A/N: Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the US! I'm sorry this took so long – our grading period just ended, so I was spending way more time than usual on school-related work. But now I'm on Thanksgiving break, so I should have the next chapter out by Monday! Thanks for reading and reviewing, everyone!

LogicalRaven: Sorry, still no Olivia in this chapter – but she will be back . . .

Turtledove797: I've never given much thought to Bill and Fleur, but I'll see if I can work them in . . . if not, maybe they'll be something for me to consider writing in the future!

I don't own Harry Potter.

The Devil in the School

"Things are going downhill fast at Hogwarts."

"What do you mean?" Molly asked quickly. The other Order members, too, perked up at Tonks's words.

"I mean that from what I've been able to gather, Fudge has appointed the new Defense professor," Tonks said grimly.

"Who is it?" Remus asked.

"I haven't been able to get that much," she said. "But, I have heard that his main concern is still that Dumbledore will mobilize the students against him."

"That's laughable," Remus said.

"Not if you're a Minister who thinks that the most powerful wizard alive is trying to undermine you," Tonks replied. "Anyway, along with this new professor, Fudge is introducing a new DADA curriculum – one that involves absolutely no practical component."

"No practical?" Remus exclaimed. "How are they going to learn anything? The practical component is the most important part of the class!" His eyes widened. "If they never learn to do the spells . . . How on earth are those students supposed to be ready for their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s without a practical class?"

"The assumption is that studying the theoretical magic behind the spells will be enough to learn to perform them."

"Right, and studying the ingredients of a potion is enough to be able to brew it," Sirius snapped. "What is Fudge thinking?"

"He's thinking that if the students learn how to do the spells, they'll be able to use them against him," Tonks said.

Bill looked at her in wonder. "He's really serious about this, isn't he? He really, truly thinks that Dumbledore is going to try to overthrow him using an army of students."

"Yeah, he does," she replied.

"How does he honestly believe that?" Molly asked. "How can he possibly think that the students alone can overthrow him?" She smiled slightly. "He doesn't seem to have much faith in his Aurors, does he?"

Kingsley smiled. "I'm not sure that he's entirely convinced of anyone's loyalty at this point. He may think that we'd join up with Dumbledore and the students against him."

"I just don't understand how any of this can be solved by appointing one professor with one new curriculum," Sirius said. "How can that change the course of history, as it were?"

"I don't know," Tonks said. "But, really, it's not as if anything he's doing right now makes any sense. We'll just chalk this up to paranoia, and add it to the growing list of reasons that he should be sacked." She sighed. "Look, I'm just the messenger, okay? I didn't come up with this brilliant educational plan, and I certainly didn't set it in motion. I'm just telling you what I've heard around the office."

"As a point of curiosity, where did you learn all this information?" Arthur asked. "I've been trying to come up with that sort of news for weeks without luck."

"I have a friend in the Auror department whose daughter goes to Hogwarts," she said. "He was asking around just because he was curious about the new curriculum – he had heard rumors, and wanted to check them out." She made a face. "Unfortunately, he said this is exactly what that school needs."

"Far too many people are going to think that way," Bill said tiredly. "Fleur hears about it all the time at the bank. She said the customers are always going on about how Dumbledore's past his prime and can't keep on as he has been with the school." He sighed. "The parents are ready for new leadership."

"That school doesn't need new leadership!" Remus exclaimed. "Dumbledore's been headmaster for decades, and he's always had superior results!"

"And people are concerned that he's resting on his laurels," Bill said. "The Prophet has done a good job of convincing the public that both Dumbledore and Harry are crazy. People don't have the trust in them that they once did."

"How can this be happening?" Remus muttered. "It's one thing to launch a campaign against Dumbledore as a person, but it's completely another to attack his school. Doesn't Fudge realize how many lives he's playing with?"

"I don't think he cares," Tonks said slowly. "As long as they aren't being trained to attack him, he doesn't care what those kids are learning."

"Government and education don't mix," Remus said. "Just because Fudge can run the magical community doesn't mean he can run a school. He doesn't know a thing about education, and he shouldn't try to change what he doesn't understand."

"Right now, I'm not even sure he can run the magical community," Sirius grinned. "Don't worry too much, Remus. I don't think that Dumbledore will let it go too far."

Tonks shook her head. "What scares me, Sirius, is that he doesn't have much of a choice."

"Checkmate."

Remus made a face. "You've always been better at this game than me, you know."

"I know," Sirius grinned. "That's why I like playing you so much."

"Oh, funny," Remus replied. "You know, I might get better and beat you someday."

"You had twelve years to practice when I couldn't get anywhere near a chessboard," Sirius laughed. "I don't see you playing any better for it."

"You know, you shouldn't mock those with less ability."

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "When have you ever known that to stop me?"

Remus laughed. He stopped abruptly as he saw a flash of white at the window. "Isn't that Harry's owl?"

Sirius was on his feet in an instant. "It is!" he exclaimed. He crossed to open the window, letting Hedwig fly into the room.

"Why would Harry write here?" Remus frowned, rising from his own seat.

"I don't know," Sirius replied, taking the scroll from the owl. Hedwig nipped at his hand affectionately, then took off again out the open window. Sirius smiled ruefully. "At least she didn't tear my hands apart this time. The last time Harry sent me a letter with Hedwig, it came with explicit instructions to make sure that I wrote back."

Remus smiled. "He's not so desperate for news now that he's not being attacked by dementors."

Sirius shuddered. "Don't remind me." He opened the letter and began to read. His eyes widened in shock.

"What?" Remus asked. "What does he say?"

"He had a horrible first week back," Sirius said slowly. "Remus . . ."

"What?" Remus asked. "Just tell me!"

"It's the new Defense professor," Sirius said in the same slow, deliberate voice. "Tonks didn't know who it was last week, but Harry names her."

"Well? Who is it?"

"He says the new teacher's name is Professor Umbridge."

Remus's face paled as his eyes opened wide. "Professor Umbridge?" he repeated. "It can't be – not Dolores Umbridge?"

"How many people have that name?" His eyes narrowed. "Or, better put, how many people that close to Fudge have that name?"

"My God," Remus muttered, his voice shaking slightly. "How can this be? How can they let that woman teach them? How can Dumbledore let someone who clearly hates anyone who isn't – anyone who – How can he let that woman teach my students?" he finally exploded.

Sirius ran his hand through his hair, clutching it slightly in a gesture reminiscent of James when he was frustrated. "Okay, Remus, look, we don't know for sure that it's her –"

"Who else could it be?" Remus shouted. "Why the hell would she be allowed in a school? Why would she be allowed to teach Defense of all things? This is complete insanity! We have to do something, Sirius! We can't let this happen!"

"What exactly are we supposed to do?" Sirius asked, trying to stay calm for the sake of keeping his friend calm. "Dumbledore offered you the job, Remus, but you turned him down."

"I could never teach there again," Remus replied. "But that doesn't mean that someone completely unqualified should!"

"I don't think Fudge cares about qualifications," Sirius said. "I think all he cares about is getting someone on his side inside Hogwarts."

"This isn't about sides!" Remus yelled. "This is about the students – about their education! Harry and his friends have their O.W.L.s this year! They can't have someone like that teaching them!"

"She'll prepare them for the tests," Sirius said. "How would it look for the Ministry if their hand-selected educator couldn't manage to get her students to pass their exams?"

"Do you really think that Fudge cares about that?" Remus spat. "You said it yourself – all he wants is to have someone on his side in there. I'm just amazed that Dumbledore would allow it to happen."

"Based on what Dumbledore said before about that law that Fudge wrote, I don't think he had much of a choice. His hands are tied."

"Well, he needs to untie them," Remus said irritably. "This can't happen. He can't let some ridiculous law destroy the students' education. That woman shouldn't be allowed within a mile of children, let alone be allowed to teach them." His eyes widened again. "No, Sirius, you're wrong. My God, they're all going to fail their exams."

"Look, I know she's not qualified, but that doesn't mean –"

"Don't you remember what Tonks said? She said they've eliminated the practical part of the curriculum! With that idiot trying to teach them using only theory, there's no way they'll ever be able to pass!"

"I still don't think the Ministry can let them all fail."

"The Ministry doesn't control the examining board – as of last report, they're still an independent panel."

"Give it time," Sirius said wryly. "If Fudge wants to control education, let him really control it."

"That moron won't realize that he needs to control the examining board until they all fail," Remus replied. "He thinks this new curriculum will really work – the kids will still learn, but they won't be able to help Dumbledore knock him out of his job." He ran his hands over his face. "This is unthinkable. That cow is teaching a curriculum that no one can learn from."

Sirius drew a deep breath. "I don't think that Harry likes her, either."

"What does he say about her?"

"He compares her to my mother." A ghost of a smile flitted across Sirius's face. "That speaks volumes, doesn't it?"

"What a nightmare," Remus said, shaking his head. "What an absolute nightmare. I can't even image being in her class." He paused. "Never mind – I don't have to. She would have found a way to bar me from taking it."

Sirius drew a deep breath, trying to find a way to redirect the conversation. "Harry asks about Hagrid, too."

"Really?" Remus said, startled out of his horrified thoughts of the idea of Dolores Umbridge teaching the students that he still considered to be his. "Does he mention him by name? That's awfully dangerous –"

"No, he just references a friend, but it's obviously Hagrid." Sirius sighed. "I wish I had some sort of news to give him– something to make him feel better."

"I wish we knew something to make us feel better," Remus said uncomfortably.

"Dumbledore's not worried yet," Sirius reminded him. "I'm sure that if we needed to worry, Dumbledore would have told us." Even though he tried to sound confident, his concern was evident in his voice.

"What else does Harry say?" Remus asked, trying not to think about what might have happened to Hagrid.

"His scar has been bothering him again," Sirius said, frowning. "He said it hurt during detention with Umbridge."

This time it was Remus who smiled slightly. "Detention during his first week at school? His father would be so proud."

Sirius looked up from the parchment and smiled. "Yeah, James would get a laugh out of that, wouldn't he?" He looked back at the letter. "Why would his scar hurt when he's with her?"

"Didn't Dumbledore say that he thinks that Harry and Voldemort have some sort of mind connection?" Remus asked. "Maybe it had nothing to do with Umbridge at all. It was probably something that was going through Voldemort's mind that Harry got the backlash from."

"Maybe," Sirius said.

"You don't think so?" Remus frowned. "Do you think that Umbridge is working for Voldemort?"

"No, that can't be," Sirius said. "Aside from the fact that the idea of Dolores Umbridge as a servant of the Dark Lord is laughable, it's not the Death Eaters that make Harry's scar hurt, it's Voldemort. You must be right. Voldemort must have been thinking or feeling something that Harry managed to tap into."

Remus drew a deep breath. "How much of this does Harry know?"

"Not enough to make him too terribly paranoid. Just that his scar hurts more when Voldemort is feeling a particularly strong emotion."

"What's going to happen when it gets worse?"

"What do you mean?" Sirius frowned.

"This has been going on for over a year, Sirius. Based on the dreams he's had, I think that Harry has more access to Voldemort's mind than Dumbledore is willing admit. What happens when Harry begins to feel more than just strong emotions? Remember that dream he had about Voldemort and Peter conspiring to kill him? It turned out to be pretty accurate."

"You think he can actually see into Voldemort's mind? That he's practicing Legilimency?" Sirius asked in shock.

"I don't think that he's aware of it," Remus said uncomfortably. "But – it's just – Harry knows too much. He feels too much. He can see too much. Something's going on between him and Voldemort, and I don't like it."

"Have you mentioned this to Dumbledore?"

"With everything else we've had to worry about?" Remus asked. "No. I didn't think it was that critical. But – well, maybe it is."

"You want to teach him Occlumency," Sirius said. It wasn't a question; he already knew what the answer would be.

"I'm not sure I'm the one who should teach him," Remus said. "Occlumency has never been my strongest suit. But, he needs to learn."

"Maybe Dumbledore could teach him."

"Perhaps."

"You should mention this to him, Remus," Sirius said.

Remus shook his head. "What if I'm wrong? I'm probably just overreacting – you're always telling me that I worry too much. Maybe this is just a case of me worrying where I don't need to. There's no need to get Dumbledore involved unless it's absolutely necessary."

"At what point do we decide that it is necessary?"

Remus shrugged. "We'll know it when we see it. For now, let's just believe that Dumbledore's right, and Harry just has an odd ability to feel Voldemort's emotions."

"Right," Sirius agreed thoughtfully.

"Sirius, please don't mention this to Dumbledore," Remus said. "I really don't need one more person thinking that I'm paranoid."

Sirius smiled. "I don't think you're paranoid, Remus. I just think you worry too much."

"It's the same thing, isn't it? Look, Sirius, please just promise me you won't say anything to Dumbledore."

"All right," Sirius agreed. "I won't say anything to Dumbledore – not until we think that it's necessary."

Remus looked relieved. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"We can't say anything to Harry, either."

"No," Sirius agreed at once. "That kid has way too much to deal with as it is. The last thing we need to do is to give him one more thing to worry about."

Remus frowned slightly. "What are you going to write back to him?"

"I'm not sure," Sirius replied. "There isn't a whole lot I can say, is there? He did a really good job of asking his questions so that it wouldn't make sense to anyone else who read this letter, but answering them will be more difficult."

"Their mail is probably being monitored, too," Remus said bitterly. "At this point, I'm sure there's no place too low for Fudge to stoop to when it comes to that school."

"So where are you off to this weekend?" Sirius asked glumly as he watched Remus pack.

"Preliminary scouting of werewolf colonies," Remus said, making a face. "Just the way I've always hoped to spend my weekend."

"Ah, hunting dark creatures again. Taking Tonks along this time?" Sirius teased.

"Do you honestly think I'd put her through this?" he asked, rather horrified. "I'm going alone, Sirius."

"Is that wise?" Sirius asked.

Remus shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen? I'm already a werewolf."

"They can turn pretty violent, Moony. You know that."

"I'll be careful," Remus replied. Attempting to take the spotlight off himself, he continued, "What are you up to this weekend?" He gave Sirius a teasing grin of his own. "Bringing Olivia over for a visit?"

Sirius shook his head. "She's working this weekend. I had Tonks check her schedule out for me. She said the chances of her getting off were slim to none, so I didn't even suggest it to her."

"I'm sorry," Remus said, his eyes reflecting that he truly felt for his friend. "What are you going to do, then?"

Sirius shrugged. "Serve as command central, I suppose. There's going to be a lot of information coming and going with Sturgis being arrested."

"Which makes no sense at all," Remus said. "He had to be under the Imperius. He knew better than to try –"

"I know," Sirius agreed. "They're going to have a time proving it, though."

"We've had a time proving everything in the past few months," Remus sighed. "It's going to get better, right?"

"I have a feeling it's going to have to get worse first," Sirius said grimly. He sighed. "We'll make it, Remus. It's going to be better than last time."

"I hope so," Remus said, thinking of the horrors they had lived through during the first war. He shook himself from his dark thoughts and picked up his knapsack. "I need to get going. Do you need anything before I leave?"

Sirius shrugged again. "What could I possibly need?"

Remus shook his head slightly. "I'll see you Monday morning."

"Good luck," Sirius replied.

"Thanks."

Based on the information Dumbledore had collected, Remus was able to locate a large werewolf colony fairly quickly. Making use of the invisibility cloak Moody had lent him, he crept around the encampment, taking copious notes about the living conditions, an estimated number of werewolves living there with average ages, the proximity to surrounding villages, and the general feelings toward wizards, Muggles and Voldemort. He was rather disheartened to learn that a certain sympathy toward Voldemort and his Death Eaters existed among the werewolves.

As of yet, Dumbledore had not asked him to do more than this. Remus was handed the mission because he was the least likely to be affected by the werewolves should they decide to attack. Remus was sure that in the future he would be asked to become a spy within this colony. While he was not exactly looking forward to that job, he was rather intrigued by all that he was currently learning. Why exactly did the werewolves support Voldemort? What could he offer them that Dumbledore couldn't?

Did Voldemort promise to rid the world of Umbridge?

Remus couldn't help the smile that flitted across his face at that thought. Then he sobered, wondering if these werewolves even knew who Umbridge was. They had made a point to cut themselves off from society; how disconnected were they from all that was happening in the world? Did they know that one woman had made it nearly impossible for them to find work or live as normal members of society?

But . . . Did they even care? From what Remus was able to observe, they did not want to be a part of normal society. They had created their own world, and would remain living in it until their deaths, ignorant of much of what happened around them.

Why would anyone choose to live that way? He tried to imagine his life if he were like them. All he could think of was all that he would have lost. No parents, no Hogwarts, no Order, no friends, no Harry . . . no Tonks . . .

He was shocked by the horror that he felt at the idea of living without Tonks as a part of his life. In the few shorts months that he had known her, she had become as good a friend to him as Sirius was, as James and Lily had been. She had become . . .

She's a friend, he told himself firmly. She's just a little girl compared to you. You can remember when she was born. She's Sirius's little cousin. She's become like a little sister to him, and that's exactly what she should be to you, too. She sees you as an older brother, as a mentor. You cannot think of her in any other way, despite what Sirius says. He doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to your relationship with her.

Remus shook his head in an effort to banish the thoughts of Tonks. Even though he knew that he saw her as a friend, and nothing more, he spent far too much time thinking about her. He picked up his quill and parchment again, ready to throw himself back into his work. As long as he kept working, he didn't have to think about anything else.

Remus did not return to headquarters until late on Monday evening. He was exhausted; the thought of writing up a report to send to Dumbledore made him want to cry. All he wanted to do was to sleep.

"You're back!"

Remus smiled at Sirius as he entered the library. "I'm back," he repeated.

"How did things go?"

"About as well as can be expected," Remus replied. "I got a good deal of information, and I wasn't attacked. I don't think they even sensed my presence."

Sirius frowned slightly. "That doesn't seem likely."

"I know," Remus said. "I think it's because it was such a large colony. One more werewolf doesn't make that much of an impact. I had Moody's cloak, at any rate."

"He's good about loaning those out."

Remus looked at his friend closely. "You're awfully cheery. Did Olivia manage to come over after all?"

"No, I haven't spoken to her," Sirius said. "I did talk to Harry, though."

Remus dropped the sheaf of parchment he had been holding. "You did what?"

"I spoke with Harry," Sirius said again.

"How?" Remus asked, nearly incapable of articulate speech.

"Through the Floo network."

"Sirius!" Remus exclaimed. "Do you realize how dangerous that was?"

Sirius scowled. "You sound like Harry."

"Harry didn't want to talk to you?"

"Oh, no, he was quite excited about that," Sirius replied. "But when I suggested that I meet up with him in Hogsmeade, both he and Hermione got really upset. They said something about it being too much of a risk."

"It is!" Remus exclaimed. "How ca you even suggest going out in public? Are you trying to be recaptured and sent back to Azkaban?"

"Of course not! I was planning to go as an Animagus . . ."

"Do you think that Voldemort doesn't know your disguise by now? Peter probably told him as soon as he had a body back. And I'm certain that Voldemort would have shared that information with his Death Eaters . . . who we are almost certain include Lucius Malfoy, who would have told his son, who goes to Hogwarts with Harry –"

"Okay!" Sirius finally yelled, cutting off Remus's tirade. "You've made your point!"

"I just don't know what you were thinking," Remus said, shaking his head. "This isn't a game, Sirius! You can't just transform and go running over to Hogsmeade! If you were to be seen by anyone but Harry, Hermione and Ron – I don't even want to think about it!"

"Remus, you have always worried too much," Sirius said.

"Not this time!" Remus exclaimed. "Sirius, I don't know what is wrong with you! You're not thinking of the consequences of anything!"

"I just want to see my godson!" Sirius yelled. "Is that a crime?"

"Of course not," Remus replied. "The crime is in the fact that you're an escaped convict! And I don't care how innocent you are, the Ministry doesn't see it that way! If they catch you, you're going back to prison! And if that happens, you'll never see Harry again!"

"Don't you think it's worth the risk?" Sirius yelled.

"NO!" Remus yelled back. "It's the same thing as wanting to go to Harry's hearing. I know that you're only thinking about Harry, but there's no need to be stupid about it!"

"Oh, so now I'm stupid, am I?"

"Where risks are concerned, yes! You always have been!" He stopped and ran his hands over his face, then clasped his fingers together. "We took more risks at Hogwarts than we should have. I know that. And I'm glad we took those risks, even if I do regret some of them now. They brought us all closer together, made us better friends. But we can't do that anymore. We're not kids anymore, Sirius. You need to realize that right now, before this goes any further. You need to stop trying to use Harry and his friends so that you can relive our childhood."

Sirius flinched as though Remus had slapped him. "Is that what you think I'm doing? You think that I'm using Harry to relive my childhood?"

"Yes," Remus said bluntly, "I do. And I don't think it's fair to you or to Harry to do that. You had your chance at being a student at Hogwarts, Sirius. Let Harry have his."

"James –"

"James made you his godfather, yes," Remus interrupted. "But, from what I watched my own parents do, I can tell you that part of the job is knowing when to let go. You have to let go and let Harry live his life, Sirius."

"How can I let go?" Sirius asked, his voice cracking. "I just got him."

"Well, you don't have a choice," Remus said a bit harshly. "Get used to the idea."

He waved his wand to gather his parchment, and stalked out of the room. Sirius stood in the middle of the library, staring at the doorway that had framed his friend. Then he reached down for the first object he could find, a heavy book, and hurled it at the door. It hit the frame and bounced off, skidding across the floor.

"Damn you, Remus!" Sirius yelled.

It was nearly midnight when Remus finished his report. He sealed it to send to Dumbledore in the morning, and rubbed his hands over his tired eyes. Now that he had finally stopped working, his mind was free to play over the events of the evening.

He could hardly believe that Sirius would be bold enough to use the Floo network to talk to Harry, let alone that he would suggest a trip into Hogsmeade to visit him. Remus had to give Harry credit – he was rather impressed that the teenager recognized the danger that Sirius was in.

Thank God one of them is willing to be the adult.

Remus sighed. He wasn't being fair to Sirius. Well – perhaps he had been fair, but there was no need to be as mean about it as he had been. Sirius had suffered greatly. He had been imprisoned for a crime that was Peter's, had lost as many friends as Remus himself had, had been ripped away from the godson that he adored . . . Remus yelling at him wasn't helping his situation.

Knowing what he needed to do, Remus rose from his seat. He needed to talk to his friend.

He found Sirius in the library, scowling into the fire. He hesitated a moment in the doorway, then entered the room.

"Sirius?" he asked.

"Come to have another go at me?" Sirius snapped.

Remus drew a deep breath. "No," he said evenly, "I've come to apologize."

Sirius's head snapped up. "What?"

"I want to tell you that I'm sorry," Remus said. He made his way into the room and sat down across from Sirius. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. You're entitled to your own feelings, and it's not my job to negate them. I'm sorry."

Sirius smiled. "You were forgiven before you even left the room. You know that."

"I had to make myself feel better."

"Right." Sirius looked into the fire for a moment, the raised his eyes to meet Remus's. "You were right, you know."

"What?" Remus asked in shock.

"You were right. It is too much of a risk." He drew a deep breath. "I want desperately to see Harry, but I want even more to be able to keep seeing him. It's like Molly said – it's difficult to be a godfather from Azkaban. I need to keep myself out of prison so that I can be here for Harry when he needs me. And if I were found with him in Hogsmeade, who knows what would happen to him? I don't know how I could ever live with myself if Harry were in trouble for something that was my fault."

Remus put his hand on Sirius's shoulder. "You're a good godfather."

Sirius smiled slightly. "Anything for James and Lily's little boy."