Chapter 184: Padfoot

It was past midnight when Chris, Ginny, Colin, Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to go to bed. The common room was completely deserted. But as they started to walk away Hermione came to an abrupt halt.

"What happened?" Ginny asked Hermione.

"I saw something," Hermione answered. She was gazing towards the fireplace.

"Like what?" Chris asked.

"Sirius?" Harry said suddenly crouching on the singed and threadbare hearthrug.

"What?" Chris repeated, as all of them crouched down in front of the fireplace.

There in the middle of the dancing flames sat Sirius's head, long dark hair falling around his grinning face.

"I was starting to think you'd go to bed before everyone else had disappeared," he said. "I've been checking every hour."

"You've been popping into the fire every hour?" Harry said, half laughing.

"Just for a few seconds to check if the coast was clear yet," Sirius said but then noticed Colin. "I didn't expect all of you to be here."

"It's alright Sirius. That's Colin, our friend." Harry replied and Colin beamed.

"Alright then," Sirius said. "Harry, I saw your letter."

"Letter?" Chris and Hermione said together looking at Harry.

"Harry, I thought you knew our letters are being checked," Chris said seriously.

"Don't look at me like that, there was no way anyone would have got secret information out of it, was there, Sirius?" Harry protested.

"No, it was very good," said Sirius, smiling. "Anyway, we'd better be quick, just in case we're disturbed — Umbridge. I know her by reputation and I'm sure she's no Death Eater —"

"She's foul enough to be one," said Harry darkly.

"Yes, but the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters," said Sirius with a wry smile. "I know she's a nasty piece of work, though — you should hear Remus talk about her."

"Does Lupin know her?" asked Harry quickly.

"No," said Sirius, "but she drafted a bit of anti-werewolf legislation two years ago that makes it almost impossible for him to get a job."

"Sirius," Chris spoke suddenly. "Are you sure she's not working for Malgino?"

"Do you doubt she is?" Sirius said raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, I do," Chris answered. "I mean I think she is."

"Well, I will talk to Aurelia then. I hate to admit but she has a better chance of finding out about it." Sirius looked thoughtful then said, "So what are Umbridge's lessons like? Is she training you all to kill half-breeds?"

"No, she's not letting us use magic at all!" said Harry.

"All we do is read the stupid textbook," said Ron.

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"Ah, well, that figures," said Sirius. "Our information from inside the Ministry is that Fudge doesn't want you trained in combat."

"Trained in combat?" repeated Harry incredulously. "What does he think we're doing here, forming some sort of wizard army?"

"That's exactly what he thinks you're doing," said Sirius, "or rather, that's exactly what he's afraid Dumbledore's doing — forming his own private army, with which he will be able to take on the Ministry of Magic."

"That's — that's —" Hermione was struggling to find words.

"Weird? Funny? Stupid?" Ginny supplied.

"Unbelievable," Hermione said furiously. "So we're being prevented from learning Defense Against the Dark Arts because Fudge is scared we'll use spells against the Ministry?"

"Yep," said Sirius. "Fudge thinks Dumbledore will stop at nothing to seize power. He's getting more paranoid about Dumbledore by the day. It's a matter of time before he has Dumbledore arrested on some trumped-up charge."

"Who made him the Minister exactly?" Chris said impatiently. "They are more idiot than him. A person who doesn't even have common sense runs wizarding Ministry. These Ministry employees are more threat to people than Riddle and Malgino."

There was a short pause then Harry spoke.

"So you haven't had any news about Hagrid?"

"Oh yes, I have. Madame Maxime was with him, we've been in touch with her and she says they got separated on the journey home. Hagrid should be back by now." Sirius said then added, "But Dumbledore's not worried, so don't you all get yourselves in a state; I'm sure Hagrid's fine."

"I think Hagrid is fine, Harry," Ginny assured Harry.

"Yes and listen, don't go asking too many questions about Hagrid," said Sirius hastily, "it'll just draw even more attention to the fact that he's not back, and I know Dumbledore doesn't want that. Hagrid's tough, he'll be okay."

All six of them nodded.

"Also, Harry, I will be gone for a while — for an Order's job. Don't send me any letters. I really want to be there for you but I think you will understand that the job is very important." Sirius said sympathetically. "And I don't want to give away my location. You understand, don't you?"

" 'Course," Harry nodded.

"Good, I'll talk to later when I'm back." Sirius smiled at Harry then looked at everyone else. "Goodnight all of you."

There was a tiny pop, and the place where Sirius's head had been was flickering flame once more.

"That was so cool," Colin broke the silence after few minutes. "The flame thing. Do you think we can do that, Chris?"

"It's easy Colin. Remember we talked about floo powder," Chris said. "It's another use of floo powder."

"I think we should go to bed," said Hermione.

"And wait for tomorrow's Daily Prophet." Ginny reminded.

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Next morning at breakfast, Chris, Ginny and Colin filled Luna about Percy and Sirius. But before Luna could say anything a barn owl arrived with Chris's Daily Prophet. Chris opened it and saw the front page of the newspaper had a large photograph of Dolores Umbridge, smiling widely and blinking slowly at them from beneath the headline:

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST-EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"

"Look!" Chris flattened the newspaper on the table.

Chris quickly scanned the entire article which was written by none other than Rita Skeeter.

"So High Inquisitor is someone, who has the power to inspect other teachers!" Colin said after they finished reading.

"Also Umbridge was forced to Hogwarts and Dumbledore," Ginny said. "The Ministry and she are misusing their powers."

"Well, not for long," Chris said folding the newspaper back. "I have found the thing to jinx her own punishment quill. Now just wait for her to give me a detention."

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To be continued...