for naught.
"No they have Sirius! I have to get to him!" Harry was the loudest and the one struggling the most to break free.
With a wave of my hand I took their voices away and used my TK to stabilize the entire group so they wouldn't fall while struggling to get free and crack their skulls.
"Darrow…mate…what are you doing? What's the plan here?" Terry asked cautiously.
When Luna found us Terry, Mandy and I were in the hallway at the bottom of the Ravenclaw tower about to head up.
"First I'm going to tell them how stupid they are then we are going to their head of house so she can tell them how stupid they are."
I could see all of their mouths move in synchronicity as they tried to protest but no sounds came out.
"So, Potter you're an idiot. This is an obvious trap and you are putting your friends at risk. Think before you act or one day you will get someone killed and you will never forgive yourself!" I said strongly channeling my inner Snape.
His mouth started moving so I gave him his voice back.
"They have Sirius! They will kill him!" he said once more desperately.
I just rolled my eyes at him.
"Have you thought that maybe Sirius is out on business? He's a prominent member of society or have you forgotten that? Also why didn't you use your elf to track him down?"
At that he looked confused and so did the rest of the group.
"My elf?"
"Yes, your elf." I said and shouted. "Dobby! Where are you? Come on out, I know you're lurking somewhere around here!"
Not a moment later Dobby popped next to Harry his fingers in position to snap.
"You leave Master Harry alone!" The little elf said.
"Dobby!" Harry said.
I cut him off before he could continue taking his voice away again.
"Harry was about to go and get himself and his classmates killed so I don't think I will do that."
The little creature looked unsure.
"Look, Harry needs to go find Sirius Black and we can sort this mess really quickly. So I'm going to give you some help and you are going to find Sirius Black is that understood?"
The little creature was apprehensive but nodded.
"Good. Ropkey!" I shouted and instantly my elf popped in.
Unlike Dobby's shabby appearance Ropkey was in a majordomo outfit coupled with serving towel hanging on his arm.
Dobby couldn't stop staring at him. It wasn't only the outfit Ropkey was a full head taller than Dobby, sturdier looking with much softer features.
"Yes sir." He responded.
"Take Deely and Fooly and search for Sirius Black. Spread out between the Ministry, the solicitor offices and the Pubs in Diagon Alley. When you find him ask him to come to Hogwarts tell him his godson is about to do something incredibly stupid and get himself killed. Make sure you identify as my elf, understood?"
"Yes sir." He immediately popped out.
"Dobby you go check Grimmauld Place and tell him the same thing. In the meantime I will take Potter to professor McGonagall and keep him safe. Got it?"
The little creature took another apprehensive look at Harry and popped away.
"Now where were we?" I said turning back to the group.
"Hermione, you are supposed to be the smart one of the group yet you couldn't find another way to verify where Sirius was? Or at least stalled them until McGonagall was done?" I just shook my head at her.
"And you Ron! I'm the most disappointed in you!"
"Huh? Why me?" he asked confused after I gave his voice back.
"Because you have a brilliant mind but don't bother to use it. You're a natural at chess and strategic thinking yet you never seem to apply it."
"You were about to lead you're most valuable pieces right into a trap." Pointing to Harry and Hermione. "Even more than that you included you're little sister in this stupid adventure. What do you think your family and your brothers will think about that?"
The boy's face went as red as his hair.
"And speaking of your brothers" I continued. "Your little adventure is about retrieving a prophecy from the department of mysteries and you didn't even think about asking your older brother for help? He is under-secretary to the Ministry or I don't know your father who is a full director, has worked there for decades and has a ton of contacts in all departments?" I paused.
At that one everyone kind of looked at each other unsure what to say, it's as if the thought never crossed their minds.
I next turned to the odd one out in the group.
"Sue Li." I said. She was still Harry's girlfriend despite all the misguided efforts from Ginny. "You're a Ravenclaw you should know better. What were you thinking going along with this?" I finished giving her voice back.
To her credit the girl shrugged, tied up as she was and said in the most matter of fact tone of voice that I've ever heard "I couldn't help it, I'm deeply attracted to his cavalier ways."
We all just turned our heads towards her, Potter was beat red, I opened my mouth to say something but then just closed it.
'Fucking teenagers' I thought inwardly, I had nothing to retort, no snappy comeback.
I let out a deep sigh and decided to cut my losses.
"Terry, Mandy do you mind getting professor Flitwick to McGonagall's office as well. He'll need to be involved as well." The two nodded and quickly hurried away.
"Hopefully professor McGonagall will be able to get through to you." I said turning back to the group.
I silenced them again before they could protest and with a flick of my wand I levitated everyone behind me and started the march to the Acting Headmaster's office.
Even though I was sure I silenced everyone, unsurprisingly, Luna's soft sing-song voice found a way around it.
Her comment brought a small smile to my lips.
"I told you Darrow would help us solve our problem!"
I could feel the physical groans from everyone else.
AN:
Is this chapter mostly trolling? Yes it is.
Initially I thought of casually just dropping Umbridge in a volcano however then I started to think what would she hate the most and I realized it's her career and being ostracized. Fudge and no one on the dark side is able to protect her. Decades of work down the drain.
Thank you for reading.