Playing in the JKR sandbox again.

August 1995

Dumbledore was having a summer from hell. It started when Fudge and the Ministry had successfully removed him from his positions as Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump. Then dementors were loose in Surrey, causing Harry to defend himself and his cousin. That made Work for him to defend Harry from the ministry. This led to the emergence of a new Lord Black. A man who somehow bypassed the fidelus on headquarters and systematically ruined him in his own organization.

How had he gathered all that information? What else did he know. What other secrets had he uncovered. And the prophecy! How in Merlin's name did this Lord Black know the prophecy?! To make matters worse the portrait of Phineas Nigellus refused to inform him about the new Lord Black. Not his position, his location, his allies, nothing. All he did say was "Just as I will not betray your secrets Headmaster, I will not betray the Lord Black." It was incredibly frustrating. Plus it took him from Hogwarts. And to top it all off, He had lost his control of Harry Potter! Lord Black had taken his weapon. The only way to kill Tom Riddle!

Now the Ministry was pushing for his selection for DADA instructor. There were no candidates this time. He actually had nobody to teach Defense. In a few days the Wizengamot would convene and Fudge would most certainly find some way to put one of his people into the post.

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Neville had improved greatly with the new wand and working with Hunter really made him come out of his shell. The surprise was in the fact that they had done nothing new. It was simply a review of the first four years but using the new wand. Neville had even produced a misty patronus. No form yet, but he was getting closer each day. Augusta could not help but feel pride in her grandson. She had to fight back the tears as she watched the boy and his friend head to the greenhouse and Lord Black entered the room.

"Good afternoon Augusta. Anything of interest for the upcoming meeting?" Hunter asked. The look in his eye told her he already knew. "Just Fudge's attempt to infiltrate the school. I am quite thankful you will be tutoring Neville in place of the moron Fudge has planned." Hunter frowned and Augusta began to worry. "What is it Lord Black?" Her use of his title told Hunter just how worried she had become.

"If Fudge gets his way, he will place Deloris Umbridge in that capacity. I'm sure we both know just how detrimental that will be. Not only for that class, but the school as a whole. It is bad enough with her asinine legislation against werewolves and half-breeds. Give her a chance and she could very well make it illegal to be muggle-born." Augusta could not argue with his assessment.

"What did you have in mind as an alternative?" She knew he would not have brought this to her attention without a plan.

"My thought is that I apply for the position. You have influence on the Board of Governors and with a little positioning, we could easily have the backing of a significant block in the Wizengamot. Starting with Amelia Bones."

Augusta mulled it over for several minutes. She knew he was correct, but the meeting was only a few days away. They began writing letters to the contacts they had. Hunter took the responsibility to convince Amelia Bones. Augusta had heard the story and agreed that under the circumstances, Hunter should be able to get her cooperation with very little effort. Of course the possibility of Susan being taught and under the control of Umbridge was incentive enough to have Amelia comply no matter who was asking.

August 30 1995

The Wizengamot was called to order by the acting Chief Warlock Lord Greengrass. He was a neutral with ties to both light and dark houses. Before they could begin with the agenda Hunter officially claimed the House of Black and dismissed all proxies. Lucius Malfoy was furious. He had been holding the proxy for House Black via Narcissa. This was dangerous and could also affect his finances. He would have to get the young lord to side with him. Or if need be, kill him.

The meeting itself was quite tame. The key point was the Educational Decree to allow the ministry to assign teachers. The decree actually passed without much debate, it was who would be assigned that caused a stir. Fudge was quick to nominate Deloris Umbridge just as Hunter had expected. Amelia negated that immediately.

"I would sooner assign one of my aurors to the school before I would allow her to teach a subject she is unqualified for. Remind me again, what was your N.E.W.T. achievement in D.A.D.A. Madam Umbridge?" The toad-like woman was forced to admit she had not taken that course past he O.W.L. Exams. This ended her bid for the post.

Augusta Longbottom was quick to act. "I think I have a perfect applicant for the position. The young Lord Black has spent the summer tutoring my grandson Neville in defense. I know he has a mastery in the subject and I can vouch for his teaching skills from personal observation My Neville is close to producing a corporeal patronus now! Lord Black would you be willing to teach a multitude of students as opposed to just one?" Hunter was swarmed with questions about his education and his background. Even Amelia Bones took a few shots in an attempt to fill in the gaps she had regarding the young lord.

Lord Greengrass finally called off the dog-pile and asked if Hunter would accept the nomination. "Lords and Ladies. I am in possession of a mastery in defense bestowed by the International Confederation of Wizards. If I take this position, I will hold my students, your children and grandchildren, to that same standard. The mastery from the ICW far exceeds what this ministry requires. My N.E.W.T.s and O.W.L.s are also from the ICW standard. If you are inclined to accept these standards in my class, I will accept the nomination and the post."

The deliberations took some time as many of them wanted clarification on the differences between their British standards and the ICW. Amelia had to admit that if he was up to the ICW mastery, he was on par with any new recruit from the auror academy. Augusta had called for Griselda Marchbanks to settle the debate over the standards, and the aged witch smiled when she confirmed the ICW was far more stringent. Hunter was assigned the DADA post in a landslide after that. Only a few like Fudge voted against him.

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September 1, 1995

Hunter rode the train to Hogwarts with the students just as Remus Lupin had once done. Most of the Order was at the station both for protection and in the hopes of finding Harry Potter. Lord Black had removed Harry from headquarters after he agreed to training. A move that infuriated many. Especially Molly Weasley, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Hunter would not, and could not take the other children as Molly forbade it, but she had no power over Harry, who jumped to his old teacher.

Harry arrived with Neville and between the red hair (a glamor) and their new physiques, the only way one could even derive it was Neville was by Augusta. Harry wasn't even a thought. The boys got a compartment and waited for the fun to begin. Hunter saw where they were and sent Luna Lovegood to join them. Harry was dumbfounded by the quirky little blonde, but immediately felt the need to protect her. That Hunter told him to do so was merely an afterthought. Soon enough Ginny, Ron and Hermione found them. Ginny recognized Luna and entered. Harry had long since dropped his disguise but he and Neville barely looked like the used to. It took Luna introducing her new friends before they recognized Harry and Neville. Harry did not welcome his "friends" warmly.

All summer they sent cryptic and vague letters that said little to nothing. They apologized when he was brought to headquarters, but when he went with Hunter, they turned on him. Hunter had said that they were still under orders from Dumbledore. That appeased him only slightly. When Harry saw the prefect badges, he became livid. Hermione didn't surprise him, she had basically been a prefect since the day she entered Hogwarts. She just didn't have the title. It was Ron that threw him for a loop. 'Why Ron?' Seamus and Dean were not prefect material, and Neville had always been a follower not a leader so he was out, but why him? His grades weren't Hermione's equal but they were better than Ron. And he had always tried to help others both in his house and in other houses, unlike Ron. And he was nowhere near as lazy as Ron, so how did Ron get the badge instead of him? Then it hit him. His "friends" hadn't just betrayed him, they had sold him out. They do as Dumbledore said, and they get to be prefects. Neville felt the shift in the room as Harry realized what had taken place.

Before things could get ugly, Neville took a shot at keeping the peace. "I see you two are prefects. Just put your things away and when you get finished we can talk. Harry and I have been working all summer and honestly, we're kinda worn out." Ron didn't want to let it go like that, but Hermione forced him to comply and soon they were off to their meeting. Ginny could feel the tension and cautiously asked if Harry was alright. She didn't like the answer.

"No Ginevra, I am not alright. I am still being depicted as a liar and a psycho. Actually it seems to be a continuation of the tournament. Yet again, your brother has turned on me, and this time Hermione with him. I'm only giving you the benefit of the doubt because you had a habit of blushing and squeaking around me before you would run off. Otherwise I would call you a traitor right along with them."

Harry was colder than a dementor and Ginny was almost in tears as she bolted out. Luna admonished Harry but left him an out. "I don't think you're being fair to Ginny Harry Potter. She has a bad infestation of wrackspurts and may be confused by it." It was so off the wall that Harry couldn't help but chuckle. He thanked Luna for her insight then told Neville he was going to seek out Lord Black. Neville nodded and Harry left.

Hunter was not pleased with Harry when he heard what happened. He knew Ginny had not been in a position to write as she still felt like an outsider. He pointed that out, but Harry was being stubborn. Look Harry, I see your point and to an extent you are correct. But you have forgotten how Molly Weasley can be. I doubt you were being sold out. In Hermione's case, there was no chance. Even with all the logic behind your thinking, Hermione is too addicted to authority to go against Dumbledore. He played on her addiction and rewarded her loyalty which only perpetuates said addiction."

"Now in Ron's case, well, he has the brain of a flobberworm. He is in such desperate need of recognition, and so oblivious to reality, that he doesn't even realize he has betrayed you. Dumbledore said, Molly agreed, and he just did. Ginny is in a similar fix. But for her it is follow the leader of the light, or follow his protégé. You have always followed Dumbledore so why shouldn't she. And with Molly pushing well..." Harry hated it but Hunter was right. He had every right to be angry but with it he also understood where the others were not strong enough to ignore the headmaster's orders. He still felt betrayed though. Hunter told him to temper justice with mercy. Harry left with much to ponder.

Harry didn't have to lay into his friends as Neville did it for him. Upon their return, Neville was already telling Ginny off and now turned to Hermione and Ron. "...And you two! Did Dumbledore save you from a troll? Does Dumbledore stand up for you against Malfoy? How about you genius" He glared at Ron. "Who ran off all those dementors? Who forgave you when you turned on him during the tournament? Harry was your best friend and you two chose Dumbledore over Harry! You like your shiny new prefect badges? I hope so. You only sold out your friendship with Harry for them!"

That hit Hermione like bullet to the heart. She wanted to argue, but as she thought about it, that is exactly what they had done. They chose to do as Dumbledore told them, and in return he made them prefects. It totally explained how Ron was chosen. She knew he wasn't the best choice. Harry was first and Neville would have been next. Ron was somewhere between Dean and Seamus. That was when Malfoy entered.

"So Mudblood. Did Potter finally come to his senses and drop you the traitors and the squib?" The blonde ponce sneered as his gorillas laughed. Neville was up in a heartbeat. Lord Black had told them Draco had been cast out of the Black Family while he and Harry were both in good standing. He was actually older and would get the nod unless otherwise assigned. Before he could retaliate though another voice rang out.

"Actually ferret, I was just in conference with Lord Black. You know, the head of the family that disowned your pathetic arse." Draco whirled around to see Harry with his wand already out. "Take tweedle dee and tweedle dumb here, and leave. You will not harass a member of my house with impunity any longer."

Draco was more pale than usual but still came up with his typical reply. "When my father hears..." "When your father hears, he can chose to ignore it or he can have his marriage dissolved. He'll loose a significant dowry, and you'll be Draco no-name" It was Lord Hunter Black.

"Now as I see three prefects here I don't feel I need to assign punishments today. You should be able to handle that. However, I will not tolerate bullying in my class, so check your attitudes at the great hall." Draco was gobsmacked and both Neville and Harry knew their teacher was angry with their behavior as well.

Harry did not speak to anyone the rest of the trip. Not that anyone tried to speak to him either. Luna was the lone attempt but Neville noticed Harry was meditating (probably practicing his occlumency) and told the Ravenclaw so. "Hmmm perhaps that is why all the nargles have disappeared." Neville followed Harry's earlier approach to her strange comments, and smiled.

Harry came out of his trance shortly before Hogsmeade and announced that the boys would be leaving to give the girls time to change. Ron never got to the reason before he began to argue, but Neville grabbed him by his collar and threw him out. Outside Harry explained. "If you had been listening you traitorous sod, you would have heard me say it was so the girls could get changed. I've forgiven your betrayals twice. Not now. Hope you like that badge, because it cost you dearly."

When the girls finished, the boys got changed. Then then arrived at Hogwarts. Harry saw the thestrals and asked if anyone knew what they were. Hermione in her know it all tone stated there was nothing pulling the carriages. Luna told him it was a thestral. Harry, now very angry again, asked the thestral if he could mount it. The strange winged horse bent down to allow Harry to do just that. Everyone but Luna was shocked. Harry got off and thanked the creature before getting into the carriage. Hunter saw this and knew he was going to have to have words with Harry again.