Thankfully I was on the turret playing chess with my brother when the owl's arrived. One was of the Ministries fast courier, a Hogwart's special messenger, a tiny owl that kept buzzing around us like a hummingbird, and about that point the Daily Prophet owl showed.

"Wha'd ya da this tim?'" Michael intoned.

"Loseth thy brogue or I shalt smite thee upon yon field of honor with the wit of thine tongue!" I quipped back. I caught the little owl the way I would a snitch, managed to get owl treats for the lot. Michael helped me get the barrage of mail and the paper.

Older by less then a year, the joking covered an unspoken fear that this barrage may mean a return to full duty for me against Voldemort or his supporters. One by one the owl's flew off the littlest one after a few happy hoots. You'd almost think it'd never delivered a letter this far out before.

"Your move still." I indicated the chessboard, collected the letters and sat down scanning the front headlines for anything of importance. Nothing jumped out as having caused this much mail to arrive at once.

I scanned all the letters, none of them seemed urgent- except in that all the meetings were less then a week away.

Ministry OWL - asking for curriculum for review to be sure it's up to ministry standards. Meeting Aug. 3 to review before start of term.

Hogwarts OWL – informing all instructors of new DADA teacher assignment; who and why, meeting Aug. 2 for brunch.

OTP – After a dementor attack H to be removed from Surry. Come to HQ 8021600.

"Shit."
Why did Dumbledore hire THAT woman? I wandered down to the Parlor where Grams and Katie were. They looked up at my abrupt arrival.

"Gram, I think I will need the full re-outfitting this year. Robes 'befitting the station,' spells or charms to do makeup and hair at a moments notice, the full kit including tea robes, and the latest flight and dueling gear. Not to mention a full review of High Wizarding Ettiquette; the walk, the talk, the table manners- you're correct. I've gotten lax."

She gave her patented "I-told-you-so-grin."

Note- the next scene happens soon after the decree that gave Umbridge the power to go review the instructors. Lori felt that Umbridge would try to use this as an excuse to pry into her affairs at the Ministry, or worse- fire her from Hogwarts as being unnecessary staff. After hearing how the reviews were going, and how disruptive they were to the general classes- Lori decided to quietly go on the offensive, and invited Umbridge to a 'pre-review' interview. After all, it's best to keep your friends close, and your enemies guessing.

The spirit of this exchange is a verbal ping-pong of question and misdirection. I'm still working on making all the answers more short and concise, and adding details where needed- like in a work-interview setting. Lori also chose the stage and window dressing carefully. The letter invited Umbridge to interview her, but the setting of the interview was not to be over a desk, but over a Lady's High Tea.

Umbridge arrived at my office precisely on schedule.

My outer office is a mix of professional and casual setting with the required desk, files, shelves, and a few art paintings- though I preferred the light and scenery of the Hogwarts grounds and castle.

I answered the door wearing a hostess-style tea robe over loose pants and tunic. After all, I invited her for an informal interview before my formal review in a few weeks. I prefer to take the high ground in any confrontation; which is why I invited her to my office rather then meet her in the Solarium.

She was again wearing the pink cardigan against the slight chill in the air. At least she wasn't wearing any bows in her hair today.

I've been able to fully review her file these past few weeks she's been here- and have full reassurance of my department that mine has remained closed to her. Only the fact that Fudge has complete tunnel vision at this point has allowed her to rise in influence as far in the ministry as she has. Old Crouch must be spinning in his grave like an express carriage axel to see an under-secretary gain the authority once reserved for his elite Aurors. But in her personality profile, it clearly stated that Dolorus Umbridge loved intregue. If I can't use that to my advantage, I've no business saying I'm a Ravenclaw.

I open the door and rather then lead her to my desk I gesture her to the sofa, chair, and low table that I have set in the fireplace corner. We exchange a few pleasantries about work at Hogwarts, when there's a quiet knock at the door. Umbridge looked unpleased.

"I wasn't expecting you'd tolerate interruptions at your own interview."

"Proper courtesy is never an interruption. I placed a request at the castle for a full tea tray for us, many apologies that it arrived late."

Two of the house elves, one wearing clothes- made their careful way in with the tea tray. They were also precisely on time per my request. They placed the tray carefully and exited with little bows. I poured the tea with decorum, offering Umbridge her cup and saucer and the first choice of the biscotti.

"So, then. To Business." She said with that odd clearing of her throat. "I was rather surprised to discover the invitation from you. The other instructors seemed rather put out that I'd be observing their classes. Won't this make you unpopular with them at the castle?"

"Times change. Everyone around here has been accustomed to the traditional non-interference role the ministry has played here at Hogwarts." I say without vocal inflection.

"Yes indeedy times change." She nodded emphatically. "And you are prepared to change with them?" She's using that grating girly voice again.

"I don't perceive much change in my routine at all, actually. I have always complied with a ministry standard in my courses- and I'm here at the bequest of the Ministry after all." Her eyebrows rose into her hairline. I stand gracefully, take the carefully prepared stack of files from my desk, and sit down again.

"Here are the ministry guidelines as they were sent to me this past July after my yearly review in June. Here is the course curriculum as I have planned for all the students under my care this year. In the second file, I've included the progress reports I've been turning into Madame Hooch on the students I've been tutoring, and the semesters full course schedule and year's goals for these individuals. The third file shows chronologically how each of the current year's classes has progressed compared to the lesson plans in the past. If you desire to see how my previous classes compare over the years I can and will produce those files for you upon request. More tea?" She held her cup out to me for refilling.

"Only a semester's worth? Not prepared for this as fully as you intended?" She smiled at me like I was a naughty three-year-old. I leaned forward slightly, placing my cup down, folded my hands, and changed my posture to one of conversation as well as implied authority.

"Fully prepared. The individual cases are a mix of a wide range of talents, as you will read. Students such as Nevelle Longbottom who nearly failed his first year flying course and students such as Draco Malfoy who's parents have asked me to aid him in the direction of advanced training as a seeker for his school quidditch team. One-on-one tutoring plans need to be tailored each week to mark the students progress, for that may be slower then anticipated or faster then expected. I'm prepared to be flexible so each individual receives the full instruction they need." Umbridge seemed a little non-pulsed at my matter of fact attitude. She chose to change the subject.

"You have an office and living quarters here at Hogwarts, but I only see you listed as staff, not as a full professor. Are you employed here full-time?" I think she's trying to catch me in a word trap.

"I'm a full staff member who, like Rubias Hagrid, have other duties to the school. In my case I'm also the one in charge of broom maintenance and repair. This job carries me through the summer when I'm not out on other Ministry business, bringing my hours here up to full-time. And I have been known to teach extra-curricular workshops on proper broom history, care, and maintenance during the school term."

"So you're not married, no family, no children?"

"As many a strong-willed and career-orientated, independent, witch is, no. But no teacher is ever truly childless." I allowed a hint of false emotion to creep into my voice. Her eyes narrowed, as if she just found a weapon to use against me. Foolish.

Time to parry words and strike back while she's least expecting it. Her next question gave me the opening I needed. I have no clearance to reveal everything, just enough for her to fill in the rest, and of course- "proper" papers.

"And you keep the brooms up to the Ministry Standards?"

"I should hope so! Like Madame Hooch, I'm also a member of the Ministry Sports and Games division."

"I tried to learn more of your background, but your records were sealed even to the Head Minister. All we could learn was you were placed here as a Ministry agent some time ago." Suspicion. This is not good. The Order can't afford to have them suspecting me of anything.

"I've clearance from my Superiors to say very little. You might remember- you were at the meeting right after Bagman was accused and acquitted of being a Death-Eater; it was well known that the children of the known and suspected death eaters would eventually come to Hogwarts or be sent over to Durmstrang. The Ministry wanted an agent to be invisible here when that happened." Time to seed truth with liberal facts.

"I also have been keeping tabs on the various teachers movements to be sure none were actively plotting or turning the students against the Ministry. There has been no suspicious activity until this past year's Tri-Wizard tournament aside from various faculty appointments." She began to look quite satisfied. Completely missing that she herself has done more in two months to turn the students against the ministry then any thing since the dark lord was around the last time.

It's sickening to me. They went to all the work to place me here, and dictated my actions for all these years to ensure an early warning, and ignore everything that's been placed in front of them these past 4 months. Now they send Umbridge to Hogwarts as my equal, making my job even harder then it already is.

"And may I have access to those reports?"

"The reports I've been given clearance to share, yes. Please, understand I can't release the rest without further Ministry authorization. However if you go to the Ministry for that clearance, might I suggest read the originals that are on file there? Up until now, I've been ordered to maintain the tradition of non-interference. I'm to give this scroll to you. My position here for the Ministry is to remain top-secret and non-interfered with. With two of us here, they feel we will see twice as much- provided the students don't suspect what I am." I don't mention my written disagreement on file regarding this.

She looked over the scroll, and it's seal. She looked back at me- again suspicious.

"And how do I know you won't interfere with me or undermine my authority?" I want to retort 'The way you're starting to do with mine you mean?' But I school my expression and posture into one to mark me, briefly, as her equal.

"We're both smart enough to know that would be a waste of our time -as we begin at an impasse. If I'm fired, I lose my cover story for being here. I'd be out of a job, living quarters, and facing a departmental inquiry for blowing a 14-year investigation. I'm undercover here, Madame Umbridge. However, it balances out. If that cover is blown, you will also be facing an Inquiry of the Highest Tribunal." She flinched, but sipped her tea thoughtfully.

The Tribunal is the panel that has the authority to throw the book, even at the wizards of the Wizengammot. I poured more tea into my cup with a generous dollup of the lighty flavored cream and stirred quietly easing back into more of an interviewee posture.

"So you teach defensive flying. What does that entail?"

"Learning to handle a broom under nearly any weather condition or turbulence, how to reckon distance and direction at heights, fly undetected by muggles, and avoid mid-air broom collisions in high traffic areas."

"Is all that really necessary?" She sounded like they had already decided it was not, and was just waiting for the review to get rid of me.

"For some wizards, the broomstick is the only form of transportation they can or will ever use. I also teach both remedial flying, as well as co-instruct the advanced groups. If any student approaches me about improving or learning quidditch skills, I teach them in either a workshop, non-competitive team environment, or as individuals. Madame Hooch as referee and primary flying instructor can't without risk of accusations of favoritism during the games. In the past for students taking the N.E.W.T. for admission for Ministry Law Enforcement, I've also worked with the defense against the dark arts teachers to set up a type of obstacle course to practice on like they'll encounter in basic training their first year." She writes something down on her scratch pad.

"How well do you get along with Professor Dumbledore? I hear he plays favorites, especially with Harry Potter. Mr. Potter ever take your classes?" It's becoming increasingly obvious why this woman was never allowed to interview suspects.

"I've always perceived that the Headmaster runs the school with efficiency and a care to his students and faculty. Harry Potter is a competent quidditch player who has uncanny luck. Personally I prefer players like recent graduate Oliver Wood who rely more on skill." I speak as dismissively as I can of both of them. Which seemed to disappoint her.

"Well, I will thoroughly review your files and see how you measure up to the new ministry standards after my observation. But I will be unavailable for restructuring that N.E.W.T. class. I'll also have to take your proposal for that to Fudge to see if it meets with his ministry standards." I smile, shake her ham-like, clammy hands as a way of acknowledgement, and lead her past the broom display to the door. I don't repeat that my classes, all of them, have been under the Ministry approval since I came here.

It's galling actually. There's so much more I could do if it wasn't for that.

I hear an expected tap at the door. Madame Hooch comes in, wearing a faint smile handed me back the extendable-ear I'd loaned her. "Well, you played that on a bit thick- don't you agree? We'll be shoveling all that manure out of here for a week! 'Would you like some tea?' Indeed!"

I pour her a cup and hand it too her with her usual two lumps. "'Top-secret job' a thestrals arse. You were straight up front with the lot of us from the beginning. And anyone who can read the Charter knows the flight classes and quidditch have been regulated since the founding of the house teams! Out a job and living space? Make that two weeks of shoveling, Finnagan!"