I do not own Harry Potter. Charlotte Potter is my OC.

Direct quotes from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are in bold.

The Arrival of Dolores Jane Umbridge

The carriages reached the magnificent castle of Hogwarts and students spilled out, merging in one great flow for the great oak doors. Charlie cast a final glance at the black, skeleton-like horses, brow furrowed in confusion.

Why is it that Luna and I can see them, but no one else can?

Harry tugged on her elbow, bringing her from her thoughts and steering her into the steadily moving crowd. "Everything okay?" he asked as they trailed behind Ron and Hermione.

"Yeah, everything's fine," she said.

They climbed the stone steps and entered the Entrance Hall, which was illuminated with the glow from the torches. They entered the Great Hall, where they all split off. Ron shuffled over to sit with Neville, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan at the Gryffindor table. Harry plopped down beside Hannah Abbott at the Hufflepuff table Hermione and Charlie found seats together at the end of the Ravenclaw table, with Luna disappearing back behind The Quibbler.

"Is it just me, or is everyone staring at me?" asked Charlie in a low voice, glancing down at her golden plate.

Hermione flicked her eyes around the room, and there were indeed many pairs of eyes trained on the Girl-Who-Lived, soft whispers being exchanged as they stared. "Honestly," she huffed. "I don't know how anyone can believe that rubbish."

Charlie rested her chin against the palm of her hand. "It's not farfetched rubbish," she felt the need to point out. "For all intents and purposes, I could be insane."

"But you're not."

"The jury is still out on that one."

Hermione shook her head and turned to look at the High Table, where the staff of Hogwarts were seated. "Hagrid's not there."

"Didn't think he would be," sighed Charlie, following her friend's gaze. "Professor Grubbly-Plank is only ever here to fill in for him. I didn't see any lights on in his hut either. He's probably still doing…stuff."

Despite not clarifying what she meant by stuff, due to the tight-knit seating arrangement of the Ravenclaws, Hermione knew what she was getting at. "I hope he isn't hurt or anything."

"I'm sure he's fine. He'll be back before we know it."

Hermione nodded, taking one more sweep of the staff table. Her eyes froze on a new, unrecognizable addition. "Who is that?"

Blinking, Charlie followed her pointing finger. Her heart froze at the sight of the toad-faced, bulging-eyed woman dressed in way too much pink. "Just perfect."

"What?"

"Her name is Dolores Umbridge. She was at my trial; she works for Mr. Fudge." Charlie felt her stomach twist nervously.

"What's a Ministry working doing here?" wondered Hermione, a frown on her face.

I don't know, but I think I have some idea, thought Charlie warily.

Grubbly-Plank soon returned and the first-years filed in, pale and trembling. A moment of silence passed, and then the rip near the Sorting Hat's brim opened wide, and the Sorting Hat began to sing.

In times of old, when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started,
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
"Together we will build and teach"
The four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might some day be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there, so I can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry's purest."
Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest"
Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name."
Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot
And treat them just the same."
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light.
For each of the four founders had
A house in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pureblood wizards
Of great cunning just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest
and taught them all she knew,
Thus, the Houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end.
What with dueling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether Sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you...
Let the Sorting now begin.

The Sorting Hat finished and went still. A slow applause started, with students whispering with each other.

'That didn't sound good,' Harry's panicked voice went through her mind, causing her to jolt in surprise. 'Why is the Sorting Hat scaring me?'

'It seems to sense something dangerous is about to happen,' returned Charlie. 'And I think I know who this external, deadly foe is.'

'I was afraid you'd say that.'

McGonagall called up the first student, halting the twins' mental conversation. Charlie clapped for each student that was Sorted. She sent a smile towards the lingering first-years waiting for their name to be called, but their terror only seemed to increase at the sight of her.

Great, she thought. I am officially the Big Bad Wolf of the wizarding world. Thank you, Mr. Fudge and Rita Skeeter. I hope you're happy.

Soon the food appeared and everyone dug in. Charlie picked at her potatoes and treacle tarts, not having much of an appetite. The Sorting Hat's song was stuck in her head, and she wondered just how close Voldemort was to reaching his goal.

And as for Umbridge…

She snuck a glance at the mousey brown-haired woman, who was talking lowly with Dumbledore. This wasn't a coincidence. Umbridge was there for a specific reason and she had a bad feeling that the reason was keeping an eye on her and Dumbledore.

When everyone was full and falling into chatter, Dumbledore stood and the talking immediately ceased. He swept out his arms, his shiny purple robes and hat sparkling in the candlelight. "I know you wish to hop to bed after this magnificent feast, but I'm afraid we must roll through the start-of-term notices. First-years, take note that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, and a few older students would do well to remember this."

'He's talking to you.'

Charlie rolled her eyes. 'Thanks, bro.'

"Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that magic is not to be used in corridors, along with other items that can be found on his rather extensive list, attached to his office door. We have two staff changes made this year. Professor Grubbly-Plank will be taking Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Umbridge will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

The students applauded politely. Dumbledore continued speaking. "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place—"

He broke off suddenly and looked curiously at Umbridge. The woman cleared her throat, a dainty hem, hem, and Charlie realized that she was standing. Dumbledore took his seat, eyes focussed on the woman. The other teachers were staring in bafflement, for no one had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. McGonagall and Snape did not look particularly pleased.

Crossing her arms, Charlie twisted her body slightly on the bench so that she was facing Umbridge. All right, lady. What have you got to say?

"Thank you for the warm welcome, Headmaster," said Umbridge. "It's so wonderful being back at Hogwarts, and to see so many happy faces! I'm sure we'll all get to be good friends."

A few snickered at that, but hastily stopped when Umbridge cleared her throat again. She continued on, her voice less breathy and much more businesslike. "The Ministry of Magic holds the education of witches and wizards in high importance. We believe that these rare gifts must be nurtured and guided by careful instruction. If not properly tended to, these ancient gifts might never reach future generations."

Charlie arched an eyebrow.

"Each Headmaster and headmistress have brought something unique to the task of running this historic school. This is as it should be. However, progress for progress' sake is discouraged. Some traditions should be left alone, and some changes will be necessary for the future of this school and its students. Others must be abandoned for the sake of moving forwards, and the practices deemed irrelevant will be pruned out."

She sat back down and there was a short, slow applause. Dumbledore stood up again. "Thank you, Professor Umbridge. That was a rather illuminating speech. Now, as I was saying…"

'Illuminating?' Harry asked. 'It was the most boring thing I ever heard in my life.'

'Illuminating means that her speech explained a lot,' informed Charlie, eyes narrowed slightly. 'And it definitely did. But I doubt anyone else caught on to what she was saying.'

'What's that?'

'The Ministry is infiltrating Hogwarts.'

A stunned silence echoed through her mind and she sneaked a glance over at her brother. He was staring at the tabletop, a shocked expression on his face. Charlie sympathized with him and turned to Hermione. "Ready to be brainwashed?"

The bushy-haired girl snorted. "She can try all she likes. But she's not going to make me believe in the Ministry's practices."

There was a sudden banging and a great rouse of chatter, and Charlie glanced up to see that everyone was starting to depart. Hermione quickly got to her feet. "Oh, I have to show the first-years where to go! I'll meet up with you later!"

Charlie nodded and her friend went to join up with her prefect partner. She got to her feet and quelled a sigh when some of her fellow Ravenclaws shuffled past, heads down. She glanced over at the staff table, catching Umbridge's eye as the woman walked down the aisle. Umbridge gave a slow smile that oozed false sweetness and caused the hair to rise on Charlie's arms.

Nonetheless, she mustered up a half-hearted smile back. She had a feeling she and Umbridge wouldn't be getting along, and it was best not to start up a rivalry so soon.

Well, off to my dorm, to face an awkward silence from people who think I'm out of my mind.

As she headed out of the Great Hall, she failed to notice the eyes of the remaining staff members following her. They only dared to speak when Umbridge swept off.

"She's having none of it," said Flitwick. "Did you see her face when Dolores was making her speech?"

"I saw all of the students' faces," said McGonagall hotly. "And they all looked bored stiff. Albus, why her?"

Dumbledore sighed. "She is the one the Ministry assigned. There is nothing I can do about it. We must make the best of it."

"Make the best of it?" said Snape incredulously. "With that wretch of a woman? We'll all be driven crazy before Halloween."

"She's going to do everything in her power to discredit Potter," added McGonagall with a scowl. "The poor girl was supposed to have a break from all this madness. And she's not going to take Dolores' codswallop! Filius is right, I saw her face during that disgusting speech. She's not an idiot. She knows exactly why Dolores is here."

"She's not going to stay silent," warned Flitwick.

"I know," said Dumbledore. "But I will not ask her to keep her head down. She knows what she saw. I will not ask her to pretend that the horrors she experienced did not exist. Even if I did, she won't. She will not allow the students of this castle to live in ignorance. She will do everything in her power to spread the word of Voldemort's return."

"And that is going to put her straight into Dolores' line of fire," said McGonagall with a heavy sigh.

It was going to be a long year.