Hey everyone,
Okay, I have just one thing to say about this chapter: WOW! I must have been in a really bad mood to actually write a chapter where UMBRIDGE was the main POV. I don't remember that mood I was in at the time, but right now – I'm regretting it. Therefore, expect this chapter to have the least amount of editing done to it.
Read fast, my friends,

Venquine1990

Chapter 39
Reaching Their Limits

Pomona's POV

I check the title of the next chapter, shudder and ask: "Anyone still interested in Lockhart?" And while a few condescendingly raise their hands, does Umbridge say: "I personally think that Gilderoy Lockhart is a model citizen who has been unrightfully harmed." To which I sneer: "Good, then you read." Throwing her the book.

Umbridge's POV (can you say YUCK?)

This school obviously lacks proper discipline, respect for those of higher function and society behavior seeing how vulgarly Pomona Sprout threw the retched book at me as if I was simply one of her lower students. Deciding to show them proper behavior, I stand up, make my notorious hem, hem sound and start to read.

Chapter 6: Gilderoy Lockhart

This makes me smile and I say: "Ah good, a respectful chapter with a respectful title." But then Potter mutters: "Too bad Lockhart never showed respect to others." I glare at the brat and say: "Mr. Potter, do you really want me to repeat myself? You are a student and a minor and thus should learn to show proper respect –."
But again the brown-haired man, of whose cloths I can tell he will never make it far in life, interrupts me and says: "To those who've earned his respect and insulting all his friends is the opposite of doing so." I glare at the man and say: "I never asked you." But he retorts: "Just gave my opinion, as is my right." I sniff at him and read on.

The next … ever met.

"Mr. Potter, you really need to be taught how to show respect. Thinking such things about the upcoming Lord of a Noble Family is –." I try to tell the brat, but the Longbottom Heir himself speaks up and asks: "Excuse me, ma'am, but who's being insulted here? You or me? Because I see no fault in Harry's thoughts."
I glare at the round-faced boy and say: "Mr. Longbottom, seeing your grandmother isn't here, someone has to protect your rights –." Shockingly enough I am interrupted again, this time by Professor McGonagall, who says: "And that job, at Hogwarts, befalls his Head of House and not you, Madame Umbridge."
I glare at the woman, more sure than ever that Hogwarts has dawdled away from proper respect worthy to high-society. Wanting more than ever for ancient customs to come back and blaming all these disrespectful actions on the only places they can I send a quick, distasteful look at all Muggleborns and the Potter boy, before reading on.

"Mail's due … his beak.

"Really?" Sirius Black asks, sticking his head through the curtain blocking him and his distasteful actions from our view and he asks: "She actually sends a Howler? She hears her son and her son's friend were almost clobbered by a violent tree and she sends them a Howler? What was that woman thinking, for Merlin's sake?"
Arthur Weasley shakes his head while Black seems to get pulled back into the curtained area and the man says: "I have no idea. Back then, because of my worry and the enquiry, I thought it a good idea, but now." The man lowers his head and I allow a small smirk, having always believed the man to be a danger for proper society.
Then he speaks words I have always believed the truth and he says: "I'm sorry I failed you, boys. I really don't know where she turned from loving mother to uncaring tyrant." But the siblings seem to disagree with this – and with that with my beliefs – as they all hug the man tightly, showing them their love and respect.
I shake my head at their behavior, believing it unneeded as children need a firm hand to grow into hard-working and well-society-behaving people and make my famous sound again, shocked at the cold, hated glare I receive of all Weasley siblings. Ignoring the family for the Blood-Traitors they are, I simply read on.

"Oh, no —" … was horrible."

This shocks me and I say: "Mr. Longbottom, I'm sure someone like you has never received a Howler before. You really mustn't tell lies to make others feel better." But the boy spats: "Believe what you will, ma'am, but my gran send me a Howler and it was justified, even if it was horrible." I look shocked at the boy's disrespect and read on.

Harry looked … WAS GONE —"

"Okay." Black says firmly, again sticking his head – and part of his neck that is covered in disgusting hickeys – out of the curtain and he says: "That woman really needs to learn what to say and what not to her sons. This is the second time I hear her complaining to Ron about his family. Doesn't she do that enough?"
But then Lupin sticks his head out of the curtain and growls – proving to me how much of a monster Werewolves truly are – as he says: "No. More. Interruptions. You're MINE!" Before forcefully pulling Black into the curtain. I shake my head, my lips thin and my patience wearing even thinner and mutter: "Disgusting beast."
Strangely enough causing almost all of the Great Hall to glare at me. I look respectful and with a curious eyebrow raised and a timid Second Year Hufflepuff – Hufflesnot, if you ask me – says: "No one talks bad about Professor Lupin. He was the best teacher we had." I huff in disbelief, thus causing the glares to strengthen and read on.

Mrs. Weasleys … HAVE DIED —"

This time Arthur is the one shaking his head and he says: "I accepted her to write an Howler, believing at the time for that to be the best, but I would have never allowed her to use me." He then turns to his son and says: "I understand why you did it, Ron, and while I don't approve, I know you did what you had to at the time."
Ron smiles and I shake my head, perfectly understanding why Molly Prewett is the perfect mother. Unlike her weak-minded, Monster – I mean Muggle – obsessed husband is the woman strong and does she obviously believe in the right ways of punishment. Deciding to try and find this woman, I ignore the Weasleys and read on.

Harry had … eardrums throb.

"You really did well on that, Harry." The filthy Mudblood girl says kindly and the young Longbottom Lord goes on: "Yeah, next to your head looking like a tomato being fried you just ate your porridge as if nothing was happening." Potter shrugs, proving how little he cares for their attention and says: "Heard worse shouts, trust me."
This strangely enough causes everyone Potter seems to care about to turn grim and angry and the Half-blood woman named Mss. Crenson hugs the brat as she says: "No more thoughts about those monsters, Harry. They don't deserve your attention, sweetling." Shaking my head at this disgusting cuddling of the brat, I read on.

"—ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED — … BACK HOME."

"I can assure you, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter, that we would have not allowed that woman to take you from Hogwarts, unless the Board of Governors and I myself believed you deserved to be expelled. Which you have yet to, Bless the Gods." McGonagall mutters at the end and I feel I must step in to all this cuddling and then cough.
The woman turns her most stern face my way, making me cringe as she was my only teacher capable of making me halt in my tracks and I say: "Surely Potter and Weasley have already done enough to be expelled. Breaking the law, causing an enquiry and thus shaming the Ministry –." But then Fudge says: "That will do, Dolores."

I look at him shocked and he says: "The enquiry was never put into action, as you well know, and I will not allow further disgraceful words. Arthur Weasley will be working on actions that can save us would the Muggles ever find out about us and I will not hear him or his family being spoken about like that, understood?"
I can barely believe what I am hearing as Arthur Weasley has always been a private joke between me and Cornelius, about who we laughed and joked behind his back, not to mention how I often pulled ¾ of his paycheck before sending it to the man. And now Cornelius is defending him? Wondering what has happened here, I read on.

A ringing … but you —"

"Hermione, this is just like with the fake duel. You really need to learn when to reprimand someone and when not." Neville tells the girl and I huff as this is clear proof how uncaring and vulgar Mudbloods truly are. The young Lord glares at me and while wondering how he can care for such scum, do I read on.

"Don't tell … the summer…

"Why is it that you felt guilty and bad and Ron didn't?" The young Longbottom Lord asks and the Potter brat answers with a snicker: "Because Ron was too busy being angry at Hermione for wanting to reprimand him over his actions." The youngest Weasley male mock-glares at the brat and I shake my head before reading on.

But he … friendly again.

"And I wasn't before?" The Mudblood asks mock-insulted, which is ridiculous to me as Mudbloods are nothing but beasts who don't deserve anything – just like Werewolves – but then the Potter brat asks: "Hermione, do you really want Umbridge to read the start of the chapter again?" And before the girl can answer do I read on.

As they … Gilderoy Lockhart – a sight that made Harry's stomach shrink.

"Dirty bastard." McGonagall mutters and then suddenly Sprout gasps and asks: "Mr. Potter, did he – did he try to –?" And Snape asks: "Is there something you're trying to say, Pomona?" And the woman answers: "Lockhart took Harry alone shortly before class." The whole staff whitens at this for some reason and I read on.

Professor Sprout's … Petunia faint.

This makes the woman actually smirk and she says: "I would love to go and visit her, Mr. Potter, if only to ask her why she never told us your mother was adopted." All teachers seem to shudder at the sugary sweet tone she uses and Potter, with an eyebrow raised, carefully says: "I don't think that'll be needed, Professor."
To the silent nods of all teachers sitting behind Sprout. I wonder why they do this as the woman shrugs and says: "Either way, I'll get them back some day. Oh, and Mr. Potter. Once the book is over we can start that study you were talking about. About moving on from Muggle to Magical plants slowly so you can do like you did there."

Potter nods, while I wonder what on earth they are talking about and ask: "Care to verify, Professor Sprout?" And the woman answers: "Mr. Potter has green fingers that rival those of Mr. Longbottom, but due to certain circumstances he is unable to use them on Magical. So we're going to get him used to them a little slower.
I really want to see what he can do once he has learned to push his magic out on Magical plants and uses that to take care of them." This makes me nod, but on the inside I am shaking my head, disbelieving that this can be of any use to the Lord of the Potter family. Then the Potter brat says: "I can show you with some Muggle plants."
The woman smiles and wants to open her mouth, but I say: "Mr. Potter, we are reading a book, not bothering ourselves with a few plants and flowers. Please, keep your focus." Smiling as sweetly at him as Sprout was doing minutes ago, but only receiving a dirty glare and the words: "I didn't mean now." Shocking me before I read on.

Gilderoy Lockhart, … my travels…"

Suddenly Potter looks up and says: "Can't believe I'm saying this, but Madam Umbridge, can you please read that little speech again. Everyone, can you listen along? I want to know if I heard this right." Everyone nods, but I sniff and haughtily do as he asks, not because he forced my hand, but because I want to prove I'm his better.

"Oh, hello … my travels…"

"I don't believe this. That dirty sneak!" Potter shouts and a First year Slytherin asks: "What are you on about?" But an older Slytherin answers and says: "Lockhart first comforted us that Professor Sprout was a talented teacher and then started on his travels as if he was still the better person. He insulted her while complementing her."
Everyone looks shocked and Sprout says: "Oh, I would have so thrown all those bandages at him had I realized that." And then Hagrid, the disgusting oaf of a half-giant goes on and asks: "Does he try to tell every teacher how they have to do their job?" And I sweetly ask: "What are you talking about? You're not a teacher."
And Potter steps in and says: "No, but he is Groundskeeper, which is also a job here at Hogwarts." I look at him haughtingly, while the oaf smiles at him gratefully and give him a small glare, which again doesn't seem to affect the boy as he keeps looking at me defiantly. Determined to teach him a lesson before he gains his Lordship, I read on.

"Greenhouse three … dangerous plants. Harry wondered if working with these plants could get him his natural touch back. At least he could work on one of the two things he enjoyed most when working with his hands; gardening.

Again I turn to the boy and ask: "Mr. Potter, what upcoming Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient Family enjoys something we have House-elves for?" And Potter answers: "Someone who likes to have personal proof of a job well done." Making me glare at him for the cheeky retort, before I huff and continue to read.

Professor Sprout … the ceiling. Already he was feeling much better. He was … and Hermione, as he had snuck his way to stand behind them the minute he saw Lockhart approach, inside when … her face.

Now most of the elder years both shudder and glare and the twins mutter: "He better not have tried a single thing." And Charles Weasley goes on: "And if he has, we'll all give him a brand new reason to never leave St. Mungo's." This makes me huff as I am disgusted by their disloyalty in a wondrous man and read on.

"Harry," said … said nothing. He had, on the other hand, made sure there were three steps between him and the man and his back was bend a bit, so that he could either take another step back or turn and flee if – he shuddered – that hand ever came back.
"When I … kicked myself."

"DO IT!" All of the hall shouts, shocking me enough to make me scream and drop the book in shock and this time the beast sticks his head out of the curtain and asks: "Do what?" And McGonagall says: "Lockhart just confessed he could kick himself." The beast growls and says: "He should. For what he tried with cub, he really should."
But then Black sticks his head out and asks: "Is there anyone with Harry hearing this?" But the woman shakes her head and says: "He took Harry apart before his first Herbology lesson." The two thin their lips and growl: "He better not try a thing." Before moving back into the curtain and I shake my head at their behavior before reading on.

Harry had … wasn't talking. Harry tried not to be too suspicious, but he slightly believed the man was showing them so much he could distract Harry and make another move with that hand.
"Gave you … it again."

"Excuse me? Harry's been hounded and followed by crazy fans since he first stepped into the Magical World. Hell, his entrance into the Magical World itself was too crazy to talk off." Ronald speaks up and he asks: "Is that man insane or something? No offense, Neville." But the Longbottom heir shakes his head and Harry mutters:
"He wasn't insane, Ron. Just way too full of himself." To this I decide to punish the boy and ask: "And you know this how, Mr. Potter?" To which the boy angers me as he says: "I learned it from you, Ma'am. You're just as full of yourself, just because you work at the Ministry." I glare at the boy, but then read on.

"Oh, no, … his shoulder. Harry tensed and made a violent move that combined both his plans; he turned, making Lockhart let go and he took a step back. He was now standing with his back to the man and instantly more fear went through him and he jumped forward, before turning around so he could see Lockhart – who had his arm out and a look in his eyes Harry really didn't want to see.
The man seemed shocked that Harry was now so far away and took a step closer, but Harry only took another jump back, his eyes going over all places he could hide; the patch of trees next to the Greenhouses, the small pond leading to the Black Lake, the crane build into the school that was almost 20 miles away. The man seemed to realize he couldn't get closer and turned back to smile as he said,
"I understand. … are now.

Now I smile, feeling certain that having Lockhart around Potter was truly a heaven's blessing for the boy's ego, but then McLaggen speaks up and asks: "Did he really just call Potter, the famous Boy-Who-Lived, a nobody?" To which the whole school, all adults and even the staff of Hogwarts and the Ministry laugh themselves silly.
I glare, not only angered at the uncivilized behavior of the Ministerial workers, but also of everyone thinking they can laugh at such a talented wizard and say: "Well, someone has to peg down that brat's gigantic ego, after all." This causes the silence I want and desire, but this is followed by loads of angry shouts that shock the hell out of me.
Even Black and that beast seem to have dressed as they push the curtains away furiously and shout: "DON'T EVER TALK ABOUT OUR SON LIKE THAT AGAIN, YOU DISGUSTING HAG!" This crosses my limits and I scream back: "I DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THAT! NOT FROM FILTHLY BEASTS LIKE YOURSELVES!"

But apparently this is the wrong thing to say as I now quickly have to grab my wand and cast a powerful Shield spell against over forty spells being cast my way, some of them actually coming from people I believed agreed with my ideas and the voices of the spells themselves being overpowered by Cornelius shouting: "DOLORES!"
Then the same bright light as the one that send and took me away from here engulfs me and I shout: "NO, I MUST STAY! I MUST CHANGE THIS SCHOOL! IT MUST BE CHANGED! I MUST BE THE ONE TO CHANGE IT! NOOO!" But my shout it cut short as the light sends me back to my own office, before all becomes blank.

Cornelius' POV

I have always heard of Dolores being against Werewolves and other magical creatures, but to shout such profanities at Lupin of all people goes too far in my books, after all I saw the man do to protect his pack cub and care for his newly adopted son. I shake my head at her behavior and say: "I'll read on, if no one minds."
And Ronald answers: "As long as you promise to put that woman under inquiry and check her for actions put against Magical Creatures and people she confesses not to like or of who she has proven in the past not to like." I nod at the boy in a promise, knowing I better start with his father and then take the book and then look up.
And right as I do, do Lupin and Black rejoin with their son, the two women who they are friends with going back to sit with Sora and his gang and Harry asks: "Are you okay? We really interrupted your mating an awful lot." Yet the two smile and Lupin answers: "We're all satisfied, cub, don't worry." Making me read on relieved.

In fact … Harry's forehead, the same look in his eyes. Harry shuddered and had it not been for the fact he would have to turn his back to the man, he would have dived into the pond, just to escape him – screw the fact he didn't know how to swim.

"You don't know how to swim?" Cedric asks and Harry retorts: "How did you think I got to the bottom of the Lake during the Second Task so easily?" The elder boy laughs and says: "And I guess the Gilly Weed did the rest of the trick?""That, and your hint." Harry answers cryptically and knowing he won't speak more, I read on.

"I know … a start."

"You know, in a way – he's right." That these words come from Harry shocks me to the core and the tone he speaks them with really worries me before he goes on and says: "Not about the start thing, but the whole size of fame. My fame is bigger than his but it does make people believe they can scapegoat me easier than him.
If he makes a mistake, people will just say he has a bad day and that he might write a solution about it in his next book. If I make a mistake – well, this, last and the Fourth book should explain enough." Again I notice how especially the Fourth year Hufflepuffs have their heads low and I wonder what they did as I read on.

He gave … slid inside, relieved he hadn't had to go through another one of those touches.
Professor Sprout … the air.

"Hermione, may I give you a little piece of advice?" Luna asks the girl in question, who nods before Luna says: "Wait at least three minutes before raising your hand. Think your answer through and think of ways of saying it before you raise your hand. It will help, trust me." Hermione smiles at the girl and I read on.

"Mandrake, or … Professor Sprout.

Luna, this time, lies a hand on the girl's shoulder and asks: "You do know you would have gotten fifteen if you hadn't said it like Harry described it, right?" Hermione nods and asks: "Is that why you told me to think through ways of me answering the question before I raise my hand, Luna?" And the girl answers:
"That, and you won't discourage others of wanting to answer questions." Hermione whitens and asks: "I – I do that?" The Lovegood girl hugs her and says: "It's just that you constantly answering questions and raising your hand makes others wonder if they should even try. That's why you should wait a few minutes, it'll help."
Hermione nods and hugs Luna back, while almost all the Ravenclaws look at their fellow member shocked. This is responded to by Flitwick who stands up on his seat and says: "Ravenclaw House Meeting next break." The Ravens look from their Head of House to them, seemingly confused as I continue the chapter.

"The Mandrake … a begonia. Harry envied her more and more.
"However, they … you work.

I hear snickers all around and look up as some students seem to be remembering fellow students actually falling unconscious by the Mandrake's cry. Only the class spoken off doesn't laugh and instead all of them are looking at Harry in curiosity, making said boy squirm. Only Hermione and Ronald aren't and neither am I as I read on.

I will … flying car?"

"Talk about a way to get through introductions, Justin." A Hufflepuff Fifth year slaps the boy on his shoulder, but Justin doesn't seem capable of laughing about it as he has his head low in shame, together I notice with several of his year mates. Wondering what got them all so glum, I quickly read on, hoping to find out.

Ron didn't … dung compost. Harry hid a shudder as he tried to see if the plants would respond to his magic.
"Awfully brave … just fantastic.

"That was the only book I read of him." Remus growls and he goes on: "When I saw how he tried to make Werewolf hunting look like a piece of cake and how much selfish nonsense there was in that book I did what Sirius always told me to do with all my other schoolbooks – flushed it down the toilet, page for page."
Everyone laughs at this and Sirius slaps him on the shoulder, laughing and hiccupping: "Knew I could get you to do it one day." The werewolf glares and growls: "I'm not done with you yet, my delicious mate." Sirius growls playfully in return and I shake my head as Harry turns red in embarrassment before I read on.

"My name … a pot.
Finally he got it done and together with that found the answer to his question. While he couldn't use his magic on the Mandrakes to make them grow better was it still useful to calm them down and it almost made the fat one walk into his pot sleepily and content.
This had been completely new for Harry and he had not wanted to draw attention to it, so just grabbed, making sure to hold it gently and pushed it into the pot, his head tilting to more than one side as he made sure the earth was well-placed around the Mandrake – in such a way the plant could breath and move around the pot comfortably and still making sure it couldn't get away.
By the … in earth, but happier than he had been during the Herbology lessons of last year.

Everyone smiles at this and Harry says: "I really enjoyed those classes, you know. Caring for those Mandrakes almost felt like taking care of all of Aunt Petunia's garden. It really helped me keep my head high and strong and all." The students nod, but I wonder why some of them look even more guilty at this and read on.

Everyone traipsed … his wand.

Then suddenly Minerva says: "Wait a minute, I had pre-cast several spells on my beetles to make sure they wouldn't fly or run away from the spell." And she looks at Harry, who looks sheepish, until he spills: "Okay, so I had already charmed the beetle you gave me and caught a new one from the window I was sitting next to."
The woman hits herself on the head and Susan Bones asks: "But why isn't that is the story?" And Harry answers: "Probably would have made the last few sentences sound weird or something." The girl nods and asks: "So, do you think we'll hear about Harry's secret studies this book?" Others seem quite interested in this and I read on.

Ron was … wasn't pleased.
Harry had wanted to use one of the patches of smoke to grab Ron's beetle and replace it for his own – secretly already – transfigured button, but the black color of the button and the green vines wrapped around and in between the holes of the buttons wouldn't have made it believable Ron had made the button, so he was forced to keep the button in his robe pocket.

"And there it is." Hannah Abbott snickers and Ron turns to Harry and asks: "But wait a minute, mate. I was sitting next to you the whole time. How did you transfigure your beetle and switch it for that new one without me noticing?" And the boy confesses: "Used one of the times you caused smoke." Ronald grumbles and I read on.

Harry was … got snapped — '"

"Ron, I would not have allowed your mother to force you into using such a dangerous, broken wand. I swear it." Arthur says and Ron smiles as he says: "I know, dad. It just wouldn't be the first thing she did behind your back." And the man moans: "Me and my bloody long hours." Making all of his sons hug him lovingly.
I instantly decide to see if any Fifth years with high scores for their Muggle Studies O.W.L.s or maybe some Muggleborns are willing to take a part-time job at the Department for Misuse of Muggle Artifacts and quickly summon my notebook with all my previous plans, writing it down before putting it in my pocket and reading on.

They went … in Transfiguration.

"Why couldn't you have been happy for me?" Hermione asks, obviously hurt and I realize we better take a break after this chapter as we have been reading 6 chapters non-stop and emotions must be reaching pretty high by now. I turn to the teachers, who seem to share the same thought with me and they all nod at me.
Then Ron himself sighs and says: "Hermione, trust me, any other day I would not have minded, but I had a Howler, people reminding me of it, a failed Transfigurations lesson and a broken wand to deal with. Seeing others perform better just didn't sit well with me back then." The girl nods understanding and I read on.

"What've we … blushing furiously.

"Hermione, I can understand that teenagers have crushes on their heroes, but really – Lockhart?" Remus asks and then Sirius laughs, slaps Remus on the shoulder and says: "As if you're one to talk. Remember Less Santchess?" But Remus smirks back at his mate, making Sirius seem to doubt his own words and Remus says:
"For your information, my unknowing little Sub, was Less Santchess' full name Lester Santchess and was he the man that made me accept being gay, thus making it easier for me to accept that my werewolf side wanted you." He says, pricking Sirius in the chest playfully and making everyone laugh before I read on.

They finished … bright red.

Said boy now turns bright red and Ron says: "Relax Collin, at least you're description wasn't half bad, right?" The younger boy smiles and Hermione asks: "Since when are you that nice to Collin?" And the youngest Weasley sibling gives the cryptic answer: "Quidditch match." Which seems to make sense to Hermione before I read on.

"All right, … and said,

But here I summon a glass of water as my throat has completely dried up after that long speech and Terry Boot says: "Okay, it's official. People that are nervous or in need of information speak long and many sentences in one breath. First Hermione and now Collin proves everything." The two turn red and I read on.

"It's amazing … photos, Potter?"

To this Draco hits himself on the head and Narcissa asks: "You aren't going to behave any better this book than you did last, are you?" Draco shakes his head and says: "No mother, I was even worse this year. I really, really was." To which Ron mutters: "At least he admits it." Making me wonder what the boy did and said before I read on.

Loud and … special, myself."

"And still you couldn't realize I believed the same thing?" Harry asks and the boy sighs and says: "Your behavior was completely opposite of what I was raised to believe, so I stupidly enough believed you thought of everything in the opposite way of which I did." Harry shrugs and says: "Fair enough." Before I read on.

Crabbe and … of line'—"

"Draco Lucien Malfoy!" Both Malfoy parents shockingly enough shout and Lucius is first as he asks: "Was my episode in Flourish and Blotts not enough evidence that you shouldn't taunt others about their families?" And Narcissa goes on: "Forget that, I taught you better than that! You never insult one about his family, you hear me?"
The boy nods and says: "Mother, trust me. This is not the last thing you will want to shout at me for." The woman glares and Ron says: "Mrs. Malfoy, just wait until after Dumbledore gets suspended. Then you'll have a reason for that glare." The woman looks intrigued, while Draco looks white and scared and I read on, quite curious myself.

A knot … to speak, wanting to give a quick excuse and get out of the courtyard as quickly as possible, but he … with humiliation but shivering with fear, Harry saw … with Harry, who was wishing he knew a good Vanishing Spell, still clasped to his side.

"Will you let go of my son already, you dirty scumbag!" Sirius growls and then suddenly Kairi gasps. We all look at her as she starts to shine a bright white light. The light seems to change into a large lotus flower-shaped pod and while the light turns to metal, does the girl get taken from view by the pure white metal clasping closed around her.
Some of the students stand up to get to her, but Sora says: "Don't worry, she's safe. This is a very special Pod I have used before." Everyone looks at him, some of the older ones lowering their wands a little or putting them back in their pockets and Dennis Creevey asks: "When did you use it, Sora?" And the boy answers:

"When I was about 12, people of an evil group called Organization VIII, tried to change my memories so they could use me as their puppet, but for that they needed Naminé a friend of mine. She defied them when their plan was nearly at its success and once some of its members were destroyed, she put me in such a pod to restore my memory."
The students nod and those standing up sit back down, but then Marietta Edgecombe says: "But there's nothing wrong with Kairi's memory, is there? So why is she in the pod?" Sora shrugs and Riku says: "We have no idea, I don't even think Kairi did this herself. I think, like Sora and Roxas, Naminé is coming up within her.""Naminé is in Kairi?"

Marietta asks and Sora explains: "We told you about Nobodies, right? Well, some of them get the chance to remerge with their formal selves. Roxas got that chance with me, because part of my power was within him and I needed him to wake up from my pod and Naminé got that chance with Kairi." Marietta nods and I read on.

"A word … side door.

"Excuse me?" Minerva is shockingly enough quicker in saying this than either of Harry's new parents and she spats: "So Dumbledore does allow this near child-molester to talk to Harry personally, but not to let his own godmother near him? Who do those two bastards think they are?" And Harry answers in a timid voice:
"A jackass way too high off himself for his own good and a manipulative, child-endangering old coot?" To which the woman says: "Right you are, little one, right you are." And she gets up, levitates her seat and takes it over to the bowl, setting it on the right, while Erica and Mss. Crenson are on the left of the bow.
She then hugs Harry tightly and whispers: "I've been bad on my Godmother duties and have left you to the mercy of dangerous teachers and a terrible Headmaster, but no more, little one. No more." And Harry actually smiles, while his tense form shows his fear of being touched so lovingly by his Head of House. Shaking my head at this, I read on

"I covered … a staircase.

"What? I showed that jackass over 60 ways for us teachers to get to our classrooms without meeting kids a week before the school year. Why on earth isn't he using one of those?" McGonagall raves and my need to call in a break after this chapter rises as everyone seems to lose control of their emotions, even the ever-strict Minerva.
Then Harry answers: "He wanted to settle the idea of two heroes at Hogwarts working together into everyone's mind. Using those passages would have ruined that idea. And he probably just liked being seen by young ones a little too much." The woman nods, while still scowling heavily and then Harry goes on as he says:
"On the other hand, constantly using those passages does make you teachers look unreachable and against getting our attention. Were those set up by Dumbledore?" The woman nods and Harry rolls his eyes before he says: "Dumbledore is also always seen, so he doesn't use them either. It's to make the students rely on him."
The teachers glare as they realize Harry's right and I do too as during my time I saw teachers pass our corridors at least once a week a corridor, while Dumbledore sometimes seemed to be in every corridor on the same time. Being seen makes you seem reliable and that is exactly what Dumbledore wanted. Scowling at the bastard's plans, I read on.

"Let me … real thing. But then he quickly turned them around, so he was looking at their backs – the less he saw of Lockhart, the better he would feel.
The rest … about that.

"First of all, you just did. Second of all, that Honorary membership of the Dark Force Defense League is a lie." Tonks says and she goes on as she says: "My mentor, Moody over there, is a one of the Seven Head Members and goes over all other aspirant and Honorary members. He took me there once and I never saw that jackass."
This shocks me as I would have never expected Lockhart to lie about something as sacred to the Magical World as the Dark Force Defense League – even if those guys are getting more paranoid about Magical Creatures than Moody is about everything else – but Ronald, Ginny, Arthur, Minerva and Harry don't seem shocked.

Harry and Ron even share a knowing look and chorus: "Figures." Making me and many others wonder what he's on about. Then Harry says: "I'm not telling you anything, but I'm willing to give you a hint. It's something I discovered when I read 2 of all the Lockhart books we had to read. Voyages with Vampires and Wandering with Werewolves."
Everyone looks at him as he seems to contemplate something and then he says: "I believe it was chapter 17 of the Werewolf book and I'm absolutely sure it was chapter 4 of the Vampire book. Check those for yourselves and you'll see why we're not surprised of Lockhart being a liar." The students murmur about this and I read on.

I didn't … well done.

"Yeah, you actually forced an entire set onto my little son, you dirty scumbag." Sirius growls, lying a protective hand on Harry's shoulder, but not pulling him from his Godmother's hug. Harry himself also doesn't seem all that uncomfortable anymore as he is now slightly relaxed, sitting in the woman's lap as I read on.

I thought … and read:

"Was it a good test?" Remus asks the class and Seamus Finnegan answers: "About Lockhart, yes." And Dean Tomas goes on, saying: "About actual Defense Against the Dark Arts, absolutely not." This confuses me, but then I read and say: "No way." Everyone looks at me and after silently rereading the words myself, I read out loud.

1. What is … gift be?

"Fifty-four questions – about Lockhart?" Ted Tonks and Andromeda turns to the students in question as she asks: "How did you survive that year?" Everyone looks at her shocked and Ted answers: "Don't worry about her, she's still angry at Lockhart wanting to court her when we were three months into our engagement."
Everyone looks shocked and the woman sighs as she says: "Had that over-ego-sized thickhead kept his mouth shut to mother and father, Ted and I might not have been disowned and I could have raised Dora a lot safer during the last war. I'll never forgive him." The students nod and I feel shocked at the news before I read on.

Half an … Old Firewhisky!"

"He actually said that to 12 year olds? IS HE CRAZY?" Andromeda shouts as she jumps out of the embrace her husband gave her earlier and then suddenly distraction from the idiot comes in the pod shining brightly before the lotus flower petals seem to bloom open, opening the pod and revealing not one girl – but two.

One of them is Kairi, who has a very peaceful and happy smile on her face as she comes out, but the other girl could easily pass for her twin sister. The girl does have a slightly paler complex, rosy cheeks and pale, pink lips, but other than her hair being longer and blonde, the girl is almost the perfect replica of Kairi.
The two girls jump down from the pod and the blonde girl bows to Kairi as she says: "Thank you for reserving my body for this long, Kairi. I really needed to be away to get stronger, else I would never be able to help anyone's memories but Sora's." The other girl smiles and says: "No problem, Naminé. You are my Nobody after all."

Naminé nods and then I see Viktor look at Harry before he walks over to the two girls and asks: "Naminé, can you help me with something? It concerns my boyfriend." The girl looks at Viktor, who motions for Harry and when Naminé nods, Viktor moves his head to her shoulder and whispers some things in her ear.
The girl looks shocked and looks back at Harry, who has his head down and his hands in his lap as a defeated look is seen on his entire face. The girl nods and then nods at Viktor, who smiles at her gratefully. I then say: "Okay, I will just finish this chapter and then we'll hold a break for lunch." Everyone nods and I read on.

He gave … silent laughter. Harry was the only male in the room that seemed to take Lockhart seriously, but that was because he knew what alcohol did to people. He did not want to be around a drunken Lockhart, that was for sure. Hermione, on … trembling hand, Harry moved his entire form behind his fortress of books, wishing he had his Invisibility Cloak.
"Excellent!" beamed … this room.

"Is he actually getting serious? Is he actually about to give a proper lesson about Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Andromeda asks, clearly disbelieving her own words and Dean Tomas snorts and says: "Yeah, the Lockhart kind of Defense." The woman shakes her head with a sigh and I feel like doing the same as I read on.

Know only … Cornish pixies."

I stop short here and shake my head, rereading the same four words at least three times before I mutter: "Freshly – caught – Cornish Pixies?" And Pomona says: "I knew there was a reason he didn't want me to give those to Wilhelmina." And Ron asks: "Why am I not surprised that he didn't catch those himself?" I myself agree and read on.

Seamus Finnigan … Seamus choked.

"Dangerous, no. Nasty, annoying and House-wrecking, yes." Nella says and Amos goes on: "Trust me, she can talk. Cedric caught one when he was six and actually brought in inside." Everyone laughs and then Seamus Finnegan says: "Trust me, with Lockhart around, those buggers can be dangerous." Everyone looks curious and I read on.

"Don't be … the cage.

Again I stop, several of the foreign students and all of the parents looking at me and Minerva says: "This is like the first chapter of the last book all over again. Back then there was no mention of charms being placed because they weren't and now there is no mention of Lockhart telling them how to take down Cornish Pixies, because –."
And Sirius grumbles: "Lockhart didn't and thus endangered the entire student body of that class. Those things are tricky, playful and a lot stronger than you'd give them credit for." He then turns to Seamus and says: "You're right, with Lockhart around, they are indeed dangerous." Finnegan nods and I read on.

It was … the air.

"Told you! TOLD YOU!" Sirius shouts with his arms in the air and Andromeda then hisses: "Naminé, please fix Lockhart's memory when we visit St. Mungo's and when you're done – please check him for mental brain damage – or at least if he has a shortage of common sense brain cells." She ends with a vicious snarl.
The girl nods and I can barely believe how calm she is as she sits in a simple white, wooden chair with heart ornaments at the top of the backrest and no arm rests with her hands crossed in her lap and a sweet smile on her face. Wondering what could be going on under those pale blond locks, I look at her a little longer before reading on.

Several shot … broken glass. Harry quickly levitated his books to be used as shield – not giving a crap what happened to them.

"Good quick thinking, Potter. You really know how to think on your feet no matter what." Moody says and Ron says: "Yep, Harry's the best when you let him think on his feet." And Hermione goes on: "And with all he's been hiding from us, I'm sure he'll be brilliant in thinking of long-termed plans too." Harry blushes and I read on.

The rest … "Peskipiksi Pesternomi!"

"That unbelievable idiot! That's a made up spell! It's not even a spell! It's just the words Pesky Pixy Pester Not Me ragged together!" Andromeda rages and I whimper, while Ted seems to struggle in trying to keep his wife down. Realizing that the woman has the famous Black temper, I wonder if we'll survive her rants and read on.

It had … window, too. Had they not been up in the midst of a tower Harry would have wished for the Pixies to have done the same with Lockhart, if only to get further away from the man.
Lockhart gulped … gave way.

"Were you hurt?" Nella asks and Neville answers: "No, not really. I had a backache, but Harry taught me a few moves he uses to exercise with before working on a garden that really helped me off the ache." The woman nods and I smile at the boy, together with many others. But Harry just shrugs and I continue to read on.

The bell … the ear. Harry was just glad the man was gone.
"He just … Ron muttered.

I see the three in question shake their head and Harry says: "Dude, the Troll was one thing, but Lockhart? What the hell?" Ron shakes his head as he shrugs and Hermione says: "No way, it can't be." But Harry says: "Let's just wait before we draw any conclusions. Let's just see if there is even any other proof."
The two nod and want to read on when I realize that the chapter's finished. I sigh relieved and say: "That was the end. The chapter's over. Let's take a break." Everyone nods and Sirius says: "Too bad the only place we can go to is the Side room." But then Riku and Sora smile at each other and together they ask: "Who says that?"


And that was that.
Okay, I cannot tell you how glad I am that I only kept Umbridge for half a class as I am sure even when I first wrote this story, my hatred for Umbridge was through the roof. Anyway, everything that has been mentioned about the break and actions taken once the book reading is done will come to fruition, I can promise you that.
Okay, Merry Christmas,

Venquine1990