Chapter 48: Falsehood or Retirement?

"You have to do something about Peeves," Everard told him sternly that next morning. Albus wished that they wouldn't speak so loudly though… he felt as if someone had stuck a pulsing spike into his skull from everything that has been happening around here lately. And instead of staying in bed like he wanted to, he was now stuck listening to the hundreds of complaints about Umbridge. He wished he could get rid of her, she was quickly sucking away what made Hogwarts special… it's like she's taking all the magic about this place… and he didn't just mean the kind of spells that they do in class.

But he tried to bear with it as he turned through his copy of the Daily Prophet as he listened to Everard complain about Peeves.

"You know he's planning on dropping that bust of Paracelsus falling on top of the persons head," he said shaking his head. "A big heavy bust made of stone falling on someone? That is more than a joke."

"How did you hear that?" Dilys asked hurriedly, her hands on her hips. Looking like a mother who had been told that her child was misbehaving.

"Saw Potter and Nick talking," he shrugged. "Nick warned him not to go the short way to the Owlery because Peeves was there."

"Ah, so Harry's going up to send a letter to Sirius?" Albus asked, turning over yet another useless article in the morning paper about how he was going senile. But he was anxious… he hoped that Harry would have enough sense not to say too much… especially about using Sirius's name.

"Yeah, but I saw Umbridge running off to tell Filch something about Potter taking out a big order for Dungbombs?" he shrugged. "And then he ran off to the Owlery to see."

"Most likely Umbridge wanted to know what Harry was writing and who it was sent to," Albus said frowning. "Does she really think that she's fooling anyone?"

He sighed as he flipped open his paper… but his stomach sank when he saw the latest headline:

SIRIUS BLACK SPOTTED!

"'The Ministry of Magic has received a tip-off from a reliable source that Sirius Black, notorious mass murderer, who murdered thirteen people with a single curse fourteen years ago, is currently hiding in London!'"

Albus groaned as he finished reading the rest of the article. He had a sneaking suspicion to who this anonymous 'tip-off' was. He was about to throw the paper in the fireplace for more kindling when he then saw a small article that worried him just as much:

TRESPASS AT MINISTRY

Sturgis Podmore, 38, of number two, Laburnum Garden s, Clapham, has appeared in front of the Wizengamot charged with trespass and attempted robbery at the Ministry of Magic on 31st August. Podmore was arrested by Ministry of Magic watchwizard Eric Munch, who found him attempting to force his way through a top-security door at one o'clock in the morning. Podmore, who refused to speak in his own defense, was convicted on both charges and sentenced to six months in Azkaban.

Well this explained it. Sturgis was supposed to have met them at the station as part of Harry's guard; he remembered Alastor complaining about it. What was he doing though? Albus got up and threw everything but the small article into the fire. He paced up and down his office, trying to think as he read and re-read the words again multiple times, as if they would give him some kind of clue.

He knew that Sturgis had been on guard duty the last time that he saw him… but after that…? And if he was trying to get through a door…? That could only mean the Hall of Prophecy in the Department of Mysteries.

Why? The way he saw it there were only two possibilities… either Sturgis was a Death Eater, highly unlikely, or the more likely scenario… someone forced him to. He was on guard duty for the Order, so he couldn't defend himself without comprising what it was they were doing, or has been under an Imperius Curse, to investigate where they think the 'weapon' is hidden, so he might have been commanded not to defend himself, which is convenient for them because a member of the order takes the fall and is eliminated in the process.

Yes. A Death Eater came to investigate the Hall of Prophecy, found someone there and decided to use him to their advantage to perhaps try and test the other barriers between them and the weapon, because they obviously guessed that the Order was guarding the 'weapon', hence Podmore was an Order member.

He then turned to Phineas and told him to pass this message along to Sirius and to anyone else who was at Grimmauld Place to be extra careful.

"Why do you want me to?" he demanded.

"Because all you have to do is visit your other portrait and relay the message," he answered patiently, as if speaking to a child who didn't want to eat his vegetables. "It would be the quickest and most efficient way, Phineas."

Phineas glared at him before he huffed and walked right out of his painting.

"Can't we get rid of him, Dumbledore?" Dilys asked almost pleading.

"He's been a burr in all our butts since the day that he was put up here!" Dexter agreed. "Can't you move him to the dudgeons? I'm sure that he'll be happier down there!"

Albus shook his head, a slight smile tracing on his mouth at how everyone was nodding along with the idea. "I'm afraid not," he said. "Phineas may get on all of our nerves from time to time, but he was still once one of Hogwarts Headmasters. Besides, if we do move him, then he's sure to tell the Slytherins a few secrets that go on in here."

He spent the rest of the day reading useless letters from the Ministry, asking that he consider retirement. Albus rolled his eyes. He? Retire? Over his dead body. He smirked at that last part. Rather than go through all these, he threw the rest of the papers into the fire unopened, getting an unusually vindictive pleasure as he watched them curl and become ash.

Which was one of the only few things that cheered him up these days. He remembered how little sleep he had during the first war… and he knew that he would have to work even harder than that… because at least the Ministry was on their side then.

Trying not to think about war or any of this madness, he turned to the window so that he could watch the Gryffindors practicing. Though practice didn't last for as long as he would've liked. Soon, the Slytherins came out to harass them. While he couldn't hear what was going on, whatever they were chanting was interfering with the Gryffindor's concentration. He watched as Ron, who he was pleased to hear had been picked as the new Keeper, miss ball after ball.

Now, he wasn't sure exactly what happened… but eventually, the whole practice ended with Katie Bell being supported by Fred and George and being forced to leave the field.

"Did something happen to Miss Bell?" he asked Dilys a little bit later when he heard that Katie was now in the Hospital Wing.

"She lost a lot of blood," she huffed angrily. "She got a blood-nose out there and I don't know what those two monsters called twins gave her, but it made it worse. She's now taking a couple blood-replenishing potions."

Albus made a note to keep an eye on the twins for any future incidents. But it wasn't until the next morning that he got some more disturbing news.

"You mean to tell me that Sirius spoke to Harry through the fire again?" he asked Dexter calmly, though there was exasperation in his tone.

"Saw the whole thing," he answered eagerly. "He said that he was checking every hour so that he could talk to them."

"Every hour?" Albus repeated, half-risen from his chair. "Did anyone…?"

"Not that I'm aware of," he answered quickly. "If anyone did see him, I think the whole castle would know by now don't you think?"

"Yes," Albus said, slumping back into his chair. "Yes, that is true."

He turned to Phineas, "And are you sure that you told Sirius my warning from yesterday?"

Phineas yawned widely as if someone was boring him. "Of course I did," he muttered indigently. "I did your little delivery for you. It's not my fault that my worthless great-great-grandson doesn't listen to anyone."

"Black sure didn't seem concerned that he might've been caught," Dexter answered.

Albus heard Dilys faintly whisper to her neighbors, "I think I see the family resemblance here."

"What else do you expect that brat?" Phineas called back. "No sense at all! You think that he'd use that head of his. But nnnnnooooo…"

"Well, Phineas," Dexter said with a smirk. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear that you sounded a little concern for your worthless great-great-grandson?"

"Me?" he repeated loudly in outrage. "Concerned? Why would I be? What should I care if something happens to him? He's a disgrace! The fact that he has the name Black doesn't change anything!"

"He's just lucky that no one else spotted him," Albus sighed, breaking off the argument. "But I must have a few words with him about this in person. This is starting to get out of hand."

"He said that he wanted to answer Potter's letter," Dexter told him.

"Ah, yes," Albus said nodding. "Harry did send a letter to him about his scar hurting. What did you overhear?"

"Just that Black told him not to worry about his scar hurting him again," Dexter answered with a shrug. "Said that it really isn't much to worry about anymore."

Albus wasn't happy with that. Though he knew it was his orders to tell him something like that, he knew that this could only serve to frustrate Harry. And anytime that his scar hurt wasn't good news for them…

"Well, now he's back it's bound to hurt more often," Albus tried to reason with himself.

"Well, that's what Black said," Dexter told him. "That he really doesn't think that Umbridge had anything to do with it."

"Yes, I thought that Harry would be thinking it was like with Qurriell however, Voldemort doesn't need to inhabit another body now," Albus said, holding his fingers together and resting his chin upon them. "She has a vile soul, but I doubt that she's an actual Death Eater."

'Though Remus might tend to disagree,' he added privately. And it was true; thanks to Umbridge and her anti-werewolf legislation, his life has been made even harder than it had been.

"Anything else important you need to tell me?" he asked.

"Well, Black told him about you all discovering that Fudge thinks that you're training students to take over the Ministry?" he asked, unable to hold back a laugh.

Albus shook his head. The depths that Fudge's paranoia has reached still made him feel close to laughing himself. Once upon a time he may have wanted that job, but he was wiser now than when he was an irresponsible teenager. He knew that it was dangerous for him and everyone else should he be trusted with too much power. He remembered how uneasy he had been when he had been made Headmaster. But he knew that it was still safer than working at the Ministry. He swore to himself that he would never work for the government… especially after what that desire cost him…

He shut his eyes… but opened them almost immediately when Ariana's dead, blue eyes stared back at him.

"Also, I think they got some letter from Percy Weasley," Dexter said, interrupting Albus's fear of that vision. "Just minutes before Black showed up. Apparently it made them sick."

Breathing hard through his nose he asked, though not really listening, "Do you know what it said?"

"Just that Ron said that Percy was the world's biggest git," he answered with a smirk. "Don't know what it said for sure but I'm guessing that he's still as idiotic as the Minister is."

Albus felt terrible for the Weasleys, hoping against hope that they would make up before something happened and they will be unable to do so.

"But apparently there's something going to be written about you in the paper tomorrow," Dexter told him. "At least that's what I'm guessing that's what the letter said."

"What else is new?" he asked calmly. "But I don't care what they saw about me. I've told you before, when you're old; you don't become afraid of people questioning your sanity."

"You know," Phineas said idly. "I'm sure that it's real easy to be brave when you're old… cause you could croak any day now."

Albus looked over at him, his eyebrows raised and smile on his face. "Maybe Phineas. You are just lucky that I can take a joke?"

"Who said it was a joke?" he asked back.

"For someone who is having his name dragged through the mud, you are taking it well," Dilys said smiling down at him before shooting a filthy look at Phineas.

"They're also concerned about Hagrid," Dexter said, drawing the attention back onto himself.

Albus lowered his head. He too felt concern for his friend, but he also knew that Hagrid could take care of himself. Madame Maxime made it back to her school just before it started, and had written to tell him that Hagrid had been doing just fine when she last saw him. Pushing down his anxiety, he nodded as he stood up… only realizing just how weary he felt.

"If there is nothing else…" he began but Dexter went on nervously before he could even finish.

"What?" Albus asked tiredly.

"Black said that he wanted to come visit them at Hogsmeade," he said quickly.

Albus stood up immediately. "Absolutely not! He's bound to get himself caught if he does something that reckless."

"It worked last year," Dexter tried to offer.

"But that was before the Death Eaters were all aware of his abilities," Albus said firmly. "He was almost caught on the train."

"Well," he said slowly. "Yeah, I see the point. That's what Harry said too and Sirius didn't like that. Said that he was less like his father than he thought."

Albus shook his head. 'Sirius,' he thought. 'How can you say that? I know that you're frustrated with me, but don't take it out on Harry. Besides you shouldn't try and endanger him either."

"That's stupid and selfish," Dilys said.

"Oh, I doubt that he was trying to put Harry in a bad spot," Albus answered. "He's just frustrated that he's trapped inside that house and he can't help. Sirius has been stuck in Grimmauld Place for several months now and the only reason he's still there is because Harry wants him to be there and he will stay there if Harry asks him to. However he still wants to get out and Harry isn't letting him, so you can't blame Sirius for feeling rejected and somewhat upset by it. Even the best of us can't resist trying to use another's emotions to get what they want."

"But that's still stupid," she said. "Men and their pride… and what does he intend to do if he got caught?! If the Auror's get their hands on him, he'll be given the Kiss for sure!"

"I know that," he answered, rubbing his sore eyes. "And Sirius knows that… but, like I said, he just wanted an excuse to get out. He knows better than that…" he left to go to bed, but not before adding, "At least I hope he does…"

*Morning*

The next day, Albus discovered what it was that was so special in the paper. What he saw made him feel sick to his stomach as he re-reading the paper that had a large photograph of Dolores Umbridge, smiling widely and blinking slowly at them from beneath the headline.

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM

DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR

"Umbridge – Inquisitor?" said Minerva. She, Pomona, Severus, and Filius were there with him in the staff room as they stared at the cover.

"What does this mean?" Pomona asked at once. Albus could only shake his head as he read, "In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"'The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time,' said junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. 'He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve.'

"Which parents?" questioned Pomona crossly, but Albus went on, "This is not the first time in recent weeks that the Minister, Cornelius Fudge, has used new laws to effect improvements at the wizarding school. As recently as August 30th, Educational Decree Number Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.

"Seems we were right about why Umbridge was instated," Albus said, interrupting himself, "but I don't see how that could possibly be classed as an improvement."

"Keep going," Filius squeaked promptly and Albus obliged, though none of what he read next made him any happier.

'That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts,' said Weasley last night. 'Dumbledore couldn't find anyone so the Minister put in Umbridge, and of course, she's been an immediate success —'

Pomona, who was currently having a drink of water, promptly spat it out and sprayed the entire table, fortunately Albus righted it with a wave of his wand.

"Sorry," she said, turning a little red.

"Doesn't matter," Minerva scowled. "I would've done the same. In what universe could that woman possibly be classed as a success? Unless they are talking about her ability to make the student's and our lives miserable, I don't see this as a success!"

"She's got the entire Ministry backing her up," Severus said softly. "Knowing how far she can go, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the definition of success."

"'—an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts.'

"Well, she is definitely telling the minister something," said Severus coldly. "Everything he wants to hear… but he wants more so he is giving her more power to get that information and get it under his control."

"'This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the falling standards at Hogwarts,' said Weasley. 'The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect he fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post and we are delighted to say that she has accepted.'

"What?!" Minerva screamed out in fury, "You mean to tell me that toad is now inspecting us?! It's bad enough that she's turned one class into a joke, but now she's trying to do that to all of them! The ministry has some nerve! As if she would know the first thing about being a teacher."

"That's the point," Albus said calmly, though he too was furious at this. "They don't want the students to learn anything that they might consider a threat. If they had it their way, they would fire us all and bring in people like Umbridge in to teach."

"Why those spineless cowards!" Pomona yelled out bitterly.

"And the worst part is that it's the students who suffer," Filius cried out, having to stand on his chair to read over Albus's shoulder as if making sure that he was reading it correctly.

"And there's more," Albus said.

"Oh, I don't know how much more I can stand," Minerva said fiercely, but she quieted down to listen.

"The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.

'I feel much easier in my mind now that I know Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation,' said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night.

'Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and are glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation.'

"Among those eccentric decisions are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the employment of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid and delusional ex-Auror, 'Mad - Eye' Moody.

"Firstly," said Pomona defensively, "The students all loved Remus. And Hagrid's problem isn't his responsibility, but rather his… unusual teaching methods. And also, it wasn't even the real Alastor Moody who had been teaching them, it was an imposter, as the ministry knows full well… so really they are just spouting utter rubbish."

"Since when has the Ministry cared about something as trivial as facts?" Severus asked.

"Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts "'I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step towards ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose our confidence,' said a Ministry insider last night.

"Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts.

"I always did like them," Filius squeaked.

"At least not everyone in the Ministry is as paranoid and stubborn as Fudge," Minerva sighed.

"Little good it does us if Fudge is in charge," Severus muttered.

"'Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office,' said Madam Marchbanks. 'This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore.'

"(For a full account of Madam Marchbanks's alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page seventeen.)"

Albus shook his head in disgust as he folded the paper up and threw it across the long staff table.

"Looks like we were right all along," Pomona said fiercely. "Fudge forced us to put up with her. Now, he's going to have his loyal lapdog here to spy for him. And when he hears something that he doesn't like, he'll just give her power to do whatever she wants to get rid of it!"

"What do we do?" Minerva asked Albus, who just stared ahead of him.

"The way that I see it, there's nothing we can do," Severus said coolly, pacing the length of the room as quiet as a shadow. "Thanks to Fudge, we can't get rid of her… not until the Ministry is forced to accept the truth. But that's about as likely as Umbridge turning out to be a good teacher. We're stuck with her."

"Dumbledore," Pomona asked quickly, "Surely there must be something we can do about it?"

He sighed again, "I am afraid that Severus is right. There's nothing that we can do about her unless the Ministry forces her to leave."

And that, as they say, was that.

Albus just had to tell the rest of his staff to put up with it as well as they could and to try not to make the toad, as Minerva started calling her, angry. Just try not to give her a reason to fire them. Later that morning, he learned that Sybill and Filius had both been the first to be inspected.

"How did it go?" Albus asked his portraits when they told him how everything went that evening.

"Well, Filius seemed to be as good as always," Everard explained. "Didn't seem to mind her being there."

"No, I highly doubt that she'll give a bad report on him," Albus nodded. "He has always been one of the most popular teachers here. No, it's Sybill that I'm concerned about."

"I don't think that it went good for Trelawney," Dilys said worriedly. "She's seems quite shaken up, at least that's what I overheard when her class left."

"I thought as much," he answered grimly.

"Umbridge's classes are getting worse," she went on. "Granger is still making disagreements in class. Said that she doesn't like how Umbridge is going on about 'teaching' them…" she made air quotations at the word teaching. "Umbridge didn't like that."

Albus shook his head, "And what else?"

"Well, she ah… mentioned that none of the teachers are giving them Ministry-approved methods except for Quirrell and that he would've passed… and ah…"

Albus groaned, knowing what must've happened next. "And?"

"Potter said something he should've have and now as another week of detentions," she said. Once again everyone looked thoroughly disgusted at what Harry was forced to endure.

"You think the kid would've learned a thing or two about her," he heard one of the random voices say. "He knows that if he speaks out like that in class what she's going to do."

"Some people never learn," Phineas commented in a smug voice.

"There are just some people in this world that cannot stand injustice and there is only so far that they can let slide," Albus said softly.

"Albus…?" Dilys questioned softly but he shook his head, already knowing what she was about to ask.

"Dilys, if there was something I could do, I'd do it," he said. "But like I said, if Harry won't come to me or any of the teachers, for help then I can't do anything to help…"

He hadn't told another soul about those evil detentions, especially not anyone at Grimmauld Place for he knew that some people such as Sirius and Molly would not take it well… but he finally had to tell someone…

Minerva had come in to give him the results for the inspections so far.

"Potter has landed himself in detention again," Minerva complained in indignation. "After everything I said to him about minding himself around that horrible old toad… but no, nothing. In one ear and out the other."

"You didn't punish him did you?" he asked looking up.

She raised her eyebrows at the question. "All I did was take five points from Gryffindor. Why are you…?"

Albus hesitated, but then told her the truth to behind the detentions. Once he finished, she looked positively horrified.

"Now, I know that you just want him to keep his head down because Umbridge is already having too much power and isn't afraid to use it," Albus said soothingly as she stared at him, her face bone-white. "And I know that you didn't know but…"

"Why didn't he tell me that?!" she demanded, disgusted at what she found out. "A BLOOD QUILL?! Those awful things are used only for binding magical contacts! Not for writing over and over again! Albus how could you let this…?"

"Of course I didn't just let this happen!" he said back, his voice calm, but eyes dangerous. "My dear Minerva, you honestly believe that I would willingly use something like this as punishment for students?"

Minerva stopped and fell silent at once. "I'm sorry," she said, breathing hard. "I didn't mean it… I was just…"

"I understand," he said nodding to her sadly. "I felt the same way. But the point I'm trying to make here is please try not to be too hard on him."

"But this is all the more reason that he needs to be quiet in class," she said at once. "The only way he will be safe is if he shows some restraint. Why hasn't he come to someone and told us about it? We would put a stop to it at once and…"

"I know," he answered. "But without him complaining about it, there's not much I can do about it," he said. "You should know what he's like by now. He won't come to anyone with his problems… the only people he seems to truly trust is Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley—and even then, I wonder how long he tried to keep it quiet from them."

She huffed angrily.

"I'm not any happier about this than you are, Minerva," he said firmly. "But if we try to interfere, Umbridge is only going to come down harder on the school. All she has to do is write to Fudge and he'll grant any request that she wants."

She frowned at him, still looking upset, but she didn't say anything as he pulled the list that she had brought with her towards him. He checked over it before he glanced up and asked, "I can see that you had been inspected today?"

"Yes," she muttered rather stiffly. "And if I had known about this, I would've given her a harder time on it!"

Albus could see that his deputy didn't make it easy for Umbridge… he could only smile at her comfortingly and hope that the cursed job comes into effect and gets rid of Umbridge as soon as possible.

*The Next Night*

He sent a couple portraits to keep an eye on Umbridges door to wait for Harry and follow him back up to the common room before they were to return. They had just reported to him that Harry had left and was now in bed. But they also mentioned that his hand was now bleeding so badly that he had to wrap it up in a scarf.

Albus ran his hand through his hair. He knew what the boy was forced to write: I MUST NOT TELL LIES. He also knew that the quill didn't use ink… rather Harry was forced to carve those words in his own blood while they are slashed across his skin.

Harry has not asked for help. He will not come for help… he will not because people keep driving him away. Himself especially… but he couldn't help but feel the terrible pain of failure inside him at the thought of what was happening within the walls of his school.

Neither Umbridge nor Harry knew that they are being closely watched. Albus shook his head, trying not to feel guilt. It wasn't his fault; Harry had been warned again and again to watch his temper. As well as trying to keep his distance from Harry, lest his presence encourage Voldemort to reach through the connection between the two of them and possess the boy. If he interfered then he knew that Tom would doubtless demand to confront him. No, that would be too dangerous.

Besides, interference would do little good. Umbridge would just get a decree from Fudge getting around whatever action he might take. Fudge is determined to destroy both him and Harry as well.

"Are you sure that he's in the common room now?" he asked Dexter as he stared ahead of him at the door.

"Yes," Dexter answered grimly. "He was with his friends for a little while before he went to bed. But the three of them did have an interesting conversation just now."

"Please tell me that Sirius didn't risk the fire again?" he asked, looking up at him quickly. He needed to have a few words with that man if that was the case.

"No," he answered and Albus relaxed a little. "But they were all upset that Potter wouldn't go to anyone about what she was doing to him."

"That's just how he is," he said sadly.

"Isn't there anything you can do to get rid of her?" Dilys asked. "She's breaking the law using that quill isn't she?"

"Fudge won't ever believe it," he said grimly. "All Umbridge has to do is say that she didn't do it and Fudge will believe every word she says. I don't know how many times that I have to say this…?"

"Well, they were just discussing doing it themselves," Dexter said. "Since that toad isn't helping them."

"And that's not vague at all," Phineas said snidely. "Do what?"

"What I mean is," Dexter said, glaring at Phineas, "Is that Hermione said that they should start teaching themselves Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Albus raised his eyebrows. "I can see that. But how do they intend to that that if you know the answer? It's one thing to read about how to do a spell in a book, another to have a proper teacher showing them how to do it. Though at this rate, it would probably be better if they do that… they'd learn more."

"Well," he said, and Albus was surprise to see a little smile on his face. "Hermione said that they do already have one."

Albus was surprised. "Remus?" he asked. While that is true, he was busy with the Order… and at the moment he was busy trying to convince the werewolves to join their side. But as he watched Dexter smiling and shaking his head, he suddenly had a dawning idea of who Hermione was talking about.

"No," he smiled. "She means Harry."

Albus raised his eyebrows and asked pleasantly, "She wants Harry to teach them Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"Well, he couldn't be any worse than Umbridge," Dilys said with a grin. "Heck, I think even a real toad would be a better teacher than she would."

"He would be the best student equipped for the job," he nodded slightly to himself.

"He seemed to be upset about that though," Dexter said, his smile fading a little. "Ron and Hermione were talking about everything's he's done, and it just seemed to set him off."

"I see," Albus said a little bit disappointed, though he could guess why that would be. "Did he say why?"

He shrugged again, "It's just that he kept telling them that he wasn't a teacher, but they seemed to keep smiling about it and he finally lost his temper. Personally, I don't see why he was so upset…?"

"The smirks are probably what did it," Albus said. "He's going to think that they aren't taking that seriously. Are they going to just forget about it?"

"Well, he's calmed down and said that he'd think about it before they went to bed," he finished. "I don't think that we'll hear anymore about it tonight."

"Not now, anyway," Albus said, he glanced at his watch and decided to go to bed as well, but he had to admit, the idea did cause a lot of thought.

*Two weeks later*

A couple weeks had passed since that night, and things seemed to have quieted down. He heard that Harry had finally finished with all his detentions, though that was a small comfort in the toad's rein. She was lurking around the castle almost constantly, eavesdropping on all sorts of conversations, both from students and the staff. Anyone heard talking about the events of last year, or of Voldemort were quickly punished, telling them that they were just being lied to.

That giggle she gave whenever she was around was really starting to get to him and to the rest of his staff… especially to Minerva. He often saw her glaring at Umbridge's retreating back and he knew her well enough by now to know that she was longing to curse her.

Umbridge had examined Pomona just the other day and he heard his Herbology teacher talking to Sinistra, saying that she was very close to locking her in Greenhouse 3 with the Venomous Tentacula. Filius, who was normally such a patient person, was now making cold remarks about Umbridge whenever they had staff meetings…

Oh, he didn't even want to think about those long hours in the staff room anymore. Whenever they had a meeting, she would sit there, smiling smugly at them all as if she knew something that the rest of them didn't. That was when she told them all, in that high voice that annoyed them to no end, that she had come up with a new set of rules for the students.

"We already have rules in place, Dolores," Minerva said stiffly, and Albus could see that she was forced to call her by her first named bugged his Deputy Head. He knew that she much preferred 'The Toad Woman'. But he was proud that she hadn't given in to her deepest desire and cursed her yet… though he couldn't say much for the others who didn't try nearly had hard.

"Ah, yes," Umbridge said in that disgustingly sweet voice. "But, I'm afraid that the Minister," she said that last word with respect and finished, "Agrees with me in that the students here are given too much freedom and not enough discipline. So he gave me the power to make these…"

Ah yes… Umbridge had been coming up with Education Decrees. Educational Decrees are laws created by the Ministry of Magic to set or modify standards at Hogwarts. The Ministry started the idea of using these decrees to suppress and outlaw behavior of which the Ministry did not approve. At least that's what Umbridge said. Though, in truth, they were all just an excuse to strip him of his headship of the school and give it to Umbridge. Most of these Decrees were placed to reinforce ridiculous rules that suit Umbridge's sadistic, intruding, and old-fashioned nature. Here are the Decrees that she had come up with since school began.

Educational Decree Number One: (students are banned from discussing "the uppsetting events of last year")

That made Albus's eye narrowed and anger boiled in the pit of his stomach.

Educational Decree Number Two: (students are encouraged to be forthcoming regarding suspicious or outlawed activities)

Educational Decree Number Three: (students will be punished if found with a Spell-Check Quill in their possession)

Educational Decree Number Four: (students are required to dress appropriately and are discouraged from wearing anything besides the required school attire)

Educational Decree Number Five: (the tagging of students' owls is mandatory)

Educational Decree Number Six: (boys are to keep their hands outside their cloaks for they can't be trusted with anything they have in their pockets)

Educational Decree Number Seven: (students are to be harshly punished whenever they prohibited spells in the halls)

Educational Decree Number Eight: (there are strict restrictions on the usage of the school library and common rooms)

Educational Decree Number Nine: (students will be expelled if found in possession of sweets from "unauthorised suppliers")

Educational Decree Number Ten: (confiscation of wands for being 'naughty')

That last one made them all feel sick.

Educational Decree Number Eleven: (it is forbidden for any student to use magic to change the students' physical appearance)

Educational Decree Number Twelve: (students are forbidden to broom flight, except for the exception being authorized Quidditch practices)

Educational Decree Number Thirteen: (exploding bonbons are forbidden to explode)

They all had to hold back laughter at that. They are called 'exploding' bonbon for a reason. Just because someone sent her a box of those and they exploded in her mouth, doesn't mean that she has to try and ban it.

Educational Decree Number Fourteen: (books that haven't been authorized by the Ministry will be confiscated)

Educational Decree Number Fifteen: (students are forbidden to leave the common rooms in the evening)

Educational Decree Number Sixteen: (pets are to be confined to all common rooms and dormitories and owls to the owlery. No exceptions)

Educational Decree Number Seventeen: (games are forbidden in the hallways during study hours)

Educational Decree Number Eighteen: (the eating of sweets are forbidden in the hallways)

Educational Decree Number Nineteen: (students are forbidden from crossing the grounds after classes)

Educational Decree Number Twenty: (the playing of music is banned during study hours)

Educational Decree Number Twenty-One: (punishes anyone who doesn't do their homework)

Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two: (staff members are discourage to encourage creative thinking)

All these ridiculous laws were quickly trying everyone's patience. He was also getting sick of telling everyone that he had no control in these matters, and that he couldn't get rid of Umbridge just as badly as they did. It was only going to be a matter of time before life at Hogwarts becomes unbearable for everyone and they all just finally leave rather than put up with it.

But after those two insuffering weeks, Albus had gotten some surprisingly good news. News that had cheered him up a great deal; despite the fact that he was forced to deal with Dolores Umbridge and the regular meetings with the Ministry.

"They were in the library and I overheard them talking about it," Everard said sounding upbeat. "Granger asked Potter about teaching again."

"And what did he say?" Albus asked interested.

"Well, he didn't fly off the handle again," he said. "That's a good sign."

"I can tell than that he's thought a great deal about it then," he said nodding. "What did he say? Will he do it?"

"Well, he still seemed on the fence about it to tell you the truth," Everard explained. "But when she mentioned other people and he wasn't so sure about that."

"Yes, I didn't think he would be happy about that," Albus said.

"Please, the whole school thinks he's insane," Phineas said. "Why does she think that they'll want him to teach them?"

"Phineas," Albus said warningly.

"What do they have to lose?" Armando said. "I mean, it's not against the rules and it couldn't hurt to go and check it out."

"Oh, it may be against the rules for now," Albus said. "But I highly doubt that Umbridge will be happy when she finds out about this. Did they say when they were going to do it, Everard?"

"Don't know for sure," Everard answered, "But I did hear Granger telling a few people that they are going to meet and talk about it during the next Hogsmeade trip."

"That would be wise," Albus said. "Especially with her lurking around. Did they say where?"

"Just an idea," he said, but he was smiling a little. "But Granger seemed to be toying around with the idea of the Hogs Head."

Albus blinked before he chuckled. "Indeed? Well, if that's the case, then I'll be sure to speak with my brother to see how it goes," he said. He looked to Phineas and asked him to go to Headquarters and request that he ask someone to keep an eye on the three of them during the next trip into Hogsmeade.

"And please, Phineas, make sure that Sirius knows that I don't mean him," Albus sighed. "He's still furious with me for talking to him about using the floo to speak with them."

Grumbling, Phineas left, cursing all the way to Grimmauld Place.

*Hogs Head a few days later*

Once evening came, Albus left the castle, glad to be able to have some peace from the world and some fresh air in his lungs. He bade good evening to Madam Rosemerta when he passed her throwing a drunken man out of her pub, and apologized for telling her that he would be in the Hogs Head instead.

When he entered the shabby pub, he saw Aberforth pouring himself a drink at his bar.

"I thought I told you!" he barked, his back to him. "I'm closing up! So get out or I'll…"

"It's good to see you too, Aberforth," Albus said pleasantly.

Looking up, Aberforth turned to see him there. "Oh, it's you," he said in a bored tone, as if he wasn't speaking to anyone important. This was what he always said whenever he came to see him. Albus smiled serenely and walked over. "May I join you?" he said.

Aberforth gave him another bored look but he got out a dusty bottle of Firewhisky.

"What brings you here?" Aberforth asked. "Aren't you busy with those Ministry morons?"

Albus gave a forced smile before he said tiredly, "You don't know the half of it. I sometimes have to wonder whether or not it's all worth the trouble. But enough about that. It's just that I heard a very interesting rumor today. Apparently a large number of my students were here this afternoon?"

"Is that a crime to have customers?" he asked, pouring himself another large glass.

"I am merely curious to know what had happened here," Albus said patiently, taking a sip of the burning liquid.

Aberforth grunted, "Never did know when to keep your big nose out of things. Fine, about 25 to 30 kids were here this afternoon alright. Saw that Potter kid who's causing such a fuss with the Ministry. And judging from what I heard, I think I like the kid. Anyone who makes the Ministry this uncomfortable can't be all bad."

He chuckled darkly as Albus smiled.

"This should be good," Albus said. "Just what did they say?"

"Just that they met with a bunch of other youngsters and I can't remember ever seeing more people in here," he went on. "Too bad all they wanted was butterbur. No imaginations what so ever."

Albus smiled. He was sure about that. Friday and Saturday nights draw quite a crowd at the Hogs Head, however he doubted that Aberforth has seen quite that many students enter at one time, and will no doubt suspect that they are up to something. But he wasn't worried, for he knew that his little brother would never give someone underage Firewhiskey.

"And can you please tell me what they were talking about?" he asked curiously.

"Something about going against the ministry and teach themselves how to fight or something…" he grunted as if he wasn't concerned.

"Please explain," Albus said, knowing that if he pushed to quickly then Aberforth would never tell him anything.

"I've got to say," he said looking at him. "The things that kid seems to go through. Basilisks, Dementors, and then that mess with the tournament… if I didn't know you better; I'd swear that it's all strange coincidences."

He gave him a hard look and Albus did his best not to think back to Ariana. No, it's not good to mention her. Whenever her name came up, it always ended up in an argument with his brother and that's the last thing that he wanted here.

"Well, I saw a couple kids there that weren't to pleasant," Aberforth went on. "One kid I wanted to curse him to get him to shut up, and I wasn't even talking to him. I think his name was Smith or something…"

"And what did he say?" Albus asked.

"Why do you care?" Aberforth challenged.

"Because if word of this gets out, then I'm sure that Umbridge will want an excuse to expel them all," Albus sighed. He glanced around at the empty bar and then said in an undertone, "Umbridge is slowly taking over the school. The students and my staff are all completely miserable. She's doing her best to keep everyone under her thumb and anyone who fights back is punished harshly. And if word of this gets out, then I'm worried that she's going to punish them."

"The way I see it they haven't done anything wrong," Aberforth said coolly, but Albus could see a little bit of worry in his eyes. Though he may deny it, he knew that Aberforth had always liked kids. "Kids come up with clubs all the time."

"Yes," Albus agreed. "However with Umbridge here, it's only going to be a matter of time before she makes this illegal. You mark my words, if she finds out about this, then she's going to expel all those students if she has the chance. So please…"

"Fine," Aberforth snapped. "If you really want to know, that Smith kid wanted to know what happened at the end of the tournament, and Potter told him off." He suddenly smirked, "He's got a temper that kid. I like that. Anyway, they talked on for some time about that hag up at the castle. And I'm guessing that the rest of the school don't know much about Potter's antics the way that they all talked about them?"

"No," Albus stated. "We try very hard to keep that quiet. Often the truth is even more unbelievable than the many rumors that often abound when Harry does something. And he has a hard enough time without all that getting out as well."

Aberforth shrugged as if unconcerned, "Well, the kid didn't seem to like being in the spotlight," he went on, his face getting a little red from the drink. "That's not something you'd expect to see in such a big shot huh?"

"Yes, that's one of the many things that I find remarkable about him," Albus stated, raising his glass in a silent toast.

"Still to let a kid teach that bunch?" Aberforth asked, his bushy eyebrows raised, "If you ask me, you need nothing short of a miracle to get them to learn anything. Some of them looked pretty hopeless to me."

This time it was Albus who raised his eyebrows. "They are children. And I do agree that they do need a proper teacher… but Harry has had more experience than most on Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Hmm," was all he had to say, as if he highly doubted that. "And to sum it up. They also talked about places they could have it, haven't decided on that yet, and one kid seemed to suck up and agree with everything they said. Found him annoying. But they seem almost eager to fight."

Albus sighed and shook his head. "That I hope will never happen."

"Still how could you let that hag in?" Aberforth asked smugly, obviously pleased that he had made such a mistake. "She's sure not to popular is she?"

"I know," Albus sighed. "And I don't know how many times I've said it, but I can't get rid of her even though I want to. Believe me, if I had it my way, I would've gotten rid of her long before now. Not only is she working for Fudge, but they are now refusing to teach the students anything. This is only going to cost innocent lives."

"I see that they're still as paranoid as ever," he said taking a long gulp. "Is it true that they think that you're trying to form a private army with kids?"

Albus actually laughed at that. "Did they say that?" he asked.

His brother nodded and Albus explained, "Though I think that some of my students are more reliable than half the Ministry officials, the answer is no. I don't want them to fight if I can help it."

"One girl was a bit cookey in the head if you ask me," Aberforth said, using a finger to make circles around the side of his head. "Talked about the Minister having an army of Heliopaths."

Albus smiled, having a good idea to who said that. "I doubt that."

"So they don't exist?" he asked him.

"Actually, they do," Albus said thinking it over. "They are just very rare, the best way to describe them would be a conscious form of Fiendfire. They don't dwell in Britain because the weather is far too damp for them to survive, but in other dryer countries such as deserts, they thrive. Though while I think it is unlikely that Fudge would have an army of Heliopaths, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't have a group of people who support him and work behind the scenes to make sure his will is enforced. Umbridge is one of them after all. Am I guessing that it was a young blond Ravenclaw who suggested it?"

"Looked like one," he answered, holding up the empty bottle of Firewhiskey so that he could peek in to see that it was already empty.

Albus chuckled, so far, from his impression of Miss Luna Lovegood thus far, he would have to say she is extremely intelligent and will often have very accurate perspectives but likes to hide it under nonsense. A truly special young lady…

"And they didn't say where they were having it?" he asked, just making sure.

"Nope," Aberforth said brightly. "Just that they'll let everyone know when they find one. Oh, but the bossy girl who first came in with them said they all had to sign something. To agree not to tell Umbridge or anybody else what they're up to."

Now, he highly doubted that was just a normal contract that Miss Granger had them sign.

"Did she say what will happen if they do?" Albus asked curiously.

He shook his head. "You mean she did something to the paper? And if they tell then something bad will happen to them? Damn, why didn't I think of that? But no, she didn't. Shame… I think it would've given me a laugh you know?"

Albus forced a laugh as well as he quickly finished his drink and just told Aberforth to put it on his tab.

"You know," Aberforth called after him in an annoyed voice. "I expect you to pay up your tab sooner or later!"

"I promise that I'll pay you back for everything," he said cheerfully. "And thank you for the information, Aberforth, I really appreciate it. And about my offer from over the summer… are you still sure you don't want to rejoin…?"

He meant the Order but Aberforth shook his head. "I'm too old to be fighting now." Aberforth looked at him darkly. "Why are you always so interested in what Potter does anyway? He's none of your concern now is he?"

Albus, his hand on the doorknob, froze. "I don't know anymore…" he said, more to himself than to his brother as he stared ahead of him at the door, looking but not really seeing it. "I just… I thought I knew… but now… I'm not so sure."

"Well, that's about as clear as mud," Aberforth said, his face unreadable as he stared at him. "What are you talking about?"

Albus had no idea what he was saying and just shook his hard to get those thoughts out of his mind before he left. "It's nothing," he said, holding his hand up in farewell.

But as he left the Hogs Head, with Aberforth's eyes on his back, he suddenly had the strangest sense of Déjà vu.

*The Weekday*

After the weekend, Albus went to his office to see something that concerned him greatly. At first, he thought that it was just another one of those pointless Educational Decrees. Albus shook his head. Another one? What now? It's not allowed to walk and breathe at the same time? But as he picked it up and read it, he bit back a groan.

He saw this coming a mile away.

BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

All student organizations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded. An organization, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students. Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge). No student organization, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor. Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an organization, society, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.

Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor

He shook his head. "For the love of all that's good…" he hissed under his breath as he said loudly and sarcastically. "Why not just snap everyone's wands in half? That'll fix it."

He normally wasn't sarcastic like that, but this drove him over the edge. She knew about the defense group… there was no other explanation here.

He sat there, his fingers laced together as he leaned forward, trying to think of something. There could've been anyone listening in to that conversation at the Hogs Head. Or maybe one of the students who had gone there had told her… he remembered what Aberforth said about a couple of them who didn't look so trustworthy.

Forcing himself to go down to breakfast after that, the first thing he saw in the Great Hall was a small group of people surrounding Harry and his friends.

He watched as Harry's face nodded firmly to the others and Albus just knew that they were still going to do it. But that's what worried him… thanks to Umbridge, what they were doing now was against the law… not just some silly school rule.

Though he was worried… he agreed that they should do it. Because knowing this stuff could save lives; who knows how long before Voldemort will come out in the open, once that happens it could be too late to start teaching them, because people, innocent people and children, will be dying. He knew that was much more important than some stupid ministry decree any day…

But later that night he discovered that it wasn't the only thing at stake, this also meant the Quidditch teams. Minerva came to him and told him just what she thought of this idea… though he wondered how she really felt about this…

"I mean honestly, the nerve of the woman, the god damn nerve. I'm all for rules and discipline Albus, as you very well know, but they have to be fair, fairness is what counts, if you just do it then how will they ever learn what's right and wrong, the morality of it all. High Inquisitor indeed, high-opinion of herself, that's the problem. Why doesn't she just go and break her neck and…"

He raised an eyebrow as she stopped pacing and turned to face him.

"Dumbledore, I really don't know how much more of her I think I can take," she said.

Albus gave her a sad look. "I know. Believe me, I know. But I also know that you have the patience of a saint, Minerva. I mean, you've been behind almost every decision I've had for years…"

She raised her eyebrows, a slightly amused smile tugging on her mouth, but she went on, "She's insufferable. It's only going to be a matter of time before something terrible happens to her."

But Albus didn't miss the slightly hopeful tone in her voice.

"Ah Minerva…"

"Don't try to pacify me," she snapped at him.

"Minerva, I hate this to," he said firmly. "But until the Ministry gives her leave, we can't do anything."

Minerva shook her head. "Also, though this doesn't surprise me, she's also checking the owls!"

"How do you know that?" he asked coolly. "Did you walk in on her as she was searching the owls?"

"Funny," she said darkly. "Potter came looking for Professor Grubbly-Plank after breakfast," she explained. "Left class because his owl showed up after all the others with an injured wing. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what happened…"

Albus groaned. "She's desperate for any kind of information on Harry," he informed her. "She's now determined to do whatever it takes to get him expelled. Did Harry tell you were the letter came from…?"

"London," she said nodding and they both understood that she meant Sirius. "Wilhelmina is taking care of his owl as we speak. But I just hope that Potter knows that the owls are being watched."

"Do you know what the message said?" Albus asked.

"It's from Sirius most likely," she said. "I don't know what it said. But I do hope that Umbridge doesn't figure that out. I mean, it wouldn't be exactly difficult to re-seal the scroll by magic… and if anyone's watching the Floo Network… but I don't really see how we can warn him not to come without that being intercepted, too!"

"But they can't know it was Harry that Sirius was contacting, so they won't know who to look for," Albus said, though he sounded more like he was trying to convince himself of that. "And he is in a protected house, so the location wouldn't show. But I agree with everything you said," he added at her concerned look, "I hope that Sirius doesn't try it again."

She gave him a sad look. Was it pity…?

"Very well," she said, though she didn't sound happy at all. "I'll find something to take my anger out on. But if she keeps forcing more of these ridiculous laws then I'm going to jinx her mouth so that she'll never be able to talk again."

And when she left, Albus could've sworn that he heard her planning other horrors made especially for Umbridge. But if it made her feel better, who was he to stop her?"

He smiled fondly at the closed door before he looked up at his usual eyes and ears of the castle. "Anything interesting you wish to report?" he called to them.

"Nothing much," Armando wheezed. "But that Malfoy boy is asking for trouble."

"Oh, no," Albus sighed. "What now?"

"He's bragging about how the Slytherin team has already been allowed to continue playing while the other teams haven't," Armando said. "He's not making any friends here."

Albus shook his head.

"You'd think that he'd learn by now," Dilys whispered to her neighbors, who nodded wholeheartedly.

"And he's pushing his luck," Armando went on. "Went on to say that Arthur Weasley is going to get sacked and that the Ministry is going to cart Potter off to St. Mungo's any day now. He mentioned that there was a special ward for people whose brains are addled. Longbottom heard him."

Albus groaned, "And I guess that Neville didn't take the news well?"

"No doubt in my mind that he would've attacked them if the others didn't hold him back," he panted.

"Draco talks a big game, but he honestly doesn't have a clue to how the world works," Albus whispered to himself. "He's going to get into big trouble if he doesn't shape up."

He was greatly concerned for young Draco. He was raised in an environment where he had been told over and over that he was superior to others because of his blood. He's used to getting whatever he wants and walks the corridors of the school as if he owned the place. He thinks that being a Death Eater will mean that he'll be able to do that anywhere once he leaves Hogwarts. But the truth is that he will be forced to do countless horrendous things. And with Voldemort back, it was only a matter of time before he was recruited.

"I see," he answered dully. "Anything else you need to tell me?"

"Just that the toad inspected Snape as well," he finished. "And apparently, Trelawney got her results back. It didn't sound good."

Albus winced. "I almost feel bad for her. Though I think that Minerva most likely showed her up during her inspection. Thank you all for telling me this. Now please if you all could bear to do one more thing?"

"What?" Dexter asked curiously. "Potter's back in the common room. Why do you want us to follow him?"

"Not just Harry," he said. "Keep an eye on Umbridge for me as well. I want you to report anything you see her doing that you don't like. I trust you all to take care of it?"

"Hard to do that," he heard Everard said as most of them called out in groans and insults. "She's got a bunch of other portraits on her side as well."

"I know," he said. "But if she is half as rotten as we think she is, she's only going to get worse as the year progresses." He shut his eyes for a moment. "Don't let her out of your sights if you can help it."

*The Next Morning*

"You won't be happy," Everard told him as he came back into his office, going through the usual dozen complaining letters from the teachers. "I was watching the Weasleys showing off their projects for awhile in the common room, but Black came through the fire again."

Albus groaned, feeling close to screaming. "About what?" he asked exhausted.

"He told them about how Dung was keeping an eye on them," he answered. "And Harry really isn't happy with you."

"I would prefer that he didn't mention that," Albus said wearily. He hadn't expected them to send Mundungus to watch Harry, but after their 'conversation' over the summer, he was now taking his guard duties quite seriously.

"I think he's afraid that you'll really kill him if he doesn't behave and do what you tell him," he answered.

"I might if he runs off for some old cauldrons when he knows that someone's life could be at stake again," he muttered, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Now, what did Sirius say?"

"Well, he said that they heard about the secret Defense group," he said. "And he promised to pass on a message from Molly saying that Ron and the rest of her children are forbidden to join. Though she admits that she's got no authority over the rest of them, but she begs that they don't do it either."

"I doubt that will work," Albus said. "Doing what they're told not to is what teenagers do best."

"And Black is backing them up completely," Everard spoke up. "So that's not going to help."

"I would've thought that Sirius said no," Albus said. But he had a bad feeling that, out of desperation, Sirius was now urging the kids to do things that he would've done if he was in their place. "Anything else before I start the day?"

"They're all still trying to figure out a place to hold these—lessons?" he said that last word as if unsure of what else to call them. "But then Umbridge was looking through the fire before they could come up with anything good."

"She didn't…?" Albus began worriedly.

"No," he answered and he felt relief at those words. "Black escaped just before she caught him, and I saw the kids run for their dorms before she could look in. But I don't know how much she's figured things out."

"Please," Phineas yawned. "That toad? You need a brain to do that."

Albus made up his mind. "That does it, he can't risk it again," he stood up and headed to the door.

"Where are you going?" Dilys called after him.

"We have a meeting at Headquarters anyway," he explained. "I must tell Sirius that he cannot risk himself like that again."

But as he left, he added under his breath, "If only I can make him take this seriously enough."

*A few days later*

Albus paid a trip to Grimmauld Place and forbid Sirius from trying anything that reckless again. Which, sure enough, ended in a big argument. He felt that familiar headache coming back to him. But it wasn't until Minerva came to him not long before the first Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

"I know that she's using her position to play favorites to her old House, Minerva," he sighed to her. "And I know that she's especially unfair to your Gryffindors. But please, do try not to let her provoke though, I would miss you awfully if she forced you to leave out of spite. It's only got to be a matter of time until she comes up with a decree to force you to leave should you complain."

"Oh, I can handle her on my own," Minerva said. "But she refuses again and again to allow the Gryffindors to play. It's obvious that she's doing this so that Slytherin will win."

She looked at him pleadingly. "If my team… if the Gryffindor team cannot practice then how are we going to play? It's unfair… the Slytherin team have full privileges and have been allowed to play right away."

Albus nodded, knowing how important this was to her and the rest of Gryffindor House. "Yes," he nodded. "They will have my permission of course, and I'll speak to Umbridge about this myself."

"Thank you," she said gratefully. "I don't think I could stand to see Slytherin win just because they have that toad fighting their matches for them."

He saw her to the door and bowed her out, promising that he would talk to Umbridge about this later tonight, though he also had a bad feeling that this wasn't going to stop her. And somehow, his bad feelings always came true.

He remembered what people said about him retiring, and he had to wonder if being here was worth these terrible headaches. After some thought, he made up his mind.

He'll retire…

The day after he dies…

(Another chapter done. Hope you all enjoyed it.)