A/N: Just a reminder, I am a miserable human being and do not own Harry Potter or any of JKR's other creations.

Chapter 18 – Dumbledore's Man

Harry dropped to the ground in a boneless heap. Pain radiated from every part of his body. He just wanted to lay down here and die.

The previous night Mike told Harry that they would resume their physical training this morning. Harry dragged Ron, Ginny and Hermione down to the Quidditch pitch to meet Mike at 5:30 in the morning.

Ron and Ginny were particularly unhappy about the early wake-up. Harry knew that his best friend and girlfriend were not morning people but Harry almost had to hex them to get them moving this morning.

Mike was already waiting for them at the pitch as they straggled down the hill. After a warm-up and stretching period, Mike sent Harry off running up and down the stairs in the Quidditch stands. Mike took the other three to start them on a light run around the lake.

As Harry lay on the ground, wishing to die, a gruff voice commented, "Very theatrical. Not Academy Award material, but still, not bad." The voices turned demanding, "Now, get up!"

Harry rolled onto his back and lay on the ruck on his back. He looked up at the source of the demand. "Did you really need to try to kill me today? It is only the second day of school."

Mike grinned, "If you think you are in pain, stand up and take a look at your three friends."

Harry rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself off the ground. Rising to his feet, Harry took a series of long, deep breaths. The additional oxygen filtered throughout his body and helped reduce the ache he felt.

Harry looked down the hill towards the Quidditch pitch. While Mike had sent Harry on a "ruck run", a five mile run with a full load on his back, he sent Ron, Hermione and Ginny on a simple run around the lake. Ginny ran ahead of Ron and Hermione but not by a large amount. Ron ran next to Hermione and seemed to be encouraging her to finish the run. Harry figured Ron would have finished by now if he had not stayed with his girlfriend.

Harry grinned and felt a stab of empathy for the three, especially Hermione. Mike's idea of training certified him as a torturer in Harry's mind. It was a toss-up between training and a Cruciatus Curse for a new victim.

Harry walked around slowly taking deep breaths as he watched his friends finish their run. Ginny seemed the least winded of the three runners. Hermione was ready to drop except for Ron's support.

Ginny ran up the final hill to where Harry and Mike waited. Harry tried to keep his eyes off of her pretty legs in display or what the tight running shorts hinted at. Ginny's sly smirk indicated that he had not been very successful. Mike snickered behind Harry as he caught the interplay. Harry smiled a little guiltily back and thought what did they expect? He was a seventeen-year-old male!

Ginny stopped running just short of the waiting pair and walked slowly to let her heart rate settle down.

Mike grunted, "At least she didn't drop down and do a death rattle "

A couple of minutes later, Ron and Hermione stumbled to a finish. Hermione dropped to the ground gasping for air. Ron leaned against a nearby tree taking deep breaths and wiping sweat from his forehead. Hermione rolled over and started making retching noises.

Mike wandered over to her and leaned over her. "Too much time in the library? What are you going to do in the middle of a battle? Stop to take a rest?" he shouted at the exhausted witch. "Get up! Get up! Walk it off!"

Hermione struggled to her feet and staggered a couple of steps.

Ron rose to his girlfriend's defense, "Don't talk to her like that!"

Mike turned on a new victim. "Do you think your enemies will cut her a break because you love her? Do you think her intelligence will make her more or less of a target!"

Ron turned red in the tips of his ears in anger. Before he could yell back, Harry slipped in between the two. "Knock it off Ron. Mike is doing what he has to do for us to survive. I will do every thing I can to keep us alive. If that includes running us all into the ground, so be it."

Ron took a step back, shocked by the expression on Harry's face. Although Harry was still a couple inches shorter then Ron, he still felt tiny when Harry raced him like that. Harry's emerald green eyes seemed to glow with a hard inner fire. The force of his determination seemed almost a tangible thing.

After Ron stepped back and shut his hanging mouth, Harry motioned to the others to begin walking back to the castle. "Let's get cleaned up and get breakfast." As the others started up the hill, Harry turned to Mike. "Thanks for the work out. Join me for dinner? I have some ideas I would like to discuss with you."

Mike agreed to the lunch meeting. Looking at Harry's retreating friends, he asked, "Do you think this is still a good idea to include them."

Harry nodded, "They need the endurance to stay in the fight. We are probably outnumbered. We need the magical and physical endurance to keep fighting. We won't get rest breaks from Riddle."

"I agree. I just wanted to make sure we were still good." Mike turned and started walking towards Hagrid's hut. Then he hollered over his shoulder, "And Harry? Stop drooling over Ginny in those running shorts!"

Harry felt his face flush in embarrassment as he wished that his friend were not immune to magic. Starting after his friends, Harry decided Mike needed to be pranked. Knowing Mike was immune to direct magic would make things more difficult but also more fun.

Harry's thoughts turned to the rest of the school. Why should they be immune? After all, this was his final year. McGonagall was not going to expel him after almost begging him to return. As the son and godson of Marauders, it was Harry's duty to keep the school on its toes. Suddenly laughing, Harry jogged forward to catch up to his friends.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Harry, Hermione and Ginny stood waiting outside the Great Hall waiting for Ron. Hermione and Ginny used the bathroom in the Head Girl's room. Ron had run up to his dorm room in the Gryffindor tower for his shower.

A small group of Slytherins was making their way from the dungeons to breakfast. Harry noticed that most of them were third and fourth years, but Nott was trailing along behind them.

As the group passed Harry, Nott stopped and looked at Ginny. "I understand your brothers went international with their store."

The younger Slytherins stopped when the heard Nott talk. They all turned back curiosly to watch.

Ginny was supprosed also when the normally silent seventh year spoke to her. She simply nodded to his question.

"I suppose we will see a lot of Weasly Wizard Wheezes goods in use then. Much better then Zonko's." Then he simply walked away with not a glance towards Harry. The other Slytherins followed behind wondering what that had been about.

Hermione and Ginny looked at each other in disbelief. Nott rarely talked and almost never to anyone outside Slytherin except in class. Why did he stop to talk to Ginny and about such an everyday thing?

Harry felt a bit shocked. There had been no emphasis on the password of the Head Dorms in the comment, but Harry felt certain the whole incident was simply Nott's way of telling Harry he knew the password and would meet Harry tonight at the agreed time. If Harry was right, the other boy's ability to find out the password and subtly let Harry know it was impressive. Harry found himself looking forward to their discussion tonight.

Hermione hurried Ron and Harry through breakfast. The shower had revived her a lot after the running that morning but anticipation did most of it. Hermione had found a new idol. This morning would be their first Transfiguration class with Professor Goshawk.

Starting with their introduction in Godric's Hollow, Miranda Goshawk stood as a challenge to Hermione. Author of several widely used spell books and self-proclaimed "Misss-Know-It-ALL", Professor Goshawk was exactly what Hermione wanted for herself. Working together several times over the summer, Hermione was fascinated by the depth and range of her knowledge. (Miranda never let Hermione know that she was just as impressed, but she did tell Harry. She said she didn't want the girl to get a bid head.)

Dragging the two boys behind her, Ron commented to Harry, "At least this one is not a fake."

Harry chuckled at the reference to their former second year DADA professor.

Entering the Transfiguration classroom, Harry found it changed from how he remembered it. Nothing was drastic, but it was more welcoming then when McGonagall taught here. The room just seemed comfortable now.

For the next several minutes, other students drifted into the classroom. Like DADA, this class now included students from all four Houses. Most students did not make it into the N.E.W.T level classes so they continued with the regular Transfiguration class.

Harry down next to Ron and Hermione sat on the other side of Ron. Harry watched the other students take their places and waiting for the class to begin. Hermione had already pulled her book out and was reading it intently. Harry felt someone slip into the desk next to him and was surprised to see it was Malfoy.

Harry was having a hard time dealing with Draco. Remembering Malfoy hold Professor Dumbledore at wand-point last spring still raised anger in Harry. Yet, Malfoy now seemed… pathetic somehow. Losing his parents and joining Harry on Riddle's most wanted list seemed to have broken the arrogance of Harry's nemesis.

Harry noticed several other students looking surprised at Malfoy's choice of seats and the fact he was not attempting to harass the Gryffindors. Harry knew that the school was already gossiping about Malfoy living in the Head Dorm and this was sure to add to that gossip.

Professor Goshawk entered to classroom from her office door. "Please sit down and take out your wands. You will not need your books today. This is the N.E.W.T. level Transfiguration class. I expect to be impressed."

The class perked up at the idea of a practical lesson. Professor Goshawk waved her wand and a number of items appeared in front of the students. "I would like you to partner up with the person next to you."

Hermione and Ron instantly reached for each other's hand. Harry knew without asking they did not intend to be anyone else's partner. Suppressing a sigh, Harry turned and saw Malfoy watching Harry. Harry wordlessly shrugged and Draco nodded in return. Harry figured it would only be for this class and he could handle it.

"Does everyone have a partner now?" Professor Goshawk asked. "Good. These will be your partners for the rest of the year. I will assign all homework assignments together. Also, many of the N.E.W.T. test preparation materials will require two students."

Harry felt his day collapse in around him. Bloody hell! An entire year with Malfoy as his partner! Harry needed his N.E.W.T. in Transfiguration in order to get into the Auror program. Harry realized that his anger was starting to spill out. He took a breath and held it. Then started using some of the Occlumency exercises he had learned. Soon Harry felt calm enough to continue with the class.

Malfoy leaned over and quietly said, "I am not happy either, but I won't mess you up either."

Harry felt stunned at Malfoy's comment and suddenly a little small for the way he was acting. In the wizarding world, he was considered an adult and he was acting like Dudley at six years old! It was even worse that Malfoy was acting like the mature one.

Class continued for the next hour with little disruption. Professor Goshawk had the seventh year students working through a review of the many different Transfiguration skills developed in the previous six years. The partners had to work together with one transforming the object and the other having to change it back. Reverse-Transfiguration was often difficult since it required the wizard to mimic the original casters spell exactly but with opposite polarity. Professor McGonagall had never required the students to reverse another student's Transfiguration. Although the spells were all a review, Harry found it to be one of the most difficult Transfiguration classes he had ever had.

After the class had ended, Harry and his friends gathered their things and started to make their way out of the classroom.

"Mr. Potter, would you please come here," Professor Goshawk called out to Harry.

Harry looked at his friends and said, "I'll meet you guys and Ginny in the Great Hall for lunch." Harry walked over to his teacher's desk.

Professor Goshawk smiled at Harry. "Did we surprise you with my appointment?"

"You and Professor Ioshi both did. I was surprised you never said anything."

Goshawk smiled mischievously, "It was a favor to Minerva and Albus. She couldn't teach after taking his position." She winked at Harry and added, "Beside, I had to find out if all those tall tales Albus told were true!"

Harry had to laugh. Professor Goshawk was very different then Professor McGonagall.

"Now Harry, what I wanted to talk to you about was offering to tutor you in animagic. I would be very surprised if you did not have the ability."

Harry was very surprised. In his studies over the summer, Harry had been impressed by the difficulty in becoming an animagi. Harry decided that the time and effort would be better spent elsewhere.

"I thought it took years to develop the skill, professor."

"Normally yes. However there is a 'forcing' process that allows it the happen much quicker. A potion is brewed to enable the totem animal of the wizard to be identified. Then the user casts a transfiguration spell upon themselves to teach their body the shape they can assume."

Harry was shocked that it seemed so easy. "If it is that easy, then why don't all wizards use it?"

Professor Goshawk shrugged, "Because it can be dangerous and very painful. The spell requires a very strong and determined wizard. Without enough power, it could permanently drain a wizard and leave them a squib. And, as I said, it is very painful."

Harry thought for a moment. "Can I offer my friends a chance to try this also?"

Professor Goshawk smiled, "I knew you would ask that. Yes, they may. However, please tell them the warnings I gave you also. Here are the brewing instructions. You must each make your own potion." Professor Goshawk shook a finger at Harry. "And you must inform Ms. Granger that the potion can only be brewed by the user. She may not help Mr. Weasley in anyway or the potion will fail. If the potion is not made correctly it will not allow you to retry."

Seeing that Harry had taken this warning seriously, she said, "The potion will take you about one month the brew. Come and see me when it is finished."

"Okay, professor. Thank you." Slipping the instructions into his bag, Harry left the classroom to join his friends at lunch.

Harry joined his friends at lunch in the Great Hall. He quickly brought them up to speed on his conversation with Professor Goshawk. Ginny seemed the most excited and brushed off the difficulties and pain warnings.

"I have always dreamed of being able to become an animal. I used to pretend when I was little that I was all kinds of different animals, trying to find the right one," she explained.

Harry chuckled at the mental image of a cute little redheaded girl playing "animals" at the Burrow. Then Harry remembered an idea from early in the day.

"This is actually perfect timing. This morning I was thinking we should send off our final year with a resurrection of the Marauders. Think I could find anyone else to join me?"

Ron and Ginny looked like they were ready to say yes immediately. Hermione seemed very reluctant.

"Harry, I don't think that would be a good idea. We are all either Heads or Prefects. We are supposed to be setting good examples!"

Harry smiled, "Relax Hermione. I am not planning anything destructive, just entertaining. We are all going to be very busy with classes, training and searching for the final Horcrux. We need something to divert us and give us some fun."

"Nothing destructive?" Hermione asked with a tone of disbelief.

Harry shook his head, "Hermione, look at this place. Snape is gone, Malfoy seems out of it, and half the older classes of Slytherins did not return this year. Who would I want to prank and hurt. All of the obvious targets are gone. I just want to entertain and make people laugh. No one has done that since Fred and George left our fifth year." Harry shrugged, "Besides, we can use it to try out different magic or other tricks we come up with. I swear Fred and George learned more planning their pranks then is all of their class time while at Hogwarts."

Hermione smiled, "Okay, since you put it that way, I will help under one condition." At Harry's nod she continued, "If I think the prank is out of bounds you will stop."

Harry considered for a moment. "You can veto a prank only if you think it will cause someone serious harm," he counter-offered.

"Deal," she said as she reached over the table to shake Harry's hand.

Harry laughed, "I don't thing Hogwarts will ever be the same again!"

After lunch was finished, Professor Flitwick stopped Harry. "Harry, Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office." Looking at the rest of Harry's gang, he added, "I think it would be best if you went alone."

Harry suddenly felt a bit nervous. "Okay, professor. Do you know what she wants?"

Flitwick nodded nervously, "I believe the Minster is in her office and he asked to speak with you."

A feeling of dread passed through Harry. This did not sound like it was going to be any fun.

Harry made his way to the Head Mistress's office. As he approached the her office door, he saw a familiar, but unwelcome figure. Stopping at the door, Harry nodded to the other person waiting, "Hello, Percy."

Harry had not seen Percy since Professor Dumbledore's funeral. Percy had not attended either Bill's wedding or Charlie's funeral. The latter especially hurt Molly Weasley. That was a time for families to pull together, not stand in petty arguments. Harry could almost forgive Percy for siding with the Ministry against Harry, but not for the pain he caused his own mother.

"Mr. Potter. The Minister is waiting for you in Professor McGonagall's office." Percy all but hissed at Harry.

"Wow, Percy. With a hiss like that you should have been in Slytherin instead of Gryffinddor. Why did the Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor? Giving up your family to feed your ambition really is a Slytherin thing to do."

Harry was surprised to see a flash of hurt pass through Percy's eyes. It was gone so quickly it almost seemed like Harry imagined it.

Percy's face hardened, "Get up there you insolent git!"

"Relax, Percy. You are not Head Boy anymore. That would be, um, oh ya, me!" Harry said in mock surprise. Before Percy could recover, Harry walked past him to enter the office.

"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall. Professor Flitwick told me you wanted to speak with me?" Harry presented himself with an air of infinite politeness and respect. Since Harry knew that Percy and the Minster were listening, he figured it would annoy them.

Professor McGonagall, sitting behind her desk, merely raised an eyebrow slightly at Harry's entrance. "Good afternoon, Mr. Potter. Please have a seat. Minister Scrimgeaur would like a moment of your time."

As Harry walked around one of the chairs in front of McGonagall's desk, he saw the Minister sitting in one of the other chairs. To his astonishment, Umbridge sat in the one next to him.

Although Harry tried to maintain a façade of calm, internally he was raging over the inclusion of the worst teacher Harry had ever come across. After Umbridge's experience her during Harry's fifth year, why would anyone but a complete idiot include her in a meeting with Harry?

Then Harry caught a glimpse of the Minster's expression. He expects me to lose control with her here Harry thought. A couple of months ago, he would have been right. Harry's studies and training over the summer, coupled with maturing and Ginny's influence enabled Harry to set his rage aside. It was a prank, a corner of his mind insisted. They are trying to prank a Marauder.

Harry realized he had lied to Hermione earlier at lunch. He did have a target he would like to prank in a nasty way.

"Good afternoon, Minister," was all Harry said.

"Hello, Harry. I understand you already know Under-minister Umbridge?" the Minister asked in a businesslike tone.

Harry ignored the question and asked one of his own. "What brings you to Hogwarts, Minister?"

The Minster nodded, subtly acknowledging Harry's ignoring of Umbridge. "I would like you to start coordinating your movements with the Ministry. We cannot afford to have you running around like a loose cannon."

"I don't understand what you mean, Minister. I am enrolled here at Hogwarts, not running around," Harry responded in a puzzled tone.

"Do you think we are stupid boy?" Umbridge yelled. "What were you and you little gang of misfits doing all summer? Where were you hiding?" The toad-like woman half rose out of her seat while yelling at Harry.

The Minister placed a restraining hand on Umbridge's arm. "Relax Deloras. I am sure Harry will cooperate."

Harry dropped the polite act to scoff, "I know you don't think that. You included her in this meeting to ensure precisely that I would never cooperate with you. Did you think I would really forget or forgive the woman that could do this to a student?" Harry showed them the back of his hand and the still visible scars from his detentions with his former DADA professor.

"That is enough, Mr. Potter. You will show Under-minister Umbridge the proper respect!" Scrimgeour insisted. "I understand you have plans to apply for the Auror program. As an Auror, you must learn to take orders. We know what is best. Not a seventeen year-old boy still in school! If you cannot take orders you will never be Auror material, no matter what else you do."

Harry was slightly shocked at the attempt to force him to bow to the Ministry's will. Obviously, Umbridge was behind this attack. She was with Professor McGonagall when Harry had his career placement meeting.

Harry leaned back in his chair and grinned slightly at the Minister and his assistant. Both seemed slightly taken back by Harry's response.

"I have the most dangerous Dark Lord in centuries trying to kill me and anyone close to me and all you can do is threatening me with not getting a job if I survive?" Harry started laughing. "Rufus, I thought you were a Slytherin. Even a Hufflepuff could come up with a better threat!"

Harry felt the feather touches of Legelamancy against his shields. Harry leaned forward in his chair and said, "Stop that!" The Minister faced showed signs of shock that Harry had caught the probe. Umbridge must have told him about Harry's previous inability to establish shields.

"I am now an adult in the wizard world, Minister. I have come into my full inheritance. I really don't need to work, but I hate bullies. Tell me Minister, do you think having me as an outsider makes me more dangerous or less?"

The Minister sat looking stunned, this was not the way he had foreseen this conversation going. Umbridge and Weasley assured him that Potter would do anything to protect his goal of entering the ranks of the Aurors. What happened here?

Harry rose from his chair. Looking at the Minister, he added, "And if I survive my fight with Riddle, I am sure the magical public will be fascinated to learn all about who did and did not support me." Harry watched in satisfaction, as the Minister seemed to crumble a bit. "I will be sure to keep this memory in my Penesieve for viewing by any curious reporters with questions. I have told you several times now. I am Dumbledore's man. You cannot buy me off. Good day, Minister.

Professor McGonagall, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, said, "Thank you, Mr. Potter. I think you should get to class now. Here is a note for Professor Flitwick."

Harry took the note and thanked his professor. Then he left the office leaving a stunned Minister in his wake.

The rest of Harry's day passed in a haze as he considered the meeting in McGonagall's office. It seemed an awfully stupid way of forcing Harry to obey the Ministry. Why would they follow that strategy? Harry felt instinctively that a piece was missing.

Charms and Herbology passed without Harry ever really being there. Harry told Hermione and Ron about the meeting after Charms. Ron snorted and said it was the worst strategy he had ever heard and that no one knowing Harry would believe for a minute that Harry would fall for it.

"Even Percy knows you well enough to have told him that." Was Ron's opinion.

Hermione said maybe that Percy just fell into wanting the plan to work because his boss supported it.

Harry agreed those were both valid points but it still bothered him. Harry remained distracted throughout the afternoon and into dinner. The conversation with Mike never really occurred because Harry could not focus on the other problems.

Finally after dinner, the four friends sat in the Head Dorm common room. Ginny decided to take matters into her own hands.

"Enough Harry. You will work it out. Stop worring about it. Here, I will help."

Without any warning, Ginny dropped into Harry's lap. Ron turned slightly green as his sister started to grind into Harry's lap and rub her nose against his neck. Harry was reminded quickly that having a beautiful girl writhing in his lap was much more distracting (and pleasant) then any problem he had with the Minister's actions.

"I am sorry," Harry murmured. "Have I been neglecting you?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter, you have."

"Let me make it up to you, Ms. Weasley"

Harry and Ginny were too caught up in their snogging session to notice when Ron and Hermione left the room. Harry barely noticed when Malfoy made his way into the common room. Seeing the couple on the couch, he made a slight gagging sound and walked quickly into his room.

Several minutes latter, Harry heard a gentle coughing sound coming from the chair across from them. In surprise, he looked up to see Nott sitting comfortably in the chair. He looked like he had been there a while.

Ginny felt his surprise and looked over at the chair. She froze when she saw Nott sitting there.

"Hello, Harry. I believe you said 7:30?" Nott asked in a voice that seemed completely natural.

Harry and Ginny quickly separated. Ginny rose to her feet and asked if she should get Ron and Hermione. Harry glanced at Nott and asked her to do that.

After she left, Harry studied Nott for a moment. The Slytherin student seemed completely at ease. "How did you find out our password?"

"Simple. I followed you," was the surprising answer. At Harry's inquiring glance, Nott added, "Most people tend not to notice me anyway. Simple Disillusionment and Silencing spells kept you from noticing. Actually, you are probably the most difficult student in the school to follow." A snicker followed. "Usually that is. Wrapped around your girlfriend you become mortal again."

Harry leaned back into the couch. After a moment he asked, "What do you want from me?"

"I told you before, I want to help you to defeat the Dark Lord."

Harry shook his head, "No, what you want from me?"

Nott considered Harry for a moment while Ron, Hermione and Ginny came back into the room. After they were seated, Nott said, "Your support. After this war, we will be either dead or victorious. If we win, you will have the respect and support of the entire wizarding world." Nott then added cynically, "At least until the next time something happens. Then they will forget again."

Harry found himself agreeing completely with Nott's assessment. Harry's experiences with the adoration of the wizards and witches of Britain had never been the most stable support.

Nott continued, "I told you I want power within the Ministry. Helping you will balance out my idiot father's actions. Your active support when I advance will make a difference."

"Before I agree to anything, we need some assurances," Harry said. "Hermione?"

Hermione rose from her seat and drew her wand. She said, "Roll up your sleeves."

Nott complied without comment. Hermione raised her wand and said "Protus Revelo."

Nothing happened for a moment. Hermione turned to Harry and said, "He has not taken the Dark Mark."

Ron asked, "Hermione, you just developed that spell this summer. Are you sure it would reveal a Dark Mark?"

Hermione gave Ron a very loud look. Ginny giggled. "Yes Ron. I worked on Malfoy."

Notts eyes grew larger at the conformation that the Gryffindor Foursome knew Malfoy had taken the Dark Mark. Why did they allow him to stay in their suite?

Harry simply nodded and said, "Nott, I will accept your help. But I will need you to magically swear to this support."

Nott rose from his seat and said, "I swear to support Harry Potter in all ways to defeat Voldemort. I will do nothing that would injure him or his cause. I will support him in all things until he releases me. I swear this as Theodore Nott, heir to the House of Nott. I swear it on my magic and my life."

A/N: That seems like a good place to stop. This was a hard chapter to get started. I thought it would end up being short, but it is actually the second longest to date. I also lost my betas for the rest of the summer so I hope I caught all of my mistakes! Let me know what you think!

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