"Harry Potter, sir!"

He awoke with a start. It was still dark out and the snores from his fellow year mates could be heard. There was something moving close by. He cautiously moved his bed hangings.

Who's there?" he asked.

"It's Dobby, sir!" said a squeaky voice.

Sure enough, Dobby the house-elf was standing beside his bed, with his large pointy ears and wide tennis ball eyes.

"Dobby has an urgent message from Professor Dumbledore! He requests Harry Potter to join him and the other professors in his office."

Harry kept staring at him, blinking back his tears.

"Is Harry Potter okay?" Dobby asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah. How are you Dobby?" He got up and started dressing himself.

"Dobby is happy sir!" and off he went chattering about everything, Harry smiling during most of it. He stuffed his invisibility cloak and stowed his wand in his pocket. They continued (the Fat Lady grumbling for being awaken so early) and soon they reached the gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Harry bid an overexcited Dobby goodbye and climbed up the stairs, as the gargoyle moved without having to give a password.

He entered the Headmaster's office to see Dumbledore talking with Snape and McGonagall.

"Ah, Harry. Apologies for calling you early," began Dumbledore, inviting him in. "But there has been a rather unlucky development. I have just received word from one of my confidantes in the Ministry that Dolores Umbridge is going to arrive today at Hogwarts to conduct inspections. There is going to be an article in today's Daily Prophet."

Harry groaned. Just when the things couldn't go any worse.

If the introduction of 'The Club' was boosting morale and creating inter-house friendship, the news of appointing Dolores Umbridge as the Education Inspector was nothing short of getting kissed by a Dementor; that feeling of getting all the happiness and joy drained, with no hope left for the foreseeable future. Harry just wished that there could be a spell of repealing the evil toad just like the Patronus Charm.

By convincing Slughorn to come out of the retirement, Harry had hoped that it would be last to be heard or seen of Umbridge. But clearly he was wrong. He had no idea what to expect from this starting new development that had arisen from nowhere.

"I do not understand, Albus, what has this to do with Potter?" asked McGonagall.

Before either Harry or Dumbledore could reply, Snape spoke up, "It was you, wasn't it? You somehow brought Slughorn out of hiding and changed the staff. Fudge was going to appoint that woman as the Defense professor."

"I always wondered why such a drastic change before the school year," remarked McGonagall.

"Really, Dumbledore. Are you going to take the boy's advice now?" glared Snape.

"Lest you forget, Professor Snape, I come from the future. I know how events are going to be played out," retorted Harry. "If I hadn't convinced Slughorn, this school would have been under Umbridge's reign by now."

"Doesn't matter now. Looks like it is going to happen anyway."

Dumbledore held up his hand, but Harry and Snape continued throwing looks at each other. "Harry, is there anything you would like to suggest to reason with Umbridge?"

Harry laughed. "I am sorry, professor, but you can't reason with someone like her. Both Ginny and I gave you our views and our memories. You know who she is loyal to and what damage she can cause."

"I understand."

"She has it out for both of us. Last time, she started evaluating every professor's lessons. I think I can safely say that except Trelawney and Hagrid, all the others will be treated fairly. She fired both of them."

Dumbledore looked pensieve, and sat down on his Headmaster's chair, stroking his pet phoenix, Fawkes. "Cornelius seems to have decided to interfere. I do not wish to openly challenge the Ministry of Magic, but nor can we let things happen the way they did last time. I would only say to be welcoming to Dolores Umbridge and -"

"Don't be daft, Dumbledore. I am pretty certain that this woman is coming to take your place. You are not only the target of the enemy, but also under the ever watchful eye of the Ministry, which is turn is being influenced by the enemy hiding in the shadows. You clearly didn't do yourself any favour by allowing Potter and his gang to form that club."

Harry recognised the telltale signs of frustrations in Snape's voice. He should have anticipated that a club would increase the suspicion of Fudge and his ever-increasing paranoia of Dumbledore assembling an army to replace him.

"Also, not to mention that the Dark Lord is getting impatient. He is still after the prophecy. He has become aware that the connection between him and Potter is now been severed completely. He has become restless that the prophecy, which you heard originally has been passed onto Potter."

So Voldemort didn't like being in the dark.

"The Order's stunt last week certainly didn't help the matters."

Harry remembered Ginny talking about how two of the Department of Mysteries' employees had been found under the Imperius curse. Mad-eye and a couple of others had figured out seeing their glazed eyes and by observing them meeting with some Death Eaters. A small fight had ensued when they were confronted (who knew the Unspeakables could duel well). The Order members had successfully broken them from the curse, but unfortunately Sturgis Podmore, who just like last time, had been caught in the crossfire.

The matter then swiftly escalated to Fudge, which left little clue to what had happened afterwards.

On the other hand, it seemed Voldemort would exhaust all options to retrieve the weapon he didn't have the last time - the content of the prophecy. He wouldn't risk his exposure by strolling into the Ministry of Magic.

But Harry was sure that both of them knew that only the persons named in the prophecy could touch it and retrieve it from the arrays of shelf. Now that he couldn't be fooled by illusions through the scar, Voldemort would continue on his own path. A trickle of fear went down his spine - How would Voldemort react after hearing the whole prophecy? Would he realise that he himself had started the chain of his downfall by choosing to attack Harry?

Harry forced this thought away. This wasn't suitable for an early morning.

"Well, I would just like to see who this woman is!" said McGonagall, determined.

Before any of the Hogwarts students could comprehend the situation, Dolores Umbridge was seen lurking in the corners of their lessons. Dumbledore had of course, in his usual charming manner, welcomed the pink devil, but had not given her any special attention. Umbridge looked seethed, unable to give a welcoming speech, since most of the students were milling around. It was her fault anyways, it was breakfast time.

She had conveniently skipped Binns' History of Magic lesson. Fred and George had an inspected lesson before lunch, Charms.

"What was it like?" Hermione asked.

"Not that bad. Umbridge just lurked in the corner making notes on a clipboard. You know what Flitwick's like, he treated her like a guest, didn't seem to bother him at all. She didn't say much. Asked Alicia a couple of questions about what the classes are normally like, Alicia told her they were really good, that was it."

"Your comparison was really apt for her - a toad if I ever saw one," said George.

Harry had no interest in having any sort of conversation with her. Ginny had forcefully reminded him to keep his head down and continue with the routine and not to make matter worse for himself like last time. He had caught her staring at him once or twice during meals. There was something especially unpleasant about the way she was staring, other than the fact that she was doing so. It was slightly hungry, yet expectant at the same time. But there was something else as well, something that Harry couldn't quite put his finger on.

He didn't dare to take his eyes away. Their eyes stayed locked on each other and as they stared, Harry hoped that it wasn't a sickening smirk slowly forming on her face. Maybe, he was just imagining things.

Soon, everyone got the hidden motive behind appointing an Education Inspector at Hogwarts.

Harry did not have to wait for Defence Against the Dark Arts to meet Professor Umbridge. He was pulling out his dream diary in a seat at the very back of the shadowy Divination room when Ron elbowed him in the ribs and, looking round, he saw Professor Umbridge emerging through the trapdoor in the floor. The class, which had been talking cheerily fell silent at once. The abrupt fall in the noise level made Professor Trelawney, who had been wafting about handing out copies of The Dream Oracle, look round.

"Good afternoon, Professor Trelawney," said Professor Umbridge with her wide smile. "You received my note, I trust? Giving the time and date of your inspection?"

Professor Trelawney nodded curtly and, looking very disgruntled, turned her back on Professor Umbridge and continued to give out books. Still smiling, Professor Umbridge grasped the back of the nearest armchair and pulled it to the front of the class so that it was a few inches behind Professor Trelawneys seat. She then sat down, took her clipboard from her flowery bag and looked up expectantly, waiting for the class to begin.

Professor Trelawney pulled her shawls tight about her with slightly trembling hands and surveyed the class through her hugely magnifying lenses.

"We shall be continuing our study of prophetic dreams today,' she said in a brave attempt at her usual mystic tones, though her voice shook slightly. 'Divide into pairs, please, and interpret each other's latest night-time visions with the aid of the Oracle."

She made as though to sweep back to her seat, saw Professor Umbridge sitting right beside it, and immediately veered left towards Parvati and Lavender, who were already deep in discussion about Parvati's most recent dream.

Harry opened his copy of The Dream Oracle, watching Umbridge covertly. She was already making notes on her clipboard. After a few minutes she got to her feet and began to pace the room in Trelawney's wake, listening to her conversations with students and posing questions here and there.

Harry and Ron kept their heads down, inventing dreams on the go.

"I dreamed that I fumbled every Quaffle thrown at me during the first match and my broom lost it's flying ability," said Ron miserably.

Harry rolled his eyes. "In my dreams, Ginny and I went on a date -"

"Ugh. Stop," grumbled the brother-in-law. "Isn't being married enough for you?"

"Shh," said Harry, throwing a cautious look at Umbridge, who was talking to a flustered Neville. "Perhaps you should clear your mind off the negative things and then go to sleep."

"You sound like Hermione," said Ron.

"And you like Hermione," replied Harry.

"What!"

"What!" Harry smirked.

Ron searched his face for a second before going back to his dream diary.

Professor Umbridge was making another note on her clipboard and Professor Trelawney was looking extremely put out.

"Now," said Umbridge, looking up at Trelawney, "you've been in this post how long, exactly?"

"Nearly sixteen years."

"Quite a period," said Professor Umbridge, making a note on her clipboard. "So it was Professor Dumbledore who appointed you?"

"No," said Professor Trelawney shortly.

Umbridge stopped and looked questioningly at her subject. "What do you mean no? As I understand you were interviewed by him."

Professor Trelawney scowled at her, arms crossed and shoulders hunched as though wishing to protect herself as much as possible from the indignity of the inspection. After a slight pause in which she seemed to decide that the question was not so offensive that she could reasonably ignore it, she said in a deeply resentful tone, "Dumbledore wasn't the one to interview me. As you might know, that potential teaching applicants are tested by the current ones. I was already set to succeed. I only met Dumbledore once to discuss my position."

"You mean to say that you were an apprenticeship of the previous Divination professor, who was -?"

"Mudiwa Onai," said Professor Trelawney reverently.

Harry had no idea what was going on, but he had an inkling that Dumbledore was pulling strings along from somewhere.

"Well, if you could just predict something for me, then" and she looked up enquiringly, still smiling.

Harry was sure that Trelawney would get offended by demanding to show her gift as a mere talent show.

Harry and Ron were not the only people now watching and listening sneakily from behind their books. Most of the class were staring transfixed at Professor Trelawney as she drew herself up to her full height, her beads and bangles clinking.

Professor Trelawney started surveying Umbridge. "I… I think I do see something… something that concerns you… why, 1 sense something… something great in your path forward… a stepping stone to a higher place. You are going to succeed in defogging the dense."

There was a pause.

Then, Umbridge gave a small unlikely chuckle. "Right," she said softly, scribbling on her clipboard once more. "If you would be so kind to provide me with your OWLS and NEWTS results." She turned away, leaving Professor Trelawney standing rooted to the spot, her chest heaving.

All the while, Professor Umbridge stood a few feet away, making notes on that clipboard, and when the bell rang she descended the silver ladder first. The classroom soon emptied itself in silence. As Harry was leaving, he felt a tingle and looked behind him. He frowned and raised his eyebrows, when Dumbledore appeared from nowhere. He glanced down to see him clutching his wand, the Elder Wand and was twirling it.

"A simple Confundus Charm works wonders," said Dumbledore calmly and then swept off, once again disillusioning himself.

Hermione was aghast when Harry recounted what had happened in Divination.

"I can't believe that Dumbledore would do something like this!" she cried.

"Calm down, Hermione. It's not like he used the Imperius," said Ron.

"But this is how it starts -"

"Listen, Hermione. I know you think that Dumbledore being our leader and opposer of Voldemort would behave totally under the law. But that's now how it works. Dumbledore's always been the one to see that the ends justify the means," said Harry.

"Besides, Umbridge would have chucked Trelawney out had Dumbledore not intervened," said Ron, eating a Chocolate Frog. "You-Kn, I mean V-Voldemort wants her for the prophecy right?"

Harry nodded, while Hermione still looked conflicted.

Ron was hoping that for a match of wits between McGonagall and Umbridge in their next Transfiguration class, but was disappointed to find out that had already happened in one of her seventh years classes. So, Harry had to painfully remember from some part of his last timeline's memory and do a play-by-play for Ron. He had somewhat fondly recalled when McGonagall had given her absolute support in making him an Auror and the shouting battle that had ensued.

"I suppose you will be joining the Aurors again then?" asked Hermione.

"It's only thing I am good at," said Harry.

"Don't be ridiculous," stated Hermione. "What about you Ron?"

"Well, Harry hinted that I was an Auror last time. So... well, it'd cool to be one, since you know, I haven't been one yet."

"Why haven't you told me about what I do, Harry?" asked Hermione indignant on not having the complete picture, especially where she was concerned.

"Do you really want to know?"

Hermione stopped. "I mean, I wouldn't want to bind myself to the choice my other counterpart made. But still."

"You joined the Department of Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures and brought many new reforms, starting with making the Wolfsbane Potion free for the werewolves."

Hermione sounded pleased.

Once again, because of bad weather conditions and taking into account the Quidditch practices of three different House teams, the next meeting of the Club was arranged to be held on Thursday evening. The Great Hall, as now was the norm, was cleared of the house tables and the members of the Club stood in tiny groups, mingling with others.

Harry felt a great sense of satisfaction in watching the others come together to not only learn defense but also expand their social circle. There were a number of people that hadn't known anyone outside their own House mates. Social events were rather rare at Hogwarts, unless you counted last year's Yule Ball or Quidditch (which pitted people against each other than together). There were the usual tiny clubs in minority - like the Astronomy Club, the Gobstones Club, the Choir, etc. And of course, who could forget the elite of them all - the Slug Club.

Slughorn had begun the school year with picking handful of the students on the train, but had gradually filtered them out one by one; Neville had failed to make the cut. Harry had to keep biting his tongue every time Slughorn would gush about the connections. Slughorn's fortnightly dinner parties reminded him strongly of the political dinners organized of the war and Harry had to parade himself as the saviour. That had left a bad taste in his mouth.

Hermione, no surprises there, was invited after Slughorn praised as the brightest of her age. Harry felt bad for Ron, who remained in the shadows. He hoped that their first Quidditch match against Slytherin would be a good stage to showcase his ability.

Anyways, their Club was a success over other. This time around, people would make a point to talk to other member of the club at least a few times a week in passing, or when they had classes together. Harry had seen a few even attempting to play Basketball near the Quidditch pitch. The roller skates and the football table remained popular as ever, to the point matches were organized. The success didn't limit itself to extra-curricular activities, but also people with similar interests in academia were to be seen (Hermione, who never really had been a part of a study group before, was invited among the Ravenclaws' circle, who always had been somewhat snobbish). Neville too, had struck friendship with others having an interest in Herbology.

However, today was another matter.

As Harry had assumed, Umbridge had perched herself like some vulture on the dais of the Great Hall. Ron, on the other hand, compared her to a vampire, stalking her prey to suck blood.

Harry decided not to give the slightest indication that he knew that she was there.

"Right," he started, bringing the others' attention towards him. "So, last time I was pleased that everyone got the hang of the Disarming Spell. Remember the wand movement - "

"Hem, hem," said Umbridge, employing the same silly little cough she had used to interrupt others last time. Harry ignored her.

"and also don't forget to hold the wand correctly. The grasp is also important."

"Hem, hem," said Umbridge.

Harry had his back turned on her, but he could see Hermione darting worried looks to him.

"We also practiced the Impediment Jinx and the Reducto Curse."

"HEM HEM," came the voice forcefully.

"Is anything the matter?" Harry asked. "Because I would like to go back to conducting today's meeting."

"So, it's true then. You, Mr. Potter are the ringleader of this supposed club."

"As far as I am aware, yes. I conduct the club."

"What makes you think that you, a fifteen-year old boy, is capable of teaching others? Where are the professors? Such activities clearly should be carried out under an able supervision."

"Glad you are here then," said Harry dryly. Chuckles sounded among the members.

Harry hesitated for a moment, before making a split decision. "I thought we should do something uplifting today. Something happy and joyful. But it would take much effort and time and patience." He spared a glance over all the curious looking members. "The Patronus Charm."

"Isn't that supposed to be difficult?" asked Ernie.

Harry nodded, "That is why, we starting it in much in advance." Although the idea had popped in his head to taunt Umbridge.

"The first thing to know about the Charm is that, as you might have heard already, is an advance magic which even the most qualified wizards can struggle with. That is not to say, that you can't do it. I did it first when I was 13. The incantation is 'Expecto Patronum' and really you have to say it like you mean it."

His mind flitted to Ginny, her beautiful face at their wedding and the glowing face when she gave the news of her pregnancy, he raised his wand, "Expecto Patronum!"

And out of the end of his wand burst a blinding, dazzling, silver animal and pranced around the Great Hall, enchanting everyone. When it dissolved, applause broke out loudly. Everyone broke into small groups and began shouting the incantation. Harry went around, seeing their progress.

Everybody had been very keen to practise, though, as Harry kept reminding them, producing a Patronus in the middle of a brightly lit classroom when they were not under threat was very different from producing it when confronted by something like a Dementor. He threw a look at Umbridge at the last part.

At the end of half an hour, only a handful of them could even issue a feeble wisp of silver smoke.

"It takes hard work, Don't be discouraged. A homework for the first time, keep thinking of happy memory. Summon within yourself a powerful memory - a projection of all your most positive feelings. Hope, happiness, the desire to survive."

"Survive!"

Harry sighed.

"Just what have you been feeding to the students, Mr. Potter. You have been frightening the others into believing that they are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day," stated Umbridge.

Everyone stopped practicing and watched Harry squaring off against Umbridge.

"Not at all. You are behaving as if there's nothing out there. This is a school, where we are meant to learn to defend ourselves. It doesn't matter if they are -"

"You are still spreading lies about how a a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any Dark wizard. If you are still worried, by all means come and see me outside class hours. If someone is alarming you with fibs about reborn Dark wizards, I would like to hear about it." She addressed to the audience at large.

"Now, I am afraid to say that this has gone on long enough. I do not wish to criticise the way things have been run in this school," she said, an unconvincing smile stretching her wide mouth, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed, starting with a foolish teenage boy - not to mention," she gave a nasty little laugh, "extremely dangerous half-breeds."

Cries of protest rose among the students. The dig at Professor Lupin was understood.

"As I was saying - you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group and potentially lethal. Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about."

"Are we expected to do the spells directly in our exams, without practicing them beforehand?" someone said.

"I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough -"

"Is the Ministry afraid that this little club, whose primary aim is to learn defense and grow themselves into capable witches and wizards, will perhaps go against the authority? It seems you are implying that the Ministry employees cannot possibly overcome teenagers," said Harry.

Laughter echoed, as Umbridge faltered in her stride. Harry saw that their additional members from first and second years had arrived in the meanwhile for the Muggling Hour.

Harry gently nudged Hermione to take over, who looked positively pale by the recent confrontation. Umbridge had retreated into a corner, her eyes calculating.

Hermione took a moment to gather herself and summoned a bag, which she had brought with. Harry and Ron were curious for what she had planned. She had been very quiet about it, otherwise she would have kept at least the two of them in the loop.

Out of the bag she took two cups which joined by a string. "This is a string telephone.

"Magical people use owls for sending letters, or firecalls when talking through the Floo Network. But Muggles use a device called telephone. It is a communications device that permits two people to talk to each other when they are far away.

"Now this is a toy, actually. But I have made it to show you how it functions. We need two people...

Author's Notes : The chapter really does end here.

Just a tease : I didn't bring Umbridge back just to bash her. There is going to be a big repercussion starting next chapter; something that is going to turn the tide against Harry and Dumbledore.

If you are enjoying the story so far (or not), please consider leaving a review. They just make my day :)