Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I own my original characters and my plot twists. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement.
Chapter Sixteen – Quibbler, Head Mistress, and O.W.L.s
Soon the new issue of the Quibbler appeared as owls descended on the Gryffindor table showering Harry with letters. Hermione suggested Harry open a specific one first and soon they were staring at Harry's head on the cover smiling back at them. It didn't take long before Umbridge was at their table wondering why Harry was receiving mail. She soon found out about the article and it was banned. They continued on with the D.A. meetings. However, they were quite surprised when Dobby showed up to warn them that they were found out. They quickly ran down the hallways to get free. Leo was practicing his transformations at least once a week and roaming through the Dark Forest in his lion form. He could tell the Centaurs were restless, and he attributed it to Firenze accepting the position of the new Divination Professor after Umbridge successfully sacked Professor Trelawney. Leo was sure running through the corridors as a platinum lion was quite conspicuous, but he also assumed no one was likely to attempt to attack him in that form.
He quickly made it to the top of Gryffindor tower and inside the common room. He burst up the stairs to the boys' dormitory with many people gapping at him in that form. He quickly transformed back before descending the stairs. He yelled, "Did anyone see that lion? It got to my dormitory before the illusion faded. Fred, George was that one of your new pranks?"
The twins looked at each other and back at him, "No, but it's a great idea."
He yawned, "Well, I'm quite tired so I think I'll go to bed." He walked back upstairs and climbed into bed. He really wanted to know what was going on, so he soon was quickly traveling through the corridors in his lion form again, but this time in its spiritual form. He soon went through the gargoyles and to the Headmaster's office to see the parchment being presented to Umbridge by Pansy Parkinson. Soon Dumbledore was confessing to creating the army and it lead to Fudge trying to take him into custody. Soon the whole room except for Harry and Professor McGonagall were knocked out. Dumbledore quickly conversed with Harry and McGonagall before disappearing in a burst of flames and disappearing with Fawkes, his phoenix.
When he woke up the next morning it was announced by notices all over the school that Professor Umbridge had replaced Dumbledore as Head Master. Leo had spread what he'd seen happened that night so soon the whole school was talking about it, and he overheard Ernie Macmillan say that he heard from the Fat Friar that the Headmaster's office was shut up tight. Apparently the friar had witnessed Umbridge throwing a huge fit outside of the gargoyle when it wouldn't let her in. No one was happy having the awful toad woman as their new Headmistress and soon Fred and George were getting restless, so they started off her first day with a bang. They let their whole supply of magical fireworks run rampant through the school and none of the teachers lifted a finger to help her get rid of them. Shortly after that came the Easter holiday and when Harry expressed as desire to speak with Sirius they offered him a distraction. On the first day back they offered to give him twenty minutes tops. They had managed to turn the east wing of the fifth floor corridor into a swamp.
Filch was excited that Umbridge and the Minister of Magic had approved whipping as a punishment and he expected to use a whip on the Weasley Twins. He was waving the form that apparently gave him the approval to whip the two.
"Very good, Argus," Umbridge complemented. "You two," she looked down at Fred and George, "are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school."*
"You know what?" Fred smirked, "I don't think we are." He turned to his twin, "George, I think we've outgrown full-time education?"*
"Yeah, I've been feeling that way myself,"* George smiled.
"Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?"*
"Definitely."*
Umbridge was turning purple from anger at their show and before she could spout a word the two simultaneously raised their wands, "Accio Brooms!"*
Their brooms had broken from the chains holding them down in Umbridge's office when she had banned all of them from Quidditch. They busted right through her door and flew into each of the twins' hands. Fred mounted his broom while informing Umbridge, "We won't be seeing you."*
"Yeah, don't bother to keep in touch,"* George added mounting his.
Fred looked around at the forming crowd made up of assembled students and loudly announced, "If anyone fancies buying a Portable Swamp, as demonstrated upstairs, come to number ninety-three, Diagon Alley – Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, our new premises."*
George pointed at Professor Umbridge, "Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they're going to use our products to get rid of this old bat."*
"STOP THEM!"* Umbridge shrieked but her newly formed Inquisitorial Squad wasn't quick enough. Fred and George used their Quidditch reflexes to shoot fifteen feet in the air.
Fred seemed to notice the floating poltergeist in the hallway and smiled, "Give her hell from us, Peeves."*
The last match of the Quidditch season was Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw and since Slytherin barely lost their match against Hufflepuff, they were still in the running for the Quidditch Cup. Since the breakup of the DA Leo was working with Ron and the visualizations. He believed if Ron could just believe in himself he was bound to be the Keeper he was meant to be. They quickly flew up and met the Ravenclaws on the field. He started looking around for the Snitch when the Captain Davies got the Quaffle it wasn't long before Ravenclaw had their first goal. Leo snuck a peek at Ron and realized he wasn't breathing as Slytherin started singing that infernal song. He watched as Ron closed his eyes for a moment and breathed. His eyes shot open as he watched the game. Leo knew that Ron had made the change and focused his attention on flying around looking for the Snitch. He was up against the Ravenclaw Seeker Cho Chang.
When Bradley started coming at him he glanced over and noticed that Ron was analyzing the situation. Leo continued to search for the Snitch when he heard Lee announce that Ron had blocked the Quaffle. Leo felt his heart swell knowing that they could win the game and the cup. He'd love to see the look on Draco's face when that happened. Chambers came after him five minutes later and again Leo listened to the announcement. He heard Gryffindor cheer as Katie Bell made a goal against Ravenclaw. When the score was Gryffindor fifty to Ravenclaw's ten Leo spotted the Snitch. He rushed toward it and was met by a determined Cho. They were neck and neck chasing after the Snitch. It flew downward and Leo dove, soon it was in his hand. He watched as Cho was crying in frustration and threw her broom down on the field before storming off.
Ron was being carried by the Quidditch Team singing:
Weasley is our King,
Weasley is our King,
He didn't let the Quaffle in,
Weasley is our king.**
Leo smiled as he heard the new lyrics being sung and looked around to see the look on his brother's face who was seated with Umbridge and the rest of her Inquisitorial Squad. He had a very sour look on his face and was glaring at Ron.
Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing;
Weasley is our King. **
The next couple of weeks were spent studying and reviewing for the upcoming O.W.L.s. Leo had been taking the same number of classes as Hermione and the two of them studied in the library for the courses the others weren't taking, which were Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Soon everyone was acting funny as they prepared for the two weeks of hell where everyone took their exams. The exams went by quickly and soon they were heading toward their final exam by attending the practical section of the Astronomy O.W.L. He was busy looking through his telescope marking his star chart based upon the locations of various celestial bodies when a ruckus at Hagrid's cottage drew his attention away. He had managed to almost finish his star chart when it occurred.
A loud Bang was heard from the grounds and several people including Leo muttered, "Ouch," from poking their eyes with their telescopes. Hagrid's door was burst open as the group of people being led by Umbridge was busy trying to stun him with red streaks of light. Leo decided against finishing up his star chart as it was only missing a couple of bodies, as he watched the scene unfold in horror.
One of the men yelled, "Be reasonable, Hagrid!"***
Hagrid's furious roar was heard from the tower, "Reasonable be damned, ye won' take me like this, Dawlish!"***
The group of people continued to surround him until one of the stunning spells caused him to fall to the ground. He quickly got up as it didn't affect him too much from his giant blood giving a howl of fury. He lifted the man responsible and flung him several feet and the man didn't get back up. Leo could tell that Hermione, Harry, and Ron were all surprised by this behavior.
"Look!"*** Parvarti squealed as light poured from the castle's main entrance.
The professor watching over the test anxiously reminded, "Now, really! Only sixteen minutes left, you know!"***
Leo ignored his comment and thought everyone else in the class might have as well. He was too busy staring at the figure running toward Hagrid's cabin to look around and evaluate the rest of the students. The figure shouted as she ran, "How dare you! How dare you!"***
Leo heard Hermione whisper, "It's McGonagall!"***
"Leave him alone! Alone, I say!" McGonagall's voice carried as she stopped and demanded, "On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such-"***
Several of the Gryffindor girls screamed when more than four stunners shot at her and four collided with her. She was illuminated by a red glow and hit the ground hard. Leo jumped when the overseeing professor shouted, "Galloping gargoyles! Not so much as a warning! Outrageous behavior!"***
Hagrid bellowed from below, "COWARDS! RUDDY COWARDS! HAVE SOME O' THAT – AN' THAT-"*** He managed to attack his closest attackers and knocked their heads together knocking them out. He bent over for a moment to pick up Fang's limp body and throw it over his shoulders .
Umbridge demanded, "Get him, get him!"***
Her remaining helper was reluctant to attempt anything against Hagrid. Soon Hagrid was sprinting toward the gates of the school with Fang still draped around him and disappearing into the darkness. The students fell into silence until the professor broke it with a feeble, "Um…five minutes to go everybody…"***
Leo attempted to look through his telescope to finish his chart but the scene that just played out continued to replay in his mind. Umbridge was beyond horrible and there was something that needed to be done about her. However, he knew there was nothing he could do. He wanted to bang his head against the wall for being too weak to stop her. He was not one to watch others suffer, as that was more of Draco's drive. Draco was the one who compartmentalized his compassion, pity, and regret. He soon handed his scroll over to the professor and walked back to Gryffindor tower. When he found everyone awake and discussing what happened, he trudged up to his dormitory not wanting to hear the discussion of the atrocity that occurred.
After finishing his History of Magic O.W.L., which he assumed he may have received an Acceptable but there was no way he achieved an Exceeds Expectations or an Outstanding, he quickly left the castle. He slowly approached the Dark Forest and he transformed into his lion form without his wand as he passed the outline trees. He needed to run. He needed to let off some steam and the safest way to venture into the forest was in his animal form. He knew the Centaurs were rioting and it was best for him to avoid bumping into them as a human.
He lost track of time as he ran and soon the sun was setting. He continued to run around until his sensitive ears picked up on some arguing at the edge of a clearing. He slowly approached and soon realized it was Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and Ginny. He overheard that Harry wanted to go to the Ministry of Magic but didn't want the latter three to accompany him. Leo knew that it was his chance to do something about that evil toad face. Plus he had heard that Sirius might be in trouble and there was no way he would something happen to that crazy cousin of his. He changed back and continue to listen to the discussion. As soon as he heard that they were going to fly on Thestrals and that a total of seven were now in the clearing he approached. He announced, "I'm going with you as well. However, one of you who can see them is going to have to help those of us who can't see them up." He already saw that Harry, Neville, and Luna were all floating in the air.
Luna smiled, "I will." She hopped off hers and helped each of them onto the invisible flying horses. Leo closed his eyes and felt the solid mass underneath his hands until he was wrapping his hands around its neck and resting his face in its main. He kept his eyes closed and Heard Harry announce that they wanted to go to the visitor entrance of the Ministry of Magic. He wasn't sure what was going to happen but soon he felt the wind in his hair as he kept his eyes closed. He didn't want to look down and see nothing below him. He had a strong feeling the sight would make him sick.
Leo didn't know how long they'd been riding. He knew that he stayed as still as possible because he had no way of knowing where the animal was underneath him other than by touch. It was cold and he felt frozen in the night air as he wished that he'd worn his winter coat. Soon he let out a gasp as he slid forward and he felt like he was on a rollercoaster as the animal he was riding dove. He could only assume that they had reached the Ministry. He kept his eyes closed and as soon as it touched the ground he rolled off with his eyes still closed. He opened his eyes and staggered. He agreed with Ron's comment that he'd never ride one again. Leo was still in shock as he silently followed the others toward a battered looking red telephone booth. He managed to cram into it with the other six people as Harry demanded whoever was closest to the receiver to dial six, two, four, four, and two.
Leo watched as Ron managed an almost contortionist move to press the buttons. A cool female voice sounded in the booth, "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."****
"Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger," Harry started and quickly added, "Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Leo Rosier…We're here to save someone, unless your Ministry can do it first!"****
The voice sounded, "Thank you. Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes."**** Seven badges slide out of the metal coin return. Hermione scooped them up and handed them over Ginny's head to Harry. The voice continued, "Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."****
Harry rubbed his scar as he almost shouted, "Fine! Now can we move?"****
Leo closed his eyes as the phone booth sank into the pavement. Leo hadn't been to the Ministry before and he was unsure of what to expect. He opened his eyes when the woman's voice sounded, "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant evening."****
The telephone booth door opened up and everyone toppled out. The large room was silent but for the sound of the golden statue in the center where a witch and wizard stood in the center with a Centaur, House Elf, and Goblin looking up at them as if they were the saviors. Leo tried to stifle a laugh. How preposterous was that statue? They all should be equal rather than staring up at the magic wielders. Though it was trying to present a vision of equality, it was still holding the witch and wizard on a higher level and saying more about superiority than equality. Leo tore his eyes from the statue and continued to follow the group through the Atrium. They were all following Harry as he seemed to be the only one who'd recently been to the Ministry. Leo watched as Harry pressed the down button and a lift with golden grills appeared. They walked into the lift and Harry mashed the number nine. The elevator went down and soon the same female voice sounded, "Department of Mysteries."****
A/N: This seems like a good place to end this chapter. I know it was a bit rushed but a lot of things happened that spring. I also no longer wish to draw out this part of the fiction out too much more. The next book I will have quite a bit more separate from Harry and thus not so much quoted from the book.
* All of this dialog is quoted from chapter twenty-nine of The Order of the Phoenix (2003) and thus belongs to JK Rowling, page 674-675 of my copy respectively.
** Weasley is our King lyrics come from chapter thirty of The Order of the Phoenix (2003), page 701.
***All dialog quoted from chapter thirty-one, pages 720-722
****Dialog quoted or paraphrased from chapter thirty-four page 768-769