Chapter 56

"You want me to do what?"

"Get a detention with Umbridge," Sirius repeated into the mirror. "I know it doesn't make sense, but trust me on this. You know I wouldn't ask you to do anything that would get you hurt."

Harry nodded. He'd come to love and trust Sirius as much as he did his dad.

"What do you have planned?"

Sirius grinned and said "I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Let's just say the Marauders and Weasley twins are teaming up for one last great prank at Hogwarts."

Those four teamed up? This was sounding Harry knew just how to get a detention. Mila had registered as a werewolf after being adopted, so her secret was protected from anyone outside the Ministry. It was time to give Umbridge a taste of her own medicine.

The following day was Monday, which meant Umbridge and the usual boring reading on theory and how to avoid needing to defend yourself. Harry raised his hand. No turning back now.

"You have a question about the lesson, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, actually. It covers non agressive negotiations, but I noticed there's nothing about negotiation with non- humans."

Umbridge gave a twisted smile. "You would know more about that than I would, dear."

Harry didn't let on that he understood. "Well, I was thinking specifically about- goblins."

All color drained from Umbridge's face, and then was replaced by a shade of purple.

"Why on earth would I know anything about goblins?"

"I just wondered, given your ancestry."

Umbridge was past the sweet act now.

"My blood is pure!"

Not stopping, Harry held up the pages where Hermione had learned about Umbridge's bloodlines. "But I read in-"

"Detention!" Umbridge screamed. "Leave the classroom! Now!"

Later that night, Harry went to Umbridge's office, feeling nervous. Not about getting cut. He knew his dad and Sirius wouldn't put him at risk of getting hurt. He was nervous in anticipation of what was going to happen. He went over his one instruction in his head. Make sure to ask if she wanted him to use the bloodquill. He didn't see what that was going to do, but he did it anyway.

"Do I have to use the bloodquill? Can't I use my own."

"Of course you have to use the bloodquill. Apparently the message about not lying hasn't sunk in. Saying I'm part goblin."

"But you are."

"And nobody needs to know that! You're going to be here writing for a long time, Mr. Potter."

"No he's not."

Harry turned in surprise. Dumbledore was standing in the doorway, seemingly radiating power, his blue eyes unusually cold as he glared at Umbridge.

"Headmaster! I was ust having him-"

"Use an illegal magical item?" Dumbledore sumoned the quil.

"I had no idea he was using a blood quill. He brought his own supplies. It must be another attempt for attention."

"The entire school heard otherwise," Dumbledore said. "You see, some friends of Harry's took the liberty of tampering with this quill. Anything said near it is heard clearly by everyone in the castle. Aurors will be here momentarily to arrest you."

As if on que, Tonks, Kingsley, and Alex came past Dumbledore into the must have all been pre- warned what the plan was. In seconds Umbridge was being handcuffed and lead out of Hogwarts. Remus and Sirius were leaning against a wall watching. Umbridge caught sight of them and screamed at Remus.

"You! You filthy half br- Aaaaaaah!"

Tonks had roughly jabbed her wand into Umbridge's back. Harry was almost positive he saw sparks come out.

"It's very important to your health that you not finish that sentence."

It was like watching a parade after that. Peeves was following them, blowing raspberries at Umbridge, who continued to shriek and shrieking got louder when she suddenly sank into a large murky pond that had just appeared in front of her.

"Now how did that get there?" George asked.

"Dunno. Must have a leaky roof," Fred said.

"Odd how it wasn't there a moment ago."

"Good environment for her though."

Remus looked at the twins.

"Speaking of which, Dora and I noticed how Umbridge wasn't able to interfere with Mila's adoption. I'm guessing you two had something to do with that."

Grinning, George said "She wasn't quite feeling like herself at the time. You might say we wondered if she was- croaking."

"That," said Fred, "Is pathetic. Of all the amphibian related humor, you go for croaking?" Then he looked at Umbridge as she was lead through the doors outside and added "I bet she's hopping mad right now."

Remus and Sirius hadn't come to Hogwarts that day simply to Umbridge hauled off. They'd wanted to talk to Dumbledore as well. They didn't know if it would do any good, but they had to try. Anything that could help Harry was worth a try. When Dumbledore asked what he could do for them, they came as close to speaking their fear aloud as they had since Remus had left St. Mungo's.

"We have- well, a concern about Harry. About his- connection- to Voldemort," Remus started.

"We don't want to know if we're right or not," Sirius added quickly. Remus nodded. If it were true and Harry had to die, neither of them wanted to know for certain.

"But we think you know what we mean, and if there's anything at all that could help Harry, we're willing to try it."

Dumbledore had been thinking about that problem long and hard ever since Voldemort had returned to power. While the elderly headmaster tried to think of Harry as just another student, he'd come to care about him. He had proven his courage, loyalty, and unselfishness again and again. There hadn't been a year since Harry had come to Hogwarts that Harry hadn't ened up risking his life- often several times a year. It was almost impossible not to come to care about him. Yet how could he put thousands, maybe millions of lives in danger to save one boy? What was the greater good this time?

He hadn't completely answered the two friends before they left his office. He couldn't without confirming their fear. But after they left, he started reconsidering a possibility that had presented itself at the end of last year. Judging by the look Harry's guardians had given him, he must have had triumph in his eyes when he heard how Voldemort had used Harry's blood. Of course, he couldn't tell them of the chance of hope that brought. He didn't even know for sure if he was right. The protection Lily had given Harry when she'd sacrificed herself was something previously unheard of.

The wand Dumbledore had won so many years ago lay on his desk, and he picked it up and fingered it. He didn't want Harry to know the power the wand held. He himself knew the temptation of the Hallows. But maybe- just maybe.

Harry was beginning to wonder if all the adults knew had gone insane. First he was supposed to get a detention- well, he understood why now- and now Dumbledore, who had avoided him all year, wanted to give him a dueling lesson. What was more surprising was that Harry had actually disarmed Dumbledore! The greatest wizard of all time and Harry had disarmed him! The surprises weren't over yet though. The next day Dumbledore called Harry to his office and told him the wand was his now.

"You see, this wand no longer works as it should for me. I believe it has transfered it's alligence to you."

Harry wasn't sure which question to ask first, whether wandas could do that or whether it was true Dumbledore's wand had done that. He had just decided to ask the second question when Dumbledore answered.

"You disarmed me. For all practical purposes, you defeated me. When one wizard defeats another, the wand recognizes them as it's new master." He held out the wand, which Harry reluctantly took.

"But this is yours."

"I have another wand, Harry. I won this one many years ago. I think it would be wise if you carried both your wands with you at all times."

All right, if that was what Dumbledore wanted. But Harry didn't see why. After all, his wand gave the protection of the brother cores. No doubt Dumbledore's wand was a very good one, but why was it different from all other wands? There must be some reason, but Harry could tell this was one of the times when Dumbledore would not give a full answer.

The week every student had been dreading arrived. It was finally time for their exams, both at Hogwarts and Phoenix House. At least the students at Phoenix House wouldn't be taking their OWLS for another three years. Harry was dreading Potions, and he already knew he'd fail Divination. Charms, Transfiguration, and Herbology went well enough, and so did Astronomy. Defense Against the Dark Arts couldn't have gone better. Harry couldn't resist showing off a little, and performed all the counter jinxes perfectly. It was almost too easy demonstrating how to get rid of a boggart, and he was even asked to demonstrate how to cast a patronus for a bonus point.

History of Magic was another story. It had always been such a boring class, and now Harry found himself only half remembering the answers. Then somehow his thoughts weren't his own and he was far away from Hogwarts.

"You will get it for me," a cold, sinister voice Harry knew all too well said.

"We'll never give you anything that will help you and especially nothing that would get Harry hurt," Sirius said.

Remus nodded. "We'd rather die."

"Oh you will. But not until you've learned what pain the Dark Lord can cause. Crucio!"

The two friends were writhing in pain, each trying to shield the other. Harry was watching them suffer and was powerless to stop it.

The vision left as quickly as it had come, and Harry ran to hand in his test and rushed out of the room. Who cared if he pased or failed a stupid test. His father and godfather were being tortured and were going to die. He had to tell Dumbledore. Over the years he'd come to believe there was no problem Dumbledore couldn't solve. True, until recently Dumbledore had spent the whole year avoiding him, but he would listen to something this important. Unfortunately, Harry ran into someone alot less helpful.

"Where do you think you're going Mr. Potter?"

Harry turned to Snape. "I need to see Dumbledore."

"I doubt that in your arrogance you'll believe this Potter, but the headmaster has other concerns besides you. He's at Gringot's if it's any of your buisness."

It felt like all the wind had gone out of him. With Dumbledore gone there was no one to help him now. By the time he could breathe again Snape had walked away. Harry heard Ron and Hermione come up to him, but barely registered what they were saying. Finally he managed to describe his vision to them.

"I have to get to the Ministry somehow," he finished. He knew from his dreams where they were.

"But Harry," Hermione said slowly. "What if Voldemort's just trying to lure you there? What if it isn't real?"

Shaking his head, Harry answered "It's just like when I saw my dad hurt by that snake."

"Harry please. Just try to contact them before you do anything."

Finally she convinced him to take one moment to be sure of what was happening, which turned out to be both a good and bad thing.

"Dad?" Harry called into the mirror. "Sirius? Anybody? Please!"

"What's wrong, Cub?"

Harry was so relieved to see his dad's face in the mirror that it took a moment for him to answer.

"is everyone at home safe?"

"Yes, we're all fine." Then Remus understood. "You had a vision like when I was hurt, didn't you?"

Harry nodded "You and Sirius were being tortured by Voldemort in the Department of Mysteries."

The news that Harry had another vision was obviously disturbing, but Harry thought the two friend's faces in the mirror looked far more disturbed by that than they should have. After all, it had only been a trick and nobody was really in danger at the moment.

"I think we have to get to the Department of Mysteries right away," Sirius said.

"Right," Remus agreed. "Voldemort clearly wants to lure Harry there. He's sure to either be there himself or have several death eaters waiting for Harry. And if he's there and we can take him down now-"

"No!" Harry knew they were in the Order, that they had to fight. Still, he couldn't help having a bad feeling about them possibly going against Voldemort himself.

"Harry, we have to do this. We can't let a chance to take Voldemort slip past us. You know that. We've been in situations like this promise me no matter what you'll stay at Hogwarts and keep yourself safe. Keep the mirror close and we'll contact you as soon as it's over. Promise me."

"But Dad I can't just-" the look on his dad's face cut him off. "I promise."

AN: I know it's a lousy place to leave off, but i was the only place that worked. The next chapter is already written, so it will be up soon. Everyone who won the name contest, just a reminder to please get your names submitted s I can use them.