Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait!
Umbridge patted her frazzled hair down as she walked to the Headmaster's office. She normally would have been more than happy to meet with Dumbledore this early in the morning, especially as Potter had not shown up for his detention last night and she was going to insist that the brat be suspended. But after the horrible night she had just had, she'd rather deal with the Headmaster later. Her dreams had been horrible; no matter how many times she had woken up and fallen back asleep she had had the same nightmare. She was sitting in the Great Hall as the students ate, writing lines with her own blood quill! In the nightmare her hand had been a mangled bloody mess by the time she woken up. The worst part was that she could remember the pain, the agony and even now, her hand hurt. She had been sure when she had woken up for the last time before giving up on sleep that her hand would show marks but there was nothing. She scowled inwardly at the whole ordeal, sure that having Potter suspended would make her feel better.
Knocking on the Headmaster's door, Umbridge squared her shoulders and when Dumbledore told her to enter she arrogantly walked in. She started a bit when she saw the potion's professor in the office but then figured it was a good thing he was there, since what she had to say concerned his son. "I was pleased you sent for me Headmaster. I must speak with you and Professor Snape."
Dumbledore stared at her. "My goodness, you look like you didn't sleep at all last night." He was surprised that her hair was in disarray, her clothes wrinkled and she was pale with dark shadows under her eyes. Most interesting was the way she kept rubbing her unblemished hand.
Umbridge flushed and tugged at her clothing. "Yes, I'm afraid I did not sleep well."
"Really?" Dumbledore turned a suspicious look to Snape, who merely stared back at him innocently. "That's…too bad. What did you need to talk to us about Delores?" He gave a slight nod to Snape, who flicked his wand behind Umbridge's back and whispered to his patronus before it galloped out of the office without Umbridge even noticing.
"I have a complaint about a certain student," Umbridge replied.
"Isn't that interesting? There has been a complaint about you too," Dumbledore said coolly.
Umbridge giggled. "Oh Headmaster. I am a professor, what professor doesn't get complained about?"
"Very true," Dumbledore smiled, though his eyes were hard and cold. "However, not all professor's have a parent issue a complaint that their child has been physically abused during their detentions."
Umbridge cleared her throat. "What are you talking about?"
"He is talking about you using a blood quill on my son," Snape said, his voice dark and his eyes full of hatred as he stepped towards her.
Umbridge paled as she realized that Potter must have told. The little brat, she thought angrily. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."
"Don't you? Let me make this simple Delores, have you been using a blood quill on students?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Of course not," Umbridge gave a huff. "Although, I do have authority to do whatever it takes to keep certain students in line."
"Do you?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Severus, lower your wand. You don't need it…yet."
Umbridge tried not to flinch at the look Snape was giving her. "You know I am here to get this school and its students in order." She said finally.
A silvery wisp swept into the room and Dumbledore stood up. "You used a blood quill on my students, an object which is banned. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Can you prove it?" Umbridge challenged.
"As the blood quill in question was just found in your office, the answer is yes." Dumbledore said, fury finally showing on his face.
"You went through my office?" Umbridge's face turned red with anger. "You had no right!"
"I am the Headmaster, I had every right," Dumbledore said calmly. "Allegations have been brought against you Delores. You are in very serious trouble."
Umbridge laughed. "Hardly. Do you realize how much authority I have here? I told you, I can do whatever I think is necessary."
"Including torturing two students?" Dumbledore thundered so loudly even Snape flinched.
Umbridge took a step back. "I have permission from Cornelius Fudge to do what I must to keep students in line. Especially the Potter brat!" She spat out. She yelped in pain as she was hit with a painful hex. She glared at Snape. "How dare you!"
"How dare I?" Severus yelled. "You miserable old-"
"Severus," Dumbledore said quietly.
Umbridge took a deep breath and pasted a fake smile on her face. "You can't prove anything; you are just trying to get rid of me. You can't prove that you found the quill in my office."
"I wasn't the one who retrieved your quill," Dumbledore smirked.
Umbridge blanched. "What? Then…who," She gave a harsh laugh. "Snape then?" She threw a glare at the potions professor, who gave her a look of loathing.
"An Auror."
Umbridge stared at Dumbledore in horror.
"Oh yes, these allegations are taken quite seriously especially for the use of an implement that is outlawed, Delores." Dumbledore sat back down in his seat. "Did you really think you would get away with it?"
"Cornelius Fudge," Umbridge started to say.
"He will not help you, as you seem to think he will." Dumbledore interrupted. "He will look out for himself first."
"He wanted me to do whatever necessary to shut Potter up," Umbridge hissed. "So I did!"
"He never condoned using a blood quill though, did he?" Dumbledore pointed out. "You do know the use of one is a ticket straight to Azkaban? It is considered just as bad as using an unforgivable."
"I am not going to Azkaban!" Umbridge shrieked, moving to grab her wand.
Severus flicked his wand at her and a pink toad now sat where Umbridge had been standing, her wand clattering to the floor next to it.
"Severus," Dumbledore sighed, his eyes amused. "What are we supposed to do with her now?"
"Perhaps Longbottom's toad would like a friend?" Snape suggested as he walked closer to the toad. Crack! "Oh dear me," he said quietly with a smirk.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "You broke her wand?" Amusement danced in his eyes.
"She won't be needing it, will she?" Snape shrugged as he picked up the wand, which was now in two pieces.
"I must say, I'm impressed you kept your temper in control as much as you did," Dumbledore said.
"Of course I did, you made me drink a calming draught before she came in here," Snape snapped.
"It was a double, actually," Dumbledore chuckled. "It wouldn't do to have you join her in Azkaban, after all."
The door to the office opened and Tonks and Kingsley walked in. "Headmaster," Tonks greeted. "We found it, just sitting in her desk drawer like it was no big deal." She held up the blood quill, a disgusted look on her face.
"Do you know where Delores Umbridge is? We are taking her into custody," Kingsley said seriously. "I have already sent word to the ministry."
"It will be interesting to see what Fudge has to say, as she believes he will protect her." Snape commented.
Tonks looked surprised. "Fudge knew about the quill?"
"I do not think so," Dumbledore said. "I think he sent her here to cause trouble, though I'd wager he made sure he didn't know what she was actually doing."
"The fact he sent her here will reflect badly upon him," Kinglsey said. "Once word gets out, the public will blame him as well."
"So where is she?" Tonks crossed her arms. "Did she escape?"
"She's right next to you," Snape said with a small grin.
"What?" Tonks looked down and saw a pink toad staring up at her. "Oh!"
Kingsley covered a laugh with a cough. "You transfigured her into a toad?"
"She went for her wand when confronted," Snape said innocently.
Tonks snorted as she pointed her wand at Umbridge and transfigured her back.
"How dare you!" Umbridge yelled, her face pink with anger and embarrassment. "Both of you are dismissed from your jobs!" Her eyes landed on her broken wand, which lay on Dumbledore's desk. "My wand!" She gasped.
"Incarcerous!" Thick ropes sprung from Kingsley wand and bound Umbridge's hands and feet, causing her to fall over. "Delores Umbridge, you are under arrest for the illegal use of a blood quill on students."
"You can't do this to me!" Umbridge screeched as she struggled to free herself. "I have authority –"
"Silencio." Tonks shook her head as she lowered her wand. "What a piece of work. Have you seen her office? Simply appalling."
Dumbledore handed Kingsley two pieces of parchment. "These are the statements by Luna Lovegood and Harry Potter." He also handed over a vial. "This contains Luna's memory of her detention yesterday evening." He glanced at Severus.
"Harry is in no condition to provide memories right now," Snape said quietly. "He's recovering from a fever caused by an infection from the blood quill. In fact, I believe that if he had suffered through another detention with Umbridge, his hand would have been beyond repair."
"What we have is enough," Kingsley assured him. "I know you would want to keep Mr. Potter's name out of this as much as possible."
Snape inclined his head. "Thank you." He watched with satisfaction as Umbridge was levitated and taken into the floo, barely able to stifle a laugh when Tonks caused her to hit her head on the side of the floo.
"Oops," Tonks grinned as the three of them disappeared into the green flames.
"I need to make another visit to the infirmary and check on Luna," Dumbledore said. "Poppy was furious as I'm sure you can imagine." They both knew how protective Poppy could get with the students.
"I need to go check on Harry," Snape said even though he was sure the child was still sleeping and likely would sleep for most of the morning. Thankfully, it was the weekend so he didn't need to worry about finding anyone to cover his classes.
Dumbledore looked shuttered. "I honestly had no idea she was hurting him. I owe Harry an apology; he got abused in my school." The guilt was evident in his voice.
"I didn't know either," Snape sighed. "I should have pushed the issue more when I realized something was bothering Harry. Instead I let my temper get the better of me, I even took points from him during class like I used to."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Points can be given back," He said gently. He sighed. "I do know Minerva was rather hard on him for his recent behavior. When she finds out the reason, she will be deeply upset with herself."
"He didn't speak up because he wanted to protect our jobs," Snape shook his head.
"I take responsibility Severus, I told all of you to let Umbridge do as she pleased and not ruffle her feathers," Dumbledore said. "I never thought she would actually harm a student. I truly thought that if we let her think she had control over the school, Fudge would see that I was not planning a takeover." He sighed and gave Snape a weary smile. "Go and take care of your son Severus. We will talk more about this later."
HP
It was now late in the morning as Snape read the Daily Prophet with satisfaction. One thing for the wizarding media, they got the most current news out quickly. On the front page was a picture of Umbridge, who was clearly glaring at the camera, and an article about how she was now in Azkaban for using a blood quill on students at Hogwarts. Snape glanced through Rita Skeeter's article as he sipped his coffee.
Delores Umbridge has been using a blood quill, which was made illegal for its barbaric use, on students during detentions, subjecting them to what can only be labeled as torture as the words you write carve into the skin. In fact, use of a blood quill is considered an unofficial unforgivable curse. Use of this object guarantees a one way trip to Azkaban for a minimum of five years per victim. This reporter has sources that say there were at least two victims, though only one is known. Luna Lovegood, a fourth year Ravenclaw, was subjected to this torturous device last night simply for defending a fellow student.
The person responsible for Umbridge's employment to Hogwarts is our own Cornelius Fudge, minister of magic. "I had no idea how unhinged the woman was," Fudge said in a statement early this morning. "I knew Albus Dumbledore needed a Defence teacher and I thought Delores Umbridge would be up to the task. I am appalled at her actions and hope she sees the error of her ways during her long stay in Azkaban."
Her stay should be longer than ten years, Snape thought darkly. Of course, the potion that Dobby had slipped into her tea will still be in effect. She would suffer nightmares and feel the pain of a blood quill for a long time. It wasn't remotely enough of what she deserved, but it was better than nothing.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts and he strolled over to answer it. "Minerva," He said with a raised eyebrow.
Minerva was pale as she entered Snape's quarters. "I've just been talking to Albus. He told me everything." She said in a shaky voice. "I would like to speak to Harry."
"He is still asleep," Snape said. "He was beyond exhausted last night plus the potions I gave him to heal his fever and pain made him even more tired."
Minerva shut her eyes for a moment. "I can't believe I scolded him so many times, I even took points when I find out he had detention with that woman!"
"I have the same guilt Minerva," Snape said with a sigh. "I had no idea he was being hurt and was quite stern with him myself."
"Albus said he didn't say anything because Delores threatened to have you and him fired," Minerva said, guilt in her eyes. "She told Harry she could fire any teacher she wanted?"
Snape nodded. "Yes, and protecting us was part of why he kept quiet."
"And the other part?" Minerva asked in frustration. "Did he think we, no…did he think I wouldn't care?" Pain and guilt were in her voice. "When he, Mr. Weasley and Miss. Granger tried to tell me about someone being after the stone in their first year, I completely dismissed their concerns. Perhaps he thought I would again."
"No, I believe he knew we would care," Snape assured her. "Besides wanting to protect my job he also didn't want to give in to Umbridge and let her think she had broken him."
"What was he thinking?" Minerva asked, sounding part exasperated and part sad.
"I wasn't, I guess."
Snape and Minerva turned to see Harry shuffling out of his room, still in his pajamas, hair ruffled and blinking blearily at them from behind his glasses. Snape suppressed a smile at the sight, in this moment Harry looked much younger than his fifteen years.
Snape motioned for Harry to follow him into the kitchen and pulled out a seat for him. "Let me see your hand," He said.
Harry obediently held out his hand, which no longer hurt him.
Snape gently checked the scar, which was now very light. He summoned more of the balm he had used last night and rubbed it into the faint lines. "I don't know if it will disappear completely," He told Harry. "But it should be barely noticeable now."
"Good, no more glamour," Harry joked weakly. He bit his lip when his dad pursed his lips together in disapproval. He glanced over at his Head of House, who was staring at is hand with incredible sadness in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Professor McGonagall," He offered.
"Oh, Harry. No, I am sorry," Minerva sighed. "I'm sorry I was so harsh, I should have suspected something was really wrong. I just never thought that even Umbridge was capable of such cruelty. I even walked in on one of her other detentions and the student was writing lines with their own quill."
"I did as well," Severus murmured.
"She said the blood quill was for special students, like me." Harry explained. "That's why I didn't think she would use it on anyone else." He looked at his dad. "Do you know if Luna is okay?"
"She is fine; Poppy is releasing her from the infirmary this morning. Her hand wound was not as serious as yours as she only suffered one detention," Snape said. He flicked his wand and food appeared on the table. "Eat."
Harry picked up his glass of pumpkin juice and took a sip.
Minerva patted Harry on the shoulder. "I'll leave you to your breakfast. Harry, please know you can always come to me about anything. I will listen to you," She said sincerely.
"Thank you Professor," Harry said quietly.
After Minerva left, Snape sat down across from Harry. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did," Harry said, fiddling with his glass of juice. He frowned. "I don't remember going to bed though; I must have been really out of it. The last thing I remember was sitting on the couch talking to my friends."
Snape looked at him in amusement.
"What?" Suddenly comprehension dawned on Harry's face. "Oh no. You didn't carry me to bed did you?"
Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Merlin, how embarrassing," Harry muttered.
"With everything you've been through recently, you're upset about being carried to bed and tucked in," Snape scoffed.
"Tucked in?" Harry groaned.
Snape shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. "Eat your food and then we need to talk about how you will not use a glamour to hide an injury from me ever again."
Harry ducked his head as he took a bite of his toast smothered in marmalade.
"Here," Snape tossed him the paper. "Read the front page. It should cheer you up some."
Harry curiously picked up the paper, a slow smile spreading across his face as he read the article. Yes, this did cheer him up. Considerably.
TBC: