Title: Harry Potter and the Staff of Merlin

Author: Legolas-gurl88

Disclaimer: Still not J.K. Rowling…

Author Note: No time for author notes, now!

Story time!

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12. Another Detention

The whole week went by as one of the most miserable Harry ever had. Yet it seemed, any day that included watching Umbridge's face for an hour and a half was utter torture, especially when she chose to comment and criticize his own teaching skills. And after every class of Umbridge's, Harry swung his bag over his shoulder eagerly, prepared to dart out of class, to avoid Umbridge's leering face, one time, almost knocking Neville into a shelf full of books.

Every day, everyone (save the Slytherins, of course) expressed to Harry how they wished with all their might that he could teach them again. Even those who didn't have his classes expressed how they yearned for Fleur and Harry to return to their teaching posts.

"Anyone's better than that hag." said Ron Thursday, before their class. "I'd take Lockhart over her. C'mon, let's get good seats in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"You mean ones where Umbridge isn't in view?" Harry asked dully.

"Close," Ron said, "The seats farthest away from where she's standing."

"How dare you, Mr. Weasley? Mr. Potter?" A sour voice said behind them as they walked. They all turned, horrified as they recognized the voice. "You're lucky I don't give you detention. First, a warning and thirty points from Gryffindor."

Umbridge.

"If I ever catch you saying nasty things again, it will be a weeks worth of detentions." she said before walking away.

"Yeah, right." Ron sneered after. "Ratty old hag. I'd like to see you try."

"She will if she hears you, Ron." Hermione said.

"Yeah? What's she going to do to me?"

"Try that weeks worth of detentions." warned Harry, rubbing his hand which still bore the white, thin lines from his past detentions with Umbridge.

"What's she going to make me write?" snorted Ron. "'I will not call Umbridge a filthy, slimy, greasy, wart-face, toad? It'd ruin the image she wants to create for herself by making me dig into my hand words that make her look bad."

"Oh, Ron!" Hermione said. "Don't be stupid, for once in your life!"

"Face it, Hermione." argued Ron, "The worst part of the detentions would be having to stare into Umbridge's face for two hours."

"Hear, hear." Harry said, heartily. They were finally at the door to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Do I really have to go in?" asked Harry, before the three of them walked in and found the front of the room deserted, and almost every seat in the back was taken, save three which looked as if Neville had saved them.

"Thanks, Neville," Harry whispered thankfully, sliding in his seat, talking to Neville, who grinned.

The bell rang and the torture began.

"Good morning class!" the horribly familiar voice rang out, speaking to them as if they were just learning to speak the same language as her.

"Good morning Professor Umbridge."

"Very nice. Now, turn to page thirty-two of your textbooks and read on until page forty-seven. You will begin learning--"

But at that moment, she stopped. Why she stopped became apparent. There was a tap at the window and everyone peered out. Hedwig was hovering outside the window, tapping the glass with her beak. Umbridge looked livid.

"Who's owl--" she thundered, "is that?" She pointed to Hedwig warily, as though expecting Hedwig to break through the glass and swallow her whole.

If the class had been silent before, it was nothing compared to how quiet it was then. Everyone looked around at Harry as Umbridge looked at Hedwig. Slowly and almost painfully, Harry stood tentatively from his seat. Umbridge swelled.

"Mr. Potter!" she said, "Use of owls are permitted during classes!"

Harry didn't say anything, but instead, walked to the window and opened it. Instead of landing on his shoulder, she flew over to Umbridge, who shrieked. Hedwig dropped an envelope on the desk and flew around to Harry, landing on his shoulder and nibbling his ear. Harry stroked her feathers absentmindedly, for his full attention was on the envelope on Umbridge's desk. It was the color scarlet and was smoking. Harry recognized it all too soon and cringed as he knew that Umbridge would explode.

"Mr. Potter!" yelled Umbridge, "Is this your--"

"No!" Harry responded. "Open it."

Umbridge, knowing of what would happen if she didn't open the envelope, reached for it with her stubby fingers, still decked with ugly rings and unsealed the envelope. Instantly, an angry voice rang out and Harry recognized it as Bill Weasley's. It bounced off the walls of the small room, making almost everyone clap their hands to their ears. Hedwig gave a shriek and took off out the window. But even through their hands and fingers, everyone could still hear perfectly, Bill's satisfying choosing of words.

"YOU MISERABLE OLD HAG!" his voice yelled, "HOW COULD YOU FIRE MY WIFE AND THINK YOU COULD GET IT PAST ME! SHE TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED, YOU PUSS-FILLED BOIL OF A TEACHER, AND LET ME TELL YOU, IF YOU DON'T STAY OUT OF EVEREYONE'S BUISINESS, I SWEAR, I WILL FIND YOU! YOUR TEACHING SKILLS ARE WORTH NOTHING TO ALL THOSE INNOCENT CHILDREN WHO HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF HAVING YOU FOR A TEACHER AND IF YOU DON'T GIVE HARRY AND FLEUR BACK THEIR JOBS, YOU'LL HAVE ME TO ANSWER TO. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, YOU ROTTING, VILE, SKANKY, SCUMBAG?!"

The scarlet envelope suddenly became cinders and everyone sat shocked for a fraction of a second before everyone broke into applause.

"Silence!" Umbridge shouted, her face turning a blotchy red and blue, "Fifty points from Gryffindor and detention for every… single… one of you! Tonight. Five o'clock."

"I wonder if Fred and George will give me a Skiving Snackbox half off because I'm their brother." Ron said aloud to Harry and Hermione as they exited the classroom, an hour and a half later.

"These lessons are important, no matter who teaches them!" Hermione said huffily.

"You said last year that anyone was better than Umbridge, and I'm seconding your opinion. You're mad at me for that?" Ron asked.

"Last year, we were not two years away from graduating Hogwarts."

"Time flies." Harry said, gazing at the statue of Shivilrig the Shy.

"Some Howler." Ron said grinning, "I knew Bill would get her somehow now that Fleur is fired due to her. I'd never heard him say stuff like that."

"Those're the times when you're glad you know them." Harry said.

"But what about the detention?" Hermione squeaked. "I mean, was she serious?"

"That's Umbridge for you." Ron answered, "Threaten the students with detention."

"It's not funny." Hermione said, "I wonder what the detention will be."

"I'll give you three guesses." answered Harry darkly.

"She wouldn't do that to all of us, would she?" asked Hermione.

"Give that woman enough quills and she'd put everyone in the school in detention." said Harry.

At dinner, it seemed that everyone knew that Umbridge had given the whole of the Sixth Year Gryffindor's detention. The Great Hall was buzzing with questions just as it had been the night Harry started teaching, just as well as when Umbridge made herself present. No one could sit still. Every Gryffindor Sixth Year looked worried and only a selected few from last year knew just what the punishment would be.

Umbridge didn't appear at dinner and Harry supposed it was to avoid interrogation from Dumbledore. The only good thing that day was that Fleur chose to sit with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Ron told her all about Bill's Howler and she looked as if she couldn't decide whether to be angry, worried, happy or satisfied.

"Everyone applauded, Fleur, it was wicked!" Ron finished.

"See, Fleur?" Hermione said, "Everyone wants you as a teacher."

Fleur smiled graciously.

"Th-thank you, 'Ermione." Fleur who was now becoming good with the British accent, rather than her French one. "I'll 'ave to send a letter to Bill, thanking 'im as well."

"Umbridge shouldn't be here much longer." Harry said, "When she was talking, Fudge said that she would teach until he found a suitable teacher. He was acting oddly, though."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, forgetting her food for a minute.

"Well… it was sort of like he was in a trance. He kept agreeing with Umbridge, but then disagreeing with her and then trailed off in the middle of a sentence. It was like she was manipulating his mind." Harry said.

"I'll bet she was." Ron said. "Getting him to say she has to become teacher-- that's a very Umbridge thing to do."

"I don't know." Hermione said. "You two are always suspecting someone, but it doesn't turn out to be them after all."

"Come on, Hermione!" Ron said, "It's Umbridge. She'll do anything to get what she wants."

"Oh, I suppose so." Hermione said.

"I want you all to be careful, alright?" Fleur said. "I do not want my bruzzer-in-law and his friends to get 'urt."

"Don't worry, Fleur." Ron said, "We're big boys now. We can take care of ourselves. You're starting to sound like Mum."

"Come on." Hermione said, checking her watch. "It's four-fifty. The last thing we want to do is be late for Umbridge's detention."

"Good luck, you three." Fleur said.

"We'll need it." Harry said and the three of them stood up and walked to the last place they wanted to go.

When they entered, they found that half the students were there already and Umbridge was sitting at her desk, black bow placed unpleasantly pleasantly on her head. When the remainder of the students came she stood up.

"Good evening, class." she said.

"Good evening, Professor Umbridge." Everyone answered back.

"Now, pull out a piece of parchment."

Harry grimaced. He knew what was coming back.

"I will provide the quills." Umbridge began walking around the class, placing identical quills on everyone's desk, each with the horribly sharp point to it.

"You need no ink." she said as Lavender Brown pulled a bottle out. When Umbridge finished handing out quills, Harry took his up, feeling as though it were made of lead.

"Now, class, I want you to write I will behave properly until I tell you to stop. Begin."

Harry glanced around as everyone looked bemused. They must have all thought it was a joke-- how could they write without ink? Harry knew why. He placed the tip of the quill on the paper at the same time as several around him and wrote I will behave properly. He didn't utter a sound as the words were cut into his hand, but instead, heard the surprised gasps of pain of everyone in the classroom as they found out why they needed no ink. When the words disappeared, Harry wrote again, I will behave properly. The words traced themselves over the ones that had just disappeared and an odd tingling feeling spread over his hand. The scars from the words I will not tell lies, written last year, turned a deep red, then returned to white, bleeding a little.

Harry heard Hermione gasp beside him and heard Ron expressing his feelings through rude language. He chanced a glance at them. Neither of their hands were bleeding yet while his was slowly oozing small amounts of blood, running down his hand.

I will behave properly. Harry wrote again. But then, he stopped. His head was beginning to feel light and his eyelids drooped without warning. He felt immense pain in his scar before his face hit the desk and he passed out.

…

Laughter… it was ringing in his ears… a merciless laughing… terrible, heartless laughing that made his scar feel as though his head were being torn in two. Then, screams echoed. Harry's scar burned. Then, he heard voices echo in his head.

"Now you know not to cross me…"

"Y-yes My Lord." a stuttering voice whimpered, "I am sorry… I will find it yet, mark me."

"You had better, Wormtail, or you will deal with more than pain."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Harry!" Harry's eyes snapped open and he pulled his face up. Everyone was looking at him. Umbridge stood in front of him, her hand on his desk. Harry looked around to see who had called him and realized Hermione was out of her desk. She was kneeling next to him, her hand on his shoulder. Harry looked to the other side and saw that Ron was so white, his freckles were more visible than ever. For a moment, even Umbridge looked worried, but then, her toad-like grimace returned.

"When you are done attempting to be the center of attention, Mr. Potter, I advise you get back to your lines."

"But look at him!" Ron said, "He's shaking!" It was then Harry realized Ron was right. He was visibly shaking from head to foot. Ron continued. "He's got to go to the Hospital Wing, at least."

"Mr. Weasley, I advise you keep your nose out of my business with Mr. Potter." Umbridge sneered. Harry glared at her. Hermione, who had not left his side, started to put pressure on his shoulder, as if warning him that he should not cross Umbridge again.

"But--"

"Just because your charming brother chose to embarrass your family does not mean you have to follow in his footsteps."

"I thought what he said was quite true." said Ron coolly. Umbridge scowled.

"Very well… since you choose to be so irritating, why don't I give you a new line to write?" Umbridge said, "I will be polite to my betters. Begin." Ron glowered at her before picking up his pen and starting to write. Everyone in the class took his lead and continued with their lines as well. Only Harry and Hermione remained where they were.

"Well, Miss. Granger. Begin."

Hermione looked, for about half a second, as though she would enjoy to take a whack at Umbridge, but then stood up and walked to her desk, and continued writing. Before Umbridge turned to walk back to her desk, she said aloud to Harry, so the whole class could hear.

"Just because you choose to disrupt my class with nonsense Mr. Potter, does not mean you will be allowed to skip your punishment. Now, pick up your quill and continue."

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When Umbridge dismissed the class nearly three hours later, everyone left eagerly. Ron and Hermione instantly were at Harry's side. When he stood up, he felt slightly dizzy and probably would have fallen back down had Ron not grabbed his arm in time. They waited until they were out of earshot from Umbridge's class before Hermione spoke. Ron was still keeping a slight grip on Harry's arm in case he fell, because Harry was feeling extremely dizzy.

"Are you alright, Harry?" she asked. Harry took a minute before he answered, attempting to focus his vision. To no avail.

"Y-yeah." answered Harry as they walked slowly to the Gryffindor Common Room. "What happened?"

"Well, everything was quiet, obviously, then your head just dropped. We thought you had passed out. You probably did," Ron reminded him. "Hermione ran to your desk and started calling you. Then, you started talking."

"What did I say?" Harry asked, dreading what he could have said in front of the entire class.

"It was something like 'You had better not cross me again.'" Hermione said, "Then, you were quiet. After you were quiet for a bit you said 'You had better, Wormtail, or you will deal with more than pain."

"Were you seeing Voldemort?" Ron asked, frowning slightly.

"Yeah. Voldemort and Wormtail."

"You were speaking the Voldemort part." Hermione thought out loud. "How did the whole conversation go?"

"Wormtail said he would-- would find something that he had lost. Then, Voldemort said 'You had better or you'll deal with more than pain." Harry said.

"You should tell Dumbledore about this." Hermione said.

"I don't want to." Harry said.

"Oh, Harry, don't start this again." Hermione argued. "Dumbledore would want you to tell him something like that. And Umbridge will probably tell him anyway."

"Yeah," Harry said as he stumbled a bit. His vision was beginning to come back, but he was now feeling lightheaded.

"Leave him alone for a bit, Hermione." Ron spoke up. "He's nearly falling over."

"Fine." Hermione said as though she would have loved to rant about it for the next hour. "We're almost at the Common Room, Harry. You can sit for a little while.

When they made it to the Portrait Hole, the Fat Lady looked down at the three of them. Concern flickered in her eyes.

"Are you alright, dear?" she asked to Harry, who nodded.

"Fribbergibbit." Ron said and the Fat Lady swung her frame out to admit them. Once inside, Harry dropped onto a couch and Ron seated himself next to Harry. Hermione took an armchair on the other side of the small table in the middle. All the fifth year Gryffindors were nursing their hands and tying them up with makeshift bandages. Harry remembered.

"How're your hands?" he asked Ron and Hermione. They both held their hands up. Hermione's was fiery red and Ron's had a small amount of dried blood on his.

"How's yours?" Hermione asked. Harry looked at his hand and found that it was bleeding badly. He made a sound of disgust before grabbing a handful of robes and pressing them to his cut.

"Yours is worse than ours." Ron said.

"I think it sort of opened up the old ones again." Harry said. "That's probably what the quill does. It reminds you of what you were told not to do."

Half an hour later, everyone was either talking or going upstairs to get an early sleep. Hermione had rushed upstairs and come back down with books and notes.

"What're those?" Ron asked, "We didn't get any homework today."

"Well, it's not homework." Hermione said, opening the book.

"What is it, then?" Ron asked.

"I'm studying for my Apparation test." she said.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Well, we're of age now and we're allowed to Apparate once we pass our tests."

"Why is it so important to do it now?"

"Well-- come on, Ron… Fred and George got theirs during the summer. I should have done that. It would have been easier."

"Oh, I get it," Ron smiled, "You don't want to be teased by them because they got theirs before you did."

Hermione blushed.

"You alright, Ron?" another voice joined in. Harry turned around to see Mark Evans standing behind him.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Are you alright?" Mark asked. "I heard about your detention with Umbridge." His eyes darted to Harry, then back to Ron.

"Yeah. I'm alright." Ron said suspiciously.

"Good. Are you alright?" Evans asked Hermione.

"Yes, thank you." she said pleasantly.

"You?" Evans asked Harry, his voice losing some of it's kindness and brought about a sense of mistrust.

"Yeah." Harry said shortly.

"Good." said Evans before walking away.

"What was that about?" Ron asked.

"He's so nice, coming to see if we were alright." said Hermione.

"Did you hear how he asked Harry?" said Ron incredulously. "It was like he doesn't trust him or something."

Their new conversation was cut short by a shout.

"Hey-- there's an owl!" A first year called out, pointing to the window.

"Well, open the window up so it can come in, dung brain!" a fifth year answered. As soon as the first year opened the window, a grey owl flew in and landed on Hermione's shoulder. She untied the letter from it's leg, looking surprised and it flew back out the window without so much as a second glance.

"What is it?" Harry and Ron asked at the same time as Hermione read the letter.

"It's from Viktor." Hermione said, scanning the letter. Her eyes grew worriedly.

"What?" the boys asked.

"He says that last week, six people went missing in Bulgaria."

"What?" Harry and Ron said together.

"He says 'We do not know their whereabouts yet, but half the Ministry of Bulgaria is searching for them. I do not know whether your newspaper has told you yet, but I thought you might want to know, especially since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is after Potter.'"

"This is unbelievable!" Ron said. "Six People!"

"How could they all have gone missing without a trace?" Hermione asked.

But Harry was not listening to their conversation. He was beginning to worry more than he had for the past few days. Six people missing in Bulgaria while Voldemort was said to be in England. And what was that-- dream, was it-- Harry had had just an hour and a half previous? Were the two linked together? What had Wormtail lost?

As Hermione returned to her Apparation test and Ron went upstairs to borrow Harry's miniature Quidditch Pitch to study for tomorrow's first practice, Harry sat and gazed at the fire. He wished Sirius would pop into those flames to offer help. Harry was so lost. He missed Sirius so bad, even if he was ashamed to admit it to Ron or Hermione. It then struck Harry that the reason he probably was so stubborn was because he felt he must be strong for his friend's sakes. But it was now, more than ever, Harry wished he could see his godfather again.

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What did you guys think? There was going to be more in this chapter, but I decided against it, because it just would have made this chapter so much more melodramatic. Thanks y'all for reviewing! I'm really nervous… I'll probably post again next Thursday or something, because I'm going to go take the driver's test on Tuesday and that will determine whether or not I can drive! Nervous! Ack! Anyway, I'll post again as soon as possible… it might be sooner than Thursday it might be later… just keep an eye out and all will be well! Thanks! Review time!

Drake Smythe- Yup, Umbridge is evil! But I thought it would be fun to bring her back into the picture! Smiles mischievously I can't say what's going to happen with Umbridge and Harry… all I'm saying is to keep reading. That is, if you enjoy my story! Answer to life? I've got mine! Live every day as though it were your last!

Black Sentinel- You didn't like the chapter? :'( Well, that's probably because Umbridge is back, isn't it? She's such an evil person and even though Bill's Howler was a little out of character, I thought it would be a nice touch! I hadn't thought about Harry's Quidditch being an issue… it probably won't be answered in the story, so I'll make up an answer. Seeing as she's not the High Inquisitor anymore, she doesn't have to power to strip Harry of his Quidditch. Does that sound okay?

Ellen- Yes, Umbridge the Ugly is back! I was cracking up at that! I hadn't thought of that song! And it's true! She's the wicked witch! And little munchkin-hobbits will come out and dance around! 'May blizzard be in your thoughts!' That's great! I must be getting on! Talk to you later!

FlyingPixie- Okay… I thought you were Charmed, but I didn't want to say in case you weren't! Believe Umbridge is back, because she is! laughs wickedly. Sorry… well, I'll talk to you later!

Starsmiles- I'm glad you're glad Umbridge is back 'cause yes, she does add a bit of flavor to the story! That's great! Thanks a bunch!

Vicster- Wow! None of you like Umbridge, I take it! That's okay, she is an evil scumbag!

Jeanne2- Well, it's a nice thought to think that I have talked to J.K. Rowling, but I haven't. I've done a lot of research and stuff on her and that's the best I can do. I'm glad you like the story so much! It's so much fun knowing that people actually like my story! EVIL UMBRIDGE!

N6ous- I don't want to sound like your mother, but please, don't use that language in my story. It's fine you don't like it, but I ask that you do not use words like that. I'm okay that you really despise my story, because I can't please everyone. And I would also like to remind you (seeing as this is the 2nd time you've reviewed) that you do not have to read my story if you dislike it so much. Go find a story that you enjoy. If you want to stay, fine, but tell me why you think it's a f---ed up mess rather than saying just that. Thank you.

The evil witch queen- I actually haven't seen any of the Brits at all! Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough… yeah… but I'm all open for you guys to win as well! UMBRIDGE! Gah! Alright, I'll go read your story… sorry my review is kinda rushed… I'm typing at breakneck speed because I've got to go to work in like 20 minutes!

Pipaluga- stares at screen in awe cries I'm your favorite author? Oh my gosh, that's so nice! I'm glad you like my story so much! Thanks! You made my day!

Facil Glow- Thanks!

Harry/Ginnyfan4ever- Sent an e-mail… not sure if I'll get a response. Thanks for reviewing!

Lady Game- I've wanted to go to Australia and I love your swimmer! He's like a fish! I think he belongs in the water! You're not breaking my Olympic spirit. The point of the Olympics is sort of like the Triwizard Tournament in a way… it's a time to get to know other people as well! Romania is doing well in gymnastics! Yes, Umbridge is back and I am laughing!

Wind Whisperer- Well, I hope Umbridge makes it more interesting! LOL!

Makotochi- Thanks!

Fuji the Hobbit- Sophomore is like the second year of High School… first, Freshmen, then Sophomore, then Junior, then Senior. Umbridge is back! Ow! That sounds so painful! I'm sorry about the wasps nest! Oh, I have to go! I have ten minutes to post before work and I still have to get ready! squeals!

Thanks all for your wonderful 16 reviews! That's awesome! Well, I've got to go to work! Talk to you later!

May broomsticks be in your dreams (and Umbridge be out of 'em!)

Luv,

Legolas-gurl88

L