AN: Hope everyone has had a good two weeks. This needed just a bit more which stopped me from posting yesterday, but oh well. At least I'm getting it out now. Hope you all enjoy, and let me know what you think!
MultiversalCosms and Steve Hope - I'll answer you both together, since you both raised the same points. While I don't disagree with you because Tom Riddle Sr. certainly owed nothing to either Merope or Tom Riddle Jr, I do think there is an argument for him being wrong to leave when he did. I think he should have at least ensured Merope had care until she gave birth. Granted, in a perfect world, she despite her hard life, would have gone to prison for what she did. Though, there's also a lot of unknowns about the whole situation and how she "enchanted" him. If she used a charm, like seen in the Fantastic Beasts movies, Riddle had basically no free will and definitely was right to get far away as soon as he could. If we go off Dumbledore's theory of a love potion, it might not have been so cut and dry. I doubt Merope was skilled enough for something like Amortentia, which means she would have brewed a weaker love potion (since we learned some love potions only are somewhat effective, based on a lot of factors) which might have only made Riddle attracted to her, not necessarily forced him to do anything. I could see it as forcing the attraction, and then sort of like alcohol, removing his inhibitions. In that case, she is still very reprehensible, however, it could very well be possible that Riddle Sr. did have some choice in his actions in which case her stopping using the potion only removed the attraction, which could mean he "lost" the attraction, and then simply wanted nothing to do with her afterwards. Really hard to tell, but I don't disagree that running immediately might have been his best and only option.
Mando-Vet - Glad you enjoyed that. Hopefully you'll really enjoy this one.
stars90 - I guess you'll just have to wait and see . . .
Acoustic Ghost - The parallels between Harry and Voldemort were already brought up in the past. With how much Harry has changed by this point with a loving family, I kind of didn't see a huge point in rehashing that out with Harry and others. Dumbledore is complicated. Sometimes I like him, but I also have very little issue in reading or writing him as a manipulative old man who thinks he knows best and will do what he wants regardless. I didn't really intend for this one to seem as him manipulating him, but I can see what you're getting at. I think it's just Dumbledore's character anymore. It's hard not to see even his kind acts as having some hidden agenda.
Arctic Wolf Fury - Indeed, and weathering that month won't be as easy as they think.
GreengrassRebel - Thanks, I'll correct those issues. I don't think they were really thinking about replacing the dementors, just adding wizard guards to augment them and also kind of keep them in check. If they were going to get rid of them, I think they would have to seriously discuss taking Harry's offer up and letting him kill them all or yes, something with the DoM. Glad you've enjoyed the Scamander-Kowalski family, and have enjoyed the politics.
Guest - Thanks! Yep, a good window for their downfall.
scrappy8 - Indeed it is time . . .
magocrat777 - Thanks!
WinkingSkeever - Glad you caught up and that you're enjoying the story. Hope this is soon enough for you.
Chapter 65
"Bloody hell," Ron said in awe, as they all peered at the Daily Prophet and the Shadow Chronicle.
"Fudge's time is just about over," Harry muttered
"Look at Umbridge," Angelina whispered, and they all glanced to the Head Table, seeing Umbridge holding the Daily Prophet in a clenched fist, her face set in a furious scowl.
"She knows that her time will end as soon as Fudge's does," Katie said.
"Well, this will add something new for people to talk about," Ginny said.
She wasn't wrong. In the past week, there had really only been one topic of conversation: the fourteen escaped Death Eaters. The fear that had spread with their escape had created dozens of rumors about where they could be and what they were doing. The family members of their victims were now getting unwanted fame and were being talked about almost as much as Harry.
The breakout had forced a lot of people to change their opinions on Harry too. Harry had been surprised at how many people apologized to him, saying that they were forced to admit that Harry's claim seemed far more likely now with the mass breakout. There were still those who didn't believe, but even some of them didn't seem to agree with the Prophet's article or Fudge's words in the Chronicle.
The breakout had galvanized many of Harry's friends though, spurring the members of the Grim Consortium to further heights. He certainly saw the Slytherins, along with the members that had lost family members to the Death Eaters, working much harder than before, determined to protect themselves. Even some of their problems had cut their issues down. Harry suspected it was because many of them knew they were on the edge of being asked to leave, but whereas before they wouldn't have cared too much, now they saw the real benefit to what Harry, and occasional guest instructors, were providing.
Harry and his friends all exchanged relieved smiles, knowing that they only had to survive one more month with Umbridge, a month where Tina Scamander would likely be around to also help make things better.
"Hey, there's Hedwig!" Hermione said, and Harry glanced up as Hedwig moved down and dropped a letter at his feet.
"Hey, girl," Harry said, petting her softly and grabbing a piece of bacon to give to her, which she chomped on, hooting happily.
"Who's the letter from?" Alicia asked.
Harry glanced at it with interest. "Sirius," Harry responded, opening it up, " . . . and Jamie, it seems."
The rest of them exchanged intrigued glances while Harry read through the letter and then whistled softly.
"What's up, Harry?" Katie asked.
"So, apparently there are four people who have put their name in for consideration," Harry said. "Fudge, of course, is running for reelection, but there's also Malfoy's dad —"
"No surprise there," Ron muttered darkly.
"— Rufus Scrimgeor, and . . . wow, Neville's gran," Harry finished.
Neville coughed and then gazed in surprise.
"Gran threw her name in for Minister?" he asked, incredulously.
"Yeah, she stated that change needs to happen, and now that your mum and dad are around to focus on family affairs, she can devote more time to the Wizengamot," Harry read from the paper.
"I almost feel bad for the Ministry if she gets elected," Neville said with a grin.
"That's all interesting, but what does that have to do with you?" Angelina asked, impatiently.
"Sirius and Jamie want me to give an interview," Harry answered quietly. "They want me to tell my story."
"Telling your story would help sink Fudge," Alicia said with a whistle.
"It would also sink Malfoy," Ginny pointed out. "Harry would name him as having been there."
"Do you want to do that, Harry?" Katie asked softly. "I know it'll be hard."
"It will be," Harry agreed with a sigh, "but I think I should do it. Everyone should know my side beyond just the claim. They should know what Death Eaters are still out there."
"It's the right call," Neville agreed solemnly.
"Well, if we're trying to get it out to as many people as possible . . . and stick it to the Prophet even more," Hermione said, a grin appearing slowly. "I've got an idea . . ."
*HP*
"The Dark Lord has pushed up his timetable," Snape briefed without inflection. "While he does not believe the Ministry will immediately move against him after the election, he is confident, despite Lucius's claims, that it won't be long before the Ministry is aware of his return."
"What good does that do him?" Rick asked with a frown. "He hasn't been able to get the prophecy in all this time. Why does he think that they can get it before the election?"
"Is he intending to go into the Department himself?" Sturgis inquired.
"He has not revealed his plans to me," Snape said slowly, "but his intent has not changed. He intends for Potter to be the one to retrieve the prophecy for him, and he is confident that Potter will do so by the election."
Those who knew Harry closest frowned at that, all exchanging glances. With the connection broken, Voldemort couldn't still give Harry visions or affect his mood. Why would Voldemort be positive that Harry would go to the Department of Mysteries? Granted, Voldemort didn't know that Harry knew the prophecy, so he could think that Harry would be eager to learn it . . . but why within the month?
"So, does You-Know-Who not believe that Malfoy can win the election?" Dedalus Diggle asked in surprise.
"Malfoy is favored right now," Emmeline agreed, thinking the disbelief seemed off.
"The Dark Lord, I believe, is almost ready to come into the open," Snape answered thoughtfully. "Recruiting is slower than he wants with him being in the shadows. It's steady . . . but slower than he desires. The creatures have all been approached as much as they can with his circumstances. He was pleased with the werewolves until Greyback was neutralized. The giants too have not returned in droves as he hoped. The dementors are poised to join, but cannot until he comes into the open, and the vampires are waiting to see where the strength truly lies . . . and seem hesitant to put themselves against Potter."
"Servant of Hades," Many muttered, glad that Harry's patronage had farther reaching benefits than they'd foreseen.
"With Lucius in the Minster position, the Dark Lord will have a great amount of control in the Ministry, which will allow him to act openly without fear of the Ministry, allowing him to grow his power," Snape finished.
"Well, we'll just see about that," Sirius said with a smirk, and around the room several others smiled.
"I doubt anything your feeble mind could come up with will stop the Dark Lord's plans," Snape said with a sneer.
"We'll just see about that," Sirius repeated, grinning viciously, and Snape paused, noting only Sirius's closest friends in the Order seemed to know what was being planned.
"Anything you'd like to share with the group, Black?" Snape drawled.
"Nope," Sirius replied lightly.
"Perhaps you should reveal what you plan, so we can all weigh in on whether it is a good decision, or whether perhaps we can use it to curry more favor with the Dark Lord," Snape said through clenched teeth.
"I don't think so," Sirius replied again, firmly. "Everyone will know . . . soon enough."
Sirius grinned at a frustrated Snape, as Dumbledore frowned, but got the meeting continuing on.
*HP*
"Jamie!" Alicia exclaimed, hugging her sister, who laughed.
"It's a nice treat for me to see you while you're still here at school," Jamie said, smiling, before she glanced over at two of the other occupants. "What are you waiting for? Family hug!"
Angelina and Harry grinned and then got squawks from the Spinnet sisters as the Potters both threw themselves into the two girls knocking them all over in a heap of bodies, getting laughs and groans.
Hermione shook her head in exasperation, and Luna smiled dreamily.
Jamie gave them sad pouts, as she got up from the tangle of limbs on the floor. "Hey, what about you two? Too good to give me a hug?!"
Luna's eyes widened in surprise, her dreamy look fading. Hermione snorted but moved forward and gave Jamie a friendly hug. Jamie's pout faded somewhat until Luna came over and with a bit of hesitance, and finally embraced Jamie too.
Harry smiled fondly as Jamie embraced Luna firmly, always amazed by the kindness of the Spinnet witches.
"You give good hugs, Luna," Jamie said comfortingly
"My mum taught me," Luna said quietly.
Harry, Angelina, Alicia, and Hermione all gasped slightly at that, having learned about Luna's mother from the girl. Jamie nodded in understanding.
"Well, then, I'll just have to try and earn hugs from you more often," Jamie said matter of factly. "Great way to keep her memory alive and pass something of hers on. I can always use more little sisters."
Luna's face bloomed into a very pretty smile and she leaned back in and hugged Jamie more firmly, and Harry, Angelina, Hermione, and Alicia all smiled at Jamie, who had her focus on Luna for another couple moments before she finally pulled back. She smiled at Luna's look of adoration towards her.
"So, what brings you two here, Hermione, Luna?" Jamie asked.
"Well, I had an idea," Hermione admitted. "I figured we were trying to get Harry's story out to as many people as possible . . . and well, what about Luna's paper too?"
Jamie gained a thoughtful look and nodded slowly.
"I like it. I can talk to our editor, but if Sirius is for it, which he will be, then it will get approved. This is another surefire way to mess with the Daily Prophet. He'll love it."
"I did think of that as a benefit too," Hermione admitted.
"Wouldn't expect any less," Jamie complimented in amusement.
"Daddy will be pleased," Luna said brightly.
"I'm sure he will," Jamie agreed. "Alright, Harry, are you ready for this?"
Harry sighed. "I think so. It's time."
"Well, take your time," Jamie said firmly. "I'm not going anywhere, and we still have some time to get this story out if we can't get it all in one session."
"Thanks, Jamie," Harry said, "but I'm ready. I can do this."
"Then, let's begin," Jamie said, pulling out a notebook and quotes quill. "Let's hear about what happened that night."
*HP*
"What is this about now?" Umbridge demanded, with an unfriendly look at both Dora and Tina.
Tina sighed, and Dora scowled, but Tina pressed on.
"This is your notice," Tina said. "I want you to start preparing everything you need to hand off this job to a successor. In two weeks, you will return to your job at the Ministry and someone else will finish out the term."
Umbridge's face grew apoplectic. "You can't fire me!"
"Depending on how you look at it, you're not being fired," Tina responded firmly. "You are returning to your primary job, where your strength lies. This job is an additional position and the Wizengamot is in agreement that your service has been appreciated, but it is time for someone else to step in."
"This won't stand!" Umbridge spat. "The Minister will not allow this to happen."
"The Minister has his own problems," Dora retorted coldly. "Your appointment is something that is actually being held against him. In two weeks, it is highly likely that he won't be the Minister of Magic anymore."
"Ha!" Umbride crowed. "That's what you'd like, wouldn't you? Well, it's not going to happen. The Minister has plenty of friends and he will hold his position, and I will remain here."
"Well, if that happens, then he can reverse this process," Tina remarked. "However, until that happens, you will start preparing to give everything you need to your successor."
"I will do no such thing," Umbridge dismissed.
"Madam, you are being retained by the Ministry," Tina remarked coldly. "This job is part of that retention. Refusing this is refusing to do your Ministry required duties and will result in your termination as Senior Undersecretary."
"You have no author–" Umbridge started to say.
"It's not my authority that will terminate you," Tina cut her off. "I will simply report your dereliction of duty to your department and to the Wizengamot and you will be terminated, as any employee would, for refusing to do the job you are being paid for."
Umbridge glared. "Fine. I will do it, but you will see. This will be a waste of time, and when the dust settles, I'll get even."
Tina snorted in amusement. "And how do you plan to get even against someone who only sits on the Wizengamot? I'd watch your threats, Madam."
Umbridge said nothing, and Tina shook her head.
"Why do you even want to remain here?" Tina asked, and Dora was surprised to see the curiosity clear in her tone. "You seem to have no love for teaching, itself. The subject is not one you are qualified for. If you were only teaching the OWL students, I'd be willing to leave you in place, but there is plenty of NEWT material that you are not capable of, not to even mention your advanced students. That's the main reason I've pushed to have you removed: the test scores and the futures of many young witches and wizards."
"If they were sticking to the Ministry approved –" Umbridge started to reply sweetly.
"No, the Minister Fudge approved plan," Tina cut her off, eyes narrowing. "I saw that trash heap of a curriculum, and Theseus tossing it might have been one of his greatest achievements in his life, and Theseus has had a storied life. Now, why do you want to stay?"
"My work is important," Umbridge replied sweetly. "It is important that Hogwarts students are taught the proper Ministry approved spells, that they are safe from the lies of Dumbledore and Potter, that they are safe from dangerous monsters as instructors, and that the bias of teachers are kept in check."
"I see," Tina said slowly and nodded. "Well, thank you for the insight into your desire to stay. I won't keep you any longer, Professor."
Umbridge gave them one last withering look before she left the classroom, and Tina turned to Dora and let out another sigh.
"She's batshit crazy," Dora said, and Tina chuckled.
"Always colorful commentary, my dear," Tina said. "Perhaps not the words I would use, but I can't disagree with their accuracy."
Dora laughed. As she had grown to like Theseus, she too had grown to really enjoy her occasional visits withs Tina Scamander. She'd even learned a thing or two from the retired American Auror. Dora sobered up.
"I still worry about her," Dora admitted. "I think she's delusional enough to think that she can use violence and get away with it due to her connections. She seems more volatile too."
"You might very well be right," Tina agreed uneasily. "That's another reason I want her out of here. If she's going to blow up, I'd prefer it to be at the Ministry where there are plenty of qualified witches and wizards to deal with her, rather than here at a school where she is stronger and more capable than many of the students. That doesn't even include the authority she has, which she has been known to abuse."
"I have to wonder if she learned about the investigation that was opened up in her department, both because of Fudge and because of her," Dora said. "Small, discrete questions have already raised a lot of red flags about her. Flags that would seem unlikely to most if she didn't have the track record here that she had."
"I hate to wish ill will on someone," Tina said hesitantly, "but I won't be surprised if something turns up. Something about her is . . ."
"Unsettling," Dora finished, and Tina nodded.
"Well, we can worry about that later," Tina said. "That was the last class of the day for us, so I'm going to go find my husband, probably with Hagrid, and I assume you will go find your siblings and join them for lunch"
"You know me too well," Dora said with a chuckle. "It's always a pleasure, Tina."
Tina smiled and nodded as the two of them left the classroom and headed off in different directions.
*HP*
"I'm going to enjoy this," Angelina said, doing her best to crush Zachary Smith's hand, and he grimaced at her.
They stood in the center of the Quidditch field for the match between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
"We all know you just rely on Potter to win games," Smith sneered, recovering. "You just need to hope that pathetic excuse of a Keeper you have doesn't muck things up. You witches aren't talented enough to win without Potter."
Angelina's eyes narrowed. "Watch it Smith or we'll teach you the same lesson that we taught the Slytherins."
Smith paled slightly, and walked shakily back to his team as Angelina made her way back to her own.
"What did you say?" Alicia asked with a grin. "Smith looks like he's going to wet himself."
"Warned him to show good sportsmanship or we'd teach him the same lesson we taught the Slytherins."
"I don't care if he is a perfect gentleman on the field," George said with an evil grin. "I'm going to get the pasty little git."
Angelina shot him a saucy grin. "Knock him off his broom and I'm sure I can find a way to reward you properly later."
Harry groaned and shot her a look of disgust. "Great! Now I have to weigh letting Smith get his just dues and letting you chasers have fun against catching the snitch early and at least pretending that my sister is being defiled."
Fred, Alicia, Katie, and Ginny cackled, while Demelza smothered a giggle, and Ron, Jack Sloper, and Andrew Kirke chortled. George tried to look repentant but failed, and Angelina's grin was wide.
"Well, Harry, if you let us have our fun and then catch the snitch after George has unseated Smith, I can show just how grateful I will be," Katie said in a sultry tone.
"Absolutely not!" Angelina exclaimed, shaking her head and sporting her own look of mock disgust. "You vixens will not corrupt my sweet, innocent brother! Harry, catch the snitch as soon as you can."
Laughter blew through the group again, while several of them shook their heads.
"So, you'd prefer none of you are getting rewarded?" Ginny asked sardonically, and Angelina and Harry exchanged glances and then nodded firmly.
"Well, at least they agree on something," Alicia said in amusement. "Plausible deniability."
"Gryffindor, are you ready?" Hooch called over with an arched brow.
"Of course, Madam Hooch," Angelina called over, her game face appearing. "We've got a match to win."
The good mood they'd had just before the match extended as they played a great match. Ron started out weak, but proving Smith wrong, Katie, Alicia, and Angelina were playing fantastic, easily making up for Ron's cold start. Thankfully, as Ron started to see that his playing wasn't really affecting the rest of his team, he started to relax and started playing better.
There were laughs all around when George lived up to Angelina's challenge and managed to unseat Smith, with Fred's assistance, and it wasn't long after when Harry ended the match with a fairly easy and uneventful catch, winning the match three hundred to one hundred.
"Come on, party in the Common Room!" Fred called out, as they pulled back from their team celebratory hug.
"Congrats, you lot!" Dora's voice rang out, and Harry, and his friends and family all turned, beaming.
It was her, Remus, Jamie, Sarah, Siobhan, and Aisling, the latter of whom immediately wanted down from her mother's arms, but couldn't seem to decide who she wanted to hug her, gesturing and babbling at Harry, Katie, Ginny, Alicia, and Angelina.
"Glad you all could make it," Harry said, making the decision for Aisling and picking her up.
"One of the last games of girls' Hogwarts careers," Sarah said, having wrapped an arm around both Alicia and Angelina's waists. "I have to see what I can while I still can."
"Well, we won't take much of your celebration time," Jamie said with a beaming smile. "We just wanted to congratulate you all, and give you a heads up. Your interview, Harry, will be coming out in the Monday morning edition."
Harry nodded in understanding, still believing it was the right decision, and he smiled at Jamie, admiring how she and Sirius had perfectly planned when to have it go out. The election was roughly two weeks away, so the article would go out close enough to prevent memories from fading and Malfoy or Fudge from doing much damage control. At the same time, it was far enough away that there was no way that everyone wouldn't learn about it, whether directly from the papers or through word of mouth for those who didn't subscribe to the Shadow Chronicle or the Quibbler.
"Tina and I will be there when the papers are delivered," Dora said. "Just want to make sure Umbridge doesn't try anything."
"Well, I'll look forward to seeing you both then," Harry said with a smile, and hugs were exchanged before the Quidditch players all said their goodbyes so they could go join the party.
*HP*
Dora smiled at Tina as she appeared where they usually met up in Hogsmeade before making their way up to the castle.
"Good morning Tina," Dora greeted.
"Good morning, Tonks," Tina returned with a friendly smile. "I won't lie that I will be glad when these observations end in the very near future. As nice as it is to work with you, Sirius, Remus, or Alastor, I must say this is not how I thought my retirement would go."
Dora laughed. "Well, I'll miss seeing you fairly often, but I too will be happy when these observations are over. As much as I love seeing my family, the fact is I'd prefer them not dealing with Umbridge, and I have other things that I need to do as well."
They started the journey up to the school, figuring they could enjoy lunch with the staff when a dove patronus appeared in front of them, and Queenie's voice came forth.
"Theseus is waking up! Come to St. Mungo's as soon as you can."
Dora and Tina exchanged startled, but happy glances, both happy that Theseus seemed to be recovering.
"Come on, we can come back after seeing Theseus," Dora said. "You can see your brother-in-law, and if he's capable, I can get a statement and maybe apprehend whoever did this to him."
"That sounds wonderful, dear," Tina said in relief.
They quickly apparated away, appearing before St. Mungo's, and it was a quick journey through the hospital before they came to Theseus's room. Dora smiled, seeing Theseus trying to wave off an ecstatic Newt, while a beaming Queenie and Jacob sat in chairs in the room.
"Come on, Newt," Theseus said in a scratchy voice, filled with exasperation. "I'm not dead yet. Still have to make sure you stay out of trouble."
"I thought that was my job," Tina said warmly, moving into the room.
Theseus laughed weakly. "Perhaps, Tina, but my brother drags you into his trouble more often than you drag him out of it."
"Well, I can't argue with you there," Tina said with a loving smile at Newt who smiled sheepishly. "How are you feeling?"
"My age," Theseus said dryly. "Even twenty years ago, that fight would have been more manageable."
"Well, twenty years ago, you were more active," Queenie chided.
"I'm with Theseus," Jacob said in amusement. "Getting old sucks."
Queenie shook her head, her eyes twinkling, and Theseus noticed Dora and smiled politely.
"Lady Potter," Theseus greeted. "Is this visit business or pleasure?"
"A bit of both," Dora responded warmly. "I was with Tina when she got the notification you had woken up, so I wanted to see you. You have been missed around the castle. I will admit that I was hoping to get your statement about who might have attacked you beyond the three you killed."
Theseus sighed, his eyes going unfocused, and Dora recognized that he was focusing on the memory of the attack.
"I only recognized two," Theseus said, his eyes narrowing, and Dora realized that everything truly was coming back to him. "I killed Emerson Lestrange, so that doesn't do me much good for recognizing him. The other though . . . the other is someone we must deal with now."
"Who?" Dora asked, eagerly.
"Dolores Umbridge."
*HP*
Harry was enjoying his breakfast, surrounded by his friends and family, when the owls started flying into the Great Hall. Harry frowned as two owls landed in front of him, holding out their legs.
"Harry, it's finally here," Hermione said excitedly, showing the daily edition of the Shadow Chronicle and also the same story on the front page of the Quibbler.
HARRY POTTER SPEAKS OUT AT LAST: THE TRUTH ABOUT HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED AND THE NIGHT I SAW HIM RETURN
Five more owls landed in front of Harry, and another three were hovering, awaiting room to land. Harry gestured to his friends and family, and they quickly started gathering the letters from the owls, which just seemed to keep on coming.
"Alright, let's see what people are saying," Harry said, gesturing for everyone to start opening letters.
"This one's from a bloke who thinks you're off your rocker," said Ron, glancing down at his letter. "Ah well . . . what does he know?"
"This woman recommends you try a good course of Shock Spells at St. Mungo's," said Hermione, looking disappointed and crumpling up a second.
"This person believes you!" Angelina said with a wide smile.
"So does this one!" Alicia exclaimed. "Says the Prophet and the Ministry should be ashamed."
"They should," Ginny said darkly, glancing at her own letter. "Another moron who thinks you're insane."
"This one's in two minds," said Fred. "Says you don't come across as a mad person, but he really doesn't want to believe You-Know-Who's back so he doesn't know what to think now. Blimey, what a waste of parchment."
"Another bloke who believes you!" George said
"Another moron," Katie said in disgust.
"This one believes you," Hermione said excitedly. "This is wonderful, Harry!"
"Another one who thinks you're barking," said Ron, throwing a crumpled letter over his shoulder ". . . but this one says you've got her converted and she now thinks you're a real hero – she's put in a photograph, too – wow!"
"What is going on here?" said a falsely sweet, girlish voice.
Harry glanced at the hated woman, his hands full of envelopes, owls still dropping even more letters into the waiting hands of his friends and family.
"'Why have you got all these letters, Mr. Potter?" she asked slowly.
"Not really your business, is it?" Angelina responded coldly.
"Watch it, Ms. Potter," Umbridge replied with a glare, "or I'll have to put you in detention. Now, what is the meaning of this, Mr. Potter?"
Harry shrugged. "People are writing to me because I gave an interview," Harry responded. "I answered questions about what happened to me last June."
"An interview?" repeated Umbridge, her voice thinner and higher than ever. "What do you mean?"
Alicia handed Umbridge her copy of the Shadow Chronicle, and Umbridge gripped the paper tightly, scanning through it, her face growing angrier and angrier as she read.
"'When did you do this?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"About a week ago, here at Hogwarts," Harry replied.
She looked up at him, incandescent with rage, the magazine shaking in her stubby fingers.
"You dared to spew this filth about Lord Malfoy?" she whispered dangerously. "You dared to speak such lies about the Minister? I have tried again and again to teach you about the danger of your lies, Mr. Potter, but it seems that I was foolish. There was only ever going to be one option."
Harry's eyes narrowed at the woman before the doors to the Great Hall swung open, and all eyes turned to see Dora, Alexis, Frank Longbottom, and the last member of Dora's team, Daryl Brian.
"What is the meaning of this?" Umbridge demanded first, and Harry glanced up to the staff table to see Dumbledore standing up, a look of concern on his face.
"Madam Umbridge, perhaps you can follow us out into the Entrance Hall?" Alexis asked politely, but firmly. Everyone could tell it wasn't really a request.
"Not until you explain what is going on," Umbridge responded angrily.
"Very well," Dora answered. "Dolores Jane Umbridge, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Lord Theseus Scamander."
There were gasps all around the room, but Umbridge's face didn't change in the way they expected. She didn't splutter and deny, or angrily try to deflect. It was almost like she felt her path was set. She gained a vicious and evil grin.
"Well, I was doing what needed to be done," Umbridge said firmly. "Just as I did when I ordered those dementors to destroy an abomination. Just as I'm doing now."
Umbridge drew her wand, with the aurors mirroring her, but to everyone's surprise, she didn't point her wand at the aurors or back at the staff table. She pointed it straight at Harry.
"Avada Kedavra!" Umbridge shrieked gettin screams around the hall.
Harry, who had drawn his wand a tad slow, quickly conjured a piece of stone to take the spell, and four more pieces of stone gathered with his, conjured by Alicia, Fred, George, and Angelina, taking the unforgivable, which peppered him with dust and shrapnel and made him cough and groan.
His cough and groan, however, were completely drowned out by Umbridge's scream. The shrapnel hadn't stopped Harry from seeing Umrbidge's wand arm get cut from her body at the elbow before a blasting curse blew her back almost twenty feet and slammed her into the head table, which collapsed under the weight of her weight and the momentum.
Harry stared in shock at Umbridge's broken form, where the vile woman was struggling to breath, whimpering in pain, and he turned to the caster of both spells seeing Dora, looking like a young mixture of Bellatrix and her mother, eyes sharp and dangerous, radiating rage and power.
Dora moved forward through the room, her wand leveled at Umbridge, and everyone in the room seemed to be holding their collective breath.
"I swore that if you tried to hurt Harry, I'd end you," Dora whispered, and yet her voice carried.
Umbridge looked up and whimpered in fear, staring at the wand that was now only above her.
"Lady Potter, you will desist," Dumbledore said, his wand in his hand. "I can't let you end her life here at this school."
Dora eyed Dumbledore, and Harry wondered if his sister was truly considering taking on Albus Dumbledore just to kill the vile bitch. It didn't help that he knew if she made the attempt, he'd have to help her . . .
"Tonks, we've got her," Alexis said in a comforting manner. "She just used the killing curse in front of all of us, attempting to murder Harry. She admitted to sending the dementors after him. She's going to prison for life at best."
"Fine," Dora said, lowering her wand, and she leveled a glare at Umbridge. "Just know, I'll be pushing for the most painful death that can be arranged. I'll be praying for Hades to punish you in the afterlife too. Nobody fucks with my family."
Dora cast a binding charm and Umbridge screamed as ropes cut off the circulation around her stump in a not very caring manner and then Umbridge's screams were silent as Dora stunned her.
Around the room, many eyed Dora warily as the three other Aurors moved to help her transport. Harry's eyes met Dora's, and her look softened, and he smiled at her, nodding, knowing he'd do the same thing if the situation had been reversed.
Dumbledore repaired the staff table as the Aurors made their way out of the Great Hall.
"If anyone feels like they need to talk about what they just witnessed, if they need help, please come to me or your heads of houses," Dumbledore said. "Morning classes will be canceled. Please take the time to recenter yourselves."
"Bloody hell," Ron said in shock.
"That bitch was determined to kill you," Ginny raged, looking at Harry. "Dora's right. I hope she gets a miserable death."
"Ginny!" Hermione scolded.
"Well, regardless, I suspect that's going to change a lot of things," Alicia said. "We don't have to deal with Umbridge anymore, but this now proves that the Ministry did in fact try to kill Harry . . . and it was Fudge's people that did so. She just destroyed his career, and I think he'll be lucky if he doesn't end up in a cell right next to her."
"I'm with Dora," Katie said fiercely. "I hope they kill her horribly and I hope Hades punishes her for eternity."
"Oh, I'll be praying for the same thing," Harry muttered quietly, the day soured despite how well it had started.
*HP*
"W-what's going on?" Umbridge asked weakly, as the doors to the Ministry holding cells opened.
"You're being transferred," a voice answered coldly.
"T-transferred to where?" Umbridge demanded with as much force as she could.
"Azkaban," the voice responded with amusement, and Umbridge's face fell.
"No, I haven't been tried yet! You can't do this!" Umbridge protested.
"You know too much, Umbridge," Corban Yaxley said, stepping into the cell. "You are too dangerous to be left here."
"Please," Umbridge whispered. "I can be of great help to –"
"Please, the Dark Lord doesn't need someone like you," Yaxley answered with a derisive snort.
"The Dark – the Dark Lord," Umbridge whispered in dawning horror.
"Oh yes, he has been pleased with what you did at the beginning, but you are a liability, and it's time to have you removed. Goodbye Dolores."
"NO! PLEASE! NO!" Umbridge shrieked before her robes were turned into a portkey and she appeared on the dock of a feared place.
Umbridge staggered to her feet when she felt the cold strike her, and all her remaining energy get zapped away. She stared in horror at the two dementors that glided towards her, and could only protest and shriek as they grasped a hold of her, forced her head up, and ensured that Dolores Umbridge would speak to no one ever again.