Chapter 48

Umbridge's new job at Hogwarts wasn't the last of their troubles that summer. The Daily Prophet was filled with articles about Harry being not right in the head and Dumbledore wanting to take over the Ministry. Even Cedric's credibility was put in question when articles claimed his mind had been affected by the stunning spell. When that article appeared, Amos wrote in telling them off. He also threatened to resign from his job at the Ministry since Fudge was influencing what the Prophet said. Tonks thought about resigning too, but the Order needed people in the Ministry to have an idea of what was going on. And for now there was nothing the Ministry could do to discredit her or Kingsley, and there was no denying Cedric had been attacked by Wormtail, so there was a limit to what the Ministry could do.

There was some good news. Seth had been in touch and said he'd be returning to Phoenix House on the first, and Dumbledore had found another horcrux. He and Sirius decided to give Little Hangleton another search and found the ring from the memories. It was still there after all that time, and still visible on it was a symbol Dumbledore recognized at once.

"It's the sign of the Deathly Hallows!" Dumbledore said in an excited, reverent whisper, and reached out for it. He almost had his hand on it when Sirius stopped him.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Sirius said. "It's too easy. That thing has a piece of Voldemort's soul and he just left it laying? That doesn't add up."

"Sirius, it's the Resurrection Stone."

For a moment Sirius' eyes had the same desperate look Dumbledore's had.

"The Resurrection Stone? From the Tale of the Three Brothers? It's real?"

What wouldn't he give to see Lily and James one more time? To tell them how sorry he was for ever suggesting Wormtail as their secret keeper. And Regulus. He had so much to say to the brother he wondered if he ever really knew. So many regrets. But when Dumbledore reached for the ring again, Sirius still stopped him.

"They're gone, Albus," he said. "They're gone and wherever they are I think they're at peace. It would be wrong to bring them back that way. And would a few moments with them be enough? They couldn't stay forever. You know the story. They can't ever be part of this world again."

Dumbledore's expression remained sad and longing.

"I know there are those who see me as nearly perfect, but the truth is I'm far from it. When I was young I made choices that hurt others, those I loved most. If I could only have one more chance to talk to them."

Sirius was quiet a long moment, then said "Believe me, that's something I know a lot about. I made the wrong choice and Lily and James paid the price. I was hardly able to think of anything else while I was in Azkaban. And ever since I learned the truth about Regulus, I've wondered if maybe I could have helped him. But I think somehow, they know. They know we're sorry for the mistakes we've made. And somehow I think they forgive us."

The elderly wizard's eyes were glistening as he listened to Sirius.

"The ones we love never really leave us, do they?"

"No, they don't," Sirius answered wistfully. "Now how about instead of dwelling on what we've done wrong, we do something right and destroy that thing?"

The sword sank into the ring with a crack. One more horcrux was destroyed. They were one step closer to destroying Voldemort, and somehow they both felt a little closer to the ones who were gone. For some reason, Sirius felt closer to Regulus then ever. The work his younger brother had started was on it's way to being finished.

Harry had to be honest with himself. He was a bit jealous that Ron and Hermione had been made prefects. Although that wasn't the only reason he'd wanted that honor. He'd always heard how his first dad had been head boy, his mother had been head girl, and Remus had been a prefect. He'd always been told how much like James he was. He loved his first dad. He'd given his life trying to protect him and Lily. He would always be part of him. But just once he wanted to be like Remus. His dad, as usual, seemed to guess what he was thinking.

"Harry, I know I've told you before that I don't expect you to be like James. I hope you know I don't expect you to be like me either. And even if you had been made prefect, I couldn't be prouder of you than I already am." He put a hand on his son's shoulder. "And I think the reason I was made prefect in the first place was to keep James and Sirius out of trouble. Anyway you've got enough troubles now without being a prefect."

Harry grimaced. "Like Umbridge teaching this year."

Giving a sigh Remus said "Try not to get on her bad side. Since she knows you're my son and she knows what I am she'll do all she can to make life miserable for you as it is." Then looking Harry strait in the eyes he asked "Have you ever regretted me adopting you? Ever worried what people would think about you if they knew what I am or been ashamed of me?"

Harry immediately had his dad in a hug.

"Not for one second," he answered. "I keep quiet about you and Mila having your problem because I don't want anything happening to you because of it, not because I'm ashamed of you. And if people don't like who my family is, I don't care what they think anyway."

Neither Harry nor Ron were in a very good mood as the Hogwarts Express left King's Cross. Harry was trying not to think about the Ministry trying to discredit him and Umbride teaching Defense, and Ron was trying not to think about how Percy had taken the Ministry's side and turned his back on his family. Ron didn't talk about it much, and Harry didn't get to spend much time talking with him or Hermione since they had prefect duties. He spent most of the ride talking with Ginny, Luna, and Neville. It felt good to spend a little while just being a normal student with the rest of them, even if he did end up covered in stink sap. They had a good laugh about that later.

Seeing Hagrid wasn't at the teacher's table and seeing Umbridge in what should have been his dad's place didn't let him feel better for long. Even if it hadn't been for her costing his dad his job, he would have hated her. Everything about her from her voice to her stupid pink sweater irked him. He'd never felt more like retching than when she interrupted Dumbledore with a fake cough and said how glad she was to see their 'happy little faces' as though they were five year olds. She went into a speech Harry didn't bother listening to. Later, Hermione told him the basic idea was that the Ministry was interfering at Hogwarts. Harry already knew that though. They'd had bad teachers in the past, but he didn't believe Dumbledore would have hired Umbridge if he'd had any choice.

The next day class with her went even worse than expected. He'd just finished a boring as always History lesson, double Potions, and Divination. His three least favorite subjects all in a row. And now he had to face two hours with Umbridge. Predictably she had the class stand and say "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge."

"This isn't nursery school," Harry muttered under his breath.

But apparently Umbridge thought they weren't much further than that in their education. She made sure they all understood that they were 'returning to basics' and that all they'd be doing was reading. Hermione was the first to say that the whole reason for learning Defense was to practice spells so that they had a chance to defend themselves, to which Umbridge responded that Hermione was not qualified to say what should be taught, and that they'd be learning a Ministry approved, risk free course.

"What use is that? If we're going to be attacked it won't be risk free," Harry said louder than he meant to. He couldn't help smiling at what Dean said.

"Professor Lupin was the best this school ever had, and he always made sure we knew how to use what he taught us."

Umbridge looked furious, but continued.

"It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examinations, which, after all, is what school is all about."

That was when Parvati raised her hand and mentioned that the OWLS would have a practical section where they were supposed to show they were able to do the Umbridge insisted that as long as they'd studied the theory they should be able to perform the actual spells, and that there was no need to worry about using them in the real world.

"You have been informed that a certain Dark wizard is once again at large. This is a lie."

"It is NOT a lie," Harry started to say. "I saw him. So did others. And Cedric can tell you he was attacked in the maze."

"Detention Mr. Potter!"

There was no hiding the triumph in Umbridge's voice, and she proceded to tell the others that the attack on Cedric had nothing to do with Voldemort, and those who said they saw him return to power were only saying that to protect Harry.

At Phoenix House, Remus' first class of the year wasn't going much better than Harry's class with Umbridge. This was one time his class didn't have much heart for learning. Finally he decided to get it over with.

"All right. Let's talk about what's on your minds. I'm sure you've all heard by now that Lord Voldemort has returned to power." The class cringed at the use of the evil wizard's name. "I can assure you, it's true." The class gasped, but listened intently. "Professor Black, Professor Tonks, Auror Shacklebolt, my son, and myself all saw him. And I've sure you've all heard that last time he was in power, most werewolves joined him."

"Exactly," one student, Giles Garnier, said bitterly. "So now we have the Ministry passing laws so we can't get a paying job, and on the other side we've got You-know-who wanting us to join him, and he won't be happy when we refuse. We're worse off now than ever."

"Yet all of you chose to return here," Remus said gently. "And that tells me you still have hope, that you still believe things can get better."

"How many of us will be hurt by then?" someone else asked. "Look what happened to Seth already."

Seth, however, seemed untroubled by the injuries he'd gotten from Greyback over the summer.

"Well, not much a werewolf can do to me anymore is there?" he said. "And what Greyback did is nothing compaired to what You-know-who would do to us once he's finished using us."

Remus nodded. "We're talking about a madman obsessed with blood purity. He isn't going to make a better world for anyone, no matter how many false promises he makes."

"We weren't saying we wanted to join him!" Giles protested. "I don't want to live like an animal the way Greyback does. And I certainly don't like the way You-know-who is. It's just that we're hated by both sides now. It feels like we'll never be accepted by anyone."

"I know it seems that way," Remus said. "And I know many of you have spent time listening to Greyback's viewpoint. But please remember there are people willing to give us a chance. Greyback couldn't be more wrong about not being able to trust anyone except other werewolves. I've had wonderful friends and family who love me as I am, and you've seen yourself the people here are willing to help you. But the decision to accept that is up to you."

After a moment, Giles spoke softly.

"Please continue with the lesson, Professor."

AN: I know I said there'd be some payback against Fudge this chapter, but what I had in mind didn't seem to fit. Thank you all for reading. I have the next four chapters written so they will be up as soon as I get them typed.