Chapter Fifteen: The Week from Hell – Part Five

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Saturday

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Sunlight streamed through the huge arched windows into the room, illuminating dust particles dancing through the air.

The light was more golden and even before he was fully awake, Harry knew it was late.

He rolled onto his side and his eyes found Ron on the bottom bunk in the bed next to him. He was dead asleep, his hair a mess and drool pooling on his pillow.

He smiled.

Above Ron, Hermione turned in her bunk. She blinked and found him looking at her.

"Morning." She muttered. Her hair was messy and stood up in all directions. She pushed herself up on one arm and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her other hand.

"I think afternoon is more like it." Harry admitted, casting a quick tempus-charm.

"Yep, we missed lunch." He said.

"Did you say lunch? I could eat." came Ron's mumbling response from his bed.

Hermione giggled, lowering herself from the top bunk onto the stone floor.

"That is no surprise. But we did missed lunch."

"I'm sure Dobby can manage." Harry assured his friend, getting up as well.

He stretched and felt relished in the feeling of joints popping and cracking as he did.

"He already did." Hermione muttered, pointing past their beds towards the dining area.

There, a huge buffet had been set up, presumably by Dobby, with the best food Hogwarts had to offer.

"I could get used to this. Let's just move in here from the dorms. It's not like we're welcome there anyway." Ron suggested, also getting up.

Harry noticed that at the feet of their beds fresh school robes and underwear had appeared.

"It's nice." He admitted. "But not practical. Besides I don't think it would help if we moved out and started sharing some random room on the seventh floor."

"Plus, it's too far away from any of our classes and the library." Hermione added.

"Of course, that is the main problem." Ron agreed.

Hermione tried to kick him but he evaded.

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A shower, fresh clothes and a big meal did the trick and Harry felt almost back to his old self. He was looking out over the Black Lake when Dobby appeared by his side.

"Mister Harry Potter Sir, there is a young witch looking for you. She wants to see you?" the elf said, wringing his hands nervously. "Should Dobby scare her away?"

Harry shook his head. "No Dobby, no need. Daphne is a friend. I asked her to come here. Let her in."

The second Daphne rushed through the door and their eyes met, a smile of relieve and joy appeared on her face.

She threw herself at him and he hugged her tight.

It was the first time they were alone since this whole mess had started.

"How did it go?" she asked.

Though Victor had probably told her everything Harry had told him. About the Order meeting, Narcissas transformation and Harry handing over his duties in the Wizengamot to him.

"Hard to say. At the moment I think everybody needs to…come to terms with what happened on their own before we can continue. How about you?"

She hesitated, looking around.

"We're safe here." He assured her.

"There is a strange atmosphere in Slytherin House. Pretty much everyone knows what happened and…it's mostly the older students really but…I've been hearing some concerning whispers and…" she stopped, looking almost guilty.

"What?" he asked.

"Malfoy…he's back in good graces. Because everybody who is someone knows that prominent members of his family were involved and that his aunt and uncle are now out and…well…they want to be in their good books I guess."

"So…nobody noticed Narcissa defecting?"

"Not yet, from what I can tell but then again…Narcissa was always good at keeping to the shadows. Though with her sister Bellatrix out and about it won't take long. For all we know they know but decided to keep it for themselves. It wouldn't look good on any of them if one of their own changed sides. I don't know Harry, it's not like anyone will talk to me of all people about it but…it's tense down there and so far, I and some of the other Grey Families have been left alone but that could change any second."

He sighed. "Yeah, I thought something like that might happen. I don't know either, we'll just have to wait and see, I guess."

"I think the real important question is: Have you heard form Padfoot and Moony?"

He shook his head. "No, no news. I'm hoping that is good news and that they stay out of sight and out of trouble."

She nodded. "Okay then."

"So…Hogwarts…give me the rundown of everything."

She pulled a face. "Umbitch is putting her nose where it doesn't belong. But there's not much authority she has so people are mostly ignoring her. But I don't think it'll stay like that. She had a huge fight with McGonagall yesterday. She questioned her role as deputy head mistress and barely hid her intention of replacing her, if not Dumbledore himself."

Harrys eyebrows shot up. "No way…can she do that?"

"Well…technically the headmaster or the headmistress is appointed by the Minister of Magic and the Board of Directors, as is his or her deputy. But in the last decades whenever a Headmaster died or retried the deputy stepped in and appointed a new deputy themselves. But now…with Fudge and Dumbledore being on a warpath and Umbitch being Fudge's little tattletale there is no telling what they might try to do. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to get the Board to throw Dumbledore out."

"Well...this just keeps getting better and better."

"Oh, that's not it. Yesterday she confiscated our wands during DADA. She said there was no need for magic. And that if things went according to her, we'd only have our wands during the practical portions of classes and exams!"

"Can she even do that?"

"I don't think she can but honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she still did it." Daphne snorted.

Harry shook his head. Before he could say something, someone cleared their throat behind them.

Harry turned to find Hermione there.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you two. But Harry…I just found this on the table."

She held out a rolled-up piece of parchment, sealed with wax.

Imprinted onto the wax was a phoenix.

"It's from Dumbledore." Harry muttered, breaking the seal and unrolling the message.

"He wants me to come to his office. Says someone is there to see me." He said, reading over the few lines written in the headmasters elegant handwriting.

"You don't think it's…" Hermione asked nervously, trailing off at the end.

"No. They wouldn't come here with Umbridge snooping around." Harry assured her, rolling the parchment back up and shoved it into the pocket of his robe.

"I'll go see what's going on. You guys should rest some more. The coming weeks won't be easy and it's still school." he offered.

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Harry should have known to take the Marauder's Map if he wanted to avoid trouble.

But as his luck would have it not five minutes into his journey, he ran into the first person he wasn't too keen on seeing.

Malfoy.

Accompanied by Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle.

Harry wasn't worried about a confrontation though.

If the past four days had taught him anything then that he could take four school-bullies with one hand tied behind his back.

Besides, Crabbe and Goyle were so thick and incompetent that they could hardly be counted as a threat.

Malfoy sneered when he saw him and Harry could see what Daphne had meant.

Draco was his old self. If there had ever been a moment of doubt concerning his father and the cause he supported, it was gone now. The arrogance and the superiority-complex were back.

"Look who we have here." The blonde sneered and for a second Harry remembered how he'd once thought he'd seen his features in Narcissas face. Well…he was all Lucius right now.

"Malfoy." He tried to say as neutrally as he could.

"I'm surprised they still let you walk around freely." Draco sneered. "You are a lunatic and a danger to society. Just like your godfather."

"Well, if we're talking lunatic fathers, I'll trust you as an expert in that field. After all… that must be something we have in common, right Draco?" Harry drawled, not in the mood to argue with the Slytherin.

Draco scowled. "Careful Potter. The power balance is shifting and not in your favour." He hissed in a low voice.

A chill went down Harrys spine but not because of what Draco meant with his words but how he had phrased it.

Power.

Balance.

Shifting.

Almost unconsciously Harry drew himself up to his full height (which arguable wasn't that much) and when he spoked, he spoke with a confidence and power behind his words he didn't know he possessed.

"Heed careful Draco. The pendulum of power might be swinging back and forth but I assure you it takes not much to tilt the scales back into balance; the way all things should be. And I will see to it. And I am prepared to fight for it. Unlike you, who hides behind petty threats and his father's cloak."

Draco looked taken aback for a second but then he narrowed his eyes.

"We'll see who will be hiding. Because the fight is coming and it's coming fast. But I seriously hope you'll have more to offer than what you did at the beach. That was pathetic, even for Dumbledore's standards."

Harry set to reply but they were interrupted by McGonagall's stern voice cutting through the tension in the air.

"What is going on here?"

She came walking down the corridor at a brisk pace, her mouth twisted in an unhappy expression.

"We were just leaving." Malfoy said, his eyes still locked with Harrys.

"Well then I suggest you actually use your feet and start moving or you might find yourself standing here tomorrow still." McGonagall said coldly.

The four Slytherins disappeared and McGonagall turned to him.

Harry wondered what she made of all this and if what she had thought of his performance during the last Order Meeting.

"Professor." He said carefully.

"I'm guessing you are on your way to the Headmasters office?" she asked.

Harry nodded.

"Let me escort you there. Maybe that will keep the vultures at bay." She muttered, turned on her heel and walked back the way she had come.

Harry followed her.

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It got worse.

Umbridge awaited them at the stair leading up the tower towards the headmaster's office.

Filch stood behind her, glowering at Harry and Mrs. Norris sat on his shoulder, imitating her owners gaze with her own red eyes.

"Ah…Mr. Potter. Just the young wizard I've been hoping to see." Umbridge said in that horrible fake voice of hers.

Harry opened his mouth but McGonagall cut in before he could say something.

"I'm afraid, Dolores, that Mr. Potter is being expected be the headmaster. Please move aside." Harry had never heard her speak like that. So cold and…unfriendly.

"I'm afraid I cannot. Mr. Potter has left the school without permission and with the events of the last three days, many in the Ministry are wondering about his possible involvement. I've been tasked by the Minister to question Mr. Potter."

"Even if there was a legitimate reason for questioning him, Mr. Potter is still a minor. You cannot question him without the presence of a guardian or parent. Neither is possible at the moment, as you very well know." McGonagall snapped at her.

Umbridge's small eyes gleamed.

"Actually, Minerva, since Mr. Potter has taken on the mantel as temporary head of House Black and House Potter he is to be considered and adult under these circumstances and as such the presence of a guardian or parent is not needed. Please, Mr. Potter. My office. Now. I'm sure the professor here can tell the headmaster what is keeping you."

"Then serve an official request first. If this is a proper Ministry investigation then the DMLE will be in charge and as thus any interrogation would fall under the supervision of Madam Bones. Until there is a summoning from her or her department you can not talk to Mr. Potter about any of this and he is not required by law to answer you. Dolores."

Umbridge narrowed her eyes. "I might just do that then. Minerva."

She left, Filch hot on her heels.

Harry raised a questioning eyebrow.

"You know, giving her ideas might not be the best thing to do Professor." He muttered.

"Oh please Potter. That woman is all hot steam and pink cardigans. She knows that the DMLE has more important things on their hand right now. You might not be out of the woods completely but it'll still be hard to put any concrete blame on you. Now hurry on Potter, you are being expected." She scoffed, pushing him towards the phoenix-staircase.

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Dumbledores office hadn't changed much since Harry had last been here.

As he approached the desk where Dumbledore sat, the pictures of the former headmasters and headmistresses looked down on him, sneering.

Not that it surprised him, in the painted world of portraits news and gossip travelled fast. It was the only thing these memories of long dead people still had.

"Professor, you sent for me?" he asked coolly as he stopped in front of Dumbledores desk.

"Yes Harry, how good to see you. I trust Narcissa is doing well?" the old wizard asked.

Harry stayed silent.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Anyhow…it wasn't me who sent for you. I'm just a messenger."

Harry frowned but Dumbledore gestured to the fireplace.

Hesitantly Harry approached the fire and as he did the flames roared up and a face appeared.

Harry collapsed to his knees and held back a sob.
"Sirius!" he whispered, clasping his hands over his face to hide the tears.

His godfather smiled.

"Hey pup." He muttered softly. "So…this is quite the mess…"

Harry laughed and sobbed at the same time. "Yeah, yeah it is Sirius." He admitted. "Are you okay?" he added, concern overweighing his guilt.

"I'm grand. So is Remus. Well…maybe grand is not the right word, we're on the run, again might I add and Fudge is not budging. We were staying with the Delacours but the tracked us down and we had to get the hell out of dodge! Nice people by the way. Fleur says Hi."

"Where are you now?" Harry asked. Sirius was stalling, trying to overplay the seriousness of the situation.

"Nowhere, really. And I can't really tell you. This line is secure but still…the walls have ears and I'd rather not tell you. I'm sorry."

Harry deflated slightly. "I understand."

"Tell me what's going on on your end."

Harry hesitated, looking at Dumbledore.

The Headmaster had stayed back but he seemed to understand Harrys hesitancy.

"I'll be outside." He said, heading for the door.

That surprised Harry but he took it nonetheless. Maybe Dumbledore finally had heard him. Maybe he was willing to change.

But he turned his attention back to Sirius. This was more important right now.

He gave Sirius a run-down of what had happened to him since leaving the beach.

Sirius nodded along and listened carefully.

When Harry told him about his deal with Narcissa he hesitated but Sirius shrugged and said: "It's the best deal you could have gotten under the circumstances. It's Narcissa, she always has another ace up her sleeve."

"You don't think she played me?" Harry asked.

Sirius hesitated.

"To early to say honestly. But you took the best precautions there are and if he turned out to be a snake after all…well then…we'll have to deal with her in a more permanent way."

Harry blanched slightly but didn't acknowledge Sirius's implications.

"What now Sirius? I yelled at Dumbledore, told Snape to fuck himself and pretty much alienated myself from the Order. You're god-knows where and…many of my friends and allies are injured, Deatheaters are roaming free and there is a ministry toad snooping around Hogwarts trying to get me arrested and spreading lies and propagating that everything is just fine. I can't do this without you. I don't even know where to begin."

Sirius sighed.

"I had hoped to spare you this burden. I had hoped we could nip all of this in the bud. Keep this war from escalating. We all knew it would come to this. From the moment Voldemort vanished…we knew it was too good to be true. And knew…we should have done more to prepare. But I guess after a while we go comfortable… believed the lie that everything was over. Our enemies didn't accept and they grew stronger. And that is what you have to do Harry. Grow strong. All of you. There is no stopping this anymore. There will be another confrontation. So far Voldemort had held back, keeping to the shadows. It will not stay like that. We have to build up our own forces. I didn't want this for you. Nobody wants this for their children. We want our children to have better lives. But we failed. I'm sorry for that Harry. But it's time you all prepared yourself for the battled that are yet to come. You have to find more allies. More people willing to join us. And then…you have to train. Prepare for every eventuality."

Harry stared at him.

"You want me to fight?" he asked quietly.

"I was still a child when I joined the order. So were your mum and dad and many of our friends. I never wanted this for you. It pains me to tell you this but…yes Harry. You have to fight. And not just with spells and hexes. Voldemort's biggest weapon is not that he is a powerful sorcerer but the story is telling. The vision of a world he wants to build and how he sells it to people. He…in a terrifying way…inspires people into believing that they are better than others, that they have to take their land and their culture back from someone. The change cannot be forced upon people but we have to be out there and counter his false narrative and show the truth. Only then…only when people no longer follow his ideology and only then…will he be truly powerless. And this is a far greater battle than stopping him and his Deatheaters in a duel. Because this fight is not won by shear brutal force."

Sirius took a deep breath.

"So, when I tell you to fight, I mean fight for your fellow witch and wizard. For those Voldemort seeks to kill and subdue. Fight for a better tomorrow for all of us. Pureblood, half-blood or Muggleborn…We all deserve to live and live well. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded.

"It won't be easy. You will need your friends. But I believe in you and we will do everything on our power to help you. So will Dumbledore and the Order. I'm not their biggest fan either. But they are on our side. And they will come around."

They sat in silence for a few moments.

"I'm scared." Harry blurted out.

"Of course, you are. You'd be a fool if you were not. But you'll do good. I just know it."

Something loud happened in Sirius's background.

"I have to leave. You'll hear form me, if it's safe."

Harry nodded. "Right. Stay safe Sirius."

"You too."

Harry began to get up but Sirius called him back.
"Harry…"

"Yes?"

"Give that toad hell. Marauder style."

A grin spread over Harrys face. "Aye-aye padfoot."

With a 'whoosh' the flames died down and only glowing embers remained.

Harry got up just as the door opened and Dumbledore stepped back in.

"Thank you…for this." Harry said, gesturing at the fireplace.

"Well…they say you can still teach an old dog a few tricks. It might take longer to get through to them…but…they can learn. Harry…I truly am trying to change. I am. I swear. But for so long I have been alone in this endeavour and have believed that my way and only my way if the right one. But you are staring to show me…that maybe there are more way. Different way. What you said…it has not just resonated with me. It shook us all awake. We will do better. For the sake of us all."

It was the first time that Harry felt sincerity and honestly coming along with the headmaster's words.

He nodded, approaching the older man slowly.

"I…" he began but just then a body dropped from the sky and landed right between them.

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It wasn't just a body. It was a person.

A person both Harry and Dumbledore knew fairly well.

A person Harry had told not twenty-four hours ago to 'screw' themselves.

It was Snape.

But Harry had never seen the potions master like this.

He was still dressed all in black and obviously had been but, judging by the huge and heavy black cloak.

He had pulled his hair back and out of his face and for once it did not hang in a greasy curtain before his eyes but was pushed out of his back and backwards, seemingly by magic.

For a second Harry realized juts how young the professor actually was…

But that realization was quickly thrown out at the sight of blood.

A lot of it.

Everywhere.

Harry didn't think twice.

He dropped down to his knees, hands instinctively searching for the wound to stem the bleeding.

Dumbledore was right there, on Snapes other side, his wand flying as he ran diagnostic spells.

"Severus!" he exclaimed.

Snape tried to speak but only blood and saliva flew from his lips.

Blood sprayed the more he moved, the more agitated he became.

Harry spotted a huge nasty gash running down the side of his throat and lunged forward, pressing his hands to the bleed.

Blood continued to well up between his fingers but much slower.

Now, that he had time to look at his professor he noticed that the man was covered in cuts.

From head to toe gashed ran along his body, all bleeding heavily.

A puddle was already forming.

"We need Madam Pomfrey!" Harry shouted.

Instead of answering, Dumbledore twirled his wand and a Patronus, a phoenix, soared into the air from the tip of Dumbledores wand.

A phoenix.

Harry, still pressing down on Snapes neck, frantically looked around.

"Where is Fawkes?" he shouted.

"It's a Burning Week. He's not yet back to full strength." Dumbledore panted.

Turning to Snape he added: "Severus, what happened?"

But the Potion master could just gurgle on his own blood.

The door to the headmaster's office slammed open and Madam Pomfrey flew inside. Harry wasn't even surprised that Daphne was with her, after all Daphne had taken to shadowing the medic-witch during her free-time at Hogwarts as part of her own training.

"Our of our way." Pomfrey barked but Harry waited until Daphne was next to him and took over pressing down on the gushing wound on Snapes neck.

Only then did he take a step back, holding his hands awkwardly up as to not touch anything. Blood dripped down his arms and stained his shirt.

"Harry, come over here." Dumbledore said calmly and Harry did. The Headmaster gently guided him outside and down the stairs where McGonagall just arrived.

She paled when she saw them.

"Goodness me, Albus, what happened? Whose blood is that?" she whisper-shouted.

"Minerva, there was an incident, concerning a Professor in my office. Don't worry, I'll tell you more later. For now, why don't you get Mr. Potter back to his friends to get cleaned up? I think they are currently residing on the seventh floor, yes?"

Harry didn't even bother to ask how he knew.

McGonagall pursed her lips in the same manner she did whenever Seamus set something on fire in her lesson. She was clearly not amused.

But she nodded and put a hand on Harrys shoulder, guiding him away.

Harry threw one last glance back at Dumbledore.

The old man wasn't looking at him. Instead he was looking up the staircase and towards his office.

And his expression was one of worry and deep concern.

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They managed to avoid any students and teachers on their way to the seventh floor.

When they got there, McGonagall waited for him to summon the Room of Requirements. She didn't say anything when the door appeared but her eyes told it all.

Ron and Hermione were sitting at the table overlooking the lake when they entered.

Both jumped to their feet at the sight of blood.

Hermione buried her face in her hands.

"Why is it that whenever you leave on your own, you eventually return covered in blood?" she asked through her fingers.

"Relax Hermione, it's not his by the looks of it." Ron muttered.

"That's not half as reassuring as you think it is." Hermione retorted and they hurried to his side.

"What happened?" Ron asked.

A memory flashed through Harrys mind.

Two looming figures in dark cloaks, waiting in the rain. Waiting for someone to come and show. Waiting to kill them.

He sighed. "Snape was attacked by some of his fellow Deatheaters. Just like I warned him. He managed to escape but he was gravely injured. Dumbledore and I tried to help him until Madam Pomfrey came. Daphne is with them too."

Hermione and Ron exchanged glances.

"Daphne was here but she then she left all of a sudden without and explanation." Hermione said thoughtfully.

"Must have gotten Pomfrey's summoning." Ron suggested.

"Is Professor Snape going to be alright?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"I have no idea. He was bleeding pretty badly when I left. But Pomfrey and Daphne are good at what they do. If he stands a chance its with those two." Harry tried to reassure her.

McGonagall cleared her throat.

"While I admire your concern for the Professor, I think for now you should go shower and change, Potter. And you two" she turned to look at his friends "I don't know…keep him out of trouble. Keep each other out of trouble for once."

Ron snorted. "Sure Professor. We'll try our best." He said dryly.

McGonagall sighed and left.

Harry went to take a shower.

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Sunday

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Sunday night dinner was the first time since coming back to Hogwarts the three of them attended dinner together with the whole school.

They would have preferred a quieter dinner in the Room of Requirements but alas they knew they had to go back eventually.

By now everyone had their own thoughts and theories of what had happened at Dead Man's Beach and who was responsible.

Most blamed Sirius, others Dumbledore and even Harry himself.

It didn't help that the Prophet kept screaming about Deatheaters at large and how there was man-hunt going of for Sirius and Remus currently in sixteen different countries. There were mass-arrests and raids going on, mostly on innocent people.

Fudge was on the radio ever hour almost announcing newer and more restricting policies.

Talk about excessive use of power…

All that was going on already when Dumbledore took to the podium.

Which was quite unusual.

"May I please have your attention." He said calmly and silence fell over the students.

"I have a few announcements to make. As some of you have already heard through the rumour mill that Professor Snape is currently absent from Hogwarts. He has fallen ill, rather severely and is currently recovering outside the castle."

A murmur went though the see of students.

Harry glanced over to the Slytherin table.

The younger students looked worried and confused while the older years had mostly stoic expressions on their faces.

"But fret not my young pupils. The ministry was kind enough to provide help in finding a new Potions Master. Until one is found the class will be cancelled. We do encourage you though to keep up with the theoretical aspect of the class so you do not fall behind. Practical applications though are forbidden without supervision of a teacher! As for an interim Head of House Slytherin…" here Dumbledore paused slightly "Professor Umbridge had volunteered to fill that position for the time being."

Another murmur went through the hall but this time it was more worried than before.

Umbridge as Head of Slytherin…that would not go over well…for the other Houses.

There was hesitant applause as Umbridge beamed at them.

"We are indeed very grateful for the Professor to step up like that." Dumbledore added. Harry imagined that the words probably left a bitter taste in the headmasters' mouth.

"That'll be all. Enjoy your desserts and then off to bed. The new weeks tarts bright and early tomorrow."

"I hope they find someone soon. It is our OWL year after all. We can not afford to fall behind now." Hermione said, reaching for a ladle.

"At least Umbridge is not teaching Potions as well." Ron muttered as the dinner continued.

"That would be an absolute disaster." Harry agreed.

"We'll still practice, right?" Hermione asked.

"Of course. I can ask Daphne to come and join us. She's very good at brewing potions." Harry assured her.

"Good." Hermione muttered.

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The new week began with a thunderstorm that took off the roof of Hagrid's hut and broke a couple of windows along the castle's norther side.

Because of that the first two lessons on Monday morning were cancelled. Independent studying was encouraged again.

Most students just enjoyed another hour of sleep…

But not Harry.

The entire previous night he had tossed and turned in his bed.

Whenever sleep had taken him, he'd dreamt of closed doors and endless hallways.

After the third time waking up exhausted and sweaty, he decided to get up and go outside.

The fresh frigid air cooled him down and cleared his mind.

After about thirty minutes outside he decided to go back.

Only to bump into Minister Fudge and a convoy of people at the castle's main portal.

For a second both sides froze, just staring at each other.

Someone, a reporter most likely, snapped picture of Harry.

The flash of light blinded Harry momentarily but shook him from his stupor.

He glared at the reporter and his camera.

"Who gave you permission to take my picture?" he growled.

To his credit the reporter did not back away. Instead he sneered and said condescendingly: "As a member of the free, independent and unbiased press I can do whatever I want."

Harry eyed the badge pinned to his chest.

"You work for the Daily Prophet mate. I think you've got that one wrong…" he said dryly.

The reporter turned red and tried to say something but, in his indignation, he only managed to gasp out a few unintelligible words.

"That is quite enough Mr. Potter." Fudge interrupted. All eyes turned to the minister.

"That's Lord Potter to you Minister." Harry replied coolly.

"Keep up the insolence and I might just banish you like your godfather." Fudge growled. "Then you'll have nothing."

Harry smirked. "Really? On what grounds would you banish me? Annoying the Minister? Insulting the press? Good luck with that."

"How about conspiracy against the government? You and your friends…I could have you all arrested and sentenced to life in Azkaban."

"Then go right ahead and put yourself on that list too, if you're at it." Harry shot back.

"I think that's enough." A new voice called out.

Dumbledore.

He stood in the entry of the castle, towering over them, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Minister, I think we have an appointment in my office. And Harry…I think you have some studies to get to, don't you?"

"Sure headmaster. Whatever you say." Harry muttered.

He threw one last glance at Fudge and one at the reporter and his camera.

Sending out a tendril of his magic as he turned around to leave, he smiled when he heard the startled yelp as the camera burst into flames.

It was a small victory but it still felt good.

After all…Fudge's presence at the castle couldn't mean anything good.

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Right he was.

Fudge did two things on his visit that would fundamentally change life at Hogwarts as they knew it.

First, he appointed some Ministry tool as teacher for Potions and second, he named Umbridge High Inquisitor. Meaning he gave her permission to snoop around as much as she wanted.

It was supposed to be for the benefit of the school…find things that do not work well and fix them…so to speak.

When really all it was surveillance.

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During lunch Harry inspected the newest addition to the teaching body.

An unassuming man of average hight with mouse-brown hair, watery grey eyes in a grey cloak. Everything about him screamed boring.

Harry had already forgotten his name.

Then his gaze fell to Umbridge and the new shiny metal pin on her pink cardigan. The badge that read 'High Inquisitor'.

"What is Fudge's problem with the school anyway?" Neville wondered out loud.

Hermione, Ron and Harry looked up from their respective plates.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Why is Fudge now all of a sudden so interested in controlling Hogwarts?" Neville explained.

"He's afraid of Dumbledore of course." Hermione said.

When she saw Neville's confused expression she continued.

"Dumbledore is the most powerful and revered wizard in our time. Not only is he a war-hero and defeater of the Dark Lord Grindelwald but also a politically invested person with a huge following. People believe and respect Dumbledore. Probably more so than they do in Fudge. Dumbledore could easily have become Minister of Magic and hold on to that position for years. He was just never interested. Fudge on the other hand had to fight dirty to get where he is. And now that they are at conflict with each other Fudge is afraid Dumbledore might come after his job. That's why he working so hard to discredit and disenfranchise Dumbledore wherever he goes. He wants the people to turn their backs on Dumbledore. Because he knows that even know, if it came to it, Dumbledore would win an election. So he smears him in the press and goes out of his way to proof to the general public that everything Dumbledore is claiming is a lie. Fudge had no concern for anyone but himself. He wants to stay in power at any cost. And if that means denying Voldemort is back and lying…so be it."

"Also, this narrative suites the Deatheaters. They know Dumbledore is dangerous to them but he is less dangerous without the support of the public. If they rally behind him, they stand no chance. Fudge is like the ideal leader to them though. Easily bribed and controlled, closes his eyes to anything that looks like conflict but also easily disposed of, should push come to shove." Ron added.

"So Fudge is afraid that Dumbledore raises his own army to overthrow him? That is absolutely ridiculous." Neville said slowly

Harry shrugged. "It is. But Fudge is not a rational person. He's afraid and he knows the only way to get truly rid of Dumbledore is by discrediting him. If he could, he'd throw all people who disagree with him into Azkaban. But he can't without reason so he's hired Umbitch to snoop around and find something worthy of accusing Dumbledore of treason so they can get rid of him. Then Hogwarts falls under their control and they'll be able to influence and entire generation of young witches and wizards into believing that everything is just dandy. Which will do nobody any good when Voldemort takes over. But that is exactly what he and his followers want. An easy take-over. No resistance. So they support Fudge's moves."

"That's…that's disgusting…" Neville said in a low voice.

All three of them snorted simultaneously. It was.

"So what can we do about it?" Neville asked.

That surprised Harry.

But then again Neville was surprising him a lot lately.

"Getting rid of Umbitch is one thing. But that's only a small part. We have to get the people on our side. Fudge is like water; he takes the path of least resistance. If there is enough pressure, he might cave in." Hermione explained.

"But how do we do that from here? We're kids in the eyes of the Ministry."

"Maybe. But it's our future that's at stake. We can't let their perception of us hinder us in doing what's right. Our parents certainly didn't…" Harry pointed out.

Neville held his gaze. "No, they didn't." he agreed.

"What we need to be is prepared. None of that theoretical application to the curriculum bullshit Umbitch is preaching in DADA. We need to be able to put up a fight. No easy surrender. And for that we have to learn magic. Really learn. Do it!" Ron pointed out.

"But that is what the Ministry is trying to stop us from doing…" Neville said slowly, realization dawning on his face.

"Yes." Harry said.

"So what are we going to do about it?" Neville asked with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione carefully used her napkin to clean some soup of her mouth.

"I have an idea. But it's not ready yet…" she admitted. "We need a bit more incentive for the other students for it to work."

.

.

.

The incentive came later that night in form of the first Education Decree. And then the many more that would quickly follow.