Magical Origins
Chapter 69: Seeds of Rebellion
The next two weeks have passed, and every teacher was now facing inspections to ensure their teaching was 'Ministry' or rather 'Umbridge' approved.
The appointed of the High Inquisitor was listed as Educational Decree Number Twenty-Thre, and the Twenty-Fourth was soon posted that gave Dolores Umbridge the right to create and erase any school rule she saw fit.
Hogwarts was a place where laughter and smiles were generally seen in every corner of the castle. Instead, students were hardly seen outside anymore, and they tend to gather in groups and stay clear of Professor Umbridge, who handed out punishment like candy.
She even gave detention to Harry for the strangest thing. He got detention once for merely being 'happy.'
Harry didn't bother to attend her detentions, and Harry told Lily not to do the same either. Putting students in detention was one thing, but suspending them and expelling them was a whole nother matter. Dolores Umbridge did not have that power, and she couldn't expel Potter no matter how much she wanted to have him expelled. The truth was, she needed a legit reason to expel Harry, and merely being happy wasn't a reason to have him expelled from Hogwarts.
Once October began, the Quidditch season was about to begin, and Gryffindor was going to take on Slytherin. Gryffindor was in a pickle as they haven't won a match against Slytherin since Harry took over as the Slytherin Quidditch Captain.
Warrington and Montague were showing signs of being good beaters, but they hardly had the brilliance of Derrick and Bole.
That wasn't the only thing going on. Umbridge was now using her new position in an attempt to bully Professor Gorlosien by interrupting her classes. Professor Gorlosien wasn't taking it and quickly towered over Umbridge at the realization she was no means a weak-willed witch. Professor Gorlosien reminded Umbridge she was only an inspector, not an interceptor. If she kept interrupting her class, then she would be banned from inspecting her classes for disrupting the teaching pattern, and she would tell the Department of Educational why as well.
It was unclear how grave this threat was, but it was enough that it sent Umbridge out of the Defensives Classroom huffing and puffing never to enter that classroom again.
A week later, several Education Experts arrived from the Department of Educational and Learning. They were here to inspect Dolores Umbridge and her inspecting skills after there have already been several reports of her abusing her power. The Board of Governors also wanted to know how she was inspecting the instructors of Hogwarts as they also demanded a report on the inspections.
Fudge regrettably had no choice but to accept knowing if he would refuse, then he would lose support.
The Inspectors arrived, and Dolores Umbridge looked intensely nervous. She tried talking to them, but none of them would engage her in conversation.
Harry arrived at Transfiguration and saw Dolores Umbridge sitting in the corner as usual with her clipboard as well as one of the inspectors by her side grading 'her.' Professor McGonagall was at her desk, going over the assignment for her fifth year.
"Sit down," says Professor McGonagall. There was no need to call for order, the moment the bell had rung signally class had begun silence filled the classroom. Professor McGonagall had the skills to keep her class well behaved with very few words.
"As many of you are now aware," Professor McGonagall began as she started her class. "Your O.W.L.'s draw ever nearer. I expect most of you (here she glares at some of her own students) to shape up and give your best effort. I do not accept students into my N.E.W.T.'s class unless you have managed to scrape an 'Exceed Expectation' or higher. N.E.W.T. Transfiguration is very tricky in learning and practicing."
"Hem, hem," Umbridge says in the corner. Professor McGonagall ignores her and continues as if she hasn't been uninterrupted.
"Until the spring semester begins, we're going to practice Conjuring Spells. I don't expect you to master this spell as its very complex," Professor McGonagall began as she once again explains the use and complexity of the spell.
"Hem, hem," Umbridge says again in a louder voice.
Professor McGonagall closes her eyes to calm herself down, but a furious look could be seen on her face.
"Yes?" Professor McGonagall says in a would-be calm voice. A hazardous warning sign that Umbridge was pushing her buttons too far.
"I was just wondering if you," began Umbridge.
"Obviously, I've received your notice!" snaps Professor McGonagall. Umbridge's face fell upon Professor McGonagall's aggression. "Otherwise, I would have asked what you were doing in my classroom!"
"Now as I was saying," Professor McGonagall says as she turns her attention to the class. "the Conjuring Spell will – "
"Hem, hem,"
By now, pure unwritten fury could be seen on Professor McGonagall's face that caused the classroom to fall silent. Some of the students were quickly back away as they knew better than to test Professor McGonagall's patience.
"I wonder," Professor McGonagall in a would-be calm voice. "how you plan on evaluating me on my teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? I generally do not permit others to speak when I'm speaking. Do you have an emergency that requires immediate attention?"
Umbridge finally could sense the danger as Professor McGonagall looks at with unwritten fury as she was clearly unhappy.
Harry sat in his desk, hoping Umbridge would keep pushing her luck. He wonders what Professor McGonagall would transfigure her into? A toad for life?
Professor McGonagall returns to her class continues teaching, but every student was too petrified in fear that Professor McGonagall would lash out at them any second.
Umbridge herself was shaking from fear as she had a tough time writing down her notes. Umbridge was slowly coming to terms she would be unable to bully her way to the top at Hogwarts like she wanted. Professor McGonagall fury could be felt all class as it was clear Umbridge had cross a line.
When the bell rang, everyone quickly got up and left, knowing Professor McGonagall was going to exploded from the lack of respect she had received from Umbridge. Umbridge wisely did not stay and was the first to flee before the bell had even rung as she did not want to face the fury of the Deputy Headmistresses.
When lunch arrived, the fifth year's wasted telling the rest of their housemates what had transpired in their transfiguration lesson. Many were disappointed when Umbridge wasn't transformed into a toad.
Umbridge walks in, but she was shaking from her encounter with Professor McGonagall that she was barely able to eat her lunch without her arms shaking violently.
Snape walks over to her and whispers something in her ear. He then pours something in her drink, and she swigs her goblet. She quickly engages Snape, and he apparently gives her some words in return. She was frowning but nods her head in understanding.
Dolores Umbridge's aggressive approach towards the educators of Hogwarts vanished overnight. Professor Gorlosien and Professor McGonagall's no-nonsense attitude clearly shook Umbridge as she could feel a targeted had been painted upon her. She couldn't resort to having Auror's protection as that would look highly suspicious if she needed Auror's to protect her in the Minister's era of 'Peace.'
As October began to pass, to ease tension, the school announced a Hogsmeade weekend trip. As usual, the talks around the school were about countless things students wanted to get before they had to reassume lessons.
Granger had another idea. She wasn't exactly secretive about it, and Harry overheard her more than once talking about forming a secret defensive group to study and practice defensive spells they wouldn't learn while at Hogwarts.
Harry knowing about the date and time, and a general idea on the people who would be gathering knew he was going to crash the party. He also wanted to see how Hermione could convince her fellow peers to join this little group when she has trouble making friends and getting people to not hate her.
Harry told Lily instead of meeting at the Hogwarts, they should meet at the Shrieking Shack as it was a place both students, professors, and the residents both avoided.
On the day Hogsmeade weekended arrived, the student went to the village in droves. An endless pack where the village awaited the countless students and teachers.
Hary walks past Filch, who gives a swift sniff before reluctantly letting Harry passed.
"Why did Filch sniff you?" asks Blaise.
"Oh, he was checking if I smelled like Dungbombs," says Harry.
Blaise, Daphne, Tracy, and Astoria listen to Harry explaining about his early morning trip to the Owlery. Filch had burst in proclaiming that he had received an anonymous tip that he was placing a mass order for Dungbombs.
"Dungbombs?" Daphne repeated in disbelief. "Seriously? Of all the excuses he could have made, he chose Dungbombs? You've never had Dungbombs. That's more the Weasley Twins thing."
"It seems strange that he knew you were at the Owlery too at that exact time," says Blaise.
"I'm willing to bet it was Umbridge who tipped him off," says Harry. "confiscating my letter would be a good excuse to read my letters and to see who I'm talking to. Though I won't be using Hedwig much as I sent her to Sirius where she'll be staying. I understand she's throwing a fit as she wants to fly back out here."
"Oh, the beautiful snowy owl," says Astoria. "I love that owl."
Astoria Greengrass is finally a third-year and would be able to visit Hogsmeade during the weekends. She would be tagging along with her sister Daphne and her friends to see the village.
They were all wearing heavy winter cloaks to protect their bodies from the cold October winds. Harry's body was more the opposite because he was a water elemental. The cold weather didn't bother Harry, but the wind surely did.
Up ahead, several students were trying to cast some spells as the heavy winds seemed to push students around. Professor Veronica Gorlosien was walking with ease as if the wind didn't even bother her. She raised her wand, and the wind immediately died down allow the countless students to walk without fear of being blown into the whomping willow.
Harry could see Lily up ahead with Ron and Hermoine, who were bickering and arguing once again. Lily walk at a faster pace to ignore her two friends who kept getting on her nerves for the stupidest reasons.
Harry took his company and enter the Three Broomsticks and bought a barrel of butterbeer, knowing he could make a bit of money selling some goblets of butterbeer.
Harry arrived at the Shrieking Shack, where Ron was whimpering. He clearly didn't like being near this place as it gave him the creeps. Much of the trees were dead, and the shack still had memories of his time when he broke his leg by Sirius Black and learn his rat was really a Death Eaters.
"I see you still planning to move in here, Weasley," says Harry. "Isn't this your dream home?"
Ron turns around to snap a remark just as the wind let out a hollowing call through the trees causing Ron to shrink and hide behind Hermione. Lily had conjured fire to create some heat, and thanks to her magic, the wind wouldn't blow the fire out.
Harry sets the butterbeer down and quickly transfigures some of the twigs, leaves, and stones into chairs and a place to sit down by the firepit. Blaise, Tracy, and Daphne all sit down next to Harry and immediately started pulling out snacks and food, sharing it with one another.
Ron looks at them, licking his lips as he wanted to eat their food for himself.
One by one, more and more students began to arrive and began to sit down by the firepit in their attempt to stay warm. Ron was looking around and could see countless students had brought snacks, and he was looking around, hoping someone would give him some food.
Lily turns to Hermione and hisses something in her ear, causing Hermione to cringe under Lily's concern.
Fred and George were accompanied by Lee Jordan, and unsurprising, they were holding some of the latest Zonko products.
Almost every fifth year arrived, followed by some peers, including those on the Quidditch team, who came in waves. Harry looks at Lily, and she shrugs her shoulders. Harry's eyes turn silver, and a mist soon begins to appear concealing the group. The mist would alert Harry to anyone approaching the group, even if they were invisible or an animagus.
Hermione stood up and was clearly trying to shake off her nervousness.
"Thank you all for coming," says Hermione. "As I'm sure many of you are aware, the Ministry has made Umbridge High Inquisitor of Hogwarts."
Everyone was silent, as this was already common knowledge. They wanted to see where Hermione Granger was going with this.
"Umbridge is clearly going to interfere with our studies and not let us learn how to defend ourselves properly. I know she's talking right now with Fudge about passing another Educational Decree. Professor Gorlosein is doing a great job, but we need practical experience and by someone who actually knows how to fight the Dark Arts," Hermione says, but it was clear she was losing confidence.
"You want to pass your O.W.L.'s, don't you know," says Ernie MacMacillian. A fellow Fifth Year in Hufflepuff, who was also the House Prefect.
"Of course I do," Hermione says heartily as if the exams were the most important thing in her life. "more importantly, it's because You-Know-Who is back!"
Whatever their peers were expecting, it wasn't upon hearing the infamous Dark Lord return. Several students spilled their drinks while others hiccup and tried to clear their airways.
"You actually believe he's back?" a Hufflepuff student says in a thunderous voice.
"I do," says Hermione.
"Where is the proof?" the Hufflepuff student snaps.
"Who are you?" Lily demanded in a cold tone.
"Zacharias Smith," says the boy. "and I think we all got the right to know exactly what makes him say You-Know-Who's back!"
Harry sits there with a raised eyebrow at Zacharias Smith. It took Harry a moment to realize why Smith was so hostile. He was sore about Cedric Diggory losing at the TriWizard tournament with Harry winning.
"What proof is there that he's dead?" Harry asks in return.
"Everyone knows he's dead," says Smith. "he disappeared on that Halloween night that made you famous. The same fame that seems to be getting into your head."
"You have been wrong about me before Smith," says Harry. "remember the Chamber of Secrets incident three years ago? Your entire house, hell half the school was convinced I was the Heir of Slytherin, and I was going to petrified Justin, but you were wrong back then, weren't you."
Everyone stops to reflect upon this fact and realize how wrong they were about Harry and the incident in the Chamber of Secrets.
"Then, where's the proof he's back?" Smith demands.
"You really think someone like Voldemort leaves 'proof' lying around?" Harry says with a raised eyebrow. "you know the same thing the rest of the wizarding community knows. He disappeared that Halloween night that gave me this scar. There is no proof he died that night, only he disappeared. Even if you don't believe he's back, look back and think carefully. Death Eaters attack the Quidditch World Cup. Fenrir Greyback, the most savage werewolf alive and a known Dark Lord support has been seen once more as huge numbers of werewolves are being sighted once more. All sorts of dark witches and wizards have been seen again, with all kinds of nasty creatures. I'm not here to convince anyone of the truth, so if you want to hear what happened in the graveyard, you can clear out."
No one moved, and Harry knew it wasn't because they were determined. They had hope in due time, Harry would talk about Voldemort's resurrection.
"The Ministry's new Educational Decrees are going to be used to weaken Dumbledore hold over Hogwarts, and interfering with our lessons," Lily says, drawing attention away from Harry. "whether or not you believe Voldemort has returned [everyone lets out a shudder upon hearing his name], you cannot ignore the fact that war is coming. We need to learn how to defend ourselves."
The countless students who had gathered were silent upon Lily's words. They knew she was speaking the truth. Fenrir Greyback has been sighted once more. As such, there has been a massive increase in werewolf sighting and their activities.
Vampires were also on the move, as were goblins, and reports were coming in that Azkaban itself has become restless with activities. Dark witches and wizards were reappearing for the first time since the Dark Lord's downfall, and there has been a substantial increase in crime and disappearances. Even giants were on the moving and destroying countless communities.
Fudge address the public on these matters, believing it was the work of notorious mass murder Fenrir Greyback who had join forces with Peter Pettigrew. The Ministry says he had Madam Bones and her Aurors tracking down and hunting Greyback and will bring him to justice.
Even with these false words of hope, there was no denying the fact dark days lied ahead.
"What are you suggesting?" asks Ernie MacMillan. "more studying?"
"No," Hermione says at once. "we've outgrown the classroom. We need actually practical defensive spells and learn how to properly defend ourselves."
"Who will teach us?" asks Hannah Abbott.
"Harry," Lily says at once. Hermione turns to look at Lily in disbelief as she wanted Lily to teach them. "Harry is far better at defensive magic than I am. He also has more experience in fighting the dark arts than I do. I'm very good at potions and learning to make healing potions, and salve is something I can cover. Defensive tactics and learning how to defend ourselves against the Dark Arts will be tricky. Harry is perhaps the only student who has fought the Death Eaters and has seen their methods."
Ron and Hermione didn't look happy about this fact, but even they couldn't argue over these facts.
"Where should we meet?" asks Angelina Johnson.
"An unused classroom?" suggested Ginny Weasley.
"Out of the question," says Daphne. "a large group such as this, it will attract the attention of Filch if we're practicing inside a classroom without a teacher present."
"What about the library?" says Alicia Spinnet.
"We can't practice spells in there?" Hermione hissed.
"Still wouldn't be a bad idea to visit the library to look up possible spells," says Cho Chang.
"Chamber of Secrets?" Lily says, causing a hush to fall over the crowd.
Everyone was deadly silent upon hearing the infamous Chamber of Secrets. Now that everyone was thinking about it, no one knew where the Chamber of Secrets was even located.
"The Chamber would be an ideal location," says Harry. "It's isolated, we can't be discovered by any means. Its main chamber also provides a great place to practice dueling and learning defensive magic."
"Is that where you killed the Basilisk?" asks Neville.
"Yeah," says Harry.
"How did you survive?!" asks Roger Davis. "the look upon the Basilisk will kill any living creature who fixes upon its gaze."
"I'm a Parselmouth," Harry says simply as if that answered everything. Everyone continues to look at him in confusion, and he was beginning to curse his predecessors, who were Parselmouths.
"It's not well known, but being a Parselmouth does more than just allow a witch or wizard to speak to snakes. It even protects the speaker from any harm from any snake. Venomous bites, spitting venom, even murderous glares."
"That is so cool," says Justin Finch-Fletchley.
"To an extent," says Harry.
"Is the Chamber of Secrets, safe?" asks Astoria Greengrass.
"We would have to clean it," says Harry. "I haven't been down there since I closed the chamber."
"We could talk to Professor Dumbledore," says Lily. "There is still that snakeskin down there, so I'm sure that would fetch a nice price."
"Perhaps," says Harry. "I think it would be wiser for us to look around the school. Many rooms have never been discovered before, so it would be wise to look and see what we can find."
"How do we keep in touch?" asks Susan Bones. "I don't think it would be a good idea if we're all seen together."
"Every Fifth Year Perfect is here," says Harry. "As well as the Quidditch Captain. We can use our meetings to pass notes and information to each other without it looking suspicious."
Everyone looks at each other and nods their heads.
"Hold on," says Angelia. "we can't have these meeting clashes with our Quidditch practice."
"Nor with ours," says Cho Chang.
"We'll talk it over at our next Captain Meeting on booking the pitch. I'm sure we'll find a schedule that will work with everyone," says Lily. "once a date has been set, the Captains will inform the Perfects who will their dormmates on the date and time of the meetings."
"Isn't that just more work?" says Hannah Abbott.
"You'll get used to it," says Lily.
"In case anyone hasn't figured it out yet," says Harry. "this group is going to be more rebellious than you think. It's not about grades, it's not about besting each other for house glory. It's about surviving. Many of you we've been in the same defensive class for the past five years, and many of you are terrible at defensive magic."
"So you intend to rebel against the Ministry?" says a sixth-year Ravenclaw girl next to Cho. "because you claim He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has return?!"
Cho looks at her friend in anger.
"Fudge knows he's back," Harry says simply as everyone turns to look at him in response.
"I don't get it," says Ernie MacMillan. "If he knows the Dark Lord has returned, why is he slandering you and Dumbledore? Is he under the Imperius Curse?"
"No," says Harry. "He's afraid."
Everyone looked confused at Harry's response.
"Harry, I'm not sure I understand," says Neville. "if Minister Fudge knows Voldemort has returned, why is he instead wasting his time and energy on discrediting Dumbledore and you?"
"Fudge believes Dumbledore is after his job," Hermione says in one breath. "he thinks Dumbledore wants to be Ministry of Magic."
"That's ridiculous!" says Padma Patil, the Fifth Year Ravenclaw Prefect. "everyone knows Dumbledore has never wanted the job. Fudge is out of his mind to even think such actions!"
"Exactly the point, Fudge isn't in the right state of mind," says Harry. "now listen, fear can destroy even the greatest witch or wizard. Fudge knows Voldemort has returned as there has been a significant amount of evidence to support this Voldemort's return. Fudge doesn't want to admit the truth, believing it would be far easier to turn a blind eye on these acquisitions. He doesn't know how to handle the situation with Voldemort, so he's doing the only thing he knows how to ensure he stays in office – discredit anyone who poses a threat to him and ruin their name."
"You're saying he's going to have the wizarding world destroyed just so he can stay Ministry of Magic?" Terry Boot says in shock.
"Afraid so," says Lily. "Fudge is doing anything and everything he can to stay in office, and he's making more enemies than allies. To protect himself and to ensure he remains in office, Fudge has turned to the Death Eaters for help."
Hearing Fudge aligning with Death Eaters did not bold well for many of those who had gathered at this meeting. Many of them looked alarmed at this piece of information.
"That would make sense," says Susan Bones. "Fudge has been seen in the company of known Death Eaters and is making business deals with them."
"One more thing," says Harry. "Azkaban is about to have a mass breakout, and many Death Eaters who were imprisoned in the First War will be released with the Dementors to join Voldemort's caused."
The news of Dementors joining the Dark Lord caused panic to fill the air.
"This is why we need to train and learn how to defend ourselves," says Hermione. "even if you don't believe You-Know-Who has returned, the fact doesn't' change – there are many dark creatures and wizards out there that will seek to hurt us or use us for leverage."
Everyone nods their head, knowing it was true.
Hermione pulls out a piece of parchment and quill and holds it in her hands as if she was unsure how to proceed next.
"I think everyone ought to write down their names, so we know who is attending. If you sign," here Hermione seemed to have found incredible courage. "you also agree not to tell anyone what we're up to, especially not to Umbridge."
Fred, who was nearest, took the parchment and happily signs his name along with his twin, George. Ron didn't sign his name, he just looks grumpy and refuse to touch the parchment, instead choosing to glare at Harry.
Other students were hesitant to sign as well as if they were unsure about signing something that would expose them.
"Ernie," Hermione says as the parchment reached Ernie.
"Well," says Ernie. "I mean, we are Prefects! You said it yourself if Umbridge finds out,"
"Ernie, do you really think I'm foolish enough to leave this lying around?" Hermione says as if he was questioning her responsibility.
"No," says Ernie. "no, of course not, I'll sign."
No more objections rose after that, and everyone signs their names. Harry was the last to receive the parchment, but instead, he pulls out his wand and taps the parchment.
"What did you do?" Hermione shouted in anger that he was tamper with her parchment.
"I enchanted the parchment," says Harry. "even if you don't leave this lying around, the fact doesn't change 'anyone' can still read the names on this parchment. Now, if anyone reads it, it will look like a common booklist. For safety measures, I'm keeping the list, Granger. I can't have you acting in charge like your little spew."
Everyone's mood brightens up upon hearing Harry enchanted the parchment to ensure their names would remain secret.
"S.P.E.W.!" Hermione shrieked loudly at the disrespect of her little club, where she was its only member. No one else bothered to attended or help Hermione's caused where she was more passionate about than homework.
Harry's senses went off, warning him someone was trying to approach silently, and they were getting closer.
"Prefects, we'll meet tomorrow to discuss possible meeting locations," Harry says at once. "and remember, do not talk or gather together no matter what. Only talk to people you originally have in the past. A meeting time will be set up after Halloween, once we have an ideal place to gather and meet."
Everyone gets up and walks away as Harry gets up and heads towards the intruder. Even if they didn't hear anything, Harry needed to ensure they would remain silent.
Once everyone was safely out of sight, Harry lifts the mist, but the figure was already heading back to the castle. Wearing a heavy cloak over his body, heading straight towards the castle. Harry stands on top of the hill, staring as the person runs all the way back to the castle to inform Umbridge of the little meeting.
Harry glared murderously at the figure and knew he would have to find the person at once and make them regret crossing him by introducing him to a world of pain.
