Disclaimer: The wonderful world of Harry Potter belongs to JKR, the Inquisition belongs to Games Workshop, and the assorted characters belong to Games Workshop, and Dan Abnett.

"Heeellllooooo Minister!"

The shout rang throughout the office, silencing the large group of Department Heads who had been arguing non-stop all morning. Every head in the room swivelled towards the door where they saw, of all things, a teenager standing there with his hands on his hips, a wide smile on his face. The teen's short, spiky hair was a deep chestnut and his eyes a cold grey.

Harry just stood there, his large smile taking up most of his face as he watched the Head's faces turn from surprised, to confused, to bemused and then to slightly annoyed.

Cornelius Fudge however bypassed the middle two completely and went straight to a blustering rage. Jumping out of his chair, the small man slammed his hands on the table in what he must have thought was a threatening manner, his face turning a rather fetching shade of puce. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!? WHO ARE YOU AND HOW DID YOU GET IN!? WHERE ARE MY AURORS!?"

Harry didn't seem perturbed by the outburst and strolled casually into the office. "Okay, first: Don't shout, it's rude. Second: Clear this room out. You and I need to have words."

Fudge blinked at the boy in front of him before his face became a mask of anger again, causing Harry to sigh in annoyance.

"I don't know who you think you are, boy, but you can't simply waltz in here and order me around! I'm the Minister for Magic, I demand respect!"

Harry rolled his eyes and simply held up his hand, his rosette still on display for all to see. Deep down, Harry always loved it when things like this happened. Pompous, self glorifying politicians trying to throw their weight around only to pale in horror as they realise they may have just pissed off a person who could legally kill them for simply taking the last chocolate donut from the break room or something.

Harry made sure every eye in the room could see the small 'I' shaped pendant in his hand, the light bouncing malevolently off the silver skull on the front of the blood coloured stone. Harry made eye contact with each person in the room, his cheerful façade stripped away and in it's place was the cold, unforgiving face of an Inquisitor.

When Harry spoke, he made sure his voice carried the full weight of his authority. "I am an Inquisitor of the Holy Order of the Inquisition and I am here to find out why this Ministry failed to prevent the civil war now engulfing it's country and, if possible, to rectify your mistakes." Harry tucked his rosette back into his coat pocket. "Now, if you don't mind, would you all get out so I can speak with Minister Fudge." It wasn't a request.

The gathered Department Heads basically threw themselves at the door, not wanting any Inquisitorial eyes to fall on them. The room was nearly clear when Harry held out an arm, stopping a middle-aged, redheaded Witch with a monocle.

"Madam Bones, I presume?" Harry asked cordially.

The Head of the DMLE nodded somewhat hesitantly but her voice was strong. "Yes, Inquisitor?"

"Please stay. I believe that we'll need your expertise in many matters." Harry said. This time it was a request.

Madam Bones blinked in surprise but nodded and retook her seat in front of a very nervous Minister's desk. Harry waited until the last Witch shuffled out of the room before he closed the doors and began applying the standard privacy spells, plus a few of his own. No one would hear this meeting.

As Harry worked, a very frazzled looking Cornelius tried to break the silence. "I-I-If I may ask, Inquisitor, w-why are you here?"

"Have you gone deaf or do you simply not listen?" Came Harry's cold reply, making the Minister flinch as if struck. "On second thought, don't answer that. It's become painfully clear you don't listen."

"I-I d-don't understand." The Minister stammered, becoming more nervous by the second.

"Oh?" Harry asked as he looked over his shoulder at the Minister, his finders continuing to move in intricate patterns as the Wards were raised. "Then do you mean to tell me that you didn't waste a whole year of planning against Riddle? You're saying that you didn't dismiss Albus Dumbledore's claims that Riddle had regained a body and that he was marshalling his army? Are you saying that you didn't ignore what the evidence was telling you and that you didn't simply bury your head in the sand and believe that Riddle couldn't be back simply because you didn't want him to be? ARE YOU SAYING YOU'RE NOT LOSING THIS WAR!?" Harry's voice got progressively louder as he went on, the privacy Wards going up faster and faster until Harry spun around and pinned Fudge to his chair with an icy glare. The small man was sweating buckets now, his eyes darting about wildly as if to look for an escape, his lime green bowler hat a blur as he twirled it in his hands.

Harry took a calming breath as he lowered himself into one of the empty chairs in front of Fudge's desk beside Madam Bones who sat there, half pleased that Fudge was finally getting the proverbial kick in the arse he needed and half terrified that she was next.

Now calm, Harry leaned back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest and legs crossed as his cane was propped up against the armrest. "Now, tell me why you disregarded Albus Dumbledore's warnings over the return of Riddle."

"T-There was never any s-solid proof and--"

"There was plenty of solid proof. The Cup being turned into a Portkey was proof. Cedric Diggory's death was proof. The bloody Death Eater who confessed to the entire thing was proof." Harry's eyes suddenly narrowed and Fudge immediately knew he wouldn't like the next question. "What happened to that Death Eater anyway? If he was given a trial then all of this would have been out in the open long ago."

Fudge was about ready to have a stroke right about now. "W-W-W-Well t-t-the thing is-s--"

"Fudge, what monumentally stupid thing have you done now and what can be done to fix it?" Harry growled.

The poor man looked like he'd like nothing more than for his chair to swallow him alive. "H-He was given the D-Dementor's Kiss."

Harry took a deep breath. 'Stay calm. Don't kill him…yet.' "And what information did your Aurors gain from him before he was administered the Kiss?"

"T-T-That-t-t-t erm w-well--"

"Fudge, stop blubbering and tell me!"

"There were no Aurors."

Both Harry and Cornelius turned to Madam Bones, the former's face taking on a look of confusion and the latter's taking a more pleading one.

"What do you mean there were no Aurors?" Harry asked slowly.

Fudge tried to interject but Amelia spoke over him. "I mean, Barty Crouch Jr was Kissed barely two hours after he was captured. No investigation, no interrogation, no statements, no nothing. The Minister took a Dementor to the school and had it perform the Kiss as soon as it saw Crouch. He believed that the man was delusional and that he had been lying. He had the case closed after that."

Harry sat there stunned at the sheer, utter and complete depth of the stupidity of the man before him. 'Kill him. We'll just make Bruce the new Minister or something.' Harry took a deep breath and clasped his hands in front of him just to stop himself reaching across the desk and choke the fool with his own hat.

After several long, tense minutes, Harry spoke but did not look up from the floor. "Fudge you are, without a doubt, a supreme, certified, Grade-A imbecile. Your actions as a leader have dragged this country into another war simply because you were to afraid to step up and do the job you were elected to do. No more. You will follow my instructions from now on and just maybe we can come out of this war with minimal bloodshed but after this is over, you're done. You will never hold a position in government again and believe me when I say there will be an investigation into your actions to see if you'll be sent to prison. Some of your actions are highly suspicious and do not put you in a good light."

The portly Minister was quaking in his seat as he shakily nodded. He felt like crying. All his hopes and dreams were now circling the drain and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"Now onto Madam Bones." Harry said as he turned to the woman in question.

"Yes, Inquisitor?" She asked somewhat hesitantly which drew a calming smile from the teen.

"Don't be afraid, Madam. I've not kept you here to give you a grilling like with the Minister. From what I hear, you actually do your job and do it well if the stories are to be believed."

Amelia couldn't help but sit a little straighter hearing that and she smiled back. "Thank you, Inquisitor."

"Now I believe you've been trying to marshal some sort of defence against the Death Eater. Could you fill me in as to what some of those are?"

"Well, our biggest problem right now is Azkaban. With the Dementors gone, we have no way to police the prison and now that they have joined You-Know-Who--"

Harry cut her off. "Please don't call him that, you're just stroking his ego. Call him Voldemort, or just plain, old Riddle if you want to annoy him."

"Riddle?" Amelia asked, confused.

"It's his real name. Tom Marvolo Riddle Jr. 'Voldemort' is just an anagram of his name." He snorted. "If he knew French, he would realise that it shows he's a coward."

"Okay…Riddle will now know all of Azkaban's secrets; some that not even the Ministry is aware of."

Harry thought about it. "I'll see what I can requisition from the Inquisition. If that fails I can always call in some favours and get some other creatures to guard it. Bear in mind that option may cost you a hefty sum."

"It would be appreciated." Amelia said gratefully. "Another thing is the Werewolves, Vampires, Giants and other magical races Riddle is trying to get to join him. I have wanted to send emissaries for a while now but they won't listen to us unless the Ministry loosens it tight restrictions on them."

"Absolutely not." Fudge butted in, having regained some of his composition after the tongue lashing he received. "Those laws are there for the protection of…" He trailed off as Harry turned to him with a dangerously arched brow.

"What those so-called laws are doing is driving any potential allies straight into Riddle's camp. I don't know many of the members of these races in Britain but I do know that most are not evil. Most just want to live their lives in peace and the current administration is preventing that. They're going to end up thinking that the only way to be fairly represented is by joining Riddle's cause. It won't be for blood, or violence, or money, or any of that, it will be so that they can finally get out from under the Ministry's oppression and by the time they realise that Riddle's promises are hollow, it'll be too late." He leaned forward in his chair slightly. "I can easily force these laws through but I won't because even though it will help during the war, the other races will think that the second I'm gone, everything will revert back to how it was before and I'm inclined to agree with them. I prefer to work with a government, not have it work for me but that's what'll happen if you don't start shaping up."

Fudge sighed in defeat. "I'll see what I can do." He said weakly. "The Wizarding population is not going to like this."

"They aren't the only people the Ministry is supposed to be watching out for. There are more people in this country than just the Wizards." He turned back to Madam Bones, his face softening somewhat. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes. There is a substantial block on what Aurors can and can't do in a fight. When confronted by Death Eaters, the only thing of use that they are allowed to use is a Stunning spell which can easily be blocked. Needless to say, my Aurors aren't up to fighting someone using the Unforgivables."

Harry tapped his chin in thought. "Send me lists of what spells they are allowed to use, how many people can use each spell and what spells you think they should learn, be they restricted or not. Let's hold off on allowing them use of the Unforgivables like in the last war but if things come down to it, I'd much rather have a lot of dead Death Eaters than a lot of dead Aurors."

Amelia nodded. "I agree. I'll draw up the list as soon as I can and have it sent to you. Just out of curiosity, where are you living?"

Harry shrugged. "I'm somewhat between homes at the moment but you can find me at Hogwarts after the term starts."

"Hogwarts?" Amelia and Fudge were surprised at this. "Why would you be at the school?"

Harry shifted in his chair uncomfortably. He hated telling people this, he always felt so embarrassed. "Dumbledore has pleaded to my superior that I be placed at Hogwarts to defend it from attack and teach the students to defend themselves while I work to end Riddle. I'm afraid that once that happens, any private meetings would have to be either here, at Hogwarts or at a similar location as I believe my appearance could cause…a commotion."

Now they were even more confused. It was Amelia who spoke. "I know that the appearance of an Inquisitor would cause some kind of a stir but the way you're acting would suggest there would be a stampede of some kind."

Harry sighed and allowed the Glamour that he had thrown up when he opened the office door to fall, revealing his true face, scar and all.

To say Amelia and the Minister were surprised would be a severe understatement. Between Amelia knowing James Potter's face from his days as an Auror and Fudge having read the files on the Potter parents (And of course the scar), they quickly realised who it was sitting in front of them.

"H-Harry?" Amelia gasped, her eyes wide. "Y-You're Harry Potter, aren't you."

"As sharp as ever, Amelia." Harry said playfully.

"B-But you're dead!" Fudge stuttered, one hand pointing shakily towards the last Potter.

Harry looked down at himself. "Am I? Shite, now I won't qualify for the Inquisition's company health plan. I really wanted that free pen, too."

"We thought you were gone!" Amelia exclaimed. "Dumbledore said you'd vanished and the search parties had turned up nothing!"

"I'd have been very surprised if they did. I was taken in by the Inquisition."

"All this time and you were alive." Fudge muttered in disbelief. It was then an idea popped into his head. "We should set up a press con--"

"No."

The Minister blinked and looked at the suddenly stern Inquisitor. "Harry?"

"No press conferences or anything else that will reveal me to the public. They'll find out when the Headmaster reveals my position as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at the Sorting Feast. They will not know about me until then." Harry wasn't joking with this.

"But Harry--" Fudge began imploringly.

Harry raised a hand, instantly shutting him up. "First of all, I never gave you leave to call me by my first name. You'll address me as Inquisitor Potter or just Inquisitor. Second of all, I wasn't making a suggestion, Fudge, I was giving an order. Go against it at your own peril. Outside of the Inquisition and my staff, only three people know about me being in the country so if my name appears in the paper, I'll have a very short list of suspects to go through. Understand?"

"O-Of course, Inquisitor Potter."

"Good." Harry stood from his chair, his hand grasping his cane as he did so. The Glamour made it's way onto his face once more and he turned to leave, the Wards around the room falling with a few twitches of his fingers. "If anything comes up, I'll contact you. If you need to see me and it's urgent, leave a letter for Articus Fewester at the bar in the Leaky Cauldron. I'll be over as soon as I receive it." With that, he pulled open the door and swept out of the office.

"I should be returning to my office now, Minister." Amelia said as she too got to her feet. The Minister didn't even reply as he nervously fidgeted with his hat, too preoccupied with worrying over what the Inquisitor would do to him and his administration. As she left the office, Amelia couldn't help but smirk.

Maybe they'd finally have a chance in this war.

The last week and a half of the summer went by without a hitch.

After a little searching, Patience and Bruce found somewhere for them to live. Their latest abode was an old warehouse on the outskirts of Glasgow. It was rather large, with three floors empty save for a few of the larger machines from the previous owner and a few offices. Since they bought the lease from a Muggle there was no Ward package to go along with it, much to Harry's joy. When he arrived to check the place out, he took one look around before going outside and raising all manner of Wards around the property, an evil grin on his face. As an Inquisitor, Harry was used to living in less than desirable conditions, so the matter of making the place habitable was a rather simple affair, one which Patience had taken up with much help from Harry. She had him cast a few powerful Scourgify spells on the areas they had chosen as sleeping spaces with a few small spells to ward off insects and vermin after Conjuring a comfy bed, a few sheets and casting a few Wards on the area to keep out the cold. Since coming under Harry's employ, he had taught her quite afwe things, one of which happened to be Runes. She wasn't a master at them by a long shot but she could get by and as such she was left on her own after having Harry Conjure a few metal pipes. Some careful carving and some assembly later and they had themselves a working shower complete with hot water. After all this was done it was a simple matter of cleaning the place up so they wouldn't catch anything. If they needed to, they could always add more along the way.

There had been no word from the Ministry, other than Amelia leaving the list of spells at the Leaky Cauldron. Looking over it, Harry's suspicions were confirmed. The Aurors were more than capable of taking down a dangerous Wizard on the streets. They were not capable of fighting a war. He had jotted down a few suggestions for usable spells off the top of his head but decided to set aside time to make a full list later. The war was still in the beginning stages and had yet to heat up so he had time.

When September 1st rolled around, the trio were ready to depart for Hogwarts.

Since Harry needed to meet with the staff, they decided to just Apparate to the school boundaries and wait for the train there. Harry also wanted Patience and Bruce to make a sweep of the grounds before the students arrived so the plan was settled.

Now Harry and Bruce found themselves standing before Patience's calculating eye, feeling very much like two kids who were about to head off to school (Which, in a way, they were).

"Remind me why we're standing here?" Harry grumbled as Patience's eyes swept up and down him, her head tilted to the side slightly.

"Because," She said as she swept an imaginary ball of dust off his shoulder. "We're going to be presenting ourselves to the Wizarding world and we need to dress accordingly."

Bruce rolled his eyes. "Geez, what is it with women and clothes? What does it matter what we wear?"

She glared at him lightly but he wasn't fazed. He'd been on the receiving end of her glares long enough to have built up an immunity to them. "It matter because we need to show these people that we are not some silly school teachers or hired security. We're agents of the Inquisition and we demand a certain level of respect and, I'm sorry to say this Harry, but you'll need all the help you can get."

"What do you mean?" Bruce asked. Harry remained silent. He knew what she was talking about.

Patience sighed as she straightened Bruce's collar. "Well, Harry would be Sixth year if he was a civilian. He'll be the same age as a lot of these kids and even younger than some of them. Even if Dumbledore told them he's a member of the Inquisition and a teacher, they still wouldn't respect him much because of his age."

Realisation dawned on Bruce's face and Harry's darkened. His age had always been a subject of debate and ridicule, both inside the Inquisition and out. Other Inquisitors often expressed doubt regarding his skill as an Inquisitor and many often mocked him or ridiculed him. They never did it to his face as they'd all heard stories of his strength but that didn't stop it from happening. There were rumours that he'd only made Inquisitor status because of Alizabeth's connections. They disregarded his performance in the Schola as luck and cheating, too blinded by their own jealousy to see clearly. He had to do twice the work for half the respect. 'Stupid bastards.' Harry thought bitterly. 'I earned my rosette, damn it. Sure, Alizabeth taught me a few things but no more than any other Interrogator. I put in all the hard work and what do I get for it? A few petty wankers whispering behind my back!'

Patience saw the boy's fist clench and sighed slightly. His age had always been a sore spot with Harry. It really wasn't fair. He was one of the best to come out of the Schola, yet he had to fight tooth and nail for every bit of respect. It seemed the title of protégé was more of a curse than a gift.

Reaching over, she straightened the front of his coat, diverting his attention from his gloomy thoughts, and stood back to admire her work, a smirk gracing her beautiful face. "Now you look more like an Inquisitor."

Harry glanced over at the large mirror on the wall and had to admit that Patience knew her stuff.

Freshly shaven and with a new haircut, Harry cut quite the handsome figure. His clothes were similar to what he always wore but with a few differences. Over his freshly pressed, white button-down shirt was his newly polished black Basilisk hide armour. His Inquisitorial rosette hung from it's chain, it's weight resting comfortably over the breastplate. His regular denims encased his legs with a newer pair of armoured boots covering his feet. These were dark brown with a pair of goblin wrought dark metal plates protecting the tops of his feet. Over his breastplate, he wore his finest high-collared Basilisk hide trench coat, the black hide seeming to absorb the light and the smoky red lining giving it a regal look. His hands were left un-gloved, revealing the distinct 'I' shaped Inquisitorial ring on his right ring finger, his cane clutched in his left hand.

While Patience had decided it best for Harry to appear in all his Inquisitorial glory, she wanted Bruce's clothes to show what he was: a true soldier.

The large Muggle was clad in a black coverall, the material thick enough to provide some protection. Over this he wore a full suit of Dragon hide armour; a gift from Harry. The tough leather-like armour was a dark red, the colour of blood. The hide was from a fully mature Spanish Sawback Dragon; a breed known for it's strong but flexible scales. The armour included not only a breastplate but also knee, shin and thigh guards as well as shoulder, bicep, forearm and a backplate. His heavy combat boots were tucked under his shin armour and the breastplate was embossed with the shining, golden 'I' symbol of the Inquisition.

Deciding to forgo any extravagant coat, Bruce was allowed free reign over what weapons he could show off.

He was thrilled.

Deciding to go for shock value, he had procured himself a very nice M4 Assault Rifle decked out with all the goodies: scope, grip, silence, you name it. On either thigh he had strapped a pair of Scorpion submachine guns. A large combat knife was strapped to the back of his belt, completing his look.

Patience on the other hand had decided that she looked intimidating enough with her leather pants and black Dragon hide bodice and boots. The only things she added were a black belt with a grinning silver skull for a buckle and a rather 'swashbuckling' looking black trench coat, snug enough in all the right places to accentuate her figure (Not that it needed it mind you).

She looked at Bruce and nodded her approval. However when she looked at Harry, her violet eyes narrowed, causing him to tense.

"What?" He asked somewhat hesitantly. If she demanded that he go and try on something else, he was making a break for it.

"I don't know. It's missing…something." She looked thoughtful for a minute before her eyes lit up and she snapped her fingers before rushing off into Harry's room.

The young Inquisitor looked at his gunman and the two shrugged at her strange behaviour, listing it as another one of the many mysteries of women.

After a few seconds, she emerged again with something clutched in her hands. Harry hadn't been able to catch a look at it before Patience's arms encircled his waist under the coat and a weight settled against his thigh. When she stepped away, he could see what it was and a smile graced his features.

It was a Desert Eagle .50. The weapon was made of mostly chrome with a few darker metals thrown in, the overall effect rather striking. Only the closest observation would allow you to see the runes etched into the metal surface where not a single imperfection was found. The sidearm had been a gift from his days as an Interrogator. Harlon Nayl, Alizabeth's version of Bruce (Who had also been the one to reccomend the large Muggle to Harry), had presented the weapon to Harry at his going away party when he made Inquisitor. The weapon fanatic had made the entire thing from scratch, making sure that the weapon was perfect in every way as to better protect it's owner. The sentiment behind the gift was truly appreciated.

Normally Harry wasn't one for guns but he'd often make an exception for pistols, shotguns or single shot rifles. He got by with his magic perfectly well but sometimes it was worth it for the shock value you could only get when a crazy teenage boy suddenly waltzes in, firing off some noisy Muggle contraption. The Inquisition wasn't stupid enough to write something off just because it was used by Muggles. If it helped an assignment go smoothly, they were all for it.

Patience looked over him with a smile of satisfaction. "Now you're ready."

"Thanks mum." The two chorused and chuckled when she shook her head with a sigh.

Making sure they had everything, the three trooped outside to just outside of the Wards. Harry glanced back at the hideout one last time before turning to his two employees. "Let's go."

In an instant, he disappeared from the outskirts of Glasgow and reappeared at the main gates of Hogwarts. A second later, a mass of nearby shadows seemed to warp before Patience emerged, dragging Bruce behind her.

"You got your Limiter on?" Harry asked the large Londoner.

Bruce rolled his eyes. "I've always got it on. If I hadn't, the Wards back at the hideout would have driven me off."

Harry shrugged. "Just making sure." A lazy grin made it's way onto his face and he flicked his cane up and caught it in midair before setting off towards the castle. "Let's go and meet my new co-workers, shall we?"

As they walked through the gates and up the path that would take them to the castle, the trio's eyes scanned the grounds, taking in every little detail. As he walked, Harry frowned. The grounds were larger than he'd anticipated, meaning it'd take longer to search and map. That meant more work for Bruce and Patience. Harry grinned. He loved being the boss.

They mounted the steps and walked through the large double doors, which were already open in anticipation of the student's arrival. When Harry saw that there was no one to greet him (Not surprising considering he hadn't contacted Dumbledore since they last met), Harry walked towards the open doors to the Great Hall where the same haggard man who'd led him to Dumbledore's office the first time was busy sweeping the floor.

Harry cleared his throat to get his attention.

The man started and turned to glare at the newcomers suspiciously. "What do you want?" He asked warily.

Harry raised a brow. "I was here not two weeks ago. You're telling me that even with no one other than the teachers here, you forget me so quickly?"

The man sneered. "Is there a reason I should remember you?"

Harry shrugged. "Maybe because I'm going to be teaching here. Or maybe because of this." He tapped the rosette on his chest and watched as the man's eyes bulged.

"W-What can I do for you, Inquisitor?" The man stuttered nervously.

"Can you take us to where the Headmaster and the teachers are having the start of term meeting?" Harry requested pleasantly in an attempt to settle the man's nerves.

He seemed to have some success as the man calmed somewhat but was still on edge. Filch set aside his broom and led the three soldiers through the castle.

"…and that settles the matter of the new prefect schedules." Dumbledore said as he set the now finished scroll to one side. He was about to reach for another one when a sound that had been grating on everyone's nerves for the past year caught their attention.

"Hem, hem."

Several people groaned as Dumbledore turned towards a squat Witch wearing a garish pink cardigan, a polka dot bow arraigned on her head giving her the unfortunate appearance of a large toad with a juicy fly perched on it's head. "Yes, Dolores?" Albus asked, showing no signs of irritation.

The small woman plastered a sickeningly sweet smile on her face as she spoke. "Headmaster, I was just wondering about the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. It seems that you haven't been able to acquire a new candidate for the post and as such, as Hogwarts' High Inquisitor, I--"

Dumbledore cut her off with a raised hand and a smile. "I was just getting to that, Dolores. It seems we're in luck, I've managed to procure someone willing to take up the post."

The other teachers couldn't stop the smug grins that bloomed on their faces. Umbridge had been trying to force herself into the post for the past year, only to be rebuffed in favour of Alastor Moody, who Dumbledore had managed to convince to take up the position the previous year. Living with the woman was bad enough, working with her would be unbearable.

Naturally Dolores wasn't amused by this and her voice became less sweet, her smile more forced. "I'm not sure what you mean, Headmaster. You haven't interviewed any candidates and none have come forward; I checked. With that in mind, I feel it best that I take up the position." She preened.

"And what qualifications do you have to teach Defence, Dolores?" Minerva McGonagall asked with forced politeness. It was no secret that the two women despised each other.

"Well, Minerva," Umbridge shot back. "The Minister, and by extension the Ministry of Magic, has decreed me fit enough to teach the students in proper manner they should be taught. That alone makes me more than qualified to teach the subject."

McGonagall scoffed. "Teach them practically nothing except theory and bigotry of other races more like."

Dumbledore broke in before a full blown argument could brake out. "Ladies, as much as this conversation means to us all, I'm afraid the fact remains that I have already hired someone to teach the position."

But Umbridge wasn't going to give up that easily. "And what makes you think this mystery person is capable of teaching the subject?"

"He comes with some of the best qualifications there are and has many years of experience. I won't lie, it took a lot to convince him to take up the position but in the end he agreed." He didn't feel the need to tell them that he hadn't talked to Harry as much as he went over his head to the boy's boss and pretty much begged for him to be sent to the school.

"I think the main question is, Headmaster, who this mystery teacher is." Came the drawl of Severus Snape from the corner. The Potions Master had been miffed that he had once again been denied the position he'd long coveted. While he was happy that Umbridge wouldn't be getting the job, he couldn't help but be curious as to who did get it.

Dumbledore nodded at the greasy haired man. "Quite right, Severus. During the summer I happened across some rather startling information. It seems that--"

He was interrupted by a knock at the door and they turned to see a slightly nervous Argus Filch poking his head through the door. "Ah, there are some people here to see you, Headmaster."

Dumbledore's eyes lit up and his smile grew. "Excellent, Argus, please send them in." He turned to the other teachers who were confused. Did he say them? Was there more than one person joining them for the year? "I believe this should answer your questions."

The door was opened fully and in stepped a woman who drew the men's breath away. Her violet eyes glided over the room and it's occupants before she moved aside with cat-like grace, taking up position in one of the corners of the room, the shadows seeming to envelop her like a blanket.

The next newcomer raised a few eyebrows, especially from the Muggle Studies teacher who recognised the strange contraptions the man carried. Even having worked alongside Haggrid for many years, they couldn't help but be slightly intimidated by the man's size. The stranger's scarred face twisted as he grinned and he strolled off to lean against a wall, his weapon gripped in his hands with a casual, yet sinister ease.

When they turned to see the last person to enter, many people gasped.

The carbon copy James Potter stepped through the open doorway, his hand resting easily on the top of an expensive looking cane, the other tucked inside his trouser pocket. Foreign green eyes that could only belong to one woman gleamed with intelligence as he took in the room. He seemed to radiate an aura of power, authority and deadliness as he looked at the teachers, a lazy smirk on his face. Every eye in the room was drawn to his forehead where they could all see the infamous lightning scar that proclaimed the person's identity more effectively than the gleaming badge of office that lay upon his chest.

He seemed amused by the shocked silence that enveloped the room because when he spoke, his strong voice was filled with mirth. "Well hello there. I am Inquisitor Harry Potter, pleased to make your acquaintance."

The room vibrated with shocked silence.

Then chaos broke loose.

Every person in the room bar Dumbledore and the three Inquisition agents leapt to their feet, their voices all combining into one mighty clamour as they bombarded Dumbledore with questions.

Harry looked at Patience and Bruce with an amused look on his face, one which was mirrored in theirs.

After a few minutes of this, Dumbledore restored the peace with a raised hand. "I understand that you all have questions and I will do my best to answer them but I must ask that you speak one at a time. Now I believe Minerva has something to ask?"

McGonagall shakily stood. "Albus, what is going on? I thought Harry Potter died years ago."

Dumbledore knew this would be asked first. "As far as I was aware, Harry Potter did indeed die all those years ago however it was after a meeting with the ICW in Belgium that I discovered the truth. It seems that on a night twelve years ago, Harry met an Inquisitor who took him from his family and enrolled him into the training academy of the Inquisition."

Harry chuckled lightly, catching their attention as he looked down at Dumbledore. "You make it sound as if I was taken against my will and forced to join the Inquisition. I wasn't. I had full control over my destiny and chose to become an Inquisitor of my own free will."

Dumbledore nodded in recognition. "Of course. Well, after I heard this, I met with an old acquaintance of mine. With some bartering, I managed to get Harry assigned to Hogwarts as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. In addition to this, he will also take charge of the school's security. I believe that with his knowledge, he would perform well in both roles."

"But…he's just a child, Albus!"

Harry twitched slightly and it was only Patience's heightened sight that caught it. He looked at McGonagall with a surprisingly stern voice for a teenager. "Ma'am, I may be young, but I assure you, I am capable of teaching these children and more than capable of dealing with Riddle and his Death Eaters. Age is irrelevant, only skill matters."

The teachers blinked at the boy's logic while Dumbledore nodded. "I agree. I have been told that Harry is one of the best to ever hold the title of Inquisitor. I have also been told that he is a protégé the likes of which is seen only very rarely. I have complete faith that he will perform admirably."

"And who are they?" Flitwick asked, glancing between the two Order agents at opposite ends of the room.

Harry took this one. He flicked his head towards the shadows where his favourite Vampire lay in wait. "That is Patience Kys and the man over there is Bruce Hornton. They are my most trusted staff members." He felt no need to say they were his only staff members; it kept them guessing.

Minerva glanced between the two. "I don't recognise either of you. Did you attend school abroad or did the Inquisition take you in as well?"

Patience gave a sort of shrug that was almost invisible in the darkness surrounding her. I grew up abroad but most of what I know I learned from my mother. Besides," She flashed them a lopsided grin, revealing an elongated canine, causing them all to gasp. "I finished my schooling a long time ago."

"You're a Vampire!?" Umbridge screeched, drawing her wand and pointing it shakily towards the raven haired woman.

They saw Patience's eyes roll. "I see your education didn't go to waste. Yes; I'm a Vampire. Now put that stick away before I decide to have a pre-meal snack."

"I'd advise you to do as she says." Harry said. "I don't take kindly to people threatening my staff."

"Neither do I." Bruce's gravely voice spoke from directly behind Umbridge, causing her to squeak in terror and turn her wand on him. He wasn't scared by it.

"What about you?" Minerva asked, silently enjoying Umbridge's fear. "It's obvious by your accent that your from London and by the look of you, I'd say that at least one of us taught here while you were old enough to be a student."

Bruce gave a shrug, his face twisting with his grin. "I didn't come to Hogwarts. Wouldn't have made much sense with me not being able to use magic."

"You're a Squib?" Umbridge, who had since collected herself somewhat, looked at the man with a face you'd normally associate with someone who'd just been served a pile of dung for breakfast.

Bruce narrowed his eyes at the woman's tone but his grin remained. "You're getting closer."

It took them a few minutes to work out what he meant. It was Flitwick who caught on first. "You're a Muggle!?"

The entire staff's jaws hit the table, even Dumbledore's as Bruce and Harry laughed while Patience chuckled quietly. "Rejoice, for the Muggles have come to Hogwarts!" Harry proclamed.

"B-But the Wards!" Professor Sinestra cried. "I thought they were supposed to keep Muggles away from Hogwarts. How did you get in?"

Bruce winked at her. "Magic."

Harry shook his head at his friend, a small smile on his face.

Before anyone could say anything else, Dumbledore took out his pocket watch and checked it's many hands. "I'm afraid we need to cut this meeting a little short. The students will be arriving soon and Haggrid needs to prepare the boats for the First Years and the carriages for the other Years. I believe we should await their arrival in the Great Hall."

Dumbledore rose from his seat and walked out the door as the other teachers clambered out of their chairs, muttering to each other about the shocking revelation they'd just heard. In her seat, Dolores Umbridge frowned. She did not like these new revelations.

Harry easily caught up to Dumbledore, Patience and Bruce following behind the two as they made their way towards the Great Hall. Harry leaned over to mutter something to Dumbledore who glanced back at the teen before nodding his head in agreement.

As they neared the Hall, Dumbledore spoke quietly to Harry, trying to tune out the two behind them. "Harry?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think it wise to bring your friends to the school with you?"

Harry glanced at the Headmaster before looking ahead once more. "Well, I thought it would be harder to bring the school to them. Not impossible but harder."

"That's not what I mean. I mean that--"

"You mean because Patience is a Vampire and Bruce is a Muggle, they might not be very well received."

"Yes. The truth of what they are could make some of the students feel uncomfortable and wary. Don't you think it would be best if they--"

Harry cut him off. "I don't care about the student's comfort. I'm here to do my job and their comfort has nothing to do with it. They'll either learn to accept it or not, but be warned, Dumbledore. I won't accept any racism from your students and if, God forbid, they decide to attack any of my staff…" He trailed off, letting Dumbledore's imagination fill in the gaps.

Albus looked at Harry warily. "Harry?" He asked hesitantly. "You wouldn't…hurt the students…would you?"

Harry's only answer was to smirk at the old man and quicken his pace into the Great Hall, his followers behind him, leaving a very concerned Headmaster.

Just what had he unleashed upon his school?

The students filled the Great Hall, chattering amorously as they waited for the First Years. They spoke mostly of their summers, the war, new/ex-partners and, of course, Quidditch. One topic however was new. That was of course the three strangers seated at the Head Table. The newcomers were sat between McGonagall and Sprout, making the table seem more crowded than usual.

The students (Mostly the boys) talked of the goddess-like woman who's eyes swept over the tables, taking in the faces or of the large, dangerous looking man who sat hunched over the table, fiddling with the long knife in his hands. The third person, who was sat between the other two, had tilted their chair back on it's hind legs and was covered in shadow, the gloom too thick for anyone to get a proper look at them.

At the Gryffindor table, Ginny Weasley leaned over to talk to her long time friend, Hermione Granger. "Hermione? Who'd you recon they are?"

The bushy haired girl shrugged. "Don't know but I'm guessing one of them is the new Defence teacher. I wonder what the other two are here for though, there aren't any new classes starting up."

A voice further up the table scoffed. "You would know, wouldn't you, Granger?"

Hermione turned to face the only person in the school she hated more than anyone else (Save perhaps Umbridge). "Just because you don't care about you education, Ronald, doesn't mean nobody cares about theirs."

Ginny glared at her youngest older brother. "No one asked you, Ron, so keep your nose out before Bat Bogies start coming out of it."

Ron Weasley shook his head and turned away from the girls. "Know-it-all."

"Neanderthal."

The rest of the Gryffindors were spared any further Granger vs. Weasley arguments with the arrival of Professor McGonagall with the latest batch of students. After placing the Sorting Hat on the stool, the thing's wide tear opened up and the old hat began to sing it's melody of schools unity, the virtues of the houses and of overcoming the Darkness. As it's last note ended, the school broke into applause, prompting McGonagall to start the Sorting with Appleby, Hughes (RAVENCLAW!).

When the sorting finished with Willow, Sam (GRYFFINDOR!) McGonagall placed the stool off to one side as Dumbledore got to his feet, a welcoming smile on his wizened face. "To all our new students: welcome and to all our old students: welcome back! I have a few announcements…but I'm sure you're all hungry so it can wait."

With that, the meals instantly appeared on the golden plates, prompting the pupils to dig in. A few of the more keen eyed observers noticed that the beautiful woman at the table didn't eat anything but took a dark red vial from her coat and began to sip from it as she talked to the large man across from her.

After devouring yet another scrumptious meal, the students turned to the Head Table for Dumbledore's annual announcements. He did not disappoint.

"As per usual, the Forbidden Forest lives up to it's name and remains off limits. Also Mr Filch has informed me that the list of banned objects in the school has reached record levels, reaching an impressive three-hundred and fifty items in total. A full list can be viewed in his office. I am also pleased to inform you that Madam Umbridge will be staying with us for another year."

The only people to clap at this were the Slytherins and Dumbledore. The hate just seemed to roll off the others in the school, even the teachers. Umbridge was oblivious to it all and just sat there with a sickening smile on her fat face.

After the meagre applause ended, Dumbledore face the gathered school once more, his face becoming serious. "At this point I also remind each and everyone of you to remain vigilant. As you are already aware, Wizarding Britain is currently at war with the forces of Lord Voldemort (There were the usual flinches, yelps, screams and even something that sounded strangely like a seal laughing at this). I ask each and every one of you to keep your eyes open. If you see anything suspicious, report it to a teacher at once. On a similar note, I wish to announce something of great importance that will effect not only you, but the entire war itself."

His calm blue eyes swept the sea of students before him, every one of them hanging on his every word. "During the summer I managed to contact an acquaintance of mine to procure some assistance in this war and I was not disappointed. With the Ministry scrambling to form a defence against Voldemort and his followers, the Holy Order of the Inquisition has decided to take action."

At that, most of the students broke into frenzied whispering, those that knew about the Inquisition informing those who didn't of it's purpose and it's reputation. Many became nervous, even scared at the prospect of one of those shadowy watchmen getting involved in the war. If they had a choice, many would rather face a Death Eater than an Inquisitor on the hunt. Hell, they'd rather face a Dementor.

Dumbledore released a number of firecrackers from his wand to restore order. When all was calm once more, he continued, "As I was saying, the Inquisition has decided that the matter of Voldemort and his Death Eaters is too great to ignore and has decided to take a more active role in the war to aid us. I have heard that this Inquisitor has already met with Minister Fudge and the Head of the DMLE, Madam Bones to formulate plans to end this war once and for all. They have also seen fit to take a more active interest in Hogwarts itself." The whispering became a low droning hum as the tension mounted. "With Professor Moody gone to aid in the war effort the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is once more vacant. With this in mind the Inquisition has seen fit send someone to protect the school and teach you how to defend yourselves from attack." The whispering reached it's peak, threatening to spill over into full blown talking as one of the strangers, the shadowed figure in the centre, stood from his chair and began to make his way around the table. The mystery person stepped from the shadows as Dumbledore finished his announcement.

"So it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to your new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor: Inquisitor Harry Potter."

A/N: "Crackles* I is more evil than the evilest guy who ever did evil-ed!

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