Star Potter and the initiation of Neville.
DennisUD: Chapter 14 was a bit of a tearjerker. One reason Chapter 13 existed. I wrote 14 before 13 but posted them backwards for some reason.
Timekeeper: yeah I know. I kinda went a bit wild with the movie, book and pop culture references. I think I lost count there a bit too. But it was fun to write and glad people enjoyed. And unlike some Weasleycest or bashing that wasn't really the focus and it came off much lighter.
N0wa5t3r: A Date with Ginny was fun. Glad you enjoyed it. As for Dobby living it was the same reason Concorde could take an arrow to the chest in Holy Grail and live. Power of Plot Compels Thee!
As for the standing that close to the Reactor. Nice. I've never been that close and no offense not sure I want to. Radiation is about as mystical as magic to me. The idea something that I can't see, feel, hear, taste or touch can kill my butt just by being in the same room with it is amazingly creepy. Glad you enjoyed the shout out.
OfficerdonNZ: yeah if you look at the series from a more realistic perspective it gets kinda dark. The ending was about as good as I could get it and it still made me sad. As for the happier one. Oh yeah Schultzie! He was awesome. I may drop a few more Hoganisms later. Not sure. Who knows where my head goes. I know I don't.
Dinner had gone well. When Hermione flipped her hood back people stopped talking briefly as they took in her new look. Neither of them showed off their new powers, yet. Ron glared at Harry over the table but he ignored him. Talking to Neville and getting to know the quiet boy. He had never really spent a lot of time just talking to Neville. Harry discovered that Neville had a passion within him for plants and hope that someday he would have his own greenhouses to take care of.
Lavender had asked Hermione about her new look. About what was going on with her and harry. When Hermione declared herself Harry's apprentice and paramour publicly the ripples spread across the room faster than a Firebolt.
Harry watched and when the ripples reached the head table he saw Snape impassively yawn. Sprout got a large grin as did Flitwick. Dumbledore though got a rather pained look. Umbridge looked like she was even crosser than before. McGonnegal looked worried but happy. There was no Hagrid. Harry was surprised enough to wonder about that.
Seamus was with Ron glaring at Harry. They did not seem to want to talk to him or acknowledge him at all. The twins wanted to know how they did the music but all Harry would say was it was a Marauder's secret.
The dinner was finished and everyone sat looking at the head table as Dumbledore had to be poked in the ribs by McGonnegal to get him to stand and finished the announcements. Apparently Umbridge was the new Defense Professor. That would explain the useless book Harry had thought.
Otherwise Dumbledore had nothing new and dismissed them.
As Harry and Hermione were prefects they gathered their first years into a group. They did not resist given the appearance of them. Harry saw Umbridge fast waddling towards them and flicked his hand again tripping her. When she fell she hit her head hard enough it seemed to have knocked her out.
He nodded to Hermione and they led the first years quietly to the common room.
=====xxxxx====
In the dorm that night harry was getting ready for bed when he felt a tingle in his back and spun around ducking a hex that would have hit him. He reached out and yanked Ron's wand out of his hand.
Seamus who had been standing to the side saw harry holding Ron's wand and lowered his own. Neville and Dean stood on either end of the dorms unsure of what to do or what was going to happen.
Ron was glaring at harry, enraged but wary, Harry though was looking at the wand like he was interested in buying it.
"So Ron. You thought you could hex me from behind with impunity?"
"You asshole give me my wand back?"
"Why so you can try again?"
"You fucking deserve it. You took my prefect badge, you took my girlfriend. You took everything from me!"
"I took nothing from you. Hermione gave herself to me. She saw who the better man was Ron. And it isn't a petty little selfish spoiled brat like you. As for the Prefect badge. That was Professor McGonnegal not me. I had nothing to do with this. But at least I'll do my duty to the school. You can't even spell school without drooling."
"Potter what are ye going ta do with Weasley's wand?" Seamus asked
"What is it to you Finnigan." He stretched the vowels of the boy's name out.
"Well its obvious yeve gone mad. What with the lies yer tellin."
"OH I see Finnigan. You've been reading the Prophet. Or rather have you had someone read it to you since you're incapable of casting a simple Lumos without causing an explosion. So holding a newspaper would be difficult. Its amazing you can masturbate without burning yourself."
Finnigan started to raise his wand but a glance from Potter stopped him.
"I have not lied once. And while this one." Harry said pointing Ron's own wand at him, "Was cowering behind his bitch mother's apron I was training, preparing and learning. I am not going to be weak." He used his off hand to flick the window open. He spun and tossed Ron's wand out of the window as hard as he could.
"You want it dog go fetch. And if you think you have the stones to fight me then step up." Harry said taking a fighting stance.
Seamus looked at Ron who had screamed when his wand went out the window. Ron started to take a step towards Harry when Neville walked over to stand beside Harry.
"What you're on his side Longbottom!" Ron shouted.
"I just want to go to bed sometime tonight. Harry beating the snot out of you though isn't going to be quiet which will prevent that. And if you shut up you can go look for your wand before breakfast."
Ron was breathing hard with his hands flexing. Harry was calmly standing there his left hand up and right one back.
Grabbing his blankets and pillow Ron stormed off.
Harry turned and glared at Seamus, "Finnigan do we have a problem?"
"Uh no Harry. Just you keep on your own side o the room."
"Its a round room."
"You know what I mean."
Harry flicked the window shut. With a nod to Neville he went to bed.
=====xxxxx=====
On his way to breakfast Professor McGonnegal asked him to come to her office. Once there they had just sat down when the door opened and Umbridge strolled in casually.
"Well it looks like the reprobate has already started causing trouble."
"Professor McGonnegal. The issue is a purely internal Gryffindor one. Why is an outside professor invited in?"
"I did not invite her. Why pray tell are you in my office Dolores."
"I am here as an official observer from the Ministry. To determine if the punishment details are effective and stringent enough. I thought you had been told that at the meeting."
"I was told I would have full control over my classes and my lions."
"Oh yes you will. So long as your actions are within the boundaries the board of governors and Ministry have approved in the educational decrees."
Harry waved his hand "You will leave now."
"I will not young man. I have full authority to be here. And unless you wish to be expelled you will accept that."
He narrowed his vision and waved his hand again, "YOU WILL Leave." He stressed.
Umbridge glared at him, "Little BOY you are seriously beginning to strain my patience. You are just going to have to accept my presence as there is utterly nothing you can do about it."
McGonnegal narrowed her eyes at the toad as well Harry noticed so he felt that comment was not just intended for him
"Very well. Professor you wished to speak with me?"
"Yes Mr Weasley has lodged a complaint that you threw his wand out the Dorm window last night."
"Yes I did."
Minerva looked surprised at Harry's admission but Umbridge made a satisfied grunt.
"And why did you do that?"
"He tried to hex me as my back was turned."
"That is uncalled for behavior. You were well within your rights to defend yourself."
"Ahem ahem He stole another students property and placed it at risk."
"Well next time I'll defend myself by throwing Ron out the window." Harry calmly said looking straight into her eyes.
"Hem that will not go well for your growing reputation as a liar and dangerous person."
"You have no idea. It might make me go up in the estimation of some people."
"Well Mister Potter. I will be giving Mr Weasley detention for attempting to hex you. As for yourself I have to agree throwing his wand out of the window was a bit excessive."
"Was I to hand a weapon back to someone who tried to harm me professor?"
"A weapon Potter?" Umbridge huffed, "A wizard's wand is a tool. It is a symbol of his superiority."
Harry held his hand out and a biscuit tin flew over to him, "Really? May I professor?"
"Uh yes please go ahead."
He opened the tin and held one out for Professor McGonnegal then took one for himself before closing the tin and floating it back to the sideboard.
"You do that now Ms Umbridge. Without your wand."
She narrowed her eyes at Harry like she was trying to develop laser vision harry thought.
"I am a professor at this school. You will address me as such."
"Assigned by the ministry. And when I am in your classroom I will address you properly AS for now you are not acting as a professor so I do not have to address you as such."
Umbridge started to say something but Minerva spoke up, "I do believe we are finished here Mister Potter. You may enjoy your breakfast."
=====xxxxx=====
Harry got there in time to finish some of breakfast. Hermione looked at him questioningly but he gave a slight shake of his head. Ron came in after breakfast was done and everyone was heading for classes. He had his wand in his hand but was glaring at Harry.
Draco noticed the breakdown of the trio and got a slight grin. Maybe he could work with this.
====xxxxx=====
Walking into Defense class Harry and Hermione looked at the pink toad sitting at the desk. She was dwarfed by the immense piece of furniture. Taking their seats they folded their hands and placed them on their desks.
Everyone else looked at them strangely as they pulled out the thin book assigned for this year's class.
Once the roll call had been taken Umbridge stood before the class and with a sneer started speaking in her incongruent voice, "Good afternoon boys and girls. You have been fed a list of lies by those whose mental stability needs to be called into question. The statements that a certain dark lord has returned or still exists are nothing more than falsehoods designed to gain attention. Now given the lacking qualities of your previous instructors and the dangerous and unfortunate attitudes of some of them your education has suffered. We shall rectify that beginning today. Open your books to the first page and we will begin reading. You may place your wands away there is no practical aspect to this class."
Neville frowned, "NO Practical, how are we going to learn to defend ourselves?"
"You are children there is no need for you to defend yourself. No one is going to be attacking you."
"Death Eaters like at last years world cup." Ron pointed out having lived through that night.
"A small and rogue terrorist band that was quickly dealt with by the Ministry Authority. They appropriated a dead and destroyed organization. There are no Death Eaters at large."
Draco snicker was loud in the quiet that statement brought.
"Mister Potter, Miss Granger where are your books?"
"We did not purchase them."
"Excuse me?"
"Well if you wish to leave then you are excused of course." Harry said waving his hand at the door which swung open.
"I am the professor! I do not have to ask your permission for anything!"
Harry conceded the point by nodding his head.
"Well Miss Granger where is your book?"
"As I said WE did not purchase them"
"I did not ask you Mister Potter I asked Miss Granger."
"She is my apprentice. I did not give her leave to speak with you. Under the Ministry authority of 1154 Master Apprentice relations A master has full control over whom their apprentice may speak with."
"And Pray tell what sort of Master are you?"
"Well I hope I am a magnanimous one. I know my apprentice appreciates some of her lessons."
Umbridge looked like she was going to swallow her lips before she spat out, "What are you a Master of?"
"I am a Master of the Force."
She frowned at him. Some of the muggle-borns laughed before she glared at them.
"Really?
"Yes the force that flows through us, surrounds us, penetrates us, binds us together."
She glared at him getting angrier that Harry was sitting there calmly holding his hands folded before him on the desk. Staring at her coldly.
"MISS GRANGER YOU WILL HAVE DETENTION IF YOU DO NOT ANSWER MY QUESTION! WHERE IS YOUR BOOK!"
Hermione looked up then turned her head to look at Harry who nodded, Before Hermieon could speak Umbridge shrieked.
"DO NOT LOOK AT HIM JUST TURN AND ANSWER ME!"
"As I have been granted permission of course I will answer you. I did not purchase the book as it was being sold in the children's section. I did purchase the Malleus Maleficarum though for some light reading instead of it."
Umbridge twitched for a moment, "That is a muggle book about hunting and destroying witches."
"Yes it is. It is a fascinating depiction of how the muggle methods can overcome even the best magical defense. Something we should remember. Magic does not make us superior."
"YOU WILL HAVE DETENTION FOR THE NEXT WEEK WITH ME! BOTH OF YOU!"
"Under the Hogwarts charter and Ministerial decrees I must have the specific reason and charges for said detention." Hermione pointed out.
Umbridge's eyebrow started to twitch violently. Harry counted it at 10 twitches a second it seemed like. They stared at each other for a minute before she said, "Class dismissed."
=====xxxxx====
Students went off wondering what just happened. They had never seen Granger act that way towards a professor before. They were confused and concerned by the whole thing. Some like Ron though went off just happy to have a free period.
Neville followed Harry and Hermione to the Astronomy tower as they stood looking out over the railing.
"Harry what's going on?" Neville asked quietly.
"Why do you want to know Neville?"
"Because you've changed. Because this Umbridge does not look like she's going to teach us anything. I mean gramma looked at this book and said it could be summed up as go run for an Auror but don't do anything yourself. And after last year I want to defend myself."
"Well your wand work is weak anyhow. So maybe the Force would be better for you."
"Its cause I'm using my dad's wand."
"I thought the wand chose the wizard?"
"It does. But Gram never took me to get one of my own. She said if this was good enough for dad its good enough for me. She wants me to be just like him."
"What do you want to be."
"I want to find out I don't know yet."
"So if you join us Neville. There will be no going back. We are going to change everything. This country has grown stagnant. They've lost all common sense. The Blood Purity is far too common, not to mention the magical supremacy. Did you hear anyone else when they left class talking about her words?"
"A few of the other muggle-borns did. One or two heard about that book you mentioned Hermione."
"What about Ron?"
"Ron was just glad to be out of class. That's all he was happy about."
"Dumbledore has some kind of plan that isn't very healthy for me. Probably everyone is going to suffer about it. The Voldemort has a plan. And the Ministry tried to murder me this summer."
"They did what?"
"Dementors showed up on Privet Drive. They killed the Dursleys that's why I was staying with Snape."
Neville frowned, "That's not right.
"No it isn't. I took it personal and started thinking. Things you've already noticed. Dumbledore isn't telling us everything. Isn't telling me everything."
"So what are we going to do?"
"We're going to form our own group. We're going to find out the truth then we're going to change the world."
"I want to help."
"I was hoping you would."
"So how do I join?"
"Well you won't have to do the same initiation that Hermione did."
"I have a feeling I'm going to appreciate that."
"Well kneel before me and accept your new name within our ranks."
Neville knelt and said, "am I supposed to say something?"
Hermione nodded, "Yeah what is thy bidding my master."
Neville looked at her sideways, "Its not magically binding or anything is it?"
"No. And probably won't be. We don't want to control people like Dumbledore or Voldemort are doing."
Neville nodded, "What is thy bidding my master."
"Arise Darth Sylvanus and join our ranks."
Neville stood and laughed, "Sylvanus. Cool."
"Yeah Hermione pointed out he's the Roman god of Nature. It fits you Nev."
"And we use that name when we do our group stuff?"
"Yeah which we only have three of us so that wont be for abit yet."
"Since you already had a name picked out for me you must have an idea of who you want."
"Just a bit. I had hoped Ron would join but he seems to have decided to be a part again."
"Just like last year. Are you going to forgive him again?"
"Harry?" Hermione said looking at her boyfriend.
"No. He is dead to me. He had a chance. He tried to hex me in the back last night. He used to be my friend. Friendship is more than everything to me. He broke that. He ended that. I'm done forgiving him."