Chapter 19 – Umbridge

Harry took Dumbledore's advice and asked Hermione to go to the Yule Ball and therefore he had to take her to Hogsmeade for some dress robes. Whilst the others were making their way down to Hogsmeade early Saturday morning, as it was the last weekend visit before the Ball, Harry and Hermione made their way to their advanced lessons.

When they arrived in Advanced Potions, Snape was already sitting there with a cup of coffee and was marking essays. Draco was sitting in his usual space and reading his textbook and Justin looked up and smiled at them as they arrived.

'How nice of you to join us Potter. Sit.'

Once they were all sitting down Snape put down his quill and picked up the projects they had handed in so far.

'These are adequate. I do expect you all to improve after Christmas.' He calls them up one by one and hands them back their projects. Harry looks over his comments.

'Need to improve accuracy in calculations. This sub standard will

not be acceptable next term.'

Well, thought Harry, if I was expecting a Well Done I didn't know Snape.

'Draco has achieved the best score this term.' Draco smiles smugly at them. Harry rolls his eyes. 'Next Saturday is our last lesson before the Christmas Holidays. You will be starting on pair projects. The two pairs will be Ms Granger and Mr Finch-Fletchley and Mr Malfoy and Mr Potter. You will be given the title of your project and I will not give you any more guidelines or help. Now get out your parchment and quills. Today we will discuss Potion Instruments and their effects in potion making.'

'He's not supposed to give us any essays for Advanced Potions for holiday homework. It's hardly fair.' Harry complains to Hermione as they made their way to Advanced Defence.

'It's just so we do not forget it over Christmas. It'll probably help us with our joint projects next term too.' Harry shakes his head but cannot respond as they reach the Defence classroom and find their Professor ready to start the lesson.

'Good Morning. Here are your two projects. They are very well done but you all need to put extra effort into describing the physical effects of each incantation. Simply putting 'a large blue sphere surrounds you' will not do anymore. You need to write down what it feels like to you and get information off each other of what somebody else's spell feels like when you touch it. Also draw diagrams to illustrate your work.' Professor Pentagon walks around them and gives them back two folders each. 'For the rest of today we are going to review the blocks and spells you have learnt so far as next Saturday I am going to give you a project that will take the first half of next term so you can start reading up on the topic I give you over the holidays. Pair up and begin.' Sighing Harry partners up with Hermione and they start a mini duel, blocking and cursing.

An hour later Harry, Hermione, Hannah and Ernie make their way down to the Entrance Hall. Harry was very surprised to see the majority of the members of the original DA and their partners waiting for them there.

'I thought I told you all to go on down to Hogsmeade.' Says Harry. Ron steps forward.

'We know mate. But if you thought we'd leave you to deal with the Toad on your own, you're mad.'

'Ron's right. We all hate her and what better way to show her that she never won than all of the DA sticking together.' Smiles Cho.

Harry shakes his head smiling.

'Are we going to Hogsmeade then. I have Dress Robes to buy.' Harry shudders causing the others to laugh. Joking and laughing the large group slowly progresses down the path to Hogsmeade. Hermione never leaves Harry's side and keeps herself firmly attached by holding his left hand so his wand hand can be kept free. Harry turns to Ron.

'You got enough money to buy Lavenders Dress Robes?' Harry whispers.

'Yeah. The twins are doing really well and I helped them over the summer to set up so they sent me some money for helping.'

'Ginny mentioned that they would need some help over Christmas.'

'Yeah. I got a letter from them the other day asking if we could help them.'

'Ronald Weasley. You are telling us this now?' Ron grins sheepishly at Hermione's lecture. Harry laughs.

'I sent them a reply saying yes we would anyway.' Harry laughs harder at Hermione's look of shock. 'Come on Mione. It's not that bad an idea. We get to escape from Grimmauld Place and earn some money.' Hermione sighs, Harry kisses her cheek.

'That's my girl. Humouring us as always.' Ron laughs at Hermione's blush. Lavender comes over and hooks her arm through Rons turning his attention to her. Finally they reach Hogsmeade and the DA split into two groups, the first lot with Harry in the middle of the group heading towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions with the other group heading into the shop opposite.

The bell rings above the door in Madam Malkin's as they all enter, cold air causing the Robes on the racks to flutter.

'Oh dear Merlin. All of you need new robes?' Madam Malkin asks shocked.

'Um…' Harry starts. Ernie pipes up.

'Just a few of us, the rest are Harry's guard for today.'

'My old robes are too short and Hermione needs some new ones, to go on my account, Madam Malkin.' Madam Malkin smiles at Harry.

'Of course Mr Potter. Will you two stand on the platforms then.' Harry and Hermione stand on the platforms and remove their casual robes.

'What colours dears?'

'Dark green for me. Mione?'

'I wanted green too. I spotted the robes I wanted last time I was in here.' She blushes.

'Which one was that dear?' Ginny appears behind her carrying a long emerald green robe. Madam Malkin takes it off her and hands it to Hermione. Hermione quickly goes and changes into it in the changing rooms and comes back blushing. It is an off the shoulder dress with long wide sleeves, a wide darker green sash around her waist with a long flowing skirt all made of satin. Harry stares. Ron whistles, as do a few other lads.

'Here's the over robe dear.' Madam Malkin offers, holding up a emerald green robe and helps Hermione into it. The robe fastens over her chest with three dark green buttons with the neckline matching the dress underneath. Madam Malkin claps her hands together over her chest. 'My dear, you look wonderful. Stand up then so I can make the adjustment to the hem.' Hermione stands still as Madam Malkin uses her wand to direct pins to raise the hem. 'You can carefully take that outfit off now dear.' Hermione nods and disappears back into the dressing room.

Madam Malkin then turns to Harry and throws a very dark green almost black set of robes at him. Harry takes the hint and goes and changes. Minutes later Harry has still to appear, so Ron goes over to the changing room.

'You okay in their mate?'

'Um… it isn't really me.'

'Let's see it then.'

'I can't. You'll all laugh at me.'

'Are you dressed?' Ron says exasperated.

'Yes.' Harry says reluctantly. Ron lifts up the curtain for the dressing room and disappears inside. The others listen to the whispered conversation going on inside the changing room. Hermione reappears the Dress Robes over her arm which are immediately taken by Madam Malkin.

'Where's Harry?'

'He won't come out.'

Hermione sighs and goes over to the changing room and walks inside. Shouts are heard causing the group to laugh. More whispered conversation later and Ron and Hermione reappear.

'Hermione, Harry could have been undressed in there!' Cho giggles. Hermione shrugs.

'I see worse when I go wake the lads up in the morning.' Harry finally leaves the changing room to stunned silence.

'I told you it wasn't me.' Harry says. Harry is wearing tailored trousers; jacket with a 1-inch collar fastened with tiny buttons all the way to the top and has a sash around his waist resting above his hips with his wand tucked in on the right hand side. The entire outfit is made of silk. This time its Hermione turn to stare and the girls to whistle.

'If I had known you would turn out looking like that I would have told Cedric to go away in fifth year.' Everybody laughs missing the quick look of pain flashing across Harry's face. Madam Malkin throws a short robe over Harry's right shoulder and fastens the dark green button holding it together.

'There you are Mr Potter, if you wish I could remove the button and you can then fasten it with the clasp of your choice.' Harry nods. 'You may get changed back into your casual robes now Mr Potter.' Harry quickly disappears back into the changing room.

'Who's next?' Madam Malkin asks the large group. Lavender giggles and steps forward with Ron. Cho also steps forward. 'Up you get then dears.' They are done very quickly. At the till they all pay and Madam Malkin promises to have their clothes delivered in a few days time. The first thing Harry notices when they step outside is that Umbridge is standing around at the top of the main high street with a bunch of Aurors and some others from her office including Percy. Ron growls from next to him. The small feud between the Weasleys and Percy had yet to be ended. The DA close in around Harry with Ron standing next to him blocking him from view from Umbridge.

'Zonko's next.' Ginny suggests as the other half of the group come out of the opposite store and surround them. Quickly they walk down the street and disappear inside the joke shop.

'Okay guys. I need a bunch of treats for DA. My supply ran out last week.' Harry calls over them. 'I need fake wands, trick sweets and some joke material. You have 5 galleons.'

'You shouldn't be paying for all this Harry.' Dean says.

'I'm not. All school clubs get a grant from the school per year. It comes out of that.' They all rush off and start searching for something good. Hermione stays holding Harry's hand and Ron walks around with them.

'You asked Fred and George for something?'

'Yup. But seeing as I gave them the money to start their business, I only pay half the cost for stuff for DA so I have little extra to spend.' Harry picks up a couple of fake wands and puts them on the counter to wait for everybody else to finish. Ron grabs some dung bombs and fireworks.

'Not as good as Fred and George's but I can get away with these in school.' Ron tells a frowning Hermione as he pays for them. It doesn't take long for the DA to bring over their selection and Harry to pay for them, shrinking and storing them in his pockets.

'Neat charm Harry. Teach us that one will you in DA. It will come in handy packing to go home.'

'Sure Lavender.'

Back outside Umbridge has started walking down the high street looking for Harry. Unfortunately they come out of the store just as she walks past and she spots the group.

'Hem, hem. Mr Potter.' Harry turns covering up the look of distaste on his face at the false sincerity in her voice.

'Minister.' Harry and the rest of the group nod their heads in respect. Hermione's grip on his hand tightens.

'I was wondering if I could have a word Mr Potter?' Umbridge asks.

'I believe the Headmaster sent you my reply in regards to your proposed meeting.' Umbridge's smile falters but remains, if not a little tightly. Harry looks pointedly at the others surrounding Umbridge as the DA move to the side to let Harry come forward slightly.

'Oh, these are from my office, Mr Percy Weasley, my under-secretary.' Umbridge turns and smiles sweetly at Ron and then at Ginny showing clearly she knows about the family feud. 'This is the Head Auror, Simon Pritchard.' Harry nods at him and he nods back. 'The rest are unimportant.' Harry raises an eyebrow and turns bowing at each individual Auror causing them to smile.

'Mr Shacklebolt, Mr Turnbridge, Miss Yew. Pleasure meeting you again. We met at the Ministry, if a little briefly, last year.'

Umbridge looks ready to kill but smiles again sending a shiver down Harry's spine.

'I never realised you knew so many people from the Ministry.'

'When you are called to a Wizengmot hearing for some underage magic and are escorted by Aurors you do tend to meet interesting people.' Harry smiles at her without it reaching his eyes. Umbridge laughs.

'A small misunderstanding. You must understand the Ministry is under a lot of pressure.'

'So much pressure Underage Magic requires a full Wizengmot hearing instead of the head of Improper Use of Magic Office, Simon Pritchard, dealing with the case.' Harry stops, smiles wider as Umbridge stops smiling and the DA around him laugh. 'I would have thought the Ministry had better things to do, like chasing Death Eaters and Voldemort.' Harry smiles with pleasure as Umbridge involuntary flinches at the name.

'I wouldn't expect at your age, for you to understand politics Mr Potter.' Umbridge titters. A few members of the DA discreetly remove their wands. Simon Pritchard smiles inwardly at the discreet movements.

'You're right. Although it seems not everybody becomes wiser with age.' Hermione snorts next to him. Umbridge glares at her.

'Good afternoon Miss Granger, I see you are Mr Potter's latest girlfriend.'

'First girlfriend.' Hermione says looking directly at Umbridge. 'Being Minister I'm sure you do not listen to the Daily Prophet, but only the facts.' This time it is Harry's time to snort. He recovers and stands up straighter. He now towers over Umbridge.

'Minister I have replied to your offer of receiving the Order of Merlin via the Headmaster. I have no intention of changing my mind. I am afraid that your visit here today was redundant.' Harry smiles politely.

Well at least Dumbledore and Snape will be pleased I never lost my temper, Harry thought.

'Was there anything else I can do for you Minister?'

'I was merely looking for your support for the Ministry and the Minister in this time of war.' Umbridge smiles smugly knowing she has backed Harry into a corner.

Damn, thought Harry. If I give my support she's won, if I do not give my support, she's won.

Bitch, thought Hermione.

I wonder how he will get out of that, thought Simon.

Harry thinks quickly before replying.

'I'm sure the Wizarding world voted for who they thought appropriate to take over from late Minster Fudge. It's a shame I am not 17 yet and cannot vote.' Umbridge stops smiling.

'Good day Mr Potter.' Umbridge answers before turning and marching away, her entourage following behind her. Harry and the group lift their heads from their bows and take deep breaths.

'I hate her.' Hermione says.

'Join me in Flourish and Blots. I spotted a great book the other day that might help us in Advanced Defence.' Harry says his eyes dancing in mirth as Hermione perks up. Ron groans. 'Lead the way my lady.' Harry jokes letting her drag him away. The DA follows discussing Umbridge and ways to kill her.

Simon Pritchard was saying goodbye to the Minister who had decided to leave Hogsmeade early. After she disapparated with Percy Weasley he turned to the other Aurors with him.

'You going to go report this to Albus?' Miss Yew asks Simon.

'He asked me to. What would be your take on that conversation?'

'They hate each other.' Shacklebolt points out.

'Other then that?'

'Yeah, how many people actually like her, Shacklebolt?' Shacklebolt shrugs.

'I loved his comment about not being able to vote yet.' Simon nods.

'You lot had better get back to the office, before she checks up on you. I will see you all later.' They apparate away leaving Simon standing there. Simon pulls an invisibility cloak from his pocket and covers himself in it. Footprints appear in the mud heading towards Hogwarts.

Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall are sitting in Dumbledore's office drinking tea. The door opens showing nobody waiting there and shuts again. Simon appears as the invisibility cloak is thrown over a spare chair.

'Hello Simon. I was expecting you a little later.' Dumbledore smiles.

'She cornered him early.'

Simon recounts word for word the meeting between Harry and Umbridge in Hogsmeade then sits back and watches the others silently.

'I must give Potter credit for once. He actually thought before he opened his mouth.'

'Stop sneering Severus.' Minerva demands. 'Harry is capable of thinking.' Severus snorts.

'I agree Severus. It was well done.' Dumbledore twinkles.

'How did she take it Harry's rebuff, Simon?' Minerva asks.

'Not well.' Dumbledore chuckles.

'She'll be gunning for them now. It won't be obvious but she will do anything to destroy them.'

'That was always obvious Simon. According to my house she tried to cast the Crutatius Curse on him last year.' Severus says.

'Interesting.' Simon says. McGonagall looks furious.

'That could be why she is sending through a decree stating that all ministry employees can use the Unforgivables to apprehend Death Eaters, or who they believe to be Death Eaters.' There is silence. 'I've told people who I can trust not to use them and that if I ever catch wind of them using them they will be dealing with me personally. That should stop most of them but there's a few who will actually enjoy getting to use them.'

'It'll be chaos Albus. They could attack anybody and say they thought they were a Death Eater.'

'Call an order meeting. We have to discuss this.'

The DA spent the rest of the day in Hogsmeade chatting, gossiping and laughing. Snow had started to fall on their way back up to the castle and by Sunday morning it covered the entire school.

At Sunday mornings apparition lesson nearly everybody finished learning how to apparate non-verbally, even Ron and Neville. As most of them had now succeeded the hoops were taken away and they were told to just practise apparating around the room. Dumbledore sat in his chair as usual and chuckled as people landed on top of each other or bumped into each other at random.

After one spectacular accident where three people landed on each other as a pile of bodies on the floor, Harry landed next to Snape bumping into him.

'Sorry sir.'

'10 points off Gryffindor for not looking where you are going.' Harry just nods. 'If you are so confident with apparating non-verbally Potter, try apparating in silence.'

'That's supposed to be impossible.'

'The Headmaster and the Dark Lord can do it.' Harry sighs and concentrates. He disappears and re-appears with the usual loud crack.

'How does this work then?'

'The Headmaster says all he has to do is imagine he is surrounded by a shield that blocks all noise.' Harry nods and tries again still not getting it. 'Tut, tut Potter. Everybody thinks you're so great.' Snape sneers and walks off. Harry continues trying to apparate quietly for a while until growing bored apparates over to where Hermione is sitting down reading.