I certainly have no rights to Harry Potter, but this won't stop me writing this story. However, you probably already know this. As it is my specialty, and as in my other big stories, this shows how things go if something went different right at the beginning. Please note that I'm not a fan of bashing and also don't expect the two main pairings to differ from canon. However, the path to them certainly will be quite different. I also want to try and subvert certain plots and things that became common in the fandom over the years.
I do my normal rythm of publishing every second Saturday, until the year is complete. Then the story will go on hiatus again to give me time to write ahead so I can have a publishing schedule.
I'll try to answer all my reviews, since I do like the feedback for improvement. So please tell me your thoughts on the story in reviews. I would appreciate it. The more feedback I get, the more I can improve the story even further.
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Chapter 61: Mayhem at Hogwarts
It looked like the start of an ordinary Monday morning at Hogwarts, despite everything going on inside those walls, however, many couldn't have foreseen that this Monday would be the start of the push back against Umbridge and her enforcers at the school.
It started right at the morning in the great hall.
By now the separation between the members of the Inquisitorial Squad and the other students was pretty much complete. They were even no longer sitting at their respective house tables, instead having gotten a table of their own right next to the faculty table - a fact which said faculty in turn obviously disliked. It also was common knowledge that Squad members were being avoided in the dorms and pains were taken to be separated from them as much as possible in the rooms. After all, no one wanted to sleep in a bed right next to theirs.
It however seemed like the Squad members didn't care about that separation and even saw it as a badge of honor.
Everything seemed normal, but enough people knew that that would change at any moment.
"Ah!" That was Crabbe, dropping his cup when all of a sudden seeing his hand turn blue. "What the?!" Now that caused everyone's attention when seeing all of Crabbe's skin turn blue, making him look like a huge, dim-witted smurf.
"All right, who...?" Draco started, then stopped when realizing how high-pitched his voice now was, sounding like Mickey Mouse. There were some faint giggles, many trying to hold it down. "That's not funny!" Draco hissed, though his voice made him sound ridiculous.
"Uuurgh!" That was Pansy, who had jumped out of her seat. She had become beet-red and the loud rumbling in her belly was a clear sign what was about to happen. "Excuse me..." Holding her ass, Pansy ran out of the hall to the nearest girls' toilet - hoping she could reach it before she would shit herself.
"All right, who did that?! Punishment is in order," Umbridge finally called, but got stony silence from the students. "There will be severe punishments." Still silence.
"Professor Umbridge, perhaps you should rethink your incentive for making the culprits step forward," Filch commented with a hefty dose of sarcasm while placing Mrs. Norris' now full food bowl onto the floor.
Umbridge stopped herself from telling Filch that she won't take that cheek from a squib, but before she could tell him off otherwise, the enchanted ceiling suddenly started to swirl, instead of the morning sky now showing letters on a dark background. Looking up, Umbridge's eyes narrowed when seeing what everyone was reading at the ceiling.
Ladies and Gentlemen... if we can even call you that. You have eaten well. You've eaten Hogwarts' spirit, trying to kill it outright. Your feast is nearly over. From this moment on... none of you are safe.
"You can't let them get away with that, Headmaster!" Umbridge told Dumbledore.
Dumbledore however held a perfect poker face. "Dolores, what do you want me to do? I can hardly punish someone if there is no known culprit."
"We'll see..." Umbridge promised.
However, the day would give a taste of what Umbridge had to expect for the near future.
By the time her Defense class with that Potter brat arrived - which was after lunch - her nerves already were severely tested, her having added some drops of calming potion to her tea, since otherwise she would have lost her composure sometime during the day.
It was like Hogwarts had decided to start turn into a madhouse.
There were all kind of small mishaps happening to the Inquisitorial Squad, stopping them from doing the duties she had given to them, and by now its members were constantly looking over their shoulders, weary of a sudden hex being thrown at them out of nowhere or some kind of sick joke article going off on them. Not to speak of the fact that dungbombs suddenly seemed to have become a common item.
She herself had during lunch been accosted by a swarm of highly persistent flies that made a croaking sound and it had taken her using a wind spell to finally shred them all. Not to speak of her first two classes of the day. Several students had gotten sick during those classes, causing a mess each time and forcing her to finish the lectures early so that the house-elves could clean up the classroom. She knew that was intentional, but even she couldn't punish students for getting sick, regardless how suspicious it was.
Umbridge also had a feeling that this little rebellion was only the beginning.
To add insult to injury, there were no incidents in any other class. The lessons of the other teachers were done as usual and even the members of the Inquisitorial Squad were left alone during that time... unless they tried to pull something during said lesson, as that McLaggen boy had learned the hard way, somehow getting cursed with a one-meter tongue, without him knowing how it happened or who did it.
If they think that will stop me, then they are sadly mistaken, Umbridge thought, though part of her knew it sounded like she was trying to encourage herself.
Finally, the students arrived for their lesson.
"Now, class, you know how to greet me properly, don't you?" Umbridge asked once everyone was present, giving Harry a look, daring him to not do so and give her a flimsy excuse to torture him again.
"Good day, Professor Umbridbbbbllllagghhhh..."
Umbridge barely held down a scream of shock when during the greeting multiple students started to vomit out their lunch all over the desks and floor, while others started to bleed from the nose, sullying their uniforms badly. Umbridge looked at the whole mess in shock, the smell being especially bad due to this class being right after lunch.
Umbridge then spotted Luna shivering and promptly walked over to her. "Is there something you want to share with us, Miss Lovegood?"
Suddenly Luna's eyes went wide, her cheeks bulged and... -Wooooooaaagh- All of a sudden Luna had to vomit as well, and thanks to Umbridge standing in front of her, the vomit splattered all over Umbridge's shoes. Umbridge looked at what just had happened in horror while Luna coughed out some remaining vomit, then gave Umbridge a passive look.
"I'm sorry, Professor. There must have been something in the lunch my stomach doesn't agree with," Luna gave her a lame excuse.
Umbridge felt her composure threatening to break. The smell in the room was horrible and the mess was practically everywhere. "Out! Everyone out now!" she finally barked, knowing when to admit defeat.
Seeing how this was the end of class already, the students made haste to leave the room as fast as they could without running.
They waited until they were sure to be alone, before Luna's friends spoke up. "Great aim, Luna, but how disgusting was it for you? I don't think it's fun having to vomit."
"It was indeed unpleasant, but I am willing to endure such discomfort for our cause. Oh, thank you, Neville." Luna accepted a small water bottle from Neville, gargling some water before spitting it into the nearest flower pot. "Better..."
"No problem..." Neville knew their friends were not fooled and knew Luna and him had become closer than friends, but they were not asking questions. After all, they were in return not asking Ron and Hermione what had changed between them.
As for Harry and Ginny... After what happened at the Quidditch match and Draco brutalizing her, Harry for a whole week had been extra attentive to her until Ginny herself had asked him to stop it, since it was starting to get embarrassing. She had even told Harry that yes, while she did get injured and it had hurt a lot, she doesn't need to be babied.
Luna then held her hand flat onto her stomach. "However, now that everything is out I'm getting hungry again."
"Sucks that this was right after lunch," Ron admitted, knowing it had been unfair to Luna and the others. "Good thing that we thought of that. The elves most certainly don't want someone go hungry."
Indeed, after knowing that lots of vomiting would be involved and many people getting hungry due to losing their lunch for weeks to come, Ron, for whom food was serious business, had suggested that perhaps they should bring that to the elves of Hogwarts. The elves of course were horrified that the meals they were preparing would be used as vomit projectiles, but calmed down once they had explained further.
"I don't want to imagine their reaction, had we not explained to them that it was nothing against their cooking, but instead was for a good cause," Hermione said, still remembering how heartbroken the elves had looked before the explanation.
"Dobby for his part looked quite eager to be a food courier," Ron added.
Dobby basically had jumped at the opportunity to make himself useful, especially since Harry Potter was involved. Harry had barely stopped the elf from hugging him in gratitude for being part of this. Now thanks to the elves preparing and Dobby distributing lunch packages, those students using vomit as a weapon would not have to go hungry. Luna for example would find her lunch package sitting on her bed.
"Dobby is always eager to help." Though Harry was glad that the elf over the years had learned to better respect personal boundaries.
Trying to imagine Dobby still being like he used to be makes me glad he got better. Back then he had not been right in the head, Harry thought.
...the end of that week, March 3rd...
"This is scandalous, so you plan on doing nothing about it?!" Umbridge screamed at Percy, who despite this being a Sunday was busy with getting rid of some backlog that had appeared due to recent events.
"Professor Umbridge, I ask you to keep your tone civil. After all, I hardly think you are in the habit of screaming at people in the Ministry," Percy reminded her coldly from where he stood behind the counter, showing open disapproval of her behavior.
Umbridge narrowed her eyes. "The school is falling apart around you, and you claim that it is nothing inside the scope of your duties?!"
Percy didn't blink an eye at that accusation. "With all respect, Professor, but the running of the school is in no jeopardy. What problems you have in your own classes and with your associates is a matter that you have to discuss with the Headmaster, not the administration."
Umbridge tried hard to get her anger back under lock and key, but it was proving difficult due to this having been a week that got steadily worse for her with each day. While Monday had been bad enough, things had escalated from there and each day was worse than the previous one.
For one thing, dungbombs now seemed to have become a highly common item and students also seemed to have made it one of their favorite pastimes to use them - and their favorite targets were the corridors in front of her office and her classroom! In just one week the Inquisitorial Squad had suffered from so many incidents - and no time a culprit was found - that they had grown increasingly paranoid. She herself had not been targeted directly, apart from annoying pranks, until today.
Her own lessons had become a thing of the impossible. By now, as soon as Defense class started, students would vomit and bleed from their noses. She had tried using a Bubblehead Charm to ignore the smell, but being in a classroom covered with vomit and blood was so disgusting, she simply had to cancel the classes. In one week she had not managed to get a single class done. She knew it was intentional sabotage - even if she had no idea how - but Dumbledore had told her even now she would need proof, otherwise it was just her punishing students for being sick.
She knew Dumbledore had to be in on the whole thing. And even more frustrating, the Potter brat was the one student who never did anything disruptive! Potter was literally keeping a clean vest, not even giving her the slightest excuse to punish him in order to hit Dumbledore for enabling whatever kind of rebellion was going on.
Now she was being angry due to the latest incident. Somehow a Niffler had gotten into her office and torn everything to pieces. When she had entered, that beast nearly had bitten off her fingers to get some of her rings. Thankfully, she had killed the little monster before it had come to that. Due to it having been a beast, she was suspecting that the giant oaf was involved in that incident, but of course couldn't prove it.
Her being at the administrative office anyway, she had tried to pressure them into helping her, but that had failed with that Weasley man claiming it was outside their area of responsibility.
Of course, since he is a Weasley...They are one big family who always help out each other, Umbridge thought darkly, knowing those two Weasley troublemakers had to be behind the current mess.
"So you won't help me," Umbridge finally said, knowing she had to pick her battles. "That still leaves me with the repairs for my destroyed office. You want to be difficult about that as well?"
"Not at all, Professor." Percy then reached under the counter and pulled out a small stack of forms. "You have to fill out all these forms in detail about the items in your office that got destroyed and then return them to us."
Umbridge eyed the stack of forms with disdain. "How long until I get everything replaced?"
"From the time of you returning the forms to us? About two weeks," Percy told her.
Two weeks. Umbridge wanted to curse, but knew that would get her nowhere. She now had to find some way to improvise an office until hers would get repaired. Snatching the forms from Percy's hands, she left the administrative office, actually slamming the door shut behind herself.
For any other Professor I would have set everything into motion right away, Percy thought, feeling a certain satisfaction at how he made things difficult for Umbridge.
"You really stood your ground with her." Turning, Percy saw Penelope, who had walked in through the back door to the office. "You stood your ground to her. Though... how did she even know you were busy with the backlog? Normally the office would be closed over the weekend."
"Someone must have told her." Percy took off his glasses to rub his eyes. "It was difficult for me to keep calm, knowing of the horrible things she has done. There was a small part of me that would have loved nothing more than to strangle her, especially with the way she thinks of me as sub-human."
Penelope knew this was Percy's protective and aggressive streak, which had been altered by the incident with Greyback to become more prominent. Percy still had full control over himself, but his discipline at time was being tested. "Better stay calm, regardless how bigoted she is against you . Harry showed us how nasty she can get."
Percy knew Penelope was right about that. "I better report the incident to the Headmaster. He'll want to know about this."
"Not that he will do anything about it," Penelope laughed, actually enjoying how Umbridge was slowly being driven to despair.
"Well, that is true," Percy remarked, then said his goodbye to Penelope to find the Headmaster, knowing he most certainly would not be in his office on a Sunday.
It only took him a short time to find the Headmaster. However, Percy had not expected to find the Headmaster in the company of all the other teachers, minus Umbridge of course, in the teachers' lounge. Even though he now was working for the school, the fact that he had been a student not even two years ago caused him to still be a little intimidated by such a concentration of teachers.
However, if Dumbledore had noticed that, he didn't show it. "Ah, Mr. Weasley. What brings you to us?
"Ah, Headmaster, there was an incident with Professor Umbridge," Percy explained.
"I'm honestly curious what has happened now," Dumbledore said, this being the sign for Percy to explain.
And Percy did explain how a Niffler had torn Umbridge's office apart - a fact that caused Hagrid to snicker until he heard that Umbridge had killed it - and how she had come to him in order to get her office fixed. Of her anger at not only how long it would take for her to get her office fixed, but also at him making it clear that it was not part of his responsibilities to help with school discipline.
"Fairly resourceful of a student to use a Niffler for that task," Dumbledore finally commented after Percy was done with his report.
"Yes, but that she killed the critter. She has no respect for other living beings," Hagrid complained, bemoaning the fate of the Niffler.
"Mr. Weasley, I can remember when I made renovations to my office the previous school year, it took you a mere day to organize the workers and the materials," Professor Rogers then said, having a good idea why Umbridge would have to wait for two long weeks.
"I have to remind you that I am processing Professor Umbrige strictly according to the rules. No one can accuse me of obstruction," Percy said. "Though, too bad for Professor Umbridge she is not included in the more efficient structures in the school."
"Oh, I have heard of that," Professor Sinistra said with a chuckle. "It's become bad enough that she is forced to buy parchment and ink from the stationary shop in Hogsmeade rather then being supplied by the stocks of the school. How unfortunate for her."
"Oh yes, misfortune seems to following her and the Inquisitorial Squad recently," Snape remarked with a healthy dose of sarcasm. "Though that is not our problem, since the rest of the school is running just fine."
Slughorn answered that with a belly laugh. "Indeed, very efficient young people that they do keep the effects localized. Also remarkable feats of magic hat are being done; too bad this is not graded."
Normally, the teachers would have never wished misfortune on students, but after the terrible things the Inquisitorial Squad had done to other students up until this point, as well as their open cruelty and bigotry, they actually felt the Squad members deserved it. It helped that the students getting back at them had a code about lines they would not cross. The teachers would step in, should those lines get crossed.
They had known, should they interfere in any way with Umbridge or her squad, then that woman would have a bullshit reason to remove them from the school. Even Moody wasn't safe from that, only in his case it would be arrest under a pretext. Now however they were in a position where doing nothing was the option to hurt Umbridge with their inactivity.
"I have to agree, it is impressive, Professor," Percy agreed. "Though we most certainly could have lived without those photographs all over Hogwarts. That was the one thing that had some side-effects. I think some of the first-year students have become a little traumatized by it."
McGonagall nodded. "Yes, a bit regrettable. We still wonder how those pictures even came to be. They are no forgeries, despite Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Parkinson insisting that they are such. I'm more concerned that those two students had exposed themselves like that on school grounds."
Normally, the teachers would have deemed the spreading of the photos as going too far - and McGonagall most certainly had not been impressed once she had gotten out when and why those photos had been made. The parents had not been impressed, either. However, everyone agreed to let the matter rest, also due to the circumstances in which the photos had been made. As for now, after Malfoy and Parkinson had shown their bad side so openly, none of the teachers felt like punishing the Six for spreading the photos.
After all, be horrible to your fellow people and you reap your just reward.
o
At the same time, Ron and Hermione were walking out of the library, Ron acting as Hermione's book carrier. Ron honestly was surprised, since he at first hadn't been enthusiastic about helping Hermione find some special literature as early preparation for the OWLs. However, it had been better than expected, perhaps due to the change in their relationship after that day under the shower. However, some things would not change.
"Hermione, do we really need those? OWLs are still three months away," Ron asked, finding she was a bit over the top about this.
"Ron, three months may look like a lot, but you and the others would put it off until suddenly you realize you haven't yet done any preparation work and subsequently panic," Hermione reminded Ron. When seeing him grimace, she knew she had hit dead-center. "I'm not forcing you to memorize everything. We start slow and revise all the important things we know will be part of the exam."
"With everything going on, the OWLs had honestly slipped my mind." Ron then frowned. "Wonder if we'll even get a fair exam or if they fail us because it's us."
While Hermione wanted to protest, she knew Ron's fear was not completely unfounded. There was a possibility that the Ministry could order the testers to fail them regardless of their actual success, regardless how illegal such an order was. As much as Hermione wanted to believe in the professional integrity of the testers, her belief in authorities - at least the ones on the magical side - was by this point severely damaged and there would be a lasting mistrust.
"We can only hope things change before the date of the exams," Hermione acknowledged Ron's fear, admitting there was something to it.
"You know, it's kind of unfair. They say school is about preparing for our future, regardless if it's for our job or a bit more... private." Ron saw a tiny blush on Hermione's face, knowing she had understood what he meant. "But instead we have to deal with all kind of crap adults are dumping on us."
Hermione knew Ron had a point. Unlike other teenagers, who could concentrate on school work and their love lives, they in each year had to deal with some kind of crisis and now a war that could break out at any moment. "Yes, it's not fair to us, but it's not like we can do much about it."
"I wish we could..." Ron by now would have loved a boring life. "Though at least we try for certain things."
Hermione had found out in recent weeks that Ron had an interesting talent: he could manage to make her blush without much effort - like just now. Maybe it was due to them having entered a new part in their relationship? Regardless of the why, Hermione had reminded him several times that she had an image to uphold. Not that that stopped Ron.
Mum had warned me that such things are beyond any logic and once I made the step, there is no going back. Now I know what she meant, Hermione thought.
Hermione then decided to get even and gave Ron a peck on the cheek. "For being so open to helping me..." Now it was Ron's turn to blush a little. Both of them however did enjoy those early stages of a serious relationship.
They turned around a corner and stopped when seeing what was going on.
"Aaargh! Another one!" Pansy screamed, ripping something off the wall and tearing it to pieces.
Hermione looked at the pieces and understood what that was about. "What's the matter, Parkinson? You don't like the sight of a double full moon?"
Only now noticing them, Pansy turned to them, face red with anger. "YOU... I know it was you and your damn friends who did that to us! We'll have your hide for that one!"
"What, you want to explain to Umbridge how that happened?" Ron asked her with a snicker.
Pansy was tempted to use her wand, but then remembered that Umbridge had forbidden them from doing that, saying that she will personally deal with Potter and his friends. Fact was, Umbridge had asked them where the photos had come from, but Draco and her had kept silent about the matter, being way too embarrassed about the circumstances in which they had been made.
Even if no one dared to express it openly, Draco and her both knew that those damn photos had made them a target of ridicule. They could be as harsh as they wanted, but those photos had perhaps permanently damaged their ability to intimidate others. As if those other attacks on her weren't already degrading enough. In one week she had suffered two nasty cases of the runs, her hair turning into spines (down there as well!), got glued to her seat and had suffered a prank which made it appear as if she had lost her head.
She also knew things were only bound to get worse for them.
"It's only Umbridge's wishes that protect you now. Mark my words, We'll convince her to declare open season on you, then we'll see who has the last laugh!" Pansy threatened, before she turned around and left.
"Someone seems to have gotten her knickers into a twist..." Ron chuckled, having to watch out not to lose any of the books her was carrying.
"Serves her right," Hermione said, years of Pansy being racist against her making it impossible for Hermione to feel sorry for the girl. "She has made her bed, now she has to lie down in it as well."
"What do you think will happen to those Inquisition jerks once everything falls apart for them?" Ron wondered, knowing that by now practically everyone in the school by now hated the members of the Inquisitorial Squad.
"Sadly, they can't just be expelled due to ex post facto. Regardless how horrible those decrees are, the protection can't be retroactively removed for punishment... at least for students. Unlike Umbridge of course, who will suffer the consequences due to being involved in making those decrees in the first place. Though, I think they will WISH they were expelled," Hermione mused.
"How do you mean?" Ron asked his girlfriend.
It was a bit scary how evil Hermione now looked. "It's the fact that they will be stuck in a school full of people who utterly hate them for all the terrible things they have done. You don't honestly think things will return to normal for them, do you?"
"Now that you have mentioned it..." Ron knew it was wrong to think so, but he really couldn't wait for that to happen.
...Divination class, March 6th...
"...and as you can see, the centaurs interpret this constellation in multiple ways, depending on its relative position to other celestial objects," Professor Trelawney was explaining while using her wand to point out a constellation on a big start chart.
Luna was being busy with writing things down, finding the explanation of the theories being the precognitive powers of centaurs and how they used them highly interesting. Luna was really good in Astronomy class, thus the combination with Divination was her favorite. There also was her fascination with centaurs and their culture as well and she was itching to ask Professor Trelawney some questions after class, knowing from her teacher that a centaur lady named Celestra had been very helpful in explaining to her how centaurs read the stars.
Luna looked to the student next to her, who was Dudley, and saw him copying the constellation into his notes. "That is a good drawing of the constellation. Do you draw a lot?" she asked him.
Dudley looked at his drawing, only now noticing that Luna had only used lines and dots to copy the constellation, while he had actually drawn the creature it's based on around the lines and dots. "Actually, no. That's not one of my hobbies. You really think I'm good at this?"
Luna was silent for a moment, taking another look at the drawing."Indeed, this looks really good. Maybe you should try some more of it? Most people do tend to discover their talents by accident."
Dudley thought about it. He honestly had never thought he would hold any artistic talent at all. Thing was, he had never actually tried past a certain age, before he had developed fine motor control. Looking at his drawing one more time, he had to wonder if just doing this resulted in such a good result, how good would the results be if he really put serious work into it?
I would have to ask Mum what I drew when I was younger... Ah man... he thought.
His thoughts had gotten derailed when thinking about his mother. Before Umbridge had stopped outgoing and incoming mail, he had gotten a letter from his mother. She had been forced to move out of the house - and the house now was up for sale as well to cover Vernon's debt - and as announced by her moved into a really cheap flat in one of the big residential towers at the edge of Little Whinging. That was quite the social fall. Dudley honestly felt unwell when imagining how that would be once school is out for the summer.
"Hem-hem!"
Everyone froze when hearing this very distinctive sound of the bane of their existence. Indeed, Umbridge stood there, having just walked up the spiral staircase into the classroom, being flanked by two hit wizards - the lesser magical law enforcement. Their presence already spelled trouble.
"Can I help you, High Inquisitor?" Trelawney asked, feeling dread due to having a good idea what this was about.
"Indeed, you can." Umbridge then pulled out a letter and opened it. "Sybill Trelawney, as of this moment you no longer are a teacher of the wizarding school of Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic, with its newfound powers, has decided to to terminate your contract. You are to pack your things and then vacate the premises right away. Failure to comply will be seen as cause for arrest."
Trelawney had expected something like that happen, but not in such a cruel way right in front of her class. She was fighting not to burst into tears. The students present were shocked that Umbridge would not only arrange for Trelawney to be fired, but also in such a public and humiliating way clearly done to be as hurtful as possible.
Class was a bit shocked as well, though many of them guessed correctly that Umbridge was doing this to show that pushing back against her would have consequences. She had picked Trelawney as an easy target due to her classes not being an exact science - though there was little doubt she just as well could have picked Hagrid due to her hatred of anyone non-human.
Umbridge seemed to enjoy see Trelawney tremble sadness and humiliation. "No acknowledgment? You know if you stay silent, that's cause to arrest you."
"Ah, High Inquisitor, I have been looking for you." That was Dumbledore, walking up the stairs to the classroom.
"Headmaster." That frosty greeting made it clear she was convinced but couldn't prove that Dumbledore was somehow involved in the whole current mess. "I see you have come here to witness this now former teacher being escorted off the premises. You do know the Ministry does now have the power dismiss teachers after due process."
Dumbledore knew that 'due process' was a farce, but didn't say so. Instead, he decided to stick to his plan. "Indeed, indeed. However, my dear High Inquisitor, I have to inform you that it is not that simple."
"I have to inform you, Headmaster, that interfering is a cause for arrest," Umbridge warned him, weary what he could mean with that.
"Oh no, I won't interfere. However, as I said, it is not that simple." Dumbledore was holding a perfect poker face, not revealing what he was thinking. "Magical Britain is bound to a number of international treaties - treaties which can't be unilaterally changed or ignored without serious consequences. One of them concerns seers due to their rarity."
He can't be making this up. He knows I would check if such a treaty really exists, Umbridge fumed silently, but didn't show it on the outside. "And how does this concern the current situation?"
"It is very simple. If a magical school does have a Divination course, which Hogwarts obviously does, it has to be taught by a certified seer, who has made at least one prophecy. As the Department of Mysteries confirmed before I hired her years ago, our current teacher did so," Dumbledore explained.
"And?" Umbridge became impatient.
"That means you need to have a certified seer as a replacement. As long as the Ministry doesn't provide such, Professor Trelawney by the treaty is entitled to stay in her position," Dumbledore finally explained. "I have to add that the man who took over for Professor Trelawney years ago during her sabbatical is no longer available."
"That could take months..." Umbridge knew the Ministry didn't have any seers available, especially not for a teaching position. "Well, then we'll just abolish the course altogether."
"High Inquisitor, the treaty also forbids that. The course can only be abolished between school years," Dumbledore explained.
Umbridge looked highly displeased, then turned to Trelawney. "You are on borrowed time. Come the end of this school year, there will be no more Divination classes at Hogwarts." She then left, most likely to read the treaty in question, the hit wizards leaving as well due to no longer being needed.
"Headmaster, I..." Trelawney still looked close to tears.
"Come, Sybill, right now you need time..." Dumbledore gave the students a look and they understood, quickly leaving the classroom to give the adults some privacy.
"That was an absolute dick move from her," Dudley growled while walking. "Wanting to sack her is bad enough, but in such a public and humiliating manner? That was plain cruel."
"It was fully intentional." Despite appearing calm, Luna was feeling a deep anger at what Umbridge had done. She was a bit scared she could feel like that. "She was aiming for this to be a show of power and intentionally hurtful."
"Did it work? I mean, the Headmaster turned the tables on her without having to do much in the first place," Dudley wondered.
"Her not knowing the laws properly only partially diminishes her message. The damage is done and next time she could go after Hagrid, who has no such protection," Luna warned him. She knew Umbridge saw Hagrid as little more than a savage.
Dudley grimaced, knowing that Hagrid was quite popular at the school for being so friendly and approachable. "I don't think she'll take this setback well and only become even worse... if that's even possible."
Luna gave him a look that made his squirm. "While what she has done up to now already was nasty, we have not seen the true lengths she will go once she feels being pushed into a corner. That generally is, when people do show their true colors."
Dudley gulped hard at the idea. I don't even want to imagine what she could do once becoming desperate enough.
...magical preschool, March 9th...
Remus watched through the window while the children left, another day of magical preschool being done. The children all looked so excited over what they had learned today, not even minding that those lessons took place on the weekend. They would now all patiently wait outside for the adults to return them home.
He then noticed one of the other teachers enter. "It's great to watch, isn't it? They are so eager to learn and so open to their world expanding," she told him.
"Yes... I feel a bit bad that we will have to tell them how dark the world has become and destroy some of their illusions. Yet, they need to know the truth before they go to Hogwarts. There already are whispers carried to the others from the children that come from impovered magical families," Remus reminded his colleague.
"I know. It makes me wonder why neither the Ministry made an effort to tear down the preschool, nor our enemies tried to find and target it," the teacher wondered, being confused why they had been left alone.
"It's all thanks to Dumbledore and Black. Before the Ministry went off the rails, Dumbledore was very clever in ensuring there wouldn't be foul play. And after it did, Black's political power keeps them off our back. As for the darker factions..." Remus stopped his explanation, trying to phrase it properly.
The teacher understood what he meant anyway. "They hate what we are doing, but right now they have bigger fish to fry. Nonetheless, once things get worse enough, we need to have security measures."
"Black already thought of that. After the scare at his home last summer he invested heavily into that. What do you think had been done during that construction work?" Remus saw her understand. "It's quite sophisticated, too, without having to rely on outside contractors."
"Yes, but if it gets even worse than those damn Death Eaters truly having returned... something like the Ministry faltering... then we honestly have to think of the safety of the children and close up shop," she reminded Remus, looking very serious at the thought.
"Their security always comes first." Remus then looked outside again. "It's time to get them home."
Walking outside together with the other teachers, they knew to give the children a few minutes before they should start to take them home. After all, children in this age group excitable and needed to calm a bit down first after exchanging today's exciting lessons with their peers. Thus the teachers also used the time to socialize with each other.
Remus however was surprised when being approached by Mark Evans. "Can I help you, young man?"
"Eh, yes, Mr. Lupin. There is something that's bothering me," Mark asked him.
Remus rolled his eyes. "Mark, we have gone through that many times. I've known you since birth. There is no need to call me 'Mr. Lupin'."
"I know, but around here it feels weird to call you by name," Mark returned, knowing this had been an issue ever since him entering the preschool.
"I will get you out of that habit." Remus then remembered what the question was. "So, what exactly is bothering you?"
"I..." Mark then hinted they should move a bit away. Once that was done, he finally revealed what he was thinking. "I'm young but I'm no idiot. After what happened with the train and that whole government conspiracy, I realized very well that things are not great. My parents are trying to shield me from it, but I have heard how bad things at Hogwarts truly are."
"And you have lost some of your enthusiasm about going there next year?" Remus asked, finding it a bit depressing that a ten-year old boy was forced to think about such problems and fears.
"It's more that I'm afraid. If the school just like that gets turned into such a nasty place, I wonder if I should really go there." Mark had heard enough to know what Umbridge had turned Hogwarts into. "I'm not alone, either. Some of the others have heard of it as well and their parents are asking questions."
I had feared it would come to that, Remus thought.
Remus knew it was only a matter of time before this would reach his students. Children like them were supposed to be happy that they would soon be able to join Hogwarts and learn real magic. In the past that had been the case. But now a shadow was cast over the whole experience. It not only was Voldemort but also the Ministry and what they were doing at Hogwarts.
Children were supposed to be happy about soon starting Hogwarts, but now they were starting to be afraid of it. Not to speak of their parents. Their parents knew of many things currently going on in the magical world and what it meant for them. However, they not yet knew the details of what exactly was happening at Hogwarts, and Remus dreaded the moment when he had to tell them.
"I honestly don't know what to tell you. I won't insult you by lying that there will be no problems when you go there." Remus knew it sounded lame.
Thankfully, a distraction arrived right then.
"Ah, managed to get here just in time!"
That caused everyone's attention. Then the children started to whisper when seeing the person the voice belonged to. It surely was an unusual woman, since after all they had not yet met in person a woman whose hair was a bright shade of bubblegum-pink. They were speculating who she could be, since they had never seen her before. Yet, the adults didn't react much to her presence, as if they knew who she was.
Case in point, they noticed Mark Evans also not looking surprised, causing speculation that he knew who she was. Now curious, they watched the woman walk over to Remus.
Remus looked a bit surprised as well. "Ehm... Dora? What are you doing here?"
"I felt the need to remind you to not fall back into your workaholic tendencies of the past. All work and no fun makes for a boring wolf," Dora reminded him, knowing Remus generally told the children at the preschool of his medical condition. "That, and I simply want to see you."
Dora then wasted no time to hug and then kiss Remus. The reaction from that among the children was quite different. Many of the girls started to giggle, some of them blushed and some looked like they were watching as Disney romance with a dreamy look on their face. The boys on the other hand either looked away embarrassed and looked disgusted at this display of affection.
Remus for his part was not surprised. Dora after all was quite open about her feelings. After they had parted, he noticed Mark looking more annoyed than anything. "No reaction of disgust?" Remus asked with slight amusement.
"Oh please. I saw my parents and other adults do that so often, it kind of makes it no longer a big deal to me," Mark waved it off.
Dora chuckled. "Oh, then you perhaps can't wait until you do that yourself?"
"I honestly don't see the appeal in it," Mark admitted, sounding more confused than anything.
"Just give it a few years, then you'll see the appeal. We heard the same thing from Harry and now he can't get enough of Ginny," Dora continued to tease him.
"Please, I don't need to know what my brother is doing with his girlfriend!" Now Mark all of a sudden was defensive.
Dora now knew it did bother him more than he at first wanted to admit. "I thought it's no big deal to you?"
Watching Mark trying to defend himself and explain why it was different with hearing such things about Harry, Remus saw one of Dora's greatest qualities. She was really good at lightening up the atmosphere. He then patted his pocket, feeling the small box in it.
Just the right moment has to arrive and I'll ask her. Padfoot, you wanted me to put a ring onto her finger, and I will do so, he thought to himself.
...March 11th...
Draco was seething. Everything had started so well, and now things were not at all going the way he had imagined they would go. He had thought it would be wonderful, being able to beat down anyone who displeases him without having to fear any consequences. At first it had been that way, but now this was turning more and more into a nightmare.
Whereas before the Inquisitorial Squad had ruled with an iron fist, they now always had to fear a counterattack, having become paranoid over it. Of course they had upped the ante to beat down that rebellion, but had failed utterly and instead only got worse payback. It seemed that they harder they tried, the worse the consequences for them.
He know Potter and his damn friends had to be behind this in some way, but Umbridge still forbid them from going after them directly - though by now they had started to do so indirectly by aiming others connected to the Six. Sadly, targeting Dusley and the two traitors was proving difficult and the few attempts they did try, after the first one against Greengrass, had went nowhere.
This is unacceptable... Draco thought, feeling something needed to be done in that regard. Maybe they should hurt them by proxy?
Draco didn't want to admit to himself that at heart he was a coward and he was shying back from a direct head-on attack on Dudley and Millicent out of fear they then would retaliate forcefully. The same went for Pansy - perhaps even a bit more so. That was why they resorted to sneak attacks when it came to them - they still didn't feel like being in a position of strength to them.
He then heard the door open, knowing it had to be Pansy. "Pansy, what took you you so..." Draco trailed off when seeing what had happened to her.
Pansy had grown antlers like a stag, which looked very weird on her. She also looked incredibly pissed about her new head ornaments. "No smart comments, Draco. I'm not in the mood for it," she warned him.
"How did that happen?" Draco asked, looking a bit floored at the sight.
"I honestly have no idea. I got blasted with a spell from behind, then it felt like my head was about to burst, and now I'm stuck like this," Pansy told him, making no secret of how she would gut the person responsible, should she find out who did it.
"Madam Pomfrey couldn't do anything?" Draco asked, wondering about that.
Pansy snorted in anger while scratching where the antlers grew out of her head. "That old bat told me that since she is busy and I'm clearly not in danger or pain, I can wait until the evening before she does something about this. Has she forgotten I can hardly change my clothes as long as I have those?!"
Draco had to admit, those antlers would indeed make that impossible. He also knew an angry Pansy was to be treated with care. "I'll make sure no one makes fun of you until we can solve this."
"I knew even with this here on my head, you wouldn't make fun of me." Pansy then walked closer.
Draco knew how it was to suffer from things like that. "Maybe I can hold you for a bit...?"
"Just be careful, that thing seems to try and get everywhere it's not supposed to," Pansy warned Draco, not wanting to accidentally injure him with her new antlers.
Outside observers would be in disbelief when seeing those two share an intimate hug. To everyone else thsoe two showed their worst side, thus making it look impossible they were even capable of something resembling positive emotions. Of course they did have those, but one couldn't be blamed for thinking otherwise.
Their relationship was interesting. At the very start it had been more overlapping goals than anything else. However, over the course of their first year it had grown into an actual friendship so much, that Draco had defended Pansy against his parents seeing her family as people he should not associate with. Over the past two years this had grown into an actual boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. Of course they still were horrible people, but that they were actually capable of love was something in their favor and showed that all hope was not yet lost on them.
Being careful about her antlers, Draco then carefully kissed Pansy, and she eagerly escalated it to full-blown, happy that Draco took her mind off her humiliating predicament. However, they were disturbed when suddenly the door was slammed open.
"Draco! Draco!" That were Crabbe and Goyle.
Highly annoyed at the interrupting, Draco and Pansy separated, then looked and stopped. Draco then finally asked the big question. "All right, how did you two manage to have that happen to you?"
It was Crabbe and Goyle, no doubt about that, but both of them were now sporting actual ape faces. If Draco and Pansy were to be honest, in their opinion there was only little difference between this and their normal faces. Instead, they felt that the outside of the head was now matching what's found within. Harsh, yes, but they held no respect for the idiotic duo, knowing those two were on their best way to get booted out of the school by not getting a single OWL.
"Ehh, that's a bit embarrassing..." Crabbe tried to explain, looking highly uncomfortable.
"You see, we were being busy humiliating some second-year Hufflepuff shit..." Goyle continued with the explanation.
"No, let me guess... You got hit from behind with that spell, right?" Pansy guessed.
"Uh... not exactly." Crabbe then saw that they better explain fast. "After we were done, we found two really tasty looking chocolate cakes just sitting there..."
Draco rolled his eyes, now understanding what exactly had happened. "Don't bother to explain any further. Both of you are really too stupid. Seems you learned nothing from the tampered food."
"Better pray that hag Pomfrey sees that as an emergency, because this here she said could wait until the evening," Pansy added, pointing at her antlers.
Crabbe and Goyle swallowed hard, both of them actually wanting to get rid of those ape faces as fast as possible.
o
While that was happening, Harry and Ron were visiting the owlery to spend some times with their owls, who had become rather unrestful due to Umbridge banning any outside communication - which did include owls.
"Sorry, Hedwig, but I honestly can't risk it," Harry apologized to Hedwig while giving her attention. It seemed she was thinking that was not enough, acting like how he was caressing her didn't matter at all while looking away.
Harry sighed when seeing the attitude Hadwig was giving him. She even came over a bit like a spoiled brat, very unlike her normally dignified behavior. "You do remember what happened to those other owls, don't you?"
Hedwig for her part actually shuddered, clearly remembering what had happened. Some students had not taken the ban seriously and tried to send off letters anyway. It had resulted in three dead owls being returned to the school - and no one knew how killing them had been done - and Umbridge severely punishing the students in question. Following that, the owls on their own refused to leave the owlery now.
Giving up her defiance, Hedwig finally allowed herself to get pampered by Harry.
"I wish I had your problem," Ron commented while trying to keep up with Pigwidgeon, the small owl being as hyper as ever. "Pig would be a bad fit for someone without much energy."
Harry chuckled, knowing that Ron for nothing in the world would give up his owl. "I think that is what makes him a good fit for you. After all, remember that you selected him yourself."
Ron did remember. "Yes, maybe you are right. But I had no choice with his name, thanks to Ginny." Ron had never fully forgiven his sister for giving his owl such a stupid name, but by now had gotten used to just calling him by the shortened name, regardless how bizarre it sounded.
Harry then noticed Hermes watching them. "Sorry, but perhaps we can tell Percy you need some attention? Must be boring to sit here all day."
Percy's owl made no sound, but the looks he was giving Hedwig and Pigwidgeon spoke volumes. Hermes was jealous of them getting attention, while he didn't get any. It was interesting how they over the years had become good at reading the mood of owls. They spent some more time in the owlery before the made their way back to the dorms.
"When you talked about the dead owls... Remember how that third-year girl took that?" Ron asked Harry while they were walking back to the dorms.
"You mean before or after Umbridge punished her?" Harry asked, then saw the grimace Ron gave him at the reminder. "Sorry. She of course was devastated that her owl was dead, but after Umbridge was done with her, she looked ready to burst into tears at the smallest thing."
Harry did remember that incident all too well due to his duties as a Prefect. The incident had happened the day before Umbridge had forced him to maim his own hand. He had no idea what exactly Umbridge had done to the girl - though unlike him she had not been physically injured - that resulted in her being that traumatized.
That was the depressing part. They were already doing a lot. Covertly teaching Defense, sabotaging Umbridge's lessons so no one had to suffer through them, undermining Umbridge's authority and ensuring that the Inquisitorial Squad was being neutered as much as it was possible. And yet, nasty things still could happen. No, for this to be over, Umbridge had to be gone permanently, but they were not holding the power to do that.
They could only hope that either the curse on the Defense position would do her in, or, as sick as the idea was, Voldemort would stop his hiding game, which would cause Fudge to surely be booted out really fast and thus also tank Umbridge in the process.
Walking into the corridor that led to the Fat Lady and thus the entrance to Gryffindor tower, they were greeted with an interesting sight. There was Crookshanks, nothing unusual, but next to him was Millicent's cat Archimedes. If they were capable of speech, they would have thought them to be in some sort of conversation.
"Good thing Archimedes is a bloke, otherwise Millicent would have gotten annoyed by now," Ron commented.
Harry knew what Ron was playing at. "Thank all goodness Crookshanks actually doesn't get any ideas with the female cats. Maybe Hermione telling him there would be dire consequences if he does impregnate another cat did the trick."
Ron remembered that. "Yes, considering Ginny told me Crookshaks had hidden under Hermione's bed for almost a week after that, he knew she was not bluffing. One of the few times he did get scared."
Right then Archimedes left and Crookshanks walked over to the portrait of the Fat Lady. After waiting for some moments, the portrait opened for him. That was a function of the dorm entrances only few thought about. Pets actually could come and go as they pleased. It was a bit weird most students didn't wonder how their pets were able to roam the castle after being left in the dorms.
They then walked up to the Fat Lady. "Is he giving you any trouble?" Harry asked her.
"Not at all. He actually has better manners than some of the students, if I may say so," the Fat Lady told them while the new enchantment on her confirmed them to be Gryffindor students and the entrance opened.
"Of course Crookshanks is found there. As if he doesn't already get enough attention," Ron groaned after entering the common room when seeing said cat occupying Hermione's lap.
"Careful, Ron, you do sound jealous of a cat," Harry reminded his friend. The changed relationship between Ron and Hermione of course was no secret, but unless those two made public displays everyone would not make a big deal of it.
The scene in the common room looked utterly normal. Nothing even hinted that at the moment pure mayhem had broken out at Hogwarts. Perhaps it was due to said mayhem only happening to Umbridge and those connected to her. However, Hermione putting attention to a Galleon in her hand, something looking entirely innocent, was sign enough that she was planning the next meeting of the Defenders of Hogwarts, sending out the date and time to everyone else.
Feeling the warmth in their pockets from the fake Galleons was confirmation for Harry and Ron. Underneath the look of normality in the common room, the gears were constantly moving to undermine Umbridge.
...the next day in the Riddle House...
"And that is what your son is reporting to you?" Voldemort asked Lucius, wanting to make sure.
"Yes, my Lord. Draco was very thorough in his report on Umbridge's actions, as well as the students starting to rise up against her," Lucius confirmed while kneeling in front of the throne.
"That fits with the reports I've gotten from other followers of mine, whose children are part of the whole effort by that woman to get Hogwarts under her control," Voldemort said, showing he believed Lucius' report. "Interesting that the Parkinsons reported to me before you..." He then enjoyed Lucius flinch a little at the jab.
Of course he knew exactly what was going on ever since that Umbridge woman had approached several of his followers who were parents of students in Hogwarts - Lucius and Narcissa being only two of them. Ever since then he had kept informed on what Fudge's little helper was doing in Hogwarts. While it may seem petty compared to the big picture, since several people of interest - including Potter and Dumbledore - were involved, it was important.
Of course he knew Umbridge was as insincere and false as one could be. Voldemort for his part would have never tolerated someone like her in his ranks, knowing she was only after advantages for herself and wouldn't hesitate to backstab anyone to gain an advantage. Such qualities made her a poor follower and unfit for the society he would form once having taken over Magical Britain.
"I... I guess that's just an unfortunate coincidence," Lucius said, sounding a little nervous.
It was not just that he was reporting to Voldemort, it was the company the Dark Lord was keeping. The Carrows guarding the entrance doors were bad enough. Pettigrew looking at him like seeing the lowest scum - something that geatly offended Lucius - was worse. Barty being unreadable was dangerous. Nagini being coiled up next to Voldemort promised an unpleasant death.
However, it was the presence of Bellatrix that unnerved him the most right after the Dark Lord himself. By this point Bellatrix had recovered and mostly looked like her old self, apart of course from the fact that she had aged fourteen years. The looks she was giving him were like those of a predator who would like nothing more than to slowly torture you to death.
"Tell your son he is to continue as he sees fit," Voldemort then decided.
"Yes, my Lord." Lucius then left as fast as he could without looking like he was running away and the Carrows, standing next to the big doors, closed the doors.
"My Lord, I honestly don't understand your tactic here," Bellatrix asked once Lucius was gone.
"As loathe as I am to say it, but I have to agree with Bellatrix," Barty added. "While we are gaining from it, there will be repercussions once it all collapses. Also, such open antagonism from such a shaky position of power is foolish of them."
Voldemort actually nodded. "Of course they are foolish. They are making the errors of beginners and it will end badly for them. Just as I predicted."
Everyone was a bit floored by that. "My Lord, if you knew that from the start, why did even tell the parents to permit Umbridge to deputize their children?" Pettigrew asked, trying to wrap his head around the idea.
"Hmmm." Voldemort leaned back in his throne, petting Nagini. "Now, let's make this educational. All of you, tell me what we are doing here and how it benefits us."
They knew Voldemort at times had those moods of his, where he wanted them to show that they understood what his plan was. It was Alecto who answered first. "Well, we through Malfoy are encouraging the moron Fudge to essentially self-destruct."
"Crude, but to the point. Someone has more details?" Voldemort asked, almost sounding like a teacher.
Pettigrew tried his luck. "He's mostly doing it himself, with the help of that scum Umbridge. The more they try to tell the public that all is fine and dandy while sabotaging the efforts of our enemies, the deeper their fall once the truth comes out - which it will."
"Good points," Voldemort agreed.
Barty then took over. "The outcry once Fudge's actions and especially what Umbridge has being doing at the school can no longer be waved off after your return is announced by you, my Lord, will ensure a serious loss of trust in the Ministry. That in turn will weaken them and make it easier for us once we start to take over."
"Indeed, Barty," Voldemort said, sounding darkly amused. "The pathetic fumbling of our esteemed Minister ensures that trust in the Ministry will be in shambles once the dust settles. It will indeed be much to our advantage."
Bellatrix then decided to finally address the elephant in the room. "That however still leaves the question, why you approve of the actions of those brats at Hogwarts, my Lord. What those brats are doing is stupid. They don't seem to understand that Umbridge's system will collapse as soon as you announce your return to the world. Then they will be in a school where everyone else hates them."
"Exactly, Bellatrix," Voldemort agreed.
Everyone in the room blinked and even Nagini gave Voldemort a questioning look. Barty then asked the obvious question. "But... what do you gain from this, Master?"
"You disappoint me a bit, Barty, but that can be excused. After all, you have little experience leading a movement." Voldemort then chuckled darkly. "You see, young crops do need the correct fertilizer in order to grow to their fullest potential."
Amycus now blinked. "It is about grooming them?"
"Indeed, indeed, and everything has gone according to my plan. The plan that made me even allow those families to help that Umbridge woman in the first place." Voldemort leaned back, looking very pleased with himself. "Those younglings got a taste of power, got drunk on it. Now the pushback from other students, resulting in our younglings becoming angry."
Now Bellatrix understood. "And once they lose their power..."
"Yes, then they will become desperate to have that kind of power again, having become addicted to it. They also will feel lost in a school that hates them and leave it to escape the stigma. By that point the growth is done and the crops are ready for harvest... by swearing loyalty to Lord Voldemort," Voldemort finished his explanations, looking very pleased with himself.
"My Lord, you are diabolical," Barty said with utmost admiration, being deeply impressed.
"Flattery much, Barty?" Voldemort asked, looking pleased with himself. "Now however, leave me. I have some things to discuss with Bellatrix."
Everyone left, until it was only Voldemort, Bellatrix and Nagini.
"How is your health, Bella?" Voldemort then asked Bellatrix.
"After I started my bleeding again, the healer put me through a thorough exam." Bellatrix didn't look embarrassed at all to discuss such things with Voldemort. "He determined that I'm fully capable of having children, but strongly urged to wait for a few more months for my body to stabilize before we should attempt to do so."
"Hm, unfortunate, but that can't be helped." Voldemort did sound a bit disappointed. proving that those instincts were quite intact in him. "I'm sure you also are impatient."
"I am, my Lord. It's the greatest honor to be the starting point of your dynasty," Bellatrix said, sounding a bit like a star-struck girl.
Bellatrix' eagerness amused Voldemort. "Patience, Bella, patience... You have waited many years for that moment. What are a few more months then?"
...the following day, Hogwarts great hall...
The atmosphere in the great hall had changed ever since the students were fighting back against Umbridge and her flunkies. Where before the students had been silent and the members of the Inquisitorial Squad had sat at their table while acting like they ruled the school, things were vastly different now.
For one thing, the members of the Inquisitorial Squad no longer dared to take their meals in the great hall. A number of embarrassing incidents had made them paranoid about someone tampering with their food. They even no longer trusted the food from the kitchen - much to the dismay of the elves - and instead now had it delivered from Hogsmeade and made sure to receive it at the entrance doors so no one could tamper with it.
That however was only part of the troubles Umbridge and her helpers had found themselves in. In the wake of Umbridge firing Trelawney, things had only heated up further.
Umbridge's Defense lessons by now were no longer possible, since in recent days the amount of dungbombs dumped outside and inside of the Defense classroom was so great that even the elves had told Umbridge that it would take several days without new bombs to get the stench out - something hardly possible considering the circumstances. Conducting lessons elsewhere had also failed for Umbridge, since people still got sick in masses in her classes. Her classes by now had degenerated into a farce and thus she had stopped even trying.
Not to mention the other incidents which made Umbridge's life difficult. Like one incident two days ago where somehow a pile of dog crap (Hagrid would swear it wasn't Fang's) had somehow found its way onto her desk in her temporary office, dumped all over her papers. The students by now saw her as the enemy, so there was little chance for her to get informers to spill the beans.
The Inquisitorial Squad was no better off. While no one was openly pushing back against them, they were all suffering from terrible misfortune in countless incidents. They knew it was students taking their revenge on them for all the nasty things they had done, but they never caught anyone in the act. Just two days ago Crabbe and Goyle had come down with ape faces, something they still were being treated for, though some said that was an improvement.
At the Slytherin table, Daphne was watching the faculty table. "No toad yet. I wonder what is taking her this long? After all, she still insists on inflicting her presence upon us at each meal."
"You won't see me complaining," Millicent replied, then looked down the Slytherin table, which looked quite a bit more empty with the Squad members being absent - though it also meant their victims got a break and didn't have to be afraid at the table.
Daphne then looked over to the Hufflepuff table, where her sister Astoria looked more angry than anything. "Astoria remembers what happened yesterday all to well."
"I honestly don't get it. They are too chicken to go after us openly, since they fear retaliation despite them being backed by Umbridge, but they think you wouldn't react to them going after your sister?" Dudley wondered, failing to see the logic in this.
"It's bully logic. They go after what they think are easy targets," Daphne explained.
"Though they most likely haven't expected Astoria to stand her ground," Millicent added, remembering all too well what the girl had told them yesterday.
In short, Malfoy and Parkinson had cornered Astoria yesterday, feeling like doing a little revenge by proxy. That had been a bad idea for them, since Astoria reacted very badly to being threatened. It resulted in her first kicking Malfoy hard into the balls before then literally kicking Pansy's ass, causing her to slam into a suit of armor, which then fell over onto her.
There was little wonder why those two hadn't reported that to Umbridge, being too embarrassed over getting beaten by a girl two years their junior. Gossip was that there was an irate animated armor complaining to the Headmaster about disrespectful treatment by students.
-Bam!-
The door was slammed open that moment and Umbridge walked in, though for some reason she had opted to wear a head scarf and face coverings, making her look like a woman from Saudi-Arabia. Whispers broke out, wondering what had happened this time.
At the Gryffindor table, Ron raised an eyebrow. "Any idea what that is about? I know that's Umbridge, the colors are a dead giveaway, but what's with the covering?"
"Since I honestly doubt she suddenly has converted to Wahhabit Islam, I think someone managed to prank her," Hermione speculated, part of her really wanting to know what happened.
They did not have to wait for long when Umbridge addressed the entire hall. "This morning I have become the victim of an attack on my person. I give the culprit for this one chance to admit their guilt."
It was at that point that Umbridge took off the coverings and many students had to try hard not to laugh. Everyone by this point knew of Umbridge's nickname, but it was something else to see that some student had managed to curse Umbridge to have an actual toad face. It looked utterly bizarre to see human emotions on the face of a toad. Of course no one took responsibility for that.
If anything, the suppressed laughter and no one coming forward only made Umbridge more determined. "I see, so no one claims responsibility for this. All right, since discipline is clearly lacking at this school, I will instead punish all of you."
There still was stony silence. "Well, you wanted it this way. Better enjoy this breakfast, because for the next two days, there will be no meals for you. That should be a lesson to all of you to stop such criminal behavior. The kitchen won't provide you with anything."
That said, Umbridge left; most likely to seek treatment, leaving behind hasty and heated chatter among the students.
"You don't think she can honestly starve students?" Ron asked, looking highly concerned.
"I'm sure she's serious, though I don't have tell you that regardless what kind of power she has, starving minors is highly illegal. Regardless what she orders to the elves, the Headmaster's orders always supersede hers." Hermione then looked concerned. "I worry how the elves will take her orders. That will be a massive insult to them."
"You think Dumbledore would dare to tell the elves to ignore her orders? She could use that as a pretext to have him removed," Harry worried, knowing Umbridge would do something like that.
"We should trust the Headmaster," Luna said calmly. "He is cunning and will find a way for us to not go hungry while officially not going against Umbridge's decision." Luna then looked thoughtful. "Perhaps we should find one of those spirits that turn anything someone eats into a dried-up roach inside them, and set it onto Umbridge. That would teach her a lesson."
This was one of those moments where Luna showed she did have a vicious side as well.
to be continued...
Next Episode:
"Blood in Diagon Alley"
Notes:
Here the notes.
So the mayhem starts. I honestly couldn't resist the quote form Batman: Year One. Umbridge for her part has a bad day, but that's only mild compared what still is to come. At least the elves won't get offened by all the vomiting after things got explained to them.
Of course Lee Jordan had to get that Niffler into Umbridge's office, and that gave me the perfect chance to show how Percy is stonewalling Umbridge with bothering by the book. Not to speak of the reaction of the teachers here.
Naturally, the pictures did resurface and what's left of Draco's and Pansy's authority has been pulverized, after Draco already made himself a pariah. And you thought I forgot the OWLs and Hermione making a big deal of it? Thankfully she is more realistic about it this time and we do see the change in their relationship. Hermione however also makes a good point about the future of the squad members.
Umbridge again rears her ugly head, though thankfully Dumbledore knew how to keep Trelawney safe. Still, what Umbridge did was quite cruel.
I felt I needed to show what Remus is up to in the meantime. As you can see, what's happening at Hogwarts is seeping out into the world. Of course I've not forgotten mark and we see Remus is struggling with asking Dora a very important question.
Draco and Pansy of course don't get it, while even now life goes on.
But... I honestly am proud about Voldemort's plan, especially I only got it just before I started writing the chapter. Now tell, isn't that EVIL? It fits perfectly with him and explains a lot why Draco, Pansy and Co. are even allowed to do something that will so obviously blow up in their faces.