1995
Amelia was fed up. Being the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, she thought she would get to the bottom of this mystery soon. But after almost a month in, she had turned up nothing. Every report taken on that evening said the exact same thing.
Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory took the Triwizard Cup at the exact same time, and after a bit of time, they both reappeared in front of the entire school.
Except, one was alive, screaming and crying about the resurrection of a long dead wizard, and one was dead, who has been confirmed to have died from his injuries sustained from the maze.
"ERGHHHUHH!" She shouted in frustration, sweeping everything off her desk, reports and files and other miscellaneous items. Immediately regretting it, she sat down heavily and rested her face in her hands, pondering on it all.
It was all but confirmed that nothing had happened except a terrible student death, driving another student mad in grief.
But now, confirmed but 'reformed' death eaters had been seen meeting with each other in sketchy areas. Death Eaters who served underneath the Dark Lord who Harry Potter claims has been resurrected. The crime rate, especially against muggleborn families has increased exponentially, and the minister has had multiple meeting with Lucius Malfoy and other 'dark' family lords. His pushback on her investigating the matter only made her drive to find something increase.
Those thoughts have been running rampant in her head for days now, only leaving her with more questions than answers. She wanted to interview the boy, but she knew it would stir up something ugly and uncontrollable. The public view on Harry Potter was very shifty, and she did not want to tip it in any way whatsoever.
Besides, there was that rancid woman at the school she would have to steer clear of.
Dolores Umbridge.
'Disgusting bitch.' Amelia thought, a frown forming on her face as her mind wandered to the horror woman.
She sighed, swamped. Something was happening, and she needed to find out. Figuring she had spent enough time mentally complaining, she squared her shoulders, cleared her throat, and began to relook through all of the files again.
'There has to be something I'm missing.'
Same Time
Running down the hill, Hermione scanned for any sign of her friend.
Seeing his bag laying on the ground near the forest entrance, she ran over and knelt beside it. Figuring he was close, she stood to enter the forest but was stopped when she heard a shout from behind her.
Ducking instinctively, a broom carrying two riders, one screaming and the other howling with laughter soared right over her head.
Recognizing who was flying, she began to laugh. Relieved to have found him, she sat beside his book bag and watched as he and the mystery person flew through the sky.
Swooping around in the sky, Harry couldn't contain his laughter as Luna held him for dear life and screamed in his ear, deafening him.
"Do you want to land now?" He shouted over his shoulder, feeling a bit sorry for the frightened girl. Feeling her eagerly nod into his back, he tilted the broom and willed it down.
Looking at where he had left his bag, he was surprised to see Hermione sat leaned against his bag, and a out of breath Ron jogging towards them.
Landing softly in front of them, Harry held onto Luna's crossed hands and whispered comforting words to her.
"We're down now, you're okay. You can't fall anymore, I've got you." Harry assured, holding her hands softly.
Luna nodded, and uncrossed her arms. Lifting her leg over the broom, she fell towards the grass and rested her head in it.
After a moment, she raised her head and turned, flopping into the grass.
"I much prefer the ground." She said out of breath, much to Harry's amusement.
"It does take a bit of getting used to." Harry chuckled. Looking over at Hermione, who was smiling at the exhausted young girl, Harry gave a suggestive look and offered his broom.
"I will kill you Harry." Hermione threatened, turning serious.
"I understand."
"Sure you do. Now Harry, would you mind introducing us to the lady you've terrorized?" Hermione asked, looking at Luna. Luna looked up at Harry, who opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by Ron.
"No need, I already know who she is. It's 'Loony' Lovegood." Ron joked, laughing at the name. Harry, hearing the nickname, saw Luna shut down. Looking straight at Ron, who had stopped laughing at this point, Harry sharpened his gaze and crossed his arms.
Seeing that the name was not well received, Ron began to explain.
"I-I mean, everyone calls her that, you know? She see's stuff that isn't there, talks to herself a lot, she's crazy!" Ron tried stressing to them, only getting hard looks back. Sighing, he looked between his two friends and realized he had messed up.
"I'm sorry, I won't call her that again. I'm sorry Luna." Ron apologized, looking into Luna's eyes.
Feeling that he was being genuine, Luna smiled at the tall ginger boy.
"It's okay Ronald."
Later
"Hey Moony, I've got a plan!"
Remus Lupin looked up from his cup of tea towards the entrance to the kitchen, hearing his best mate shout.
A joyful Sirius walked in, almost bouncing with excitement. Beginning to start dancing around in the tight room, he pranced towards his friend. Remus rolled his eyes, already tired of Sirius's antics.
Finally ending up right in front of his mate, Sirius smiled widely at Remus, not speaking.
Remus, in turn, looked up expectantly. Rolling his eyes heavily, Remus stood and grabbed his cup, intending on leaving. Sirius's laughter and a hand on his arm stopped him though.
"So impatient you are." Sirius goaded. Laughing at his face, Sirius leaned over and grabbed the cup, taking a large swig.
"Bastard." Remus muttered, grabbing his tea back. He moved to sit again and Sirius followed, sitting opposite him.
"Would you mind sending our dear friend Minnie a letter?" Sirius asked, twirling his finger over the edge of an empty cup.
Hearing the request, Remus shrugged his shoulders. "I don't see why not."
"Good! Because I want to see Harry this weekend, and I can't send a letter. For obvious reasons." Sirius said, clapping his hands together once in excitement.
"Wait. Here? Harry can't come back, he can't leave the school! Not with Umbridge watching his every move." Remus stressed.
Sirius only swiped his hand, not concerned.
"His letter only said that she was a racist bitch who would make his school year longer than it already was gonna be. She isn't checking his every move." Sirius answered nonchalantly.
"You want Harry to come back here? To the house of a convicted SERIAL KILLER, oh and not to mention, A SECRET BASE FOR A RESISTANCE GROUP LED BY PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE!" Remus shouted.
"If she even tries to read his incoming of outgoing mail, our entire operation is doomed! Not to mention your freedom! It's too risky." Remus finished, trying to stress the severity of his friends plan.
"Yes, but it'll work." Sirius replied, swiping the cup from under Remus's hand and downing the entire thing.
"You really want to do this?" Remus asked anxiously.
Sirius nodded.
"I'm getting a drink."
Later
Walking down to the dungeon, Harry and his two friends dragged their feet.
It was time for their first potions lesson, and as luck would have it, it was with their favorite house. Slytherin.
"Fuck this man." Ron muttered under his breath.
Hearing the swear, Hermione swung her book bag and hit his shoulder, making him playfully groan.
"Manners Ronald." She admonished as they walked.
"Yeah manners Ronald." Harry teased, emphasizing the sentence.
"Shut up Harry you big div!" Ron retorted, leaning over and shoving Harry's shoulder behind Hermione's back.
"Ow! Hermione! He pushed me!" Harry dramatically complained, holding his right shoulder as if it was in great pain. Hermione kept walking, rolling her eyes at their antics.
"Shhh, we're here." Hermione warned as they arrived at the entrance to the class. They had arrived ten minutes early but already there was large groups of students huddled up waiting for the bell. The groups being split in two, green on the far side, red on the close side.
Standing with their peers, the trio stood and waited, interacting with their housemates. Harry and Ron began talking to a nervous Neville and a tired Dean, who had been awake late into the night preparing for this class. Neville slid beside Harry and silently looked at him worried, Harry looked back and nodded, giving his friend a small smile.
Hermione, who had been listening to Lavender's and Parvati's conversation, was suddenly brought out of it when someone on the other side of the hall began talking her way. Looking up confused, her eyes ended up on the pug-faced 'mean girl'. Pansy Parkinson.
"Wow Granger, I'm surprised you and your little boys showed up. How long until you run out of this lesson? Hmm? Ten minutes? Maybe even thirty. Just make sure, if you cry, let us see it. We all want to laugh." Pansy cruelly said, laughing with some of the other girls. By this time, everyone in the hall began to listen in.
Hermione, seeing everyone listen in, decided to fire away. She wouldn't hold back. Not for her.
"Did the growing potion work?" Hermione asked simply, looking cooly into Pansy's eyes.
Pansy, hearing the question, stuttered a bit, looking around at everyone.
"What are you on about Granger?" She asked back.
"The growing potion, we all saw you stealing the necessary ingredients from Professor Snape's lessons last year." At that Hermione visibly looked down towards Pansy's chest. "Plus, you seemed to stay later on the days when it was required to stir properly. Then, when it was ready, you didn't stay longer on those days anymore. You see, I know this because I read it, because I'm smarter than you. Does that burn you? That a muggleborn witch is smarter than a pureblood, like you so claim?" Hermione finished, leaving the question out in the air.
Pansy immediately drew her wand, staring daggers into Hermione.
"No mudblood bitch is smarter than even the most fickle minded pureblood you disgusting whore." Pansy said in anger, her wand hand itching.
Hermione waved off the comment, retorting with one of her one.
"Was the potion for you? Or for him? Already moved on?" Hermione asked, pointing at an amused Theodore Nott, who was stood towards the edge of the crowd, silently watching the spectacle.
Taking insult, Pansy raised her wand quickly, shouting out, "Bombarda!"
Hermione reached for her wand but was too late, as Harry swiftly stepped forward, silently casting a shield that absorbed the spell.
Knowing how this would end, Harry didn't respond with a spell of his own. He put his arm around Hermione and began to walk towards the back of their group but stopped when he heard him whisper a spell.
"Sectumsempra."
Feeling the heat of the spell coming close, Harry threw Hermione to the ground, and turned fast as light. Casting another shield, he was just in time as the dark spell clashed against it. Theodore walked forward and shoved Pansy forcefully out of the way, giving Harry a sinister smile.
Harry looked at Theodore, and realized that there wasn't a way out of this without it ending in a duel.
Both of them raised their wand, ready for what the other would throw.
At that moment, the bell rang, and at the same moment, Snape swiftly unlocked and swung the large door to his class open.
Seeing what had happened, and who was stood out there, Snape only looked into Harry's eyes and smirked.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor for fighting, Mr. Potter. You will serve detention with me tomorrow evening. As I understand it, because of your actions in Professor Umbridge's class yesterday, you will be serving it with her tonight. Good luck." Snape finished, turning around and gliding back deep into his class.
Harry, gobsmacked, just stared at where Snape had just stood, not believing what had just happened. A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his disbelief, looking to his right and seeing Ron there.
"Come on, it'll only get worse." Ron said angrily, holding up Harry's bag.
Taking his bag, Harry nodded. Looking back at where Hermione stood, Harry gave her a sad look. One she returned.
Hearing the laughter, Harry looked over at where Theodore stood, laughing to himself. Glaring at him, Harry walked past and entered in the class.
Ready for hell.
Some Other Place
"Lucius, prepare and bring me the girl."
Lucius Malfoy, hearing this, quickly nodded his head and bowed to the Dark Lord.
"It will be done, My Lord."
Voldemort, seeing his most important ally rush out of his throne room in fear, could only sigh and sag a bit into his throne. His remaining servants were all incompetent, and weak.
He missed Bellatrix.
She at least had some fire in her, and the strength to back it up. Having dueled her before, he was surprised at the amount of effort it took to finally put her down, and to put her into her place.
He was only a year, maybe two away from where he planned on revealing himself to the world again. In those years, he planned on restoring his forces to their former strength. But, in order to do that, he needed support, and money.
He needed his former circle.
Problem was, they were all imprisoned on Azkaban. Lucius was doing his best to 'persuade' the minister into lowering the guards of the fortress on the night they planned to attack, but it hadn't been done yet.
"Oh Bella, you will be free soon. I swear it." Voldemort whispered to himself, twirling a ring loosely placed on his ring finger.
Hearing quick footsteps outside the door, he lazily raised his hand and opened the doors, much to Lucius's shock.
Lucius Malfoy stood outside the doors, holding onto a chain. The chain led to the neck of a shivering girl, only clothed in ragged ripped clothes. Lucius marched forward, yanking on the chain to make the girl move.
Walking up to the throne, Lucius stopped at his feet and bowed.
"Your daughter, my lord."
Voldemort nodded his head and summoned the end of the chain, dismissing Lucius, who bowed again and walked quickly out.
The girl, instead of cowering at his feet, stared straight up in her father's eyes.
"You summoned me? Bored already?" She asked, not looking away.
"Who let you out?" Voldemort asked her unconcerned, moving the end of the chain into a figure eight.
Hearing the question, the girl took a deep breath, not answering.
"You can say, I won't be mad." Voldemort said in a quiet voice.
"The rat man." She answered, still looking into his eyes.
Voldemort nodded at that, somehow already knowing the answer. Moving control of the chain to his left hand, he grabbed his wand and held it against his tattoo on the left arm, summoning him.
Only waiting a minute, the doors opened again and emitted Peter Pettigrew, who nervously half-ran to stand by his masters side.
"Thats far enough." Voldemort warned, stopping Peter in his tracks. Noticing who he was stood next to, Peter began to whimper and look between the two.
"My lord! Wh-whatever she has said, it-it did not happen! I swear it!" Peter begged, dropping to his knees.
"Stand!" Voldemort commanded, using magic to amplify his voice.
In an instant, Peter stood, sobbing uncontrollably. The girl to his left rolling her eyes in annoyance.
"My daughter was let out of her room and left the building, only to return hours later. It is impossible for her to do it on her own, I made sure of it, so someone helped. She claims it was you. What do you say?" Voldemort asked, staring deeply into Peter's wet eyes.
Rapidly taking deep breaths, Peter stood there and tried to speak but no sounds came out, only whimpers.
"ANSWER ME!" Voldemort commanded.
"She seduced me my lord! I was on watch and she called for me! When I went to the door, she offered herself to me! After finishing, I laid back to rest and fell asleep, only to awake soon after by her reentering her room. She told me she only went to the kitchen my lord!" Peter desperately said all in one breath, hoping to convince his lord to understand.
Hearing all of this, Voldemort turned to look at his daughter, only to see her shrug her shoulders, not denying it. Looking back at his servant, his eyes hardened.
"She is my daughter." He growled, making Peter look up in fright, but also in confusion.
"So? M-my lord it was her idea-" Peter began to explain but was suddenly hit by a wave of pain.
"Crucio." He whispered, pointing his wand towards the fat man.
Seeing him fall to ground and begin to convulse, he summoned his other servant to retrieve his daughter.
He had business to attend to.
Later
Knocking on the door to her office, Harry couldn't help but feel nervous. Every professor's detention was different, but he felt that this one was going to be truly difficult. Due to their stunt in their first lesson with Umbridge, they were all assigned detention with the witch.
But, right before they were about to make their way down to her class, a younger year met them at the entrance to their common room with news. Apparently, Umbridge had a change of heart and only wanted to punish the 'ringleader' of their little group.
So Harry was sent alone.
Arriving in front of the wooden door to her class, he knocked twice and awaited a response. Only waiting a moment, he heard a sickly sweet voice announce to enter.
Sighing, Harry turned the doorknob and entered in the class. Closing the door behind him, he looked around and noticed that his professor was not in there. Wondering for a moment, he heard her call out for him from up the tiny staircase towards her private office.
"Uhm… professor?" Harry called out into that direction, not wanting to assume anything.
"Yes Mr. Potter I am in here! Please come in." He heard her reply. Shaking his head, he made his way towards her office, dragging his feet the entire way.
Getting to the top now, Harry noticed that the door to her office was ajar. Nudging it open, he peeked his head in and saw her.
Sitting behind a large desk, she sat with her hands crossed, looking expectantly at him with a jarring smile. Harry noticed that her tiny frame from behind the desk made her look comically small.
'Are her feet even touching the ground?' Harry thought, making himself chuckle before he quickly covered his mouth and made it appear to be a cough.
"Something funny? Mr. Potter?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. Still smiling.
Harry shook his head, "No professor, allergies you know?"
She also shook her head, "No. No I don't know."
Harry nodded at that awkwardly, looking around. Noticing the entire wall of moving portraits behind her, Harry decided to try and be nice.
"Uh, nice cats." Harry said, giving her a small smile.
"Sit down Mr. Potter. Now." She commanded, glaring into his eyes.
Nodding, Harry dropped his bag and sat in the chair opposite hers. Then, she gave her assignment.
"Tonight Mr. Potter, you will be writing lines for me. You will write, "I must not tell lies" ten times. Do you understand? Or must I say it slower?" She asked in her sweet condescending voice.
Hearing the request, Harry looked up confused. He hadn't lied in her class, had he?
"I must not tell lies? I thought I was in trouble for walking out of your racist lesson?" He asked, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
Sighing in annoyance, Umbridge slammed her palms down and stood. Pointing a meaty finger in his direction, her face became red and she frothed at the mouth.
"I AM NOT RACIST! I HAVE BLACK FRIENDS!" She shouted, her finger shaking.
"I wasn't talking about that kind of racist you moron, I meant you bullying those with different blood than yours!" Harry accused, also standing now and hovering over her.
"ENOUGH!" She shouted, matching his glare with one of her own. Pointing her finger down into his seat, she motioned for him to sit.
"I do not need to explain to you or anyone else what I do in my lessons. That is my business and MINE alone. Now, you will write what I am telling you to write and you will do it now." Umbridge demanded, retaking her seat and crossing her hands again.
Taking a deep breath, Harry retook his seat and reached into his bag, intending on grabbing the required quill and parchment. Hearing her huff, he looked up and saw her placing her own quill and parchment in front of him. Sitting back up, he looked at the items skeptically.
"You may begin. Ten lines." She said, a sick smile on her face.
Shaking his head, Harry grabbed the quill and began to write. Immediately, he felt a burning sensation on his left hand. Ignoring it for the moment, he wrote down the second word. The pain didn't go away though, and as he finished the first line, he began to groan with every stroke of the quill. Succumbing to his temptation, he dropped the quill and raised his left hand, only to see it was completely red with scratches. Looking closer, he realized the scratches were actually his spelling.
"I will not tell lies."
Hearing her laugh, his head shot up to look at her. Only to see her hand over her mouth, hiding her laughter.
"What is this? Am I writing in my own blood?" Harry accused, standing quickly and backing away from the desk.
"It does not matter Potter, what does matter is that you have nine more lines. Hurry on, I would like to get to bed soon." She dismissed, her smile only growing at the site of him.
Taking deep breaths, Harry realized this was his punishment. Her own way of standing over him.
'She wants me to quit.' Harry thought, looking between her and the quill.
Making his mind up, Harry took a long deep breath, and sat back down. Deciding that he wouldn't let another adult bully him, he grabbed the quill and began to write.
Line after line he wrote, clenching his teeth at every stroke of the quill. He didn't give her the satisfaction of seeing him make a noise, or seem weak.
After a long minute, Harry finished the last word and threw the quill down. Not looking at her once, Harry stood and grabbed his bag and left her office. Walking down the stairs and out of her class.
Sitting back into her chair, Umbridge smiled at the door. Not upset that he left without being dismissed. She got what she had wanted. To see the boy who had stressed her minister out be in pain.
"Can't wait for our next meeting Harry Potter." Umbridge said in her sick voice to the empty office. Carefully grabbing the quill, she wrapping it in a cloth and stuffed it into her desk drawer.
Satisfied, she left to go get ready for bed.