This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter universe, which are trademarked by J.K. Rowling. I do not claim ownership of these characters nor the locations such as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, etc. that are Rowling's creations. This work also includes Pokemon, which belong to the Pokemon Company, and I again claim no ownership of these characters.
I thank both Rowling and the Pokemon Company for the universes they have created that allows me to do something like this for my own entertainment and, hopefully, the entertainment of the readers.
In contrast to the stresses of the previous day the first day back at Hogwarts was strikingly normal. It was almost like nothing unusual had happened, as the fifth year boys got up and dressed for their first day back and hurried down to the Great Hall for their breakfast. The normality was only slightly altered when their timetables were delivered and they discovered their very first battling class with Umbridge was that very day.
Things didn't really start to break the norm until Physiology, the first class of the day, where, as usual, Professor McGonagall gave them all a firm talking to.
"This year," she told them. "Is different. There is no room for slacking off or putting in lacklustre efforts when it comes to your studies. I could not stress the importance of the education you are about to receive."
"Your A. , or Average Pokémon Examinations if you would, will be sat at the end of the year and will encompass everything you have learned over the course of your first five years at this establishment. You will be tested rigorously and your performance will be of vital interest to both yourself, this school, and potential future employers as without acceptable grades in certain subjects you will be unable to continue with them to S.P.A level."
"Do not think you can leave this to the last minute," she warned. "No student in this class, no matter how bright or naturally intelligent, is capable of doing well in these exams without adequate preparation. Your revision will start now. Your professors will expect full effort. And it is only yourself that suffers if you refuse to rise to their standards."
McGonagall let a moment of silence hang in the air as her words sunk in. No one spoke or made a sound, not one person willing to incur McGonagall's wrath upon them. They would do as she said, if for no other reason than not to disappoint her. She was a truly terrifying woman to anger.
"Now, we shall move on to the topic of today's class and indeed the topic of the year for Pokémon Physiology," Professor McGonagall continued, seemingly satisfied that her point had been taken in. "The subject shall be Mega Evolution."
A whisper swept through the class, though Harry was left stumped. Ron, too, looked confused and only Hermione, who had no doubt read the Physiology textbook from cover to cover already, looked like she knew what was going on. Outside their group was an entirely different matter. Seamus was muttering something excitedly into Dean's ear while across the classroom, as far away from Harry as possible, Malfoy's eyes gleamed.
McGonagall, whilst Harry had been scanning the room, had walked over to a projector sitting on her desk, dimming the lights in the classroom before whirring the machine to life.
A picture, one of a Pokémon intimately familiar to Harry, a Charizard, appeared on the screen. But it looked different. Everything about this Charizard was much more angular than Harry's own, from its face to its wings to its short arms, each attached with a small wing-like appendage.
"Mega Evolution is one of the most advanced subjects in the world of Pokémon Physiology," McGonagall lectured as Harry puzzled over the unusual Charizard on screen. "It is a recent phenomenon, only truly falling into common use over the last twenty to thirty years, and so there is a lot we still don't know, which leads to many interesting and unanswered questions."
"Mega Evolution is an ability which very few species are able to take advantage of," McGonagall continued and she switched the projector. On the screen stood a fearsome looking Garchomp, but again noticeably different from what Harry knew a regular Garchomp looked like.
"What Mega Evolution is is best explained by what it does," McGonagall told them. "When a Pokémon with the ability to do so Mega Evolves it takes on a new, though similar, form. This form is accompanied by increased strength, speed and stamina." She switched the projector again. Now shown was an even more dangerous looking form of a Beedrill.
"The strength of this new form comes from the strength of the Pokémon's bond with its trainer," McGonagall explained, switching to yet another picture on the projector. "A Pokémon cannot achieve Mega Evolution on its own. It is a process based on mutual trust."
But Harry had stopped listening. The picture on the projector had blocked out all other input and his hand went to his chest. The marble like object was just noticeable through the material of his shirt, he had not taken it off since Sirius had handed it to him at the door to Grimmauld Place. But now he was looking up to a picture with an almost identical version on the screen and he finally found out what it was.
"Mega Evolution requires two objects," Professor McGonagall explained, referring to the screen where two spheres were shown. One was like what Harry had hidden under his shirt. The other was much larger.
"The first object shown here is the Mega Stone," McGonagall explained. "In order to Mega Evolve the Pokémon in question must hold the Mega Stone that matches its species. For the case of Altaria, for example, the Mega Stone required would be Altarianite. For Glalie it would be Glalitite."
"The second thing required is a Key Stone," McGonagall continued. "This is to be held by a trainer and together these two stones provide a link from which the bond between trainer and Pokémon can be materialised into usable strength and power. Only with a strong connection can Mega Evolution be pulled off. Without it Mega Evolution is impossible."
McGonagall's lesson had got the whole class excited and they were practically buzzing as the bell went and they left the Physiology classroom.
"Hey Finnegan!" Dean shouted. "Want to take on me and my Mega Hariyama!"
"Hariyama can't Mega Evolve, dumbass!" Seamus shouted back.
"I wonder if Arcanine can Mega Evolve," Ron said excitably as he, Hermione and Harry walked away. "It would be awesome if he could become even more powerful." Hermione shook her head.
"Arcanine can't Mega Evolve, I'm sorry," she told him. "Most Pokémon can't. Wartortle will be able to if he evolves but apart from that only Harry's Charizard can Mega Evolve out of our Pokémon." She frowned. "I thought you would have known about Mega Evolution," she told him. "Don't your family have Mega Evolving Pokémon?"
Ron shrugged. "I don't know about Bill and Charlie," he said. "Charlie has a Charizard so I suppose he could Mega Evolve that but I've never seen him do it. Same with Bill. I suppose dad might be able to Mega Evolve something." But Hermione was shaking her head again.
"Only fully evolved Pokémon can Mega Evolve," Hermione reminded him. "Mr Weasley only has a Magby and Quilava. Besides, it's not just the right Pokémon you need, you also need the right Mega Stone and a Key Stone too."
Harry wanted to speak up at this point, to tell Ron and Hermione about the gift Sirius had given him before they'd left, but he was interrupted before he could speak by the sound of his own name.
"Potter!" Angelina Johnson, seventh year and fellow Gryffindor, and most importantly to Harry Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, was fighting through the crowd towards them.
"There you are," she said as she finally reached him, standing tall and imposing before him.
"Hi Angelina," Harry said, though it didn't seem like the older girl was in the mood for pleasantries. Indeed she did not respond to his greeting.
"I've been made Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team," she told him without preamble.
"Congratulations," Harry said but she waved it off.
"I've arranged tryouts for this Friday," she told him, getting to the heart of the matter immediately. "We need a new Keeper now that Wood's gone. I want the whole team to be there to make sure we make the right choice."
"I'll be there," Harry told her. Quidditch, the popular trainer sport, was one of the most important parts of Harry's life at Hogwarts. As Seeker he had not lost a single match, although he had participated in a draw against Hufflepuff in third year after Talonflame, who'd been a Fletchinder back then, was struck by lightning during the match. With a pang he remembered it had been Cedric Diggory that had been the opposing Seeker that day.
Angelina left immediately after receiving his confirmation, heading off to her next class as Harry, Ron and Hermione did the same.
"You know, I might just try out for the team myself," Ron mused as they walked, throwing an unsubtle glance towards his friends to gage their reaction.
"That would be a good idea," Hermione agreed readily. "You'd get along well with the rest of the team so you'd be able to fit right in. What Pokémon do you think you would use?"
"I don't know, I was thinking Machop," Ron said uncertainly. "Arcanine can't really hold the Quaffle and neither can Wartortle really. Pig would probably just get knocked out if he played. What do you think, Harry?"
Harry hesitated.
"I'm not sure," he admitted. Ron's face fell. "I mean there might be someone else who might tryout too," Harry said hurriedly. "With Wood gone it'll be open season for the position."
"But you think I have a shot?" Ron pressed.
"Sure," Harry agreed, though even as he said it he felt he sounded unconvincing. Fortunately Ron didn't seem to notice.
"Great," he said as they came into sight of their next classroom, the Pokémon Battling room, and walked inside. "I think Machop would really work. He's a lot more agile than he looks and has hands so he can throw the Quaffle easily."
Harry blocked out Ron's words as he talked about the pros and cons of using Machop as a Keeper and directed his thoughts inwards instead.
His exploration of his jealousy into Ron had yielded him little result and he had started to grow used to the jabbing pain he'd get whenever the reminder that Ron had been chosen prefect over him came up. But he had never thought his jealousy would spread into other areas of his life.
Deep down Harry knew the right thing to do was to encourage Ron, and it was really what Harry wanted to do all along. But in the moment when Ron had voiced his desire to be on the Gryffindor Quidditch team his entire being had lashed out against the thought. He'd even, however briefly, tried to discourage his friend from trying out.
Why did he do that? What possible reason could Harry have to not want Ron on the team? Logically it would be a great idea. What could make Quidditch even better than being able to play and practice with his best friend? But even now, rationalising it, he still felt as though he didn't want Ron trying out. He felt protective. He felt like he needed to keep the team, his team, to himself.
He realised suddenly that he didn't want to lose it to Ron. He didn't want to lose Quidditch, what truly made him special at Hogwarts, to Ron. Despite how selfish it sounded he didn't want to share the limelight.
He was broken out of his revery by the sound of the door shutting with a sharp snap.
Professor Umbridge strode from the back of the room to the front, still dressed in her ridiculously pink outfit from the night before, and turned, looking out over the students with a satisfied expression on her toad like face.
"Well," she said. "Good morning, class." There was a muttered response from the assembled students. It was always the same for the first class with a new teacher, no one knew how strict or otherwise they would be so nobody stepped out of line.
"Now, that won't do now, will it," Umbridge told them, a chiding expression on her face. "When I say good morning I expect you to reply 'Good morning, Professor Umbridge'."
Harry and Ron shared a look. While he may have just been worrying over Ron stealing what it meant to be Harry there was still a lot of common ground they held and they both agreed that, already, they didn't like Professor Umbridge.
"Now, lets try again," Umbridge sad. "Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge," the class replied in a monotonous drone, putting as little effort as they could get away with into the words. It didn't seem to bother Umbridge, however. In fact, she looked rather pleased.
"Excellent, well lets get started then," she said sweetly. "Everyone take out some paper and copy down what is on the blackboard."
Harry hadn't paid any attention to the blackboard when he'd walked in, assuming it to be blank. Most teachers who used the blackboards, which wasn't necessarily all of them, liked to write things down during the lesson. Professor Umbridge, it appeared, had already written everything down.
"Pokémon Battling; a return to basic principles," Professor Umbridge recited the first line from the blackboard as the students started to copy it down. "Over the years you have had, if I am not very much mistaken, four different teachers for this class. That does not do for a stable learning environment and has undoubtedly left many holes in your knowledge. Fortunately I am here in time to fix this for your all important A.P.E year. In this class we will follow the theory centred, Ministry approved course for defensive Pokémon battling which will undoubtedly help all of you to pass your end of year examinations."
Harry frowned a bit at that. Theory centred didn't sound particularly fun. Ministry approved automatically raised his suspicions. The only sensible point was the focus on defence. That would be very useful for a lot of people if they found themselves face to face with Death Eaters.
"Our Course Aims are detailed on the blackboard," Umbridge continued sweetly. "They are, 1; To understand the principles underlying defensive Pokémon techniques, 2; To learn to recognise when Pokémon battling is legal and safe, and 3; To place defensive techniques in a context for practical use. Does everyone understand?"
A few murmured 'yes's filtered throughout the room and with a sinking feeling Harry knew what Umbridge was going to say before she said it.
"Tut, tut," she told them, confirming Harry's suspicions. "When I ask you a question you either reply with 'Yes, Professor Umbridge' or 'No, Professor Umbridge'. Now, does everyone understand?"
"Yes, Professor Umbridge," the class chanted back. Harry sighed. This was such a waste of time.
"Very good," Umbridge said, again with that sickly pleased tone. "Has everyone got a copy of 'Defensive Pokémon Theory', by Wilbert Slinkhard?"
"Yes, Professor Umbridge," the class intoned. Umbridge's smile grew.
"Good, then if you will all turn to page five and read 'Chapter One: Basics for Beginners'. There will be no need to talk."
Harry sighed as he pulled out his textbook, which he had skimmed through briefly before coming to Hogwarts. It hadn't been particularly interesting, from what he remembered, but it would be better to just read from the book than continue to listen to Umbridge speak. He opened the book to page five and began to read.
A nudge in his ribs broke his attention only a few lines in. He turned his head to Ron, frowning, but Ron just jerked his thumb across to Harry's other side.
Hermione was not reading the book. She hadn't even opened it. Instead her hand was held high in the air and she waited patiently, sitting straight in her chair, for Umbridge to notice her.
"Yes, Miss…?" Umbridge asked.
"Granger," Hermione supplied.
"Ms Granger, what appears to be the problem?" Umbridge asked. "Why are you not reading 'Chapter One: Basics for Beginners' as I assigned?"
"I've already read Chapter One," Hermione told her. Umbridge looked surprised, then recovered.
"Then please move on to Chapter Two," Umbridge told her. "You are disturbing your fellow students." Ironically she had a point. The whole class were watching the exchange rather than working on the assignment they'd been given.
"I've already read Chapter Two," Hermione told her. "I've read the whole book." Umbridge's eyebrows raised.
"Really?" she said doubtfully. Hermione nodded.
"And I have some questions about your course aims," she said.
Umbridge tutted. "I'm afraid, Ms Granger, that it is not your place to question what is studied in my class." Hermione ignored her.
"I've reread the 'Course Aims' and nothing in there says anything about using offensive moves," Hermione said.
"And your question?" Umbridge replied in a sickly sweet tone.
"Won't offensive moves come up in the exam?" Hermione asked pointedly.
"Offensive moves will indeed be a part of the exam but so long as you know the theory there is no need for any more study on the subject," Umbridge told her.
"But I've read Slinkhard's book," Hermione said. "There is absolutely no offensive theory in there."
"And just for what use would you want offensive theory, Ms Granger," Umbridge said. "My, the way you talk makes it sound as though you want to attack someone." Harry's eyebrows rose rapidly at that and a glance to his side showed that Ron was equally surprised.
Hermione was angry.
"I have no wish to attack anyone unless I was acting in self defence," she said hotly, only just managing to keep her tone from becoming insolent. "Surely defending yourself from an attack requires more than just knowledge of defensive technique. By having a thorough grounding in offensive moves you'll be able to fight back against people who attack you and you'll be better equipped to recognise your opponent's attacks and be able to determine the best way to defend against them. Not learning about offensive manoeuvres just puts you at a ridiculous disadvantage."
The whole class was silent. Hermione's rant had no immediate response from Umbridge, probably because there wasn't a reasonable response. Hermione was right and it would say a lot about the type of professor Umbridge was going to be how she reacted to this fact.
"Detention, Ms Granger," Umbridge said sharply, her voice losing its sugary quality. "Five o'clock. My office. And twenty points from Gryffindor."
It was the most dramatic first lesson any of them had ever had, and that was saying something. After the conflict between Hermione and Umbridge everyone kept their heads down and read 'Defensive Pokémon Theory', though how many of them were actually reading Harry did not know, his own head much too full to take in any of the words.
Next to him Hermione was fuming and she continued to be fuming when she returned to the Gryffindor Common Room at a quarter to midnight, rubbing her hand and muttering under her breath in a way that was so not like Hermione.
Harry and Ron, in support of their friend, had waited up, although they'd never expected to have to wait up so late. Hermione had been away for so long that it had got to the point where Harry and Ron had actually completed all of their homework for the day, an essay about the Pokémon that had the capabilities to Mega Evolve for Professor McGonagall and another summarising Chapter One of 'Defensive Pokémon Theory' for Professor Umbridge, when she finally returned.
She wasn't shy about sharing her feelings.
"That horrible woman," she complained as she settled into an armchair, looking incredibly relieved by the comfort of the plush piece of furniture.
"What did she have you do?" Harry asked, eyeing Hermione's exhausted features and her sore wrist.
"Lines," Hermione told them. "More lines than I thought I had the ability to write."
"And that's saying something," Ron added. "What did she have you write? 'I must not have a point'?"
"Almost," Hermione replied with a small, involuntary smile. "She had me write 'I must not question my professor' over and over again. I mean, it's outrageous. The whole idea is that when you don't know something you ask the professor so they can tell you and help you learn. Umbridge clearly has no idea how to actually teach. I doubt she even cares."
"True, I can't imagine many people think making kids read all class is a good teaching strategy," Ron said. "Seems a bit lazy to me. Makes it seem like she couldn't really be bothered, you know. Still, I'm surprised you went off at her like that. Usually it's one of us… well, me, who does stuff like that."
"I know," Hermione admitted and she moaned slightly. "I can't believe I got detention."
"Doesn't count if it's from Umbridge," Harry said quickly. Hermione gave him a small smile.
"I guess what set me off so much was something Percy told me when we were back at Headquarters," Hermione said. Harry and Ron shared surprised looks.
"What did he say?" Harry asked.
"And why have you been talking to Percy so much?" Ron added. Hermione ignored Ron's question.
"He told me that the Minister is worried about Dumbledore," Hermione said. "According to Percy, Fudge has it in his head that Dumbledore wants his job and that he's going to try and overthrow the Ministry. There's rumours out there about the Legion so he has enough to stoke the paranoia but apparently he thinks that Dumbledore is actually recruiting straight out of Hogwarts."
"What, he thinks Dumbledore's trying to recruit an army?" Harry asked. "With school kids?"
"I never said his paranoia made sense," Hermione said tiredly. "Usually paranoia is unfounded. But yes, Fudge is worried Dumbledore is training his students to take down the Ministry."
"So he sent Umbridge," Ron cottoned on. "When Dumbledore couldn't find someone qualified to take the job the Minister sent her to make sure we didn't learn anything that might be used against them."
"I didn't really believe Percy at first," Hermione admitted. "But now I think he might be underselling it. Slinkhard's book is great on defensive theory but it was meant as a set. You can't just use defence in battle, you have to attack at some point or else you've lost."
"Agreed," Harry and Ron said together. Harry could only imagine what would have happened if he'd tried to use defence only in his battle against Voldemort. It was Blast Burn, an attack of immense power, that had saved him and allowed him to escape. If Umbridge had been teaching him last year there would have been a good chance he wouldn't have made it out alive.