Chapter Fourteen: Pandemonium

Iris ran over her conversation with Dumbledore trying to find fault in his logic. It felt wrong to keep such important information from Harry. Yet maybe he was right, Harry was reckless. He tended to act first and think later. Still she couldn't shake the feeling that he should know. Could he handle the responsibility?

She wasn't his guardian, so was it really her decision to decide. Fifteen didn't feel too young to her. She supposed to Dumbledore it was, did that mean he saw her as a child? A clever one, but still a child. How old was Dumbledore anyway? Like a hundred. Which lead Iris down the rabbit hole of Dumbledore's age and how long someone as powerful as him could live.

As the month progressed Iris continued to work harder on her Occlumency. Now that she knew the truth, she had to be prepared. The connection was dark and deep, a bond of souls. This went past anything Iris had encountered before. Hopefully never again. Her mind wandered over to Voldemort. He was a person before the descent into mad dictator, what did he look like? Act like? Dumbledore would have known him as a student, right? She could always ask him.

Iris shivered, what did it matter anyway. What ever kind of person he was, was long gone. Now he was fragmented, an epitome of pure evil. Nothing but death would stop him, saving thousands in the process. His past was insignificant. The future, one without prejudice and hate, was paramount

One Monday Iris was heading down for dinner when a piercing scream broke the silence. She doubled over, her barrier breaking. Someone was highly distressed, carefully she built her walls back up. More screams pierced the air as she struggled to hold her walls. Finally she reached the top of the stairs to the entrance hall to find an audience had gathered around. Right in the middle of the commotion was Professor Trelawney, she held her wand in one hand and a bottle of something else in another. She looked a right mess to Iris, her hair was sticking up in end, glasses lopsided, her numerous shawls and scarves were haphazardly trailing off her shoulders, and at her feet lay two trunks. She was staring wide-eyed at the foot of the stairs where the unbearable Umbridge was standing.

"No!" Trelawney shrieked. "NO! This cannot be happening…It cannot…I refuse to accept it!"

"You didn't realize this was coming?" Umbridge replied callously amused. "Incapable though you are of predicting even tomorrow's weather, you must surely have realized that your pitiful performance during my inspections, and lack of any improvement would make it inevitable you would be sacked."

Iris clenched her jaw, Umbridge was making a spectacle of sacking the poor lady. Calm washed over her, and she turned to find Snape standing beside her. How the hell did he sneak up on her? It was Monday she was sure Harry had lessons with Snape. Maybe he really was a bat and could fly. "You think she gets a bonus whenever she sacks a teacher?"

He said nothing as they continued to watch the scene unfold before them. Professor Trelawney continued to cry, tears streaming down her face, as she tried to reason with the evil woman. "I've b-been here…sixteen years! H-hogwarts is m- my h-home"

"It was your home." Umbridge replied gleefully as Trelawney sank unto her trunk, sobbing uncontrollably. "Until an hour ago, when the Minister For Magic countersigned you Order Of Dismissal. Now kindly remove yourself from this Hall. You are embarrassing us."

Iris doubted she really was in a hurry to get Trewlawney to leave. Her face was pure joyment as the poor Divination teacher cried, moan, and rocked back and forth. "I change my mind, I think she does this for fun," She sighed, shaking her head.

Mcgonagal tried to console the poor lady, reminding her that she didn't have to leave the castle completely. Umbridge tried to challenge her, asking her authority for such a bold statement. Iris eyebrows shot up, and Dumbledore finally stepped through the doors. Students parted for him like the Red Sea parted for Moses. He strode confidently through to the circle. He looked calm and collected a smile on his face, but Iris could swear she saw the cold fury burning in his eyes as well.

Umbridge continued to smile as well. Laughing in his face, as if her villous plan had all come together. She explained like he was a small child about her official parchment that she pulled from her robes. That she had the power and right to sack any substandard teachers by order of the Minister himself. Dumbledore continued to smile and with more patience then Umbridge deserved he kindly explained that of course she had that power but the power to banish teachers from the castle still lay within the Headmaster. Trelawney tried to pull herself together to say she would go since she was so unwanted but Dumbledore insisted she stay.

Dumbledore had McGonagall escort her back to her tower. With the help of Sprout and Flickwick they gathered up Trelawney and her trunks passed Umbridge and up the marble steps. Umbridge stood still but Iris could feel her anger.

"And what," she whispered in vain, the hall was so quiet as the students held their breath in anticipation. "Are you going to do with her once I appoint a new Divination teacher who needs her lodgings."

"Oh that won't be a problem," Dumbledore replied pleasantly. "You see I have already found us a new Divination teacher, and he would prefer lodgings on the ground."

"You found—?" Umbridge started, her voice shrill. "You've found. Might I remind you, Dumbledore, that under Educational Decree number Twenty-Two…"

"The Ministry has the right to appoint a sutible candidate if- and only if- the Headmaster is unable to find one." Dumbledore finished for her. "And I am happy to say on this occasion I have succeeded. May I introduce you?"

Dumbledore turned to the still opened doors. Murmurs broke out as the sound of hooves floated through. Students back a way hastily some tripping as the new comer came through the door. Iris jaw dropped as a centaur came through, he had white blond hair and breathtaking blue eyes.

"This is Firenze," Dumbledore said happily, "I think you'll find him suitable."

Iris tried to contain her giggle. Dumbledore was playing chess while Umbridge was stuck on checkers. He must have known Trelawneys sacking was coming and planned ahead. She walked away, not bothering to see the rest of the showdown, Dumbledore had won this round. Not only was Umbridge out maneuvered she would be forced to work with something she hated; a half-breed.

Snape fell into step with her. "Well that was interesting. Dinner and a show, I didn't get dinner but the show was nice."

Snape said nothing as they made their way down another corridor, one she thought led to the courtyard. Her suspicions were confirmed as the cool night air started to drift towards them. The hallway ended as the courtyard came into view. The night was cool and misty. Shadows ran across as the clouds covered the half moon.

She leaned against a bannister casting a warming charm over them. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand, sending Snape a small smile. "Things are certainly getting interesting around here. Umbridge will be looking for payback with Dumbledore's little stunt."

"The Headmaster is a clever man." Snape replied smoothly, standing next to her, keeping in the shadows.

"Umbridge is a cold calculating bitch, she will try to dethrone Dumbledore."

"Dethrone?" Snape question, his eyebrows furrowed down.

"That's how Umbridge see's it. Dumbledore is king here, worshiped, the best headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen. To her that is power and she craves power."

"You think she will try to banish Dumbledore from the castle."

"She will and I'm afraid she will succeed. Dumbledore may be clever but right now he's facing an army of bureaucrats and all he has is a bunch of kids behind him."

Snape leaned in slightly, his shoulder brushing hers, his lips turned up in a smirk, "you mean your not so secret defense club."

"Corpus delicti," she replied, her own smirk gracing her lips.

"No body no crime," he translated.

"Exactly." She pressed her lips together and ran her fingers across, as if zipping her lips together.

"I see."

They're relationship had changed since they first met. Iris could feel it as she stood next to him in the cool March air. Snape was snarky, rude, he eluded darkness keeping everything at arms length. She wondered why he did that? There was obviously more to him than bad qualities. He made quite the effort to appear the villain.

Iris straightened up. She sent Snape a wink, "Goodnight, Professor."

Iris grew stronger everyday as March died and April arrived. The voices that haunted her since childhood were gone. She focused her training on reading one person at a time. Sometimes when she opened herself up a few minds could be heard and she had to focus harder to narrow it down.

The end of the year was coming closer, along with it, end of year tests. Some of the fifth years were starting to unravel. O.W.L's were coming closer and with it many more studies. Iris was careful to fit in, making sure she stayed up with the other fifth years, making sure she "stressed" and struggled like some. In truth she had learned all this a long time ago, her homework was always done well before anyone's and the classes were easy to understand.

The most exciting thing she was learning was surprisingly from Harry in D.A. As Easter break loomed closer they had started on Patronuses. She didn't have to pretend to struggle, this magic was actually a bit hard for her. They were powered by happy thoughts. Iris felt like she didn't have many happy memories, instead she focused on her parents. They're love and kindness. Her patronus was just whisp of light. Finally in their last class before break she managed to produce a corporal one.

She thought of her parents. All the little moments that gave her happiness; baking in the kitchen, movie nights on the couch, trips to Disneyland, and just being together loved. With a deep breath she said the incantation, "Expecto Patronum."

A light burst forth from her wand and formed into her own animal. She gazed in wonder at her own patronus, a panda. It wasn't exactly an adult panda, more like a baby one, but she looked around at the other patronuses. A swan, an Otter, a rabbit, and even a small dog. She definitely had one of the biggest ones.

The door opened and closed. Iris's heart stopped as she looked around. Not many people had access to the Room of Requirement, it looked like everyone was here so who the hell was walking in on them. Slowly the room fell silent and she could see it was Dobby the house elf. His eyes were big and his little body was trembling.

"Harry Potter, sir…" he squeaked. "Dobby has come to warn you…but the house elf's had been warned not to tell…."

Iris felt her veins turn to ice as the little elf ran to the wall to injure himself. Harry struggled with him as he continued to talk but tried to hit himself.

"Harry Potter…she…she…"

There was only one "She" he could mean. Only one person terrifying enough that could make the little elf tremble so hard. Umbridge had found out, somehow. She was most likely on her way here, they had to get out.

Before Harry could shout the warning she did, "Umbridge is coming! Run! Everyone get out!!"

She was one of the ones closer to the door and was out before most of the others, she booked it left and ran has fast as her legs could carry. She turned a sharp corner and fell, running into a solid chest. She looked up, her chest heaving rapidly as she tried to catch her breath and was thankful to see Snape. The pounding of feet were behind her in the next corridor. She made a quick and desperate decision.

Standing up she whispered, "hide me." And dove under his cape, standing stock still against his backside.

She could hear a female student speak, "oh Professor Snape sir I-I'm sorry. Um have you seen any other students running by?"

"I have not, Ms. Parkinson." Came his smooth reply

Iris heard the footsteps retreat. She let out the breath she was holding in and relaxed a little. Until that deep voice made her heart skip.

"You may come out now."

Iris felt her cheeks burn as she left the cover of Snapes cloak. "Er-thanks." She said awkwardly.

"Care to explain?" He asked, one eyebrow quirk up in question.

Iris looked quickly around, "follow me quickly." They walked hurriedly down two corridors before she found an empty classroom. She pulled him in and warded the door.

"Umbridge has made her move." She paced around the classroom. "I don't know how. How could she have known? I mean everyone was there and the jinx prevented… then again was everyone there?"

"Would you slow down?" Snape said impatiently.

"Sorry," she stopped pacing. "The not so secret club has been found out by Umbridge. Someone must have snitched." She tried to think back, someone was missing but who.

"So, your little club has been found out. You will most likely serve detention."

She clenched her jaw probably but that wasn't what worried her. They had named themselves Dumbledore's Army, there on the wall was the list with their names. She would blame Dumbledore and get the ministry involved. He would surely be gone by tomorrow, maybe another public banishment like Trelawney.

"There is a jinx preventing me from explaining it to you. But the proof that Umbridge needs to get rid of Dumbledore is involved in this mess. I fear he will be gone soon."

The next morning a new decree had popped up, announcing Umbridge as Headmistress. Iris clenched her jaw in anger. After her talk with Snape she returned to the common room to find the Weasley children and Hermione waiting for Harry, who had been caught. Once he returned he told everybody what happened in Dumbledore's office.

She felt so dumb, her job was to protect them and she had failed. She didn't suspect Marietta, didn't grab the list, or anything productive. Now Dumbledore was gone, she had to be on her toes. Had to make sure the kids didn't do anything stupid. Which would be difficult since children always did stupid things. Her mind turned to the Weasley Twins, they were definitely up to something.

She caught sight of Harry walking with Filch as she went along with the sea of students headed to lunch. Now that was suspicious. She found a seat next to Ron and Hermione.

"Is Harry in trouble? I just saw him with Filch." Iris asked them.

Ron gave a shrug as he stuffed his face, "dunno Umbridge wanted to see him."

She sighed, "well that can't be good."

Not long into lunch a loud BOOM! Could be heard through the Great Hall. Everyone fell silent. Strange sounds could be heard and students started rushing out to see what was going on. For a few long minutes nothing seemed to be wrong and then Iris saw it. A firework, a pinwheel firework was coming down the stairs. Students got out of the way and some headed back into the Great Hall.

The rest of the day, the magical fireworks had seemed to spread like rabbits throughout the whole castle but the teachers didn't seem to mind. For the rest of the lessons Umbridge was called in to deal with them. As Iris headed back to the common room after the final bell she was ecstatic to see Umbrige, who was sweaty, disheveled, and covered in soot.

George and Fred Weasley were heroes that night. They had created the fireworks themselves. Iris lined up with other clamoring Gryffindors and gave them 20 galleons.

"That was brilliant, you two. Worth every penny."

Even as the common room calmed down, the bangs of escaped fireworks could still be heard throughout the night. Iris was sure that wasn't the end of the Weasley's twin terror. Not that she minded, any reason to give Umbridge hell was worth it. Now with Dumbledore out the way Umbridge was sure to give the rest of the school hell. Maybe she would try and get in on the mischief. The scar that evil witch gave her still gleamed against her pale skin. Soon she would pay, some how some way Iris would have her vengeance.