DISCLAIMER: I do not own Negima or Harry Potter. Negima is the property of Ken Akamatsu, and Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling.

Italics text = character thinking to themselves.

Underline+Italics = character communicating with telepathy

Bold text = shouting

Bold+Italcs = Casting Spell/Ability

Chapter Eighteen

The Quidditch Deal

As the inspections from Umbridge continued throughout the school, the other professors noticed Umbridge' bad mood and lack of attention, and obviously took advantage of it.

She still tried to at least catch McGonagall with something, since she was Dumbledore' right hand, but failed miserably, as the Transfigurations professor put her to her place almost as harsh as Eva.

But Trelawney wasn't so lucky. Actually, it was a disaster, and she received a probing period.

As a side note, Dumbledore and McGonagall were more then amused by the recording Asakura made of Umbridge getting crushed by Eva's words. Also, Umbridge found out that she somehow couldn't bring herself to submit a report on Negi's group. That made Fudge doubt her loyalty, but at least not her sanity. Not yet, anyway.

Umbridge, after such humiliation, was out for revenge. And she put her plan in motion at the beginning of November, as a new Educational Decree was emitted by the Ministry.

"All of the students' clubs and societies are, from this moment are abolished. For the recreation of the groups and societies, permission from the Grand Inquisitor will be required. The penalties of those who do not respect those mentioned above will be chosen by the Grand Inquisitor." Hermione read from the announcement posted in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Why would they pull this out? How does this help Umbridge?" Ron asked confused.

"I'll tell you how! It stops Professor Springfield from giving us any extra training! It doesn't say it only applies to students!" Hermione whispered furiously.

"And what's more, we'll have to get permission from her to restore the Quidditch team!" Harry added boiling with anger.

"But the first match of the season is tree days from now!" Ron said worried.

"That must have been the whole point for waiting this long." Hermione told them.

"Harry!" someone yelled from across the room.

"It's Angelina" Ron noticed.

"Should have seen this coming" Harry thought.

"Harry, I'm begging you! Whatever happens, don't upset Umbridge! She might not let us play this weekend!" the dark skinned girl said nearly crying.

"I'll try, but lately she's been more upset for other reasons." he said thinking about the recent events that made her mad. Like Peeves, the crazy ghost, who decided that her robe would look better if it was blue and dropped a bottle of ink on her. Harry had to admit the ghost had a point, since Umbridge always wore pink clothes. Or the small accident when the she stumbled upon one of Chao's experimental barrier generators. It was the one that captured anyone within a meter. But it was in a locked classroom with warning signs, and they did find her after "just" two hours. Well, Peeves found her after ten minutes, but why spoil her fun?

"Actually, you should ask McGonagall to ask for permission." Hermione suggested.

"Yeah! She can bore her with stuff about tradition and get her to agree." Ron added cheerfully.

"I must get McGonagall to talk to her first. They can't stand one another." Angelina sighted. "I'll see what I can do".

Later that evening, Umbridge and McGonagall were in Dumbledore's office, arguing about the team's permission. The later was thinking that this was a waste of his already short free time. While he wanted the Gryffindors to play, it was obvious Umbridge wouldn't back down and why: Harry Potter was on the team.

"Dolores, I understand where you're coming from with this refuse. You say Harry must be restricted from it since he has a criminal record, even though he was proved innocent." Dumbledore made an attempt to shorten the argument.

"Yes headmaster, that's exactly it. I believe he may become violent and attack the other players. I'm merely thinking of their safety." Umbridge grinned and thought "Like hell I'll let that brat play after he yelled at ME!"

"Geh, she's so obvious." both Dombledore and McGonagall thought.

"Then how about a compromise? Mainly, you don't want Potter to play this weekend, right?" Dumbledore asked, smiling inwardly.

"Yes, that's exactly it."

"Then Harry won't be allowed to play in the match against the Slytherins, but he will be allowed in the other matches."

At this suggestion, Umbridge remained in thought for a few seconds. If Potter wouldn't play, Slytherin would have an easy victory. Furthermore, the new Goalkeeper (Ron) was pathetic. The points from this match would almost guarantee the Quidditch Cup to Slytherin. That would make Lucius Malfoy very pleased.

"Very well, I accept this deal. Just one condition: His replacement can be anyone, as long it's younger and also wears glasses." the Grand Inquisitor grinned and thought "He's already one of the few people that wear glasses anyway. Maybe they'll get a first year student or something!"

"Agreed" Dumbledore smiled as he read her mind and thought himself "She's closer then she thinks with that description!"

"Minerva" the Headmaster said after Umbridge left cheerfully "I need you to relay a message to the replacement."

The next day, Harry received the news pretty bad.

"What do you mean I can't play? You just told me we have permission!"

"I'm sorry Harry, McGonagall told me this is the best she and Dumbledore could obtain. You'll just have to sit this one out." the team leader explained.

"Damn" Harry sighted before continuing "Alright, I'll take one for the team. By the way, who's gonna be my replacement?"

"Yeah…about that. Umbridge said she'll only accept someone younger then you, that also wears glasses. In other words a novice with a disadvantage."

"Oh, boy! We're so screwed! Before the Snitch is caught, it won't mater who catches it. We'll be losing anyway because of my lousy performance." Ron said more and more depressed.

"That's one serious loser complex you've got there, de gozaru." a voice was heard from behind them and they saw Kaede with Setsuna.

"Well, it's true either I want it or not!" Ron said.

"We have the solution for your substitution problem" Setsuna told Angelina." Dumbledore sent us a message.

"Who?" all three players asked.

"Negi-sensei" she answered leaving a long silence.

"EEEEEEHHHHHHHH?" they suddenly yelled.

"Shh! Do you want Umbridge to hear?"

"Bu-but … he's not even a student! He's a teacher!" Angelina whispered.

"The exact words Umbridge used were "Anyone younger that wears galsses" so she can't complain."

"But he's a complete amateur. He never even rode a broom before!"

"No, but he's an expert at riding his staff."

"That's not allowed! Is it?"

"Well, technically speaking, you can have a wand on you during the match. And the staff is actually legal for riding. So…."

"Somehow, I just love this idea" Harry stopped the discussion. "If only to see the look on Umbridge's face."

"As for you, have more confidence in yourself." Kaede told Ron.

"But..."

"Think of it this way: the one that are in the crowd, why are they there?"

"Umm…for cheering?"

"Because they weren't good enough to be on a team" Kaede said with a smile.

"She has a point, you know" Angelina added.

"T-Thanks, Miss Kaede."

"Kaede is fine. The ones who are teachers are Negi-kun and Evangeline-san"

"Yeah, but you seem older and…." his words stopped when the temperature suddenly dropped.

Setsuna burst into laughter, but suddenly stopped when Kaede shot her a death glare (her eyes were as closed as usual!).

"So-sorry, I meant more mature" Ron corrected quickly before "actually, how old are you?"

"Never heard you shouldn't ask a woman her age?" Kaede grinned at him, but without the icy glare.

"I..."

"Just kidding. Except Evangeline and Sayo-chan, al of us are around 15."

"And Asuna" Setsuna told Kaede telepathically.

"They don't need to know that." the ninja answered the same way.

"Okay!" Angelina said. "Then tell Professor Negi to bet at the Stadium at…"

"Actually, he said it would be better if you practiced in Eva's Resort" Yue said as she got beside them.

"Most of the players have wind element as either primary or secondary, so he'll show you how to use it in flying." she whispered.

"But wouldn't that be cheating?" Angelina asked.

"He did tell the entire school that it can be used that way and even said how when he explained his speed." Yue responded with her usual blank face.

"For some reason, I actually don't care anymore if I don't play this weekend." Harry grinned.

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A.N.: For those who've wondered about Chachazero or Chamo, they'll be in the next chapter. Furthermore, don't restrict your pairings only to the characters shown so far.

Who knows, maybe they'll need backup! (Spoiler)