Word quickly spread about Dumbledore's disappearance. The next morning another Educational Decree was posted, Dolores Umbridge was now the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Along with her promotion, she appointed more power to her Inquisitorial Squad. Malfoy and Filch were often seen stalking down corridors, looking for anyone they could punish.

"Malfoy can dock points now!" Ron exclaimed as they walked to class. "Bloody hell, goodbye house cup for anyone other than Slytherin."

"This is wrong" Hermione said. "The Minister is so paranoid that he is destroying himself and everyone around him."

"Fear does strange things to people." Harry said.

/

Later that day, they met up with Fred and George in the common room. The twins were hunched over a table, several pieces of parchment scattered across the surface.

"I'm assuming you three have run into the Inquisitorial Squad" George snickered.

"Gits, the lot of them" Ron muttered.

"Yeah, Montague tried to do us during break," George said.

"What do you mean, 'tried'?" Ron asked.

"He never managed to get all the words out," Fred replied, "due to the fact that we forced him headfirst into that Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor."

Hermione looked very shocked. "But you'll get into terrible trouble!"

"Not until Montague reappears, and that could take weeks, I dunno where we sent him," Fred said coolly.

"Can things get any worse?" Ron sighed.

"Well, apparently Umbridge gave Filch permission to whip students as punishment." Fred said.

"WHAT?!" Hermione shrieked. "That's completely barbaric! How could the Minister allow such a thing?"

"Don't you worry Hermione, he won't be touching anyone. We're making sure of that." George assured, gesturing to the mess of papers on the table.

"What are you two up to?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

"Best you don't know" Fred winked.

"Plausible deniability and all" George said.

Hermione shrugged, "As long as it's for Umbridge and her 'squad', go crazy"

The boys looked at her, eyes wide in shock.

"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione?" Ron asked.

Hermione huffed, "I've grown tired of that absurd toad being where she is not wanted."

"Well, we've been feeling the same Ms. Granger." George said.

"We will make something extra special, just for you." Fred said.

/

As the week progressed, Umbridge seemed to get worse. The Twins seemed to be having fun causing chaos that no one could prove was them.

Most of the other Professors ignored her, teaching their classes as if Dumbledore still sat in the Headmaster's chair. This seemed to annoy Umbridge, but she was unable to do anything. Especially with O.W.L.s so close.

O.W.L.s, another thing that Harry dreaded. He was studying like mad. He knew he would have to do well if he wanted any kind of career. Also, what would his parents say if they knew he was slacking off in his studies? Harry needed to do well.

/

Harry was walking down to Snape's office for his Occlumency lesson when Malfoy found him.

"Out of bed after curfew eh Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "Looks like it's another fifty points from Gryffindor."

"I'm on my way to see Snape" Harry snapped.

"Oh, and just what business do you have with the Professor?" Malfoy asked with a raised brow.

"Remedial Potions" Harry bit out. He didn't want to admit that to Malfoy of all people, but his pride was worth less than losing even more points.

Malfoy's eyes brightened, "Remedial Potions? I knew you were stupid Potter, but I didn't think you were that stupid." He laughed.

Harry clenched his fists. "Yes, well, I should be going. You know how he hates tardiness." He moves around the blond, but Malfoy, apparently isn't finished.

"Oh, come on Potty" Malfoy grinned maliciously. "You can't leave yet, I'm not done laughing."

"I'm done hearing it" Harry said and pushed passed him. Luckily, he wasn't followed.

When he got to Snape's office, everything was already set up.

"You're late Potter" Snape greeted as Harry sat down in the chair.

"I had a run in with the Inquisitorial Squad" Harry said.

Snape's lip curled, "Hardly an excuse" He replied simply. "Have you practicing?"

Harry nodded hesitantly.

Snape frowned, "Wand up Potter, it is time we start this lesson."

Harry raised his wand, he tried to calm his mind but he his irritation at both Snape and Malfoy were hard to clear.

Snape raised his wand and Harry tried to ready himself.

"Legillimens"

Harry tried to stave off the attack, but he couldn't focus enough. He fell back in the chair, gasping for breath once Snape finished.

"Focus Potter, control your emotions" Snape hissed.

"I'm trying!" Harry gasped out.

Snape shook his head, "Just like your father. Lazy, weak…"

"I'm not weak!" Harry exclaimed. "And shut up about my father, you don't know anything about him."

"I know plenty about your so-called father. And you're just as arrogant as he was." Snape crossed his arms and looked down his long nose at Harry. "It would seem your new daddy is no better. As Arrogant and self-righteous as your previous father."

Harry quickly stood from his seat, "Don't talk about my father or my dad. They are both great men."

Snape growled, "Your father was a swine!"

He raised his wand again, but this time Harry was ready.

"Protego!"

Harry felt his head spin as he was sucked into Snape's memory. He could see a younger version of the Marauders sitting under a tree. His dad was playing with a snitch while the rest were laughing and talking. His dad was playing with a snitch and messing his hair up. Harry noticed a young Snape standing not too far away, occasionally glancing towards the group of four.

James seemed to notice this and got Sirius' attention. Harry watched in horror as his dad and godfather suspended Snape in the air by his leg, laughing and jeering.

He was surprised to see his mother rush forward, shouting at them to stop. They eventually did, but Lily had to shout some more.

Harry could only watch as his mother threw insults at his father, wondering how they ever got married if this is what she thought of him while in school.

He was pulled out of the memory before anything worse happened. He fell to the floor, gasping for breath. Snape was leaning heavily on his desk, staring at him with intense hatred.

"I'm sorry" Harry whispered before he ran from the room. He didn't stop until he came to his bed. He quickly shut the curtains and buried his face in his pillow. He couldn't believe his father would do that to someone. Sure Snape was evil, but to bully someone like that.

He fell into a restless sleep.

/

The next few days Harry couldn't get Snape's memory out of his head. He avoided Snape at all costs and wasn't surprised when the man refused to continue his Occlumency lessons.

To make the week worse, he ran into Cho, who proceeded to apologize for Marietta.

"She's a lovely person" Cho assured, "She just made a mistake."

"She sold us out" Harry said.

"But we all got away" Cho said. "And her mother works for the Ministry. That must have been so hard for her, keeping such a secret like that."

"Ron's dad works for the Ministry as well, you don't see him running around with 'SNEAK' written on his face."

"That was a terrible trick Hermione Granger played." Cho said fiercely. "She should have told us she jinxed the list."

"It was a brilliant idea." Harry defended.

Cho's cheeks darkened and her brows furrowed. "Oh, yes. If Hermione did it, it's a great idea"

Harry refrained from rolling his eyes…barely. "I have to study, I'll see you later"

She glared at him, "With Hermione Granger I suppose?"

"No, with Ron. O.W.L.s are soon and I need to study."

He quickly walked away before she could do anything else.

/

"Are you ready for your career assessment?" Ron asked Harry.

"What is it?" He asked.

"You meet with your Head of House to figure out what you need to do for whatever job you want when you graduate." Hermione explained. "We'll be meeting with Professor McGonagall all throughout this week."

Harry nodded, "So I tell her I want to be an Auror and she tells me how?"

Ron nods, "She'll probably go over what grades we need on our O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s"

"N.E.W.T.s?"

"The next level of exams. We take those next year" Hermione answered.

Harry nodded.

/

When he arrived at Professor McGonagall's office, he was surprised to see Professor Umbridge sitting off to the side.

The meeting was fairly short, even with the unwanted interruptions. When he was finished, Harry hurried out of the office and stormed down to the Black Lake, hoping to clear his head.

He practically fell to the ground by the shore, sighing heavily.

"Why the long face Harry?"

"Dad?" Harry looked up to see his dad smiling at him a few feet away.

Woo! Getting to some good stuff now ^-^