Fleur’s Surprise

Hogwarts

Two owls were waiting for them on the kitchen windowsill when they arrived. Harry recognized the envelopes they were carrying even before he let them in. Both were the annual Hogwarts letters.

Harry was glad to find that he did much better than in previous years, probably due to Hermione's influence and the lack of Ron's influence. Ron's laziness and unwillingness to study seemed to have prevented Harry from reaching his full potential. With Ron out of his life, Harry was doing very well.

Hermione's notes were not surprising. She got O's in all her studies, except for Potions, where she only got E, which seemed to be the maximum Snape would give to any non-Slytherin student.

Hermione also found a prefect's badge in her envelope. She looked at it longingly before putting it back in. "I don't think I can accept the position even if we decide to go to Hogwarts," she noted. "I won't be able to patrol and being pregnant while still a student is quite a bad example, I believe."

"As you're officially married, it isn't that bad," Harry tried to placate her.

"And what did I do to become married, or to get pregnant for that matter? Exactly what I should tell other girls not to do." She now smiled teasingly. "Although I think I'd like a repeat performance as soon as we reach our room..."

Fleur didn't join them on the voyage home. She preferred spending a few more hours with her family instead of wasting her time waiting at the airport and flying in an airplane. She would join them before dinner, she said. Hermione was quite glad to have some alone time with Harry until then. She liked sharing with Fleur, but she liked to be just with Harry even more.

"So, have you decided about the coming school year? It starts in less than two weeks, you know," Dan asked them when they left their room about an hour later and joined him in the living room.

"It doesn't look like Hermione can enjoy spending this year at Hogwarts," Harry replied. "She may soon feel heavier and the multitude of stairs there would not be welcome. Besides, she thinks that being pregnant so young may give a bad example to others."

"So, do you intend to stay here?"

Harry was reluctant to answer, but Hermione had no qualms. "I think it would be better if we live in one of our other homes. The London townhouse seems quite appropriate and Fleur seems to like it very much. The Potter Manor is also a very good choice. We may eventually alternate."

"Will we not see you again for many months?" Dan sounded a bit hurt.

Hermione smiled at him. "You won't get rid of me that easy! We plan to visit at least during weekends, when you're not busy with your clinic and probably two or three evenings during the week as well."

This brought a smile to Dan's face. "The last four years have been very difficult for us, hardly having a chance to see you, and it was especially difficult for your Mum. I'm sure she will be much happier when she can see you more often."

Their discussion was cut short by the arrival of Fleur. The young French woman was still wearing the clothes she was wearing that morning, in the south of France, and was shivering lightly. "I tend to forget how cold it may turn here," she said apologetically.

Harry showed her to the room he was now sharing with both Hermione and Fleur. As expected, she also wanted a quick shag after removing her clothes and before putting on others, more appropriate for the weather. Harry could sense Hermione's approval. He felt she was actually expecting this to happen.

Despite their decision not to attend Hogwarts the coming term, they still decided to buy the books (just one set) in order to stay current with their friends and to be able to join them the next year with no problem. Unlike previous years, they needed no adult escort, yet Fleur came along with them, using her allure to distract those who may become too nosy.

Hermione was looking through the defense book. Even without being aware of her feelings, there was no mistake at what her face showed. "This is utter rubbish! Whoever has chosen this book is completely incompetent and unfit for the job!"

Harry took a look as well. Once done, he considered Hermione's reaction to be very restrained. The book was no good even for first year students, unless one didn't want them to know anything about the subject. "We're not buying it," he decided. "I'll also have somebody look into this matter and find who the new teacher is and what he or she aims at."

Soon after finishing their shopping, they walked into the offices of the "Prophet". Most of the staff already knew he was controlling the majority of the shares and treated him respectfully. Harry wanted to speak with Rita Skeeter.

"I feel there's something bad going with the defense teaching this year. I want you to find out who the new teacher is and what agenda he or she is serving. Judging by the book required this year, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun doing this." Harry also showed her the book list and gave her a copy.

"It may take a few weeks," Rita told him, "but I promise to find all the dirty laundry and publish it within a month from start of term."

Harry smiled. "I think that's good enough. I'll also have my friends inform me of anything relevant and I'll pass it to you."

She smirked. "It's a pleasure to do business with you, my Lord."

They set to write letters to all those they considered friends, even if just slightly, preparing letters for Neville, Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati – their class mates, and also for Fred and George Weasley, Susan Bones, Hanna Abbot, Cho Chang, Cedric Diggory, Luna Lovegood and Colin Creevey. Harry didn't like not having any Slytherin in the list. Hermione had a suggestion. "I've got to know Daphne Greengrass in Ancient Runes and in Arithmancy. She seems to be a nice girl. She even tried to approach me a few times, when no other Slytherin was around. She may just be the proper choice."

They still wanted to inform McGonagall of their decision before sending those letters. Hermione wrote her a letter, giving all the reasons which brought them to this decision. Hedwig, Harry's white owl, was just too happy to finally have something useful to do, nipping affectionately at both Harry's and Hermione's fingers before taking flight.

They expected an answer only in two or three days, knowing the deputy headmistress was quite busy at this time. They were surprised to see her at the door soon after dinner.

"Professor! I didn't expect you to come!" Hermione said, before inviting her in.

Once she was seated and served some refreshments, the stern Professor looked at Harry and his wives with a shade of a smile appearing momentarily on her lips, before speaking. "As a teacher, I'm not supposed to have favorites, and I hope that I succeed in acting equally with all students. Yet, like every living person, I like some more than the others. I must confess that you two are my most favorite students." She sighed loudly. "It makes me sorry to learn about your decision, although I understand why you decided that way and I can fully agree. Yet I need to ask you for a favor. It's not for me – it's for the school."

She didn't seem to like what she was going to say. Harry was sure it was something dictated to her by Dumbledore. He could use Legilimency on her to find out, but he didn't think it was right. He trusted his head of house to tell him all that she could freely tell.

"The headmaster wanted me to ask you to come for the welcome feast and the few first days of term," she said. "He feels that this is necessary for the school to continue functioning as it should." She looked like she had just eaten something very sour.

"Will Fleur be able to join us?" Harry asked.

"Why should she?" the professor wondered.

"She is my second wife," Harry said, "and as such, she should live with me. We won't come unless the three of us can stay together."

The old lady sighed again. "Lord Potter..."

"Just Harry, please!"

"Well, Harry, you certainly make life interesting... I'm not sure if the headmaster will approve, though."

"We can just stay here or at one of the other places we own..." Harry shrugged.

The professor seemed to start getting up when Harry remembered their previous task. "Can you tell me who the new Defense teacher is?"

Her face darkened. "Dumbledore didn't manage to find a professor on time. I'm not sure he tried very hard either. Anyway, the Ministry decided to step in and force on us one of the minister's aids as a teacher. I'm not sure she has even the minimum qualifications required for the post, but I had no say in it."

"Do you know her name?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, Dolores Umbridge, the minister's undersecretary." She almost spat that name. They didn't need an interpreter to understand that their beloved teacher despised that woman and all that she stood for.

"Well, thank you, professor. Just inform us if we can come, the three of us, and we'll be glad to attend the first few days of school."

Harry made sure to pass the information he got to Rita, while Hermione and Fleur were modifying the letters to their friends. It was going to be an interesting year, Harry was sure.

They got an owl the next day. Confirming Fleur's presence and even offering her a job as assistant professor for defense. Hermione was sure it was McGonagall's way to fight the ministry.

Their friends also replied. Most were just promising to send all information about anything out of order. Neville was also sad not to be able to see them the whole school year. The twins were eager to help. They also informed Harry that they confronted Molly. "Mum gave us a magical oath confirming that she had never suggested to Ron, or to anybody else, to use love potions on either Harry or Hermione. There was a flash of acceptance and she can still use magic, so we know it was just Ron's unworthy idea."

They were quite surprised by Daphne's letter.

"Lord Potter,

I've been unable to come close to you and get to know you due to the animosity between our school houses, and especially due to the influence of Draco Malfoy. It now looks like his father has disappeared, along with many others who were following the dark lord, supposedly under the imperius curse. I hope he won't return to school, making it a much pleasanter place for all, and especially for the Slytherins who don't agree with his ideas.

As for your request, I'll be delighted to help in any possible way. I regard my education with a lot of concern and I want to get the best possible education. Anything that can help us get rid of incompetent teachers is welcome. We've only had one good teacher in defense since we started Hogwarts, and he was a werewolf! Still, I'd rather have him than the other three. Moody (the real one) was also OK, but he probably doesn't want to continue.

I wish you, Lord and Lady Potter, all the best and I promise to inform you of everything that may be of interest,

Your friend, Daphne."

"Wow! That's quite a surprise," Harry said as he finished reading.

"Not really. I knew she was a good girl. And then, being a Slytherin, she's bound to see that being close to you is more beneficial than sticking with the Death Eater spawn," Hermione said.

Fleur decided not to join them on the train. She would just Floo to Hogsmeade and join them at the train station. Harry knew why even without Fleur needing to explain. She just didn't want the attention her presence was sure to call. She wanted her mates to have as pleasant a journey as possible.

It really was pleasant. Many Slytherins were missing, including Malfoy and his cronies, and also a few others. Harry was joined by Neville (with Hanna) for most of the ride, with others visiting for shorter periods. Even Daphne Greengrass came for a short visit, accompanied by her close friend Tracey Davis. Both proved to be quite pleasant, besides being very attractive.

Fleur was already waiting for them on the platform. She ran towards them and hugged them tightly as soon as they set foot out of the train. She then joined them in the carriage along with Susan Bones.

"My aunt says that they finished interrogating the captured Death Eaters under veritaseum and the trials will start in another week or two. She said I should thank you for your political support when I meet you. Had the minister not been restrained, she would have not been able to do it," Susan told Harry.

"I felt it was my duty. She seemed to be the only person who cared, at least among the top officials. Most others are corrupt and lazy. I'm sure the 'Prophet' will soon expose them, starting with the minister and his close aids."

Susan smiled. "I'm sure auntie will love it especially, as you seem to know."

Harry smiled back, neither confirming nor denying her words. Rita, once she started investigation, had already found a lot of 'dirty laundry' to publicly air. She was still collecting more evidence to make sure that none of the politicians involved would have any chance to redeem himself, and she was very good at it.

The Great Hall looked like it had been during all the previous welcome feasts. Harry sat at the Griffindor table with Hermione, while Fleur joined the staff table, sitting near the end closer to Harry. Other teachers were already seated. Harry recognized Flitwick and Snape immediately and most other teachers. Dumbledore sat at his normal place, looking more alert than Harry remembered seeing him before the summer break. He didn't recognize the person wearing pink robes, sitting two seats from him. 'Probably the new defense teacher,' he thought darkly.

He was proved correct, both in the identity of the pink robed person and the dark mood she instilled. Umbridge acted as if she owned the school, even interrupting the headmaster.

She proved even worse the next day, when they attended the defense class. Harry needed all his restraint not to lash at her. Hermione's presence in his mind helped a lot, as well as her hand on his arm. Umbridge refused to accept Fleur as assistant professor, referring to her as "half breed". This didn't help sweeten Harry's attitude towards her. He collected his friends' impressions of the new teacher during dinner and owled it all to Rita, urging her to act swiftly.

It took Rita a few more days, though. It was during the weekend that her article appeared. "The Sunday Prophet" had Umbridge's toad-like face on the front page and the headline stated "Ministry's corruption at Hogwarts!"

Only a few students were present at breakfast, most others still sleeping, but all seemed to find the article interesting, to say the least. Snape was sitting alone at the teachers' table, his expression undecipherable.

The Great Hall was bursting full for lunch, everybody watching for the pink toad to appear. Once she did, it was very clear that she was barely holding her temper, yet she was also quite frightened. While the article in the Prophet started with her incompetence as a teacher, it didn't stop there. Her whole career at the ministry had been exposed, including every bribe given or taken, every person exploited by her and every other illegal or unbecoming act.

As soon as she sat at the table, several owls entered through the high windows, each diving at Umbridge, leaving a red envelope in front of her and hurrying out. The owls seemed to come in about a second apart in an endless stream. The first few howlers were already flaming and more were coming in.

Many students had cast silencing charms around themselves, as Harry did. Some of the older prefects cast even stronger charms around their house tables, yet nobody wanted to leave and miss the show. Umbridge was inundated in a mass of red envelopes which were screaming and flaming in sequence, unable to move from her seat, thanks to a charm cast by Harry wandlessly and some more, cast by other students. By the time that the last howler exploded, her pink robes were severely singed and her face blackened by the soot.

This was not the end of the story, though. While Umbridge was still shell-shocked from the howlers, her ears ringing from the volume of the screams, the door opened and three aurors came in. Harry recognized Kingsley as one of them. They approached the head table, pointed their wands at Umbridge and took her away, still stuck to her chair.

The great hall burst into laughter and cheers. Within the few days of her tenure, Umbridge managed to become the most hated teacher, surpassing even Snape, who also seemed relieved seeing her taken away.

McGonagall approached them soon after the aurors left with their charge. "Lord and Lady Potter, please come to my office after you finish your lunch," she said, barely keeping a smile of triumph from appearing on her face.

"We'll be there in a few minutes," Harry said solemnly, making it even harder for his head of house to refrain from smiling.

"Thank you for helping us get rid of her," McGonagall said as soon as they entered her office.

"What are you referring to?" he asked innocently.

She smiled knowingly. "I've noticed your friends were keeping an eye on her and I know you have a bit of influence with the Prophet. Actually, I also own about five percent of the paper and I've already given your lawyer the authorization to act in my name, so that you'll have even better control of the paper."

"Thank you, professor. I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it. I've actually called you to discuss your home education during this year. Have you contacted any teachers already?"

"Not yet. We had a busy summer and we decided quite late. I was thinking of Mr. Lupin as one of our teachers, maybe the main one, and I was hoping he would be able to recommend others."

"I'm afraid Mr. Lupin will not be available. I think he will agree to teach Defense here, making him unavailable to you. I have a list of others I may recommend, though." McGonagall handed Harry a folded parchment which she had prepared earlier. "I believe Mr. Black, once he is acquitted, will be glad to teach you as well. While not as good a student as Mr. Lupin, he was still among our best in both Transfiguration and Charms, and he did quite well in Potions. Your wife, Lady Delacour-Potter can also help. I've been informed that she finished Beauxbatons with the highest grades for more than a decade. Had she been somewhat older, I would have liked to have her teach here, but she must first gain some real-world experience."

They stayed at Hogwarts the rest of the day, enjoying the company of their friends. They said their goodbyes soon after dinner and Floo'ed to their London townhouse a bit later, using the fireplace in McGonagall's office.