Chapter nine

Harry wanted to stay with Charlie, but thought this was the last time he would ride the Hogwarts express with his friends. So Charlie kissed Harry goodbye, then apparated to the gates of Hogwarts. Harry sighed, shrunk his trunk, stepped outside his home, sealed it, then apparated to platform nine and three quarters. It wasn't long before his friends started to turn up, so they all stood together, talking excitedly while they waited for the large red train. They saw reporters and photographers who kept trying to get closer to Harry, but his friends kept him between them and like always no one answered any questions. Once on board, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna got a compartment together before all of them noticed Harry relax.

'I should have realised they would be here, I just didn't think.'

'Don't worry about it Harry, we're on our way to Hogwarts without any threat of death eaters or Voldemort. So let's finally have a normal year at Hogwarts,' Ginny said.

'Good idea Ginny, let's hope we can.'

The friends talked, got visited by other friends, bought stuff from the lady with the cart and even got nodded and smiles from the few Slytherin's that passed their compartment. They all knew that these Slytherin's weren't like the others and they were at least trying to put the past behind them. When it got close to Hogwarts, everyone put their school robes on, collected their belongings and made their way to the door and onto the platform where they saw Hagrid calling all the first years. Everyone stood staring at them because there were more first years then they had ever seen. Then there was surprised gasps as students got a first look at the thestrals. So many people had witnessed death that now they were like the ones that had been able to see them. Harry and Luna each gave a thestral a pat before climbing into the carriage. They make their way up the road and through the gates of Hogwarts, everyone but Harry smiled seeing the castle all repaired. Harry was gazing towards the forbidden forest. Hermione and Ron both notice Harry and realise that he was remembering that night, the night he walked into the forest to die.

When they got to the castle, the climbed out and made their way inside. Harry instantly looks towards the staff table and spots Charlie smiling at him, finally Harry smiles back and relaxes. But noticed that Charlie frowned, so Harry shrugs, before sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table exactly where he told Kreacher he would be sitting.

'There's a few more teachers, some we don't recognise, but one we do,' Hermione said.

Harry glances again at the staff table, 'Hestia, she must be helping out as well,' Harry looks at all the new staff members but spots one that is gazing at him, but to Harry the look on her face is full of disdain, she hates him, that's the only way Harry could describe it. It was like first year all over again with Snape, the way he looked at Harry was like the look this woman was given him right now and it made him feel very uneasy.

'That's strange,' Hermione said as she leans towards Harry, 'Did you notice the way she looked at you Harry?'

'Yeah, I did, it reminded me of the first time Snape looked at me,' Harry couldn't help the uneasy feeling that had settled in his stomach. He carefully and making sure no one saw what he was doing, pulled the Marauders map out of his pocket, tapped it, said the words then again carefully opened it under the table. He looked at all the names of the people sitting at the staff table, one named popped out, a name that should not be there. Harry quickly taps the map again, sticks the map in his pocket then glances at Charlie with a worried expression. But before anything could be done, the first years are brought in, so Harry knew he has to wait. But he has a feeling that Charlie understands something is wrong, so he gives Harry a nod but he was also looking concerned.

Once the first years are sorted, Harry sees Charlie speak with McGonagall before heading towards him. But he leans close to Harry to make it look like he was going to kiss him.

'What's wrong?' Charlie whispers.

'We need to speak with McGonagall as soon as we can. Do you think you can get her to make an excuse to everyone else so none of the other staff get suspicious?'

'Sure, but why?'

'Someone that is sitting up there is not who they really are. I'll explain later, but the woman with the dark hair, don't turn your back on her. Tell McGonagall she's must be using polyjuice potion. She probably had no idea I own a map of Hogwarts.'

'Tell me who it is Harry?'

Harry lowered his voice as he moved even closer to Charlie then whispered so only he would hear. 'Umbridge.'

Charlie sucked in a sharp breath, nodded, then kissed Harry to make it look like they weren't up to anything. He made sure it was a passionate kiss and Harry realised what Charlie was doing, so he wrapped his arms around Charlie while they kissed, not taking any notice of the suggestive remarks and whistles going on around the great hall. They broke the kiss, Charlie looked intensely at Harry before heading back to the staff table. He gave Minerva a look before taking his seat, then talked happily and normally to Hagrid who was beside him.

After the meals and speech from McGonagall, all the prefects led the first years out of the great hall. The heads of house took the eighth years to their houses, with McGonagall leading the Gryffindor's to their house. After showing them their rooms, she glanced around then stepped in.

'You will find your names on the rooms you will be using, Charlie, you and Harry follow me,' Minerva walked through another door, waited for Charlie and Harry before closing and casting a charm to sound proof the room ready to hear what was going on and on the very first night. Everyone had hoped that this year the students could finally have a year with no danger, but it seemed that wasn't going to happen.

'What is it Harry?'

'Umbridge is here,' Harry took the map out and activated it again, 'The one you introduced as Professor Smith, it said Dolores Umbridge,' Harry showed professor McGonagall the map.

'She passed every test and interview that Kingsley did on all the new staff.'

'Even though I would like her taken away right now, if we wait, we might find out what she's up to Minerva.' Charlie said.

Minerva stared at Charlie then at Harry, 'I know that makes sense, but I couldn't trust her not to hurt the children like she did before.'

'She wouldn't give herself away like that, not if she's gone to all this trouble to get here. It might be the only way to find out her plans and she has no idea about this map so we've got a good way at keeping an eye on her. I could make you a copy so you can keep an eye on her and we'll have this one.'

'Even though I don't want her anywhere near Harry, he makes sense Minerva. You said that they had no idea what she was planning. If you get the aurors here to take her, she won't talk and we'll never find out,' Charlie put his arm around Harry, pulling him close.

'I'll seal my office and speak with Kingsley, see what he thinks is the best idea. He is still an auror, he knows there are still supporters in the ministry, so we can't trust anyone else, but Kingsley we can.'

'The staff or most of them we know Professor, they are trustworthy, but I think this should be kept to a minimum of people. Maybe Hestia should be told as she was an order member. Ron and Hermione of course, Neville, but that's it.'

'Let me talk to Kingsley, then I'll speak with Charlie in the morning at breakfast. He can pass the information onto you without anyone getting suspicious. But I agree, keep it just between us for now. We can't let her know we know it's her. I better go, just in case she's wandering around, she will want to know why I've taken so long in here.'

Harry put the map on the table, closed his eyes, then tapped it with his wand, then moved it to a blank section of the table, tapped it again and a perfect replica of the Marauders map appeared.

'Let me check that it works the same way,' Harry tapped the map, 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,' the map revealed itself, he tapped it again, 'Mischief managed,' the map disappeared to show worn parchment.

'Mischief, your father used that term quite a lot Harry.'

'Well, Remus told me he did invent the map,' Harry handed her a copy, 'She will have no idea as long as you keep it consealed. If she tries to reveal what it is, it will insult her. Snape did it to me once, he kept trying every spell to find out what it was.'

'What did it say to Severus?' Minerva asked but with humour in her voice.

'Okay, I was thirteen, so he still was intimidating, then the map starts showing words. First is insults, like wash that greasy hair, or keep that big nose out of other people's business. All four of the Marauders had insults. Snape was glaring at me and just when I thought I was in for it, Remus turned up and took me to his office.'

'Poor Severus, I could imagine how he looked. He did know your father and godfather's nicknames, so he knew who was insulting him. Alright, keep your eyes and ears open, I will let you know,' Minerva hurried from the room and within minutes, Hermione and Ron hurried inside.

'Okay, tell us,' Ron said.

'I'll show you,' Harry pointed at the map.

Hermione and Ron bent lower, 'Umbridge, that bitch, how did she get in here?' Ron shouted.

'Ron, shhhh,' Hermione scolded, 'What's professor McGonagall going to do?'

'Charlie suggests nothing, so we can see what she's planning. Professor McGonagall is going to speak with Kingsley, get his opinion. But only us, Hestia, Kingsley, McGonagall and Neville can know it's her but we can't let on. We have to act nice, like she's a good teacher because she's not going to give herself away by acting like she used to. Even though she did glare at me, I think it was just because I looked directly at her.'

'Are you sure you want to take the risk Harry, it's bound to be you she wants?' Ron said.

'I know, but if she gets arrested then she won't talk and we'll never find out if others are involved and who they are. If we play along, then we might find out. I made McGonagall a copy of the map, she's going to keep an eye on her. But it's late, we should all get some sleep, so when you can a chance tomorrow can you let Neville know what's going on?'

'Alright, but please don't do anything rash Harry,' Hermione hugs him.

'I'm not planning on it, so stop worrying.'

After saying goodnight to his friend, Harry turns to Charlie who is watching him intensely. 'I'll be fine babe.'

'You better be, we've only been married for two weeks. Let's have a shower and get into bed.'

'Yeah, good idea. But Charlie, if she does want me, then you could be a target as well. Everyone knows were married now, she saw you kiss me. You will be alone with her at certain times, like in the staff room. You have to keep an eye on her.'

'Harry, don't worry about me, I can look after myself. Now come on,' Charlie takes Harry's hand and leads him into the bathroom where they strip off and climbed under the warm water. But even with the threat of danger, the threat of Umbridge and what she was planning, Harry and Charlie's hands started to wander until they were holding each other and their lips joined. Nothing was going to stop them making love because they both knew that this could be dangerous which meant either of them could end up hurt, if not worse. So even though they both didn't say anything, both were thinking about the possibility that the other could die. They would do anything to make sure that never happened, but as they knew from experience, anything was possible, including death. They knew they had surprise on their side, especially in regards to what Harry can do.

No matter how tired Harry was, even with how exhausted he was from their love making, Harry couldn't fall asleep. He made Charlie believe he went to sleep just so he wouldn't worry. The moment Charlie was deeply asleep, Harry got up, using his map and cloak and went up to McGonagall's office and over to the portrait of Albus Dumbledore.

'Professor, please wake up, I need to talk to you,' Harry whispered as he kept glancing towards the door that leads to the McGonagall's private rooms.

'Harry, it's the middle of the night, what are you doing here?'

'Umbridge is here, she's used polyjuice potion to get in. McGonagall doesn't know how she passed all the test Kingsley put her through. But I'm scared Professor, remember what I told you about Sirius and he died not long after.'

'Yes, you told him you loved him.'

'I admitted to Charlie I loved him, we got bonded two weeks ago, now he could die, I said the words. I always knew love and death go together. I was thinking about leaving him to keep him safe, but that wouldn't work. He'd be more concerned about me and why I left than keeping an eye on her. What can I do to keep him safe?'

'What has Minerva planned for that woman?'

'She was going to talk to Kingsley, then tell Charlie in the morning so he could fill me in without it being suspicious. Everyone knows we're bonded.'

'I think they should take her away instantly Harry, she's not to be trusted.'

'But if that happens we won't find out what she's up to and who else might be involved. Charlie suggested we leave her for now, keep an eye on her. I gave McGonagall a copy of the map. But I'm scared Dumbledore, it's not like Voldemort. I knew what he wanted, her I don't.'

'Someone must have helped her pass those tests. Someone aided her entry into Hogwarts, whether that is someone here or outside the school.'

'It had to be outside, she passed those tests, somehow. I thought I would get one year where something didn't happen.'

'Listen to me Harry, I might have a solution to ease your worries about Charlie. But you, Charlie, Minerva and probably Ron and Hermione will need to play your parts well, so well that even Ginny or your friends do not realise this is not real,' Albus Dumbledore explained his idea, as Harry listened he's body seemed to relax because this just might work. Then Dumbledore explained which books to take from the office and which spells he would need. He thanked Dumbledore even though he was only a portrait, then hurried back to his room and hoped Charlie never realised he had been missing for the last hour.