In the weeks following Albus Dumbledore's departure, Hogwarts School deteriorated into little more than a battlefield. Almost the entire student body rose up against the new Headmistress and her Inquisitorial squad.
Umbridge was at a complete loss as to how to reign in the uprising, as she was truly unable to catch anyone in wrongdoing. Explosions were the order of the day. Loud, earth shaking booms were heard all throughout the day, except while students were sleeping, and even then an occasional thunder crack would awaken the castle.
What was worse, at least for Umbridge, was the serious lack of support she had to help in controlling the student population. Teachers were turning blind eyes to any sort of shenanigans they happened upon, as it all seem directed to making the new Headmistress miserable.
"Two more students have resigned their posts upon the Inquisitorial squad. If this keeps up, we shall have no help in keeping order within this school." Umbridge shouted during the weekly staff meeting. Up and down the table the professors all stared blankly at their Headmistress, each of them filled with some disdain for the tiny fat woman. Save Filch, of course. The man practically worshiped Umbridge, especially since she had kept her promise and was now allowing whippings of students again. However, no one had been caught yet.
"Headmistress, as I've told you several times already, you are suffocating the students." McGonagall said flatly. "If you would consider rescinding some of your rather constrictive rules, you might find that the…rebellion…ends on its own."
"Without rules, there is no order." Umbridge scowled.
"Yes, but too many rules and those who you are trying to bring to order will fight back." Professor Sprout said wisely.
"You are exacerbating the problem every time you introduce a new decree." Flitwick added.
"I do not need a lecture. What I need is for all of you to do your jobs. Or I shall be forced to have you all sacked." Umbridge tried to threaten them all, but they all smirked.
"Yes, that would be a very wise move. To remove us all with so little time left in the year, and have no one who could save you from the students." Flitwick grinned. "I don't know if you realize, but the students out number us by a serious margin. How long do you think you'd last once it got out you fired Minerva, or Pomona, or Severus?"
"No offense to you, Severus, but I do not think there would be too many students fussed over you getting sacked." Professor Sprout smiled. Snape merely looked bored.
Umbridge stared at the teachers before her, her blood boiling in her veins. They were right, of course. She had very little time left in the year. There was no time to seek out new teachers to fill all the posts, and the students would most assuredly rise up as one even more than they were at the moment.
"Very well. The answer here is clear. We must make an example. It is obvious that these troublemakers are being led by someone. Someone with a serious grudge against the Ministry. I believe we all know who that is…" Umbridge's scowl melted into a smile.
"Yes, we all know of your personal vendetta against the Potter brat." Snape spoke up, making all the other teachers look at him oddly. "However, much as the boy abhors rules in general, he is no ring leader."
"But you forget, Severus, he was leading Dumbledore's little group."
"No, he was recruiting for the group, as you know full well." McGonagall reminded Umbridge of Dumbledore's words.
"Potter doesn't have enough brains in his head to lead, much less plan, some of the more impressive bits of magic that have been happening around us lately. Given what we've seen- Portable Swamps, multiplying fireworks, not to mention the rise in sudden illnesses…"
"Ah, yes, the cases of Umbridgeitis." Flitwick chuckled.
"I think it is clear that the true culprits are the Weasley twins." Snape sneered.
"Though you should be warned, those two boys are even more charismatic than Potter." McGonagall warned. "Singling them out will be equivalent to declaring war on the student body."
"So what are you all telling me? To give up? To let chaos reign? I can not do that. I will have order in my school!" Umbridge screamed, stamping her foot, her fists balled tightly at her waist.
The other teachers just looked at each other, some of them rolling their eyes in exasperation.
Except Snape, who was watching the Headmistress with cold calculating eyes. He recognized something in the woman. Something that chilled his coal black heart. Lust for power. He saw it whenever he had to gaze into the burning red eyes of his former master. He should have seen it sooner, from the time she arrived, or even from the time she had tried to recruit him to her cause by promising that he would one day be allowed to teach the subject he so wanted.
Snape was only now realizing what would become of the school should this obscene woman get her way. It would be like living in the world his former master sought for himself, only…pinker.
This was not a future that Snape coveted. As much as he loathed Potter, he knew he had to protect him from Umbridge's clutches. He hoped by diverting Umbridge's attentions to the Weasley twins, the new Headmistress might actually forget Harry long enough so the boy could sit his exams, and go home fore the summer. They would have a few months then in which to figure out what they would do for the next year.
Damn you, Albus, for abandoning us. Snape thought as Umbridge gathered her notes, dismissing the teachers. This isn't our bloody war.
As the exams grew closer, the students within fifth and seventh years began studying harder than ever. However, it was believed that thanks to several of the new Educational Decrees, banning the use and practice of spells, no one felt they would perform all that well. They weren't even being allowed to use spells within classes anymore.
For some, it was beginning to be too much.
Harry awoke very late one evening after a rather disturbing dream in where Lord Voldemort was threatening one of his followers. It was one of the ones who'd been freed in the recent break out of Azkaban that was blamed on Sirius.
Harry was sure, especially since he had finished another very brutal session with Snape earlier in the evening, that the dream was real, though it was clear that his mental defenses were trying to stop him from seeing anymore. In the dream, Voldemort was wearing one of his Aunt Petunia most hideous dresses, and he and his follower were on the stage at Harry's primary school.
Harry awoke with a start and decided that he was not going to get much more sleep, as the mental picture of the most notorious Dark Wizard in his Aunt's clothes was the most disturbing thing he'd ever imagined.
When he came down to the Common Room, he found Fred and George Weasley, along with Lee Jordan, hunkered over a small table in front of the fire.
"A bit late, isn't it, Harry?" Fred asked.
"I was going to say the same to you, just what are you up to?"
"Planning our escape." George said. "Umbridge has been questioning more and more students lately, and it's only a matter of time before one of them gives us up."
"How are you even sure of what she's been asking students about? No one's been able to remember being questioned." Harry asked.
"That's cause she's Obliviating them when she's done."
"If memory charms were easy to prove, that old toad would be tossed into Azkaban so fast it's make her fat head spin." Lee Jordan growled.
"Why are they hard to prove?" Harry asked.
"Partially because the person has no recollection of having his memory modified. But if there are also no witnesses, there's no case. Only really talented mind healer could tell, and even then they wouldn't be certain." George explained.
"The mind's a really complicated thing." Fred nodded.
"So, you're convinced she's going to come after you instead of me?" Harry asked, a hint of a smile on his face. There was a lot of talk that Umbridge suspected Harry to be the one causing most of the disturbances about the school, even though every single time he was nowhere near the incidents.
"Bit of an ego there, mate." Fred winked.
"Yeah, you may be public enemy number one on Umbridge's list, but we all know who the real criminal masterminds in this school are." George smiled mischievously.
"I never ever doubt my place in the criminal hierarchy." Harry chuckled. "So am I going to be allowed to know what you're planning?"
"What do you think, Fred?"
"I think that as our financial backer, Harry has more than proven himself." Fred grinned to his brother. "Alright, Harry, Listen up…"
The twins plans were put into effect upon the Friday before the start of the Exams. It was lunchtime when a group of very old looking witches and wizards appeared in the Great Hall, escorted by a smiling, and rather nervous looking Umbridge.
Harry was staring across the Great Hall at Daphne, who looked just as upset as he was. No longer were students allowed to sit anywhere but at their own House Tables. Harry only got to see Daphne during class now, and both of them were missing each other terribly. Harry was very jealous of Hermione and Neville, who got to spend loads of time together. Harry even felt a few twinges of bitterness at Ron, who was spending more time with Lavender Brown.
"You suppose she's nervous that something might explode, and the examiners will see how little control she has on the school?" Neville asked, breaking Harry out of Daphne's spell.
"I think it's a certainty." Hermione nodded. "I'm actually disappointed that Fred and George didn't have something planned."
"Who says they haven't?" Harry smirked, remembering his late night meting with the twins.
"What do you know?" Hermione asked, her eyes bright with curiosity. Harry had to admit that his friend had changed a lot over the year. She was still a dedicated student; however, her love of rules and order had melted away a bit. Harry was sure having seen that she could become like their current Headmistress had done much to humble the bookworm.
"I was sworn to secrecy. Sorry." Harry smiled, and Hermione shook her head. Both Ron and Neville grinned as Harry winked at them.
The day progressed as any other with students grumbling as they walked between classes. Harry kept his eyes open for Daphne. They survived these days on quick touches as they passed in the halls. Harry had not had a decent amount of time with her since Dumbledore's exodus. The very next day Umbridge had issued several decrees forbidding houses to mix at meal times, and a very strange rule about boys and girls remaining at least eight inches apart. There were lots of rumors regarding this rule, most of which centered around Umbridge's own lack of romantic experience.
It was at dinner that the Weasley twins' plot unfolded. Harry and his friends entered the Great Hall for dinner, as they usually did, and Hermione had been quizzing them on Charms to help them review as they sat down.
Harry noticed Umbridge looking rather pleased with herself as she spoke with the examiners. Harry guessed she was rather pleased that the school had been quiet over the last few hours. He thought she might be telling them how much better she was as Headmistress than Dumbledore had been while he was in charge.
Students began filling their plates and a general buzz begun as students began talking about whatever held their interests at that moment.
"Students of Hogwarts." Came a very loud voice which echoed off the high ceiling. Harry and the rest of the student body turned as one to the entrance to the Great Hall, where the Weasley twins stood tall and proud before them. "We would like to direct your attention to the Staff table where, the teachers and guests of Hogwarts School have kindly volunteered to demonstrate our latest Weasley Wizard Wheezes."
Every head turned again to stare up at the staff table to gaze upon the rather hilarious faces of the staff. They all looked like frightened deer as the Weasleys began to approach.
"While they look perfectly normal for the moment, we secretly replaced their drinks with our newest and most outrageous new products." Fred said to the very attentive audience.
"First, our Weasley Hair tonic. Gives the drinker a very luxurious mane of Weasley red hair!" George smiled and gave a wave to the staff table. At that moment, every adult's hair began to chance in color to become flaming red, even brighter than any Weasley.
Harry thought for sure that McGonagall at least would be severely angry, but the Transfiguration teacher seemed rather impressed actually. She looked as if she was complimenting Professor Sprout on her new color. In fact, only Snape seemed upset, though Harry swore he saw the man's lip twitch once, though Harry was sure it had been a trick of his mind.
Laughter began softly at first, as one by one each teacher's hair began to alter in color. Umbridge stood up at once, fury in her pouchy eyes; however, when she opened her mouth to speak, a loud croak issued forth.
Umbridge's face turned crimson as the laughter became a roar. The squat teacher slapped her hands to her mouth, her eyes bulging with embarrassment.
"Oh, yes." Fred smiled triumphantly. "The Dialect Liquor. Changes your victim's voice into a very realistic animal sound. Comes in Toad, Lion, Elephant, Gorilla, and…"
Filch came rushing into the Great Hall, holding his throat and braying loudly like a donkey. His stringy hair was also Weasley red.
"Jackass." George finished.
"All of these items can be purchased at our new location in Diagon Alley!" Fred smiled.
"There is a fifty percent discount to all Hogwarts students who intend to use our products to cause mayhem for the Great Pink Toad!" George announced with a bow.
More laughter erupted at the Slytherin table as known members of the Inquisitorial Squad's hair all turned brilliant shades of Weasley red. Umbridge was pounding her fists on the Staff table, and pointing to teachers to get up and take the Weasleys. All of the other teachers looked confused by her hand motions. Umbridge tried to yell her orders but only loud croaks came out, making the Great Hall erupt in more laughter.
Finally, Umbridge took out her wand and aimed it at her throat. With a final loud croak, Umbridge somehow cancelled the effects of the spell on her voice. Almost. As she spoke, her false high girly speech was more of a deep toad like croaking.
"You two have gone too far this time." She snarled, her face burning red with embarrassment and anger. She aimed her wand at the two of them who stood before her proudly. "Mr. Filch, I have your first two troublemakers. You will give them each twenty lashes, before making them assist you in cleaning up the defacement on the third, fifth and sixth floors. I will be most pleased to see those swamps taken care of at last."
"Sorry to disappoint you." George smiled.
"Yeah. You see, we've had all we can stomach of you and your decrees." Fred chuckled.
"So, we decided to throw ourselves a going away party, and you were the entertainment."
"To the rest of the staff, don't worry, the effects will wear off in an hour. The Headmistress, however, will have that frog in her throat, and the gorgeous new hair for quite some time." Fred grinned.
"We gave her a special dose." George chuckled.
"CROAK! STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" Umbridge shouted as Fred and George began backing out of the Great Hall.
"Sorry, but we've got a schedule to keep." Fred waved. At that moment, two brooms came soaring into the Great hall from the ceiling windows that the Post Owls usually used.
Harry noticed something else as well. Peeves the poltergeist was slowly rising up behind Umbridge with a trumpet to his lips.
"STOP! Croak! SOMEONE STOP THEM!"
"Play us off, Peeves!" George said as he mounted his broom.
It sounded like a foghorn blast. Loud and very rude sounding, and it was right in the Headmistress' ear. Umbridge looked as if she'd been knocked over the head with a elephant-sized Bludgeor. Cheers rang up from the students as Fred and George did a victory lap about the Great Hall, before hovering in front of the Staff table and saluting the teachers.
"Professor Snape, we feel we should thank you most of all." Fred said.
"You were a right git, but your class proved to be the most beneficial to us." George smiled. "To Professor Severus Snape!"
The Great Hall broke into applause, and Snape looked mixed between pleased and murderous. Harry was sure he'd never been celebrated in his entire life and was unsure what he should be doing.
The twins snapped off a very respectful salute, to which Snape barely inclined his head, and the Weasley twins soared out of the castle and into Hogwarts legend forever.
For the rest of the weekend, no one saw nor heard from Professor Umbridge. She had locked herself away in her private quarters, presumably to try and fix what the twins had done to her. Fortunately, the images would never disappear, as Colin Creevey had managed to snap a few amazing shots of Umbridge with flaming red hair.
"I only wish it had sound." He said showing Harry and his friends Sunday morning.
"I doubt that will ever be forgotten." Neville smiled.
"I wonder what color hair someone would get if they already had red hair?" Hermione puzzled aloud.
The OWL exams started Monday morning and were scheduled to be spread out over the course of the next two weeks. They would sit for an exam on one day, and then get the next day off to review for the next subject. As Monday was scheduled to be for Transfiguration, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville were all pouring over five years of notes and quizzing each other diligently about the exam. Other fifth years joined them and soon all the Gryffindor Fifth years were studying hard together with one goal, to make Professor McGonagall proud.
On Monday morning, just after breakfast, all the fifth years were excused to the Entrance hall while the Great Hall was prepared for the exams. Daphne and Tracey caught up with their friends while they were waiting.
"Are you ready for this?" Tracey asked.
Daphne stood as close to Harry as she could under Professor Umbridge's watchful eye. The toad had finally appeared that morning with her disgustingly sweet girly voice returned at last, though her hair had a distinct pinkish hue now.
"I have missed you so much." She said earnestly. She wanted desperately to have his arms around her, but she didn't dare while Umbridge was watching. Several sixth year students had been expelled for breaking that particular rule. Daphne had heard a rumor that they were Muggleborns and that a few Pureblood students caught doing the same thing got off with detention only.
Given that Harry was high on Umbridge's list, Daphne didn't want to be the reason he got expelled.
"I've missed you, too. But I think we'll make up for it all over the summer." Harry smiled genuinely. They had been talking about arranging visits during the summer holidays, and Harry had even promised to take Daphne into the Muggle world for a movie like regular teenagers. After Harry had explained the concept, Daphne had gotten excited. She had once seen Muggle television and had enjoyed it immensely. This promised to be even better.
The Great Hall opened, and the students filed in. the four House tables were gone and individual desks were now arranged in four long rows. Everyone got a seat and the examiners introduced themselves. They explained how the written portions of the exams would work and then handed out the tests.
Harry had never been so glad for Hermione being his friend. Thanks to her insistence that they all review, Harry found that he had very little trouble with this part of the exam. He had a few points where he really had to rack his brain, but when time was called, Harry felt very strongly about his results.
Harry, Daphne, and the rest of Harry's friends headed out onto the grounds in the hour they had before lunch. Harry hoped he might get a chance to steal away with Daphne and make up for so much lost time. However, wherever they went, Draco Malfoy and his goons followed at a distance.
"I bet he's hoping you guys do something he can report to Umbridge." Tracey glared over her shoulder as the group climbed up on a large boulder near the Black Lake.
"Or, he's hoping to get a few pointers." Daphne quipped.
"I think Tracey is closer." Hermione growled.
"He's been following me around like a lost dog for weeks." Harry scowled. "He's been like my personal shadow."
"You should thank him." Ron smiled. Everyone looked at him as if he'd suddenly lost his mind.
"Thank him? What the hell for?" Harry asked.
"Think about it. Every time there's been anything dodgy going on around here, he's been a witness that you weren't involved."
"Actually, that's right." Daphne smiled, catching on. "He's been your personal alibi."
"I guess the polite thing then would be to thank him." Harry grinned, knowing how it would grate on the blonde Slytherin that he'd been helping Harry all this time.
"Oh, Harry, don't go provoking him now." Hermione whined as Harry climbed down from the boulder. The rest of his friends following him.
"I'm not provoking him, Hermione. I'm simply going to thank him for watching my back. Oy! Malfoy!"
Malfoy turned his head and glared at Harry as he approached. "What do you want, Potter?"
"I wanted to thank you for watching over me these past few weeks. If you hadn't, I'd probably have been kicked out of here." Harry smiled.
"What are you on about?" Draco asked, obviously confused.
"Well, if you hadn't been so diligent in watching my every move, Umbridge might have not believed I wasn't responsible for all the chaos around here. You've been a really great friend to me, and I just wanted to thank you."
Draco's pale face suddenly burned crimson with rage.
"I thought we were trying to get him kicked out?" Theodore Nott asked with surprise. "Is that why we've been following him all this time? To protect him?"
"Wasn't it?" Harry asked in mock surprise.
"No you idiot!" Malfoy snapped.
"But he just said…" Goyle grunted.
"He's messing with us!" Draco snarled.
"Wait a minute." Harry looked puzzled. "You weren't trying to be my friend?"
"I would never lower myself to be your friend, Potter. I'd rather…"
"Get caught snogging Umbridge?" Neville asked.
"Polishing your wand while looking at pictures of Lockhart?" Tracey suggested.
"Have 'Mudblood lover' tattooed on your chest?" Daphne grinned. "Or was it your bum?"
"Now, come on you guys." Harry said, his eyes intent on Draco's cold grey ones. "We all know his greatest ambition is to lick the boots of the powerful. His father's been teaching him how ever since he was a baby. It's a Malfoy family tradition to lick boots, isn't it, Draco."
"How dare you." Draco hissed, groping in his cloak for his wand. "I'll show you who licks boots!"
"Now, now, Draco, you know we're not allowed to use magic." Tracey scolded.
"Whatever would the High Inquisitor think if one of her own Squad broke the rules?" Daphne asked, feigning horror.
"And the captain, no less." Tracey looked pitifully at Draco, shaking her head.
Draco seemed to be thinking hard about what was said. He stared hard into Harry's eyes weighing his options. Sure, the Headmistress was on his side, but would she have his back with so many witnesses? And Potter hadn't even pulled his wand. He knew he'd have a better chance if Potter were wielding his wand as well.
Erring on the side of caution, Draco put his wand away.
"One day, Potter, you and I are going to settle things once and for all." Draco said menacingly.
"Draco, I eagerly await that day." Harry said fondly. Draco turned and walked away his goons following, hounding their leader with questions, and looking over their shoulders at Harry and his friends.
"That was …" Ron began looking thoroughly delighted. "BRILLIANT!"
"You shouldn't have said those things, Harry." Hermione chided.
"Because they were mean, or because they were true?" Harry smiled, and Hermione had a very difficult time keeping her face stoic. "Come on, let's eat. We're going to need the energy for this afternoon."
The next two weeks passed in a haze of exams, and Harry found himself losing sleep as he and his friends spent as much time as they could reviewing. The written portions had been fairly easy do to the immense amount of time they reviewed, but the practical portions had been more difficult, given they had been unable to practice magic within the school.
As a result, more and more students were becoming frustrated with their performances, and having more difficulty in performing magic when the time came. It was looking as if Umbridge's philosophy about understanding the theory being enough to get them through was a load of dragon dung.
The only consolation was that the examiners were aware of Umbridge's ban on magic performance, and seemed genuinely sympathetic. The bright spot for a select few had been on the Defense Against the Dark Arts practical, in which those who had been part of the DA performed brilliantly. Harry received many claps on the back and thank yous from his fellow DA members when they finished their practicals.
As well as studying for exams, Harry was still meeting with Snape for Occlumency lessons, which had progressed to Harry not being allowed his wand during their sessions. Harry had little difficulty in seeking out Snape's presence which had become increasingly more subtle. However, without his wand, it was very troublesome getting the great black git out of his head.
By the last day of exams, Harry was a wreck. The night before he had had his most tiring session with Snape yet, and his lack of sleep over the two weeks was catching up with him at last.
Thankfully, the last exam was for History of Magic, and there would be no practical exam that afternoon. Harry sat down and prepared to take his final exam along with the other fifth years, looking forward to a well deserved rest. There was only one week of school left, and all fifth years would not be doing any work. In fact, Professor Flitwick had promised that they would be having a party in his class.
"You may begin." The examiner called out, and as they had done for the past two weeks, the students bent over there parchment and began answering questions.
Once again, Harry was thankful that Hermione was so insistent on reviewing for everything, while at the same time, he began feeling a dull thud inside his skull. As tired as he was, Harry had a great deal of trouble focusing on his exam.
"During the Goblin Rebellion of 1450, who led the Goblin army against the wizards of York?" Harry read the question. He took a breath trying to think of the name of the Goblin general, when the face of his godfather appeared in his mind for a brief moment. Harry shook his head to clear it.
He had missed Sirius, but had been unable to speak to him since the mirror was now shattered. He didn't dare write as mail was being searched, and he couldn't use the floo as the were all being monitored. He knew that he'd be seeing his godfather soon, but he needed to focus on the exam.
"Get it for me."
It was a whisper, a cold hissing whisper. Harry looked up from his parchment to look around him. Had someone spoken to him? The dull thus in his head was becoming more insistent. Harry shook his head again, trying to clear it.
I'm tired. That's all. Finish this and you can take a nap or something. Harry told himself. Sirius' face flashed in his mind again. He wasn't smiling at all. He was staring defiantly up at someone. He looked as if he'd been beaten up.
He's fine. You're tired, and you're imagining things. Harry said firmly. Focus now.
He began to feel a prickle in his scar as the pounding in his head reached a fervent pitch. Harry gripped the sides of his desk tightly, breathing hard, and beginning to sweat.
What is happening to me? Harry wondered, looking around at all the other students who were intently focused on their tests.
"You will do as I command, Black. You will retrieve the prophecy, or you will die," the voice said in an almost loving intonation. Sinister, pale fingers reached out to wipe at the blood on Sirius' forehead. Sirius recoiled, and spit at the hand.
"You've wasted your time in bringing me to the Hall of Prophecies. I will never do your biding."
"We shall see. CRUCIO!"
Harry's scar burst with intense blinding pain, and he heard Sirius' cries in his mind. All around Sirius, Harry saw sparkling points of light, and many, many shelves. Sirius writhed and squirmed upon the obsidian floor at the feet of his captor.
"Retrieve the Prophecy, Black. You know it's location. Row 95. Retrieve it for Lord Voldemort, and you shall be free."
"NOOOOO!"
Harry screamed with his godfather and fell out of his seat, clutching at his head. He felt hands grabbing him, trying to calm him.
"HARRY!"
It was Daphne's voice. He heard Hermione and Neville as well.
"Back to your seats." A stern voice said. Slowly the pain rescinded and Harry's mind cleared. "Are you alright, young man?"
Harry's vision cleared and he could see the head examiner staring at him with concern.
"I'm…I'm ok. I think.
"Alright, then. This happens every year. Someone always has a bit of a break down. A bit of water and a few breaths of fresh air, and you'll be fine. But, it will have to wait. You still have time to finish your exam."
"NO!" Harry said quickly. "No, I mean, I think I've done all I could. Thank you." Harry said getting to his feet. He could see Daphne standing just behind the examiner.
"Very well, then. Off you get."
"I'm finished, too." Daphne said following Harry out of the Great Hall.
"What happened?" She asked as soon as they were outside.
"Voldemort." Harry said gravely. "He's got Sirius."