Unfortunately, their next class was Potions, and it was being inspected. Hermione walked into the room before the others and took her place at the side in front of the class, as had become usual. She noticed Umbridge as soon as she walked in, the pink was glaring in the classroom and hard to ignore.
"Hello, Master," she greeted Severus before she deigned to greet their 'guest'.
"Good day, High Inquisitor Umbridge," Hermione said cheerily with a false smile.
The witch looked at her with pursed lips and nodded.
Taking a deep breath through his nose, Severus made his way to the door and opened it, showing the Gryffindors and Slytherins standing in lines outside of it.
"You will notice," he drawled with a slight sneer, "That today we have a guest. The High Inquisitor will be observing today's lesson."
With a gesture, the students walked into the classroom and took their seats. Hermione watched as they pulled out their writing utensils and books.
"We will be reviewing before continuing our Strengthening Solution, that Apprentice Granger has finished, and will be walking down the aisles with me," he stated.
It was normal for Hermione to walk down her own side, but no one wanted it known that she was able to correct the students or hint that Snape couldn't take care of the class himself. Roughly ten minutes of review Severus waved his wand revealing the instructions on the board.
"You will find you mixtures the same as last lesson, which have matured well, and instructions are on the board," he said silkily.
Barely twenty minutes passed that Dolores started her questions, having clearly been making notes the whole while. Some of the students had clearly been waiting to see what the pink menace would try, considering Professor Snape was just as strict as Professor McGonagall.
Thankfully with a few harsh glares they were able to correct themselves should they be close to a mishap. Severus stalked through the aisles with Hermione roughly three feet behind him, sometimes closer if he stopped by a student to correct them. Never close enough to hint at anything 'inappropriate'.
She clearly felt confident as she left her corner and made her way to the potions master.
"This class seems fairly advanced for their year," she said, making a note.
A few of the students were actually happy to hear that and were filled with secret pride. Others were more skeptical considering what she was teaching.
"Although I think the Ministry would prefer the Strengthening Solution were not on the syllabus."
"All healers are expected to have made Strengthening Solution while they were in their basic tutelage. O.W.L.s falls under that purview. I make sure to keep up with St. Mungo's Hospital of Magical Maladies and Injuries and their needs," he responded, turning to give her a look the students knew not to contradict, even behind his back.
"I see," she muttered unable to argue with that, "How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?"
"Fourteen years," he clipped.
Hermione quickly stopped Seamus from adding something into his potion that would have made it explode. The wizard blushed and nodded his thanks.
"You first applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?"
"Yes."
"But you were unsuccessful?"
A sneer formed on his face, "Obviously."
She scribbled on her clipboard.
"And you've applied for the position every year since then?"
"Yes," his anger was clear.
"Do you have any idea why Dumbledore has consistently denied your application?"
"It could be that I'm one of the few potions masters in the country or some other reason, I'd suggest you ask him," he replied with a bite.
"Oh I shall," she said with her false cheery disposition.
"I suppose this is relevant?" He asked, staring her down.
"Y-yes. Oh yes. The Ministry wants a, uh, thorough, er, understanding of the teachers, uh, backgrounds."
' "No. I'm just nosey and this has nothing to do with your 'inspection', Professor Snape. It obviously isn't to dig at you for any petty reason because I'm a petty cunt" ', Hermione mimicked in her head.
Dolores quickly turned the other way and waddled towards Pansy and asked about the lessons.
"And what of Professor Snape's assistant?" she asked.
Sounds around her dropped, everyone wanting to hear the response.
"Apprentice Granger is an excellent assistant. She even knows how to counter act slight mistakes so our potions aren't ruined," the dark haired witch said neutrally, "We learn and we can still get good grades."
"I see."
With that there was more scribbling on the clipboard.
After day three it got worse. Some of her favorite students' eyes started to bleed before their eyes went missing. She screamed and sent them to the Hospital Wing, much to the confusion of everyone else in the class. Potter's eyes would glow and she knew he was seeing into her soul before they stopped.
It was a living nightmare and each day got progressively worse.
October came, relationships strengthened, and tensions rose. Harry and Hermione weren't keen on the pink toad and dreading Halloween. The witch did notice the fat toad grow more paranoid though and Hermione was just waiting for her to snap.
Gone was the amused look in her eyes when she walked down the halls and in place was suspicion and fear. Everybody was avoiding her as much as possible, even those who were more than happy to tell on others.
Trelawny had been put on probation, Flitwick had to stand on books as she could find nothing else wrong with him, and she still refused the students extra tutoring for the practical portion of their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.
With a harsh sigh Harry laid down on the couch, placing his head in his sister's lap. Severus had given her the night off, claiming detention with seventh years, a staff meeting, and patrol.
"I wish I could just go to that tutoring lesson with you!"
"I wouldn't mind, but I know it's not in her contract," she said.
"Do you think… do you think, you could teach us?" Harry asked.
"Me? You do better than me in Defense Harry. Why don't you do it? Remember Third year?" she asked.
"We had a decent teacher that year and that was before –"
"Before you had to participate in the tournament and practically win?"
"Hermione I'm no good with teaching or tutoring or whatever! You are!" he huffed trying to make his point, "You're the one who taught me all those spells."
"And you're the one that performed them all in front of the whole school," she quipped back.
"Why don't you guys teach together?" Neville asked, taking the seat across from them.
"People know you're smart, Hermione. They know you'd know your stuff. And you're well liked and popular, Harry. They also know you're less, sorry Mia, bookish and straight to the point," Neville said, "If you both do it together there won't be much opposition."
Hermione and Harry shared a look, mulling it over.
"Harry," she carded her fingers through his hair, "I won't teach without you. I already have enough on my plate," she admitted.
"You handled third year okay," he said.
She raised a brow at him.
"Okay fine. If we do it, we do it together," he huffed.
She nodded.
"Now would this a study group?" Neville asked with a gentle smile.
"Yes, but I don't think this would be something that would find us in the library," Hermione hedged, biting her lip.
"So it'd only be practical?" Harry asked.
The curly headed witch nodded.
"I'd be willing to write a list of spells and such to learn, I can even make a copy of my syllabus, which will help."
Harry shrugged his shoulders, both of them knowing it wasn't his area of expertise.
"Would you be willing to help, Neville?" Hermione asked.
The wizard looked like a deer in headlights.
"Uh, what?"
"Would you be willing to help? Like spread the word and stuff," she explained.
Neville sighed in relief, "Yeah I can do that. What about this Hogsmead trip? We can meet a few people who'd be interested."
Hermione nodded, "At the Hog's Head Inn though, not The Three Broomsticks. While it's not a huge secret, I don't want Umbridge knowing. She's done enough undermining our education."
Both boys nodded in understanding.
"I'll let Luna know in the morning. We have two days to invite some people," she continued.
The next two days flew by and by the time they knew it Hermione, Neville, Luna, and Harry were waiting in a corner at the Hog's Head Inn. Hermione had a parchment that she jinxed. There was also a regular quill ready for whoever decided to join.
She had owled Moody and he agreed, wrote a few spells down for them to learn, and told her if she was going to go to the Hog's Head to bring her own glass. He also told her not to be surprised if the cow got wind of their study group, despite their efforts at keeping quiet about it. The student body was known for gossip after all.
She told both boys that everyone would have to sign with a regular quill and they agreed. She hoped the jinxed parchment would at least hold some of their tongues. She laced a homemade jinx as well as a light confundous, instructing people to not talk about the group to people not on the parchment. It wasn't full proof, but she didn't want anything damning so stayed away from the grayer spells. They had given people a time and were waiting for them.
Hermione took heed of Moody's advice though and brought her own mug when they ordered four butterbeers. Looking at the grime on Neville's glass she had practically praised Moody.
A few minutes after the given time people walked in.
Dean and Lavender walked in, followed by the Patil twins, Cho and her friends, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, the Weasley twins, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Terry Boot, Ginny, Lee Jordan, Gregory Goyle, and surprisingly Cedric Diggory.
"This is a better turn out than I thought," Hermione commented under her breath.
The barman, Aberforth Dumbledore, from what Moody told her, froze before going back to cleaning his glasses with the filthy rag. Probably due to his bar being fuller than it had been on a Hogsmead weekend in some time.
"Hey, can we get…" Cedric counted, "Twenty-six butterbeers please?"
Abe looked at them suspiciously before bending down and pulling out some butterbeers with the caps still on them.
"Glass or bottle?" he asked.
"Bottles," Fred said, having noticed the rag.
With a grunt Abe passed them over.
"Cheers! Everyone – " George shouted.
"I've got this round," Cedric yelled over him, earning a small applause.
Everyone pulled up their own chair and took a seat at the table that Cedric enlarged to fit them all.
"Hey Harry, Apprentice Granger," Cedric said with shining grey eyes.
They nodded in greeting. No one expected the Head boy to show up.
Cho's friend glared at Harry, which he returned with a dead stare. He didn't know what her problem was since he'd never met her before and didn't give a fuck that he turned the witch down. His boyfriend was here and she could go fuck herself as far as he was concerned.
Hermione noticed this and coughed into her hand.
"Hello everyone, thank you for coming. It came up recently that although people have been insisting on practical tutoring in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and found lacking we'd start up a study group. I don't mean the rubbish Umbridge has been trying to shove down your throats either, but actual Defense. I refuse to let my friends fail their O.W.L.s," she said.
"I was about to say," Dean started, "Considering you have a private tutor."
Hermione nodded, "And some of the stuff we will be studying will be stuff I am learning with her."
Michael Corner and the other Ravenclaws nodded, liking the idea.
Harry and Hermione had talked about bringing up Voldemort and decided against it. While it would be nice, it wasn't something they were going to muck about with. It was out in the open, no one denied it, but it was being buried.
"Is it true You-Know-Who is back?" Ernie asked.
"My aunt says he is and they're keeping it quiet so the public doesn't panic," Susan Bones answered, crossing her arms.
Hermione was very happy with the redhead. They didn't have to answer, got confirmation, and backup from the DMLE's niece. Perfect.
There was some murmuring amongst them. The curly haired witch ignored it and raised an eyebrow at them, reminding them all of Snape which stopped the chatter.
"So, continuing, if we're going to do this we should work out times –"
"Is it true you can cast a patronus?" Hannah asked.
"Yes," Harry answered before steering them back on track, "But as Hermione was saying we should work out times to meet and such if we'd really like to do this."
The crowed was clearly impressed.
"Are you sure you could teach us this stuff?" Anthony Goldstein asked rudely.
"Hermione will be helping –"
"So you're trying to weasel out of it and make the Apprentice teach us?" he sniped.
"That's not what he said," Neville said firmly, glaring at the Ravenclaw.
"We turned up to learn from him and he's telling us he can't teach us!" he shouted.
"That's not what he said," Fred said threateningly.
"Would you like us to clear your ears out for you?" George asked, pulling out a long lethal looking metal instrument from one of his bags.
"Or any other part of your body?" Fred followed.
"We're not picky where we stick this," George finished.
Cedric looked at them impressed. For easy going fellows they could be terrifying if they wanted to be. He figured as Head Boy if they were in the castle he'd say something, however they weren't in the castle so he was going to pretend he didn't hear any of it.
"So are we agreed to learn from Hermione and Harry?" Luna asked airily, "They'd both be teaching us."
The crowd murmured with agreement, some of them edging away from Anthony.
"Right then," Hermione started with a smile, "Next up is when to meet. As I have my apprenticeship I can only do one night a week."
"Can we work around our Quidditch practices?" Angelina asked.
"Nor ours," Cho and Cedric added.
"We hadn't planned to schedule them during any Quidditch practices," Hermione answered wryly.
"Where are we going to meet?" Cedric asked.
"I know a place, leave that to me," Hermione confirmed, "It's an unused classroom of sorts. However we don't really want to start meeting up until after Halloween. It'll mostly be practical, but if you'd like to meet up occasionally in the library while I'm there before then that's fine too."
The witch had been thinking about the Room of Requirement, but she didn't want this lot to know. They could find another 'unused' space to snog and what not.
"Now before we leave I'd like everyone to sign this parchment to let us know who showed up so we can prepare. Don't worry I won't leave it where people can see it," she stared Anthony down causing him to fidget, "Besides as was mentioned earlier I don't even go to her class. I have a tutor."
She handed the quill to Anthony first. It looked as though he was having difficulty swallowing under her unnerving gaze. He took the quill and signed as quickly as possible. In return she tilted her head and smiled at him.
"Me next!" Fred shouted, leaning over to sign with a flourish.
Nobody raised any objections as they all signed, although Cho had to give her friends certain looks before they signed. If her friends didn't show up, that was fine by her.
"I think this is going to be excellent. Thanks for doing this, guys," Cedric said as he was signing his name.
They smiled at him. Cedric was just as popular as Harry, but more well liked.
Harry was surprised Ron didn't show up whereas his sister was glad he didn't. The wizard looked at his new boyfriend.
"I believe we have a date?" Harry said with a grin.
Greg blushed and nodded, standing up and holding his hand out to Harry.
"They're so cute together," Hermione said with a smile, laying her head on Luna's shoulder watching them leave the bar. Luna giggled at the older witch.
Come Monday Harry was a happy wizard. He got to go on a date, loved it, and they were finally going to be doing practical stuff for DADA. Walking down into the common room though, that was the end of his good weekend.
On the notice board was a sign so large it covered practically everything else. It was printed in big bold letters with an official stamp on the bottom right hand corner with a curly signature.
BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS
All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded. An Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students. Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge). No Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.
Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled. The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.
Signed: Dolores Umbridge
HIGH INQUISITOR
Harry bit back a groan. Someone clearly overheard. He knew Greg wouldn't betray him like that, but he had a feeling it might be one of those Ravenclaws.
Harry turned and saw Neville, "Has Hermione seen this yet?"
Neville made a face, "I doubt it. I mean we can go check."
Harry nodded and went to go up the girl's steps only for a loud wail to explode from the staircase as the stairs melded into a slide.
There was giggling at the top of the stairs.
"We're, uh, not allowed in the girl's dorm," Neville said coughing in his hand to hide his laughing.
"I wonder what gave it away," Harry said, his face flushed.
Two girls came down the slide, still laughing.
"Who tried to come up the stairs?" one of the fourth years laughed.
"That would be me," Harry said with an easy self-depreciating smile, "I didn't think about it. Hermione is allowed in my dorm, so I didn't think this would be a thing," he laughed.
Just then Hermione slid down, once her feet touched the floor she bounced up and adjusted her robes. She was wearing black robes with red lining. Her calves covered by her dragonhide boots, her earrings and necklace on display.
"It's an old-fashioned rule. It says in Hogwarts, A History that the founders thought boys were less trustworthy than girls, if you get my drift. Anyways, you were trying to get me?"
"Yeah. Look at the notice board," Harry, anger in his eyes.
Hermione stalked up to the board and read it quickly, her eyes narrowed to slits as her face turned stony. It was like McGonagall and Snape, Harry thought.
"Do you think it was someone there?" Harry asked.
"No, the parchment is jinxed to prevent that," she admitted lowly, "It can be overcome but they would struggle with it at first. So I doubt it. The other part will make sure we'd know who it snitched if they did anyways."
"So someone else," Neville stated.
"Yeah. It was pretty crowded," she admitted.
Both boys nodded.
"So what do we do?" Harry asked.
Apprentice Hermione Granger turned and a devious smile graced her lips.
"Why it says we need permission, doesn't it?" she said innocently.
Harry looked at Neville before looking back at her. He knew better than to walk into that.
"Right. Breakfast?" Harry asked his voice almost cracking.
Mia's smiled turned into a devious grin, her fangs flashing through her glamour for a moment.
"Yes, let's."
Once they were in the Great Hall Hermione calmly walked up to the Head Table while Harry took a seat.
"Good Morning, High Inquisitor. I saw your notice and knew I had to come see you at once about reforming my study group. I'd hate to be behind you know," she said with a sweet smile.
Dolores thought she had her trapped.
"How many people are in this 'study group'?" she asked mockingly.
"I don't like to keep myself stuck to just a few people and meet at least 5-6 different people when I can. Everyone specializes in something so they have different things to share. It's very informal," Hermione replied cheerily, "Of course my best friend Luna Lovegood, Prefect Longbottom, and my brother Harry are included, but I don't consider them to be the different people since they come and go."
"I see," Dolores's face fell, now unimpressed.
"I respect your position as High Inquisitor, so like I said I had to see you right away," Hermione added, the sweet smile still on her face, "The decree was very clear! I wouldn't want to be behind on my studies after all."
"Indeed," Severus added in, "Her appetite for learning and perfectionist behavior is why I decided she would make a good Apprentice."
"Couldn't she study with you, Snape?" Dolores asked with a false grin, talking through her teeth.
"Yes, but I don't have the time to teach her friends," Severus replied back, "I encourage her study sessions. The more they study with her, the better the school average."
"Minerva?" she asked the witch instead.
The witch looked at the toad through the side of her eye, "While I would love to, I have both my Head of House and Deputy duties to attend to. Apprentice Granger can be trusted to have a study group," her face was unimpressed.
"It is the only reason she is not my apprentice," Minerva added the parting shot.
"I suppose, Miss Granger," Dolores said through gritted teeth, "Although I reserve the right as High Inquisitor to stop in whenever I want."
"Of course, High Inquisitor," Hermione agreed with her sweet smile.
'As if you'd be able to find the room, bitch.'
"Where will you be studying?"
"We use unused classrooms, High Inquisitor, so we don't disturb Madame Pince. The library is a sacred place of quiet and my groups are not," she laughed lightly.
Dolores pursed her lips and gave the witch a look, unable to come up with something to refute that.
"Very well, Miss Granger," the toad said.
Pulling aside a small piece of parchment that was clearly for the reinstatement of all 'Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs'. With her fat hands, Dolores Jane Umbridge, approved Hermione's study groups before slamming her stamp on it.
"Thank you, High Inquisitor," Hermione beamed at the elder witch before turning around and walking with her head held high.
"Guess who got permission to hold study groups?" The petite witch hinted smugly at her brother, showing him the permission slip.
"Groups?" he asked.
"Of course. Do you expect me to only study one subject? I have to study with various people you know. Everybody specializes in something and don't I study with the best? We meet in unused classrooms of course because of how loud we get, so we can't study in the library," her voice still smug.
"Brilliant, but scary, Mia," Neville said.
"I'll go tell Michael and he can tell the other claws," Ginny announced, walking over to the Ravenclaw table.
Taking a moment to run to the loo, Hermione ran her wand over the permission slip. She found a tracking charm and disabled it. Another scan found that the seal had her magical signature to avoid forgeries.
It wasn't a complete lie; it was a study group. She chuckled to herself. Once she was back she saw a few Hufflepuffs start to stand and just nodded at him, her eyes shining brightly. It was just as well she supposed, she did get permission and said it was a few different people, at least twenty, not including herself, Harry, Luna, or Neville. Plus it made it more believable. It looked like she was only studying with Hufflepuffs today.
"Hermione did you hear?" Harry asked.
"There's more?"
"Quidditch is included!" Angelina interrupted with a moan of despair.
The rest of the day was alright, even though people were panicking due to the disbanding of all clubs. Angelina had stressed to all the Quidditch players to be on their best behavior today. No point losses, except from Snape's class, and absolutely no detentions.
"There's no Quidditch practice," Angelina announced hollowly.
"But! – "
"We didn't do anything!" the twins shouted.
"It's no one's fault, she just said she needed more time to consider," Angelina reassured her team.
Hermione huffed, upset for them.
"Consider what!? The Slytherins have permission," Ronald snarled, "Even Hermione got permission for her stupid study groups!"
With a sneer of distaste Hermione was both upset at his existence and happy that if he believed it was just study groups, so would most of the school.
Thankfully the team was reformed the next morning, causing Angelina to hold a practice that evening. Hermione made sure to cast an impervious on her brother's glasses before they parted ways, remembering the horrible weather. When she moved them from his face, his fringe was moved showing his scar, reminding her of something she had forgotten.
"I'm worried, Master," Hermione finally said as she canted her latest potion.
"About?" he asked, preferring not to guess.
"Harry. So far things are going well, but Halloween is coming up and it never goes well for him," she admitted.
Severus grunted, knowing it was nothing but the truth.
"So what would you have us do other than be on guard?" he asked.
"I don't know, but I do know that I want to get his scar checked out. It hurt him a lot when he was face to face with the Dark Lord. I didn't remember until recently."
"It's never been looked at?" he asked.
"No. I want it done this weekend. As much as I'm sure Mom and Dad would allow it, I think we need to have Sirius here to pull him out for the day."
Severus sneered and rolled his eyes at the mention of the mutt.
"With Dolores and Dumbledore I am sadly inclined to agree. Shall we send a letter with Elara tonight?"
"And we'll have an answer by morning, yes."
Elara swooped in, dropping off the letter to Hermione.
"Thanks, girl," she said, petting her owl and then giving her a treat of bacon before looking at the responding letter.
The response was short but succinct.
"Harry, don't have plans for Saturday," she told him, "You have an important appointment and Sirius will be taking you."
"He will?" Harry asked confused.
"Mm." That was all she said.
Saturday arrived and Sirius showed up on time arriving as Lord Black.
"Hey pup, kitten," he greeted happily.
"Hey, Sirius," was the echoed response.
"What is the exact reason he is being removed from the castle today, Lord Black?" Dolores simpered.
"I'm afraid that's private House business, Madame Umbridge," Sirius replied with cold glinting eyes.
Hermione was surprised, having never seen such an expression on his face.
"Of course, how silly of me," she giggled.
"I will have him back as soon as our business is finished," Sirius said with a nod of his head.
"Of course, best of luck," Dolores simpered at him, with a small wave of her hand.
Hermione hugged her brother as he left and paid no attention to the pink menace. Of course it was just a show, but necessary. Dolores left the muggleborn at the entrance and wandered off.
Five minutes after they left Severus swooped down.
"Apprentice, are you ready?" he asked softly.
"Of course, Master," was her quick reply.
They met the other pair at The Three Broomsticks.
"I know you wanted to go to St. Mungo's, kitten, but I think this is something more suited for the goblins," Sirius said softly so as not to be overheard.
Hermione's brows furrowed, but she nodded hoping Sirius knew what he was doing.
"Is this really about an appointment?" Harry asked.
"Yes, and it's very important, Harry," Hermione said, "We'll leave in pairs."
Soon they were walking into Gringotts and stepped in line.
"Next."
"Yes we'd like to meet with Sharpfang," Sirius intoned.
"Of course, Lord Black. This is your party?" the goblin asked taking in the others.
"Yes."
"One moment please," the goblin replied.
Barely a minute later a taller goblin, that appeared physically younger than the others Hermione had seen, appeared before them.
"Lord Black, welcome back. Would you like to take this to my office?" Sharpfang inquired.
"I would like to take this to one of your medi-rooms," Sirius answered.
The goblin was shocked for a quick second before he nodded, "Of course. Is the matter dire?"
"I hope not, but I want to make sure," the wizard replied as he followed the goblin.
Once they were in a sterile room, Sirius gestured for Harry to sit on the table.
"What seems to be the problem?"
Another goblin walked into the room, shorter and older than Sharpfang, with a clear scar across his nose.
"I'm worried about the scar on his forehead," Hermione answered, "It's never been looked at."
"I'm afraid it's darker magic than St. Mungos can handle," Sirius added.
"I see. Lay down boy," the goblin instructed as he lowered the table.
Waving a gnarled finger over the scar, the goblin hissed and then barked at Sharpfang in gobbldegook. With a hiss from Sharpfang he ran out of the room.
"Dark magic indeed. We will need a curse-breaker for this," he said gravely.
Hermione bit her lip as Severus put a hand on her shoulder in silent support.
Sharpfang returned with two curse-breakers and a pig.
"This is going to hurt Mr. Potter," the healer informed.
"Does he have to be awake for this?" Hermione asked.
The goblin blinked at her, "It wouldn't hurt, but it would have to be a magically induced coma. The dark magic has been there for years, so I'm fairly certain it won't react poorly."
"May I recommend Draught of the Living Death?" Severus intoned.
"It is stronger than a regular Sleeping Draught that he can wake up from… and we do have the antidote on hand… I'm unsure if it would lessen the pain, but I do know that it would keep his body from lashing out." The goblin thought aloud.
"Mr. Potter, what would you prefer?" the healer asked.
With a deep calming breath Harry answered, "Draught of the Living Death please. Even if I do feel the pain, and I'll let you know, I don't really like the thought of accidentally hurting someone."
With a nod the healer gathered the potion and the antidote.
"It'll be over soon, Mr. Potter," the healer assured him as he had Harry drink the Draught of the Living Death.
The others watched as the potion was administered placing Harry into a magic induced coma.
"It would be best if only the curse-breakers to avoid distractions," the healer announced, herding the witch and wizards out of the room along with Sharpfang.
Sharpfang gestured to the seat outside of the room. They all took a seat with Hermione in the middle as a buffer.
The wait was nerve wracking. They had hoped it wouldn't be long, but clearly it was worse than any of them had imagined. Thirty minutes turned into an hour and Hermione's eyes swelled with tears.
Whatever was in her brother's scar was dark enough that it needed curse-breakers and they needed time to get it out of him. She was sure if he were awake he'd be screaming right now. The magic they would be pushing into his head, literally, wouldn't be pleasant.
Suddenly there was a loud inhuman shriek behind the door. Hermione jumped to her feet as the tears fell from her eyes before she sat back down knowing they were with experts and she'd be in the way.
Roughly fifteen minutes later the curse-breakers came out sweaty, but smiled at them.
"He's fine," one said, "He might have a killer headache, and his eyesight might be different, but he's alive. You were right to bring him here."
The healer went in before them and shut the door behind himself. Another ten minutes before the door opened and the goblin beckoned them in. Hermione made a beeline for her brother, who was sitting up, and firmly grasped his hand. His glasses were sitting on his head.
"They were right, he's fine. He claimed to have felt minimal pain, which is excellent compared to what it could have been. His scar was opened, renewed, with the removal of the foul magic. I was able to heal it and there's just a light scarring. I gave him something for the pain and his eyesight seems to have improved," the healer informed, "His eyes are light sensitive right now and might be for a few hours give or take."
"Thank you," Hermione said emotionally, "Thank you."
"Thanks," Harry said with a nod.
"You have been a great help," Sirius said, "Bill my vaults."
"Of course, Lord Black."
"How much can you see, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Better than with my glasses," Harry answered with a grin, "I think they're useless now."
Hermione grinned happy for him, "I can turn them into sunglasses for you."
"Sweet Merlin, Yes! Please!"
The witch laughed as she transfigured the lenses into regular shades and made sure they were no longer prescription. With a nod and reassessing that they were perfect, she handed them to her brother.
"Thanks, Mia," Harry said in clear relief.
"That better be for the glasses and this visit Harry, it was all her doing you know," Sirius said.
Harry stood up and hugged his sister tightly, "You're the best."
"I love you too, Harry," Hermione hugged squeezed back as Sirius dealt with the rest of the details.
They arrived back at Hogwarts separately. Sirius ate a meal with Harry at The Three Broomsticks while Severus picked up something from the Leaky Cauldron for himself and Hermione. The two had also bought some new supplies, some new stirrers, ladles, and fresh ingredients.
Harry claimed new vision was liberating, although he said he'd keep the sunglasses. He thought they looked cool. He was also very happy about his lighter scar, it was almost invisible now, just a shade lighter than the rest of his skin. Hermione was happier that whatever was in there, wasn't anymore.
Molly was bustling in her kitchen when an owl arrived. It was a school owl so she relaxed. She was still a bit upset with the fallout between her children, granted she knew it would happen. With Ronnie being himself and her helping her other children along forming relationships it was bound to happen.
Of course she wasn't aware no one had eaten any of her baked goods after the incident with Ginny. She stopped slipping love potions to her youngest son, hoping she'd find him a nice witch soon.
Her children had been writing less than usual, but she assumed that it was because they were distracted by their budding or new relationships.
Little did she know that her children were aware of the potions and after an initial scan they threw them out. It hurt them with each home care package because each one was potioned. They didn't want her to know that they knew. To avoid the fallout they just wrote less and less, but knew that stopping entirely would worry her. The less she knew, the better.
Meanwhile Hermione, Luna, Fred, and George were meeting up four times a week in the Room of Requirement doing their meditations.
The witch had asked for specific things of the room, which the castle happily provided. The walls were painted to look like a forest with the fresh scent of the outdoors. The floor was covered in a darker green shag carpet. It was pretty spacious.
Hermione hadn't been keen about having the mandrake leaf in her mouth for a month; but with a light sticking charm and three hours of it being in her mouth she barely noticed it.
The petite witch also found it refreshing to look into herself. Her and Luna would lay next to each other on the floor and simply relax. The notes Fred and George took showed that it was easier to relax before falling into the meditation to search within herself. Their research had been sound.
Soon Halloween was upon them. They had decided to hold off on holding one of their study sessions until November. Hermione and Harry were walking down the hall towards the library. Umbridge however was walking down the same hallway towards them, but something was clearly wrong. Her eyes darted this way and that, but her pupils were dilated. Then she saw them.
While Harry and Hermione were simply walking down the hall, Umbridge saw something else. In her state she saw them walking on what looked like a calm river. The water rippling under their feet. They were also had a golden glow about them, looking magically blessed.
She took a step back in fear then leaned forward with both her hands in fists at her sides.
"You think just because you and that mudblood can walk on water you're Morgana and Merlin!? WELL YOU'RE NOT! YOU'RE JUST HALFBLOOD SCUM THAT GOT LUCKY! The Dark Lord will make you into a meat pie and I will GLADLY feed you to the muggle filth!"
Harry looked at Hermione freaked out, his thoughts clear on his face.
'What the fuck?'
Hermione looked back at Harry, her thoughts also on her face.
'I don't know!'
Even though the witch knew the reason the toad was freaking out, she still had no idea how well it would work.
"I think we should get Dumbledore," Harry muttered under his breath to her, so as not to set the toad off more.
They both slowly started to walk backwards. Instead Umbridge saw them skipping back and forth on the water laughing at each other and then grinning maliciously at her before skipping backwards.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!? Filthy Mudblood! YOU THINK SKIPPING ON WATER MAKES YOU BETTER THAN ME!?"
Her shouting started to gather attention. She noticed them. Everyone surrounding her looked as though they were part animal. A few of the taller students took on the appearance of centaurs. Whereas most of the younger students looked like satyrs. However, they were all missing their eyes, their holes bloody, and they were all grinning madly at her.
"OH! Where did all these DISGUSTING half breeds come from!?" she screamed in alarm.
The students looked at one another trying to see what she was talking about.
Severus and Minerva noticed the crowd and walked as quickly as they could to see what was going on. The students parted like the Red Sea to let them through.
"What is going on here?" he drawled.
"IT'S A TALKING BAT! STAY BACK!"
She quickly grabbed her wand and pointed it at him. Severus was unimpressed.
To her the potions master looked like a long black bat with a soft brown, almost blond, neck walking on its feet. It had huge fangs like an ogre and a sabre tooth tiger. Its wings draped around him while his eyes glowed red.
"Dolores, what are you talking about!?" Minerva growled.
"Don't think I don't see you, you filthy half breed! Whoever decided it was okay to fuck a cat and had you and didn't see fit to DROWN you should be killed alongside you!"
Umbridge looked and saw Minerva. But it wasn't the Minerva she knew. This THING had a cat face, large fangs, furry clawed hands, and a tail that flicked in agitation. It was wearing a parody of McGonagall's robes, ripped at the knees, showing her huge clawed cat paws. Her face and hands were covered in blood.
The crowd gasped. Minerva's eyes narrowed down to slits.
"I believe I will be calling the aurors. Normally I would stun you and take you to the Hospital Wing, but I think the castle won't be able to handle a hostile medical facility. It's bad enough there's a plague of it in the halls," Minerva's words were practically hissed.
Hermione was mildly shocked at her Head of House's response. It was clear throughout her long friendship with Sev that she picked up some of the acid that fell from his lips. She was also pleased with it though. While she knew Minerva wasn't a pushover, she also stayed well within the lines of professionalism. Her response toed the line.
Minerva McGonagall turned her back, walking towards her office when Severus threw up a shield to protect her.
"Deputy Headmistress, I believe it would be best to send a patronus," Severus drawled.
"Expelliarmus!" he hissed, not giving the witch experiencing a bad trip on Pink Acido Sunshine a moment's warning, causing the toad to shriek in horrified surprise.
"I happen to agree, Professor Snape," she said dangerously, "Expecto patronum." An ethereal cat leapt from her wand.
She leaned over to talk to her Patronus, "Go to the head of the DMLE. This is the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. We have dire a situation here at Hogwarts, please send help at once."
"YOU THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU AND THE MUDBLOOD CAN WALK ON WATER YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME!? Are YOU the ones controlling these DISGUSTING half breeds!?"
"Apprentice, you and Mr. Potter, slowly come over here. Do not turn your backs on her," Severus instructed.
They nodded and started walking backwards again, happy he was at their backs.
"How DARE you laugh at me!?" she shrieked at them.
The squeezed each other's hands, while the crowd watched the pink menace with morbid fascination. As soon as they reached Severus, the aurors arrived. Dumbledore quick behind them.
"We came through the floo as soon as we got your message!" Amelia Bones' voice boomed.
"OH! MORE DARK HALF BREEDS!?" Dolores wailed, "KEEP THEM AWAY!"
The aurors that arrived looked like a parody of centaur; their bottom halves were part thestral without the wings, while their faces were also missing their eyes, and bloody, something sinister glowed in them, while grinning madly at her, blood staining their teeth. Albus however was a demonic goat covered in blood that stood on two legs.
They froze, now aware of the situation.
"YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AT BIRTH! DROWNED OR BURNED WHATEVER CAN KILL BEASTS LIKE YOU!"
"Does she still have her wand?" Amelia asked, taking charge of the situation.
"No, I disarmed her after she cast at Professor McGonagall's back," Severus answered, holding the short pink wand out to the closest auror.
It happened to be Tonks, who nodded and slipped it into an evidence bag.
"What happened?" Amelia asked.
"We were just going to the library then she saw us and started yelling at us about walking on water," Hermione said.
Harry nodded, "She called Hermione a mudblood and told me I was 'halfblood scum that got lucky'."
"Then she said that 'The Dark Lord will make us into meat pies and she would feed us to the muggle filth', her words," Hermione finished.
"Then Madame Umbridge decided, among more disgusting and unprofessional yelling that, and quote, called me a 'filthy half breed.' and 'Whoever decided it was okay to fuck," she hissed, "a cat and had me and didn't see fit to DROWN me should be killed alongside me.' I went to go call you and she tried to hex me in the back. The students and Professor Snape are all witnesses."
The aurors behind Amelia all winced. Amelia however nodded at the other witch.
"Dolores Umbridge, either surrender yourself or we will stun you," Amelia announced.
"BEASTS don't stun! I will kill you with my BARE HANDS like muggle filth if I must!" Dolores shouted, even though her limbs were clearly shaking in fear.
"Ma'am I have a clear shot at the target," Tonks stated.
"Take her down," Amelia growled.
As soon as the words left her mouth Tonks shot a nonverbal stunner at the pink menace, causing her to fall forward. Two aurors ran from behind Amelia, one lifting her up and the other cuffing her.
"We will transport her to the Ministry," Amelia stated.
"Thank you, Auror Bones," Minerva said solemnly.
"You did what you could and you did well," Amelia said.
"Minerva what happened here?" Albus demanded, "The aurors just burst through my floo. I should have been informed first and foremost."
The body surrounding him looked at him incredulously.
"I made a snap decision Headmaster," she reprimanded him, "We had a witch in power shouting obscenities and threats, before she decided to try to hex me with an unknown spell. As she is the High Inquisitor, no one could truly defend themselves from her lest they end up in hot water."
"I- I see," Albus said, trying to backpedal, "All of you clear out now, lunch will be served early."
The crowd dispersed heading to the Great Hall.
"Well that was something," Harry said under his breath to his sister, still holding her hand.
Hermione couldn't do anything but nod in agreement. Her revenge was both served cold and satisfyingly sweet. A steady dosing for about a month would leave traces of the potion in her system for the rest of her life. It would cause her to randomly hallucinate. However, it wouldn't be the good nice things she had been seeing in the beginning, but the horrid nightmares she was seeing now. Skeeter got off light compared to Umbridge, and she would suffer for the rest of her days.
Skeeter might have been malicious with her words, but Umbridge set out to hurt her family. The cow set out to permanently scar him with a dark artifact. Nobody fucked with Hermione Granger's family.