A/N: Hello and welcome back to another chapter in this story.
Thanks to HowInMadeHowie for his help once again and showing me that a scene was a bit, in lack for a better word, not alive enough to stay and after some changes, it came out much better.
Now, off with you and have fun reading this chapter. Until next time
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table with his friends and ate his breakfast as the door to the Great Hall opened and the visitors Cortana had told him waltzed in. When he looked up, he only saw a pink head bouncing over the heads of the students with Aurors behind it moving to the staff table. Harry looked at Dumbledore and saw that he had to steel himself for what was about to happen.
Dumbledore looked down from the staff table, as it was raised so the staff could watch over the students during their meals. Dumbledore was still wondering how Umbridge could think that she would succeed in intimidating a grand figure with her small stature. Dumbledore noticed her serious look towards him, and only with a side glance she acknowledged the other staff members.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, I was sent here to investigate a strange report. According to one of the handlers that are assigned to the Dementors, one of them was missing after they were sent to investigate the rumor that Black would hide himself on the train. After an investigation, they had found a pile of ash that was not naturally burned in any way as there were also traces of basilisk venom in it. So, whoever achieved this feat and killed a Dementor had to take responsibility for destroying Ministry property. Now, we have from a secure source that a student with the name of Harry Potter was seen in the corridor of the train while the Dementor was doing its work and the other students did the logical thing and sat in their compartments without provoking the Dementors. I would like to arrest Mr. Potter for his action." Umbridg's high pitched, girlish voice stopped and waited for a response.
Umbridge did not greet the headmaster as someone else might have done, but she was not here to exchange pleasantries. She was a bit confused when she did not see the big man on the side of the staff table, sitting calmly when she came closer to the table the chair was empty, but she dismissed the man as unimportant. As she did not know that there were two big people now in this school. Looking over the rest of the staff, she scrunched her nose when her glance landed on the red-haired sorceress, because Umbridge was a member of the Ministry she knew who Triss really was.
Unbeknown to Umbridge, the younger Aurors who knew about the Chief and noting his absence were not calmed by him not being present but worried.
Dumbledore looked at Umbridge with an intensity that normally would make any other witch or wizard tremble in fear, but she stood firm in front of him. But his voice was so stern that the entire Great Hall became silent. "Well Madam Umbridge, you sure can ask Mr. Potter what he did and did not do, but as for what happened on the train, I want to make one thing clear. I made a deal with Minister Fudge that these things would not enter the school grounds, but he may have forgotten that the Hogwarts Express also counts as such when students are riding it to come to this school. Luckily, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was also on the train and protected the students, so I will make it the one exception before I call the Minister out for not holding up the deal. Please tell him this: for the next time those foul creatures enter school grounds, we will find out if a Dementor can be killed in another way. And I am sure that some students have written to their parents, and those will press charges."
Umbridge bristled in anger, as she had hoped that this small detail was not brought up. After all, it was her order to search the train for Black that had caused the Dementors to stop and board the train. She of course had known that this would work against the deal the Minister had with Dumbledore, but she would not have guessed that it would be dangerous in any way. "Very well then, I will bring this message to the Minister. Now, where is Harry Potter?"
"Oh, do not worry, Minister Fudge will hear about this, as I have written him a letter already. And as for where Mr. Potter is, he's standing right behind you." Dumbledore's demeanor changed as he saw the surprise in the faces of the Aurors beside Umbridge, as Harry walked up to them in absolute silence.
Cortana's voice suddenly came through Harry and Dumbledore's glasses so only they could hear. "Be advised, the Chief is on his way back to the Great Hall, ETA 2 minutes."
Harry bowed in greeting, as Callie had shown him the profile ONI had on her. Umbridge was a very prideful woman, but also very despicable when it came to someone she thought was beneath her. As a teenager, Harry surely had, at least in her mind, not the authority to demand anything. So, the best way to keep her calm was to respect her at least in his behavior. "Madam Umbridge, I heard you wanted to talk with me."
Umbridge turned around, a sickly-sweet smile on her lips that even Callie had to gag in the display from Harry's glasses. "Ah, Mr. Potter, how nice of you to come out in the open, so we can save the time to come and find you. As for what I want to talk about with you, it is about what had happened on the train. To ensure that you tell us the truth, you will be arrested and come with us to the Ministry…" Before she could finish her sentence, a tall man in green armor suddenly stood in front of her. She had to take a step back in shock at the sudden appearance; she had never seen or heard him approach, but she noticed that he stood next to Potter. She had to crane her neck to see the face but only saw her own reflection glaring down at her. To the other side of the boy, the Aurors who recognized the Chief stood up straight and at attention.
Harry sighed in exasperation. "Madam Umbridge, while I respect your position and the Ministry you cannot, last I checked, make arrests without a warrant. I, however, do find it rather curious why Dementors would be allowed to board the train. You claim you have heard a rumor that Black boarded the train? How would have done that if nobody saw him get on at King's Cross." Harry paused as he regarded the Ministry witch who was now glaring at him. "It's odd that you would show up so quickly without any evidence tying me to a pile of ash. Very odd that you claim a secure source has claimed they saw me in the corridor."
Harry looked down at Umbridge with a frown. "Madam Umbridge, I do not recall doing anything illegal that would cause such a reaction from someone in the Ministry. And I am sure that if I had done something, Madam Bones would now be standing here in your place. Now, please tell me what the accusation is, and please mind my station as the heir and future head of House Potter." Harry's demeanor also had changed, as he now brought every part of a regal man to the front. His aura could be felt in the whole Great Hall, and even Dumbledore was gulping as he felt the power behind those words. And according to the reaction from Umbridge, she was surprised at the tone Harry had taken in his voice.
Umbridge steeled herself again after the surprises she had suffered since she entered the Great Hall, and began to speak with every bit of authority she believed she had. "Well Mr. Potter, we have eye witnesses that you were able to fight and kill a Dementor. You will tell us how you did it now, or we will take you with us."
She signed to the Aurors that they should move forward, but once again she was surprised that the Aurors did not move. It had something to do with the giant green men in armor in front of her.
"Dolores Umbridge, as Harry Potter is a minor in every sense of the word, if you want to arrest him for questioning, me as as the head of security or the headmaster has to see the warrant that Mr. Potter had mentioned it before. If you do not have one, I must ask you to not take Mr. Potter with you, or else I have to act accordingly." John stepped closer to Umbridge, holding his hand out.
Harry cocked his head to the side and regarded Umbridge. "Even if I was seen and did kill a Dementor I'm afraid I cannot tell you how I did or didn't do it. Unless of course, the Ministry is now in the business of requesting family magic be public record?" Harry's words had every pureblood in the Great Hall looking at Umbridge with sharp look. Family magic was a sacred and secret to the families and were heavily guarded and protected.
Umbridge scowled as she did not believe the boy would dare use such a ploy. "You are lying, and you will tell me now!"
Dumbledore's voice called over Umbridge's shoulder forcing her to regard the old headmaster. "I'm afraid Mr. Potter is not lying Madam Umbridge. I have seen such magic and have been sworn to secrecy not to reveal what I know."
Harry was not satisfied with the obvious angry look on the woman that wanted to arrest him for protecting his friends, and as she did not pull out a warrant to show to John only solidified that all of this was not sanctioned by the necessary people. He decided to twist the figurative knife even deeper into Umbridge.
Harry was not finished yet, as he spoke again. "Also, in the compartment I sat were multiple Heirs to well known houses, now imagine what would have happened if this Dementor was out of control while your handlers were close by, only because it could not have helped itself?"
John was still standing with his hand stretched out, but he turned his head towards an Auror. "Am I safe to assume that Madam Umbridge has shown you the warrant before you came here?" The look of realization on the oldest Auror only proved what John had suspected.
"Yes and no, Chief. I did not see it personally. She only came out of her office, walked up to us as we were walking through the Atrium of the ministry and held up the rolled up parchment, telling us that we have to come with her to arrest someone." The Auror turned towards Umbridge, who fought hard to not look like a deer caught in the headlights of a car.
John turned back to Umbridge and demanded to see the warrant, or else he would throw her out of the school.
She pulled it out of her pocket reluctantly.
Faster than she could blink, John snatched it out of her hand. "Well look at that John, one of the signatures is one too many, I guess she seems to think her signature is all that's needed. Even for the countersignature. In other words, this would never have gone past any Auror who saw it." Cortana displayed the signatures on the parchment, so John could see what she meant.
John nodded towards Dumbledore to ask him to have a look at the warrant. After the headmaster read it through, the last bit of smugness vanished out of Umbridge's face at the glare that Dumbledore showed her now. "Dolores Umbridge, you will leave this school now and never return. Not only did you demand from someone to reveal their family magic, but you also signed this warrant in the hopes we would not notice that it was not Fudge himself to sign for him. Aurors, as my station as the Chief Warlock allows me to order you, bring Dolores Umbridge back to the Ministry with this warrant as proof for abuse of power."
Dumbledore handed the parchment to the senior Auror, who looked at Umbridge with a stern face and signaled one of the younger ones to accompany her out of the school. "I hope you forgive us headmaster; I will see that it will be investigated properly."
That was not going according to her plans, as she had hoped that the Potter boy was not so brave to stand against someone from the Ministry. As an Auror placed his hands on her shoulder and told her that they should go now, she shrugged him off and walked out the Great Hall with so much anger that, if looks could kill, there would be multiple corpses lying in the halls of Hogwarts by now.
Harry did not turn around, but he watched the headmaster smiling at him, so he had done everything right it seemed. Callie was compiling a report to send it up, so ONI could watch Umbridge with more information about her character. As the doors to the Great Hall closed again, Harry turned around and walked back to his seat at the table. "Now, when do the timetables arrive?" Hermione looked at him, as he had asked her as if nothing had happened.
While Harry watched Ron and Neville climb up the north tower to go to their first Divination class, he walked behind Hermione towards their Arithmancy class. When they arrived in front of the door, Harry noticed that every house in their year was present, so this class had to be too small to justify spitting them up. He was just glad that there was no Malfoy or one of his friends around, as the only Slytherin with them was Daphne and Tracey.
Harry saw that Daphne was glad that her sister was in the same house as she was, as this meant that Daphne could protect Astoria better as if the younger Greengrass was in another house. Well, except Gryffindor of course, as Harry would make it sure that nothing would happen to her in his house.
After a short time, the door to the classroom opened and a young witch stepped out, looking up and down the corridor before she sighed and asked them to step in. Closing the door behind them, she waited until the students were sitting, before she addressed them. "Welcome to Arithmancy, my name is Professor Vector, and I am your teacher for this subject. As we are so few this year, the headmaster allowed me to include every student that had chosen this elective this year in one class to save us all some time. Now, to see how far you are in mathematics, I will test you all. Please, solve the problems on the parchment I give you. Begin." The students took the parchment that floated towards them and placed them on the tables and soon the scratching from the quills could be heard when the answers were brought to paper.
Callie was analyzing what Harry was looking at, but she did not help him in this test. In her opinion, it was basic algebra and just as Professor Vector had said before, this test was made to see how good the students could do these. While she was storing all the questions, she was happy to see that Harry could solve the problems almost as fast as she could do them. Using her scanners, she was also looking at the other students and noticed that Hermione was also very good at solving them, while another Ravenclaw was even faster than Harry and Hermione. This boy had to be very smart or had already studied for this class. But as this test would take the whole time of the class, Harry would not learn something new today.
The next class was transfiguration. Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes to Daphne and Padme as they descended the stairs towards McGonagall's classroom. When Harry and Hermione were arriving in the corridor to the classroom, they noticed that Ron and Neville looked very pale while Parvati and Lavender almost glowed while they giggled. Harry walked over to Neville and Ron and asked them if they were sick.
Ron looked up to him and shook his head and told him what they just had heard in Divination. "And you would not believe it, but Trelawney told us that someone will die during this year, and that this person is born at the end of July. And Neville's birthday is then, so we are all a bit afraid now. Well, except Lavender and Parvati, obviously." The last part he said with an angry look towards the two girls he mentioned.
Harry just rolled his eyes at this reaction. "I did warn you that Divination is not accurate, so that could mean anything if it even would come true. Now, we should concentrate on our next class, as I am sure that McGonagall will test us in transfiguration." Ron paled again, so Harry had not to guess that he did not do his homework.
The door to the classroom opened and the students walked inside of it, seeing a familiar cat sitting on the teacher's desk in the front of the class. The Gryffindor knew by now that this was McGonagall in her cat form, as she had told them that she was an Animagus at the end of the previous school year and that they will learn about them in this year. But for the first time Harry felt the similar vibration from his medallion when he was near Scabbers. He stored this to his information and sat down, as McGonagall changed back and began her class. And just as Harry had predicted, she tested them on how much they remembered from the last year as well as collecting their homework.
The rest of the class was enjoyable because McGonagall changed multiple times between her cat form and her normal form to show them how easy it was after the complicated procedure to become an Animagus.
Harry's question if someone's magic signature would also change while being an animal caught McGonagall a bit off guard, as until now no one even asked this question. "Honestly Mr. Potter, you surprised me with your interest in this branch of Transfiguration. I hope you do not think about becoming an Animagus yourself?"
Harry shook his head, saying that he was just curious. Hermione by his site was writing so many notes on the parchment that it was almost the whole essay they had for homework from McGonagall. How she wrote so fast was still fascinating to Harry, as even Callie had taken a double take at the speed when they had seen it in their first year.
"Well, to answer your question Mr. Potter no, the magical signature of an individual does not change when he or she transforms into an animal. It is one of the keys for the ministry to check on those who decided to become an Animagus. Of course, you have to know the spell to see the signature and also have to know the witch or wizard personally, which is why the Ministry also insists that we Animagi have a clear, recognizable mark on our animal form to identify us. I hope this answer is satisfactory?" McGonagall smiled down at Harry, who nodded and took notes on the subject.
Harry told Callie to give a report to John, so his friends could look for records on those Animagi, just in case.
As it was now time for lunch, the Great Hall soon filled with all the students when Harry heard Fred and George talking about their classes their year had this morning. "Man, this Professor Lupin is so good. The first thing he did was make us duel to see what we could do. Blowing this Slytherin off the stage was so satisfying." Harry listened intently, as he still shared the suspicion with Callie that something was strange about this man. Somehow how Lupin carried himself let Harry become a bit on edge, maybe he needed to look at his notes in private that he had written while studying different beasts in Kear Morhen. But as he did not have his first Defense class until the next day, Harry prepared himself mentally for his first Care of Magical Creatures Class. He was a bit giddy to see Hagrid being a teacher, even if he had not seen this Newt Scamander until now.
After Lunch, the Gryffindor third years walked over the grounds towards Hagrid's hut, where they were told they would meet their new teacher. On their way, they met the Slytherin's, causing Ron to sneer at them as he had hoped that they would not have another class with Slytherin. Harry on the other hand was happy to see Daphne and Tracey smiling and happy for being outside as the weather was nice. They had not to wait long outside of the hut, as Hagrid came out of the woods and greeted them. "Hello students, nice to see yah all. Now, I would like for yah to follow me to the paddock where I will show yah the first creatures that yah see in this class. Mr. Scamander is already there, as he will watch over those creatures while they are alone in the paddock." Hagrid then walked in front of the students with a smile, but Harry noticed Malfoy and his friends talking quietly with each other about how they could sabotage this lesson.
Hermione, who was walking next to Harry, was shivering a bit as it was getting a bit chilly outside. And even as they had grabbed their cloaks from their dorm before coming out to the grounds, a small breeze was blowing into their faces. On the bright side, Harry grabbed his dragon hide jacket that he had received for his birthday and if the looks from the other girls around them were any indication, it suited him so well that some of the girls looked at Hermione with open jealousy for being friends with him.
They soon arrived at the fence that Hagrid had told them they were going to, but as it was empty the students looked around to see if they could spot the creatures. Harry heard a small twig snap and turned around, only to see that an old man was sitting on a stone and talking with something in his hand. Harry saw that it was something that looked like a twig itself, but he saw that it had a small face with black eyes and that it was smiling up to the old man. He seemed to hear them coming, as he opened his old blue jacket for the small twig to climb inside a pocket. The old man stood up and approached the class. "Ah Professor Hagrid. I see that you collected your students for your class, may we get on with it? The small ones are getting anxious."
Hagrid smiled and opened the gate so the students could walk in. "Yes Mr. Scamander, we can begin. Now, while Mr. Scamander goes and fetches the creatures. I want to warn yah that it could become dangerous if yah do not do what we tell yah to do. Hippogriffs are proud creatures after all, and yah should not insult them in any way or form. Now, before he comes back, please open your books at the page about Hippogriffs."
Malfoy was sneering, asking how he should do that without being bitten.
Harry's voice answered for Hagrid to show that most of the class had managed to open their books. "Apparently you can't read Malfoy. Flourish and Blotts clearly stated how to calm the book down, right next to the cage. If you can't read simple instructions why buy a book if you can't read at all?" Harry's taunting words had the rest of the class laughing at Malfoy.
Malfoy saw how almost every other student in this class had their books out and turned to the instructed page. Malfoy scowled as he realized he was the only one, next to Crabbe and Goyle, who had not figured out how to calm the book down.
The Gryffindor had seen Harry and Hermione reading yesterday in the common room and had asked them how they had made it calm. As for the other Slytherins, they had seen Daphne and Tracey discussing how such a book was kind of cute when it had become tame enough to be treated almost like a pet.
While Hagrid was talking about Hippogriffs and what they had to look out for, the students looked over to the trees where Mr. Scamander was calling something with a loud whistle. Soon, the students saw the Hippogriffs walk over to Mr. Scamander, who bowed to them. The Hippogriffs were like a mix out of horse and eagle, with two of the Hippogriffs turning their majestic eagle heads over to the students and seemingly judging them.
Harry, having already read about those creatures, also bowed while standing with his friends.
Hagrid noticed that and smiled down at the young Witcher. "Ah, I see that Harry already understands what he must do. Now Harry, how about to walk up to them and bow again, see if they bow back? If not, just retread calmly without doing any sudden movements."
Harry stood back up and walked up towards Mr. Scamander, who was watching him with great interest, as if he knew what Harry hid behind his contact lenses. Bowing in front of a silvery Hippogriff, Harry waited for the sign that the Hippogriff bowed back. As time moved on, Mr. Scamander switched his stance to be ready in case the Hippogriff would attack the boy. "Mr. Potter, please go back. It seems that Buckbeak is not in the mood to bend his knee to anyone today. He even just came here because his mate was bowing to me and walking with me." Just as he had finished this sentence, Buckbeak bowed his head towards Harry, causing the class to let out the breath they had held while Harry was standing in front of such majestic, but dangerous beasts.
Harry, now being allowed to stand back up, walked over to the Hippogriff called Buckbeak and placed his hand on its beak. "Well hello there Buckbeak, nice to make your acquaintance." Buckbeak was pushing his beak into Harry's hands and let out a small clicking sound that was like Hedwig greeting Harry in the morning. When Buckbeak then stepped aside so Harry would stand to his flank, it moved his head as if to show Harry that he should climb up.
"Well look at that, he lets you ride him. Please watch out that you do not pull on his feathers, he does not like that." Mr. Scamander stood next to Harry to watch him not doing something stupid. Harry nodded and climbed up like he would a horse without a saddle. As soon he was on his back, Buckbeak opened his wings and flew up to the sky. Harry heard the others gasp again, but he was not afraid in any way. "Well, sorry for the comparison Buckbeak, but this is just like flying on my broom, even if I cannot control your course." Buckbeak turned his head as far as he could to look Harry in the eye, and Harry could have sworn that the Hippogriff would have smiled if he had lips. Because soon afterwards, Buckbeak dived straight down towards the lake before leveling back out to a horizontal flying position. Harry laughed out loud, while Buckbeak circled back towards the enclosure where the others were waiting for him.
Hagrid smiled at Harry while he climbed off the back of Buckbeak. 'Well, that worked out just fine.' Harry wanted to walk over to his friends, but Malfoy bumped into him and waltzed over to Buckbeak and did not wait for the Hippogriff to look at him before beginning insulting him.
Harry moved so fast and pushed Malfoy back just in time before Buckbeak let his talons do the talking. But Harry was not fast enough to evade the strike himself, but thanks to the jacket he had the talons did not cleave him in half.
To everyone's shock it was Mr. Scamander who was rounding on Malfoy as he picked himself off the ground. "Are you suicidal or just plain stupid?"
Malfoy had an indignant look on his face at the old wizard's words. "What? I didn't do anything wrong. Potter pushed me out of the way!"
Mr. Scamander raised his brow. "Oh? So it's deaf then is it? Clearly it is at least two out of those three things that is you malfunction. If you cannot follow simple instructions on WHAT NOT TO DO! You have no business being in this class. In fact, I'm going to recommend to the headmaster and your head of house you be removed from it. You are a danger to yourself and others. This is not a petting zoo!" Mr. Scamander snapped at Malfoy.
Malfoy glared at the old man, not realizing he was in the wrong but decided to threaten this old fool with his father's wrath. "When my father-" But whatever Malfoy was about to say was cut off when Mr. Scamander got in his face.
"Yeah? Your father? Let me tell you something, kid. I was in the Grindelwald war! I see shit that will make you puke your shoes! You think I'm going to be scared of your father for supporting Voldemort? Go ahead, tell him. See how well that works out for you." Mr. Scamander glared down at Malfoy challenging him.
Malfoy gulped nervously. He had forgotten this is a man who had faced all kinds of dangerous creatures and lived to tell the tale.
All the while Hagrid pushed Buckbeak back with his big frame. Harry, having fallen forward after being hit by Buckbeak, found himself being pulled back up by Mr. Scamander and looked over. "Is everything alright with you?" After Harry had nodded, Mr. Scamander laid back down to Malfoy. "BACK TO YOU BOY! Professor Hagrid had told you that Hippogriffs are proud creatures, and as such should not be insulted in any way. He has told you multiple times that you have to do what he tells you or something like that can happen. Professor Hagrid, please allow me to bring this insolent boy to the headmaster, so he can be punished."
Hagrid fumbled a bit, but he nodded towards Mr. Scamander and watched as the old wizard dragged Malfoy with him towards the castle. Hermione came over to Harry and looked him over again, being glad that the jacket had protected him well enough so he was not hurt. "That was a close call. Can you imagine what would have happened to Buckbeak after he would have struck Malfoy?"
"Well, in the best case Buckbeak would be closed away so he would not get near us. And in the worst case, and we both know that Malfoy would have done everything he could to achieve that outcome, Buckbeak would have to be killed. Now, let's enjoy this class without Malfoy. Do you want to ride Buckbeak?" Harry grinned at Hermione, who had become pale with the imagination of riding the Hippogriff through the sky.