A Ministry Approved Education: A small idea I had thinking about Umbridge and her teaching in Harry's fifth year. I REALLY would like to see someone write a full fic - dramatic possibly but preferably in the humor catagory - centered around this idea. I don't think anyone ever used this most obvious bunny.

Harry watched as Umbridge greeted the Examiners. Unlike almost everyone else that Umbridge dealth with, she was almost submissive toward their scrutiny. Suddenly, he got an idea. He turned to Hermione. "Hermione? Can you get the most trusted DA members from each House to meet with me in the Room tonight immediately after dinner? Preferably one from seventh year and one from fifth. I have a plan."

Hermione was nervous. Harry's plans were often poorly thought out. He made up for that by his excellent improvisation. But, she trusted him. So she agreed.

After dinner, Harry made his way to the Room of Requirement. Very soon, six other students arrived. Hermione had chosen herself and Alicia for Gryffindor. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were as well known in their own house.

Checking the map to ensure that none were followed, Harry soon greeted the students.

He took a good thirty minutes to explain his plan to the students. Actually – it took two minutes to explain. The rest of the time was convincing them. Finally, they all agreed to try. They'd give Hermione the signal tomorrow if they were successful. If the Houses other than Slytherin all agreed – they would go ahead.

Breakfast the next morning was tense. Each House was waiting for the signal. Their chosen representatives gave it. Harry, as agreed, signaled his own House. There were many nods of acceptance being passed around.

Umbridge was suspicious – but there was nothing obvious.

The first days of the examinations were quite interesting. Most were doing well. It was Thursday, the day of the Defense Exams where things became interesting.

The students all agreed to answer all the questions exactly as Harry suggested. They were all obviously nervous. At the end of the exam, they were collected. Immediately after dinner Umbridge realized the exact problem she was facing.

A voice was raised in protest – all the waiting students heard. "I don't know what you mean! I just gave you the Ministry-approved method that Professor Umbridge told us. Professor – tell them that they're doing it wrong!"

It took a few minutes for the commotion to settle down. Umbridge tried to shut the students up – but she had no control over the examiners and what they tested.

Harry was asked to perform the Patronus Charm and he also did well on the spells from first through fourth year. When the examiner asked for a fifth-year spell, Harry explained that he was taught that he didn't need to know how to do that magic. If he was being attacked, he was to call an Auror and wait for them to arrive.

The examiners had faced this explanation a number of times already and just accepted it.

As Harry walked out of the examination room, he grinned as he looked at Professor Umbridge. He remembered the explanation of the plan.

Flashback

"Did anyone see how Umbridge was acting toward the examiners?"

All agreed that it was obvious that she wanted to impress them.

"I say that we help her to impress the examiners with what she had taught us this year."

Alicia was dubious. "She really didn't teach us anything. Everything I learned in for Defense I learned in other years or from you."

Harry tutted. "Certainly she taught us something. She taught us that we aren't to do magic – we are supposed to report the problem to the Ministry and wait for the Aurors."

Susan scoffed. "You know that doesn't work. My Aunt is the head of the DMLE and she always told me that the best way to protect yourself is to do it yourself."

Harry sighed and then said patiently, "I know. However, that ISN'T the Ministry approved curriculum we were given this year. I think that we should give the examiners exactly what we were taught. If we learned it before Umbridge came here – do the best you can. But if we were supposed to be taught it this year – tell the examiners exactly what you were taught to do. I'm sure they'll be impressed."

End of Flashback

The Daily Prophet the next day reported on the blowup of the Examiners when they stormed into the Ministry to confront Cornelius Fudge on what his hand-picked Professor had done to the students of Hogwarts.

Professor Umbridge didn't finish the day as Headmistress.