Severus was content with observing the havoc. The teachers, prepared for the shenanigans of students, had set a small barrier around themselves and were gladly observing the small infuriating woman running away from the fireworks. He made note of diminishing the redhead twins' detentions should they avoid getting expelled.

He watched as Potter laughed with the rest of the children. Severus was glad that the insufferable Gryffindor still knew how to be a child when the situation allowed. When the students ran after the retreating twins he kept his eye on Potter. For some reason he stopped and stumbled back.

Umbridge grabbed him. Raised her hand and looked about to struck him before anyone could do anything. McGonagall started to stand to come to his defence when suddenly the red-faced woman turned pale and stepped back.

Potter seemed to wipe his face and he saw the blood stained palm before the boy dropped to his knees, crying in pain and cradling his head.

Severus was on his feet and rushed to Potter's side, following close behind McGonagall

"Potter! Harry!" McGonagall cried out, trying to get the boy to let them see where the blood was coming from.

"No! Stop it!" The boy screamed.

"Potter!" Severus cried out, grabbing him and helping McGonagall so she could pull the boy's hands away from his face. Suddenly the boy fell limp in his arms. Severus slipped an enervating potion from his robes, to try and give him the energy to recover from whatever attack the Dark Lord had sent his way.

The boy blinked awake and McGonagall gave a sigh of relief. Severus looked at the bright green eyes that stared right back at him. He waited for him to respond. To do anything. Instead the brat gave him a brief smile and passed out.

"Harry!" Granger called. It was the first time he noticed her there.

"Stay back miss Granger." McGonagall told her.

"Oh dear. Will this boy ever spend a moment without the need of recover?" Madam Pomfrey asked herself out loud. "Severus, I can take him now." He didn't register her words at first as he stared at the perfectly normal-looking scar that had been glowing a molten red and bleeding profusely a mere minute ago. McGonagall's hand on his shoulder reminded him of his surroundings and he nodded to Pomfrey, who levitated the boy away.

He turned to Umbridge who had become composed enough to pretend the school had not just succumbed to anarchy.

"Headmistress. Is the minister not visiting today with the press to show your excellent management of the school?" Severus asked coldly. Her eyes widened and she immediately ran out to try to placate the entire school body.

Severus turned to the youngest Weasley male and Granger, who looked unwilling to go any direction beside the hospital wing. McGonagall followed his line of vision and spoke.

"Mister Weasley. Miss Granger. Should Madam Pomfrey allow it, you may go to mister Potter's side." Instantly the two were running in the direction of the hospital wing.

"Perhaps I should go and assist Dolores." One of the teachers said begrudgingly.

"Or at least pretend to." Said another, going out to where the students had run off to. Soon everyone was gone except for him and McGonagall. She was eyeing him curiously.

"Severus, I have noticed that mister Potter has spent and obscene amount of time in detention with you this year." She said.

"Have you really." He said blandly and focused on finding the lid for his used up glass potion vial.

"And I hear you're also tutoring him in potions."

"Yes, well… The headmaster insisted when he questioned the grades I was giving mister Potter." He spotted the small crystal top and picked it up, slipping it on and putting it in his pocket. He turned to leave but suddenly the woman was standing before him stopping his escape.

"That boy has had a lot to deal with this year. If I hear that you have been pushing him even further you will be sorry."

"Is that so?" Where was she when the boy felt so isolated in the summer that he had to go to that muggle? Where was she when the boy was putting up with the agony of the black quill or getting sentenced to fifty lashes? Where was she when the boy's grades were slipping?

"I remember fairly well the nasty relationship between both James and you. Do not punish an innocent child for the sins of a dead man."

"Really Minerva, I see no reason why you've suddenly started questioning my motives. All I've done is give him an enervate potion."

"That is the thing… I cannot comprehend the look you had just now." And there it was. Severus schooled his expression.

"Just what kind of relationship do you now have with Potter?"

Well… that was not what he expected. He couldn't help the visceral reaction he had at the other's insinuation.

"Are you out of your mind?" He snapped.

"I am just asking Severus!"

"Well, how dare you ask? I am utterly insulted! As if I could ever… the boy was bleeding from his scar! Forgive me if I care about anything the Dark Lord does!" He yelled and stormed away. He couldn't even stand to look at her. He was mostly angry at himself. For losing his control and apparently displaying concern for the Gryffindor. But what the devil was that woman thinking of him to have something so vile cross through her mind.

oOoOoOo oOoOoOo oOoOoOo

Harry woke up. A dull and repetitive throbbing vibrating throughout his head. He remembered what happened. Sirius was being tortured by Voldemort. He felt like jumping out of the bed and flooing straight there but his body felt heavy and he barely managed to sit up.

"Oh Harry!" Hermione cried out and hugged him tightly. He turned to his friends, the buzzing pain in his head diminishing.

It was night time. Only the moon through the window and a dull oil lamp by his bedside table illuminated the hospital wing.

"Hermione… Ron… He's got Sirius."

Hermione pulled back and looked at him in shock. "H-harry are you sure?" She asked.

"I'm sure! I saw it… he was torturing him Hermione! I have to go help him!" Harry insisted.

"Mate, calm down! You can't go like this!" Ron insisted.

"I have to Ron! He's the only family I have left!" Harry yelled, the word 'family' bitter to his lips as he recalled the redhead's words.

"Maybe we could check into Grimmauld place. Before we do anything rash." Hermione reasoned.

"Umbridge will never..." Harry began but Ron laughed without humour.

"She's as good as gone mate. The minister brought the press and everything, when they saw the mess the school was in, the minister told her to prepare to leave as soon as the next headmaster is selected." Ron told him.

So Umbridge was finally leaving. Yet he couldn't celebrate it. "I need to get to Sirius now, Ron!" Harry said trying to get out of bed.

"There you are… you vile, lying monster!" All three jumped as they turned to see Umbridge storming toward them. Ron and Hermione stepped in front of Harry but Draco came straight after Umbridge and pointed his wand at the two.

"Move to the side!" Draco yelled, his old nasty sneer on his face and the threat of punishment vivid in his expression.

"You little bas-"

"Now Weasley!" Draco yelled and forced Ron and Hermione to step away from Umbridge's path.

"I hope your happy, Potter! Oh but I have not lost. No. You will tell me where Dumbledore's secret weapon is. Once I show Cornelius he will know that I was telling the truth!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" She slapped him hard across the face and Harry raised his arms to defend himself.

"Liar!" He tried to get out of the bed and away from her but she pointed her short wand at him making him stay where he was.

"You called for me headmistress?" Harry felt himself relax as he heard Snape's voice. Umbridge smirked and put on a smug expression as she turned to the potions master.

"Ah, yes. I will need a strong dose of veritaserum."

Snape glanced at her and then at Harry. The expression of complete and utter lack of interest made Harry's faith in the man falter slightly and he had to look away. "I'm afraid that you've used up all my stocks during the last week of detentions. Certainly I could brew some more but it could take some time." He said calmly.

Her expression twisted into something nasty and she looked back at Harry. He tensed and glanced nervously between her and Snape.

"That will be all professor Snape." Umbridge said. Snape turned to leave and Harry panicked.

"H-he's got Padfoot! He's got Padfoot where it's hidden!" Harry called out. Snape stopped and turned back, Umbridge looking from one to the other.

"Padfoot? What is it? What is he talking about?" Umbridge demanded looking from one to the other.

"I have no idea." And with that Snape was gone and Harry sighed relieved. Maybe Snape would be able to check on him. His train of thought was interrupted as Umbridge rose her wand once more.

"Well then, I have no choice… if you won't tell me where the secret weapon is, then I will have to use crucio until you do tell me." Her wand trembled slightly as she said that.

"You can't! That's illegal!" Hermione exclaimed struggling against Ron's hold when the redhead stopped her from reaching Harry when Draco pointed his wand at her.

"No one will know. Get ready mister Potter." She said, the tremor of her wand stopped and Harry almost felt the static in the air as the woman opened her mouth to utter the spell.

"Stop! Mate just tell her!" Ron exclaimed. Harry gasped and turned to Ron who got Umbridge's attention. "Well, if you won't tell her… I will." Ron said. Hermione looked at Ron confused.

"Tell me what?" Umbridge said, impatience vibrating through every syllable she spoke.

"Where Dumbledore's secret weapon is…" Ron said. What was Ron planning?

"Well… good. Someone is actually using their common sense for once. You will all show me." She said and grabbed Harry roughly by the shoulder, pulling him up by his clothes. He pulled away from her hold, not wanting her to rip the robes that Snape had fixed for him.

Soon Ron was leading them, through the forbidden forest while the back of Harry's neck prickled just knowing that Umbridge and Malfoy both had their wands pointed at them.

It took Harry a while to realise where they were going. When he realised he wished he had remained in blissful ignorance for a while longer.

Growing up in a cupboard allowed a child to grow comfortable with spiders. But even Harry had ceased being comfortable when they grew larger than his thumb. The acromantula nest entrance was just ahead and Harry prayed to the stars that Ron knew what on earth he was doing.