This chapter is a little shorter then my previous ones but there isn't much happening in it. I would've combined the next chapter with this one, but its not finished yet.
Enjoy!
Prongs Rides Again
Chapter Seventeen: The High Inquisitor
"I don't recall you ever mentioning anything about this, Prongs?" Sirius said, lifting up the Daily Prophet from a few days ago.
Glancing up from marking papers, James read the headline his friend was pointing at.
MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM
DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED
FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR
James grinned. "Outrageous, but still a lot of fun. At least I can prove that I am a good teacher."
"But you can't prove who you really are." Sirius replied. He was quite upset that Umbridge had done that to James. However he was grateful that James had succeeded in keeping Sirius' Animagus Form safe from that toad. If he'd been unable to prevent it…Sirius didn't know what to think what could've happened.
James shrugged, undeterred. He was pleasantly surprised she hadn't mentioned anything about his Animagus form. He didn't mind anyone knowing about that, but he couldn't endanger his friends by revealing theirs. He suspected that Umbridge was bidding her time, and would eventually ask him about his Animagus form. For now he was content in waiting.
"I just can't believe that the Ministry is doing this to Hogwarts! What is Fudge thinking?" Sirius asked.
"Apparently he thinks Dumbledore is off his rocker. He wants to get rid of those who are loyal to him." James grimaced. "All of us have got to be careful not to be caught in league with him. Besides I'm already under suspicion because they think I'm mental and insane."
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Even after all that memory stuff?"
"I'm respected more. I think some of the younger Slytherins are less hostile towards me but the older years haven't changed. Umbridge still doesn't believe that I'm James Potter, even after everything was shown. She'll be impossible to convince unless Fudge believes it and I doubt that will happen in a million years."
"I've given up on the government from ever realising their mistakes. I'm frankly, tired, of all the criticism I've had over the years." Sirius answered. "Good luck on getting Fudge to believe what words you say."
"You never know," James replied, "what the future may hold."
True to the Ministry Decree, Umbridge inspected teacher's lessons. James found himself apprehensively waiting for the day when the old toad would turn up in his lesson. He only hoped it wouldn't be when he was teaching Harry: he knew that Umbridge would try and catch him out, and that would be unfair to both him and Harry.
As life would have it, a week later, Umbridge turned up to inspect James' lesson, when Harry was due to be in the class. This only made James' mood worse. Much as he hated the old bat he had to behave in order to keep his job. He didn't know what Harry would say if he found out he had been chucked out of a job. In order to improve his chances of staying as a Professor, James had asked Sirius to remain behind in their room, however, his friend was stubborn and argued that it would seem suspicious that he didn't attend lessons with James, since the students were so friendly towards him.
However James worried that Sirius might be caught and he worried continuously that someone knew about his Animagus Form. Only time would tell if the person who knew would come forth.
Strolling down into the grounds, James found Harry, Ron and Hermione waiting for him. He smiled merrily and waved, even though he felt ill to the stomach.
"Well, we're continuing with Bowtruckles today. We need to finish off about them before we move onto the more interesting creatures." He smiled in satisfaction. "Oh, and Harry, don't get mad at Professor Umbridge. She's coming to inspect this lesson today."
Harry scowled. "I'm not scared of her." Seeing James' stern look, he added, "I'll behave, dad, don't you worry."
"Thanks." James sighed in relief. The easy part was over, the hard part was about to begin.
"Have any other teachers been inspected yet? I haven't talked to them recently."
Hermione frowned. "Professor McGonagall was inspected during Transfiguration."
Ron brightened by visibly, as he had been feeling low since Percy's letter. "Oh, yeah! You should've been there James - I mean Professor! McGonagall really ticked her off for interrupting her when she was talking to the class. Umbridge really didn't like that! She deserves it," he said nastily, "batty old witch."
"Ron!" Hermione whispered, eyes widening.
"What?" he asked, turning round, but his shining, laughing face seemed to fall as he took in the woman behind James, who had approached them so quietly, they hadn't even noticed her presence. By the cold look on her face, she had heard everything.
"Hem hem." Umbridge said, sounding more like a frog then a human being, "That will be a week's worth of detentions with me, Mr Weasley, every afternoon at five-o-clock."
Ron winced, obviously annoyed that he had been caught. Under his breath he muttered: "Stupid old cow."
Fortunately she was too engaged watching the rest of the class appear to hear Ron's comment, which both Ron and James were pleased that she hadn't heard. Nothing else could go wrong, or James would be the one to pay for it.
Once the whole class was assembled, James grudgingly began his lesson, feeling nervous but then he settled into the role. "We are going to continue our work on the Bowtruckle. First, has everyone completed their diagrams?"
The class raised their hands. "Good, excellent. Now, a lot of researchers have studied the Bowtruckle and through this they have been able to discover that it is a peaceful and an intensely shy creature, but if their natural habitat is threatened they are known to be quite dangerous. There is a simple way to calm the Bowtruckle down, in the likely event it might just attack you. Can anyone tell me what that might be?"
Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"An offering of woodlice will placate the Bowtruckle long enough to let a witch or wizard remove wand-wood from its tree, if that is what they are after." She said proudly.
"Take five points." James said. "Right, as that is all the notes that you require on Bowtruckles, I would like you to get into fours. The object for you is to try and remember all the facts you can about Bowtruckles in a funny/entertaining way as possible. It will be a presentation, and in thirty minutes I wish to see your presentations. Get to work!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione immediately got together with Neville joining them.
James walked close to Harry but was stopped by Umbridge. "Have you been properly hired for this class and trained for it?" she asked in a sly voice.
"I did teach Defence Against the Dark Arts from September 1978 till July of 1979. I passed by N.E.W.T level of Care of Magical Creatures at an 'O'. Professor Dumbledore asked me if I would take the class until Professor Hagrid returns from his extended vacation."
Umbridge wrote this down on her notepad. "Oh…right. The headmaster is withdrawing information on Hagrid from me. Perhaps you could let me know?" she added, baiting him.
"Unfortunately, as much as I would love to help you, I have no idea myself. I don't know what I'd be doing once Hagrid returns. Dumbledore asked me to take the position, so I did." James shrugged, not seeing where this was going.
"So, you took it for your son?"
"What?" James looked taken back. He had to be careful here. "No…seeing Harry is a bonus, yes, but my main priority is to get the students through there exams. After all isn't that all teachers goals?"
"I suppose you're right." Umbridge said. She looked around the class. "How do you find Hogwarts? Does it's methods of running the school meet to your expectations?"
James nodded. "Yes. Dumbledore is excellent, but I think he could be more involved in the student's lives. Other then that I have no complaints."
"I see," Umbridge made a small note. "And what are you planning on covering with the class this year?"
"I'll take them through the creatures that are likely to come up in their O.W.Ls. They've covered Unicorns and Nifflers. I am hoping to cover Porlocks and Kneazles, and ensure they can recognise Crups and Knarls." James responded.
"You seem to know what you're doing at least." Umbridge remarked, slightly disappointed that James had in fact met her expectations.
She turned to the class. "I understand there have been some injuries?" she left the question hanging.
Malfoy was too eager to pass it up and he raised his hand. "That was me. I was slashed by a Hippogriff."
"A Hippogriff?" Umbridge scribbled frantically, her eyes alight.
James was about to say something when Harry spoke first.
"Only because he was too stupid to listen to what Hagrid told him to do." Harry was angry, and his father could see it.
"Harry-" James began but was cut off by Umbridge.
"Another nights detention, I think."
James groaned inwardly, throwing a dirty glance at Harry. His son turned his face away from him.
"Thank you very much, Professor Potter, I think that's all I need here. You will be receiving the results of your inspection within ten days." Professor Umbridge turned around and walked back to the castle.
"Thank god, she's gone." James muttered. He turned back to the class and resumed.
"Harry, I'd like a word." James called out to his son as he dismissed the class.
Harry turned round and strolled back to James, his hands in his pockets and looking quite like a teenager. "What." He was still upset with James.
"Look, I know why you did it Harry, but you've got to stop. Talking back to her won't help your situation. I know your frustrated about everything but if you keep going you will end up like me."
"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked.
James sighed. "You could end up dead. Just like I was and Lily still is." he explained. "I made a stupid mistake in choosing a secret keeper and look and that resulted in: me and your mother dead and you an orphan; Sirius in Azkaban, and Remus all alone."
"But your back." Harry replied.
"Only by you. I wouldn't be here if you weren't suffering so much. If I could change the past, I would. I'd make sure that Peter was discovered; that your mum and you had escaped and that you had a wonderful childhood growing up in a normal Wizarding environment. Everything that I wanted to see, I missed because I messed up who would protect our family. The signs were all there, but I didn't see them." James laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I know that you don't like it when I get on at you, but I failed to protect you once and I won't ever mess that up again. I want what's best for you. I may reprimand you but I do it so you don't fall into the same mistakes and traps that I did. You don't deserve it, not after what you have lived and suffered through."
"Can you forgive me for being overly protective?"
Harry smiled: it was one of understanding and acceptance. "Yeah, sure. I understand, dad, but after fending for myself for so long, its just odd to have a grown up do it for me." he started to walk away but turned back. "Dad, I'm glad I wished for you."
James smiled, feeling appreciated.
TBC
Um…what did you think? Good, bad, needs to be rewritten?
Over 500 reviews! THANK YOU! I didn't think I'd get that many! Your comments mean so much to me! I'm glad you are all enjoying this story. According to my information we are just under half-way in this story till 'Half-blood Prince' story-line comes into play. That's if i decide to continue writing into Harry's sixth year...
Quick Note on the Pranks Issue
Ever since I started this story people have been asking me to have James and Sirius or Fred and George do Pranks on either Umbridge and Snape, but I have not done so. The reason James and Sirius are not going to be doing Pranks is simple. The first one is that James is a teacher, and so what? He is still the same person he is before, right? Wrong he isn't. In my view he did those pranks to impress Lily, but he doesn't want to impress anyone so he sees no need to entertain the others. Also he is a Professor and if he is caught he would lose his job, which we can't have happening. Sirius on the other hand is being controlled by James. He wants to have fun but can't because of his status as a murderer and its a bit hard to do magic when you have to live as an Animagus. Also if he was discovered through Pranking then he and James would suffer the consequences. I am sorry if anyone has been waiting patiently for pranks but unfortunately it is not going to happen due to the circumstances surrounding James and Sirius.
Okay onto Reviews and Thank you's.
Thank you's go to the following people: B Madden; emuerz; Ingrid-Potter; Loonie Potter; Silverspecter (try not to ruin your plot to me!); MarauderKid; lilac (thanks for the help with the ratings); dweem-angel; Virginia Riddle-Malfoy; 2InsanitiesIn1; Crazy-Physco; Barbossa'sApples; Lunatic Pandora1; Inumaru12; marauders182; Suicidal bunnies; RoschLupin-Black; IamSiriusgrl; supernova8610; zippyfox;lulu; USA-Jeanette; FutureGoddess; Smorefan; Birchy; and AnnaSun.
magicgirl45852: Who says Umbridge will ever believe James? In fact (author looks at her chapter plan) I don't think that happens at all. I am following the overall plot of OOTP but it will begin to change nearer to the end. Remus will make an appearance next chapter.
ambereyes2873: Harry has finished his detentions with Umbridge, apart from the one he received this chapter.
angelicmayuka: You'll have to find out whether Dolores does use the potion as an excuse to become headmistress. But that won't be till chapter 27, according to be plan.
queen-of-monkey-magic: It's okay with the criticism. I honestly don't mind. It's nice to know that you are not afraid to tell me what you think I might have gone overboard with.
HarrysGrrl: I don't believe Dumbledore knew about the Marauders animagus forms during Hogwarts because in the 'Prisoner of Azkaban' book, Dumbledore says to Harry 'an extraordinary achievement - not least, keeping it quiet from me." so to me that sounds like he never knew until Sirius told him about it. I hope that answers your question.
Jb: Well, James can't really be told off for becoming an illegal animagus at his age now, can he? If he'd been caught when he was younger then yes he would've been in trouble but as he's an adult they can't tell him off now.
LiLaZnGrLy: More hyperness! Heh heh. Uh…about the 'glowed' mistake, when I put glowed I was referring to the fact that she was going red, because to me when you get angry you get red. But thanks for pointing that out! HAH! That is so funny. Feminine Voldemort. Your description fits perfectly. Another typo - dang. I haven't seen the Ring and I probably won't as its not a film I would probably enjoy watching. My favourite films are Harry Potter (3rd place); Star Wars (2nd place) and finally Lord of the Rings (1st place). I'm more into the Sci-fi/Fantasy stuff. We really need to stop you saying the word CHEESINESS! Okay…that was a really weird scene. You're not from Planet of the apes are you? (No insult intended). You don't need to go to a mental hospital. Believe me, you're just acting normal for most people on here.
Lady Taliesin: Hello! Seven weeks till school is done for you? That's not fair! (I suppose it is since I have a longer Easter break then you). I don't break up until the middle of July! Ohhh….I hope your head is feeling better after you got hit by ball. I hate sports. I don't mind running as long as I'm allowed to walk the course. Badminton - I love playing. No one will play with me though, and I don't know why. Onto the proper review! I have to agree with you, James was a bit stupid to think Umbridge meant little harm. Thanks for pointing out my mistake with the word witch! Ahhhh, I made you cry? I didn't mean to. I'm glad you enjoyed the memories. Sorry about the bawling/brawling mix up. I don't know why but I swapped them round before posting because I thought brawling was the right word. GAH! That shows how intelligent I am! Yep, Harry will soon be causing trouble, especially for the people who think its right to put James down. Cutest ending ever? Thank you. I think I did another cute ending for this chapter, I'm not sure. Don't worry about the insaneness! Keep working on your story! And the review was fine. Thank you for your continued support!
Next Chapter: Hogsmeade for the Remaining Marauders! in which Moony, Padfoot and Prongs reunite; Hermione asks James an unusual request and a certain Slytherin is up to no good!
Also: I have posted a one-shot expanding on the Ice Skating memory that James showed Umbridge last chapter. It can be found in my profile or you can look under the James/Lily section of the Harry Potter fanfiction category.
Until next time!
MissBlackPotter