Magical Origins

Author Notes: It has been a long wait for this chapter; unfortunately, no - the police are Stillrefusing to return my property, so I've given up hope of ever having them returned. Instead, after nearly two straight months of banging my head to rewrite this chapter, I have finally done so.

Year 5: The Ministry Decrees

The month passed without incident as Harry continues to hold his Quidditch trails for his team. Derrick and Bole had graduated, so the team was without any beaters. Cassius Warrington and Graham Montague both joined the team mostly because of their large stature and could hit the bludgers well. Harry was running the idea of formations.

Lily, who was the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, found herself in detention by Filch for some stupid reasons that caused him to become very upset so she couldn't supervise her Quidditch tryouts. Filch was the Caretaker of Hogwarts and was waging a one-man war against all students who step foot inside Hogwarts. Filch was a squib who couldn't use magic, but he had first-hand knowledge of the school grounds better than anyone; except perhaps the Weasley Twins. Angelina Johnson was given the task of overseeing the Gryffindor Team tryouts. Ron Weasley, for some reason, had done better than anyone expected and made the team.

Lily was in two weeks detention as Filch wanted her to clean the entire Great Hall.

When Professor McGonagall learns the reason behind her detention, she lifted Lily's punishment citing it was 'unfair and unjustified.' Flitch grunted in response, so Lily's punishment was lifted.

It did cause a bit of talk about why Ron Weasley was chosen to be on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Many thought like his brothers, the Weasley Twins he had Quidditch talent. This was the first time Ron Weasley was ever spoken about in a positive light, as many saw him as a talentless and worthless wizard.

Some believed he only made the team because his older brothers were on the team, and he had pulled in some favors with his brothers to get on the team.

Dolores Umbridge's stay at Hogwarts at first was hardly noticeable. However, her constant appearance became more and more prominent as she was trying to talk to students and teachers while looking down upon them. It was clear she was trying to gain herself some allies, but none of the teachers like her, not many students like her either for that fact.

Harry was walking around, using his Prefect duties as an excuse to be by the second-floor bathroom. As he was now a Perfect, he had the right to walk around certain areas without being stopped or question.

Harry steps in front of the bathroom and sees the magical sign 'Out of Order' and 'Do Not Enter.' Harry ignores this and speaks in parseltongue 'open', causing the door to open without a sound. Harry promptly enters the girl's bathroom before he closes the door.

Inside the once Bathroom had gone under a magnificent transformation. No longer a lavatory, it was instead a private chamber with beds, books, and a bath. The best part, only a parselmouth, was allowed entry into this once broken lavatory.

Lily was seated on the bed, brewing one of her potions. The bathroom that once housed Moaning Mertle was now their private sanctuary. Harry places the Marauder's map on the table and sees that no one was around them. The only people allowed in her were Dobby and Kreacher, as they kept the place clean and well together.

The bathroom also provided a quick escape from Filch should they ever get caught after hours and were unable to make it back to their Common Room.

"Why did you get in detention so soon after the term had started?" Harry asks Lily.

"It was something stupid, really," said Lily. "I was checking the Gryffindor gear, and it was raining – heavy. I went back inside and was tracking water on the floor. Filch flipped out, believing I was doing it intentionally."

Harry raised an eyebrow, knowing this was very strange. Given the weather has been bad since the start of term, it was like he was just looking for an excuse to punish anyone.

"I'm glad Professor McGonagall stop him before he got carried away," said Harry.

"How long is that Umbridge-woman going to stay here?" Lily said in annoyance.

"I don't think she plans on leaving," said Harry. "I'm guessing she's going to take over the school and away from Dumbledore."

Lily raised an eyebrow knowing this was stupid as no one would survive if they wished to invoke the wrath of the Headmaster.

"Why is she even staying here?" Lily mutters out loud. "she is so out of place and doesn't belong here. Her false promise of being friends. She's not interested in being friends with anyone."

"She's not here for Hogwarts," said Harry. "she here to spy on Dumbledore, discredit him, and take the school from him."

Lily looks at him with a raised eyebrow.

"She needs to learn to hide her intentions if she's just telling us not to trust her," said Lily.

"How did Ron ended up on the Gryffindor team? Is he that good?" Harry asks Lily as he deliberately changes the subject. Ron was a talentless and worthless wizard. He had no astonishing magical powers and was nothing more than a pig.

"No idea," said Lily. "Angelina Johnson picked him as he performed better than everyone else. He obliviously wasn't the best choice, but the fact he performed well should be something."

Harry snorted as he doubts Ron has ever been good at anything. Already his fellow Slytherin's have been taunting Ron whenever any of them have passed by him, and Ron was starting to lose his nerves. The Slytherin's saw this and continue their attacks on him.

One thing about Slytherin's, once you show them weakness, they would exploit that weakness. Gryffindor's needed to develop a thick skin against the venom of Slytherin.

Lily, on the other hand, was known to unleash devastating fire upon anyone who thought they could get the better of her. As such, by her second year, no Slytherin would dare taunt her in fear of ending up in Saint Mungos for intense magical burns.

Harry tosses his bag on the large sofa in the middle and sits down by the firepit. The fire that came from Lily was enchanted to burn eternally and keep the room warm at all times.

"What got you down?" asks Lily.

"Filch is attempting to follow me again," said Harry.

Lily looks at him with a raised eyebrow. Filch following Harry around wasn't anything new. Filch has had it for Harry ever since he arrived at Hogwarts. Percy Weasley, who graduated two years ago, has long tried to get Harry in trouble for the slightest offense. Percy Weasley was Filch's errand boy who loves ratting on his fellow students no matter what they did. His fellow peers didn't well respect Percy, and he had no friends. Last year Filch didn't do much or cause much trouble, which was a surprise.

"Could Filch be in league with Umbridge?" Lily asks, thinking the two would make a dangerous combination.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Filch does side with Umbridge in the upcoming months," said Harry. "Filch doesn't like any of the students here, and I'm sure Umbridge doesn't like anyone at Hogwarts so they would use their authority to rule over all the students. Dark days lay ahead, and it's not by Voldemort."

Lily looked at Harry and didn't comment on this fact as she too silently agreed with Harry.

"Hermione said as much," Lily admitted as she continues to brew her potion. "Umbridge told us at the Welcome Feast that the Ministry of Magic is now going to start intervening at Hogwarts."

"Don't tell me that Granger listened to Umbridge's entire speech?!" Hary said in shock. Even he couldn't pay attention as the speech was very dull.

"She did," said Lily. "Hermione listened to the speech, word for word."

"Well, she doesn't have much of a life, so I'm not surprised that she listens," said Harry.

Lily glared at Harry and knew Harry wouldn't stop short of insulting her friends Ron and Hermione. The truth was, the trio was no longer a trio. Ron hung around Hermione once in a while. However, Lily never hang with them anymore because they got into a lot of arguments. Ron also needed Hermione's help with his homework as he was too lazy or just too stupid even to pick up a quill.

Lily can't remember the last time the three of them spent time together. Even last year, during the Triwizard Tournament, Ron spent most of his time proclaiming how much Harry was going to die in the Triwizard Tournament, and Hermione spent most of her time in the library it was hard to remember if their friendship would ever remain the same.

"Percy sent a letter to Ron late last night," Lily suddenly said. This caused Harry to raise an eyebrow as Percy Weasley currently had a falling out with his family.

"What reason?" asks Harry.

"Don't know," said Lily. "typical Percy who trolled his letter about how Ron didn't make Prefect and how Professor Umbridge was a 'delightful' woman and he should get in her good graces now for a promising career in the Ministry. He also promises something was going to be in Daily Prophet about some recent changes happening at Hogwarts."

Harry looks at Lily in surprise, wondering what Percy was playing at and why he was so stupid. Percy Weasley has never liked him and has always tail him throughout his Hogwarts years in hopes of getting him expelled.

"Do you think Sirius would know something?" Harry asks Lily as Sirius has been keeping Harry up to date on events happening inside the Ministry, much to the dismay of Mrs. Weasley, who preferred Harry to be kept in the dark as much as possible.

"Don't know," said Lily. "he hasn't told us anything yet, has he?"

"Well, this is one magnificent hideout you two manage to put together, isn't it," Sirius said from the enchanted mirror hanging on the wall.

"Sirius?!" Harry said in shocked. "what are you doing here? It's not safe for you to get in touch with me!"

"Relax, I'm here to speak too quickly," said Sirius.

"About?" Harry began slowly.

"Molly wants me to pass a message," Sirius admitted quickly.

Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at Sirius at this statement. Harry couldn't help but wonder what was going through the mind of Molly Weasley.

"What does she want?" Lily asks quickly.

"She says, by no account, you should take any action against the Ministry," said Sirius. "she believes you'll ruin your future as your going to have career advance coming up and job interviews approaching, and she doesn't want you risking your future and focus solo on school and let the adults handle the affairs of the Ministry."

Harry looks at Sirius with a raised eyebrow and couldn't help but feel how hypocritical Mrs. Weasley was behaving.

"Tell her I'm not five years old, and she's not my mother, so she needs to stay out of my affairs," said Harry.

"I told her the same thing," Sirius admitted. "I told her she has no business nor right interfering in your life. Voldemort is after you directly, and she wouldn't understand that. I believe you need to know enough right now to be put on your guard."

"What you mean enough?" Harry repeated. Sirius's face cringe a bit at sharp intellect his Godfather had and his ability to catch onto hidden meaning quickly.

"Dumbledore thought it would be best for you not to know," Sirius began slowly. Harry glares at his godfather, and it was only out of respect for his godfather that he didn't lash out at him. "We have a plan, one that will reveal Voldemort to the public. No, I'm not allowed to tell you. All I will say is for you to trust us and stay in Hogwarts and don't do anything that will draw any attention to yourself."

"Is this why I've been encouraged to practice our Occlumency more?" Harry asks at once.

"I'm afraid so," said Sirius. "We fear because of the ritual the Dark Lord used to create a new body for himself, and he has unknowingly and unwillingly formed some connection between you two. That means the Dark Lord will soon discover the link and see your memories. If that were to happen, he would be able to influence you and learn every secret you have. It's better that you learn to protect your mind, especially from such a deep connection with Voldemort."

Harry said nothing knowing what Sirius said was true. If there were some sort of connection between the two, Voldemort would stop at nothing to exploit Harry's secrets and weaknesses.

"Can Voldemort learn of Grimmauld Place?" Harry asks at once as he was the Secret Keeper to that Black Manor.

"No," Sirius at once as if he was expecting this question. "Even if Voldemort were to see your memories, he cannot see the hidden manor of the Blacks unless you tell him directly. The Fidelius Charm is not one that can be broken so easily, even by these unusual circumstances. It may be your one advantage you have that will protect you from Voldemort. Nonetheless, I want you to at least master the basics of Occlumency as it will shield your mind from other outside influences you will face later on during the school year."

"What do you mean other influences?" asks Lily.

"True Occlumency Master can repel the Imperius Curse with ease, as well as other influential spells that are meant to take away your free will – like love potions. Dumbledore and Snape are both masters of Occlumency, so they cannot be influenced into revealing their secrets, not even by Vertiserum."

Harry's eyes open wide upon hearing this fact. It was rare for his godfather to almost praise Snape the way he did. To be nearly immune even by Vertiserum was something almost unheard of, at least to Harry's knowledge.

"What do you know that is going on with Fudge's administration?" Lily asks, bringing the main subject to hand. "Percy wrote a very long and dull letter to Ron about getting in good with Umbridge."

"I don't know," Sirius admitted slowly. "I haven't seen or heard anyone from the Order. Samuel is working a lot. He is bringing up a lot of questions before the Board of Governors, and Olivia is working full-time. Fudge has been hard pushing to have Olivia fired from Saint Mungos, though. Artemis recently got herself suspended."

Harry took a step back at that as heard this as this was highly uncalled for and unjustified.

"What for?" Harry demanded angrily.

"Apparently she mistreated several patients and didn't handle her duties correctly," Sirius said bitterly knowing the accusations were lies. "then she cursed that Percy Weasley so she got a suspension and is facing possible termination."

Harry took a step back, knowing this was deep and a dangerous gamble for the Minister of Magic to intervene like this as Saint Mungo's was privately funded and run by its healers. Artemis was one of the most promising Healers anyone has seen in a long time, and to lose her would have consequences. Olivia being one of the board members, would also have nasty consequences if she was removed.

"Any idea what Fudge is up to?" Harry asks, trying to avoid the conversation heading into the Wynter's.

"I'm afraid not, but I'm sure we'll find out tomorrow," said Sirius.

Harry nods his head in understanding, knowing he wasn't going to get any answers when they had none at the moment.

"What is Umbridge doing? Is she training anyone to kill half-breeds?" asks Sirius.

"No," said Lily. "She merely walks around the school with a clipboard and scribbles away. No one knows what she is writing."

"Not to mention that creepy smile," Harry added as he tried not to think about that smile Umbridge carried on her face every day.

Lily shutters next to him at the memory of Umbridge smiling.

"Interesting," said Sirius. "We thought for sure she would try to start a class to hunt and kill anything half-breed. You should hear Moony talk about her."

"Does Lupin know her?" Harry asks at once, remember her comments on Lupin's teaching methods.

"No," said Sirius. "but she one of the outspoken about him being employed at Hogwarts and having a teaching career. She summited countless Anti-Werewolf Registration that almost made it impossible for him and others to get a job afterward. Last year she tried to have merpeople rounded up and even tried to place bounties to acquire their tears."

Mermaid tears were valuable, as much as Unicorn Blood. A tear had life-saving qualities similar to phoenix tears. They were instrumental in creation antidotes against some of the deadliest poisons. One of their most renowned qualities was the fact a single teardrop will increase your lifespan for ten years. Capture the Mermaids was the easy part; securing their tears was the challenge. Once captured, mermaids refused to shed a single tear even if it would mean saving their own life.

Harry wasn't surprised to hear someone would stoop so low just to acquire their tears, but his hatred for Umbridge only grew. The fact that she had tried to destroy Lupin, his favorite teacher at Hogwarts career and life caused Harry's blood to boil.

"Why does she hate half-humans?" Lily asks in confusion.

"Don't know to be honest," said Sirius. "I expect she's scared of them. She hates all half-human creatures."

Harry didn't know what Umbridge was up to, but she sounded shadier than he initially thought. Someone capable of being in Voldemort's circle. The way she looked at him, it was more of a predator gazing upon their prey.

"Before you go," said Harry. "I want you to talk to Samuel about getting a register of Hogwart students whose parents or family members who are currently employed at the Ministry of Magic."

"You going to spy on your fellow students?" asks Sirius.

"No," said Harry. "in case Umbridge tries to bribe these students whose parents work at the Ministry, I want to know who they are so I know any potently snitches lurking within the school."

Sirius nods his head in understanding. Generally, this was against the rules, but these were dark times, and they needed to know who could be a spy and who could be your enemy.

Harry and Lily said goodnight to Sirius before they retired in the bed to get some much-needed sleep.

The next morning Harry and Lily both entered the Great Hall and sat with their respective houses.

"Where were you last night, Lily?!" Hermione snaps at once, demanding to know the whereabouts of her dormmate.

"Prefect duties," Lily said simply.

"Where?" said Hermione.

"None of your business," said Lily. "You are not a Prefect, so you don't need to know what I was doing."

"Lily, you never return to the dorm!" Hermione said in a loud voice. "what were you – "

Hermione never finishes as Lily grabs Hermione's hand so rough, you could hear her hand break under Lily's grip. The worse part was when the sight of smoke began to rise from Hermione's hand, and she started wincing from the pain.

"I am Prefect!" Lily hissed. "not you! You are also not my mother, so stop acting like your mother! If you insist on acting like you're the in charge, then you're going to lose more than just your hand, do you understand."

Lily's reputation for burning people who upset her was well known, and Hermione of all people should know this by now after what she had done during the Christmas Break of her third year. Hermione was trying hard not to wince. However, the smell of burning flesh could be smelt at the Gryffindor table as everyone was looking at Hermione, who was on the verge of tears from the intense heat.

"What is going on?" asks Professor McGonagall, who had arrived to stop any potential fights like the one that happened two years prior. Two years ago, Ron Weasley provoked the House of Slytherin into an all-out brawl in the middle of the Great Hall, and it resulted in countless students, mostly from Gryffindor and Slytherin being sent to the Healer Wing from magical damage.

"Hermione was trying to tell me on how to do my Prefect duties, Professor," Lily replies as she lets go of Hermoine, who grasps her burned hand. "I just gave her a week of detention for that Professor."

Professor McGonagall looks at Hermione, who was trying hard not to break down and cry as she continues to hold her now burned hand.

"Mr. Longbottom," Professor McGonagall said, turning to the other fifth-year Gryffindor Prefect. "is this true?"

Neville was never one used to being put in the spotlight.

"Hermione was nagging Lily about her Prefect duties," Neville said in a soft voice.

Professor McGonagall stood there looking upon her house.

"Very well," said Professor McGonagall. "Ms. Granger, report to Madam Prompfey to see to your hand, then you will report to my office for your detentions."

At these words, Hermione nearly broke down in tears as she already received a week of detention from Professor Gorlosien; Hermione wasn't going to have any pleasant sleep in the upcoming months.

"I'm surprised Granger hasn't been scorch beyond repair," said Harry.

"I'm surprised she's still here," said Daphne.

"She doesn't have any real friends," said Tracy Davis. "doesn't she realize that Morris is barely tolerating her."

"Yeah, well, she's bound to do something stupid that will result in her flunking the rest of the year cause of all the detention she's getting," said Blaise.

At that moment, Owl Post arrived. Thousands of owls arrived, bringing news from home of anxious parents who wanted to hear about their children's safe arrival at Hogwarts.

Harry could even see copies of the Daily Prophet, which caused Harry to remember what Lily had said about Percy's letter to Ron. Harry looks over Daphne's shoulder for any possible link to the news. However, his answers were already waiting upon the first page.

'Ministry Seeks Educational Reform!

Senior Undersecretary to the Minister Dolores Umbridge Appointed First Ever High Inquisitor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

"For many years, disturbing reports of Albus Dumbledore handling of Hogwarts has left many concern parents and those within the Ministry concern about Dumbledore's ability to manage Hogwarts. Last year only confirmed the Ministry fears due to Dumbledore's incapability of handling the Triwizard Tournament that resulted in the death of Cedric Diggory that is still being investigated by Ministry Officials," says Percy Weasley, the Junior Assistant to the Minister.

"Madam Dolores Umbridge for the past month has been staying at Hogwarts and giving us a first inside look at the inner workings at Hogwarts and has discovered just how far behind Albus Dumbledore is at running the school.

"As High Inquisitor, Madam Umbridge will have the right to inspect the educators at Hogwarts to ensure they are up to Ministry standard approval. The inspections are to encourage the teachers to ensure safe teaching methods to protect the students from any harm and to ensure every teacher is up to the task upon teaching at Hogwarts."

This action is in response to several questionable employments Albus Dumbledore has made within the last few years. One is hiring infamous Werewolf Remus Lupin to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. A curious state of affairs given the concerns of allowing a werewolf near children. Another is the hiring of half-giant Rubeus Hagrid and his renown love for dark and dangerous magical creatures, and ex-Auror Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody. A deranged Auror who jinxes and hexes anything and anyone around him cause he believes they're trying to curse him.

Lucius Malfoy spoke on behalf of many concern parents who had gathered at the Ministry in support of controlling Albus Dumbledore's actions at governing and managing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft.

"My son attends Hogwarts, and he has told me many disturbing things," said Lucius Malfoy. "every year, I fear the worse, and I wonder if Dumbledore is losing a grip on how to govern a school. He's still a great wizard, but that was decades ago, and perhaps it would be wiser for him to retire and let another witch or wizard run the school. I am among a handful of parents who feel Dumbledore is no longer suited in running Hogwarts."

Among these rumors was Dumbledore's lack of control of allowing Dementors to run amuck during a quidditch game where countless students were exposed to the foul creatures after Dumbledore gave assurance to the Ministry and Parents that he had them well under 'control.'

Many individuals are not pleased with the current actions of the Ministry of Magic actions. Wizengamot members, Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden, resign in protest against the Ministry of Magic, stating they will not be apart of Fudge's feud with Albus Dumbledore and support a course of action that will backlash upon children of Hogwarts.

The Hogwarts Governors have also expressed their concerns regarding this matter.

"While I do agree that Dumbledore needs to be relooked at to see if he's still capable of running Hogwarts," said Samuel Wynter. "the Board has their concerns with the appointment of Dolore Umbridge as High Inquisitor. Running the Ministry is one thing. Running Hogwarts is quite another. Nothing in Dolores Umbridge's resume says she's the most qualify for the job, and I can think of fifty other witches and wizards who are far more suited for being the Hogwarts High Inquisitor than Dolore Umbridge."

Minister Cornelius Fudge says different and believes that Dolores will bring up Hogwarts standards that haven't been seen in decades.

"I am more than confident in Dolore Umbridge that she will restore the serious failing of Hogwarts to one where every student shall pass their final exam," said Cornelius Fudge.

All over the Great Hall, students were reading the article, and they all were sharing looks of concern and were talking about these latest developments.

Over at the Head Table, Dolores Umbridge was seated next to the Headmaster with a broad smile on her face as she drinks from a goblet. Harry knew she was only going to get a lot worse.