AN:
Nightwing2013 - Thank you! Yeah, Fudge and Umbridge are dangerous ground if the Witchers, Potters, Blacks, or Weasleys wanted to make this an international incident. Ha, when I first decided to give the throuple thing a go, I too was wondering how it would work. We're getting closer and closer to answering that question. Thanks for seeing those mistakes in Chapter 48. I'd written most of these chapters (even if they have gone through some major rewrites) before I actually came up with the other Tasks, so I still run into errors like that. I'm doing my best, but like you, I see 'Third Task' and my brain says, "Yep, that's good," and I move on.
scrappy8 - Thanks! Yeah, the toad is on a roll, and she ain't stopping.
Mando-Vet - I definitely have some plans for Umbridge. She'll get her dues eventually.
GreengrassRebel - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed how I worked Luna. I wanted her to have a bit more in her introduction than she got in canon. Umbridge definitely does not have the strength of position, and I very much wanted McGonagall to be the teacher who does everything she can to counter her. Yeah, Umbridge was a fool in working to get even for the trial all in the same day, and it's going to come back to bite her soon. Yep, still developing KatieHarryGinny. Not quite as far away as you think, but still progressing. You might get to see a bit of the deities elective this year, from Katie, Alicia, and Angelina's POV.
Guest - Thanks! The joy of Umbridge is that you can make her as detestable as you like, and it fits no matter what. She's just a terrible person.
Arctic Wolf Fury - Oh, they're going to have ammo all right. Sirius and Dora are going to go in locked and loaded.
hushpuppy22 - Umbridge can always get worse. She's terrible.
psalmuel - Yeah, Umbridge is a pain, but she doesn't nearly have the political strength as in canon.
Chapter 51
Dora walked out of the Ministry in her now routine, fairly frustrated normal way . . . at least normal for how it seemed to go these days. She and Sirius were both having a rough go at it in the Auror's office, and now she didn't even have Angelina and Harry back at home to bitch too. Sure, they were talking by letter, and both Angelina and Harry had a set of transmission mirrors, so she technically could talk to them if she wanted to, but she didn't know what they were doing, and didn't want to intrude too much. Parents, guardians, or even older siblings weren't meant to be extremely accessible at Hogwarts. The mirrors were more for an emergency.
The reason she and Sirius were having a rough time these days was because of Harry, and that pissed her off more than the menial tasks she was being tasked to do. She hadn't done a real Auror's job since the trial, and when she or Sirius tried to argue against it, Robards and Scrimgeor simply shut her and Sirius down, telling them that they were free to task both of them out as they saw fit, as long as it wasn't illegal, and it wasn't. It was just a waste of manpower.
Beyond that, she was being denied time to continue her studies, despite the fact she was spending most of her days sitting at her desk, doing minor paperwork. The department was determined to railroad her and Sirius, and part of her was tempted to quit just so she could then voice her anger to the Shadow Chronicle, without giving the Ministry a legal hold on her, which would hurt the DMLE just as she desired. The problem was that she'd have to give up her career . . . her dream . . . and there was no guarantee it was coming back once everything came out into the open.
No, she and Sirius were just trying to survive until Fudge's administration crumbled and they'd be back to work, openly fighting against Voldemort's forces. In the meantime, she did what she could to further her professional development without the Head and Assistant Head interfering, and enjoyed her evenings with Remus, and the letters from Harry and Angelina, though she suspected they wouldn't be the happiest of letters for a while. She'd seen how Hogwarts students treated Harry, and his friends when they backed him, and now that Angelina was a part of the family, Dora suspected she would be even more in the crosshairs than before.
She hoped joining their family didn't rob that wonderful girl of her dream of playing professional quidditch. Her father would certainly have robbed her of it, but Dora didn't want her joining them to also destroy her chance. Overall, she just hoped that Harry and Angelina leaned on each other, as they had been doing. With their friends also there, she figured they'd be okay.
Hopefully, their time would come soon, and hopefully afterwards, they'd have a chance to save Aunt Bellatrix and reunite their family and then really start living after they managed to put Voldemort into the ground.
For now though, she had to guard a prophecy that she desperately wanted to just have Harry grab. The only bright side to that was that she was doing so little at work, staying up late wasn't affecting her too badly, minus that it was time she was away from Remus, and that was a shame, since she and Remus were really making it work.
He was still so hesitant at times, and occasionally required Sirius or Harry to knock a little sense into him, but when he was with her, he treated her so well. They had a lot of fun, and he was always able to make her laugh and smile. She'd never really had a guy who liked her for her. Remus didn't even care about her metamorphmagus powers. Sure, he never complained when she used them to add some fun to what they were doing, but he never asked her to change for him, and even when she did, he usually mentioned how whatever changes she did paled in comparison to her real body. It made her feel powerful and really loved.
She'd gotten used to that feeling from Harry, but it was wonderful experiencing it from the person she was more and more coming to hope would be her partner for life. Only time would tell, but as the years went by since her parents died, things, as a whole, kept improving, and to her it was all because one little letter she found the courage to write. Sure, dark times had come, but she had a family, a family that was continuing to grow, and that meant everything to her.
Her lack of attention could have proved deadly if it had been anyone else, for Dora was grabbed on the arm from behind. She spun around, her wand coming into her hands only to see Sirius grinning at her, releasing her arm and raising both hands up in a gesture of surrender.
"Sirius," Dora said breathlessly.
"Sorry, little Dora," Sirius said with a grin. "You didn't seem to hear me when I called for you."
Dora rolled her eyes. "It's my fault for not keeping constant vigilance."
Sirius barked a laugh.
"Mad-Eye would be so disappointed," he sang, and she scowled at him. "Ah, well I was just coming to tell you that we got a note from Dumbledore and McGonagall. We'll need to go to Hogwarts in two nights for a meeting. I guess Umbridge kicked Harry out of her NEWT class for being a fifth year and managed to antagonize him and Katie into dropping the course after he was allowed to return. Angelina and Alicia just dropped it as well. Sounds to me like she's trying to force them back into her class, though Minnie made it sound like Umbridge is trying to force Harry into the fifth year class."
"He hasn't even been there a day and that bitch is already targeting him," Dora muttered, glaring at Sirius. "Why don't we just pull him and Lina out? Hell, we can pull all his friends out of Hogwarts. Let Dumbledore deal with the Ministry and Umbridge. Harry, Lina, Leash, Kat, the Weasleys . . . they can all focus on school like they're supposed to be doing."
"You know that isn't what Harry or even James and Lily would want," Sirius said softly. "They love Quidditch, they have other friends, many of whom aren't that close to us and who wouldn't pull out of school for them. They deserve to have their Hogwarts experience, and we both know that even with Umbridge being a pain, Harry and Lina will still probably have a good time."
Dora groaned, but nodded in agreement.
"Now, let's get home and get dinner ready," Sirius said energetically. "I'm starving."
**HP**
"SHE'S USING A BLOOD QUILL!" Sirius roared with anger, storming around the kitchen in Grimmauld Place.
They were over for a meeting, which was to be underway soon, when they got Harry's first letter, which outlined his detention the previous night. Unsurprisingly, it had been Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Ginny, and Hermione that had basically forced them to let him know.
"What did you say?" Mad-Eye demanded.
"Umbridge is forcing students to write lines with a blood quill for detention," Dora spat, her hair bright red, flinging away Harry's parchment for Remus and Mrs. Weasley to read. "Hundreds of fucking lines with a blood quill, and Alicia, him, and Katie all have a week's worth of lines. Thank merlin Ginny, Ron, Fred, and George only got one night."
"Ginny and Ron got detention?" Mrs. Weasley muttered angrily. "The Twins I expect, but they should know better."
"Molly, read the letter," Dora said with exasperation. "Umbridge targeted Harry, Angelina, and all his friends. Everyone except for Hermione and Angelina ended up with detention. Alicia, Katie, and Harry all received a full week. Angelina only escaped because McGonagall was a witness to Umbridge's actions. Hermione I guess just managed to toe the line, though Harry said she lost twenty points, which has to be nearly unheard of for her."
"That horrid woman!" Molly screeched reading the letter. "We have to do something about this!"
"It's technically legal," Mad-Eye growled out. "Hogwarts used to use a whip, as many of you all know. Dumbledore banned that, but he can't rewrite the Hogwarts Charter, and since the Ministry has placed Umbridge there, she's free to do as she wishes."
"There has to be something that we can do!" Molly implored.
"If we wait till the next Hogsmeade weekend, we could probably have Jamie and some of the other Chronicle reporters fish around the various students," Sirius said thoughtfully. "If we can get enough witnesses to confrontations, which shouldn't be too hard then we can at least expose the Ministry to another scandal. That might be enough to push her out of there."
"The Chronicle is a good idea," Dora admitted. "We can get those targeted to give interviews too. Hopefully, that will prevent Umbridge from retaliating if parents are concerned and keeping tabs on what happens."
The first Hogsmeade weekend is still weeks away though!" Molly said.
"Not much we can do about that," Sirius said grimly. "Unless we want to be really open and have our journalists reaching out to students by owl, but all it takes is one going to Umbridge and the Prophet can work to counter us, and the Ministry can hit the Chronicle with a restriction order when it comes to hunting for stories at Hogwarts. Then we won't be able to protect any of them. No, we have to be careful about using the Chronicle for stories at Hogwarts. Timing has to be right. Though, of course, we'll bring this up at the Wizengamot meeting on Monday. I suspect the Wizengamot won't remove her, since it would look bad, but Fudge will hopefully be forced to reign her in."
"Less than a week away," Dora muttered.
"I'm afraid, at this time, the most we can do is wait," Albus's voice came from behind them, and they all turned to see him entering. "The Wizengamot meeting is a good place to move against her and Cornelius. For now, though, I believe we're here for a meeting."
**HP**
"Now that we are all here, I believe we should get this meeting underway," Albus said courteously, his voice cutting through the thick tension in the room.
Dumbledore's office was basically split in three, with Fudge and Umbridge in one corner, Dora, Sirius, Katie, Angelina, Alicia, and Harry in another, and Dumbledore, McGonagall, and two members of the Education Authority, Madam Griselda Marchbanks and Master Theodore Tofty.
"This meeting is inconsequential, Dumbledore," Fudge said. "Your people are trying to intervene in Dolores's class, and once again you are trying to let Potter and his friends get away with blatant disrespect."
"With all due respect, Minister, that is completely untrue," McGonagall said. "Dolores has blatantly disregarded policies at Hogwarts. She kicked Mr. Potter out of class he was entitled to take, and she has been incredibly disrespectful to several students."
"Please," Fudge sneered. "He's a fifth year student. He deserves no special latitude that would allow him to advance beyond his station. He was kicked out of a class he doesn't belong in, and has yet to show to his year's class. He deserves punishment and possibly expulsion."
"Unfortunately, Minister, you are wrong," Marchbanks said sternly. "We oversaw his OWL examination last year, on the recommendation of Master Moody, and he passed his OWL with flying colors."
"Alastor Moody has no say in Ministry examinations!" Fudge said.
"As his professor at the time, he did," Tofty disagreed. "In addition, Master Moody holds several masteries and is more than qualified to suggest a student for qualifications in Defensive and Offensive magic. Mr. Potter holds an OWL in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Per the Hogwarts Charter and Educational Decree Number 6, Professor Umbridge had no right to deny him access to the NEWT class, nor does she have a right to force him to take a class he doesn't wish to attend, after the completion of his OWLs in that subject."
"Potter must be in defensive magic with his yearmates," Umbridge protested.
"Why?" Sirius demanded. "Why is the Ministry focusing its efforts on one under aged wizard, one who has completed his OWL in the subject? Must we take the Ministry to court for trying to attack my godson again?"
"We are not attacking anyone," Fudge retorted.
"Really? Then why are all the people at the trial in detention? Why is she demeaning students, like Angelina, refusing to call her by her family name?" Dora demanded. "Why is Madam Umbridge using a blood quill to punish those she deems, and why is she allowed to have them write such blatantly bloodist and inappropriate messages?"
Dora held up Katie's and Alicia's hands which had "I will respect my betters" carved on her hand. Harry had "I must not tell lies" carved into his.
"Madam Umbridge is allowed to use whatever form of punishment she deems fit," Fudge said savagely. "She is well within her rights to use a blood quill for punishment."
"Not to carve those types of messages," Sirius snapped back. "I'm sure if the public learned that the Ministry's chosen representative was making halfbloods and muggleborns carve those types of phrases onto their hands, they're be some proper outrage."
"Is that a threat?" Fudge demanded.
"Minister, if you think her actions would be a problem if brought to light, then you obviously believe she is in the wrong," Marchabanks said with narrowed eyes. "I tend to agree with Lord Black. How is carving those words into their hands a proper punishment? She reportedly instigated the altercation with Ms. Spinnet. It's between the two of them, but Ms. Spinnet's account does not paint Professor Umbridge in a flattering light. According to multiple accounts, Professor Umbridge also instigated the altercation and then accused Mr. Potter and Ms. Bell of lying, despite no clear signs of them doing so. Professor McGonagall witnessed Professor Umbridge being openly disrespectful to Ms. Potter. Why is it in the Ministry's prerogative to conduct some sort of inquisition into Mr. Potter? First this summer, and now this? Professor Umbridge disregarded our advice on a proper textbook, and by Ministry standards is not teaching the NEWT students the correct material, and it seems to me that Professor Umbridge is clearly getting even for perceived slights against your administration. "
"That's preposterous," Fudge snapped. "Dolores is making sure that approved, appropriate, and safe magic is taught!"
"But we're not allowed to do magic in her class!" Harry retorted. "She flat out said our first attempts at any magic will be at our NEWTs. She told the OWL students the same thing!"
Umbridge scowled at him, her dark eyes glittering.
"Minister, these are NEWT students," McGonagall said. "The magic they are supposed to be doing isn't inherently risk free. Surely you know that."
"They're children and they should be treated like children," Fudge responded.
"It seems to me that this is getting out of hand," Tofty said with a disappointed shake of his head. "Minister, Professor Umbridge, Mr. Potter is well within his rights to not continue the defense class at this time, as are his other NEWT level friends. I would advise you to use standard approved punishments. Professor Umbridge, this will be a mark against you. Continue to antagonize students improperly for one of your station, and we'll be forced to revoke your, frankly, undeserved teaching credentials. I would also advise you to think about properly teaching your class. Within one week, I've already had complaints from the Witcher Clan among other noted families."
"You can't listen to the complaints of a family of warmongers," Fudge said dismissively.
"That family is one of the most highly educated families in the world," Marchbanks said coolly. "They are highly respected world wide, for their skill, knowledge, and abilities. The last thing Britain needs is the Witcher Clan claiming that Hogwarts isn't teaching a quality education."
"They can't claim that!" Fudge said.
"Of course they can," Tofty said softly. "Between the entire Clan, they hold Masteries in nearly every magical discipline on this earth, including ones not offered here in Britain or even in Europe. They could set up their own school and teach more subjects with qualifications than even Hogwarts could, and people would flock to attend. If they criticize Hogwarts, we will watch a thousand years of prestige wash away, and with it, all international accreditation. Our OWLs won't be worth anything overseas if we lose ICW reciprocity."
Fudge gaped, and Umbridge flushed.
"I am teaching them what they need to know," she said coldly.
"Professor, your book is not an Education Authority approved book," Marchbanks said sternly. "Not for OWLs and especially not for NEWTs. It doesn't even teach the spells they will need for their examinations. If Ms. Witcher and Mr. Potter's claims are true, and you are refusing to let them use magic in class, and they aren't allowed to attempt their defensive spells and counters until their OWLs or NEWTs, then I'm afraid we're going to watch a lot of young witches and wizards fail their exams. The ones who succeed will likely be the ones who disobeyed you and practiced magic in secret. We cannot let that happen for a multitude of reasons."
"We will be conducting an evaluation before the end of term, as Headmaster Dumbledore has approved, and if students are not prepared for their coming OWLs and NEWTs, then we will be forced to publish our findings," Tofty said firmly. "It will be up to the Ministry, of course, to act, but our findings will be public."
Fudge glared at the two educators before nodding tersely.
"Very well, but this isn't over."
"Minister, I would advise you not to threaten us with continued harassment of Mr. Potter," Marchbanks said, her face stern. "I'm already determined that we will be broaching this at this next Wizengamot session."
Fudge glared at her and turned and walked off with Umbridge who smiled evilly at the students in the room before returning her attention to Fudge.
"Watch out for yourselves," Dora whispered to the teens, who nodded at her, and she gave them quick hugs. They needed to get back to their homework, and Sirius and Dora needed to get back to the Ministry
As much as she wasn't certain she even wanted to stay at the Ministry anymore, she wasn't going to let them win until she had decided what she did want. Besides, they needed to be in the Ministry to counter Voldemort's actions. She might not like the Ministry at the moment, but they weren't Voldemort . . . not yet.
**HP**
"What is going on out here?" Umbridge demanded, and Dora sighed, having seen her storm out onto the grounds where Harry was set to take his exam. "Students out of bed? I'm afraid detentions will need to be given."
"We are administering a Shadow Mastery Exam," the Ministry official said with a frown. "These students are out of bed with permission."
"Master Croaker," Umbridge said, seeing him and frowning. "I was not made aware of this. Who is it for? I demand this exam is canceled!"
Dora tensed, ready to tear into the repulsive witch, who was now glaring at Dora, Harry, Hermione, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, and Ginny.
"The exam is for Lord Potter. Under what grounds should it be canceled?" Croaker asked.
"Master Croaker, the idea that a boy such as this is capable of passing this exam is laughable! Besides, the Minister will not allow it, and I won't allow it. I have not approved for him to take this exam," Umbridge said sweetly.
"Madam Umbridge," Croaker said. "You have no say, nor does the Minister or even the Ministry as a whole have a say in the administration of this exam. This is an International Confederation of Wizards standard exam. Unless I'm mistaken, you are not a Shadow elemental yourself, and thus have no involvement in Lord Potter's exam, nor do you have the expertise to say whether he can pass or not. Additionally, he may not pass, but that's the whole point of the exam, testing his knowledge. If he fails, he receives no accreditation."
"Then who does have a say?" Umbridge demanded.
"Professor Dumbledore and myself are the only two known Masters of Shadow Magic currently in the United Kingdom," Croaker said mildly. "It is why I am the proctor, and he is on his way here as an object observer, as a check on my fairness. The exam will begin once he arrives."
"Professor Dumbledore is biased for the boy," Umrbidge said.
"I am not," Croaker said, his eyes narrowed. "Now, you are certainly allowed to stay, Madam, but you must remain quiet during the examination."
Umbridge glared.
"Mr. Potter may be given unfair latitude, but why are these other students out of bed? Why is Ms. Tonks here?" she asked, changing tactics.
Croaker huffed.
"Madam, elemental mastery exams are open to viewing by those the tester wishes to invite. They are an impressive accomplishment and are not common. Lord Potter invited these students and his guardian, Lady Potter. I do not have to care about why."
Dora glared at Umbridge who grinned evilly.
"Mr. Potter? Who gave you the permission to invite these students to leave their beds after hours. It seems to me that Ms. Tonks is trespassing, unless she was given permission to be here."
Dora was about to ream the witch out, but someone beat her to it.
"She was, and it was I who gave them all permission," Dumbledore's voice said softly, and Umbridge turned.
"You?"
"Yes, me," Dumbledore said, simply. "Both Lady Potters are here to watch their brother complete his exam, a right granted to family members. You would do well to remember their last names. I cannot have one of my faculty incapable of common courtesy, and this is not the first incident."
Umbridge scowled and then recovered.
"That does not explain the others," Umbridge said, smiling triumphantly. "Clearly Mr. Potter has overstepped his bounds, proving his immaturity, which would disqualify him from taking this exam."
"The others were invited because I have been teaching them Shadow Magic or they are learning another element," Harry said angrily. "They are here to witness the exam, and to see a demonstration, which will hopefully help them with their own studies."
"You've been - You've been teaching!" Umbridge nearly shrieked. "Mr. Potter, you are not qualified to teach! You have been teaching dangerous, and not age appropriate magic to other students and you will be punished for that."
"He will not be," Dora snapped, her magic getting away from her slightly and causing the air around her to spark. "You can't decide what is appropriate or not! Besides, there is nothing wrong with teaching elemental magic."
"Madam Umbridge, be quiet, or I will force you to leave, and then I will file my report through the Wizengamot and the ICW!" Croaker said forcefully, and Umbridge gaped at him. "While taking students before the Mastery exam is not common, Lord Potter has not formally claimed either in an apprenticeship, which he would not be able to do without the Mastery, which means there is no infraction. Should he fail this exam, then he would be wise to desist with his lessons lest he be passing on information incorrectly, but should he pass, he is well within his right to instruct on this branch of magic."
"In addition, I gave my permission for Ms. Weasley, Ms. Granger, Ms. Spinnet,and Ms. Bell to be out of bed to witness this, as I already stated," Dumbledore said. "This is an educational opportunity for them, one not often seen at Hogwarts, and in the case of this specific exam, one rarely seen."
Umbridge huffed, glaring at them all, but finally shut up, lest she be unable to watch and, in Dora's opinion, attempt to sabotage him later.
"Now, Lord Potter," Croaker said, focusing back on Harry. "Professor Dumbledore and I are going to create light and the first part of this exam deals with your basic manipulation of darkness. From there, we'll move to concealment, offensive and defensive spells, and then advanced illusions, solidification, and animation. Lastly will be elemental travel. Any questions?"
Dora smiled proudly as Harry shook his head, looking ready to get the exam over with. She knew this was simply a formality for him. His patron would have dealt with him if he wasn't ready.
Three hours later, Harry, Katie, Ginny, Dora, Hermione, Alicia, and Angelina left a fuming Umbridge to head back to Gryffindor Tower, with Dora ready to head to the gates and then home.
"I'm really proud of you, Har," Dora said, hugging his side. "You've really accomplished an incredible thing."
"Harry, that was astounding to watch," Angelina said proudly. "I knew you were good, but seeing it like that was a whole different experience."
"It really was!" Katie exclaimed. "I really think I hit a breakthrough watching what you did!"
"Merlin, the power you can draw out of the darkness," Ginny said, with a shake of her head. "It just shows how little Katie and I are currently using."
"I do have three enhancers that help me pull energy," Harry pointed out, thinking of his tattoo, ring, and bond with Astra.
"Still," Katie said. "Ginny's right. We have a long way to go."
"You both are doing great," Harry said, "but thank you for the compliments. It took me a long time to get there."
"Did you hear Umbridge talking about something big tomorrow?" Katie asked with a frown, and Harry nodded.
"Ron's vile letter from Percy hinted at the same thing. I guess we'll find out in the morning."
"Merlin, I hope things don't get worse," Angelina said with a groan.
"Even if they do, we'll handle it," Ginny said firmly, and Katie and Harry both shot her approving looks while Angelina and Alicia chuckled, and ruffled her hair, just like they often did to Harry, and Ginny fended off the two witches, just like Harry did getting a soft smile out of Angelina and a grin from Alicia.
"I guess we will," Angelina said softly.
"Things aren't going to get better," Dora said with a sigh, giving them all hugs, "but you'll be okay. Sirius and I will have a lot to bring up at the Wizengamot meeting on Monday."
**HP**
MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM
DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED
FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR
The Daily Prophet's front page was filled with the words and a large photograph of Dolores Umbridge, smiling widely, and blinking slowly at them from beneath the headline.
"High Inquisitor?" said Harry darkly, his half-eaten piece of toast slipping from his fingers. "What does that mean?"
"It means we're in trouble," Angelina muttered, and Alicia wrapped her arm around her friend's shoulders.
Hermione read aloud:
"In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic, in an emergency session, passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time," said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. "He is now responding to concerns, voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve of."
"This is not the first time in recent weeks that the Minister, Cornelius Fudge, has used new laws to effect improvements at the wizarding school. As recently as 30th August, Educational Decree Number Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person."
"That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts," said Weasley last night. "Dumbledore couldn't find anyone so the Minister put in Umbridge, and of course, she's been an immediate success-"
They all snorted in disbelief at the audacity of claiming that.
"-, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts."
"It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree Number Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor."
"This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the falling standards at Hogwarts," said Weasley. "The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post and we are delighted to say that she has accepted."
"Unsurprisingly, the rest of the article is Malfoy Sr. disparaging Dumbledore and bringing up Professors Moody, Lupin, and Hagrid as reasoning," Hermione said scathingly.
"Funny enough, two of those three are some of the best professors we've ever had," Alicia said with a derisive snort. "I notice they aren't mentioning that the defense scores under both of them were the best they'd been in fifteen years."
"The Shadow Chronicle mentioned it," Ginny said, and Harry glanced over to see she was indeed holding a copy of the Shadow Chronicle. "Sirius argued that exact point when people brought up Remus and Mad-Eye. He pointed out the scores, and while people like to complain about Care of Magical Creatures, scores under Hagrid have been pretty good too. He likes dangerous creatures too much, but he knows his stuff. He also questioned why the Minster felt the need to pass this legislation with the bare minimum number of Wizengamot members present at an emergency session. Why was it 'emergency session' worthy? Apparently, Sirius thinks Fudge knows it wouldn't have passed otherwise."
"Of course it wouldn't have," Harry said. "Dora and Sirius were prepared for the session on Monday, not a surprise thing last night during my exam."
"Several other Wizengamot elders protested as well, namely Griselda Marchbanks, head of the Department of Education. Her complaints had largely to do with the Minister going back on his word with creating Educational Decree Number 22. Dumbledore couldn't find a Professor, so the Ministry was supposed to appoint a qualified applicant. Apparently Professor Umbridge doesn't cut it."
"Of course she doesn't," Katie muttered. "Fudge didn't want her here as a teacher. She's here to interfere and target Dumbledore, Harry, and the rest of us."
"At least we don't have defense with her anymore," Harry muttered back. "The more we can limit interactions with her, the less she can punish us."
"Good thing too," Katie returned with a grin. "Angie will murder us if we miss any more Quidditch."
"I won't murder you," Angelina cut in with a grin. "Just maim. I can't afford to kill you."
Alicia and Ginny giggled.
"Thanks, sis," Harry said dryly, but inside he knew that with Umbridge's new title, things had just taken a bad turn at Hogwarts, and they weren't even done with the first week.
**HP**
I must not tell lies.
I must not tell lies.
The parchment was now dotted with drops of blood from the back of his hand, which was searing with pain. When he looked up, night had fallen and the Quidditch pitch was no longer visible. He couldn't tell how tryouts were going. All he could do was hope that Ginny and Ron, who were both trying out, were doing well, and that Angelina was handling the practice despite missing three of her starting team.
Beside him he could hear Katie and Alicia both trying to contain their sobs and shudders as they also continued to cut their hands open, again and again and again. Everytime he heard one of them shudder, or let out a muffled sob, he felt his rage grow. Save for Voldemort, he had never hated anyone as much as he hated Umbridge. Never.
The whole week had been absolutely horrible. Even classes had been rough with large amounts of homework being given after every Professor scolded them on how OWLs were around the corner and that they needed to work harder. With detentions every night that started after dinner and went till late, there had been little time to get homework done without staying up far too late, waking early, or working through lunch, meaning they were all rather stressed and exhausted. Honestly, Harry had not been at his best during his exam, but thankfully he had been more than prepared for it, so it hadn't mattered. A large portion of the school was still actively whispering about him because of his confrontation, with only a few openly saying they believed him. Add getting your hand cut open night after night and Harry didn't think he had ever looked forward to a weekend more than he had this one.
"Let's see if you've got the message yet, shall we?" said Umbridge's soft voice after three hours of cutting their hands open.
Umbridge saved him for last, so that he could watch her grab two of his best friends' bleeding hands and smirk over the vile sentences carved into their hands. Finally, it was his turn and she moved towards him, stretching out her short ringed fingers for his arm. And then, as she took hold of him to examine the words now cut into his skin, pain seared, not across the back of his hand, but across the scar on his forehead.
He wrenched his arm out of her grip and leapt to his feet, staring at her. She looked back at him, a smile stretching her wide, slack mouth.
"Yes, it hurts, doesn't it?" she said softly.
He glared at her, but didn't speak.
"Well, I think I've made my point, Mr. Potter, Ms. Spinnet, Ms. Bell. You all may go."
They all quickly grabbed their things and left as quickly as they could. As soon as they were well clear of Umbridge's office, Katie and Alicia both leaned against each other, and pulled him into their group hug, as they let out more sobs.
"I hate that horrid woman," Katie said, and Harry and Alicia both nodded in agreement.
They had done this every night this week after detentions, ever since the first one when Alicia and Katie had both started crying, clutching at their bloody hands. It had taken a group effort to stop Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and even Marina from murdering Umbridge on the spot. Madam Pomfrey had been forbidden from helping them, and Alicia's skills hadn't been enough to get past whatever curse the quills used to cut their hand. She could stem the bleeding, but was unable to remove the scars that were slowly becoming permanent.
After they finally recollected themselves, they made their way back to the tower, wanting to see how Quidditch tryouts went.
"When she touched me, my scar hurt," Harry admitted, and the two girls looked at him with concern, knowing what that could possibly mean.
"Do you think - ?" Alicia asked hesitantly
"I don't know," Harry admitted.
"She's evil enough," Katie muttered, but sighed. "I'm sure she would be a supporter, but I don't think she's a Death Eater. Doesn't seem like her style. No, she likes public power."
"You're probably right," Harry admitted, "but I still might give Dora a shout on the mirror.
"Good idea," Alicia said with a smile.
"Mimbulus mimbletonia!" Katie said the password at the Fat Lady, who swung forwards.
A roar of sound greeted him. Ron came running towards him, beaming all over his face and slopping Butterbeer down his front from the goblet he was clutching.
"Harry, I did it, I'm in, I'm Keeper!"
"What? Oh – brilliant!" said Harry, ecstatic for his friend.
"Great job, Ron!" Katie and Alicia said, both also happy for their friend and new teammate.
"I made the reserves too!" Ginny said happily walking up to them with several bottles of butterbeer, which she passed out to the three of them.
"Congratulations, Gin," Harry said happily. "I knew you would make it.
"There was never any doubt," Katie said with a wink, and Harry saw Ginny blush slightly.
"Hey, Ron," George said, coming up to him, and Harry noticed that Fred was talking to some first years who looked like they'd recently had nosebleeds. He subtly glanced around and noticed that Hermione was dozing in the armchair by the fire. "Come on. And let's see if Oliver's old robes fit you. If they do, we can take his name off and add yours."
Ron eagerly moved over to them as Angelina came up to the three of them and Ginny, all still near the doorway.
"How'd it go?" Katie asked.
"It's stressful, this managing lark. You know, I'm starting to think I was a bit hard on Wood sometimes," Angelina admitted, before she glanced over at Ron, with a slight frown on her face.
"Look, I know he's your best mate, but he's not fabulous," she said bluntly, and Ginny winced. "I think with a bit of training he'll be alright, though. I'm banking on him turning out to have a bit more talent than he showed today, to be honest. Vicky Frobisher and Geoffrey Hooper both flew better this evening, but Hooper's a real whiner, he's always moaning about something or other, and Vicky's involved in all sorts of societies. She admitted herself that if training clashed with her Charms Club she'd put Charms first."
"Because he needs work, I opted not to have a reserve keeper," Angelina continued. "He needs all the practice he can get, and I think a reserve would put the wrong type of pressure on him. He'd have an easy out, and I think he'd take it when things get hard. I did find two brilliant new chasers to be reserves," Angelina said, smiling finally, nodding at Ginny who blushed slightly before smiling wide and nodding in appreciation. "The other is Ginny's mate, Demelza Robbins. I think the two of them, with Katie Kat here, will be brilliant next year after Leash and I are gone. I got two beaters too, Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke. Frankly, both are terrible, but they were the best we had, and Fred and George will have a year to hopefully make them passable. Anyway, we're having a practice session at two o'clock tomorrow, so just make sure you're all there."
Harry nodded, eager to be back on the Quidditch pitch.