A/N: Umbridge is annoying in canon; in here she's going to be downright nasty. I always thought we saw her truly when she was about to cast the Cruciatus in OOTP. Also, people say they hate Zachary, after the first part of this chapter I say that James Potter in here gives me the shivers.

Chapter Five- Financial Backers & Ostracized

The Ministry of Magic was one of the grandest buildings in magical Europe. From the glorious and beautiful vaulted Atrium to the luxurious private office of the Minister it oozed power, wealth and old blood. It was also one of the most corrupt places in the magical world. People who had money and influence held the most power. The amount of power and wealth required was almost exclusively limited to the old pureblood families. Thus any Muggleborn in the Ministry had to work hard to pass through the most basic, humble positions.

Or use less than socially acceptable methods to gain the position they desired. Favors to the pureblood families of all kinds were common. More than one woman seeking to improve her lifestyle had ended up a disgrace when it had been discovered that she'd slept with a pureblood Lord to gain her position. Of course, the Lord himself was above reproach, after all, the greatest and wealthiest patriarch of the magical world was still only human. It was almost exclusively considered the fault of the woman when such a tryst was discovered.

This was the main reason Lord James Godric Potter was less than concerned if anyone found out about his relationship with Rita Skeeter. The woman thought she had control of the situation, but he could ruin her in an instant. Striding through the opulent hallways that led to the Minister's office, he smiled coldly. This hallway would be his by the end of this year. He had grand plans, those plans accounted for his shiny, perfect behavior as he supported the idiot Cornelius Fudge.

Striving to make his face impassive, he seethed inwardly when he saw Lucius Malfoy leaving the Minister's office. The powerful blonde Death Eater had a few things coming, he promised himself. The Malfoy name would be worth less than dirt by the end of his precious, perfect Zachary's 6th year. Your association with the squibling Rial Black will be your ruin, he thought, communicating it with his eyes.

The patriarch looked back at him with eyes as cold and hard as silver crystal. Thin, curved lips parted over perfect teeth in a small smile that could be better described as a snarl.

Aware that Percival Weasley, Cornelius' junior undersecretary, was watching, James gave a perfectly warm, friendly smile back. He turned to the blonde and said, "I had heard about your recent success in the Muggle horse racing industry. Congratulations, according to some talk amongst the purebloods there is a great deal of opportunity for wealth in the equine industry."

"Thank you," Lucius replied curtly. "I would enjoy discussing this with you later, for now I have to leave for a meeting in France."

"Good day to you, then," James answered. He turned back to Percival, feeling triumphant. He had achieved his goal, proving himself the gracious, friendly socialite and letting Lucius show off his severe lack.

"Is Cornelius in?" he asked.

"Yes sir, would you like me to see if he is available for a moment?"

"That would be wonderful," James smiled.

Percival disappeared and returned with a beaming smile as he pushed his horn-rimmed glasses up his slim nose. "He is available and would be delighted to speak with you, Lord Potter."

"Thank you Percy. Your mother says hello, by the way. She was wondering if you and your girlfriend Penelope would be available for afternoon tea one of these days."

Percy bobbed a short bow in thanks and walked back to his desk.

James opened the solid oak door and drifted into the Minister's office. With portraits of the various personages that had held this office covering two walls, it looked quite similar to the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. The large mahogany desk was the most coveted object in the government of magical Great Britain. James allowed himself to stare at it for a moment, since Cornelius was facing the window. A small, predatory smile curved the edge of his mouth.

He stepped around it to join Cornelius by the window, trailing one finger possessively along the trim. "Good day, Cornelius. How is the debate going over the reorganization of the Magical Creatures Department?"

"Slowly but surely," Cornelius replied. "It would be more certain with your help."

"Would 100,000 votes help?" James said casually.

"Indeed, that would be more than sufficient. How is your wife Lily?"

James grimaced as he remembered the conversation he'd had with his wife the other day. "Well, though she misses her precious Zachary already. We both do."

"Yes, but his education is an important thing. You both love your son very much, don't you?"

"He is our flame in the cold winter that approaches, Cornelius," James said cryptically, prodding the wound that was the Dark Lord's return so that it bled anew.

"Indeed," Cornelius sounded nervous. "How much trouble do you think the Slytherin students are going to be for Dolores?"

"Hopefully none, though I regretfully admit that one of the main instigators of that house is likely to be Rial Black. The boy is unstable and the mark on his face will cause unrest."

"However," James looked up and walked toward Cornelius, holding his eyes persuasively, "if I were in your illustrious position, I would give Dolores permission to do what she thinks necessary if students become out of hand."

"Would you ever want this position, Lord Potter?"

Ignoring his desire to shout 'Yes, that is what I want and will have' James sighed, smiled wryly and said, "No, Cornelius. The duties of this office are heavy indeed and I doubt they are for me."

Looking down at his heavy silver watch he started, (as if he had not planned the exact timing of this visit), and said, "Good Merlin, look at the time! I must beg your leave, Cornelius. I am meeting with Rufus Scrimgeour and Kingsley Shacklebolt in 20 minutes; I do not want to be late."

"Go, Lord Potter. I understand the importance you place on punctuality."

Smiling, he exited. He was in an excellent mood. He actually needed to be at their location in 25 minutes, but first he had to make a stop by the Gringotts automatic transfer.

He briskly strode to the location and retrieved one of the special parchments. Gringotts had started making these for transfers from accounts and they were quite convenient. He filled in a number on the account it was being transferred from and another in the 'to' slot. 100,000 votes of course meant to him 100,000 Galleons.

Filling in the amount he resisted a smirk. When it was revealed Cornelius had been taking funding no one would ever know it had been coming from him. He'd set up a special account under an alias at a Gringotts branch in Switzerland. Thus Cornelius would take a grand fall and he would remain on a pedestal, impervious to the Minister's likely accusations that the funds had come from him. After all, there was no way to trace Lord James Godric Potter to Ulrich Van Buren.

In a very good mood, he threw the slip into the open Floo grate and watched as it disappeared. Staring at the Potter signet ring on his finger he chuckled roughly. If he had it his way, the heavy Ministry signet would be on his second finger by the end of January. The next thing he did was write a note to his 'dear wife' Lily informing her that he would be held over for a meeting in Spain. The last was a small note to Rita, suggesting a private dinner at a restaurant in Barcelona.

Rita may be a reporter, but she was pretty enough to soothe his needs. Lily didn't understand the manipulations and cunning that was necessary for the successful career he had. Regretfully it was becoming more apparent that he would need to put Lily aside legally, before she did something to embarrass him. She had given him Zachary and by marrying her he'd infuriated little Snivellus. He'd known that theirs was only a platonic friendship, but he'd still greatly enjoyed driving them apart. Still, his duties and loyalty to her were long done.

Gracefully he made his way out of the Ministry building and Apparated. It wouldn't do to be late to his meeting in Muggle London. After all, he was quite firm in his opinions of punctuality.

Rial made his way to the Slytherin table, looking forward to the beginning of his classes. He had not given himself an easy schedule this year. He was taking History of Magic, Herbology, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. He had the exact same schedule as both Draco and Blaise. Pansy was taking Divination and Care of Magical Creatures instead of Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, she said that Care of Magical Creatures was an easy 'O' when taught by Professor Grubbly-Plank, instead of the oaf Hagrid, who had been fired the previous year.

Theodore Nott was also in his Transfiguration, Astronomy and Charms classes. When he spotted the 5th year he stiffened before forcing himself to relax and taking his usual seat across from Blaise. The chatty Italian boy was discussing their classes and wondering how the schedule would be set up. Draco snorted and said, "Potions, Defense and Charms will be with the Gryffindorks, you just wait and see. Herbology will be with the Puffs, Astronomy, Transfiguration and Ancient Runes will probably be with the Ravens."

"I know for a fact we always have Potions with the Dorks," Rial snorted. "Severus was bemoaning that fact just the other day on my last Occlumency lesson before the start of term. Mostly for my dad's reaction, I think."

"Your dad was the only Black in Gryffindor," Pansy piped up. "His mother Walburga always thought that was a failing of his, but a great deal of the purebloods see it as his dedication to being an individual and not just another name on the precocious Black family tree."

"Dad told me he never got along with his mother. He said he was completely shocked when the Hat put him in Gryffindor. He said it was always embarrassing to be able to say that he was a descendant of the most unpopular Headmaster Hogwarts ever had."

Blaise snorted with laughter as Draco drawled, "Phineas Nigellus. His portrait is in the Headmaster's office. He's got a bit of a nasty temper, I've heard. He's always been counted on for arguing with whatever the Headmaster says, according to Sev."

"Dad told me he's never gotten along with Phineas after he flipped him off when he was 15. Phineas was giving his opinion on Dad's behavior toward his mother and Sirius got annoyed."

Torian started shaking with laughter. "He flipped off one of his own great-grandfathers? I know your dad's a character, but I didn't realize how far he'd go!"

"Needless to say," Rial snickered, "the conversations between Phineas and Dad are about as warm as a glacier in the middle of winter."

"Phineas Nigellus is an old, stuck up pureblood with rigid views," a snarky voice drawled over his shoulder. "Your father did what he did because he knew it would bug him the most."

"Good morning sir," Rial said, craning his head around to smile at Professor Snape.

Onyx eyes sparkling he replied, "And a good morning to you, 5th years. Here is your schedule. The first class you have today, since this is Tuesday, is Defense Against the Dark Arts. Do what you can to not provoke Madam Umbridge, please. She is a very good friend of both the Minister and Lord James Potter."

The Slytherin 5th years resisted rolling their eyes and replied, "Yes sir."

"Good. Tryouts for the open positions of Chaser, Beater and Seeker will be held on Saturday at 11:30 sharp. The Team Captain is Fawcett. I expect a better year than 3rd, when we lost to Potter and his Gryffindors."

Rial led the way up to the Defense classroom, walking next to Theodore Nott. The Slytherin said quietly, "I'm sorry if I upset you yesterday, Rial. I didn't realize I was staring at you."

"It's all right, Theodore. I didn't mean to snap at you; it just seemed that every time I looked up you were looking directly at me. It was a bit unnerving."

They walked into the Defense classroom and took their seats on the right side of the room. At precisely the time class was scheduled to start the door slammed shut behind them, making no few students jump. Umbridge made her way down the stairs from her office, wearing the pink cardigan from yesterday.

"When you take your OWLs, the doors will shut and lock at the precise second. So for the entirety of this year, I will be doing the same with your classes," she said in her girly, breathy voice.

As the students began retrieving their wands she said, "Wands away, children. We will be studying a Ministry-approved curriculum this year due to your astonishing lack of proper instruction. Remove your books and read chapter one, Basics for Beginners."

Rial had already read the entire chapter but pulled out the book anyways along with a quill and parchment to take notes. He heard a click of heels stop next to his desk and looked up. There was a frigid smile on Umbridge's face as she said, "Why do you have a quill and parchment out, child?"

Refusing to let his temper bristle at the form of address he said, "I was going to take notes as I read, Professor."

"Did I say you could take notes? Put the quill and parchment away, now. Attempting to show up your fellow students is less than admirable, little Slytherin."

Rial's jaw clenched. "My name is Rial Black, Professor. I am not attempting to show up the students, writing down notes helps me study things later."

"10 points from Slytherin for speaking out of turn and back-talking a teacher, little Slytherin. Put away the quill and parchment, now."

Rial just barely resisted shoving the quill back in the bag hard enough to break it. This woman was going to try his patience considerably by the end of the year. He did not appreciate being talked to as if he were a five-year-old.

"Professor?" Zachary asked.

"Yes, Mr. Potter," she trilled.

"I've read the chapter. May I take some notes for later?"

"Of course, Mr. Potter. Dedication to your studies is admirable. 10 points to Gryffindor."

Rial tensed in rage. So this was how Defense was going to go, was it? Well, he could always fight fire with fire. However, it was so much better to fight fire with ice. They had double Potions tomorrow with Professor Snape and it would be payback, double time.