A/N: I mention the number of students at the beginning of this chapter. I know that JKR said there's 1000 students at Hogwarts. But for this story it's more like 500. For 1000 students to sit at four tables in the great hall, that's 125 per side of each table. Those tables would be damn near as long as a football field. My dumb brain isn't capable of imagining that, so I've elected to ignore the information.
Thanks for all the favorites, follows, and reviews! We're only a bit of the way through this, and I already have wayyy more readers than I expected to, which is a pretty cool feeling. This chapter is a bit of a 'world-building' one, but the next few are more action packed.
Chapter 16
September 23, 1995
Saturday dawned calm and clear, ideal conditions for quidditch, which was fortunate as it seemed like half of Gryffindor had shown up for tryouts. Angelina, in her first year as captain, decided to do things a bit differently. She wanted to find an entire side of reserves, and deputized her team to encourage as many as they could to come out and try their luck. Her deputies delivered, and there were over fifty hopeful faces flying around the pitch.
Harry's bit with the seekers was finished quickly, as only six volunteered to try out for the reserve spot and Ginny was head and shoulders above the rest. Once his group was split among the other positions they wanted to try out for, Angelina had Harry patrolling the sky, keeping an eye out for anything he thought important.
In truth, however, he was daydreaming. He was often preoccupied these days, as it felt like he was constantly juggling eight very sharp knives at once. The only time he could remember being completely focused recently was his time in the Room with Daphne, and Harry didn't appreciate the realization.
He managed to steer clear of the girl for the rest of the week, though at times he did have to fight the urge to look for her, which he realized he'd been doing since the welcome feast. He was a bit frustrated with Ron for putting the idea in his head. Hermione tried to speak with him about it a couple of times, but Harry asked her for time to think before they continued the disagreement. He was still set on keeping Daphne at arm's reach, knowing that she would be a target if people found out he had a relationship with her outside of schoolwork.
The advice from Hermione, Albus, and Ron, however, did give him something to think about. He was torn, but he had confidence that his stubbornness would prevail.
Harry floated over to the goalposts when he heard Angelina's whistle. The chaser and beater exercises were finished, and he didn't want to miss Ron's tryout.
"Alright you lot," the fiery new Captain called loudly. "We're going to finish with the keepers. If you aren't interested in the position, you may leave. I'll post the results in the common room, and I thank you for your interest!"
The vast majority of the hopeful students trooped off the field and towards the castle, as Angelina explained the process to the seven that remained. They would need two keepers, a starter and a reserve, and each prospect would face ten shots on goal. Harry was confident his friend would at least make the reserves, but hoped for better.
The first two up needed some work. The first saved just two of the ten shots taken, and the next only saved three. Colin Creevey saved eight, and the fourth, a cocky sixth year named McLaggen, saved nine and nearly got the tenth. The fifth to try only got five, and the sixth saved seven. Weasley, last due to alphabetical order, had his work cut out for him.
Harry grinned at the nervous redhead as he neared the posts, and gave him a confident nod. Ron returned the nod and turned to search the nearby stands. Harry followed his gaze, seeing Hermione blow him a kiss from her seat. Ron grinned and took his position. He looked ready.
He saved the first four shots from Katie with ease, his smile growing wider. The next three, from Alicia, tested the teen a bit more, her last just barely pushed outside the hoop by his fingertips. Angelina, shooting the last three, hadn't taken it easy on any of the competitors. It was hers that McLaggen missed, and Harry knew Ron would need to be at his best.
Her first attempt, a deke at the right hoop, followed by a shot to the left, was snagged easily. Ron was able to palm the ball with his large hand, showing off his very useful length. The second was thrown as the Captain flew at top speed. She sped from the left of the hoops to the right, hoping for a sharp angled shot. Ron, expecting the tactic, pushed his broom to the limit of the keeper area, cutting down the angles available to Angelina. He was able to deflect the shot downwards, which Harry knew was the safest direction in a real match.
The third attempt would be the winner if Ron could get his hands on it, and Harry's anxiety rose for his friend. Angelina flew directly at the center hoop, Ron descending to meet her angle. As the chaser drew near, she faked right and whipped her arm for a shot at the left. Ron turned as quickly as his broom allowed, expecting to block the shot with ease.
Unfortunately, Angelina didn't release the quaffle. Instead, she allowed the momentum of her fake throw to rotate her horizontally around her broom, quickly pulling her arm back and firing at the far right hoop. Ron was caught heading in the other direction.
His reaction, however, was brilliant. He used his hands to push himself backwards on the broom, kicking his legs straight out behind him. He held his broom by the twigs and somehow timed it perfectly. The quaffle glanced off his left foot, sending it spinning off course. When he felt the contact, Ron quickly pulled the broom back under him and looked back to make sure his attempt had succeeded.
The cheers from the current team members, and his girlfriend in the stands, told the teen what he wanted to know and Ron pumped his fist in celebration. Harry led the charge to hug the celebrating teen, slamming into him from behind. The twins quickly joined, screaming in the two friends' ears like banshees. Even Alicia and Katie joined the group hug, though Angelina kept her distance.
They all gradually descended, and as they touched the ground all but one of the other prospective keepers surrounded Ron to congratulate him. Harry saw McLaggen storming back to the castle and made a mental note to mention it to Angelina.
"That was incredible, Ronnie!" Fred screamed, inches from his younger brother's ear.
"That was the save of your life!" George screamed as loudly from Ron's other side.
"CHILDREN!" Angelina screamed, somehow much louder than the twin goofballs. "If you would please shut the hell up, I have something to say."
Fred and George immediately fell silent and sat on the grass, crossing their legs like they were back in nursery school. Angelina rolled her eyes at the pair.
"Ron," she began with a smile. "I've been saving that trick for the Slytherins, but seeing how well you did, I figured I'd test you. That was an incredible save! Somewhere in the world, Oliver Wood just started jumping up and down."
"Hopefully in a room with very low ceilings," George said seriously from the ground.
"Or while carrying a load of groceries," his twin added.
Angelina ignored the pair and turned to the remaining students that tried out. "Thank you all for coming, but we've found our starter. The reserve will be posted with the others."
The five congratulated Ron once more, and headed back to the castle.
"Yes, congratulations Ron," Angelina agreed. "Though having another Weasley on the team is already giving me a headache. Let's figure out the reserves."
"Ginny," Harry offered easily. "She's miles better than anyone else from my group."
"She was the best chaser, too," Katie added. "Dean and that Demelza girl were also pretty good."
"Demelza's young," Alicia agreed. "And it'll take some work to get her up to speed, but I think she and Dean would be great reserves."
"Easy enough," Angelina said. "I thought the same thing. Tweedles Dee and Dum?"
The twins immediately looked up, and Harry stifled a laugh. They clearly didn't understand the reference, but they instantly knew she was talking to them.
"Peakes and Coote," they answered simultaneously, looking at each other immediately with huge grins on their faces after realizing they agreed.
"Anyone but McLaggen for keeper," Katie said with a disgusted look.
"I was leaning towards Creevey. McLaggen is too old to be a good choice for a reserve," Angelina answered.
"And too obnoxious," Alicia added.
"There we have it, then. Ginny for seeker and chaser, Robbins and Thomas for chaser, Peakes and Coote for beaters, and Creevey for keeper. Well done today, guys."
The team moved to congratulate Ron again, but Harry was stopped by Albus' phoenix Patronus. It didn't carry a message, but he assumed the Headmaster needed to see him. He rushed over to his two best friends, Hermione hugging her boyfriend tightly, and cleared his throat. The two split apart, wearing equally proud smiles.
"Congrats again, mate! I knew you could do it!" Harry said with a huge grin. "Dumbledore wants to see me, and I'm not sure when I'll be back."
His friends sobered a bit, but Harry waved them off. "I'm sure it's fine, you guys go celebrate!"
Their smiles returned and Harry watched as Ron grabbed Hermione in another hug, spinning her around in circles. His heart warmed at their happiness and he hoped whatever he was heading into wouldn't dampen the mood.
—
"There's been a string of attacks."
Well that would do it.
"What happened? Any of our people?"
"No, but three Wizengamot members lost their lives, and two have been rushed to St. Mungo's," Albus answered sadly.
"Damn it!"
Harry stormed to his feet and paced the Headmaster's office, deep in thought.
"Was it Voldemort?" he asked without stopping.
"It doesn't appear so. The initial belief is that the attackers were either known to the families, or their wards were not very strong."
"Were their families at home?"
"Jacob Heyward had a daughter in her 7th year. She's a Hufflepuff and is speaking with Pomona right now. His wife was out with friends. Marian Fisher had two children who are older and out of the house, but her husband was killed alongside her. Rory Thomason was killed in his home with his wife and two small children."
"DAMN IT!" Harry repeated, furious and heartbroken at the same time. He could feel his magic pouring out of him, and quickly used an occlumency exercise to regain a bit of composure.
"How did this happen? Were they on our lists?"
"Thomason was," Albus admitted gloomily. "We aren't sure why he didn't call for his elf. The other two casualties refused when we approached, unwilling to believe our explanation of the coming trouble. The two in St. Mungo's also refused but managed to escape. Neither had family in the house."
"When's the session?"
"In about an hour. You were the last member I contacted. Sirius and Lord Greengrass both said they would wait for you in your office."
"Could you come with me now, sir? I have an idea I'd like to run by the three of you."
—
Harry sipped his tea as he sat across the desk from Arcturus. The man was giving Harry a rundown of how the Wizengamot operated during the war with Grindelwald, Charlus offering his opinions from Harry's right. Much of what they experienced was no longer applicable, as amendments had been added or stricken in the intervening time.
"The most important thing on your list is to get Dumbledore to declare a State of Emergency as early as possible," Arcturus said seriously.
"But you said that would grant the Minister extra power," he replied confusedly.
"It will, and that is a risk, but it's necessary. And with Fudge stuck with his head in the sand, he may even ignore the power gifted him. It only allows him to use the aurors as a wartime force, and allows the Ministry more power over its citizens. Things like rights to privacy can easily be ignored if searches are required or if a family is under suspicion. But the power it will grant you will offset those changes."
"What power would I receive?"
"Voldemort will want to take the Ministry as peacefully as possible," Charlus explained. "Not because he hesitates to use force, but because it would grant him legitimacy. He'll start by killing off Wizengamot members he knows he won't be able to use, and attempt to stack the Chamber in his favor. The Wizengamot usually has its own unwritten form of checks and balances as no faction has ever had an overwhelming majority. But if the darker traditionalist seats gain that majority, or even close to it, the bastard will be able to walk into the Ministry and demand the keys."
"But even if he kills those that he knows wouldn't follow him, he couldn't guarantee his people would win the seat."
"People turn to power in a crisis," Arcturus grumbled. "And say what you want about 'darker' families like my own, they are powerful. If not magically then financially, or politically. It will be easy to install his people in most of the vacant seats, and if he fails, he'll simply kill more members."
"Then I'll find a way to protect them," Harry countered firmly, not willing to let innocents die for such an inconsequential reason.
"Short of hiding them in a box somewhere, I don't think you'll be successful in that endeavor."
Harry ignored the grumpy man, knowing he had a constantly pessimistic view of the world. He made a promise to himself to figure out a way to offer sanctuary to families that needed it.
"Your power," Charlus continued, getting back to the question at hand. "Is still constitutionally viable, though it might be contentious. In a State of Emergency, any vacant Wizengamot votes fall to the Faithful Eight."
—
Sirius and Daniel were seated in Harry's office when the pair arrived from Hogwarts. Harry noticed the traditional privacy wards, but added a few more obscure ones he'd learned from Charlus. The teen quickly greeted the pair, while Dumbledore conjured a third chair. After everyone was seated, Harry looked to his Headmaster.
"I need you to declare a State of Emergency, sir."
Dumbledore rocked back in his seat slightly, clearly not comfortable with the idea. Sirius and Daniel looked at the teen in surprise, but didn't raise any objections.
"Harry," Dumbledore began gently. "We do not want to give Fudge that power."
"I know we don't. But there are currently four vacant seats including Nott's, with the possibility of three more depending on how the two in St. Mungo's recover and what's decided about the Yaxley seat."
"It will allow the aurors…"
Harry gently cut the man off with a raised hand. "Albus, I know what will happen with the aurors, and I know that it will strengthen Fudge's position. But if we don't get control of those votes, Voldemort will continue to kill people in order to gain a majority, and I'm not willing to risk people's lives. We can deal with Fudge at a later date. He's bound to make a big enough mistake."
"Harry," Albus repeated, almost pleadingly. "It'll solidify his position against the protests, and it also gives the Minister more control over Hogwarts."
"In what way?" he asked seriously. His tutors either hadn't known, or hadn't cared about that piece of the plan.
"It's unclear," the Headmaster answered. "In the past, the Minister has left the school to its own devices, even in a State of Emergency, but I guarantee Fudge will not follow that trend. A State of Emergency allows the Minister firmer control over everything in their purview, which includes the school."
"He'll have to tread carefully, Albus," Daniel interjected. "Many of his most influential supporters have children or grandchildren in the school, so he won't be able to foment an immediate revolution. My guess is that he would grant further power to Umbridge to start."
"Then you can see why I hesitate."
"Of course I do, sir," Harry answered. "And if it was any other scenario, I'd say keep the woman as powerless as possible. But we can't afford to have those seats go up for election. We don't have enough families on our side yet. And as we've seen, even adding them as potential allies doesn't guarantee their safety."
Harry was beyond frustrated and heartbroken by what happened to the Thomasons. It was a simple human error, but an incredibly costly one, and the thought of the almost certain future attacks made him sick to his stomach.
"I agree with Harry, Albus," Sirius offered soberly. "It's not ideal, but it's the best case scenario, unfortunately."
"If we can wait until we oust Fudge," the older man argued. "Then it may not matter. If we can get the right person in the Minister's office, a State of Emergency would bring no danger."
"That's a lot of 'ifs', sir," Harry countered gently. "I'm not willing to pin our plans on hopes."
"So you would ask it of me even though I don't agree?" Albus asked disappointedly.
"I would. I hate doing it, but I believe this is the correct course. Fudge isn't likely to do anything with the aurors as he's currently denying his own shadow, and I'll figure something out at Hogwarts. I swear it. I won't let the school suffer."
"You won't have power outside of the Chamber," Albus advised.
"Umbridge is prone to accidents," Harry said apologetically, not liking that it had come down to this.
"I do not want that for you, my boy."
"He wouldn't be involved," Sirius amended. Harry gave him a look of warning, but Sirius returned it.
"It's my decision, Pads."
"And you'll delegate it to me," the man firmly replied.
"I believe I'll step outside," Daniel interrupted. "Though I will tell the three of you that I'd happily represent you in the case of any future legal trouble."
Harry appreciated the man recognizing they were getting into territory his oath didn't cover, and his offer of support. When the door closed again, Harry turned back to his godfather. Before he could speak, Sirius raised a hand.
"This is non-negotiable, Harry. If it comes to that, and I hope it doesn't, it will be me. Or Remus. If anyone has cause it would be him after the ridiculous legislation she's written."
"Boys," Albus interrupted, drawing their stubborn gazes away from each other. "The discussion you're having, concrete or no, is very similar to conversations happening in circles on the other side of this war."
"Sir," Harry replied seriously. "Nothing about this is ideal. I don't want any of this to be what's happening. But it is. We're in it. We need those votes protected, and if Umbridge starts harming children, we will act. But that doesn't make us like them. I'll swear on my magic if you want me to. I won't turn into him."
"I know you won't, Harry," Albus soothed. "I was just noting the similarities. I've always loathed violence, even though my claim to the power I wield is thanks to it. I trust in your ability, and your plan, but I won't have us acting without forethought."
"I don't intend to. This war is going to snowball, and every action on either side is going to have far-reaching consequences. If we don't do this now, it will only give Voldemort a foothold that he will expand, or it will lead to further death. Then we'll be working from further behind, which isn't an option. As much as I love Hogwarts, and would hate the Ministry having further influence, that is a secondary problem right now."
"I expect he'll find a way to have me fired."
"I figured, sir," Harry agreed glumly. "If he does, the school will be lost without you, and I mean that. But you have my word that I won't let it dissolve into chaos."
"And when you're expelled?"
"I won't be leaving."
"You won't have a choice, my boy."
"Remind me to show you where I took Daphne this past week. I will not be leaving the school if you aren't there. I'll protect the students, I promise."
Harry saw both his companions' eyes widen, likely for different reasons.
"We're talking worst case here," Sirius added. "And I know we need to, but it hopefully won't come to that."
Dumbledore sat back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. After a long moment of thought, he nodded firmly.
"I'll do it. And when we return I'll speak to Minerva and Severus to put plans in place for the worst case."
The man smiled tightly at Harry and Sirius before leaving the office. Harry watched him go, knowing what he would see when he met his godfather's eyes.
He was right.
"You took her somewhere, huh?" the man asked with a lecherous grin. "Good thing Daniel recused himself."
—
The Wizengamot session was a somber affair, as many of its members had been close to the victims of the attacks. Scrimgeour provided what information his aurors had been able to collect, but there were no named suspects as of yet. The air was thick with tension as the man gave his report, and Harry knew that people were beginning to believe his claims of Voldemort's return.
The declaration of a State of Emergency met little resistance, only Malfoy speaking against it, claiming it was a massive overreaction. In the end, it was the Chief Warlock's prerogative, and Albus stood firm. Any future votes would be discussed by the Faithful Eight before they cast the vacant votes as a block, with their own personal votes being used as normal. Harry knew most of the elected members weren't aware of the protocol, and he expected the first called vote to be quite a shock to them.
The Yaxley seat remained open, and Harry expected it to remain that way, as Corban's wife moved to the continent upon her husband's death, and the pair had no children. According to Sirius, there were other members of the family scattered throughout the world, but the man doubted any would claim the seat, even if they had the required British citizenship.
The session came to a swift close, the body planning to meet as scheduled in October. As soon as Dumbledore's gavel struck, Malfoy rushed from the Chamber.
"Ten galleons he's headed to the Minister's office," Robert Boot muttered to Harry.
"I may be young," Harry smiled at the man. "But not that young. I heard you spoke to my secretary recently."
"Lupin told me you'd call him that," Robert said with a laugh. "We spoke, and I added my family to your list, but I hope it isn't necessary."
"So do I," Harry said seriously, shaking the man's hand as Lord Boot prepared to leave.
"Lord Potter," Daniel said from behind Harry. "If I could have a moment of your time."
Harry mentally cringed, his feelings towards the man's daughter making him uncomfortable.
"Of course, Lord Greengrass. Your office?"
The two exited the Chamber together, Harry motioning to a questioning Sirius he was fine on his own. When they reached the office and entered, both wizards cast the too-familiar privacy wards. Harry took a seat, and Daniel perched on the edge of his desk, looking at the boy seriously.
"That went better than expected," the man began neutrally.
"Albus isn't happy, but it's the right decision long-term."
"I think you're right. Though I worry what Hogwarts will look like by June."
"I've already promised to make sure the students are safe. Even if they try to chuck me out, I know how I'll manage to stick around."
"I'm glad to hear it," Daniel said, sighing deeply. "My girls are my life, Harry. I'd transfer them to Beauxbatons if I thought they'd allow it."
"I'll keep an eye on them, Daniel."
"From what Emily says, you've already started."
Harry winced at the man's tone, but met his eyes despite the awkwardness. "Yeah, I got to know Daphne a bit while helping her with a project."
"The Patronus charm. I heard." Daniel moved around to his seat behind the desk, and poured a glass of bourbon for himself. "I'm thankful for that, as it's likely to come in handy."
Harry nodded at his friend, but knew more was coming.
"What I'm not as enthused about is the length of my daughter's letter to her mother about the training. Nor the smile Emily wore while reading it."
"Sir, I.."
"It's Daniel, Harry. In private, no matter what, it's always Daniel." Harry felt an ounce of relief at the correction. "Emily kept the letter from me, as Daphne asked her to, and that in itself tells me everything I need to know."
"I've already decided to keep her out of this, Daniel," Harry said seriously. "I would never put your family in danger."
"I appreciate that, and I wish you luck in the attempt. But Daphne is as stubborn as her mother, and if my guess is correct, you'll have a fight on your hands."
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, I guess," Harry answered with a shrug.
"May I ask how you feel about her? She clearly enjoyed her time with you, but you're harder to read than Emily is. If you feel differently I would ask you to find a way to let her know."
"The truth?"
"Please."
"We spent four hours together- eating dinner, training, and just getting to know each other. It was the best four hours I've had since my time with my parents. And it's not even close."
Harry found it hard to admit it to the man, but he knew transparency would be better than lying to his friend. That his friend was also a father felt very unfortunate at the moment.
"She's special," Daniel agreed gently. "As are you. I'm not surprised you two hit it off. But as much as I care about you, she'll always come first to me."
"I know, and she deserves that," the teen replied honestly. "Maybe I'll take your advice and tell her I'm not interested."
"You mentioned crossing bridges, Harry. Not burning them."
"If we pursued anything, she would become a target. I won't see her hurt because of me, I promise," Harry responded, his gaze firm.
"As a father, I'll take that promise and be grateful for it," Daniel said, tipping his glass back and draining it. "And as a father, I honestly hope you're able to do so. But as your friend, and someone who knows you both pretty well, I think you're going to have to find another way to keep it."
"It was one dinner. We're fifteen years old. She'll move on, and I'll be fine."
"I hope you're right, Harry."
—
September 25, 1995
The Minister didn't wait long to impose his will on Hogwarts, with Monday's Prophet headlined "Hogwarts: Under New Management." Underneath the headline was a picture of Umbridge, looking like she had just been named Queen of England. The article informed its readers the woman was the new 'High Inquisitor' of the school, though it didn't delve deeply into what her actual responsibilities would be.
Harry spent breakfast with Dumbledore, and hated how glum the man was. They discussed what they believed would follow the announcement, and how whatever did would likely affect their other plans. Dumbledore promised to kick things into high gear at the manor if he was sacked, including further building projects for Jim Griggs. In return, Harry showed his Headmaster the Room of Requirement.
"This was the chamber pot room," the man realized, causing Harry to laugh. The room was a perfect replica of Harry's den at the moment, and the teen gave the older wizard a chance to feel out the magic.
"So far I haven't been able to find any restrictions besides the obvious," Harry eventually offered. "This is where I'll be staying if things go pear-shaped."
"And you're sure Umbridge won't be able to find it?" Albus asked, still walking around the room in awe.
"Sir, I'm positive you wouldn't have been able to find it if I hadn't shown you."
"Maybe she's more clever than we're giving her credit for."
Harry waved the statement away dismissively, drawing a grin from the Headmaster.
"So far it's me, Hermione, and Daphne that know of it, though Daphne isn't aware of how to get the door to appear."
"And the house-elves," Dumbledore added with a look.
"Shit. I didn't think about that."
"It's not an issue, Harry. I'll speak with the Head Elf today. The elves are tied to the school, and their loyalty is to the well-being of the students. Toppy has worked with me in the past, and I'm confident I can explain the situation in a way that will ensure their silence."
"Thank you, sir. Though I doubt Umbridge would ever think to ask them."
"Do you plan to show the rest of your friends?"
"I do," Harry replied easily. "I'll find time this week."
"I trust your judgment, but as you know, a secret does not often stay one for long."
"I'm having Remus draw up a contract. Nothing as intense as the one our team has signed, but it'll make sure they can't share the information."
"I should have known. You've become quite reliant on oaths and contracts."
"I can't afford to not be paranoid," Harry said darkly. "Too much is riding on Voldemort believing we aren't prepared."
"That wasn't a critique, my boy. Just an observation."
The two sat in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Here's a second observation," Dumbledore mused. "How will you be able to leave the castle when required to?"
"I'm hoping that answer will pop up in the far corner right about now."
Sure enough, as Harry asked the room for an entrance to Albus' office, a doorway appeared in the corner he selected. The two stood and approached, finding the door opened directly into the desired room, with both understanding the Room could just as easily create an exterior door. Returning to their original breakfast seats, the Headmaster gave the teen a serious look.
"I trust if worse comes to worst," he began. "You or Sirius will come to me before doing anything rash."
Harry knew he was talking about their promise to make Umbridge disappear, and nodded agreeably. "I don't want it to come to that. But I'll do whatever is necessary to protect the students."
"I know you will, and I wouldn't have agreed if I didn't believe in your ability to do so," the man's serious look softened. "And I trust you will ensure Dolores does not enjoy her time here once I'm gone."
"She'll be begging to come back to the Ministry, sir."
"The Weasley twins would be an excellent resource," Albus said with a grin.
"Their names are already on my list."
"Excellent! Then I shall let you head off for class. I'm sure you have an exciting Defense lesson awaiting you."
Harry snorted, shook the man's hand, and made his exit.
—
He made it to the classroom a few minutes early, but Ron and Hermione were already waiting on him. Neither looked happy.
"You missed a rousing speech from our new fearless leader," Ron muttered darkly.
"Anything I should know?"
"She'll be making decrees 'the Ministry deems appropriate', and they'll be posted in the entrance hall. If we're found to have broken them, the first offense will result in a week of detention, the second in a one week suspension, and the third in expulsion," Hermione informed him seriously.
"Shouldn't be hard, then," Harry joked. "We've always led rule-abiding and virtuous lives."
"You'll be gone in a month," Ron argued with a grin.
Harry felt a familiar presence approaching, and turned to see Daphne smiling happily at him. His stomach flipped annoyingly, but he limited his response to a short nod. Her smile faltered, and Harry's heart dropped to his feet. He ignored the feeling and gestured the girl over.
"Can you three meet me on the seventh floor after dinner?" He asked seriously, knowing he needed to explain things as soon as possible. They all nodded confusedly.
"Thanks. And Ron, could you ask your brothers to do the same? And Hermione, Ginny if you would?"
"Of course," Hermione answered. "But why?"
"I'll explain after dinner. I'd rather not be overheard."
Umbridge quickly proved his reticence wise as she arrived from the great hall. The gathered students quickly entered the classroom and found their seats, the confidence in the witch's eyes a sure sign Harry's rules to her were about to be ignored.
"Good morning class!" the obnoxiously chipper professor called brightly, though she didn't wait for a response this time.
"I am so sorry that I needed to interrupt your breakfast like that," she continued with a self-satisfied smirk. "But things in this school are in desperate need of change. Mr. Potter, I noticed you were absent."
"Yes, ma'am. I had breakfast with the Headmaster to discuss Wizengamot concerns."
"You should be prioritizing your duties in this school over those outside of it," Umbridge replied sweetly.
"I wasn't aware it was my duty to eat in the great hall, Professor."
"Not yet, perhaps. But I find that children spending time together allows for a more cohesive environment."
"I'll keep that in mind," Harry said darkly, sending the woman a look of warning. A look Umbridge seemed happy to ignore.
"In fact," she continued. "I've noticed that you, in particular, have a very polarizing effect on those around you."
"Is that against the rules as well?"
"Of course not," the woman spat, losing her sickly sweet facade. "But your effect on your classmates may be detrimental to their ability to learn. I heard from some of our prefects just last week that you have a habit of antagonizing the Slytherins in your year."
One look at Malfoy showed Harry exactly which prefects she was referring to, and he found himself unsurprised. The immature boy was grinning at him gleefully.
"Then I shall offer my apologies, Professor." Harry stood slowly and offered the room a polite bow. "To any of my classmates that I may have antagonized or offended in the past, I am truly sorry. I will strive to improve my attitude and behavior to help create a more productive environment."
As he returned to his seat, he noticed Umbridge and Malfoy's victorious smiles, and looks of confusion from most of the others in the classroom. Daphne looked back at him with a question in her eyes that Harry did his best to ignore. Umbridge seemed to accept his apology, and turned her back to the class.
"The hell was that?" Neville whispered confusedly from his right.
"Follow me after dinner," Harry responded as quietly, determined not to raise attention to himself over something so frivolous as a fake apology.
—
Dinner was a subdued affair, the students seeming to feel the tension of frustrating times to come. Harry noticed Umbridge look over to him more than normal, but he made sure to keep his head down. After twenty long minutes, he decided his appearance in the great hall was long enough, and casually made his way out of the room. Ron, Hermione, and Neville quickly followed, but Daphne, Ginny, and the twins had the wherewithal to wait a few minutes to not appear suspicious.
The eight met at the stairs on the seventh floor, and Harry quickly checked his map to make sure no one had followed them. Seeing the coast was clear, he led them to the blank stretch of wall, pointing out the tapestry opposite. He opened the door to the Room of Requirement and gestured everyone inside, before closing it securely.
As he turned to his friends, he noticed they all looked incredibly confused except for Daphne and Hermione. The room was set to mimic a section of the quidditch pitch, a stadium light and night sky included. The boys plus Ginny were all standing in shock, their eyes taking it all in. The pair that had already seen the Room stood next to each other, looking at Harry questioningly. He quickly explained what the Room was to those that didn't know, and wordlessly conjured some chairs for them all. Once they were seated, Hermione's patience ran out.
"Harry, what's going on?"
"This is probably going to be my home soon," he answered simply. "Umbridge will find a way to expel me, and I won't leave you guys here with that woman."
"She can't do that, mate," Neville disagreed. "The backlash towards the Ministry would be insane!"
"I don't think Fudge'll care. In a State of Emergency the Ministry has more power over the public, and any causing trouble could find themselves locked up."
"Then why would Dumbledore enact it?" Daphne asked quietly.
"He didn't want to. I pressured him into it. We need the Faithful Eight to have the votes of any vacant Wizengamot seats, or Voldemort would systematically murder any that wouldn't vote the way he wanted."
Harry noticed the girl didn't flinch at the name, and he couldn't help feeling impressed.
"And why is Albus Dumbledore allowing himself to be pressured by a fifth year?" Ginny asked shrewdly.
"It's not something I'm allowed to talk about," he answered gently. "It's not a good situation, but it was necessary. It's also why Umbridge is going to be able to use Hogwarts as her own personal playground."
"Not exactly painting a pretty picture, Harry," Fred said, serious for once.
"I know," he agreed with a grimace. "It's not going to be fun around here, but I wanted you all to see this place. To open the door, walk past the wall three times thinking of what form you want the Room to take. I'm planning on using it as a training room until things inevitably get locked down, and you're all welcome to join me."
Harry grabbed his backpack, pulling out the letter he'd received from Remus earlier in the day.
"This is how we'll keep everything from Umbridge. It's a contract that makes it impossible for you to talk of the Room, even under Veritaserum. It also makes it impossible to write about it, or have it taken from your mind."
He passed the contract to Hermione who quickly read it before signing, a table appearing to help with the task. The boys and Ginny followed her lead without comment, but as Ginny read the contract, a smirking Daphne walked up to him.
"You should've had us sign before you explained, Potter."
"I already told you, Greengrass," Harry countered, unable to stop himself from returning the smirk. "For some reason, I trust you."
The girl blushed prettily, and Harry had to wrench his eyes from hers. Daphne nodded after a moment, crossing to sign the contract.
"Question, old chap," George said once she finished. "Can we invite Lee and the rest of the Quidditch team?"
"The starters. I don't know the other reserves well enough to trust them yet. We'll have them sign the contract before bringing them up here. That goes for anyone you guys trust implicitly."
"Luna and Colin, for me," Ginny offered immediately.
"Tracey and Blaise," Daphne said after a moment. "And my sister of course."
"I was gonna mention her if you didn't," Harry replied, forcing his face to remain neutral. "I don't know Tracey or Blaise well, but if you trust them, I'm okay with it."
"Er, Harry," Fred interrupted awkwardly. "Are you sure you want Slytherins to know about this? No offense, Daphne."
Daphne responded with a roll of her eyes, followed by a pointed look at Harry.
"Fred, I trust her judgment." He noticed Daphne's pleased look as he continued. "And even if she's wrong somehow, I made sure to have Remus leave out specifics about the Room in the contract. If they read it and choose not to sign, they still won't know how to find the door."
"If I knew that I wouldn't have said anything. Sorry Daphne."
"You signed it without reading it!?" Hermione demanded of the teen. Harry watched as all four boys flushed, while the three girls looked incredulous, and he couldn't help but laugh at the situation.
"Thanks for your trust, fellas. But maybe you should make it a rule to read anything you sign from now on." The four nodded sheepishly.
"What kind of training will we be doing, Harry?" Ginny asked excitedly.
"More of what we did at the Manor," he answered, as Ginny and the twins had joined Ron and Hermione a few times. "But we'll have to step it up." The Gryffindors looked agreeable, while Daphne and Neville looked intrigued.
"I'm gonna feel out Susan Bones and Terry Boot. Their families are allies in the Wizengamot, and I don't want to jeopardize my relationship with them. I'm sure they'll bring a couple friends along if they agree, but we should try to keep the group as small as we can. I trust the contract, but having half the school missing at any given time will make it way more conspicuous."
"Maybe we could train in teams," Hermione offered. "We could split it by houses, and you could be there for each group."
"That adds four things to my schedule instead of one," Harry mused. "But if we have to, I'll make it work. Elder Weasley's," he continued looking at the pair.
"Yes sir!" the twins snapped to attention.
"I need you to figure out how to recreate the map. I have Remus' notes, and you can borrow the map while we're in here or in the common room. Start with this floor and the Defense corridor, and fill the rest in when you can. I want at least one copy for each house."
"We'll try, Harry," Fred said with uncertainty. "But we already worked on it for two years with zero success. Unless Remus studied it over the summer and made a breakthrough, it'll be tough."
"Guys," Harry began with a grin. "I need you to take a deep breath, and hold it for five seconds after what I'm about to say." The two nodded. "Remus is the illustrious Mr. Moony."
Harry laughed at the flabbergasted redheads, knowing the Marauder didn't usually seem the type. The group chatted for a while, Daphne clearly feeling uncomfortable around so many people she'd never spoken to. Eventually, she and Ginny connected over the idiocy of the young men currently in their lives, and Harry found himself watching the Slytherin slowly relax.
The group's immediate trust and support was a warming feeling, but as Daphne glanced up and saw him staring, that warmth suddenly felt much more confusing.