I do not own Harry Potter. Charlotte Potter and most of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team members are my OCs.

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

Unfair Decree Number One

For the entirety of the weekend after the meeting in Hog's Head, Charlie was happy. She was happier than she had been in a while. She wouldn't have to worry so much about the disservice the Ministry was giving the Defense Against the Dark Arts students thanks to their ridiculous curriculum, now that she would be teaching a good chunk of her fellow peers. She would also admit to feeling satisfaction about going against Umbridge. The very scenario the woman was sent to Hogwarts to prevent was now happening under her very nose.

Charlie would just have to make sure none of them got busted. She had a feeling that Umbridge would use something much worse than the Blood Quill if she found out what they were up too.

But come Monday morning, she found a sizable crowd of Ravenclaws of all ages gathered in front of the noticeboard. Suspicion tinged the edge of her happy aura, and she went over to see what the commotion was about with Hermione trailing behind her.

There was a large sign that covered almost all the other pieces of parchment attached to the board. The writing was in large black letters, with an official seal at the very bottom beside a tidy signature.

BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

All student organizations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.

A student organization, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.

Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).

No student organization, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.

Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an organization, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.

Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor

Thanks for bursting my bubble, Umbridge, thought Charlie in annoyance. Aloud, she said, "Talk about coincidental timing."

Hermione shook her head. "There's no way she could know."

Charlie glanced at her. "There were a few people in that pub. Anyone could have heard us. Plus, there were some who weren't exactly sold on the idea of joining our little…project. Someone could have blabbed."

"Trust me, no one did. I put a jinx on that parchment we all signed. If someone snitched, we would definitely know."

"What'd you do to it?" asked Charlie, uncertain if she should be impressed or worried.

"The person's face will not quite be the same again," answered Hermione vaguely. "Guess we better head down to breakfast and see what everyone thinks of it."

The two girls stared down the spiral stairs and out of Ravenclaw Tower. 'So, you get the news?' Charlie questioned, sending her thought out to her brother.

'Yeah. Think she knows?'

'No,' assured Charlie. 'Apparently, Hermione put a jinx on the parchment. If someone spilled the beans, we would know.'

'Uh…what kind of jinx?' wondered Harry nervously.

Charlie smiled. 'Don't worry about it. You in the Great Hall?'

'On my way. I'm with Ron right now, and he's convinced it was either Michael Corner or Zach. I'll let him know that this whole thing is purely coincidental. It is coincidental, right?'

'Seems that way,' replied Charlie. 'Harry, you deal with Hufflepuff members of our little group. Tell Ron to handle the Gryffindors. Assure them that no, Umbridge does not know, but don't tell them about the jinx Hermione set. We're going full-steam ahead with this.'

'Got it.'

"Harry and Ron will deal with their respective Housemates," Charlie relayed to Hermione. "Everyone will know that we still intend to do this."

Hermione nodded in approval. "Good. It's a good thing there's a representative in each House. That way it won't be suspicious if we all converge on one table."

Charlie grinned. "Could you imagine if a Slytherin showed up to that meeting? How would we be discrete about going over to the Slytherin table?"

Her friend snorted. "I'd be suspicious about the fact that a Slytherin showed up to the meeting in the first place."

They entered the Great Hall, where it became obvious that everyone had read the new notice. People were flitting up and down tables, speaking intently to their friends. Ron was holding court with the Gryffindor members of their group and Harry was speaking lowly with their Hufflepuff members. Hermione went to one end of the table where Michael, Luna, Cho, Marietta, Padma, Anthony and Terry were sitting. Charlie paused halfway down the table and sat with her Quidditch team members Tommy, Clancy, Aurora, Eliza and Danny.

"Rather suspicious, isn't it?" remarked Aurora, sneaking a glare over at Umbridge up at the High Table.

Charlie shrugged. "Such is the way my life goes. But don't worry about it. We're still going through with it."

Tommy smiled, pleased. "Didn't think you'd pull out because of this."

"Well, if I can't fight her head on, I'm gonna be rebellious." Charlie stabbed some eggs and brought them over to her plate. "Besides, this isn't the first time I've done something I wasn't supposed to do."

"You do realize what we're going to have to do, now that Umbridge put this new rule out," said Eliza softly, picking at her nails.

Danny blinked. "Uh…be really careful?"

Eliza sighed. "Our Quidditch team. We're going to have to ask to re-form it."

Horrified realization dawned upon her friends. Aurora started to swear but was promptly silenced by Clancy as he slapped a hand over her mouth. "Shut it," he snapped. "We don't need to give Umbridge a reason to not let us make the team again."

"You!" Tommy pointed at Charlie, who recoiled. "Don't say anything stupid!"

"All right!" exclaimed Charlie. "I won't! I really won't," she said, turning to Eliza, who was looking rather anxious. "I'll do my best to behave."

"With the exception of completely disregarding the new rule by teaching us all DADA without permission," put in Tommy.

Aurora punched him in the shoulder. "Could you possibly shut up and not say stuff like that loudly in front of people who aren't in on what we're doing?" she hissed.

Ten minutes later, Hermione collected Charlie and the two went off to History of Magic. Umbridge was not there to inspect the professor, and Charlie doubted she would. After all, Binns was a ghost. And from what she knew about ghosts, it was not easy to eject them from the place of their haunting.

Idly writing down notes from the day's lecture, Charlie fought to keep her eyes open. A sudden sharp jab to her side caused her to jolt and glance over at Hermione. "What was that for?" she grumbled.

Hermione gestured subtly towards the window. "It's Harry's owl," she whispered. "What is she doing here?"

Charlie frowned. "Dunno. Maybe Harry sent her to me?"

Hermione gave her friend a look. "You two have telepathy. I sincerely doubt he's going to be using owls to communicate with you from now on."

Charlie stared at the snow-white owl. Hedwig was looking through the glass at her, a piece of parchment tied to her leg. "Well…should I get her?"

"I think so. She's kind of attracting attention."

Charlie glanced around the classroom. The Ravenclaws and Slytherins had noticed Hedwig and were whispering amongst themselves. Binns was, as usual, completely unaware of what was going on around him. Draco and Pansy were looking at the owl with particular interest that made the girl uncomfortable.

"I can't get her without having those two ratting me out to someone," muttered Charlie. "I'll let Harry know."

Hermione nodded. "That might be best. She is his owl."

'Harry?'

'What's up?'

'Hedwig is currently sitting outside of Binns' classroom window. She has a scroll attached to her leg and she's attracting quite a bit of attention.'

'Why is she there?'

'I couldn't tell you. She doesn't seem inclined to leave anytime soon. Do you want to come get her or—?'

'I'll be right there.'

Over in the Muggle Studies classroom, Harry anxiously turned to Ron, who was staring at the radio they were supposed to be putting back together in confusion. "Ron, Charlie just contacted me."

Interested, the redhead looked at his friend. "About what?"

"Hedwig is hanging around the History of Magic classroom. I'm going to go get her."

Ron brightened. "Sweet. I'll come with. I can't figure this blasted thing out anyway." He shot a frown over his shoulder at a pair of partners who were cheerfully flipping the dials on their own radio. "Don't know how they did it."

Harry looked at Burbage, who was engrossed in reading a new issue of a Muggle magazine. "Come on. Let's try to be quick."

The two males crept from the classroom and hurried out into the corridor. They kept alert eyes out for wandering professors and the ever-annoying Filch as they made their way to the Entrance Hall. Barging through the front doors, they wound their way around the castle until they came to the History of Magic classroom.

"Hedwig!" Harry called, waving at his owl. "Here, girl!"

Hooting, Hedwig gladly flew clumsily over to her master. She landed on Harry's wrist and the boy frowned in concern at her wing, which was bent at an odd angle and the feathers were ruffled. "Oh, you're hurt!" he breathed.

Ron frowned. "What do you think happened?"

"I don't know." Harry placed Hedwig on his shoulder. "I have to find someone to help her." He looked across the overcast grounds in the direction of Hagrid's hut. "Grubbly-Plank doesn't seem to be teaching right now."

"She must be in the staff room," decided Ron. "Let's go."

They went back into the castle and hurried for the staff room. Before Harry could knock, the door opened and McGonagall peered down at them. Her lips formed a stern frown when she spotted half of the Golden Quartet standing in front of her, during class time no less. "Who's in trouble?" she demanded.

Ron shook his head wildly. "We're not in trouble!"

"Then what are you doing out of class?"

"My owl is hurt," said Harry, and Hedwig hooted miserably from her place on his shoulder. "I'm looking for Professor Grubbly-Plank."

"Hurt owl, you say?"

Grubbly-Plank appeared by McGonagall's side. Relieved, Harry nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Her wing's all bent."

Harry gently handed over his owl. The woman studied the bird as McGonagall watched. "Seems like she's been attacked by something," she mused. "Not sure what. Thestrals will sometimes go for birds, though Hagrid has the ones here very well-trained."

"Where's your owl come from?" questioned McGonagall.

"Uh…" Harry scratched his neck. "London, I suppose."

McGonagall's eyebrows pulled together, and Harry knew she knew that Hedwig had travelled from Grimmauld Place.

"If you leave her with me, I'll fix her up," said Grubbly-Plank, examining Hedwig's wing closely. "But she won't be flying long distances for at least a few days."

The bell rang as Harry smiled gratefully. "Thanks so much."

"Anytime," said Grubbly-Plank, and she started to go back into the staff room.

"His letter, Wilhelmina," said McGonagall.

"Oh, right." Harry flushed and took his scroll from Grubbly-Plank. She disappeared into the staff room and the two males turned to go.

"Lupin, Weasley." The two paused and glanced back at McGonagall, who was staring at them seriously. "Keep in mind that the communication channels of Hogwarts may be watched."

Before the two could respond, a flood of students poured down towards them. McGonagall nodded once before returning to the staff room, shutting the door firmly behind her. Harry and Ron were buffeted to the courtyard, where they found their female friends standing in the corner, trying to shield themselves against the wind.

"Everything okay, then?" asked Charlie as Harry and Ron came over to them.

"Sort of," replied Harry. "Something attacked Hedwig."

"Is she okay?" asked Hermione anxiously.

"She's fine," assured Ron. "Grubbly-Plank has her."

"I think the scroll is for you." Harry handed it over. "Did you use Hedwig to send Sirius a letter?"

"Yeah, but next time, I'll use a school owl," promised Charlie. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be stupid. How could you have known something was going to attack her?"

Charlie read the scroll aloud. "Same time and place, today." She sighed in exasperation. "I can't believe he's going to try the fireplace thing again."

"Maybe he has something important to say," suggested Ron.

"Well, whatever it is, it's obviously something he can't say in a letter." Charlie tore the parchment up into small pieces.

"We ran into McGonagall when we went to see if Grubbly-Plank was in the staff room," said Ron. "She said that the communication channels might be watched."

"We were warned about that, weren't we?" spoke up Hermione. "Perhaps not about Hogwarts itself, but certainly outside people who might snag owls to see what they're carrying. But it wouldn't surprise me if Hogwarts is under scrutiny. Fudge won't take chances. He'll make sure he knows everything that's going on."

"Maybe someone attacked Hedwig," suggested Charlie.

"But the scroll was fine, still sealed," said Harry.

"Wouldn't be hard to reseal it with magic," replied Hermione. "Something suspicious certainly occurred, that's for sure."

Charlie sighed. "Something suspicious always happens."

"We'll think about this later. We have to get to Potions," said Hermione firmly.

Ron nodded. "See you guys later."

Harry, Hermione and Charlie made their way to Potions class. When they got to the dungeon, it was to hear Draco's loud voice echo off the stone walls, and to see him hold up an official looking document. "Of course, the Slytherin team was allowed to re-form without any question. Professor Umbridge knows my father really well, he's always coming and going. It'll be rather interesting to see if she allows Ravenclaw to return."

"With my luck, not so much," grumbled Charlie.

"There's certainly the factor of having Ministry influence," continued Draco, grey eyes glinting with malicious delight as he continued to throw verbal barbs. "In that case, Potter doesn't stand a chance. The Ministry is in serious talks of carting her off to St. Mungo's. They have a special ward for people whose brains have been warped by magic."

He then made the face of what Charlie assumed to be an insane person. The raven-haired girl gave her hands a condescending clap. "Very good, Draco. In no time at all I'm sure you'll be joining my ranks, if you keep making moronic faces like that."

"No, Charlie, that's how he usually looks," said Harry with a laugh.

Draco's expression went from smug to furious. But before he could retaliate, the dungeon door slammed open and Snape strode out, causing him to snap his lips shut and turn stiffly around.

"In," said Snape lowly, his bad mood obvious.

The students filed into the dungeon and the trio took their usual seats. "Probably shouldn't have said that," muttered Charlie as she took out her textbook. "I'll pay for that one later."

Snape shut the door and strode to the front of the classroom. "We have a guest today."

Surprised, Charlie glanced in the direction he was gesturing in. She spotted Umbridge sitting in the dim corner, clipboard in hand. "And now I know why he's in a bad mood. This is going to get ugly."

"I hope not," whispered Harry. "I don't feel like cleaning Umbridge stains from the walls when Snape finishes destroying her."

Charlie quelled a snort and focussed on their Potions professor.

"You will continue with your Strengthening Solutions. If you have prepared them correctly, then they will have matured well over the weekend. The instructions are on the board." He gave his wand a flick. "Begin."

Charlie's attention drifted from her potion to Umbridge, who was scribbling down notes. She happened to glance over at Harry and she grabbed his arm when she realized he was about to add the wrong ingredient. "No, no! Salamander blood!"

Harry squinted at the board and noted that his friend was correct. "Oops." He set aside his pomegranate juice and picked up the right ingredient.

Umbridge eventually stood up and walked over to Snape, who was inspecting Padma's potion. "This class certainly seems advanced for their level. But do you think it is wise to teach them Strengthening Solution? The Ministry would prefer it be removed from the syllabus."

Snape looked at her, but did not comment.

"How long have you worked here?"

"Fourteen years."

Umbridge made a note. "You applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?"

"I did," said Snape, his tone low.

"You were unsuccessful?"

"As you can obviously see."

"I see you have applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position since your first year here. Am I correct?"

"You are."

"Do you know why you were constantly refused the position by Dumbledore?"

Snape's expression was completely blank—which was never a good sign. Harry sent Charlie a grin. 'This is great entertainment.'

'Shh. I'm trying to listen.'

"I wouldn't know. You'll have to ask him," said Snape tightly.

Umbridge smiled slightly. "I certainly will."

"I suppose all of this is relevant?" asked Snape with narrowed eyes.

"Absolutely," said Umbridge instantly. "The Ministry is interested in the backgrounds of Hogwarts professors."

She turned on her heel and went over to ask Pansy some questions. Snape caught Charlie's eye and she gave a small smile. He looked at her potion, gave a nod of approval and went over to continue his rounds.

Class ended and everyone handed in their potion. After a quick break for lunch Charlie, Ron and Harry went to the North Tower for Divination. They settled down on the cushions just as the bell rang. Trelawney moved about the classroom, her shoulders tense and a slight scowl on her face as she passed out the textbooks. Harry nearly got a textbook to the head but he managed to catch it in the nick of time.

"I have a feeling Umbridge's results came in," muttered Ron.

Parvati jumped when Trelawney slammed a textbook in front of her. Lavender bit her lip and stared at her favourite professor in concern. "What's the matter, Professor?"

"Many things," snapped Trelawney, face flushed with anger and tears in her eyes. "Primarily the problem is that I have been insulted by the Establishment! You give sixteen years of devoted service and it seems to be all for not!"

"The Establishment?" echoed Harry, and Charlie elbowed him sharply in the side. But it was too late—Trelawney heard him.

"Those whose eyes are clouded, whose minds are closed, whose—" She stopped her rant, taking gulping breaths as her frame shuddered with emotion. "Continue with your work," she choked out.

"I guess Umbridge isn't as willing to humour her as Dumbledore is," said Ron softly.

"Personal feelings aside, this is one instance where I'm forced to admit she isn't exactly out of line." Charlie rested her chin against the palm of her hand. "While this class has its interesting aspects, it doesn't serve a purpose for most of us in the long run. And it doesn't help that Professor Trelawney isn't the celebrated Seer she pretends to be. But I do feel bad. I don't want her to be fired."

"Well, she's just on probation now," said Harry optimistically. "She has a chance."

Ron snorted. "Yeah. We'll see about that."

Charlie managed to make it through Defense Against the Dark Arts without incident. But she didn't read the textbook, spending the long class time daydreaming.

When school was done for the day, she entered the common room with Hermione, and she found Eliza sitting on one of the blue armchairs, her expression downcast. Charlie waved Hermione on to the dorm before approaching the girl.

"What's wrong?"

Eliza sighed miserably. "I asked Professor Umbridge if we could re-form our team. She said she needed to take time to consider it. There's no practice tonight."

Charlie flinched. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's not your fault." Eliza managed a smile. "I'm sure she'll give us permission eventually." She stood up, slinging her schoolbag over her shoulder. "I'm off to meet Aurora in the library. She's having trouble with her Potion work."

"All right. See you later."

Eliza left and Charlie dropped down in the spot the seventh-year just vacated. Her spirits sunk a little more, and she knew that the reason Umbridge didn't give permission to Eliza straightaway was because of her. It also was unsettling to know that she and Lucius Malfoy seemed to be familiar with each other. It hadn't gone by Charlie's notice that the Slytherins were delighted by Umbridge's presence, and it wouldn't surprise her if Umbridge had been a Snake in her Hogwarts days.

"It's a hard knock life," she sighed.

…

Later on, in the evening, when the common room was empty, Charlie and Hermione settled in front of the fireplace to wait for Sirius.

"He really shouldn't be doing this," said Hermione uneasily.

"Try telling him that," muttered Charlie.

A few minutes passed by before Sirius' dark head appeared amongst the flames. He grinned widely. "Hello, ladies."

"Hi," they chorused.

"How's school going?"

Charlie shrugged. "Not the best. The Ministry's put through another decree that disbands all teams in Hogwarts. We have to ask permission to re-form them, so there's no Quidditch right now, thanks to Umbridge."

"I think a club teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts skills to students counts under that decree, wouldn't you say so?"

Charlie stared at his broad grin before turning to Hermione. "I knew we shouldn't have met at the Hog's Head."

Hermione frowned. "Well, I thought it was better than the Three Broomsticks."

"On the contrary, at the Three Broomsticks, it would have been full of people, so it would have been harder to overhear you," said Sirius.

"I didn't think of that," admitted Hermione, looking slightly put out.

"So who overheard us?" asked Charlie.

"Mundungus. He was disguised as the witch under the veil."

"What was he doing there?" she asked in bewilderment.

Sirius arched an eyebrow. "Following you."

"Wait, you guys are still doing that?"

"Of course. You don't think we'd let you go into Hogsmeade alone with Voldemort out there?"

"Er, I never really thought about it," admitted Charlie.

"Good thing too, considering your activity for the weekend is to organize a forbidden club."

"Could be worse," returned Charlie, though she noted that Sirius didn't look particularly upset with her. "How come Mundungus was in disguise? I would've liked to see him."

"He was banned from the Hog's Head twenty years ago. The barman has a good long memory, and Moody's spare Invisibility Cloak got lost when Sturgis got arrested. Oh—Charlie, I need you to pass a message onto Ron for me, from his mother."

"Okay," said Charlie slowly. "What is it?"

"He is under no circumstances allowed to participate in an illegal Defense Against the Dark Arts group. His future will be ruined if he gets expelled. He'll have plenty of time after school to learn how to defend himself, but right now he is too young to worry about it. She also strongly advises you, Harry and Hermione not to proceed with this, but she accepts that she does not have parental control over you."

"What does Remus think?"

Sirius grinned. "I managed to convince him that this is a good course of action for you to take. But he wanted me to tell you that if you feel that you're about to be found out, call everything off. He just wants all of you to be careful, and don't actively antagonize Umbridge."

"Messages processed and will be relayed in the morning," promised Charlie. "What do you think?"

"I think this is a great idea."

"I didn't think you'd have much of a problem with it." Charlie laughed.

"Considering the Ministry is refusing to teach you kids how to protect yourselves, I think it's great that you're stepping up to help correct their grave error. Do you know where you're meeting?"

"We're thinking on it," replied Charlie. "I'm sure we'll come up with something soon enough."

"I'll dwell on it and let you know if I—"

He suddenly frowned, eyes becoming alert. He glanced sideways, looking at the brick wall of the fireplace.

Charlie frowned. "What's the matter?"

But he vanished without a word. Charlie blinked. "Uh…bye? Wonder what that was—"

Hermione suddenly gave a gasp of horror and jumped to her feet. She was staring open-mouthed at the fire and Charlie followed her gaze.

A short, stubby hand was grasping amongst the flames, as if searching for something. The hand was covered in ugly rings, and the raven-haired girl didn't have a doubt as to who the hand belonged to.

Paling, Charlie flew upwards, racing at top speed for the stairs leading to the girls' dorm, Hermione right on her heels.

This isn't a game anymore. I'm creating, essentially, an army, and Umbridge is on a rampage—and her main sight is on me.