Superiority
The remaining summer at Grimmaud Place was more silent. Ron had come around, or more like Hermione threatened him to refrain from snogging until he did.
The school owls arrived early this time and had thick letters for the four of them.
Apart from the usual book list, there were additional letters about their new positions.
Hermione and Ron both made prefects. Sirius commented how it was similar to the Marauders where Lily and Remus were made prefect in an attempt to slow them down. "Although Lily was even more abusive of her new power when it came to pranks. Saved us a lot of times from the Slytherin counterpart."
Harry was surprised that he was made Captain of the quidditch team. It technically made him prefect, too. He knew that Angelina was the second-in-command during Wood's times but McGonagall informed him that the girl had been voted Head-girl and would be unable to hold the position of Captain the same time. The new Second-in-command was Ginny, giving her the same rights as prefects had, too. It was a new development as the prefects couldn't cover all "crimes" during the day alone so the other "badge-wearers" were going to help them. Minerva explained how Ron couldn't hold the position as he was prefect. Fred and George were known pranksters who would certainly abuse the new power and the two remaining players Katie and Alicia refused to take any of the two positions.
Ginny was also surprised to see that she had been moved up a year. Officially, it was due to her spectacular performance during the tournament last term, but unofficially she knew it was about her abilities that came with being bonded and a CAT3. Erik pointed out that, since her magical core spiked again, she would probably be a CAT4 or 5.
On the train Hermione and Ron separated from the group to get to the wagon for the prefects where they would be briefed on their duty. Harry and Ginny didn't have to go as their letters already informed them about their limited prefect duties, mainly deducting points and assigning detention. Also they could only be overruled by their own house's prefects and were treated equally by the other prefects. Neville, Fred and George joined them in their compartment when Malfoy strode in with his two cronies. "See who's there. Potter and Weasel."
"Stick it, Malfoy." Harry said, keeping his eyes on Ginny. "Watch it, Potter. I can assign you detention and deduct your points. How about fifty for insulting me and twenty because I don't like you?"
"How about I take ten points from you for abusing you power?" Ginny asked.
Malfoy laughed. "You can't do that. I saw Mudblood and Weasel at the carriage. You aren't prefects." Without a word Harry and Ginny pushed their robes to the side, showing the badges pinned on the inside. "Quidditch Captain and Second in Command. Same job, just don't have to do night patrols and babysitting the first-years."
Arriving at the great hall they watched the sorting of the new first-years before listening to Dumbledore.
Most of his speeches was dull until he came to the new teacher for DADA.
"Unfortunately the teacher I got is unavailable tonight. He will certainly arrive during the night and be there for the fist lessons tomorrow."
"Hem, Hem." The toad clad in pink shoved her way to the podium and began her speech. Harry and Ginny nearly fell asleep from this and guessed that Erik was right about the Ministry trying to intervene.
~Unbelievable that Percy was on that path, too.~ Ginny groaned mentally.~At least he came around when he and Penelope began to date publicly.~
When the new time tables were handed out he sighed. At least he had the same plan as Ginny. Their first morning was beginning with a double lesson potions followed by double DADA, both with Slytherins. Then they had Devination and afterward CoMC. Try-outs weren't necessary since the team was still together.
When the four entered the dungeons Malfoy glared at them but refrained from doing anything. Snape gave them the instructions for the potion but stayed to himself otherwise. Surprisingly, even Neville managed a good potion when they handed theirs in for grading. Ginny's enhanced senses were quite well and combined with Harry's natural talent they managed to get a good potion until Snape accidentally dropped it. However, as they were the last to hand it in Ginny saw him writing down an O next to their names.
The familiar DADA class room was different. While Quirrell had a lot of garlic in it, Lockhart his own portraits and Remus different educational posters, Erik had more practical things in here.
In vitrines were different sorts of weapons. Hermione scanned through the different books that were there and saw that they were mostly about recognizing vehicles, planes and weapons. Multiple manuals on the same were in the next shelf. Ron's attention was drawn to the large weapons in the front. Just then Umbridge entered. "Sit down, Class. Since Professor Winston is unavailable today the ministry has decided to have me filling in. Good Morning Class."
Mumbled "Good Mornings" were heard.
Umbridge asked for discipline and soon a "GOOD MORNING, PROFESSOR!" sounded through the class room like it was a barrack.
She continued to order them to put their wands away and to take their books out. Just as Hermione asked her about the necessity of performing magic to train she dismissed it as being unnecessary.
Harry noted that everything was based on ministry decisions. At one point he couldn't keep it down. "Do you really think Voldy is going to wait for us to read a spell before curing him?" He asked rather loud to Ginny.
"I don't know. Maybe if we tell him about the ministry he might pity us and give us another year."
Umbridge jumped up. "THAT'S IT! DETENTION, MR POTTER AND MS WEASLEY!"
Just as she sat down again fuming a door creaked. From the upper level Erik came down. It was obvious that he was still half asleep when he stumbled down.
"Sorry, class." he yawned. "I must have fallen asleep while trying to read this book. These spells are quite well described, so as a long term homework I want you to work through them. Ignore the advices about the accurate use. All you need to know is what the spell does not when to use it. Seriously, you could learn more from the Task Force Cobra recruitment bureau." He threw the large book onto the table. It hit Umbridge first and had her crashing into the table, knocking her out.
"Defense is all about making decisions. This will be our topic for the first year." He yawned again. It was clear to the students that the soldier wasn't fully awake nor completely aware of his surroundings. "Making decisions is useless without having information so until November we will work on gaining information. From then I will teach you how to make decisions in a split second. Beginning from Christmas we will focus on the spells. A shooting range will be set up by then for you to test your spells on dummies. The last part I will oversee your training schedule you put together yourself for your OWLs. Questions?"
"Hem, Hem. This is my class." Umbridge said.
"Mr Weasley, would you be so nice to give me a short summary of what Ms Umbridge has taught you in my absence?" Ron flinched and sat straight. "She asked us to put our wands away and ..."
"I said short, Mr Weasley." Ron turned red and stammered: "Nothing."
"Well, she did deduct points from Gryffindor and assign Harry and Ginny detention."
Erik turned to the two. "Why?" "We made fun of her lesson because we don't think Voldemort will let us wait to read a spell while fighting him."
"Take your points back and dismiss the detention."
Umbridge moved to the back of the class, obviously fuming on the professor overruling her.
Erik ignored her. "And for the protocol, quit calling me professor. I'm Lieutenant Winston so call me Lieutenant. Professor sounds like I am a wise old man."
He began walking through the rows of students. "Now onto making decisions. Any part of your life, you make decisions. Normally you have time but during a fight and defending you have limited time to do so. Now we will take the first step. Information. As a soldier I'm on the battlefield and do not always have time to get the information myself so I have to rely on information collected before hand. It's like reading in a book for you.
Yes, Mr Malfoy?"
Draco grinned. "You are only a muggle. How come you have experience in fighting the Dark Arts?"
"Ten points from Slytherin for disrespect. Unless you change your attitude I fear that I have to introduce military standards into this class." Umbridge looked like she was about to contradict but the glare Erik gave her shut her up.
Erik placed his helmet onto the table and sat down. "I have been with Task Force Cobra for nearly ten years now. My first encounter with the Dark Arts was in 2036 although I didn't know about it back then. Later I encountered a team of what people would think of dark creatures. We eventually became friends and were enlisted as Cobras. Most of what follows then is classified but I ensure you that the Dark Arts have been a constant companion of mine since then.
Which brings me to my next point. I once told you about the difference between dark and light. Does anyone remember?"
Hermione's hand shot up. "There are no dark or light tools. Just people with dark or light intentions. And even then it is determined differently from person to person what light and dark is."
Erik nodded. "Yes. A well used levitating charm can have the same lethal effects as the killing curse. Class dismissed." Just as the students packed their books the bell ringed.
Umbridge got meaner each time. She was the High Inquisitor and inspected each teacher. After Erik she checked on McGonagall and Flitwick. Both didn't give her any reason until she checked Trelawny. Throwing her out, it was Dumbledore who intervened. Erik had disappeared during the argument and had a new devination teacher by the end of the day.
Harry remembered Firenze from his first year. The centaur was delighted that Harry still remembered his name. The had a few run-ins with Malfoy but the other Slytherin prefect, Daphne, helped them out a few times.
Umbrige instated an inquisitorial squad, containing exclusively pureblood Slytherins. Harry feared that Malfoy would abuse the power when Daphne told them about having basically the same rights as professors. So they were right out surprised when Draco cornered them alone, without his cronies.
"Look, Potter. I had a lot to think about since the train ride. I had a long talk with Lieutenant Winston. I feel like I have to apologize to you. I only listened to my father and didn't think for myself. I stuck my nose where it didn't belong."
Ginny grabbed him and slammed him into the wall. "Who are you and what have you done to Malfoy?" Draco stuttered. "It's me, really." "He met my sister." Daphne stood behind them. "Astoria always had an effect on people. It started out as betrothal but it grew into real love."
"When I told her about my father she slapped me and said that she didn't want to see me again unless I straighten things out." Draco admitted looking down.
With the backing of the whole Hogwarts staff and two of Umbridge's personal squad life got easier for the Gryffindors. Even Snape ,who was still giving them a hard time, didn't deduct points and even helped Neville and Seamus before they melted their cauldron. However, the largest showdown was when Erik decided to introduce military standards when Nott made a snide comment about muggles again.
"Okay. I have been going light on you but this will change with the next lesson. I randomly pick names and put you together in squads of four. You will work together as you are graded as one. I don't care which house you are in or which feuds you have. You will address me as Lieutenant or Sir. Clean appearance every time unless you want five points docked. Greeting will be standing at attention with a salute until I answer that. Then you will greet me. When I pick you, stand up before speaking. Each sentence ends with Sir. Do you understand?"
"Yes." was mumbled several times over. "I asked: Did you understand?" Erik shouted.
"Sir, yes, Sir!" the class shouted as they jumped up.
Erik randomly picked the names by pinning the list onto the wall and throwing darts at it.
The first squad consisted of Ginny, Daphne, Harry and Malfoy. The second was Neville, Pansy, Millicent and Nott. Ron had Hermione, Goyle and Crabbe in his squad. The two remaining teams were pure Gryffindors or pure Slytherin.
"To test your abilities in working together I will assign you different things to work on. You will write an essay about the thing I give you and each squad member will write about another part. You may help each other, but each of you has to write at least three inches.
Harry's squad got to write about the Black Hawk. Neville was assigned a flame thrower while Hermione's team got the B-17 bomber. The other two teams got weapons.
"This room should have books to cover everything up. You are free to use them any time."
Umbridge jumped up and shouted. "I have watched this long enough. As High Inquistor of Hogwarts I fire you and will take this class over personally."
"Too bad you can't." Umbrige turned beet-red. "I can! Educational Decree..."
Erik flipped open a badge. "I am not hired by Hogwarts. The ICW placed me here after a colleague was called to Bauxbatons in August and had splendid results after the first week. So to get rid of me you have to go to the ICW and demand for the abortion of the mission."
She sneered as she turned on her heel and stomped out.
Umbridge found herself the target of pranks for the following days. It was obvious that only the hardline Slytherins were backing her. Draco and Daphne made half-hearted attempts to catch the pranksters, well-knowing who was responsible. Harry found out that it helped to have a house-elf working for one in the kitchen. He could see even the teachers doing things. Snape even blew up a cauldron in Umbridge's face stating that the presence of Gryffindors might be a reason. Ron was a little bit insulted about the five docked points, but seeing Umbridge's face was priceless.
It got so far that she invoked an educational decree that enabled her to take over any class she deemed necessary. As expected she took DADA. However, she couldn't really complain about the Lieutenant's work as he had taught them by the book. She forbid them to use the muggle books, but as the room was still officially Erik's she couldn't remove them. The first lesson she took over was boring and half of the class was sleeping in the first two minutes.
A knock on the door and the sound of a person trying to open a locked door got their attention.
Malfoy already stood up to open when Umbridge told him to sit down.
"Any student who comes too late will wait outside. I will dock the points and assign detention. Draco sat down again. Then they hear a whirring sound. One of the sentry guns in the middle turned to face the door. Umbridge, standing directly between the gun and its target, sqeaked and jumped behind a desk. With a loud chatter the gun fired its rounds into the door. A full minute it spent firing until it stopped. The dust settled and the door fell down with a deafening THUMP.
Erik stepped over the wood and entered the class. "All students outside please. You will run the pit." The Gryffindors all filed out. The inquisitorial squad helped Delores up and out onto the grounds. By the time she got there Erik had already instructed the students. Running through the pit in pairs and solo they trained to react and decide.
"What is this? I banned you from teaching!" Umbridge shouted. Erik didn't even look at her. Through the black visor it was hard to tell what his expression was.
"You power does not extend to members under the order the ICW. The headmaster made a change of schedule. One lesson DADA less for a new subject called field training.
Erik really demanded the most out of them. Apart from Harry and Ginny the others were breathing hard after the run.
"What about you, Lieutenant?" Malfoy sneered. Harry knew it was for show but Erik docked ten points which were promptly returned by Umbridge. In the time Umbridge scolded the children Erik had already got through the course. Thirty seconds and he didn't miss one target or shoot an innocent.
Umbridge got really ugly after the Quibbler published the interview Rita Skeeter took from Harry and Ginny. Cedric would have come too, if he hadn't been busy. Being an auror in training, he had too much to do and disappearing from work for an interview would put him on Fudge's bad side.
However, exact this fact was used in the daily prophet to discredit the interview. However, the damage was done. Students were talking about it and Umbridge had a new educational decree that banished the Quibbler. Nevertheless, the students and professors found a way around the new rules to award the two. McGonagall awarded them with fifty points for a perfect transformation. Flitwick gave them a set of sweets and even Snape had them brewing a potion in front of everyone and mentioned that the batch would go to Madame Pomfrey. Fred and George commented how this was the greatest prank anyone had played ever.
But even the best pranksters would get caught eventually. It was during their match against Slytherin. Harry and Malfoy used their high speed chasing to talk. They put up a good show in which Harry caught the snitch barely a second before Draco.
When Flint took revenge on Ginny, Fred and George lost their cool. It had cost them their place on the quidditch team, but both stated that they rather leave on their own terms than having to bear with Flint anymore. To everyone's surprise the whole Gryffindor team quit. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw team also quit after seeing the favoritism Umbridge showed the Slytherins. Malfoy quit too, stating that having gotten Potter to quit was all he planned to do.
Umbridge smiled as Dumbledore had to declare the Slytherins the winners of the quidditch cup ,but no student took it seriously as they knew that the Slytherins didn't win it on their own.