LAST TIME

"If you don't mind, I'll be sleeping now. Seamus, if you wish to cause problems with me, get out right now." Harry said before shutting his covers and raising a simple Parseltongue ward to keep people away.

A moment later, he apparated to the Chamber of secrets without a single sound.

"All the best, Harry," Salazar said as he shrugged off his cloak before wearing his battle robes. He had worn his vest before he even left Grimmauld Place. "You will have to show power and ruthlessness to scare the house into submission. Pure power. I'll be watching."

"Of course."

"Make sure to lock wards once you enter. So, the word of what you are doing can't travel out and invoke the sanction before leaving the room."

"Alright," Harry said, picking up the time turner.

"All the best, dear," Helga said.

"Thank you both," Harry replied before turning the time-turner once, going back an hour. He removed the Time turner and kept it back in its place before applying an invisibility charm on himself apparating again, straight to the Slytherin Common room.


Ch.54 Playing with Power

Harry appeared, silently and invisibly in the Slytherin Common room and sat down in the middle of the common room, on the chair he knew the top of the Slytherin Hierarchy occupied.

The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of him.

It was the same as he remembered when he had visited the room in his second year with Ron under the Polyjuice potion and questioned Malfoy while disguised as Crabbe while Ron became Goyle.

Harry shook his head fondly at the memories and looked around more before performing a detection spell. No one had arrived yet.

Harry took out the Marauder's map from his moleskin pouch and activated it. Lines spread on it and he saw that all of the students were concentrated in the Great Hall.

Perfect time to start doing his work.

He cut his palm and allowed blood to pool in his hand before levitating the acquired blood and healing his wound. The blood split up into twenty-one equal parts, each consisting of only a few drops of blood.

Harry took his wand out and touched one of them with his wand tip before he moved his wand in a complicated pattern while hissing. The blood glowed brightly and Harry jabbed his wand. Immediately, the blood converted into a small snake no longer than Harry's palm.

The snake took the color of the carpet, camouflaging itself before slithering ahead towards the Boy's Dormitory. He repeated the procedure with the rest of the snakes and send them away in all directions. Finally, when three parts remained, Harry combined them and formed a bigger snake. The Master snake.

The spell was an ingenious design of Harry, with a couple of tips from Salazar. He had combined blood magic and parselmagic to form the perfect method of spying where the portraits were absent, namely, in the common rooms and dormitories.

The snakes would look out for words like dark lord, mission, kill, etc. If any of them were uttered, the memory would go to the master snake who would then report to Harry with the memory of the conversation. The memory the snake construct would give, could be viewed either by legilimency or by Pensive. The spell would only last for thirteen months though. Harry would have to renew the spell when he returned to Hogwarts next year.

Harry wandlessly performed a tempus charm which informed him he had been in the room for about twenty minutes already.

Harry looked back at the map again and saw Umbridge walk back to the staff table as Dumbledore walked to the speaking podium again.

'It won't take long for the Slytherins to arrive now that the toad's speech is over,' Harry mused to himself before going to stand in a corner of the room, a position from where he could view the whole room without a problem.

The Marauders map showed that the students had moved out of the Great Hall and were making their way towards their respective House areas. Harry could see himself walking next to Neville, up the moving staircases.

Harry put the map back in his pouch as the first Slytherin students entered the passage leading to the wall behind which the common room entrance was.

Hardly a few moments later, the wall slid open and a bunch of fourth-year boys entered, followed by a few sixth-year girls.

Harry waited patiently for people to come in, while occasionally keeping an eye on Nott and his ilk. Many were surrounding him already, talking in hushed whispers. They were speaking in riddles but Harry could make out that Malfoy was about to say something to everyone regarding Voldemort. He was currently surrounded by Crabbe, Goyle, the Carrow siblings, Marcus Flint(who had failed his NEWTs again), and a couple of others.

In the middle of the room, the head girl, Elizabeth Grace was seated along with a few other senior students. The only junior near her was Blaise Zabini. From what he had heard of the boy, he was a quintessential Slytherin who was interested in making connections and staying in the shadows. Her mother, the infamous Black Widow, who had gone through several husbands already had trained him well it seemed.

Soon, Daphne and Draco entered the common room followed by the firsties who were looking around in wonder. Harry smiled faintly at the kids, even if no one could see him yet.

"Welcome," Daphne said. "To the Slytherin Common Room. The first thing you must remember is that the password to the common room changes every month. The Password will be displayed on the notice board along with other important notices. So, make sure to check it occasionally."

"And, do not tell the password to any outsiders or bring an outsider in here. If you do… be prepared for the consequences."

"Also, what happens in Slytherin, stays in Slytherin. You shall resolve all your issues here in the common room itself. Outside these walls, we are a united force. We Slytherins stand as one. Any issues will be resolved here either by words or if things escalate, the dueling pit."

"Also, be careful whom you associate with. I wish you heed to my words carefully or the coming times will be… difficult for you."

"Thank you, Malfoy, Greengrass, that will be enough for now." Grace interrupted smoothly before standing up. "I will take over now. Welcome firsties. As the two prefects said, we are a united force. And, needless to say, every force has some rules, and a hierarchy to be followed. There is always a top order. For now, the top order is us. What we say goes. You do not question us when we give an explicit order. And if you do, the consequence will be severe until you redeem yourself."

Grace was moving around, intimidating the new students. "Now, if you wish to ask me who I am, I am Elizabeth Grace, Primary Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Grace. I am the Head Girl as well and the one who is the current leader of Slytherin house. If you wish to ask me, how did I become the leader of Slytherin, let me tell you it is a combination of pure magical power, political power, connections, cunning, and intelligence. Now, there are many… customs we observe here. The first one you will witness right about now." Grace said before moving to the absolute center of the empty space.

She flicked her hand and her wand shot into her palm. "Anyone who challenges my authority in the House of Slytherin may step forward and challenge me to the duel to the seat of power as custom dictates. We duel and if I lose, the challenger shall gain my position as the Leader of Slytherin. If the challenger loses though…" she trailed off, taking a moment to grin predatorily. "They shall be censured from the house for the whole year. Now, who wishes to challenge me?" She asked, twirling her wand.

No one moved a muscle in the Slytherin room apart from the firsties who were looking around, hoping for someone to challenge her.

"Good," Grace began but Harry interrupted her.

"I challenge you!" Harry said, his voice booming around the room. Many looked scared at the sudden sound but Grace was unfazed. Harry had to give her that she was truly a leader. But he wished to see what her reaction would be when he revealed himself.

"Oh, we have a victim, oh, sorry, a challenger." She mocked and some of her cronies laughed while the others smirked. Harry liked the control she had on Slytherin. "So, step forward whoever you are. Show me your face!"

Harry walked forward as his Disillusionment charm faded. "Here I am," He said and many people screamed at the sudden appearance. "For those who don't know who I am," Harry said, ignoring the screams and startled looks, "I am Lord Harry James Potter, the Lord of Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, Heir of Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. The winner of Order of Merlin First class, winner of the Triwizard tournament, and most famously known as the boy-who-lived."

Even Grace paled before composing herself. "Po-potter what in the name of Salazar are you doing here! I shall—"

"Do nothing if you wish to see tomorrow's sun." Harry completed, barely sparing her a glance.

"Potter! You—" Malfoy began but was stopped short as he was transformed into a ferret, courtesy of Harry.

"Sit down, everyone. I wish to give Slytherin House a… warning."

"Potter, you can't—"

Harry sighed, "Miss Grace, I do not have all day. Please cooperate before I need to do it the hard way, something which you won't enjoy. I do not wish to humble you in front of the whole house. We both know you don't stand a chance when it comes to a battle between us in any field."

"How did you get in!" One boy demanded. "Who even gave you the password Potter? Now get the fuck out before we curse yo— AHHHH!" The boy screamed shrilly as his wand was ripped out of his hand, and the bones in his hand broke.

Many in the room noted Harry had not even used his wand and their fear for the boy steadily increased.

"None of you are in the position to threaten me," Harry said coldly, his voice echoing through the room. "And as for how I got in, the Heir of Slytherin doesn't need a password to enter." He said, hissing the last word and many shivered.

"Potter, I respectfully ask you to leave." The head girl said diplomatically. "Before I fetch professor Snape and use my powers as the head girl," she added, trying to threaten him subtly.

"Ah, dear old Professor Snape," Harry grinned. "Go on Miss Grace, call him. Go, go. Hurry up. Don't waste my time." Harry said and the girl ran to the door and tried to open the entrance but failed. She tried again, only to get the same result.

"What happened, almighty head girl?" Harry mocked. "Can't get out of your own common room?"

"What have you done?" She demanded turning to him, her wand pointed in his direction.

"I have simply locked you all in. No one can get in, no one can go out." Harry replied calmly. "Now, you all have two options. Listen to me peacefully or…" Harry flicked his wand in his hand. "I'll make you listen."

"Potter, you cannot threaten students," Elizabeth Grace hissed, clutching her wand tightly.

"Well, newsflash, I just did."

"Potter, I am warning you. Don't make me remove you from here by force!" She threatened as the other Slytherin students looked at them silently and some had fear in their eyes.

Harry raised an eyebrow before snorting. "You think you stand a chance against me… well, go ahead."

"CONFRINGO!" The head girl shouted, shooting the potent blasting curse at Harry. The curse was very dangerous in such close quarters, especially with so many children around. Harry's eyes narrowed before he swatted the spell away, which raced towards a third-year girl whom Harry knew was the Head Girl's younger sister.

Her eyes widened and she shouted, "NOOO!" before closing her eyes.

The spell impacted the young girl who winced in pain. "OUCH!"

Elizabeth opened her eyes and slumped, falling to her knees in relief, seeing her sister alive and unharmed.

Harry scowled. He wasn't so cruel as to redirect the curse the girl had used. If that curse had hit, the body of the younger girl would've been blown to shreds. So, Harry had cleverly changed the spell to an over-powered stinging hex.

"Get up, Grace." He hissed. "And next time you throw such a spell around, do look who all are around."

"But-but you re-redirected the spell… how is she al-alive?" She stuttered.

"Who said that the spell remained the same after I redirected it?" Harry asked.

"That's not possible."

"Perhaps for someone as incapable as you. Not me. Now, are you willing to listen? Or shall I persuade you all more?" Harry asked as he disarmed the girl with a wave of his hand before turning to the common room.

"As I said, I am here to give you all a… warning," Harry said, as his voice rang clear. With a wave of his wand, he healed the boy whose hand he had broken and undid the transfiguration on Malfoy.

"POTTER! YOU DARE! MY FATHER WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS!" Malfoy roared, as soon as he was turned back. "I WILL—" He stopped as Harry wandlessly lifted Malfoy in the air, choking him. Malfoy tried to grasp at the invisible force choking his throat. He kicked his legs futilely in the air, clawing at his neck. Tears clouded Malfoy's eyes.

"You were saying something, Malfoy."

"P-ple-please." He choked.

"Please what?" Harry asked as he tightened the force of Malfoy's throat.

"I a-am S-sorry."

Harry let go of the magic and Malfoy crumpled to the floor gasping for breath. Harry looked around, seeing the faces of the other members of Slytherin. Many looked scared, some looked curious while some looked like they wanted to do nothing more than to kill him but were holding themselves back.

"Now, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I am here to give you all a warning. All of us here know that the one who calls himself Lord Voldemort returned to the land of living last June." There were shrieks and flinches at the name but Harry ignored them. "Some of you will refuse to believe me and I am sure several of you here know that I am right. To those who don't believe me, fuck you. And those who do believe me despite not having a clue, thank you."

Harry was walking around, giving people significant glances.

"So, whatever you believe, don't believe or know, the fact remains that Voldemort has returned and Wizarding Britain will soon be plunged into war despite whatever the fool Fudge says. Now, I am not a fool to believe that all of you support him. I know many of you don't. But the fact remains that the highest recruitment he does is from this house. Many of your relatives or parents are serving him even right now or have served him in the past." Harry said before pausing to analyze everyone

"A select few of you lost a relative or a parent at my hands on the 24th of June in the duel between myself and Lord Voldemort. They served him and suffered the consequences. Anyone who will serve him, will meet the same." Harry declared as his eyes glowed. "I do not care who you are. I do not care for your reasons. But, if you support him… if you bear his mark… I promise you that you shall not survive this war."

Many flinched.

"I know some of your parents or relatives are serving him. So, I, in front of this whole house assembly, am giving everyone an offer. An offer to save you and your families without me gaining anything of note. I offer you safety from Voldemort and this war, given you swear an unbreakable vow of neutrality at the very minimum. A vow that you will never support Voldemort in any way or form. You can approach me directly and we will talk. You can write me a letter, pass me a note… any way in which you can communicate with me." Harry declared. "We will arrange a meeting and discuss the arrangement further. If you agree to it, I promise you all safety from both sides of this war."

"How do we believe you?" one asked.

"You have my word as Lord Potter," Harry replied. "And of course, that means you need to trust my word for it."

"What's in it for you?" Another asked.

"Apart from preventing people from joining Voldemort, nothing much. The finer details will be discussed when we meet in person."

"What if we… are forced to join?" One of the Carrow twins asked.

"That is my offer. You come to me, and I will ensure your safety. You will not be made to serve him. I'll protect you and not even ask you to fight for me. But, if you take the mark, I will end you myself. And this is not a threat. This is a promise."

Many shivered at his tone.

"Am I understood?"

Most students nodded hastily.

"That is all, oh, and before I go…" Harry said before hissing in Parseltongue. Suddenly everyone in the room except Harry glowed with a greenish hue and shivered.

"Now, you cannot talk about what happened here today to anyone without my permission… and if you wish to speak to anyone, you need to come to me. Goodnight, Slytherins. And remember my promise. Join him and no one will ever find your remains." Harry said before apparating away without a single sound.


2nd September 1995

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry, Ron, and Neville walked down from the boy's dormitory together to the common room. Seamus had dressed at top speed in the morning before running away and Dean had followed him out of the room.

"What's the matter?" asked Hermione five minutes later, catching up with them halfway across the common room as they all headed toward breakfast. "You look absolutely — oh for heaven's sake."

She was staring at the common room notice board, where a large new sign had been put up.

GALLONS OF GALLEONS!

Pocket money failing to keep pace with your outgoings?

Like to earn a little extra gold?

Contact Fred and George Weasley,

Gryffindor common room, for simple,

part-time, virtually painless jobs

(WE REGRET THAT ALL WORK IS UNDERTAKEN AT THE APPLICANT'S OWN RISK)

"They are the limit," said Hermione grimly, taking down the sign, which Fred and George had pinned up over a poster giving the date of the first Hogsmeade weekend in October. "We'll have to talk to them, Ron."

Ron looked positively alarmed. "Why?"

"Because we're prefects!" said Hermione, as they climbed out through the portrait hole. "It's up to us to stop this kind of thing!"

Ron said nothing; Harry could tell from his glum expression that the prospect of stopping Fred and George from doing exactly what they liked was not one that he found inviting.

"Leave them be, Hermione," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"Just because you have invested in their little business, doesn't mean I'll let them continue on your word!"

"I won't really interfere with your duties but remember that they are developing a lot of products exclusively for us."

"That is not the point!" Hermione snapped, as they walked down a flight of stairs lined with portraits of old witches and wizards, all of whom ignored them, being engrossed in their own conversation.

"Whatever. Make sure that you don't create strife between the group, am I understood?"

"I am not a fool, Harry."

"Believe me, I know you aren't. But that is not the point."

"Whatever," Hermione waved off.

"Anyway, did anything interesting happen last night with you girls, Hermione?"

"Beyond Parvati and Lavender refusing to believe that Voldemort is back, nothing much." She said gloomily.

"Seamus was the same."

"To be honest, I don't care about them. When Voldemort comes to put an end to their family, they will regret not heeding my words." Harry said. They had reached the foot of the marble staircase. A line of fourth-year Ravenclaws was crossing the entrance hall; they caught sight of Harry and hurried to form a tighter group, as though frightened he might attack stragglers.

Harry rolled his eyes and followed the Ravenclaws into the Great Hall. Looking instinctively at the staff table as they entered. Professor Grubbly-Plank was chatting to Professor Sinistra, the Astronomy teacher. Flitwick and McGonagall were eating breakfast in peace while Snape was talking with Umbridge. As soon as he had entered, Umbridge's pudgy eyes had focused upon him before she turned back to chatting with Snape.

Soon after Harry began his breakfast, a tall black girl with long, braided hair marched up to Harry. "Hi, Angelina."

"Hi," she said briskly, "Good summer?" And without waiting for an answer, "Listen, I've been made Gryffindor Quidditch Captain."

"Nice one," said Harry, grinning at her; he suspected Angelina's pep talks might not be as long-winded as Oliver Wood's had been, which could only be an improvement.

"Yeah, well, we need a new Keeper now Oliver's left. Tryouts are on Friday at five o'clock and I want the whole team there, all right? Then we can see how the new person will fit in."

"Okay," said Harry, and she smiled at him and departed.

"I'd forgotten Wood had left," said Hermione vaguely, sitting down beside Ron and pulling a plate of toast toward her. "I suppose that will make quite a difference to the team?"

"I s'pose," said Harry, taking the bench opposite. "He was a great Keeper… Puddlemore has hired him already as a trial keeper last I heard."

"Nice," Ron mused.

With a whoosh and a clatter, hundreds of owls came soaring in through the upper windows. They descended all over the Hall, bringing letters and packages to their owners and showering the breakfasters with droplets of water; it was clearly raining hard outside.

A barn owl dropped a sodden Daily Prophet in front of Harry while another did the same for Hermione.

Harry wandlessly dried the pages, making them crisp like they were fresh out of the printing press before opening them.

"What are you still getting that for?" Neville asked irritably as Hermione paid for her paper. Harry didn't do it because he had taken the monthly subscription for the paper not wanting the hassle of paying every day.

"It's best to know what the enemy is saying," said Harry darkly, and he unfurled the newspaper before levitating it wandlessly as it began flipping through headlines while eating breakfast. Hermione on the other hand, disappeared behind the, not emerging until Harry and Ron had finished eating.

"Nothing," Hermione said, rolling up the newspaper and laying it down by her plate. "Nothing about you or Dumbledore or anything."

Professor McGonagall was now moving along the table handing out schedules.

"Look at today!" groaned Ron. "History of Magic, Double Potions, Divination, and Double Defense Against the Dark Arts... Binns, Snape, Trelawney, and that Umbridge woman all in one day! I wish Fred and George'd hurry up and get those Skiving Snackboxes sorted…"

"Do mine ears deceive me?" said Fred, arriving with George and squeezing onto the bench beside Harry. "Hogwarts prefects surely don't wish to skive off lessons?"

"Look what we've got today," said Ron grumpily, shoving his schedule under Fred's nose. "That's the worst Monday I've ever seen."

"Fair point, little bro," said Fred, scanning the column. "You can have a bit of Nosebleed Nougat cheap if you like."

Harry ignored them in favor of scanning his own timetable and memorizing it. His Monday was much better than the Fifth year's.

Just Double charms in the morning before lunch, and Double Arithmancy in the afternoon. He had the first period free right now and two periods free after Lunch. He also noticed that he had at least a period free every day and all his lectures now were double lectures… which was good considering they got more time to study continuously. His busiest was Wednesday when he had Double Ancient Runes followed by Double Transfiguration after Lunch with Double Potions.

Yes, Harry had indeed taken Double Potions. Apparently, Snape taught something there or so he had heard. Also, he needed to keep an eye on the man.

He turned back to his friends who were still talking about the joke shop.

"I mean, do we really need N.E.W.T.s? But we didn't think Mum could take us leaving school early, not on top of Percy turning out to be the world's biggest prat." George said.

Percy Weasley had turned out to be one of the biggest regrets of the Weasley Family when he had left the house, saying to his parents that they were nuts to believe Harry and Dumbledore and said that he supported the minister. He had rapidly risen through the ranks in the ministry as well and now was the assistant undersecretary to Fudge.

"We're not going to waste our last year here, though," said Fred, looking affectionately around at the Great Hall. "We're going to use it to do a bit of market research, find out exactly what the average Hogwarts student requires from his joke shop, carefully evaluate the results of our research, and then produce the products to fit the demand."

"Excellent," Harry said. "It is one of the most vital aspects of a business. You both will not make me regret investing in you guys."

"Of course. We will prove to be your best investment, Lord Potter," George curtsied.

"You shall never regret investing in our business."

"Good. Now, get going you all while I chill."

"Wait, why do you get to chill?" Hermione asked.

"Cause I have the first period free!" Harry replied cheerfully as a wave of groans of the word 'so unfair' followed.


1st September 1995

Great Hall, Hogwarts

Harry walked into the Great Hall for dinner with Ron and Hermione, who were informing him just what a sham Defense Against the Dark Arts class was. Umbridge didn't intend to teach anyone anything regarding Defense. She had just told everyone to read books authored by Wilbert Slinkhart, who according to her was an expert in Defense Against the Dark arts. The fun part was that the same book had been assigned to all seven years.

The book, as far as Harry had glanced through, was complete utter shit. Harry doubted that Slinkhart had ever been in a duel or a remotely life-threatening situation. Harry was pretty sure that Lockhart's books were better… they at least gave entertainment to the reader.

Hermione had also shown him the course aims that Umbridge had given them… which basically said nothing about learning spells.

"The woman ignored me when I raised my hand to ask her about it… she ignored me throughout the class!" Hermione exclaimed, waving her hands around in agitation.

"So… you all just sat there quietly in the class reading that shitty book?"

"No, after a few minutes, we were more interested in Hermione who didn't lower her hand throughout the class while Umbridge ignored her," Ron replied, as they made their way to the Gryffindor table.

"Well, I had fun today. We had a water fight at the end of charms class as Flitwick finished teaching everyone the Aqua-Eructo charm. Arithmancy was fairly boring, where Professor Vector made us revise the OWL curriculum… which is what we are going to be doing in the next class as well. She insists on the basics being strong before we progress forward."

"And you found that useless?" Hermione asked with raised eyebrows.

"Boring, not useless." Harry corrected. "It was the right way to go but for me, it was boring. But the good part is, we don't have homework in Arithmancy this week. For charms, it is just a ten-inch essay on the Aqua-Eructo charm… which I already finished a couple of hours ago."

"Lucky you. We have a ton of homework," Ron muttered.

"Poor you," Harry said sympathetically as he pulled a plate of kidney pie towards himself before loading his plate. He was rather hungry, especially considering he had spent the last one hour in the chamber meticulously making the elixir of rejuvenation… which was still brewing. The elixir was similar to the pepper-up potion but tons more effective and much harder and expensive to make.

"Hem, hem." An irritating high-pitched, girly voice coughed behind him. Harry resisted the urge to groan and kept down his cutlery before turning to Umbridge who was standing behind him wearing the horrendous pink cardigan.

"How may I help you?" Harry asked in a forcibly polite tone.

"Hem, Hem. I am here to inform you that you will be serving detention with me for a whole week, starting tomorrow evening in my office." She said in her sickly sweet tone and Harry could see the triumph in her pudgy eyes.

"And why… would I be serving detention with you?" Harry asked slowly.

"For not attending my class, Mr. Potter."

"And why would I attend your class?" Harry asked as if talking to a particularly dumb child.

Umbridge gave him a sickly sweet smile before giggling(a sound which made Harry cringe)"Did you perhaps forget Mr. Potter, that Defense Against the Dark Arts is a Mandatory subject until OWLS?"

"I know that Defense Against the Dark Arts is a mandatory subject till OWL levels but, I still do not get your point."

Umbridge grew irritated, "Mr. Potter! Don't play dumb with me!" She snapped. By now, most of the students in the Great Hall were paying attention to their little confrontation.

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw McGonagall move to get up but Dumbledore stopped her with a shake of his head, telling her to wait before turning his attention back to them with amusement in his eyes. That was when Harry felt a charm settle near them… a listening charm. Dumbledore was clearly looking for entertainment.

"Madame Umbridge, I am merely failing to understand your point. You are yet to explain why I should attend the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

"Mr. Potter, you are yet to attempt your OWLS and you must attend the class!" Umbridge snapped. "And that is why-"

"But, who told you I am yet to give my OWLS, Madame Umbridge?" Harry questioned.

Umbridge sputtered. "Wha- What? You can't have given your OWLs yet Mr. Potter! Do not lie to me!"

Harry raised an eyebrow but before he could retort, his head of house arrived.

"Is there a problem here?" McGonagall asked sharply. Harry quickly glanced at Dumbledore who winked at him.

"Yes," Umbridge replied curtly. "Mr. Potter here failed to attend my class today. So, I came here to assign him detention but here he is, back-answering and lying to my face."

"But why would Potter attend your class, Professor Umbridge?" McGonagall asked and Harry resisted the urge to grin.

"Excuse me?" Umbridge asked, apparently not believing her ears.

"I asked, why would Potter attend your class?" McGonagall repeated.

"Because-because it is a rule that every student, despite whoever they are, must attend every class of the seven core subjects, namely Astronomy, History of Magic, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Am I wrong, Deputy Headmistress?"

"You are absolutely correct, Dolores. But, I still fail to understand why Potter should have attended your class."

"Potter is yet to give his OWLs!" Umbridge snapped.

"Potter has already given his OWLs and achieved the highest marks in the history of Defense Against the Dark Arts!" McGonagall finally snapped back.

"What?"

"Potter has given OWLs for every Subject and is now officially in his sixth year, Dolores. And has got straight O's in each and every subject, breaking all records for DADA, transfigurations, and Charms. Did you not read the note that was attached to the fifth-year student list? Did you not see Potter's result attached to it with the ministry stamp? Or are you simply incompetent?"

"Madame Umbridge here is a perfect representation of the ministry incompetency, Professor McGonagall."

Umbridge sputtered before turning red with anger. "What is this nonsense? How could Potter have already gotten his OWLs?"

"He gave it through the department of education of the ministry. You can confirm this fact with Griselda Marchbanks, Dolores."

"Cornelius would never allow that!" She shouted.

Harry grinned like a shark who had smelled blood. "Are you trying to say that the minister is actively interfering in the education of students and not allowing them to progress, Madame Umbridge? Are you saying that Cornelius Fudge is actively working to stop progress and good education at Hogwarts?"

His voice was heard throughout the Great Hall. More whispers followed a moment later.

Umbridge looked around and realized what had just happened. Harry had expertly twisted her words. She turned purple with anger before giving Harry a stink eye and stomping out of the hall.

Harry felt a Legilimency probe and turned in its direction only to see Dumbledore raise a toast to him.


3rd September 1995

British Ministry of Magic, London

Cornelius Oswal Fudge, the British minister of magic, sat in his office clutching his bowler hat while fuming at the latest report Dolores had given him.

All the bad business had started at the end of the third task when the Potter boy had returned with the trophy claiming that He-who-must-not-be-named had returned. What an absurd notion! Dead men do not return to life like that! It was a known fact that there existed no magic which could reawaken the dead. Every wizard child learned that through the stories in 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'.

So, it was simply impossible that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had returned from the dead.

At first, he had thought that it was a publicity stunt by the Boy-who-lived. He had carried out several publicity stunts himself to stay in the public eye but never something so absurd. But, when Dumbledore and the boy(even if he was yet to talk to Potter yet) had insisted upon the fact that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had returned, despite him ordering them to cease the tomfoolery, he was sure something more was afoot.

When he had outright refused to believe the tale, Dumbledore had threatened him.

It didn't take him long to piece two and two together and sniff Dumbledore's motive behind spreading the rumors of the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Dumbledore wanted to overthrow the ministry. And Harry Potter was supporting him to do that. They were seeking to ruin the Utopia he had carefully created in the past several years! He had led the country efficiently since Bagnold had resigned a couple of years after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named fell to Potter's hand.

And now, Dumbledore was seeking to overthrow that with the aid of Harry Potter.

He essentially was the only one standing in the path of Dumbledore and Harry Potter who were aiming to take over the world. Two people who were the greatest magical names the world had heard in the past century. And he, Cornelius Fudge, the greatest minister of magic of magical Britain who had ushered the country into an era of peace, was the only one standing in their way to overthrowing the peace of the magical community.

And so far, he was successful. He had removed Dumbledore from the position of the Chief Warlock and even the Supreme Mugwump, lessening his influence greatly. His smear campaign was quite successful as well. He had to use underhand methods to beat the Daily Prophets editor and journalists into submission to the ministry, something which definitely had proven its worth now.

But, Potter's and Dumbledore's main base, their seat of power was still untouched. Hogwarts.

The castle was the place where Dumbledore had influenced generations of wizards and would continue doing so in the future.

It was only logical that if he wanted to stop Dumbledore, he needed to break him at his powerbase. He needed to reduce his influence. And for this task, he had sent his most trusted Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge, an upstanding, loyal woman who served him with all she had.

Dolores was initially reluctant to go and teach as she hated children but, finally agreed, sensing the gravity of the matter. She had also suggested a few plans which initially had looked excellent but when he had given it a deeper thought, he had shot them down.

One of her plans was to send dementors after the Potter boy and, as he was proficient in the Patronus charm he would use it to defend himself against the dementors and break the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy. They could use it to expel Potter from Hogwarts and snap his wand.

It was a brilliant plan till he had remembered that Potter had a permit to use magic outside school signed by him. He had also remembered just how ruthless Potter was with his words in the Wizengamot and how much power and influence he wielded. If he expelled Potter without a proper trial, the public would lynch him to death. And if Potter was presented in front of the Wizengamot, he would tear the ministry's and his reputation to shreds with his words.

So, in the end, he had sent Dolores to Hogwarts, making her the new DADA professor. Her main task was to reduce Potter and Dumbledore's powerbase at Hogwarts by any means possible and keep an eye on anything that she can get to put the two in trouble. Their influence on the students needed to be reduced or he may have a whole generation of witches and wizards against him.

Dolores had informed him on her very first day there that Potter had failed to attend her class and she was going to go and punish the brat by putting him in detention for a week in front of the Great Hall. The whole school would know just what a troublemaker Potter was.

He had gone home with a smug grin on his face as his plans fell into place perfectly. But, when he had come back to the ministry today morning, and Floo called Dolores to ask her if the plan was successful, she had informed him what a fiasco their plan had turned out to be.

The boy and Dumbledore had humiliated Dolores, making her look incompetent in front of everyone in the Great Hall. If that was not enough, Potter had twisted Dolores's words in a manner that reflected badly upon him.

"Are you trying to say that the minister is actively interfering in the education of students and not allowing them to progress, Madame Umbridge? Are you saying that Cornelius Fudge is actively working to stop progress and good education at Hogwarts?" Were the boy's words.

He had to admit that Potter had an excellent way with words. To twist Dolores's angry exclamation of 'Cornelius won't allow that!' into such a plot… was staggering.

And that was still not considering the Boy's OWL results.

He had himself stormed the department of education and demanded Potter's OWL results. What he saw made him stagger and clutch his heart. Straight O's and O+'s with record-breaking results in nine fields. NINE!

It was beyond insane.

He had immediately gone to Marchbanks office where he was immediately cowed by the woman's glare for barging in even before he had begun his sentence. He had felt like a little boy who was giving his OWL practicals again.

That had taken the wind out of his sails. He had merely asked her if Potter had indeed appeared for his OWLs early.

In response, the lady had gushed about how brilliant of a student Potter was before scolding him for doubting the document that he had been presented by her juniors that too when it was adorned with her signature.

He had come back to his office thoroughly chastised and fuming at the turn of events. Potter was giving him no place to stand. He looked more untouchable than Dumbledore at the moment, especially when he didn't need to attend Dolores's class.

He needed to give Dolores some room and opportunity to confront the boy… He needed to do something as soon as possible… the question was what… How could he force Potter to attend Dolores's class?

It was time to set someone up to do some research for him.

He tapped his wand at a disc on his table and a few seconds later, Percival Weasley rushed in.

"How may I help you, sir?" He asked bowing low and Fudge explained what he exactly wanted.

It was time to begin breaking Dumbledore's and Potter's hold on the castle.


3rd September 1995

Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office sucking a lemon drop as he waited for the four heads of the House to arrive for their traditional discussion on whether they were facing any problems with their house students or classes.

This year, he already knew a big problem. Dolores Umbridge, or as Harry had called her, the toad-face good for nothing Undersecretary who was in a permanent need of cough drops. It was an apt description for her unless one was willing to resort to proficiencies.

There was a knock at the door and the four heads of the house entered and took a seat in front of his desk.

"Good evening, everyone. Lemon drops?" He asked, proffering them the bowl full of the said candies. Only Pomona took one while the rest three shook their heads.

"Let us begin with Minerva. Minerva, how are your Gryffindors fairing and are there any problems?"

"The new Gryffindors are settling in well. The worst I have heard so far is a disagreement between Mr. Finnegan and Mr. Potter, Weasley and Longbottom, and another one between Ms. Granger versus Ms. Brown and Ms. Patil on the topic of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return. It was verbal as far as I am aware." Minerva replied. "As for general problems… the Umbridge woman seems to be trouble."

"I agree with Minerva, Headmaster." Pomona chimed in.

"And have you seen the book she has assigned for DADA?" Filius asked, with a hint of anger in his tone. "She has prescribed the same useless book to all seven years! And don't get me started on exactly how useless the book is!"

"Her presence here is to cause trouble," Dumbledore scowled. "She has been sent here by Cornelius for that very task. I ask you all to be careful around her and urge the students, especially the muggleborns who complain to do the same."

Minerva pursed her lips. "Can't you do something about it, Albus?"

"My dear Minerva, if I could, I wouldn't have let her enter this castle, much less teach my students. Cornelius gained the approval of the Board of Governors to put her in this position along with the lack of applicants for the post."

"I do not like her, Albus," Filius growled.

"None of us do. And I doubt her existence in the world is for long, given what all happened to three out of the four teachers who taught DADA in the past four years."

"That is my only comfort that the curse on the DADA position will get rid of her," Filius replied.

"Or Potter will," Pomona said. "You witnessed the confrontation in the Great Hall yesterday, didn't you?"

"The ending statement by Harry was a master spell on his part," Filius complimented. "Calling her out and twisting her words in such a manner… was just wow."

"I concur. And Minerva helped as well." Dumbledore said with a chuckle.

"I would've gone sooner if you hadn't stopped me, Albus."

"There was a reason I stopped you, Minerva. I knew Harry would handle the woman well. And I sent you when I deemed it necessary. I was pretty sure that if I hadn't sent you, Harry might've declared an honor duel or something on her which would serve no purpose as you can't kill during an honor duel."

"True. It is good Potter is being kept away from her. I do not wish to witness what Potter would do to the woman and get in trouble for it." Filius said.

Dumbledore nodded, before saying, "Continuing on our original topic, do you have any concerns except Dolores Umbridge, Pomona?"

"Nothing beyond the ordinary. My Puffs are settling in well."

"Good. Filius?"

"Many Ravenclaws are scared of Harry and you, believing the shit the Prophet is spewing. Some do believe you both but many don't."

"That is sad to hear. Severus?"

"My Slytherins… are behaving most peculiarly. Many of them seemed to be… afraid for a lack of a better word. Of what? I have no concrete proof." Severus said, speaking for the first time since the meeting began.

"But you have theories."

"I do. Someone has threatened my House. Someone outside Slytherin. And I have a very strong suspicion who that someone is." Severus sneered.

"And who… do you think threatened them?" Dumbledore asked evenly.

"Potter, of course!" He spat. "I am sure of it! The brat has done something to them!"

"Severus! Stop blaming Potter for every single thing!" Minerva snapped. "You just said you had no concrete proof!"

"Ok, Thank You!" Dumbledore cut in before they could devolve into a fight. "Severus, investigate whatever that is but, do not, I repeat, DO NOT target Mr. Potter, lest he makes you regret it. We both know he is against you with a passion and is allowing your existence on my insistence." Dumbledore said and fixed Snape with a piercing glare, who nodded stiffly.

"Good. Keep an eye on Dolores all of you and keep her away from Harry as long as you can. Because even I am not sure what will happen if they clash."

They nodded and soon, the meeting was concluded.

As soon as they left, Dumbledore turned to Fawkes. "Fawkes, message Harry to meet me."

His familiar trilled before setting himself alight but Fawkes didn't teleport. A minute later, Harry Potter appeared in a flash of purple flames with his familiar, Hedwig in tow.

"You called, Professor?" Harry asked as Hedwig trilled and flew to sit next to Fawkes.

"Good evening, Harry. And yes, I did call you. Please have a seat."

"What's the matter, sir?" Harry asked, taking the seat Filius had occupied minutes earlier.

"Severus informed me that the members of House Slytherin are afraid of something or someone… and he blames you," Dumbledore informed.

"Snivellus blames me for every little thing. Your point is?"

"Did you do something to the Slytherins?" Dumbledore asked with a sigh.

"I did. I went and threatened them that if they join Voldemort and take the mark, I'll end them myself. I also gave them an option to swear a vow of Neutrality and I offered them protection from Lord Voldemort in return. Simple."

"Has anyone taken you up on that offer yet?"

"Not so far, but it hasn't even been forty-eight hours since I talked with them. Ought to give them some time."

"True. The fewer people who join Voldemort, the better."

"Is that all, sir? I was in the middle of doing my Runes homework."

"Oh, did anyone see you leave?"

"No one who would say something. I was with my friends in the room of requirement. And you know who they are."

"Ah, you do homework together now?"

"Yes. We help each other and everyone does homework for different subjects before copying each other's work and altering it a bit so they do not look the same." Harry replied bluntly.

Dumbledore chuckled. "And I suspect you don't get any help to… copy content?"

"I don't need to, sir. Capable enough to say it all myself."

Dumbledore frowned. "Say? Don't you mean, write?"

"Nah, I use a dicta quill to do homework." Harry grinned.

Dumbledore sighed before shaking his head, "Kids these days…"

"You are just disappointed you didn't get that idea when you were at Hogwarts," The boy laughed before flaming out with his phoenix.

Dumbledore shook his head in response before chuckling.


8th September 1995

Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table having a plate full of bacon and eggs with a cup of coffee. Besides him, Ron was scarfing down food while Hermione was absentmindedly eating her breakfast and drinking tea while waiting for the Daily Prophet.

Even Harry was curious what was going to be so interesting in the Prophet today as Percy Weasley had written a letter to Ron the previous day hinting something big was about to happen concerning the ministry and Hogwarts. He had begun the letter by congratulating Ron on becoming a Prefect, a piece of news he had got from Fudge through Umbridge. Then, he had warned Ron about Harry.

In Percy's words, 'I must tell you, Ron, that nothing could put you in danger of losing your badge more than continued fraternization with that boy. Yes, I am sure you are surprised to hear this — no doubt you will say that Potter has always been Dumbledore's favorite — but I feel bound to tell you that Dumbledore may not be in charge at Hogwarts much longer and the people who count have a very different — and probably more accurate — view of Potters behavior. I shall say no more here, but if you look at the Daily Prophet tomorrow you will get a good idea of the way the wind is blowing — and see if you can spot yours truly!'

He had proceeded to call Umbridge a delightful woman and told Ron to butter her up and get in her good graces. He had reiterated that Dumbledore wasn't for long at Hogwarts and to stay away from Harry.

Ron had almost thrown the letter in the fire but Harry stopped him and sent the letter to Dumbledore to investigate it further. Percy had heavily hinted that the day's Prophet was going to declare something important.

That was when the Daily Prophets arrived.

The departing delivery owl had barely cleared the top of the milk jug when Hermione let out a huge gasp and flattened the newspaper to reveal a large photograph of Dolores Umbridge, smiling widely and blinking slowly at them from beneath the headline:

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM

DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"

"In a surprise move, last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." 'The Minister has been growing uneasy about the goings-on at Hogwart for some time,' said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. 'He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve.'

"This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th Educational Decree Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person. "

'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts,' said Weasley last night. 'Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts.'

Harry raised his eyebrows at the little statement before continuing to read ahead.

"It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Twenty-three, which creates the new position of 'Hogwarts High Inquisitor.' "

'This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the "falling standards" at Hogwarts,' said Weasley. 'The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.'

"The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts."

'I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation,' said Mr. Theseus Nott, 49, speaking from his mansion last night. 'Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation.'

"Among those 'eccentric decisions' are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, and delusional ex-Auror 'Mad-Eye' Moody.

"Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts. "

'I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose confidence,'' said a Ministry insider last night.

"Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have spoken in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts."

'Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office,' said Madam Marchbanks. 'This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore.' (For a full account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17)."

Harry stared incredulously at the paper. This was just… too much. Especially the last paragraph. They had defamed Griselda Marchbanks, one of the oldest members of the ministry and a respected Wizengamot member since the past century.

Harry gritted his teeth at the people who had spoken for the decree. When he would bring Fudge's fall, all of these would be tried as Death Eaters. Even Percy Weasley.

"So now we know how we ended up with Umbridge! Fudge passed this 'Educational Decree' and forced her on us! And now he's given her the power to inspect other teachers!" Hermione was breathing fast and her eyes were very bright. "I can't believe this. It's outrageous. . . ."

"I know it is," said Harry before he looked at Ron who was grinning.

"What?" said Harry and Hermione together, staring at him.

"Oh, I can't wait to see McGonagall inspected," said Ron happily. "Umbridge won't know what hit her."

Harry grinned too.

Trust Ron to find a good reason to smile and positivity even in bad situations.

But, the problem still existed. Dolores Umbridge was the new High Inquisitor. Harry needed to go to the chamber right now to inform Salazar and Helga of this development.

Harry, unfortunately, didn't have a free first period and went for Double transfiguration which was his first lecture for the day. Unfortunately, Umbridge wasn't there for entertainment.

As soon as the lecture ended, Harry went to the washroom before apparating straight to the chamber of secrets.

No sooner than he had entered the room, Salazar roared, "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU FOR SO LONG!?"

Harry was taken aback by the fury in his voice but Helga snapped at him. "Salazar, don't shout at Harry. He had a class."

"Whatever, now you are here, go and kill Umbridge."

"What?"

"Go and kill the toad-faced bitch, Potter. I won't allow what is happening!" Salazar roared. "Go, I want the News of her death in ten minutes!"

"Salazar, calm down! Harry, don't you dare follow what he is saying." Helga said.

"I WON'T ALLOW THAT EVIL WOMAN TO HAVE POWER IN MY SCHOOL! YOU KNOW HOW SHE IS! A SADISTIC GOOD-FOR-NOTHING BITCH! YOU KNOW WHAT PLANS SHE TRIED TO GET PASSED IN THE WIZENGAMOT IN THE PAST YEARS! I WON'T ALLOW HER TO BE IN MY SCHOOL!"

"Salazar quit shouting and control yourself! I know you dislike her—"

Salazar scowled. "Understatement of the century."

Helga ignored him and continued, "—but you cannot kill her just like that. Harry will be the first one to be blamed if she dies."

"Then we must devise a plan that makes her death look completely accidental," Salazar chimed.

"Salazar, NO!"

"Excuse me," Harry cut in and they turned to him. "I would like to say something. Revenge, pain, and suffering spread out over a long time is better than a quick that for someone like Dolores Umbridge. If she wishes to bring a reign of terror to the school, I will make sure I will do worse to her."

Salazar was silent for a moment before he grinned. "Now that's what I call a plan. Tell me more."

"That is why I am here. To improve on it further."

"My expertise! Even better! Let's begin!" Salazar said happily. Helga just sighed in exasperation at the hate all three of them shared for the woman… for now, even she was going to help them and make sure they didn't plan something too obvious and get caught.


AND... DONE!

Hope you all liked the chapter!

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