Chapter 4

Hagrid confided that Witherwings, formerly Buckbeak, had suffered a bout of indigestion. Harry felt bad for a moment, until Hagrid reassured him that the condition was temporary, and the hippogriff had fully recovered.

The castle was still buzzing over the disappearance of Umbridge, and Hermione was fretting about exams.

"There's months before we need to take them." Ron was exasperated.

"But we can't afford to wait until the last minute," argued Hermione. "Harry, can't you teach us?"

"Me?" Harry set out to nip that notion in the bud. "I'm a student myself, remember?"

"You're good at explaining how to do things," Hermione argued.

Neville heard. "You are, Harry! I could really use the help."

Harry recalled that Neville was still using his father's wand. "You know, Nev, your wand doesn't really seem to work well with you. Did you try any others in Ollivander's?"

"No," Neville admitted. "I didn't go there; I'm using my dad's old wand."

"That might be why you're having trouble, "Harry told him. "Your wand owes allegiance to your father and not you."

"You think so?" Neville was uncertain.

"Harry is right, Neville," Hermione insisted. But then she got back on track. "Please teach us, Harry? Maybe you are just a student, but how many students can cast the patronus?"

"You can cast a patronus? Really?" Once again Daphne Greengrass was standing there; why was she always hanging around lately?

The blonde stared at him, astounded. "Lots of aurors can't even do that!"

Her friend stepped up. "Speaking of aurors, they are here! In the castle, investigating Umbridge's disappearance!"

"Never mind Umbitch!" Harry was startled to heat Daphne use the pejorative. "If you're going to teach, I want in!"

Harry eyed her coldly. He suspected no one ever told Daphne Greengrass "no" because of her birth status and her undeniable beauty. On the other hand, she had never harmed him, or his friends, in any way.

"What's in it for me?" he demanded.

"Help," she answered at once. "When you claim a seat on the Wizengamot, I can tell you the protocol and the traditions. I'm betting you don't know them."

He nodded slowly. "You have a deal, Greengrass."

To his surprise, she glowed happily.

They were interrupted by McGonagall. "Mr. Potter, if you'll come with me?"

He ended up in the Headmaster's office, facing aurors Nymphadora Tonks and John Dawlish, while Dumbledore looked on benignly.

"You were the last person to see Dolores Umbridge alive," growled Dawlish.

"Was I?" Harry acted surprised.

"You served a detention with her right before she vanished." Tonks leaned forward. "We want to know what happened."

"I went to my detention, was instructed to write lines, then left." Harry was careful not to shrug indifferently.

"And how was Professor Umbridge?"

"She seemed the same as usual." Harry replied. "That detention was the last I saw of her."

"We've searched the castle," Dawlish said. "There's no sign of her."

Harry merely waited.

"How do you account for that?" Tonks inquired.

"I can't," was Harry's response.

"We hoped you could help us," she persisted.

"I can't," Harry repeated.

"Give me your wand!" Dawlish fairly snatched it from Harry.

He watched calmly as Dawlish investigated recent spells, thankful that he'd long since learned how to clear his wand of anything incriminating.

Dawlish flung it back. "Nothing."

"Am I being accused of something?"

Tonks shifted uncomfortably. "No. We just think it a bit odd that she vanished from the school so quickly."

"If I may," Dumbledore inserted, "Madam Umbridge did not seem to find any joy in teaching."

"Still, there's no reason for her to simply vanish!" Tonks was growing impatient. "She could have resigned."

She stared at Harry. "If we discover you had anything to do with her disappearance…"

"You won't." Harry sounded firm. "May I go now?"

Sirius Black practically fell off his chair laughing.

"Oh Harry…perfect! Can't think of a more fitting end for Umbitch!"

"I know," Harry agreed. "I keep thinking I ought to feel some guilt, but when I remember all the evil that toad did, even after she was back at the Ministry, I'm just relieved she's gone for good. How many muggle-borns did she condemn to those camps? How many families did she tear apart?"

"Oh, I know. Still, it's a good thing Remus isn't here at the moment," Sirius sobered immediately. "I doubt he'd approve."

"Never tell him, Padfoot."

"I won't. He need not learn about the locket, either. What about the one in the Lestrange vault?"

"Simple; disown Bellatrix, and reclaim her dowry. We'll make certain the horcrux is included in that haul…it will be another one down!"

Harry had never been so pleased that he'd bonded with Dobby after his second year.

Minutes later, the elf had transported them to the bank, and soon Hufflepuff's cup was no more.

"One more thing," Sirius insisted. "While we are here, Harry, I want to blood-adopt you. You must be my heir; I want no other."

"No, Sirius! You are Lord Black; one day we will discover a means to clear your name, and you will have children of your own."

Sirius smiled sadly. "That was never possible, Harry. Too much inbreeding in the Black family! I always intended for you to be my heir. You will be a better Lord Black than I ever was!"

Harry could see that the ritual meant a great deal to his godfather, and agreed. It was a simple matter, and soon the Black heir ring was his.

The ritual had some unexpected, though welcome, consequences: not only was Harry several inches taller, but his poor vision had been corrected. Gleefully, he binned his glasses.

"You'll have two seats on the Wizengamot," Sirius declared happily. "Wish I could help, but I never paid much attention to politics!"

Harry merely smiled, remembering the Slytherin girl who'd pledged her support.

"Don't worry, Padfoot. I've got that covered."