Title: Harry Potter and the Staff of Merlin
Author: Legolas-gurl88
Disclaimer: Although I wish I were, I am not J.K. Rowling, nor do I own any Harry Potter related things.
Author Note: I'm back! Thanks for waiting for me, guys! I know it will probably say that I posted on the 15th, but for a while now, it's taken nearly 24 hours for it to show up, so I just want to be prepared! But I hope cures soon!
Story time!
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11. Nightmares in Reality
The next day Harry woke up with his scar burning (probably from Occlumency the night before, he thought) and went down to the Dormitory to find Ron sitting at a table, mumbling to himself as he stared at the miniature Quidditch Stadium, watching the figures flying around. Harry walked up to him and saw that he was watching the Quidditch Tryouts from the day before. It was quite humorous to Harry, when his miniature self pulled a spectacular save and Mark Evans cursed loudly in the gerbil-sounding voice.
"Morning," Harry said, taking a seat in the chair next to Ron.
"Morning," replied Ron distractedly. He was gazing at the miniature with his mouth slightly open. Harry gazed around the Common Room. There were a few students sitting around, but most everyone else was either sleeping or eating breakfast in the Great Hall.
"Have you decided who the new Chasers will be, then?" Harry asked.
"No. You'd make an excellent Keeper though," Ron said, watching as Harry blocked another Quaffle, thrown by Dennis Creevy.
"I think I'll stay as Seeker." Harry grinned. Ron grinned too, not taking his eyes of the miniature.
"Merlin knows we need you as Seeker." answered Ron, "You didn't see the blokes that tried out for Seeker last year. Hey, I'm having a problem." Ron said.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Will it seem like favoritism if I let Ginny on the team? She's one of the best players, but she's also… you know… my sister."
"Well, you want the best players, don't you? And if she is one, it won't seem like favoritism, will it?" Harry answered.
"Right," Ron said. "Oh, and when did McGonagall say you were supposed to come around her classroom."
"Why would I?" Harry asked.
"Hello?" Ron said, waving a hand in front of Harry's face, "Auror Lessons? How could you forget?"
"Oh. Well, I've got a lot going on… it's easy to forget."
"It's easy to forget that McGonagall, who loathes favoritism, is giving you lessons to help you on your way to being an Auror? How could you forget something as important as that?"
"I'm going down to breakfast. You coming?" said Harry, standing up and ignoring Ron's statement.
"Nah. I've got to decide who the Chasers will be." Ron said.
So Harry went to breakfast alone as Hermione was not to be seen. Harry figured she was at the Library consulting a book. When he reached the Great Hall, McGonagall walked past him casually and muttered, "Nine o'clock, then, Potter, in my classroom."
"Right." Harry mumbled back. He ate a hurried breakfast and headed back to the Common Room to watch Ron replay the Chaser tryouts over and over. Hermione showed up around three o'clock.
"Where've you been all day?" Harry asked as she sat down across from him and Ron. She looked tired, but pleased.
"Oh, no reason." she said innocently. "Homework, you know."
"It's only the first week back!" Ron said, looking up at her.
"Just because you didn't get homework doesn't mean that I didn't." Hermione said, stiffly.
"Oh, sorry. I guess it doesn't mean anything to you that you've had all the classes we've had and every time you went to Ancient Runes, you've come back saying 'no homework!' like the end of the world was approaching. And you finished all the homework we were given. What were you doing in the Library for eight hours?"
"It's no business of yours." snapped Hermione.
"Come on… tell us!" Ron persisted.
"When're you going to Auror Lessons, Harry?" asked Hermione quickly.
"Nine o'clock." Harry answered.
"Hermione--"
"Oh Ron, drop it."
"But--"
"Drop it." Hermione and Harry said together.
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At nine o'clock, Harry walked to McGonagall's classroom and knocked.
"In," he heard her say. He put his hand on the doorknob and turned it. When he walked in, he gasped. Her room was no longer full of desks and books; they had all disappeared-- and had been replaced by dozens of strange objects.
"Good evening, Potter," McGonagall said, walking up to Harry.
"How did-- how did you-- get all of this… in here?" Harry asked her, amazed.
"Well, I thought, seeing as you have been sitting through my Transfiguration Classes for nearly six years, you would know by now that I have Transfigured them." McGonagall said, her mouth thinning. "Now, once you are finished asking ridiculous questions, Mr. Potter, I believe we should begin."
She pulled out her wand and pointed it at the blackboard, which was still hanging on the wall. Tiny figures and symbols appeared.
"Today, we shall not focus on spells and such, but more of the theory. Now, sit, Potter, and I would ask you to not disturb me as I speak."
Harry slid into his chair, and rested his head on his hand. As was Professor McGonagall's way, never start with spells, but with the difficult theories that were almost impossible to understand, and leave the interesting things for later, when the students have turned into zombies…
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Monday.
Students first gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast, complaining, as usual, about the early hours and some looking eagerly at the air for the owls.
Then, the first class of the morning, Care of Magical Creatures. And before he knew it, Harry was standing in front of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, talking about different spells that they would be learning, that had helped him throughout his encounters with Voldemort.
"So, the spells you'll be learning will be the Disarming Spell, which I know a lot of you know already," Harry said, "and a few others, like--"
The door to the classroom slammed open. Harry jumped as well as a few of the students. Harry looked over at the doorway and saw Professor McGonagall.
"Come along, Potter," she said.
"What for?" Harry asked, bewildered. Several of the students gazed at each other, just as confused as Harry.
"Matters that are not to be discussed here, Potter. If you would kindly set your pupils to work and follow me, you can return as soon as possible. Leave your things."
"Er-- alright…" Harry said, turning to the bemused class, "Sorry, but open the books and read anything you want in it." he said. Everyone laughed. Harry followed McGonagall out the door and it closed.
"What is it, Professor?" Harry asked as they walked.
"The Headmaster would like a word with you." McGonagall said.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"You shall see," McGonagall said stiffly, as though she wished Harry didn't have to see the Headmaster. The reason for her behavior was apparent when Harry stepped into Dumbledore's office. At first, he thought he had walked in on a nightmare. Then, he felt sick to his stomach and wanted more than anything to turn and run as far from the office as he could.
Dumbledore sat at his desk, looking calmly angry, his hands folded. Next to him, stood the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, in his pinstriped cloak and bowler hat and looking somewhat perplexed. And next to Fudge, stood the one person Harry hated more than anyone else… she stood there, squat as ever, her large, toad-like face glaring at Harry in a sweet manner--
Dolores Umbridge.
"You?" Harry gasped surprised. Umbridge's face stretched into a froglike smile.
"Now, is that the way to greet you betters, Mr. Potter?" she asked in the poisoned honey tone that Harry had grown to hate.
"Have a seat, Harry." Dumbledore said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
"What's going on?"
"Might I say?" Fudge cut in. He looked confused about something, but seemed to have overcome it. "It has come to my attention that you, Potter, are now teaching at this school."
"Yes." Harry said.
"By orders from Dumbledore?"
"He offered me the job." Harry said.
"And why did you take it?" Fudge asked.
"I didn't think it would hurt to try something new." Harry said quickly, looking at Dumbledore.
"Did you know that by law, underage wizards are not allowed to teach as a professor?" Fudge continued.
"No." Harry said.
"What have you been teaching?" Umbridge asked sweetly.
"Erm-- things." Harry answered.
"Be specific, Mr. Potter."
"I think it doesn't matter what Harry is teaching his pupils as long as they are learning." Dumbledore said.
"He could be teaching them Dark Arts!" Fudge said.
"Or how to defend themselves from Dark Arts, hence, the name of the class." Dumbledore continued.
"I am Minister of Magic and I say, it is against the law!" Fudge said, "And I order you…" Fudge trailed off and gazed at Harry oddly. McGonagall raised an eyebrow from the spot she had taken behind Dumbledore.
"Yes." Umbridge said, breaking the silence. "I'm sure what Cornelius-- I mean… the Minister-- was trying to say was that Mr. Potter here is much to young to be teaching students in any class, be it Defense Against the Dark Arts or Herbology. And also that the Minister, here, wishes that he were replaced immediately."
"If you wish Harry's removal from the front of the class, so be it." Dumbledore said, "My other Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss. Delacour-- or Weasley, as she is now known as-- will be happy to take the post."
"That will not do at all!" Umbridge said.
"And why not?" McGonagall said indignantly.
"I've been looking up her history and she is a half-breed!" Umbridge said, pulling out papers from the inside of her robes.
"She's a Veela!" Harry said angrily, "And you're going to fire her for being that?"
"Correction, Mr. Potter. Half Veela! And I would advise you to not interrupt in matters that do not concern you."
"This concerns him a great deal as you are so prone to kicking him out of his jobs!" McGonagall said.
"Enough, Minerva." Dumbledore said. "Half Veela, how, may I ask, Dolores?"
"I'm glad you asked, Dumbledore!" Umbridge said, smiling, yet looking rather angry about it. "Hem hem. You see, her grandmother was a Veela as was her mother, but her mother fell in love with a French wizard by the name of Paris Delacour. They married and had two children together." Umbridge said.
"Fascinating as Miss. Delacour's history is," McGonagall said, "I see that there is no reason for her not to teach."
"Yet I believe, Minerva," Umbridge said, "That creatures with near-human intelligence should not be permitted to--"
"Near human-intelligence?" Harry asked angrily. "Her mum was a Veela and her dad was a wizard… they're both--"
"Mr. Potter, I do not think you should be speaking in matters that do not concern you!"
"But--"
"Corneli-- Minister. It's your word that is law. What do you think?" Umbridge interrupted sweetly. Fudge looked blankly at everyone at first, then opened his mouth and spoke.
"I think that whatever you think is good enough."
"Thank you, Minister." Umbridge said, "Very well… I think we should have Mr. Potter and Miss. Delacour removed immediately from their job posts, all their teaching powers stripped--"
"But--" Harry began.
"And I shall take the jobs over until the Minister can find more suitable teachers. Wouldn't you agree, Dumbledore?" Umbridge said. Dumbledore looked angry, then replied calmly.
"The Minister's word is law, Dolores." Dumbledore said.
"But-- Professor--" Harry said to Dumbledore, who looked his way, warningly.
"I would advise you to keep quiet, Mr. Potter, or I might have to take a few points off Gryffindor." Umbridge said. "Now, return to your class and I shall be there momentarily."
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Harry opened the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and walked in to find everyone staring at their books, each at a different part of the book. When he stepped quietly inside, everyone looked up.
"What's up, Harry?" Ron asked. Harry looked at him before walking to the front of the class. There were several 'What's wrong, Harry's?' around the room before Harry spoke up.
"I'm not allowed to teach this class anymore." Harry said shortly and everyone immediately looked angry.
"What?" A few people said. "But you're a wicked teacher!"
"Thanks," Harry said, "But that's not enough."
"Who's the new teacher, then?" Neville asked. Right on cue, the door opened and Umbridge walked in. Harry looked at the class and they all looked horrified. Umbridge made her way to the front of the class and stopped in front of Harry, who stood where he was.
"Well," Umbridge said, pointing to an empty desk in the front of the room, "sit, Mr. Potter."
Harry grabbed his bag off the desk and sat in the chair, right next to Hermione. Umbridge glanced at the blackboard which had things like 'Tom Marvolo Riddle=Voldemort' on it. There was also a list of Death Eaters on it. She clucked her tongue before pulling her wand out and pointing it at the board and it went blank.
"Lies," she hissed, "All of these lies, Mr. Potter. I thought I taught you last year not to tell lies." Then, Umbridge turned to the class and said sweetly, "Good morning, class."
No one answered.
"Oh, tut, tut!" Umbridge said, "Where are your manners? Good morning class!"
Still, no one replied.
"Now, I understand that Mr. Potter has been poisoning your minds with nonsense, but that is no reason for you to be rude! Hem hem! Good morning class!"
"He hasn't been poisoning our minds!" Dean Thomas yelled. "He's been teaching us more than you ever did!"
There were several nods and a few students clapped.
"Five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Thomas, and when you wish to be rude, I would like to see your hands first." Umbridge said. Almost everyone's hands went in the air.
"Yes, Miss. Patil?"
"Harry's taught us loads and I think we're more ready to face anything now!" she said.
"What could Mr. Potter have taught you that would make you 'more ready' than you were when we were learning theories last year?"
Everyone looked at each other, then they all faced Umbridge and, as one, bellowed. "VOLDEMORT!"
Umbridge looked shocked.
"Thirty points from Gryffindor!" she shrieked. Seamus Finnigan's hand shot in the air.
"Mr. Finnigan?" Umbridge asked, her face turning blotchy.
"That was a theory!" Seamus said angrily, "Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself and now were not afraid of saying the name anymore!"
"That may be a theory, but it is also a lie, bored into your minds until you believed his stories were true!"
"But the Daily Prophet says he's back," Padma Patil said.
"You should not believe everything the media has to say about things like that!" Umbridge said. "Now, if you please, wands away," she took out a copy of Difficult Defenses for Beginners, "And turn to page…" she flicked through the pages, "Thirty-one; How to prepare for spells. And let's begin."
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It was the longest class Harry had ever had to sit through and it wasn't just because reading 'How to prepare for spells' was dull, but because Umbridge took every opportunity to criticize his own teaching methods. Harry sat in the front desk, his face burning with hatred and humiliation. Even though everyone was on his side, Umbridge made it ten times worse. Finally, the bell rang and everyone hurried to leave the classroom.
At lunch, the Great Hall was ringing with question as Umbridge went to the front and conjured herself a chair. The only ones looking remotely happy about Umbridge's return were Malfoy and the Slytherins. Fleur was sitting between Dumbledore and McGonagall and she was looking very sad. Dumbledore was murmuring to her and she was nodding. McGonagall was patting her back sympathetically.
"Hey, Potter!" Malfoy called, "Why aren't you allowed to teach us anymore? Were you really that bad of a teacher that the Minister of Magic had to come and fire you?"
"Shove it, Malfoy," said Dean Thomas as the class sat at their table.
During lunch, Harry was questioned by those who had not been present at the class. Harry half expected Dumbledore to stand up and explain why Harry and Fleur had to renounce their positions. Harry didn't mind that he wasn't Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher so much, because it gave him more time to do other things, but he could understand why Fleur was sad and his heart went out to her. She had done absolutely nothing to deserve the hand that Umbridge had dealt to her.
Hermione, who had gone over to the Hufflepuff table to explain what had happened, returned and sat down.
"I just want to know how that-- that-- witch-- was able to come back," Ron said through clenched teeth.
"I heard from Hannah Abbot, who asked Flitwick, that Umbridge went to St. Mungo's for a while and they cured her there." Hermione answered.
"Injustice, that's what it is!" Lavender Brown said. "She was really mean to you, Harry!"
"I don't care how nasty she is to me-- she's always been nasty to me, but she had no right to fire Fleur!"
"She's allowed to stay at Hogwarts." Hermione said. "Ernie Macmillan told me."
"Wait 'til Bill gets wind of this." Ron said almost inaudibly.
All dinner went by with discussions and everyone hardly ate everything as many people took trips around the Great Hall to talk to people at other tables. Finally, the food vanished and the Great Hall cleared up. Harry, Ron and Hermione all waited up for Fleur, but she just walked past them with Dumbledore, not uttering so much as a noise to them.
The Common Room was a mass of noise that burst forth when the portrait hole opened up. Several people were crowded around the bulletin board.
"What's up on the bulletin board?" Harry yelled over the din.
"The Chaser results!" Ron yelled back.
"Oh, who made it?" Hermione asked.
"Ginny, Creevy and Evans." Ron answered. "They were the best ones on the field. Especially that Evans kid."
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"Y-yes M-master?" Wormtail sobbed as he approached Voldemort.
"Where is it?" Voldemort said, his red eyes glinting maliciously, his white hand extended in front of him as though expecting Wormtail to place something in it.
"M-master… I-I--"
"You lost it?!" Voldemort screeched. Wormtail broke into sobs.
"It w-wasn't m-m-me, M-m-master! It-- it was Malfoy!"
"Do not blame Malfoy for your idiocy, Wormtail," Voldemort thundered. "How can the plan run smoothly with you blundering on about how it was Malfoy's fault when you were the one in charge of watching it!?"
"M-master, I'm s-s-sorry! I'm s-sorry!"
"Sorry, Wormtail?" Voldemort asked, pulling out his wand. "Sorry, for me, does nothing but waste my time."
"Master! Please! No!" Wormtail shrieked, glancing, horrified at Voldemort's wand. "I'll find it! I s-swear!"
"You had better, Wormtail." warned Voldemort. "I cannot kill Harry Potter without it, you know this. Find it, Wormtail. I want it in my hand, or you will feel pain beyond what your useless mind could wish for, or even cope with."
"T-thank you, Master." sobbed Wormtail, "I will find it… I swear…"
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Harry woke up, sitting bolt-upright in bed, gasping heavily. Apparently, the boys in the Dormitory were sleeping lightly, because his gasping woke them up.
"What's up, Harry?" Ron asked, pulling his scarlet curtains open. Harry fumbled with his curtains before pulling them open to see that everyone was looking at him.
"N-nothing. Sorry. Just a-- a bad dream." Harry exhaled..
"It wasn't a bad dream, Harry… it's true." said Dean Thomas, horrified.
"What?" Harry asked, jerking his head to face Dean Thomas.
"Yeah." Dean said, his dark face pale. "Umbridge is back, Harry."
(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)
Thanks, y'all, for hanging on for so long. It was a nice long break that I really needed, and I also got some work done on the story, 'Ventriloquist' as well, so that's on it's way… I just want to take one story at a time for now. But I finished my Driver's Manual and my mom is quizzing me a lot. And I'm doing well at work. And I feel like my life is coming together again, as it felt as if it were falling apart. My dreams of crashing cars have ceased, which is a good thing, and I'm relatively a lot happier than I have been. I hope you all liked this chapter, as it had a lot more in it and it's now going in the direction of the title. What did Wormtail lose? gasp . Thanks so much, you guys, for letting me take a break! I'm not sure when I'll update next, so just keep looking out for me!
Hope you all are liking the Olympics! GO U.S.A.! Sorry… I had to let off a little of my American Spirit there.
Review time! Actually, first I'm gonna review to chapter 10, then the Author Review chapter, so if you reviewed for both of the chapters, look out for two reviews. Thanks!
Chapter 10 Reviews
The evil witch queen- Thanks a bunch! I hope you liked this chapter! Poor Harry! LOL!
Mistopurr- I'm glad you're back, 'cause I missed talking with you! I love your prequel so far and I'm looking forward to more! Thanks for the compliments!
Shreve- Thanks!
Trinityelf- Oh, hewwow. I'm Homestarwunner… isn't that gweat? That is such a funny website! I can't wait until Nienna's b-day party! It's gonna be so cool! I hope you had fun at my house and I'm glad you're back! Yes, I'm very busy… like Harry!
JeanieBeanie33- Congrats on working hard on your stories! I'll bet you the half-blood prince is… maybe it's a new character! Mark Evans, perhaps? I dunno. I love Mark's character! See, the way I've made him is he's shy and quiet and smart, but when playing Quidditch, he's loud and enjoys attention.
Snow-angel222- I'm glad Harry's having a better time… except for the fact that Umbridge is back! Ahhhh! Lol… talk to you later! : )
FlyingPixie- Alright… I'm confused… before, this review name said 'Charmed' on it… are you 'Charmed' who changed their name to 'FlyingPixie', or are you new? Thanks a bunch! My choice of a house would be Gryffindor! Oh yeah!
Lady Aioria- My toe is fine, except for the fact that my dad ran his extremely heavy shoe into it the other day! Lol! It's funny now, but it hurt then! Websites/books/fanfic? Hmmm… well, I don't really have any favorite websites (except ), 'cause I just kinda go to them to check them out. But most of my favorites are stories. I have several favorite books. Harry Potter, definitely, but you've obviously already read those. Lord of the Rings, of course. And I also love 'The Lost Years of Merlin' series, by T.A. Barron. I think, were this book to be made into a movie, Orlando would play a GREAT Merlin! And one of my favorite fanfic authors is 'Mistopurr' a great friend of mine. Her stories are all angst, but she is such a good writer! She writes LOTR fanfics. But no, I don't watch Gundam Seed. What's that? I read your bio page… pretty cool!
N6uos- Everyone dimmer than they are? I really don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean by making them dimmer than they already are? As in, they ask too many questions, or they're just stupid? What do you mean by 'dimmer'? I know I have yet to talk of the Staff of Merlin, but it's called suspense for a reason! : ) Thanks for reviewing!
Ellen- Glad you had a good vacation! Hope you had fun at my house!
Vicster- Yes, Snape is evil! But he's fun to write! And, well… you know Hagrid! He'd give up his Grawp obsession just as quick as I'd give up my writing! That's none, if you're worrying : )! Thanks! I like the wild guy flying through the hoop, because some people just kinda fly off the bat like that sometimes, during tryouts… or should I say… 'fly through the hoop….' That was stupid. Lol! : )
Fuji the Hobbit- I hope you had fun at your LOTR fest! Yes, F.R.E.D. is a good inside joke! Why are you jealous? I hope you liked this chapter!
Author Note Chapter Reviews
Panther28- I'm not really sure when I'll finish this story. It might take a while, as I've got a lot of chapters planned ahead! And you'll just have to see why Mark doesn't like Harry! : )
Lady Aioria- pleading I'M SORRY! Lol!
Pipaluga- Don't be sad! I'm here!
Wind Whisperer- Cool name! Thanks!
Snow-angel222- Thanks a bunch! I'm glad everyone was accepting that I needed time off. It makes me feel like people really do appreciate my story. Yeah, my story doesn't really have any cliffies… yet… evil cackle . I assure you, there will be at least one cliffie in this story! LOL! It leaves people hanging and I know that's not very nice, but it's fun for the writer! Sorry… anyway, thanks a bunch!
Ellen- I'm sorry I scared you! Don't worry, I'm a huge night owl, so staying up later is fine for me. I actually write better in the dead of night… there's just something about the atmosphere of the darkness that's so haunting, yet helpful… let me tell you, when it's rainy out, I write terrific angst! But it's not raining now, so don't worry! Yeah, you'd probably have to ask Trin for my e-mail address, because I don't want to give mine out over the internet where… weirdoes… can pick it up, you know?
Wytil- Dive cert? What's that? Sorry, I'm so old fashioned! Yup, have an outline and they really are helpful! I'm sorry if my review was rude. I have the bad habit of being rude to people, even if they didn't mean what they wrote. It was constructive and not all criticism should be positive, because that's what wakes people up more. Once again, sorry my review was rude. If I feel people are trying to control my story, I get really possessive of it. I really don't mean anything rude that I write! Sorry!
Fuji the Hobbit-That wasn't an existing Author Note… I deleted it as soon as I posted this chapter. No, I think it's pretty hard for kids to cope with the things that they must cope with nowadays… I think the reason I was really was depressed was because it went from beautiful and sunny to cloudy where I live and I get depressed when it's cloudy. You're gonna be a senior? Wow! I'm just gonna be a sophomore!
Vicster- Don't flood the floor because of me! I had to put it on hold, but now I'm back and fully functional! Thanks a bunch for waiting for me!
Wow, thanks all for the reviews! It means a lot to me that you guys are enjoying my story! Thanks again!
Love you guys!
May broomsticks be in your dreams!
Luv,
Legolas-gurl88
==L==