.
Balance Factor Chapter 32
Year Five
Mind Tricks
A/N: A HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS!
Read and review as always!
Three weeks later, Harry looked up when Dobby entered the Room of Requirement. They were practicing Patronus spells when the sickly looking elf hurried in.
"She… That woman…"
"She found out?" Harry asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He glanced around at the stunned faces, and then looked back at Dobby. "Umbridge knows?"
Dobby gave a shaky nod. Harry took a deep breath and looked around.
"Dobby? Call Winky and any other house elf to assist us moving people back to their common rooms," Harry said calmly. "I will go out alone. Hermione? Ron? Make sure everyone is safe. Luna…" He glanced at the unusual girl and took a deep breath. "I would like you to come with me. I'm sorry if this puts any strain on you, but…"
"Oh, no problem Harry," Luna said mildly. Ryuuko poked his head out of Harry's pocket for a second before ducking back in. "I understand. You want to fool Umbridge into thinking that you were studying with someone."
Dobby popped back with a dozen house elves and they moved everyone out of the room. Harry then turned to the door with Luna and opened it.
"I really think we should give the bowtruckle skin a try," Harry said to Luna. "It'll make the potion a lot more…"
"Gotcha!"
Harry blinked twice as Draco's hands clamped on his shoulders. Draco had a sneer on his face and a look of absolute glee.
"I got him, Ms. Umbridge! I got Harry Potter!" Draco called. Harry paused, looking at him and then at Crabbe and Goyle who had Luna by the throat. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"Please remove your hands from me before you lose them," Harry said calmly, his voice cool. Draco hesitated, but just then Umbridge ran up. Harry gave her a cool look as she sang praises to Draco and grabbed him by the arm. She led him away to Dumbledore's office.
"So, Potter, can't get out of this one, can you?" Umbridge said nastily.
Fudge looked quite excited. "Excellent, Dolores. Excellent." He turned to Dumbledore and then to Harry.
"Mr. Potter, it has come to our attention an illegal organization has been formed in this school. Do you deny it?" Fudge asked, a nasty look on his face. Harry looked at him.
"Illegal?" Harry said calmly. "I wasn't aware."
Fudge looked like he had been struck by lightning. "So… This is news to you, isn't it?"
Harry's smile was filled with venom. "Yes. It is."
"Perhaps the witness will loosen his tongue," Umbridge said. Luna was busy looking around Dumbledore's office when Marietta Edgecombe was ushered in. Harry's gaze turned on her and his eyes were very cold. Edgecombe refused to look up.
"Is this supposed to persuade me, Minister? Professor Umbridge?" Harry asked, letting out a breath.
"Go on girl. Don't be worried about a few spots," Umbridge said soothingly to the girl. Marietta hesitated, but then peeked up on top of her fingers. Harry saw the word SNEAK written on her face by blemishes. He gave a small inhale in pride for Hermione's jinxing abilities.
"Galloping gargoyles!" Fudge cried when he saw the spots. Marietta gave a wail and buried her face in her hands. Harry snorted.
"The only thing I've learned here is that Ms. Edgecombe is a sneak, as it is plainly written on her face. Are we done here, Minister? Professor Umbridge?" Harry asked. He was ignored by Umbridge.
"Then how about you shake or nod your head dear?" Umbridge asked. Marietta nodded. "These meeting have been going on, haven't they?"
Harry was surprised when she shook her head.
"What?! But… You didn't…" Umbridge stammered. "But Potter was the founder. It says it on this sheet! Potter was responsible! Potter organized this. Why are you shaking your head girl?!"
"Usually when a person shakes their head, they mean 'no'," McGonagall said. Harry's heart rate slowed, relaxing in his seat a little. "I assume what she means is there have been no illegal meetings going on, is that correct?"
Marietta nodded.
"Ah, but I have the sheet to prove it!" Umbridge said triumphantly. Harry's stomach gave a lurch as he spotted the Dumbledore's Army sheet they had all signed. "As soon as I saw Potter's name on it, I knew what we were dealing with."
"Excellent," Fudge said smoothly. "And look what they've named themselves. Dumbledore's Army."
Dumbledore looked at the sheet too. "Well. The jig is up, I suppose. Would you like a written confession, or will an oral one suffice."
Harry's eyes widened and he turned to Dumbledore. Surely he wasn't…
"Written? Oral…? I don't understand…" Fudge said slowly.
"Dumbledore's Army, Cornelius. Not Potter's Army. Dumbledore's Army."
Ah, so he was. Harry wasn't that surprised Dumbledore took the blame for this one. But with him gone… Harry's mind whirled. They would need to be extra careful.
"You!" Fudge seemed to finally understand. Harry felt Ryuuko shift in his pocket and placed a hand over his Father's small form. Ryuuko stilled. But no one was paying attention to Harry. They all had their attention on Dumbledore.
There as an enormous BANG as Dumbledore knocked out the adults in the office. Harry watched as Dumbledore fled and the Ministry members woke up one by one. He was then escorted back to the common room.
"She'll be Headmistress by tomorrow," Ryuuko said, his head sticking out of Harry's pocket.
"Ryuuko, would you be disappointed in me if I made her life a living hell?" Harry asked. Ryuuko didn't respond.
-0-
Just as Ryuuko had predicted, Umbridge was promoted to Headmistress the next day. Harry took this in stride, reading the Degree with a slight amount of glee.
Within the first day, Harry had taken to protecting himself with a powerful barrier. Dungbombs and Skiving Snackboxes was a regular occurrence in his morning classes and Harry did not wish to subject Ryuuko to them. Draco had informed Harry that he was part of the Inquisitorial Squad, which were made of the members that were Umbridge's private lapdogs. Harry had hesitated to accept it at first, but Draco told him that his father had arranged it.
Ryuuko looked immensely pleased every time something occurred in Harry's class. However, nothing compared to the destruction of the Weasley Twins.
The first snap caused Harry to look up from his lunch. He fought the grin threatening to spill over his face and casted a silent barrier around himself and Ryuuko. Ryuuko shifted in his pocket, feeling the change and wondering what was going on.
He didn't have to wait for long. There was a sound of a firework being launched and Harry slid Ryuuko out of his pocket. Ryuuko sat in his palm and looked up. There was a dragon flying around their food, spitting sparks. Umbridge's face contorted with fury and she aimed her wand at the dragon.
The dragon dived at her, letting off a stream of fire. She screamed and dodged it. The other teachers looked amused, but Filch ran in and was whacking the fireworks with a broom. Ryuuko covered his mouth with both hands as Filch's broom caught fire, trying very hard not to laugh.
It didn't last. Umbridge had regained her footing and sent a spell towards one of the fireworks. It exploded and all of a sudden there were ten of them, flying around, causing mayhem. Two collided with each other, creating a pink pig that was soaring through the Great Hall. Umbridge stunned it and it exploded violently, showering her in soot.
Ryuuko was clutching his sides, laughing so hard that he was hunched over. He slid to his side on Harry's thigh, continuing to laugh as Umbridge struggled with the fireworks, much to the delight of the teachers and students.
All through the afternoon classes, teachers called on Umbridge to remove the fireworks. Ryuuko would struggle to maintain composure every time, but failed when he heard McGonagall say: "I would have gotten rid of them myself but I wasn't sure if I had the… authority."
They continued through the night, sending showers of sparks and writing out profane words throughout the school. Harry and Ryuuko watched them by their bedside window, grinning widely at each other. They escaped the party congratulating the Weasley twins after Harry thoroughly praised them for their fireworks.
"They are very unique fireworks. They might keep Kou entertained for a very long time," Ryuuko said approvingly. "Harry, we should send some to Shirogane when the Weasley twins make more."
"I approve of this idea," Harry said, looking at the flying silver pig that was making loops around the Hogwarts ground. "I need three boxes of them. One for Shirogane, one for Akira, and one for Kou."
"Though this might actually make Umbridge stricter," Ryuuko warned. Harry grinned.
"Yes. But in times like these we need a good laugh," Harry said calmly. "The Weasley twins are very good with that."
-0-
"Mr. Potter? Have you thought about what you want to do after school?" McGonagall asked. But before Harry even had a chance to open his mouth, McGonagall's door opened.
"I trust you have received my slip about-"
"Yes," McGonagall said dismissively. "Well, Mr. Potter?"
Harry ignored Umbridge and smiled at McGonagall. "Well, I was thinking about traveling a little after I graduate. I want to broaden my horizons about what I could do. The Asian Ministry of Magic must have different requirements and jobs available for someone as powerful as me, as the British Ministry refuses to acknowledge an approaching threat."
"Indeed," McGonagall said, approvingly. Umbridge's face had gone white and then very red.
"Silly me, Mr. Potter," she said in her sickly sweet voice. "But what threat would you be talking about?"
Harry ignored her. "I also wish to visit some friends overseas. As for career, I haven't really thought about it. Perhaps I will look into a career as an Auror."
"You need top marks to become an Auror," McGonagall said huffingly. Umbridge was writing annoyingly loud, very red in the face. "Specifically, Transfiguration and Defense Against Dark Arts."
"Potter will never become an Auror," Umbridge said loudly, standing up. Harry ignored her yet again.
"It's a pity my Professor this year in Defense is so… lacking in her teaching methods," Harry said casually. "I might not make the cut. That's alright though. Like I said, I will travel and find jobs overseas if I have to."
"How dare you," Umbridge said. "Detention, Potter!"
Harry ignored that too. "I do hope you have a good day, Professor McGonagall. Thank you for taking time out of your day to help me."
McGonagall nodded approvingly. Harry turned to leave, neither acknowledging Umbridge. Umbridge pulled out her wand and cursed his back. She was instantly blasted back into the wall, falling unconscious. Harry smiled as his barrier shimmered.
"Though I might reclaim my position as Balancer," he said mildly. "That would be most ideal."
-0-
Harry looked up at Hagrid's little brother. Grawp seemed completely content at sitting there and looking at him and Hermione when they were introduced. He bent down and looked closely at Harry and then at Hermione. Harry gave Grawp a nervous smile, reaching up and placing his hand on Grawp's arm.
"Hello, Grawp," Harry said quietly. Grawp gave a peaceful grunt and looked at Hagrid. Harry dropped his hand and looked at Hermione.
This… might prove to be a problem…
-0-
It happened that very night. Ryuuko was the first to sense something wrong.
"Harry," he said quietly during the OWL Astronomy exam. Harry jerked a little from the stars and looked down. Umbridge was leading a group of Ministry workers across the grounds. Harry's eyes narrowed. Just what was Umbitch think she was doing?
They entered Hagrid's cabin. Harry paused, but then Hagrid's cabin door burst open. Harry's eyes widened as he saw Hagrid trying to fight off his attackers. McGonagall came rushing down the steps.
"What in Merlin do you think you're-"
No less than six stunners hit McGonagall in the chest. Harry's eyes widened as McGonagall's body flew backwards and hit the ground. She didn't move.
"Good Heavens!" the examiner said, looking shocked. Harry's eyes narrowed.
"Harry?" Ryuuko asked, still in his pocket. He didn't know what had happened but from the tone of voice the examiner used and the student's reactions, it couldn't have been good.
"Tell you later," Harry responded. Ryuuko nodded.
-0-
Ryuuko's face betrayed nothing when Harry told him, but his eyes said it all. The warm ruby red was as cold as the ice Ryuuko controlled. Ryuuko stood up and paced on the desk, restless.
"Ryuu-?" Harry started, but was cut off by Ron's arrival. Ron looked as depressed as Harry.
"She was taken to St. Mungo's," Ron said quietly. Hermione stood by Ron's side, having went with Ron to ask. "They don't know if she'll survive."
"…If she doesn't, I don't know if I can hold off murdering Umbridge," Ryuuko said quietly, moving to a book and sitting down on it. He looked up at Ron and Hermione, his red eyes calmer, but still quite cold. "I was hoping to save it for Shirogane…"
"Ryuuko?" Hermione asked, looking at the tiny figure. Ryuuko held a hand up, his presence very king-like all of a sudden.
"It's not so much I do not wish to kill her," Ryuuko said calmly. "But it will not mean much if she doesn't know why she will be dying. And plus… Shirogane is far crueler towards humans than I am. By nature, I am the pacifist and he is the antagonist. " He placed his hands on the book and leaned backwards, thinking. "In the meantime, there is the issue with our allies. Hagrid is gone. Ms. McGonagall is gone. The Headmaster is gone. Our strongest allies have gone missing. We must tread carefully around the Potion's Master to be able to keep him as an ally."
"Why would we want Snape as an ally?" Ron asked. Ryuuko looked at him.
"Because, Ron, Potion Masters are highly valued at their skill of brewing. In addition, the Potion Master here is very good at dueling as well. In terms of power level, he would definitely be a threat as an enemy," Ryuuko said patiently, in the same tone as he would have spoken to Kou in to teach him something. "There is the only issue of keeping him a secret from Umbridge."
"I have no doubt Professor Snape can protect himself," Harry said calmly. "The issue would be, how do we get rid of her?"
There was a collective silence. Then Ryuuko looked at Harry.
"Why don't you survey the balance tomorrow?" Ryuuko asked, sitting up straight, putting his hands in his lap. "Don't worry about your History of Magic exam. The Headmaster's disappearance will tip the balance in this school, at the very least, which may prove to be problematic. I will return to my true form either tomorrow or the day after. I can assist you better and, if things go well, drive Umbridge out of the school."
-0-
Harry sank into his core after completing his History of Magic exam. He had half an hour left, which was plenty of time to judge the state of the balance of this school. Ryuuko was right; it was tipped. Not by too much, but it was.
Harry concentrated, trying to re-stabilize the elements. All of a sudden, there was a sharp pull on his mind and Harry resisted it. It settled, but then Harry was jerked back into his body.
Flashes of a corridor. Harry recognized it as to be the Ministry of Magic. A scream. And then…
"You'll have to kill me first." Sirius being held hostage. Voldemort's wand. An orb glittering lightly on a wall of crystals.
"Undoubtedly, I will…"
Harry fell out of his seat, his eyes wide. He instantly looked down at his pocket and straightened it. Ryuuko was still inside, after all.
He spent the next ten minutes fighting the examiner to leave. But instead of heading to the Hospital Wing, he headed to the common room. He pulled out Ryuuko from his pocket when he was safely inside, looking at him carefully.
Ryuuko seemed to be knocked out. Harry placed a hand over Ryuuko's body, trying to see if there was any damage from his fall. Light seeped from his hand into Ryuuko's tiny frame and Ryuuko shifted, waking.
"Ouch…" he murmured, looking at Harry.
"Sorry Ryuuko," Harry said, looking apologetic.
"Don't be," Ryuuko said. "I was trying to snap you out of it… With limited success."
"Was that possession?" Harry asked softly. Ryuuko shook his head a little.
"No… It wasn't. It was mind transfer," Ryuuko said. "Maybe memory transfer."
Harry laughed hollowly, sliding down onto the floor. "I need to see if Sirius is alright then…"
Ryuuko blinked slowly. "You had a vision about Sirius Black?" He looked a little worried.
"Harry!"
Hermione and Ron both entered the common room. Looking up from his position on the floor, Harry smiled weakly. "Hey… I… just had a disturbing vision."
When Harry finished with the story, Hermione was looking worried as well. Ron jumped up.
"We need to save him!" Ron said. Hermione shook her head.
"It's probably a trap," she said. "You should check first. Check to see if he's at home."
"Undoubtedly, it is a trap," Harry corrected. "But… The threat of Sirius' life… could very well be real. Since when has Voldemort cared about people we care about? The coward would use any means necessary to get to me."
Ryuuko looked at Harry. "You should check first."
"How do you propose we do that?" Ron asked. "Posts are all being monitored. The only fire that isn't monitored…"
"Is Umbridge…" Harry said slowly, his eyes wide in realization. Ryuuko looked at Harry.
"I'm coming with you."
Looking surprised at Ryuuko, Harry hesitated. "The potion doesn't wear off until…"
"Tonight or tomorrow. I'm fairly certain it's tonight though," Ryuuko said. "My powers have gathered quite successfully, so I'll be able to assist in any battling when I return to my true form. If not with Umbridge, then at the Ministry, if there is an impending battle. No doubt you will be outnumbered, Harry, and facing skilled opponents."