The Prince-Who-Lived

Chapter Forty-three

Their get together was the last event of the break, and on Monday they had school once more, and Career Advice from their teachers. Harry's time was during his free period after lunch, just before Defence. Going in, he almost swallowed his tongue to find Umbridge sitting in the corner with a clipboard. McGonagall glanced up at him.

"Potter, sit down. We are here to discuss what your plans are for your career after graduation and what classes you should take in sixth and seventh years." She looked at him sternly over her glasses. "Have you given any thought to that?"

Umbridge's quill was very distracting, but with McGonagall looking ready to jump him if he so much as twitched in that direction, he felt it best to strive to ignore it himself. He did not need a detention.

"I … I'm not really sure." Harry admitted. "I …" Harry sighed, his gaze drifting towards Umbridge until McGonagall gently started tapping her fingers on her desk. Harry frowned at her, but finally spoke up, "I kind of thought I'd just take everything I qualified for and leave my options open. I can't really decide right now."

McGonagall looked at him with an inscrutable look. "That would mean a fair bit of work, Mr. Potter, depending on how well you do on your OWLs. Are you willing to do all that you qualify for?"

"Yes." Harry answered. "I'm pretty confident in the grades I'll get. Being an Auror takes at least five OWLs, and a Healer needed … I can't remember. Es in a bunch of things."

McGonagall blinked at the two choices, and quickly sorted out the Healer's pamphlet. "You'd need NEWT Es in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defence Against the Dark Arts. It is much the same as the Aurors, but the NEWTs are very difficult tests that are not to be taken lightly."

Harry nodded, and smiled. "I know. Professor McGonagall, I have Hermione and Neville as friends. They're as stern about grades as you are."

McGonagall's face tightened, but Harry suspected she was fighting not to smile. Both had no difficulty losing their mirth as Umbridge gave a faint cough, and McGonagall turned briskly back to the pamphlet, ignoring Umbridge's expectant look. "I'm sure your father can easily talk you through the requirements for the Aurors, but a Healer … a Healer is demanding in much the same way, however you will be dealing with people often at their worst. Nobody in need of a Healer will be very pleased with the situation."

"I can't imagine an Auror feeling extremely welcomed." Harry offered. "I see your point. It was a thought. The other things I had in mind were Curse-Breaking or maybe Law." Harry snorted. "If I manage to fail my NEWTs, at least I've got a fall back."

McGonagall snorted as well, and found the two pamphlets. "Curse-Breaking requires an E in Arithmancy, Mr. Potter. Professor Vector has been grading you between E and A, so you'll need to pick up a fraction in order to qualify. Perhaps study with your friends a bit more. Law is not quite as easy as you think; you would need to at least have an OWL in History – yes, History of Magic Potter. The class you tend to sleep through,"

"Alongside everyone but the Ravenclaws." Harry groused.

McGonagall nodded slightly in acknowledgment, but continued, "I don't believe Politics have any requirements past a bloodline, however, so if you're willing,"

Umbridge coughed again, but was talked over,

"You just need to be able to weather the waters and you could probably find a niche for yourself."

"Unless I get the desire to be chewed upon by barracudas, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon." Harry sighed. "Is there anything about my class work to be picking up, other than my Arithmancy?"

"You're doing fine in most of your classes. In History of Magic you are not doing very well at all," McGonagall was smiling, so Harry supposed she found Binns as impossible as the students, "Hagrid is enthused to have you in his class – you have top marks, as well as in Defence and Potions, surprisingly."

Harry smiled wryly, "I'm working with Alan, what do you expect? He's great at Potions."

McGonagall gave him a long, searching look, but with Harry's peaceful smile, she just turned back to her paper. "You are also doing very well in Transfiguration. Charms and Herbology are typically being graded around an E. You are almost at a O in everything else." She put down the paper and turned back to him. "I take no one with less than an E; Snape refuses to take anyone with less than an O into his NEWT classes. As it stands, I'd say you would probably have seven or eight NEWTs that you qualify for. For Healer or Auror, you will want to take at least five classes: Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Defence, and Herbology. You will most certainly qualify for Care of Magical Creatures, and if you put in some effort, you will also qualify for Arithmancy and Astronomy. History of Magic would take some dedication, but I'm certain Hermione and Neville have some notes for you if you want to study up on it. As it stands, you are doing very well."

She smiled thinly at him, but it was a real smile. Harry smiled warmly back, ignoring the scratching of Umbridge's quill. Harry tilted his head a moment, considering, but shook it off before nodded and leaving, the advice done. He felt Umbridge's eyes track his back all the way out. He wondered grumpily if showering in the afternoon would be too much.

IIII

The evening would have been a lot less interesting if Fred and George hadn't taken the return to classes as an excuse to begin their reign of havoc. As everyone came out of classes, there were shocked exclamations and admiring words along the fifth floor. Harry came down without encountering it, but heard about a large swamp now occupying the corridor of Gregory the Smarmy. Delivered before classes let out, nobody could prove the culprits no matter how obvious it was.

Three days later, during dinner, the students began to scream. Harry looked down when a familiar, deafening shriek sounded: Nanna! He was up and halfway there before she stopped and ran to clutch onto him, hyperventilating and shrilly demanding,

"Harry, there's snakes under the table! Get them under control!"

Harry pushed her aside and crouched, and there were indeed snakes of the long and colourful variety. Harry commanded, "Stop!"

The hiss was familiar to his ears, and a sudden clamour started, as the snakes wondered who on earth had said that, where they were, what was happening …

"Where did you come from" Harry asked.

Several spoke of a forest, someone hauling them from their burrows and then blackness. And then there was light, and all the chaos of the Great Hall. Feet were all around and someone kicking the small box where they were crowded inside, so they came out and tried to find the exit through the sea of legs. Some had been considering biting when he spoke up. Harry's head hurt at the implications.

"Please, come here. I'll take you to a man who will return you to the forest." Harry gently pushed Nanna away and let the snakes come over. There were seven of them, one a two headed Runespoor, and another that looked like an adder. Four had crawled up his arms when it was clear the heavily muscled creatures would be a little much. Neville crouched next to him, and Harry directed the last onto him, one of which was the runespoor that took a small nudge to get over. Neville watched it carefully. When Harry straightened, he realized the snakes had been not even half of his worries.

The air was humming as students shot spells through the air at black doxies and blue pixies. Slytherin had completely vacated, and dark, powerful spells were splitting the air as several students screamed. The teachers had all moved to Slytherin; something was creating horrible chaos, something that had to be more dangerous, and Hagrid was booming with worry. Harry looked at Neville and sighed. "Great."

The snakes on his shoulders hissed at him with curiosity and Harry realized he was still speaking parseltongue. He huffed, and turned to actually look at Neville, hoping that would straighten out his language. "Any clue what's happening?"

Neville looked at him curiously, and Harry huffed angrily. Neville just laughed.

"Oh, this is funny. Can't you speak English?"

Harry hissed several foul deprecations under his breath, and one of the snakes, fortunately non-venomous, nipped his ear and scolded him. Harry growled.

"Freaking great, I get a mothering snake on my shoulder. I can't even swear in parseltongue."

And only when everyone laughed did he realize he was back in English. Cursing the talent, Harry just straightened and then gasped in horror as the Hufflepuff table scattered with panicked screams. Only then did he see the smaller black acromantula. He practically shut down.

'What idiot brought acromantula into the school? Fred and George wouldn't do that, so whom …'

Jonas.

That shithead.

Harry swore, and Neville looked pale, before he turned to Harry with wide eyes. They were the most powerful Gryffindor students, especially since the seventh years looked panicked, those that hadn't immediately gone to help the teachers. Harry quickly crouched again and asked the snakes to find a corner and wait there while they dealt with something else. Harry looked quickly at Fred and George to settle on English once more.

"Everyone out of the way, the snakes are going to the corner. We're going to help the teachers. Keep back if you can."

He didn't wait and quickly jumped over the table to hex down the acromantula that had come onto the Hufflepuff table. Neville followed and moved down to the other side, hexing another. Unfortunately, both got back up, and Pomfrey shrieked,

"I don't care about Hagrid's worry, kill the things!"

Harry didn't have any problem when it scuttled towards several second years. The splatter certainly did nothing for the tables. Neville's was stuck in stasis; he'd used impedimentia. Harry summoned the box the snakes had told him about, and then banished at Neville. He caught it and then scrunched his nose, before levitating the spider inside and gently shutting it, in case more were caught alive. It seemed that pretty much all of them were dealt with, though, and the teachers were furious. Two were more than enough for Harry to want to deal with. Madam Pomfrey left immediately with Draco, Pansy, and several other Slytherin students floating behind her. Harry presumed they'd been bitten. There had been no snakebites thanks to him, other than the small one on his ear. With the acromantula gone, the teachers quickly got the doxies and pixies under control, with only a few bites from the doxies that were sent with a prefect on their way as well.

Finally, the Great Hall was back under control and clearly both McGonagall and Umbridge were furious. They moved off arguing, along with most staff, until a Slytherin shouted out, "Nothing happened to the Gryffindors! The stupid twins are trying to kill us!"

Harry had had enough of the stress. "Listen you toebrain," He hollered, "just because someone apparently forgot Gryffindor had a parselmouth doesn't mean nothing happened! Would you have rather added snakebites to the problem? Fred and George aren't this goddamned malicious, so shut your filthy mouth!"

He stormed around and irritably ordered Melanie to go fetch Hagrid over there and returned to the gathered snakes. The same four crawled up his arms, and the rest climbed the ever-patient Neville who had said nothing about his vociferous complaint. Melanie returned with Hagrid quickly, just in time for Umbridge to come over as well. She glared at him, but paused a good distance back at the sight of Harry and Neville quite literally crawling with snakes. The smaller black one on Harry's shoulder clung through his hair to rear up on top of his head and hiss at her using language Harry hadn't heard before either. The motherly one, grey and green of unknown species, grumbled and slung herself over his shoulders. Umbridge finally got her act together.

"So, if you seem so certain the twins wouldn't do that, perhaps you did?"

"Madam Umbridge, I do not know how to enchant a stasis box, and you'd know if I tried to get one into the school." Harry answered, rigidly polite. "You may feel free to inspect both; one has been handed over to Hagrid with one of the small acromantula, and the other should be under the Slytherin table. I would not subject the school to such chaos nor would I subject creatures I respect to the same. You're probably looking for a seventh year as they're actually capable of such magic."

Umbridge bristled again, but Hagrid had arrived, and Harry smiled and nodded at him. "Hagrid, would you be able to take these snakes back to the forest, or do you need some help doing so?" Hagrid was holding the two boxes he'd mentioned, probably with the remaining acromantula inside.

Hagrid did a double take at the snakes clustered on Harry and Neville and then nodded. "Ye should probably come wit' me, if you can. The snake's might not like the company I've got." He hefted the two boxes and sighed. "O' course," Hagrid rumbled, "Tha's if the Headmistress will let ye."

Harry looked to Umbridge and met her eyes with the blandest look he could. He needed to take care of the snakes. He could not afford to get angry with her. Surprisingly, the weight of the snakes and their dry scales made him feel almost peaceful, so he easily waited the long minutes she made him wait, clearly unwilling to let him go, but apparently at a loss of how else to deal with the snakes.

"Alright." She fluttered. "You and Mr. Longbottom may go, but come back quickly once they're back in the forest."

Harry nodded shortly, and then turned and trotted in Hagrid's wake as they went out to the forest. The snakes didn't want to go; the black one that had claimed his head, and the motherly one that had bitten his ear were most enamoured of him, and the two-headed runespoor easily wanted his and Neville's attention – Neville had been just as interested. Harry finally sighed, looking between them, and then caved.

"There should be a rock over by the lake you can sunbathe on. While we're here during the year, we might be able to go over there and I can translate for you to chat. I don't know when we'll be able to get there, though."

The runespoor and the others were more than happy at the gesture and left, Neville smiling warmly at Harry for the chance to look over the magical snake. Hagrid thanked them for the help, rubbing at his eyes over the acromantula that had been killed, and shooed them back to the school. As they walked, Harry sighed heavily, and Neville quietly asked,

"That was probably Jonas, wasn't it?"

"The Slytherins bitten were Inquisitorial Squad." Harry offered. "The snakes were right beneath my sister. The doxies and pixies were at the end of the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. The only serious damage done was to the Inquisitorial Squad – the Ravenclaw members are segregated to the end of the table and the doxies were placed there – you saw the box." Neville nodded. "Only two snakes were poisonous, none were very long. The Runespoor was missing the third head that has poison. He knew I'd immediately go to my sister, although I'm not sure he knew she'd panic. I didn't know she'd panic like that, but with me over there, the snakes wouldn't hurt anyone."

Neville sighed. "He does have reason to be angry with the Inquisitorial Squad, and …"

"He'd do something that malicious."

Neville's mouth quirked. "He's a bully. I've heard it from the Ravenclaw prefects. But he's a very smart one. He keeps people scared of him, and he doesn't give the teachers reason to censure him, hence his prefect status. He's kept a low profile for a long time."

"He's never seemed that way when I've run into him." Harry offered quietly.

"We're stronger than him, magically, and I know a lot of spells, enough to probably hold my own against him. I never felt anything when he cast that spell, so I suspect it didn't stick – spells like that always feel like something."

"It didn't take on you, me, Alan, Blaise, Salvador, Julianna, or Raina." Harry offered. "Alan saw it."

Neville shot Harry a look and stopped. "Alan saw it?"

Harry winced. He hadn't told Neville about that. After several minutes of staring, Neville asked again, "Alan saw it? He hadn't cast a magic seeing spell. Harry, that's impossible." It was a question, not disbelief. Harry kept his lips shut, and then quietly said,

"It's Alan's to tell. Not mine. I shouldn't have said it."

Neville stared at him for several moments longer. "Maybe it would have been better if Jonas' spell had taken on you. You say a lot you shouldn't, no matter how many times Alan tries to teach you otherwise."

Harry winced, but still tried to outwait Neville. He knew it was problem. He was trying, really, but …

Neville finally shook his head again. "Alright, fine. Jonas isn't a bully because he knows we won't give in to that, and thus we are better allies. Now, we need to get inside so we won't get in trouble."

Harry nodded shortly, and followed as Neville led the way. They came inside, and found Umbridge smiling saccharinely.

"Late, are we?" Neither boy spoke up. "Tut, tut. We can't have that. Detention, both of you. You can go down right now, to remind yourselves to keep on your toes."

Harry felt anger in the pit of his stomach. The snakes weren't there to keep him calm, but Neville suddenly grabbed onto his arm painfully tightly and sent him a stern look. Umbridge looked between them and smiled even wider.

"My my, Mr. Longbottom. What have I said about sharing?"

Harry growled. "He never said a word, just like everyone else. I'm just hating you because I can." Harry smiled sickly. "Promise." His eyes flicked to Filch, who was smiling too brightly, and he let a large smile cross his face. "Besides, Filch was bragging about it. It wasn't a stretch."

Filch's face grew ugly, and Umbridge looked to him. He shrugged. "It's been my dream for years."

"It's kind of obvious you could buy him with that."

Madam Umbridge frowned down at him. "I suppose you'll have to have a detention for being disrespectful as well."

Neville made a strangled sound. Harry didn't really care anymore.

IIII

"Harry, you're bleeding."

Harry ignored Neville's admonition as he pulled his cloak on without bothering with his shirt. He could feel the blood just fine himself.

"Harry …" Neville's voice fell into a sigh, and he pushed off the wall to walk unsteadily beside Harry. He was still a little woozy from hanging upside down for two hours, and his ankles hurt. On Harry's part, it was his wrists that hurt, and he suspected he wouldn't be sleeping on his back for the next week. "Harry, you're not going to tell your mother about that, are you?"

"No." Harry stubbornly maintained. "And you won't be telling her either. My parents do not need to go to Azkaban right now. With Dumbledore out of commission, things are bad enough. Unless things get worse-"

Neville laughed bitterly. Harry stopped walking in surprise, and Neville calmed and turned a bitter smile, his eyes gleaming darkly. "Worse? You want this to get worse? Wait until you have a detention with Umbridge there. The only way that could get worse would be if the attendant were Bellatrix Lestrange."

Harry blinked. Neville hadn't mentioned Bellatrix before, and the context he'd chosen... Harry tossed a few possibilities around and felt his stomach sink as he remember the blood quill of the first few weeks. "Is she really that sadistic?" Harry asked.

Neville just shook his head and led the way out of the dungeons without answering. His silence was answer enough, and Harry hurried along behind him, wincing slightly. Oh, he was so not carrying his book bag. When Harry caught up, Neville just quietly said,

"I won't mention it. I see your point."

Harry wasn't sure that was such a good thing after all.

IIII

Two weeks later, Hagrid stopped Harry after a Care of Magical Creatures class and asked him to come into his hut. He'd apparently found an ashwinder he wanted Harry to talk to. Harry curiously agreed, but found no ashwinder in his hut. Instead, Hagrid, as beat up and forlorn as he had been for several weeks now, sat down and offered Harry a cup of tea. Harry hesitantly accepted, and then reminded himself he was free of Umbridge for as long as she suspected he was helping Hagrid with an ashwinder. Since she didn't think he liked her, he hoped she'd not try and interfere when he could command a snake around without her knowing what he was saying. Harry took the tea and smiled.

"What did you need me for, Hagrid, if you haven't got an ashwinder?"

"Well," Hagrid shifted guiltily, and then apparently remembered something. "Those snakes you saved have been hangin' about the lake."

Harry blinked. That can't have been what was concerning him. "I told them to, because it's a good sunning spot, and me and Neville might visit if we ever got the chance. They liked us, and he's very interested in the runespoor, two-headed or not. We've been down there once, but we don't have much free time currently."

Hagrid grunted, and abruptly remembered to add a teabag to the water. "Righ', righ'. Well, Harry are yeh- are yeh willin' to do something for me?"

Remembering Jonas, Harry cautiously answered, "If I can, yes, but I'd have to know what it was."

Hagrid nodded carefully, "Thank ye, thank ye, Harry. Yeh see, yeh know I'm to be getting' the sack any day now, righ'?"

Harry could easily see that happening, so he nodded solemnly. "Umbridge's against anyone for Dumbledore, and you're most definitely on the list, I'd say." It was true, and better than saying he wasn't the safest teacher.

Hagrid smiled wanly at him. "Yeah, I suppose so. I suppose so. But if I could, I'd leave right now so she can't do to me like she did to Trelawney, in front of the whole school. But I've got business here, and –and I wanted to ask yeh if yeh'd help me wit' it if I were to get the sack."

Harry blinked. "What business is it? How could I help?"

Hagrid smiled wetly at him. "I'd much rather introduce yeh, but since I can't get yeh away withou' creatin' more trouble, I'll just have ter tell ya. I wouldn't if I didn't have ter, but I can't leave without someone knowin'. I'd prefer yeh to bring yer friends in as well if yeh could, but … anyways, yeh see Harry, when I came back I, er …"

"What, Hagrid?" Harry smiled gently. "I don't think Ashwinders would be extremely difficult, and I don't need another detention."

Hagrid huffed, and wouldn't look at him. "I found out I had a brother, well, a half-brother when –when me and Olympe found the giants."

Harry blinked. Oh, please no …

"I had ter bring him back wit' me, Harry, the other giants were bullying 'im for being so small."

Harry put his head in his hands. "You brought your brother back with you?"

Hagid nodded carefully. "He's just so small, and if – I've been tryin' to teach him some manners, ye see, and how to speak. He's really important to me,"

"Hagrid, has he been why you're so bruised?" He then remembered Firenze's warning, "And the centaurs …"

Hagrid bristled. "Yeh'd think Firenze would be more careful in remembering that I saved his sorry hide when his herd turned on him."

"Hagrid, please." As interesting as that was, "Are you sure you're getting anywhere with this? If he doesn't want to be here, what can I do? A runty giant is far bigger than I am, and most spells aren't going to work on him and if they did they'd only make him angrier!"

Hagrid sagged. "I can't jus' leave him like that, though. He has been getting better. He's settlin' down, listenin'. I guess you can't go out there and talk to him much, but … at least know he's there, would ya?"

Harry sighed. "I can do that. If you'll let me tell my parents if an emergency happens, I'm sure they can help you get him … somewhere else, maybe. Keep him safe." Harry forced a smile. "You may not have to worry about it at all. There's only so much time until the end of the year, and I'm sure things will pick up then. Maybe Umbridge won't sack you before then." He doubted Umbridge would survive the summer. He'd only have to tell his father if he wanted to make sure of it.

Hagrid sniffled, and shrugged. Harry finished his tea and stood, smiling as reassuringly as he could. He hesitated, and then offered, "Would you like me to bring Neville, Hermione, and or Ron down? With my cloak, you could … you could introduce us." He really didn't want to …

Hagrid pulled out his large handkerchief and blew his nose. "It's a good offer, Harry, but I don't wan' you to get in more trouble on my account. I –I suppose yer right. She doesn't have much time left to sack me, so – so everything should be alrigh'. Dumbledore will have somethin' planned to get back here. Dumbledore will know what to do."

Harry didn't argue. Dislike Dumbledore he might, but the man usually did have a plan. And if it kept him from dancing with giants, Harry was all for it.

IIII

Harry was most grateful that Saturday was a Quidditch match. He was quite certain he'd have gone mad had he been unable to fly during this year, and the euphoria of winning the Quidditch Cup simply made his day. While Jonas did truly decimate their chasers when he wasn't avoiding the twins' bludgers, their seeker couldn't beat Harry, something Ron was grateful for. Ron flinched when Jonas came to score, especially now that he'd met the boy. Gryffindor had naturally celebrated the win, and Hermione had given them the weekend to do so before she descended upon them alongside the teachers, as everything became review for the OWLs.

At McGonagall's recommendation, Harry began to heavily revise for Arithmancy and History, asking Neville, Hermione, and Blaise to help him go over the numbers and details relentlessly, determined to bring up his grades in both. Alan helped some with Arithmancy, but he wasn't the least bit interested in bothering with the History OWL. Daphne was most willing to work with Harry on History as they gathered at the table in the Library, and while a few others pitched in, nobody bothered to try and take her spot right next to Harry.

As for Harry, he just appreciated the help. If it came from a pretty face, all the better. He almost got very lost when he contemplated his division in attention between Daphne and Susan, but he forced that aside. Time enough after the OWLs were over to figure out his hormones. If Daphne kept brushing her chest across his arm to point out a fact he needed to remember, well … he'd just deal. It definitely caught his attention.

Finally, the examiners arrived. The school was quivering as they came in, talking with Umbridge, although some seemed far more interested in Dumbledore and less than friendly with the toad, and providing indelible proof that they were going to be tested. Harry felt something small stick itself in his throat and twitch occasionally.

Well. He hoped the revision paid off.

IIII

Charms was first. Harry wasn't sure he'd done as well as he could have: several questions had left him feeling confused, and he'd never been particularly skilled at getting his charms exact, but he felt comfortable that he'd at least passed, and done well. He just doubted he'd get an Outstanding. Listening to Neville and Hermione debate the questions and their merits, Harry just laughed and shrugged it off, letting them mock him a few moments and then waving him off with Ron to go fly. Ron wasn't nearly as comfortable with his spell casting as Harry, so the exams were leaving him with a bad case of nerves.

They got to the pitch and Harry smiled and waved at Tracey and Theodore, who were also taking a chance to do some leisurely flying rather than the pell-mell contest of Quidditch. Harry and Ron joined them quite happily, Harry actually looking forward to tomorrow.

Harry took to Transfiguration like a fish to water; he was confident his Defence test would feel the same, but in between he had to worry about Herbology, where he quite lacked any ease in the skill. Managing with only a small bite from a fanged geranium left him with a faint smile, one that crossed over as he passed the next day's Defence exams with a wide grin. Alan, being alphabetically next, met him as they walked out to discuss their prospects. Harry smiled at him.

"Feeling overconfident yet?"

"Not yet." Alan returned, stretching again. "Ancient Runes tomorrow. Wait, yeah." He grinned. "Overconfident it is. I'm good at those. I'll be feeling less peachy next week when we take the Arithmancy exam and History."

"How's Blaise?"

"Griping. He hated Charms; has no finesse for it. Daphne is confident she will be eaten by whatever they bring up for Care of Magical Creatures, and she wasn't happy going into Defence either. Unlike you and me, she's not nearly so comfortable."

"Fair enough. You looking forward to Potions?"

Alan gave him an innocently bewildered look. "Aren't you?"

Harry snorted. "Not hardly. Just because I'm sure I know all I can doesn't mean I'll get the Outstanding I need."

Alan sighed. "Harry, Harry, Harry. You just need to remind him you can actually do the work and I'm sure he'll take you even with an E." Alan tilted his head. "I could make him, you know."

"You won't!" Harry snapped. "I'll get in on my own merits, or I won't get in at all. I don't need help."

Alan quickly raised his hands. "Sorry, sorry. Thought I'd offer."

"Well don't. I'll do fine." Harry shot him a glare. "And I'll get an Outstanding. See if I don't."

He stubbornly ignored Alan's wry smile as he stalked away.

IIII

Friday was free for Harry and Ron, although most of the others had their Ancient Runes exam. Harry happily took the chance to whine that he was friends with a bunch of overachievers to Ron, but felt mildly offended when Ron just started laughing at him. After several minutes, Harry just huffed and sighed. All right. Ron was probably right. He was sometimes as bad as the rest of them.

It was still no reason to laugh that hard.

Monday brought the Potions OWL Harry was dreading. It was blessedly easier than he thought it would be, but he definitely worked on it. The written was a little harder than the practical, but after it was over, Harry indeed felt hopeful he had gotten the Outstanding he said he would. Again, he was at least confident he'd passed, a blessing in and of itself.

Next was Care of Magical Creatures –no, there was nothing carnivorous- and then written Astronomy, another class Harry did not like but fortunately did not need either, followed by his Arithmancy exam and then the Astronomy practical. With his brain feeling wrung out after the gruelling number work, Harry was a little woozy as he went between his telescope and star chart. As such, he was focused on his work and made a nasty smear when he heard Fang's distant, booming barks. Looking down across the grounds, Harry could make out a crowd of people outside Hagrid's cabin. He bit his lower lip.

Shit.

Harry determinedly returned to his work. He could do nothing for him, dammit. Admittedly, it was a lost cause to refocus, but he managed something.

He was determining the position of another star when a loud bang startled him into ramming his glasses against the telescope. Furiously he swiped them off, swearing under his breath and quickly tapping them so the built-in charms straightened them back out. He slipped them back on and gaped at the fight on Hagrid's stoop. At least five wizards were casting spells, and one of the figures highlighted by her red spells was Umbridge.

One of the yells reached the parapets, "Be reasonable, Hagrid."

"Reasonable be damned, you won't take me like this Dawlish!"

Fang's small outline was fighting as well, but he wasn't nearly as resistant to spells as Hagrid; a stunner dropped him, bringing a cry of rage from Hagrid. Laying about himself with his fists at his size, his assailants dropped, unconscious where they landed.

The castle opened once more, and McGonagall hurried out. Her cries were softer through distance, but no less severe. "How dare you! How dare you!"

The Aurors turned and at least four stunners hit her at once. Harry choked on his own throat. Stunning was not gentle; four at once would injure him at fifteen. There was no telling what it would do to someone her age.

"Galloping gargoyles!" Professor Tofty shouted. "Not so much as a warning! Outrageous behaviour!"

"Cowards!" Hagrid howled. "Ruddy cowards! Have some of that- and that!"

The last of the Aurors fell; the only one standing stepped back and tripped, leaving Umbridge to cast after Hagrid alone. Hagrid bent and picked up Fang before turning and running out the gate, leaving the school behind.

Harry didn't think any of the students really got any work done in the last five minutes. They were too busy thinking; too busy wondering just what kind of horrible Headmistress the ministry had stuck them with.

A/N: Sorry it's late! I was finishing up my novel for NaNoWriMo and changing over the calender made me forget to mark the date right. *whimpers and ducks head* Sorry sorry. Once into sixth year, it will be weekly updates, whether my beta gets it back to me or not. I have reread over it, so I'm fair sure the mistakes will be caught. So, keep up with me here. We've got a few more chapters until the inevitable. *grins* I hope you like this, admittedly short chapter - trust me, I think the next chapter will make up for it.

Please Read & Review! Makes me feel loved. Might make me so loved I decide to move the schedule ahead ... *wink*

Fire & Napalm