Chương 27: 27
"Mark my words, Albus, this will end badly."
Dumbledore nodded his agreement. He was hoping the bitch would put Harry and his slags into their places.
"There is little I can do, Minerva," he sighed. "I asked the minister for a DA-DA teacher. It is too late to complain at this point. Besides, she is harassing the mudbloods. Back to this discussion, worry not, I'm sure Harry can manage her company for the rest of the year."
"I only worry about the collateral damage. If this comes to spells; just like with his first train ride. Other students will die, Albus."
Dumbledore hummed as he nodded,
"That is what you're hoping for," Minerva said in disbelief.
"I would wish we had no more sacrifices to the greater good, however, Harry must learn to treat Madame Umbridge and all professors with respect and listen to our orders. If that is too much, she must provoke him so he does something that he can be pushed through the veil."
"We both know that is not going to happen. He will find a way to provoke her. We will see more innocents die."
"Minerva, Harry must learn to temper himself. I can think of no better opportunity for him to do so. To learn to follow the greater good. If I believe it is getting out of hand, I will intervene."
{S}
Amelia Bones sat at the head of the table of a private room at the Leaky Cauldron, around her was at least one parent or Guardian representing quite a few pure-blood and half-blood students. She would have invited more but she knew that the muggle-born would soon be leaving Hogwarts without her prompting.
Amelia got the meeting started. "Thank you for coming today. We all know by now what is happening in Hogwarts. I think we all recognize that Hogwarts is no longer safe for our families; at least while Dumbledore is Headmaster and Fudge is the minister.
The minister's representative is trying to sabotage our children's education. I wanted to gather all of you to see what your plans were for the upcoming school year."
"Dumbledore has proven not to care about the lives of our children. Some, he has actively tried to kill. He has also done manipulations that also harm some. Take, my Neville; cursing him so he could not use magic as well as another wizard." Augusta said.
"Augusta and I have spoken at length with Neville and Daphne, they worry about their friends. While Daphne agrees with me; Albus needs to be tried for the shit with Astoria; both teens are worried to be in the same position my youngest was in if they stay. They want to be in a school where Dumbledore is not. I agree with them. I see no alternative except moving their education overseas." Greengrass added.
"That is why I will remove Susan from Hogwarts for the next school year. She will be attending Beauxbâtons from September First, she will be joining Harry and Hermione there."
"I heard a rumor that Dumbledore has tried Legilimency on Potter, is that true?" Xenophilius asked.
"Yes; Albus has tried Legilimency on my niece, Harry, and Hermione more than once," Amelia said while looking towards Mister Greengrass. He looked pissed. That was one of his many fears about his eldest dating Harry.
"Albus Dumbledore using Legilimency on students… the boy-who-lived. To what end?" Mister Abbott asked in disbelief.
"That's a question only Dumbledore can answer I'm afraid," Amelia replied
"Here is some more troubling information about Harry and Albus. Albus tried to force two marriage contracts on the boy. One ended with the death of the girl. The other, the girl came up barren. Since the Wizengamot has removed the DoM; I cannot prove but I believe that the bint being barren was the result of a curse." Amelia stated.
"Why would Albus attempt line theft, Amelia?" Agusta asked.
"I do not know. With Albus, he has more plots than a dragon has gold. Those plots are the main reason that so many people have died at Hogwarts. Both Tom and Albus are playing games, and the children die as a result."
"I got a message from Auror Tonks about an hour before I came here. Dverger warders found out what happened in the lake during the second task. The wards on Miss Delacour and Miss Greengrass were set so that they would not have survived no matter what Fleur or Harry did."
"The question is, did Harry realize that, or did he just switch the girls because the pillars of the other two were cuttable. Either case, Harry had to make a choice. He did. The Dverger do not think that Harry would have been able to alter the wards. What sort of monster makes a fourteen-year-old decide who lives and who dies? The only bright news is the Dverger did this without the ministry involved. They did it so they can seize all of Dumbledore's vaults." Amelia said sadly.
"The wards had been set on all four pillars before the school year started. Albus had to know about Harry being champion before his name came out of the goblet. The fact that two of the pillars were death traps, I am sure one was for Hermione, the other is an open question. Maybe he felt one of the other hostages dying would cover Hermione's death. Is that the type of person you want control over, and responsibility to protect our children?" Amelia said. "We do not even need to discuss using children as hostages without even getting the child's permission or their parents."
"With all that, I have spoken to Madame Maxime and she's willing to take all of our children and a few others. The new headmaster at Durmstrang has offered a similar deal. We are going to France. I say this now as Susan's guardian, not as the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"What do you mean, a few others?" Agusta asked.
"All of the Aurors and unspeakables that are losing their positions with the British Ministry have guaranteed positions with one of the continental ministries or ICW. Their children will also be allowed to transfer to Beauxbâtons or Durmstrang."
"That is not the only issue, though. Things are getting worse, and will not get better for Magical Britain. If we do this, withdrawing our children from Hogwarts and sending them to Beauxbâtons or Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts is a powerful political message."
"The power of the message may be the spark of a civil war. Regardless, if we send our children to be safe; the Grey Faction will need to also flee. The rest of the Wizengamot will fall on us like wolves. We will become outcasts."
"The Dverger have said they will help. The money from the Basilisk and other items have been donated to a fund to allow muggleborn and not pure purebloods to flee. The new Supreme Mugwump has changed the laws. The head of the French DMLE will have me as his deputy and assign a team of Aurors to Beauxbâtons and Magical Nice to keep us safe from reprisals."
{N}
HOW-FAR-HAS-HOGWARTS-FALLEN
It has come to the attention of the Witch Weekly that Headmaster Albus Dumbledore hired Dolores Jane Umbridge to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at the once exemplary edifice of magical education; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Not only did Miss Umbridge receive a troll on her DA-DA owl; she has no teacher training or experience.
To make matters worse; Minister Fudge gave the power to review other professors.
She has no masteries. Yet every teacher she is reviewing has at least an Outstanding NEWT in his or her subjects,
If you currently have daughters or sons at Hogwarts, feel free to step in to contact them. To show your support and verify our article. Below are Dolores's OWL and NEWT results. They were provided by a Hogwarts student that wants to remain anonymous. They were confirmed by the ICW and the British Department of Education.
According to her syllabus; Umbridge does not allow students to cast any magic. All they do; in their classes, is read chapter after chapter of a book, which advises you to simply comply with any Dark Wizard to avoid a confrontation.
From the records of the DMLE; Dark Wizards do not negotiate. They rape, torture, rob, or kill you if that is their desire.
Umbridge thinks that if her students simply study the theory hard enough, any practical component during their exams should go just fine. Even without ever having cast the required spells before the exam.
How can Dumbledore and Fudge do that to our blessing of magic, the children of magical Britain?
WRH-Correspondent WW
Ordinary Wizarding Level Results:
Pass Grades:
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades:
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)
Dolores Jane Umbridge has achieved:
Charms: Acceptable (A) +
Defense against the Dark Arts: Troll (T)
Transfiguration: Acceptable (A)
Astronomy: Exceeds Expectations (E) +
Care of Magical Creatures: Troll (T)
Herbology: Poor (P)
History of Magic: Exceeds Expectations (E)+
Potions: Poor (P) +
Divinations: Exceeds Expectations (E)
We congratulate Dolores Jane Umbridge for the completion of five OWLs
Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test Results:
Pass Grades:
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades:
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)
Dolores Jane Umbridge has achieved:
Charms: Dreadful (D)
Transfiguration: Poor (P) +
Astronomy: Acceptable (A) +
History of Magic: Exceeds Expectations (E)
Divinations: Acceptable (A) –
We congratulate Dolores Jane Umbridge for the completion of three NEWTs
{S}
Harry opened the door to his apartment. "Director Bones, what may I do for you this morning?" Harry asked.
"We need to come in, search your apartment; and everyone's wands," Amelia said.
"Be my guest, may I know what this is about?" Harry asked. "Professor Umbridge, Headmaster, please come in as well.
"Aurors, search every document you can find; my correspondence has been stolen." Umbridge almost screamed.
"Do you want our apartment search also, headmaster?" Hermione asked, yawning.
"Yes, my wand was stolen, with the inquisitor's new rules; no one was out of their common rooms after curfew last night; only the people here were unaccounted for." Dumbledore steamed.
"I see." Daphne also came from her room, yawning. "What is the DMLE looking for?"
"A group of students from three of the four houses broke curfew, last night.
Someone killed them." Amelia said.
"So, they were not accounting for either? Plus, their killer, plus whoever broke curfew to spend time in the broom closets." Daphne retorted to gain a smirk from Amelia.
"Well, I can save you some time about that. I, Harry James Potter, do hereby swear by my life and my magic that I did not kill anyone last night, so mote it be. Lumos."
The other ladies also gave oaths. Amelia noticed that Luna slipped in, "by magic" into her oath. She let that pass.
Tonks then took all the wands found. She found only six wands. "Are any of these your missing wand, headmaster, Dumbledore?"
"No," Albus growled as he turned to leave.
"Albus, here is your amulet back. I resign from your order of the phoenix." Tonks said with a smile. Dumbledore just grab it and left. Tonks cast the prior incantato. The wands only showed the spells they had for class; nothing more, not even jinxes.
Amelia presented official ministry paperwork that was found to Dolores. It was only copies of Harry and his ladies' owl and newt results plus the marriage certificate for Lady Potter. Dolores left slamming the door.
"Mister Potter, while I am glad to see your hands are clean of this situation, could you keep the body count down? The light and dark factions are again downsizing the DMLE and DoM. We are not able to handle the number of casualties." Amelia said sternly. "Though this time I think I will have to put it down to the death eaters. Or, for paperwork, an unknown group of terrorists. All the victims had one of Dumble's orders amulets on them. That is unless you can think of someone that would also kill them?"
They all shook their heads in the negative. None of them knew the students.
"Really, interesting. How are you handling the Phoenix or arm brand situation?" Hermione asked trying to change the subject.
"If an Auror does not resign from the order today, they will be fired. So only ones, like Tonks, who admitted to being in the order would be affected. Going forward, if they try to do what Auror Jones did at the platform; it is an automatic kiss." Amelia said. "The same for those with a certain tattoo on their left arms. I don't care what the Wizengamot says. I put it down as they are doing conduct unbecoming. And that being in one of those groups is a bad reflection of the idea of unbiased Aurors."
"Now, I will be going to Albus and demanding he stops bothering my house elf and communication with Susan. Good luck, and I hope we all can live and go to school; someplace warm."
{S}
"Dumbledore, you will allow my house elf to take messages to and from my ward, or I will come in regularly with a dozen Aurors." Amelia barked at the headmaster.
"I refuse. I cannot trust young Harry to have a communication method with the outside world. In the past, he has talked with the press without my approval. In addition, while you do not agree; I am sure Harry is the slasher." Albus barked back.
"We both know that Harry swore an unbreakable vow that he did not kill Lord Black. We also know he has alibis for some of the killings." Amelia retorted.
"Regardless, he is behind those killings." Albus snarled.
"There is no proof. But you are intransigent on this issue but I don't care. Harry is innocent until proven guilty. Proof the whole Wizengamot agrees on as proof Harry is the slasher. Now, my house elf? Mirror?" Amelia demanded.
"Convict Harry Potter as the slasher and I would approve it." Albus retorted.
"Don't you listen? I said I would only arrest him for those crimes if he is guilty. I see you are being a stubborn fool. So, once a week I will be showing up to have a private meeting with Susan and Harry. I will bring Aurors. I dare you to try to stop me. I have a DMLE holding cell with your name on it." Amelia said finally fed up with the old bastard and stormed out.
{S}
"It looks like my new favorite person has decided to show up," Neville whispered, pulling Hannah from her thoughts.
Hannah looked up to see Harry Potter sitting at one of the desks with Susan, Daphne, Luna, and Hermione. He was perusing his copy of Slinkhard's work. He had not been in their lessons before, so why was he here now? So was his female gang.
Her eyes widened in realization as Educational Decree came to the forefront of her mind. Had Umbridge put that ridiculous rule in place just to get them here? If so, then why?
According to Neville, they already had their OWLs and NEWTs. There was no need for them to attend this class. There must be something else afoot.
"Hello, Harry," she greeted him as they approached. He nodded as he huffed and placed the book back in his bag.
"Is she making you read that crap?"
Neville snorted. "You've got an hour of that to look forward to."
Harry grimaced and entered the classroom. Hermione joined him at the back, away from the rest of the students and they took theirs in the middle, thankfully having forgone taking seats at the front where Hermione would usually insist on sitting.
Only a moment after the class had settled, Umbridge entered the room clad in her customary pink cardigan complete with a pink bow in her hair. Today, she somehow stood taller than what her squat frame should allow as she stood at the front of the room.
"Hem hem. Good morning class."
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge," they parroted, though much less cheerily than the woman.
"You will turn to page two hundred seventy-eight and read, in silence."
With an audible groan, the students got out the copy of their books and began the arduous task of absorbing the information provided by Wilbert Slinkhard.
It could only have been two minutes into the lesson when Umbridge cleared her throat once more, garnering the attention of the room.
"Mister Potter, why are you not following my orders?"
Hermione looked up to see Harry reading, but it was not the required text.
"Not at all, Professor," he answered.
"Then why are you not reading the correct book? Are you so stupid that you cannot follow a simple instruction?"
"I am only following your advice, Professor," Harry returned. "You are quite firm that the Ministry is never wrong, and I am trying to live by that example. Didn't you say that we should follow their advice, as orders?"
Umbridge narrowed her eyes at the boy. "You are disobeying my order."
"I am reading the DMLE recommended book for DA-DA; to the point, I am simply following the example of current Ministry employees who are not very flattering towards Mister Slinkhard's work."
Umbridge frowned, evidently confused. "What on earth are you talking about, Potter?"
"Well, to quote the current Head of the Auror department; 'Wilbert Slinkhard's work is only fit for pre-Hogwarts DA-DA. Or toilet paper. Or kindling."
"Excuse me?" the woman all but shrieked as the class broke into fits of laughter. She did not seem to know how to respond to the boy.
"His words, Professor, not mine," Harry replied innocently.
"How dare you? I will…" Dolores tried to come up with some response.
"Will what?
You said yourself, I am to follow the Ministry." Harry said with a smirk. "So do I follow the ministry or you?"
"In this classroom, you will listen to me. We are the same!"
Harry laughed then shook his head at the woman. "Really, you told us to follow the subject matter experts in the ministry. I just explained that you are in disagreement with those same subject matter experts. So, answer the question, if the ministry disagrees with you; do we follow the ministry or you?"
"No answer, well what is a student to do? In this case, I think I will listen to an expert in the field. For example, Madam Amelia Bones refused to add Slinkhard's book to the Auror academy ciricula. I think Madam Bones'expertise outweighs your own."
Umbridge reddened and trembled with rage as she stared at the boy who remained composed in his seat.
"That will be detention, Mister Potter. Never have I experienced such rudeness from a student." Harry just shrugged.
"You will be in my office at eight o'clock this evening. Do not be late." Harry just shrugged.
"I will be discussing your conduct with the headmaster. The rest of you, get on with your reading." With that, she pointedly ignored Harry for the rest of the lesson, and he took his leave immediately as they were dismissed from the room.
{S}
Harry's eyes found the professor. She was wearing a luridly flowered pink set of robes.
"Evening, ma'am" Harry replied politely.
"Well, sit down," she said, pointing toward a small table draped in lace beside which she had drawn up a straight-backed chair. A piece of blank parchment lay on the table, apparently waiting for him. Harry sat down on the straight-backed chair.
"Well now," she said finally, setting down her quill and looking like a toad about to swallow a particularly juicy fly. "What would you like to drink?"
"Excuse me, ma'am?" said Harry, quite sure he had misheard her. Like he would ever trust the bitch to be nice or social. She was up to something.
"To drink, Mister Potter," she said, smiling still more widely. "Tea? Coffee? Pumpkin juice?"
As she named each drink, she gave her short wand a wave, and a cup or glass of it appeared on her desk. Was she really stupid enough to believe he would be accepting a drink from her? Of course, she did. She was that stupid. "Nothing, thank you," said Harry said with determination.
"I wish you to have a drink with me," she said, her voice becoming more dangerously sweet. "Choose one."
Harry cast a spell, and all of the drinks glowed blue. "Veritaserum, I think. Professor. You know that using it without ministry permission could end you in Azkaban. More to the point, I don't think the Wizengamot would appreciate a ministry stooge try such a stupid attempt to force secrets from a head of multiple ancient houses." Harry replied neutrally.
"Fine… Very well… Potter." Umbridge glared at him as she vanished the drinks with a flick of her wand. Harry internally laughed at how pissed off the simple refusal made the bitch.
"You will be writing lines for me this evening, Mister Potter," the defense professor informed him. She was smiling too sweetly in his opinion. He merely shrugged and took a seat as he removed a quill and ink from his bag.
"There is no need for your equipment. You will be using a quill of my own," she explained as she opened one of the drawers behind her desk and seemingly hesitated for a moment or so before selecting a tool for him to write with. "Merlin only knows what charms you have placed on your own to cheat your way through."
Harry snorted, fighting the urge to shudder as she handed him the quill. She held up a black quill that Harry recognized immediately. "That's a blood quill. You can't be serious!"
"You will use it, or you will be expelled."
"And what would you have me write, Professor?" he asked, emphasizing her title more than necessary.
Her nostrils flared and cheeks reddened as she glared at him. "I have no right to disrespect Professor Umbridge."
He began writing. Immediately he felt the sting of a scalpel carving the words into the back of his hand, and he watched the skin heal just as quickly.
He sat in silence the rest of the night, using the time to figure out how to use this to embarrass Dumblefuck and challenge this bitch to a duel. Once he had a plan, he smiled internally. Since the pain fueled his rage; he didn't rush through writing the lines. He also had a suspicion, that if he finished early, he would just be given more lines to fill the time. He did cheat. He wrote about twice the size he normally would as well. Umbridge kept him right up until ten minutes before curfew.
Since Umbridge did not pay attention, he brought out a bottle of blood from one of the dead Slytherin prefects. A gift to him from Luna. When Dolores released him, he cast a spell, wandlessly and wordlessly switched his blood for Crouch. He wasted no time making his way up to Madam Pomfrey.
{S}
"Madam Pomfrey, can you please see to my hand? Harry asked.
"Mister Potter, what happened now?" Poppy replied.
After explaining; Madam Pomfrey put Harry's hand into a cauldron in which the Medi-witch put the essence of Dittany and a potion. An hour later, Madam Pomfrey came out of her office. "You might as well sleep here tonight. But you can remove your hand and wash it off."
Pomfrey turned to return to her office, but Harry stopped her. "Madam Pomfrey, can I get a copy of your healer's report for my hand." After about five seconds of standing and staring, the woman went back into the office, cast a spell, and return with a file. She gave it to Harry. Harry wondered why the medi-witch did not get outraged by his hand. His only suppositions, she knew and didn't care. Or she knew and Dumblefuck told her it was okay. Probably the latter he thought.
Once the matron left him to get something from her office, he sent his patronus alerting the girls to his condition and location.
{S}
Hannah prided herself on her ability to handle most of her classes. Defense Against the Dark Arts had quickly become one of those and even she was struggling.
Would she pass her DA-DA OWL? With it being a core subject, a failure or poor grade could have a detrimental effect on magical careers. The toad made that a question.
"Are you sure about this?" Neville asked.
Hannah nodded. "If we don't do something, we will fail."
Neville nodded his understanding. He found the class difficult; with Umbridge's class, there was no chance for him to receive a passing grade.
"Alright, I'll have a word with the other students and see if they're up for it. You'll have to speak to the other houses."
"I think we should get as many people as we can involve. If we get some of the seventh years, they'll be able to help us."
"Merlin, you must be desperate," Neville muttered.
"We need our owls to leave this place." Hannah said.
Neville nodded.
"We will need to get everyone interested to meet up." Hannah continued.
"It's a Hogsmeade weekend," she pointed out. "We can get everyone to meet somewhere in the village."
"That could work," Neville replied. "You'll have to get the word out. You see more people than me."
"Do you think we should ask Harry to help us? I mean, he already has his NEWT?"
Neville shrugged.
"You can ask him if you want. I think when we told him we would not continue with that special class; we may have burned that bridge." Hannah nodded. If she could take that special class this year; she would have given her virginity and soul to do so. Umbridge's class was harming her future. Plus, she wanted herself and her two lovers to go to the French School. Couples there could request private suites.
{S}
All fifth years will be required to attend a short meeting with their Head of House in which they will be allowed to discuss their future careers. Times of individual appointments are listed below.
Well, this would be a waste of time. Harry looked down the list and found that he was expected in Professor Flitwick's office at half-past two on Monday, which would mean missing most of Potions.
Not that he cared too much. Harry had no desire to care about a job in magical Britain.
Therefore, Harry found himself knocking on Flitwick's door at exactly half-past two.
"Enter." Came from the inside and Harry opened the door to the office.
Harry rolled his eyes just as Dumbledore spoke up: "I decided to join Filius today, Mister Potter." "I felt it was necessary to attend this meeting when Madam Umbridge said she would also be in attendance."
Harry snorted. Like, they expected him to give up his plans? How thick were they?
Harry had no attention of being in Britain after this year. "Very well," Harry grinned: "If you both want to be here, I do not mind. I suggest we get started."
"Well, Potter, this meeting is usually to talk over any career ideas you might have, and to help you decide which subjects you should continue into sixth and seventh years," said Flitwick.
"Well, this will be fast then. Is it true, that once I have three or more OWLs, I can leave school or transfer to another school?" Harry asked.
"As you have already completed two OWLs," Flitwick said while Umbridge huffed in the background. "If you pass one more, yes, you can quit school or Merlin forbid, transfer to another school. I cannot recommend either of those options."
Harry nodded at Dumbledore: "I decided to wait. I will decide my future after I have the three or more OWLs. There are too many people out there that want my hide on this rock to plan at this point."
Dumbledore and Umbridge tried to get Harry to say more. He refused to. Both were concerned that Harry would leave Magical Britain once he got his third owl.
{S}
A week before the Yule holiday was hard on Harry and his ladies. Marchbanks had set up their owls for them.
The theoretical was hard; then it was finally time for the practical exams. Harry, his ladies, and the two examiners met once again in Flitwick's office with the charm's professor grading some papers in the background.
Just as they were about to start, someone Harry hated, burst into the office without even knocking.
"Dolores!" Flitwick stood up from his chair. "Have you ever heard of announcing yourself before entering the office of a colleague?"
"Is it true?" Umbridge asked and her small eyes narrowed on Harry. "A trusted student mentioned he saw two ICW educational examiners here earlier this day. What is that boy doing here?"
"Who even are you, woman?" Madam Marchbanks asked. "And how dare you interrupt a sanctioned examination like that?"
Umbridge's eyes almost bulged out of her head at being addressed with such disrespect.
"I am Dolores Jane Umbridge, first undersecretary of the Minister of Magic. In addition, I am Hogwarts's High Inquisitor and the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. I forbid you to continue these examinations."
"You can't forbid me shit, bitch. Now get out of here. Again, you are interrupting a sanctioned examination." Marchbanks said.
"It was not sanctioned by me. And as an educator with authority above Professor Flitwick, I hereby deny Potter from taking his exams early."
Marchbanks laughed, "Mister Potter has received permission from me. The same for his ladies. They can and will be taking their exams today. Now, for the last time now, get out, or I am well within my rights to remove you myself. Perhaps we will even make it part of Mister Potter's examination. You know how to use the banishing charm; Mister Potter?"
"I would love nothing more, ma'am." Harry grinned. "Though my ladies would probably give me worse than harsh words if I don't allow them to do it instead."
"Now return to Professor Grožis for your first practical, before I decide to not let you take these exams after all." Marchbanks gave him a stern look.
Harry and his ladies turned to follow quickly, but not before shooting a smirk at Umbridge, who was still fuming over being dismissed like some child.
{S}
At Hogsmeade at the same time; "Just a couple of people," Hannah said, checking her watch and then looking anxiously toward the door. "I told them to be here about now and I'm sure they all know where it is. Oh look, this might be them now."
The door of the pub had opened. Followed by the incoming rush of a crowd of people. About fifty students came, including the quidditch teams.
They all ordered something to drink at the bar, causing the perplexed Batman, who probably never had that many customers to glare at them in annoyance. Then, they all turned to Hannah, apparently expecting some sort of speech.
"Er," said Hannah, her voice slightly higher than usual. "Well, er hi."
Everyone simply kept staring at her.
"Well, you know why you're here. We all together here had the idea; I mean," Hannah stumbled at the glares.
"I had the idea; that it might be good if people who wanted to study Defense Against the Dark Arts. I mean, study it, you know, not the rubbish that Umbridge is doing with us, because nobody could call that Defense Against the Dark Arts"
The students murmured their agreement. There had been an uproar as many students send letters home to their parents, sharing the worthlessness of the class. The Ministry's response was a formal statement saying that they still had full confidence in the teacher and class. Dolores was let to remain the teacher.
"Well, I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands." Abbott continued.
She paused, looked sideways at her companion, and went on, "And by that, I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just theory but the real spells."
"You want to pass your Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. too though, I bet?" said Michael Corner.
"Of course, I do," said Hannah at once. "But I want more than that, I want to be properly trained in Defense also."
The reaction was immediate and predictable. Most people stared at her in confusion or fear.
"Well, that's the plan anyway," said Abbott. "If you want to join us, we need to decide how we're going to…"
"Look guys" Neville spoke up: "While passing our owls is the priority, there is nothing wrong with learning how to defend yourself, is there?"
No one could argue against that.
"So, who is going to teach us?" Padma asked.
"Well, I was hoping we could all teach each other." Hannah started: "We could also ask some seventh years."
A Slytherin snorted: "We need a real teacher. Since Umbridge is reviewing them, it is hopeless. The only other people that have the skill are Harry Potter and his close friends. After all; they have no allegiance to the teachers. But they are not here and he will not teach you."
Murmurs of agreement went through the gathering of students.
Finally, Hannah had enough: "Okay! We get it! Harry, Hermione, or Daphne would be a perfect choice. I will ask them." Everyone turned back to her.
"He is not going to teach any of you." A Ravenclaw said. "Many of you were wearing a Potter Stinks Badge a year ago. Why would he just forgive you for that?"
Admittedly some of them looked ashamed now. A puff tried to defend himself: "Well, to be fair; it did look like he only entered into the tournament for yet more fame. Harry was also disrespected Hogwarts during the whole thing. Remember the ball? His robe color for the first task? Plus, I am sure he could have found a way to enter himself if he wanted to."
"Let's get back to the topic at hand. So, do you guys agree to just study practical spells together and learn from each other?" There was a murmur of general agreement.
"Now the question is when and where? What can we find that will suit everyone," said Hannah.
"I am at a loss to see why the Ministry has foisted such a useless teacher upon us. That bitch is trying to actively prevent us from using defensive spells."
"We don't know why Umbridge doesn't want us trained in Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Hannah. "We only have guesses and unproven theories. In truth it doesn't matter why; we need to learn this; and pass our owl in DA-DA."
After almost a minute of arguing, they finally returned to the topic at hand. And started discussing possible locations.
Hannah rummaged in her bag and produced parchment and a quill. "I think everybody should write their name down, just so we know who was here. But I also think that we all ought to agree not to talk about what we're doing. So, if you sign, you're agreeing not to tell Umbridge or anybody else; what we're up to."
Many people signed without complaints, and only a few seemed hesitant at putting their names on the parchment.
Hannah wondered what kind of spells Hermione had put on the parchments. It was not just an ordinary list at this point. Probably some sort of binding magical contract.
{S}
"How did she find out?" Neville whispered.
Hannah could only shake her head.
Somehow, someone must have tipped her off, though it could not have been one of the students in attendance. They had all signed the charmed parchment that Hermione had provided, and if one had broken their word, the outcome would be obvious to all. No, someone else must have been there, someone who did not sign. She was scared as she read the decree a final time.
Educational Decree
All group activities are hereby disbanded. Any who wishes to form or re-establish a group will need the express permission of Professor Umbridge. Flouting this rule will result in severe punishment.
Dolores Jane Umbridge
High Inquisitor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"She was either spying on us or someone else was there who told her," Hannah whispered back.
"What are we going to do?"
"We're still going to do it. We just have to make sure we don't get caught."
"Can we? If she found out about a meeting outside the castle, how difficult do you think it will be for her to find us if we meet here?"
"I bet Harry and his ladies could do it. We should talk with them." Hannah said.
"We will talk to them on the train," Neville said.
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