A/N: English is my second language, so I'm doing the best I can with the checking of the word processor. This chapter was revised by doRodrigo.

A/N 2: I'll give no excuses for the long wait for this chapter besides how difficult it was for me to write it. This story started with a one, or possible, two-shots and grew beyond my plans. So took me some time to put this together. I hope you approve of it.

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

The NEWTs arrived too quickly for Ron and Harry, and not soon enough for an anxious Hermione.

The day of the first test, the trio entered the designated room at the Wizarding Examination Authority department inside the Ministry of Magic building to find a dozen other teens already seated there.

"Home schooled," whispered Hermione to the boys before she went to find a front row desk to sit.

Ron and Harry exchanged a knowing look and went to find places close by their studious friend.

The independent NEWTs tests were much like the ones performed at Hogwarts. The tests were separated in theoretical and practical, when applicable, and spread out through two weeks at the middle of August.

When the final test was done, the trio seated at a quiet spot at the entrance hall of the Ministry to chat while they waited for Mr. Weasley to leave work, so they could go together back to the Burrow.

"The independent NEWTs don't happen every year," Hermione was in her explanation mode.

Harry and Ron recognized it as a way for the young woman to calm down after the stressing tests.

"Only when there are home schooled students of age they set up this option. I read in Hogwarts: a History that they always try to invite de students to have their tests together with the Hogwarts' ones, but they usually refuse."

"Well, if their parents choose to home school them, I don't think they would want anything to do with Hogwarts at all," Harry said, not really paying attention to the talk, but more intend in watching the come and goings of the Ministry.

"It seems a useless prejudice to me," Hermione stated.

"I can't imagine you agreeing in staying away from school, Hermione," Ron joked.

"Well, there might be reasons…" Hermione was interrupted by Harry's question.

"Whom Marchbanks is arguing with?"

"What?"

"She's over there, looking really pissed, talking with someone that's behind that column," Harry explained.

"Maybe someone isn't happy with the NEWTs or OWLs' results," Ron wondered.

"Who would be arguing this now, in the middle of the Ministry Atrium?" Hermione commented.

"Someone who thinks she can do anything," Harry answered, getting up and walking toward the old witch.

"Harry?" Hermione and Ron stood up to follow him and the young woman gulped while Ron cursed when they identified who was Griselda Marchbanks' interlocutor.

"…better for the Wizarding world," it was all Harry was able to hear from the toad's speech.

"The problem with this phrase is that we probably disagree in what's best for the Wizarding world," Harry said in clipped tones, stopping by the side of the older of the two witches.

"Mister Potter…" She sent an evil look at him. "This is not your concern…"

"Since you're talking about the world where I live in and with the head of the examiners just after I finish my NEWTs, I have a bad feeling that yes, this does concern me."

"We are trying to discuss some ideas for the betterment of our society, Mr. Potter, and you're still too young to understand…" Umbridge tried to cut him off.

"I'm not a child anymore. I can certainly say that I had a very short childhood. And since I spent the last year planning and making certain to destroy the threat of the Death Eaters and since I personally destroyed Voldemort, while most of the witches and wizards were hiding under their beds, I can assure you, I'm not too young for anything!" Harry answered forcefully.

"Quite right, Mr. Potter!" Griselda Marchbanks said. "Since your ideas, madam," she turned to Umbridge with a sarcastic tone, "interfere directly in Mr. Potter's live, and the lives of other young people, I believe that they have more than enough reason to make their opinions heard."

Dolores Umbridge couldn't control the distaste that showed in her face. "I don't think the middle of the corridor of the Ministry is the place to discuss this…"

"Then bring it to the Wizengamot," Marchbanks responded. "Instead of trying to ambush me and do this behind everybody's back! But make no mistake madam," the sarcasm was back, "I, for one, will fight you every step of the way!"

This time the evil eye was directed to the older woman. "Maybe you can learn to appreciate the good intentions behind my purpose, madam," Umbridge said and turned away.

"I never encounter one single drop of good intentions in that witch," Griselda Marchbanks whispered just loud enough for Harry, Ron and Hermione to hear.

"What was all that about?" Ron asked.

"That… woman ambushed me after the NEWTs and tried to press a new 'Educational Degree'!" Marchbandks was really peeved.

"What this one was supposed to be?" Hermione asked.

"She wanted to test the magical potential of all NEWTs students and then indicate what careers they could follow."

"What? She's going to be the one to choose our job?" Ron asked aghast.

"Well, that what she's planning! But I told her! This time I won't just quit the Wizegamont, I'll pull a racket there to stop this nonsense!" Marchbanks was getting red in the face and her voice was rising in indignation.

"That's even possible?" Harry asked. "To test the magical potential of someone?"

"Well, there's a theory really. We never did it. It's a bit like divination. People are different and react differently, so the test was never considered much accurate. I don't even know why she's trying to bring this back on."

"Oh, but I know," Harry squinted his eyes in two thin and menacing green lines. "I have a pretty good idea why that witch went after some bogus idea like that. And this time I won't just sit quietly waiting for her to put her plans in action," he finished, turned around and started walking back to the entrance hall of the Ministry.

"Mr. Potter…" Griselda Marchbanks tried to call him back.

"I'm sorry, Madam, he's a bit peeved right now. I believe we will be in contact about the results of ours NEWTs," Hermione said and quickly run after his friend.

"Ah, sorry," Ron apologized while starting to go after his girlfriend and Harry. "More savings to do, I think!"

And the three youngsters' ran out of the corridor, leaving a surprised witch behind.

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"Harry, maybe we could think a bit more about it…" Hermione was trying to talk to his friend.

The trio was sited at the living room at the Burrow, apparently immerse in some kind of planning and discussion when Arthur Weasley walked out of the fireplace. He had expected to meet his youngest son and his friends at the Ministry Atrium and them come back home, but when he arrived at the meeting point the security guard informed him that the teens had already left, after some kind of altercation between them and Griselda Marchbanks and Dolores Umbridge. Arthur hurried home, worried about what all that meant. Umbrige was still the Undersecretary of the Minister and the witch really liked to wave her office around. If she was trying to mess with the Head of the Examinations Department, then the NEWTs results of the independent students, and even the Hogwarts' students, were in jeopardy. Arthur walked slowly toward the teens, trying to find out what was going on.

"I know we were awfully lucky with all the Voldemort business Hermione, but that doesn't mean I'll let that toad do the damage that the Death Eaters' couldn't!" Harry was really angry.

"I know! And I agree!" Hermione tried again. "I'm just saying that we might want to think carefully about it."

"This time I'll strike as soon as I can. I'll not wait and see what else she wants. I'll do whatever I can to curb this right here and right now."

Ron was following the discussion a lot like a Muggle would follow a tennis game, looking from one to the other, not quite knowing what might happen next.

"But if you're too hasty about it, it might hurt you even more," Hermione said.

"Well, right now, the only thing hurting me is that woman in a place where she can harm me," Harry answered.

"Children," Arthur Weasley tried but was taken aback by the fierce glances he received from the three young people. "Harry, Hermione," Arthur tried again. "Maybe I can help. I work at the Ministry; I know how things work in there. If you tell me what got you so worried…"

Hermione immediately calmed down and approached the older man. "Mr. Weasley, we found out that Umbridge is trying to bring back the test of magical potential together with the NEWTs."

"What?!" Arthur was beyond surprised.

"She wants to do what the Death Moochers couldn't!" Harry exclaimed. "She wants to control and push us to dead end jobs where we would be under her heel! I didn't spend the last year running around after Voldy's pieces just to roll over and play dead for that toad!"

"Harry, calm down," Hermione tried again.

"No," everyone was surprised with Ron's interruption. "I think Harry's right. We can't deal with it gently; we have to steamroll over that toad."

"Ron, don't use…" But the comment Mr. Weasley was about to do was interrupted by Harry.

"No, Mr. Weasley! She's a toad and a lot more! And she doesn't deserve any kind of respect! Not even for her age!"

"Yeah, dad, she was a real…" Ron controlled his choice of word. "Pain in Hogwarts and now she's trying again. If she wins this, she'll know about our magical potential and will choose where put us for the rest of our lives. I don't want to sit behind a desk in the Ministry for the next hundred years… No offence, dad."

"None taken, son. Each person is cut out for a different job. And work in something you really hate is not going to help anyone."

"Think about it, Hermione," Harry turned back to his friend. "What if she decides that you have to work at the… I don't know… The Department of Magical Games and Sports! Instead of the research area you want so much!"

"She wouldn't!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Of course she would, Hermione!" Ron said. It was a bit weird to be the logical one in a discussion with Hermione. "She would do anything to down-grade Muggleborns in general and Harry's friends specially. And she would make you read and follow all the stupid rules she was able to come up with, I'll bet!"

Hermione sat down with a lost look in her face.

"You're thinking that she would do that for the right reasons, Hermione?" Harry asked with a sneer. "She's doing it out of spite because we won and took away her excuse as following Voldemort's preachers. She's doing that to push us away, not to help improve the Wizarding world."

"I… I know…" Hermione said in a low voice. "I… I just thought… Maybe her intention is bad but the idea could be used…"

"No, Hermione," Harry stated. "Any kind of interference and control of the individual life can be abused too easily. It's much better to put the departments and professionals to make speeches to the Hogwarts' students to try and draw people for these jobs than just push them into whatever place they need them."

Harry turned his back to the people in the room and spoke really quietly but they heard him easily enough. "It was just what Dumbledore did to me. He didn't ask for my help or explain what he needed. He just pushed me into a position where I had to do what he wanted or die trying. Or worse, live with the remorse of failing."

"Oh, Harry," Hermione sobbed and hugged her friend.

The silence filled the room. But it didn't last long because the sound of the floo brought attention to the arrival of the twins.

"Good night…"

"fellow Weasleys!"

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"Why won't you tell us your plan, Harry?" Hermione whined.

"So you may be surprised as everyone else, Hermione. Then nobody would be able to say you planned this," Harry answered calmly.

They had just arrived at Diagon Alley. Harry had pushed them through the Burrow's door soon after they finished breakfast. The only thing he would say is that they had things to do at the shopping street.

Ron was happy in just come along, trusting his friend would be able to do what was necessary to take care of the evil toad's plans.

Hermione, on the other hand, didn't deal well with being out of the loop of anything and was quite anxious about Harry's plans, since he wouldn't tell them anything. She knew something needed to be done but didn't really trust her friend to be cool headed about it.

Harry was walking with a carefree air around himself. He had his hands in his trousers' pockets and he was almost whistling. Anyone who was careful enough to pay attention to his face would see a determinate and almost giddy shine in his eyes. The Marauder's heir had finally come out to play.

When the trio was close to the bookstore, things seemed to fall in place even better than Harry had planned. Hermione, Ron and Harry were blocking the entrance of the shop when Rita Skeeter practically jumped Harry, asking questions with her electric green quill floating by her side. From the other side came Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass, talking quietly and trying not to call attention to themselves. But the said group formed at the shop entrance, the two Slytherin girls had to stop and listen.

"Harry, come on, give a little something to this old friend here," Rita asked in her better seductive voice, which make Harry a bit sick to his stomach.

"I already answered your questions at the ceremony, Rita, what else you want?" Harry answered, feigning a bored tone and look.

Hermione was ready to intervene when Ron just grasped her hand and hold tight.

"Any new ideas on how things should be done from now on? Maybe some advice for the Minister?" Skeeter's bug eyes shined with malice.

Harry could only thank any gods listening right now for the perfect opening for him.

"It seems that the Minister isn't very keen on listening to any advice I might give, Rita," he said, trying his best to look disappointed. "After all, he's keeping the Death Eaters' sympathizers close to him at the government, which should be proof enough of that."

"And who they might be?" The woman was almost skipping in excitement.

"You can start with our ex-Defense teacher. After all, she did use a dark object to torture students while in Hogwarts. If she can be so callous with children, one must wander of what else she's capable of."

"You're talking about Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge?" Rita exclaimed.

At that point Pansy and Daphne tried to turn around and get out of the scene but a small crowd had formed around the group, happy to see the hero of the Wizarding world up close and eager to hear what he might say. The Slytherin girls were trapped close to the trio and the excited reporter with no means to escape.

"She's the only Ministry employee that worked as a teacher in Hogwarts, as far as I know," Harry answered.

"And what dark object she used to torture you, poor students?" Rita asked with a hungry look upon her face.

"A blood quill," Harry's answer brought a collective gasp from the people around them. Rita almost jumped in excitement with the juice gossip that opened up so many opportunities for her incendiary articles.

"And what did she do with it?"

"She assigned detention to anyone who disagreed with her closed vision of the Wizarding world and we had to write lines with that damned quill."

"We?!" Rita saw an even better opportunity here. "You also had to use the blood quill?"

"In a matter of fact," Hermione interrupted, understanding Harry's plan now. "Harry was the first one that had detention with Ms. Umbridge, when he insisted about Voldemort's return. And he was also the one with most detentions. I think it amount to a few weeks worth in the end."

Even with the typical time lapse for the gasping around Voldemort's name, the comment produced the intended impact.

"Harry still have the scar in his hand," Ron helped.

Rita immediately grabbed Harry's right hand and examined the 'I must not tell lies' scar.

"That is awful," the reporter said but her tone implied exactly the opposite.

"And now she wants to do even more, she wants to re-introduce an old ritual that gives the Ministry a recorded register of the potential magical core of any student." Harry pulled his hand out from the woman's grasp and plunged ahead with his plan.

"What?" Rita was so lost in her thoughts about how and what she would write on the blood quill situation that she lost Harry's last information. But the crowd around him was entranced in his words and it was already agitated with his news.

"Umbridge is trying to re-instate the test of magical core so the Ministry can decide the best job for any wizard and witch," Harry continued. To wrap up his plan, he turned toward Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass and brought the Slytherin girls into the conversation.

"What you would think, Greengrass, if after this test Umbridge informs you that you will have to be the new Potions teacher at Hogwarts? After all, your family is all into potions and its ingredients, right?"

"I don't see what this have to do with anything," Daphne tried to escape.

"But if Umbriedge start this test again, everybody would be tested and push into whatever job she thought was best. And, if I remember correctly, you weren't that fond of Potions at the school." Harry turned completely toward the girls but kept an eye at Rita and how much attention she was paying to the conversation. And it was enough to guarantee that the story would appear at the Daily Prophet as he had planned.

"We would never submit to this, Potter," Pansy intervened and ignored her friend trying to shut her up. "The old families don't need, or accept, this kind of interference from the Ministry. Only Mud… new additions need this kind of directions."

At least Parkinson got herself before using the offensive term. But everyone around them knew what she intend to use. Ron's ears started to get red and Hermione had to grip tighter at her boyfriend's hand so he wouldn't retaliate. Harry's only show of displease was the narrowed of his eyes.

"As I thought, it's just another Death Eater plot. What will happen when people like Hermione test higher than half the purebloods?"

"And who cares? They would never go anywhere" Pansy exclaimed and the same time that Daphne held her hand and said: "Pansy!"

Harry stared hard at the brunette until she lowered her head and fidget. He looked around, facing the crowd and said in a clear voice: "I care. And Hermione will go as far as she wants in her career because bigots like you will never be able to stop her.I didn't destroy one dark lord to just let a stupid government toad keep doing his dirty job. Let's see who else I can find that 'cares' about hidden Death Eaters trying to run the Ministry."

And then Harry forced his way through the crowd with Ron and Hermione hot on his heels. The trio went toward the Leaky Cauldron while Rita Skeeter ran to her newspaper to write the first of a series of articles that her vicious mind had already half written. Pansy and Daphne turned around and fled the place because of the angry looks they were getting and the gossip started at the Alley with Harry's words repeated and commented all around.

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Ron and Hermione followed Harry through the pub and toward the fireplace and jumped right after him, repeating the address: "Longbottom's Manor".

The couple exited the floo to find Harry already in deep conversation with Neville, while Susan Bones and Luna Lovegood watched with amused smiles.

"Hello Hermione, Ron," Susan said. "What's going on?"

"Harry jumped off the floo like a horde of Snugling Snurfs were following him," Luna stated.

Hermione didn't even blink before the Ravenclaw's words. She was learning to not get peeved by Luna's comments anymore.

"We found out yesterday that Umbridge is trying to instate a new regulation that gives the Ministry the power to choose our jobs for us," Hermione informed.

"What?" Susan's screamed surprised.

Luna just nodded sadly. "It's the Furlings all over again. That's why they went to another world. To escape the Ministry's mating regulations."

Neville and Harry approached the group and they started to plan how to spread the correct information around, before Rita Skeeter could create too much confusion with her most probably dubious article.

Harry wanted the information published and discussed so Umbridge and the Minister would have to deal with a lot of upset people (and if Rita did her job right, a lot of angry howlers).

But Harry also needed the correct information getting to the right ears, so the correct powerful group of people could go up against this new attempt in bigotry.

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TBC…